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Merlin could feel Arthur's gaze on his back as he was hauled out of the pit they'd woken up in, he could also sense the worried looks gwaine was sending him as they walked towards a room full of slavers, who were currently yelling and laughing, probably because of how thin he was compared to Gwaine.
When they got to the middle of the room, he centered himself. Something he always did so that he could concentrate and feel out where everything was for when he eventually needs to take his quick exit. When his gaze meets Gwaine's, the other man is watching him in concern, probably thinking that him closing his eyes and taking a deep breath meant he was incredibly nervous.
Don't get him wrong, Merlin was nervous, but not for the reason Gwaine was probably thinking. He tested the sword that jarl had tossed over to him and scoffed quietly, this flimsy thing wasn't going to get him anywhere. Hell it would probably break after a few hits, something he was counting on.
He heard jarl count down and saw the way gwaine grew nervous "don't worry, ill take it easy on you" he whispers as their swords clash together harshly. Merlin nods as he moves around, looking for all the world that he had no idea what he was doing even as he blocks each swing of Gwaine's sword and parries the blow hard enough that the sword breaks clean in half, just as he was expecting it too.
Gwaine rears back in shock as the room erupts in cheers as they think he's lost. Instead he bends his knees slightly, swings his body to the side as Gwaine's sword continues its trajectory towards him, before bringing his fist back around and smashing it hard against the side of his friends face, sending him flying to the side and onto the floor, where he lays unconscious.
The room roars again and Merlin uses the distraction to set the netting and whatever else was above them on fire. He crouches down and hauls Gwaine over his shoulder as the room descends into chaos, catches a dumbfounded Arthur's arm and pelts it out of the castle like structure as fast as hes able to with an unconscious Gwaine on his back.
It isnt until they are a safe distance away that he feels Gwaine begining to wake up. So, now surrounded by the forest, he sets Gwaine down and checks to make sure hes alright "didn' know you had tha' in ya" gwaine says, still groggy but aware enough of his surroundings that Merlin isn't too concerned, but will keep an eye out for concussion because Merlin had hit him harder than he'd intended too.
Now it was apparent Gwaine was alright, Arthur demands his full attention as usual, the prat "where the hell did you learn that and why have you never done that in front of me before?!" He demands, causing merlin to raise an eyebrow at him before rolling his eyes in annoyance.
Gwainw looks just as curious as he slowly comes back to himself "ive been sat at the side of the training grounds for the last 4 and half years Arthur, give me some credit" he says, because it's true, he's picked up a fair amount of skills from watching the knights train, swordsmanship not withstanding.
They stay where they are for a few hours, until gwaine is fully with it again and begins annoying Arthur, which is when their quest to find the cup of life continues, a person extra and a new found respect for Merlin and his unexpected strength, not that Arthur let's that go, even though Merlin sees pride shining in his eyes any time he brings it up.