AN: Things Merlin is not: mine

I meant to be working on my other stories, but this popped into my head and I didn't want to lose it. Plus I just like writing lighthearted things once in a while :)

Why where there always bandits?

The knights really should be ready by now. But again, when they got off their horses and a band of bandits ran at them from all directions, they were surprised.

They recovered fairly quickly, however. Still, if it weren't for some quick, discreet magic on Merlin's part, Gwaine would now have a sword sticking out of his back.

Elyan ran at a particularly thuggish bandit. He didn't see the one hanging back behind a tree and aiming at him with a crossbow. Merlin's eyes flashed, and a branch fell on said bandit.

Percival, of course, took on three of the criminals at once. He was winning, but he was oblivious to the panicked horse running at him. Merlin summoned his magic, and the creature calmed.

Leon was going up against yet another of the thugs. He was doing fairly well, but two of the bandits were creeping up on him from behind. A flash of Merlin's eyes and they went flying.

Arthur was taking on what appeared to be the leader of the group. A bandit ran at him from behind, but when he tried to swing his sword at the king, his weapon flew mysteriously out of his hand, leaving him defenseless.

Suddenly, a bandit ran at Merlin. Merlin cursed silently, the knights hadn't considered giving him a sword. The best he could do was dodge a sword came at him.

Frustrated, he thought briefly in between swordstrokes how this could actually be harder than dealing with all the threats he took care of that no one else noticed, because at least he didn't have to work as hard to hide his magic. Hell, just the night before, he'd gotten rid of some dark creature Morgana had sent to kill Arthur. He'd killed it before it could hurt anyone using his magic.

But now, there were knights of Camelot around him on all sides, and he couldn't risk doing anything too drastic for fear of being discovered.

The criminal pushed him to the ground and was on the verge of driving his sword through the servant when a sword tip appeared in his chest. With a cry, he tumbled to the side, revealing Leon.

"Merlin! You okay, mate?" Gwaine asked, holding out a hand for Merlin to take. Merlin stood up and looked around. All of them were looking at him with concern, though Arthur obviously was trying to hide his.

"I'm fine," he insisted.

Gwaine scoffed. "Fine, my arse. You almost got impaled." He turned to Arthur. "We really should think about getting him a sword."

"Yeah, he may be hopeless with one, but we can't leave him defenseless," Percival piped in.

Defenseless. Merlin almost snorted, but caught himself.

"Maybe they have a point, Arthur," Elyan said, a hint of worry in his voice for the man the knights considered their little brother. "We may not always be around to protect him."

The irony made Merlin cough slightly into his hand to hide his smile. If only they knew...

Arthur looked his servant up and down, checking for injuries.

"Might not be a bad idea," he said. "Can't have him dying on me and leaving me with George."

Gwaine clapped Merlin on the shoulder. "Don't worry, mate. We're not gonna allow any bandit to kill you," he told his friend seriously.

The strain of not laughing was painful now. He gave Gwaine a tight smile, trying not to allow his mirth to burst free..

"Thanks, Gwaine, you're a good friend," he told the knight.

Satisfied that the servant was alright, the knights went back to setting up camp and tying up the bandits, looking very pleased with themselves. Merlin smiled.

"I'd be dead without you guys," he said, but quietly enough so that he could say it filled with sarcasm.