Chapter Text
The attack on the lower town was unexpected. Tensions between trolls and humans had been worse recently due to Arthur’s attack on a nearby Troll village. The knights thought they had killed everyone but some had clearly gotten away. Instead of fleeing they had plotted an attack on Camelot, decimating several buildings and killing several people. Douxie was in the lower town, collecting some of the raw materials Merlin had asked for when he heard the screams. Night was falling rapidly as he tried to locate where they were coming from. A few winding streets later he saw the group of Trolls towering over a small girl. He used his rope spell to prevent the Trolls from crushing her, yanking her away.
“Go, run away from here!” He urged her. She had tears in her face but managed to run. “Arch, flame me.” Douxie blocked the Trolls from going any further. He didn’t want to kill them, he knew they’d lost much. He hoped they would retreat. They didn’t, opting to jump the flames and clamber up buildings. A couple got caught and Douxie winced as they turned to stone. The fight went on with Douxie ducking the Trolls as best he could while Archie blasted fire. One troll dropped down in front of him just as he managed to throw one back.
“Oh fuzz buckets.” He said, just conjuring a shield in time. The stone fist sent him flying into a building. It would have been fine, his shield protecting him from the impact, if the building wasn’t already unstable. It collapsed on top of him before he could conjure another shield. He fell unconscious hoping the knights would arrive soon and protect the people he couldn’t.
Douxie woke up feeling like he’d been run over by a cart. He groaned, pushing himself up to rest on his elbows.
“Douxie!” Archie exclaimed, pouncing on him, knocking him flat again.
“Ow.” Douxie moaned. He gave Archie a scratch before pushing the familiar away. He wanted to curl up and just go back to sleep. A warm hand brushed his hair out of his face before settling on his forehead. Douxie squinted you see Merlin sitting next to he bed, checking him over intently.
“Good of you to join us Hisirdoux.” Merlin said softly, moving his hands to check the rest of him. “What hurts?”
“My everything.” Douxie grumbled trying to pin down exactly what happened. Had he tripped again. Or maybe the Slorr has tried to kill him. That wasn’t it. There had been an attack. Douxie sat bolt upright, eyes wide. “Is everyone alright?” Merlin pushed him back down firmly.
“There were some casualties.” He said, shaking his head as Douxie opened his mouth. “They were already dead by the time you arrived. There’s a little girl very grateful to you for saving her.” Douxie relaxed a little, glad that the girl had made it. He felt guilty for not arriving sooner, not protecting those poor people. He tried not to think to much about the screams he’d heard. Instead he turned to Merlin.
“How did you find me?” He asked.
“Archie was trying to dig you out when I arrived.” Merlin said. “He told me what happened. Along with some grateful people.” Douxie smiled weakly before averting his eyes and frowning slightly. He didn’t think he’d been that helpful. He’s have to study more spells so he could do better. Lives had been lost. It tore at him. Every life was a precious thing. To lose them just for living in the same city as King Arthur. Douxie suppressed his negative thoughts. Merlin was looking at him oddly.
“Thanks Master.” Douxie said. “I’ll be fine. I’m sure there’s more important things to do.” Merlin looked surprised for a moment, a rare expression.
“I’m exactly where I need to be.” Merlin said, shifting to check Douxie’s legs over. Douxie felt himself flush a little. A sharp poke to his ankle had him yelping. “Hmm a sprain, keep off that leg for a while.” He couldn’t tell if Merlin had done that on purpose to avoid any more sappy comments. Archie has slunk up next to him, curling up next to his arm.
“I’ll be fine.” Douxie repeated, trying to reassure them both. “If I can’t use my leg does that mean I don’t have to milk to Slorr?” Merlin let out a small chuckle.
“No Slorr milking.” He agreed. Douxie tried not to look too pleased about that. “No chores either, including magic practice. And don’t-.”
“But master.”
“But master me.” Merlin finished. He tugged a blanket over Douxie. “Rest.” Douxie opened his mouth to argue but Merlin was shaking his head. “Rest, we’ll discuss it later.” Douxie snapped his mouth shut and hesitated.
“Will you stay?” He asked, averting his gaze slightly. He felt bold for even asking.
“Of course.” Merlin said, causing Douxie to snap his eyes to Merlin’s face and blink. “Where else am I going to go?” Douxie grinned.
“I knew you liked me.” He said cheerfully, closing his eyes before Merlin had a chance to respond. Merlin sighed.
“Just sleep would you.”