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The training field was bathed in the morning sun, a gentle breeze sweeping across the grass as the Knights of the Round Table stretched after their training. Arthur was leaning against his sword thrust into the ground, sweaty and breathing heavily from the intense workout they had done, but with a lazy smile on his face.
His eyes, however, were not on the knights. They were on Merlin and Gwen, who were leaning against a distant tree, gossiping animatedly. Gwen laughed softly, and Merlin gestured with enthusiasm, clearly telling some embarrassing story about Arthur.
The king looked away, turning back to his men.
"Have you noticed," Arthur began, his voice distracted, "how 'enjoy your day' can be both a good thing and a threat?"
The knights stopped stretching. Gwaine, who was shirtless and tying his hair back, frowned.
"Where did that come from all of a sudden, princess?"
Arthur shrugged, still watching Merlin and Gwen. "For example, if Gwen says 'enjoy your day.'"
Lancelot, who was stretching his arms, stopped and smiled — a melted, dreamy smile.
"That would be very cute."
Leon, the only one who still had his shirt intact (for he was too dignified to expose himself), nodded.
"Gwen is very friendly. There's no threat there."
Arthur smiled, satisfied that his men were following his line of reasoning. "Right? But now..." He paused dramatically. "If Merlin says 'enjoy your day.'"
Gwaine frowned, genuinely confused. Merlin was his cute little friend — the one who tripped over his own boots, who dropped trays, who drank too much and got into trouble he couldn't handle. Clearly, he was incapable of harming a fly, right?
"Still think it would be cute," said Gwaine.
Elyan nodded, as confused as Gwaine. "Yeah, I don't think Merlin is scary. I mean, he's sometimes a little insane in what he does, but overall, he's very kind."
Percival agreed, taking a sip of water from his canteen.
Arthur watched the scene with an expression that was a mixture of amusement and disbelief. As if he knew something the others didn't.
Mordred, who was leaning against a nearby tree, watched the entire group with an expression of pure disgust. He couldn't believe those idiot men were the protectors of Camelot.
"I don't know what scares me more," said Mordred, his voice dry as a twig. "All of your ignorance, or the fact that the king knows how scary Merlin is and still trusts him enough to let him wander freely around the castle."
Lancelot chuckled, agreeing with Mordred while watching the shocked expressions on his friends' faces.
Percival frowned. "I don't see what harm someone as small and scrawny as Merlin could possibly cause."
Gwaine nodded vigorously. "Yeah, I mean, Merls is a little pest, but I don't think there's anything major he could do to make him terrifying."
Lancelot just kept laughing, shaking his head. He knew how oblivious everyone was to the danger Merlin represented — and he definitely wasn't going to be the one to warn them about it. Watching the penny drop was far more entertaining.
Mordred watched Lancelot walk away, chuckling softly, while he remained surrounded by all these fools. They looked at Merlin and saw a sweet little puppy of the king — not a terrifying, bloodthirsty, murderous dragon!
"You know, you're the reason Morgana thinks she can win this war," said Mordred, pointing at the knights. Then he pointed at Arthur. "And you — you're a lovesick idiot. I can't believe you know about Merlin's psychopathic nature and still find him cute."
Arthur shrugged, a lazy smile on his face.
"In my defense," he said, his voice calm, "he acts like a super clumsy and cute little puppy. I can barely argue with him when he's in his overprotective mode, because all I can do is coo at his serious, pouty face."
Mordred threw his arms up to the sky and let out a cry of frustration.
"ARGH! YOU'RE ALL COMPLETELY USELESS!"
In the distance, Merlin looked up. His blue eyes met Mordred's, and for an instant, something dangerous passed through them — a golden glint that no one except Mordred noticed.
He didn't like how Mordred was moving too fast near his king. But Arthur, busy laughing at Mordred's despair, didn't see the look his servant had shot at the young druid.
Later, when the knights were dispersing and Arthur was approaching Merlin, Mordred turned to Lancelot.
"Did you see that?" asked Mordred, his voice low. "The look he gave me."
Lancelot was still laughing. "I saw it. And you know what it means?"
"What?"
"That he's doing exactly what the king said." Lancelot shrugged. "Being overprotective."
Mordred stared at him for a long moment. "You're as insane as the king, you know that? I mean, you're the one who knows Emrys best — you know everything he can do, and you still trust him!"
"Ah, Mordred, he's not that scary." Lancelot smiled. "Merlin is cute most of the time. All you have to do is not get too close to his treasure. Easy."
In the distance, Merlin leaned into Arthur, murmuring something softly. Arthur laughed, putting his arm around the servant's shoulders.
"See you later, Mordred," Arthur said, walking away with his servant and queen.
Gwen also waved politely, and Merlin stared for a moment before smiling and waving. "Have a good day, Mordred."
And he walked away, following the king and queen. Mordred just stood there watching the scene, feeling a shiver run down his spine.
Damn it, Merlin was terrifying.