A/N: So here's a scar reveal fic! It will be, at the very least, a two-shot. Hope you enjoy! :)

The Problems with Mead- Chapter 1

It started, as these things do, with a dare. Add in some slightly inebriated knights and a complete prat of a king, and you have a recipe for disaster. Lastly and most importantly, the poor victim of the story: a clever, brave and incredibly handsome servant. Merlin sighed and dug the heel of his palm into his eye, one arm a secure band around his waist. How did it come to this? Oh right, inebriation. Well, his secret was out. At least, one of them was. No longer could he pretend to be naïve in the face of conflict, or to the reality of the consequences of war. No longer could he pretend to have escaped unscathed from the clutches of Death.

It began innocently, with the private celebration of the peace treaty that had just been forged with the kingdom of Mercia. Arthur and his most trusted knights had retreated to his chambers, and the best mead from the tavern had been sent for. Merlin of course was there as well, as he always was. Various drinking games commenced, all spearheaded by Gwaine, but everyone as eager as he, although some were loathe to show it. Merlin envied them the ability to completely let loose, and he hoped that one day he would be able to, and that they would see him for who he truly was. For now though, all he could do was pretend. So Merlin sipped slowly, and when no one was looking, he deftly poured his drink back into the strategically placed flagon. Gradually the games became stories, the stories became boasts, and eventually, those boasts became dares. Percival had just been dared by Elyan to go out into the courtyard and serenade someone. Gleefully, the others gathered around Arthur's window and waited for Percival to make his move. They watched in utter astonishment as Percival approached what looked to be an elderly and rather shapeless woman in the darkness below. Percival dropped to his knees before the figure, and boomed at such a volume that he was previously unknown to possess a surprisingly well-put together string of original song lyrics. All Merlin could catch from his position under Arthur's arm was something about the moonlight shining magnificently and revealing true beauty, along with a rather long description of Percival's own muscular prowess and his love of kittens. Struggling free of Arthur's hold, Merlin saw the poor accosted citizen of Camelot whap him around the head and tell him that if Sir Percival didn't kindly desist that instant, he would abuse his knowledge of potions and plants to give him something that would extend his sure hangover to the middle of next week. And give him nasty boils. Merlin swore that he could see The Raised Eyebrow of Disdain and Disappointment all the way from the window.

"Oh god, is that Gaius?" Gwaine exclaimed. "I will never let dear Percy forget this one!"

As one, they scrambled away from the window and dove towards the floor as if the Eyebrow could see them. There they remained until Percival slunk back into the room, red to his ears, and said with ill-disguised relief, "He's gone".

Soon the episode was pushed to the back of their minds as they moved on to more inventive dares that they kept confined to Arthur's room, unwilling to have a repeat of Percival's performance. Merlin had managed to deflect most of the dares directed at him by disappearing to get more mead or making trips to the kitchen to get them all food. Finally though, his luck ran out. Arthur turned towards him with a predatory gleam in his eyes.

"Merlin! I am going to dare you, and you are not going to escape it this time!" he crowed. Merlin slumped, but he had just left to get more food and the flagon was full, so he really had no more excuses. Not for lack of trying.

"Sire, I really need to go back to my room, I forgot I needed to help Gaius-"

"Merlin! You know as well as I that Gaius is snoring right now and won't need you until the morning. Now. Listen to my dare, and that is an order!" Arthur paused for a second, as though to make sure Merlin really was listening. "I dare you to… run naked through the courtyard." The knights all burst out laughing.

"C'mon mate," Gwaine said, "you can do it!"

Merlin paled, but put on a little grin.

"Oh no, thank you Arthur, but I really couldn't. I wouldn't want to put all you men to shame."

"Oi! What's that supposed to mean?" Gwaine exclaimed.

Leon spoke up. "Come now, Merlin, we're all men. Don't tell me you're embarrassed!"

"Yes, that's exactly it! And I fear I will never be the same if you laugh at me, as you are sure to." Merlin quipped back.

"We promise not to laugh, right men?" said Arthur, exasperated. "Just do the damn dare!"

Merlin tried one last tactic. "Look, I don't like to talk about it, but I've got really delicate skin. I need clothes on at all times or else I get…chapped! My skin starts to peel and it's all very unattractive. Oh and I get horrid rashes from the grass and the wind and don't get me started on the damp, cold cobblestones!"

Elyan eyed him. "You're making that up!"

Percival nodded. "Just do the dare! You saw what I did to Gaius! He's going to slip something in my drink, I know it. You weren't standing inches from him when he raised his eyebrow." They all shuddered.

The room fell silent and everyone looked at Merlin, who gulped. He didn't like the way they were all eyeing him. Suddenly Gwaine yelled "Attack!" and they all pounced, scrabbling at his clothes. Merlin tried desperately to hold his ground and thought he did pretty well withstanding Gwaine, but as soon as Percival reached him, he knew he was done for. Curled up in a ball on the cold stone floor, Merlin tried to hold on to all his clothes. Unfortunately, he made the mistake of weakening his grip when he started to hear the fabric tear- he only had so many clothes, after all- and before he could blink, his shirt had been whisked off his lithe frame.

Merlin could suddenly breathe again as every presence that was piled on him disappeared. Arthur and Gwaine each held a part of his shirt. Merlin slowly stood, arms wrapping and covering as much of his torso as possible, dreading the moment when someone would break the silence. The knights and Arthur stood in a rough semi circle in front of Merlin, eyes roving the parts of his body they could see. Gwaine was the first to pull himself together.

"Merlin… what happened?"

"What? Don't you all have scars?" Merlin laughed nervously. He kept one arm crossed up over his chest, obstructing most of the remnants of his battle with Nimueh.

"Not like those, we don't." Leon said quietly.

"When did you get all of them?" asked Elyan softly.

"Oh, you know, I've just picked them up around. Like I said, I've got delicate skin. It doesn't take much. But don't call me a girl! It's just the way I was born. And you know me, I'm dreadfully clumsy! Anyways, I really should get going, it's getting late, I've got armor to polish, shoes to shine, laundry to wash, stables to muck out… You know how it is. Busy, busy, busy. So I'll just take my shirt back and I'll be on my way and-"

Arthur broke his transfixed gaze and said sharply "Merlin! Will you stop blathering on! You will not, under any circumstances, leave this room until you tell us what happened." Perhaps realizing he was speaking harshly and feeling slightly looser with his emotions, he added "Please, Merlin. We'd like to know what happened to you."

Merlin sighed. He supposed there was no way of getting out of it now. Slowly, he dropped his arms to his sides and stood up to his full height, hiding nothing of the many scars that littered his body. "Alright," he said, "But can we just… all sit down? If I have to go over every little blemish- again, I have delicate skin- we might be here a while and my feet hurt."

As one, they sat on the floor in a rough circle and gave Merlin their complete attention. Merlin sighed again. He just knew this wasn't going to be fun. Plus, he would have to severely edit his stories to make sure no hint of his magic was revealed. He'd need all his wits about him.

Good thing he didn't actually drink much mead.