Merlin Imagines

Merlin x Reader: Surprise Part 1

"Well lookie here, boys," You moved into a defensive stance as the bandit leered at you. "Looks like we found ourselves a little forest nymph." His lackeys cackled. "What's your name, gorgeous?" He took a step closer. You responded by stepping back. He raised an eyebrow. "Not telling, eh?" His eyes scanned your form before landing on your collarbone. His eyes widened and you mentally cursed yourself as you tugged your cloak forward so it covered you completely. "A druid mark?" The look on your face said it all. A sickening grin spread across his face. "Little far from home, aren't you, missy?" One of his followers stepped forward and whispered something in his ear. The leader's eyebrows widened and he looked at you again. "Well considering you're here, it looks like you haven't heard." You face remained stony. "Camelot's offering a reward for any druids brought to court. The news made your blood boil. Your people were scared to leave their dwellings for this exact reason, and you had finally had enough. "So like it or not, you're coming with us." He reached towards you menacingly. Reacting quickly, you grabbed the man's wrist, twisted his arm behind his back, and kicked him. He hit the ground with a loud thud.

"Sorry, but that's not going to happen," You said as you flicked some hair out of your eyes. The bandit stood up and brushed the dirt of his tunic angrily.

"Oh, you're going to regret that, missy." He seethed as he took out a pair of daggers the same time as his posse revealed all of theirs. You took your staff from here it was strapped to your back, never taking your eyes off the men. The air was silent. Nothing moved. Then the first man lunged towards you with a loud cry. You threw your staff up, deflecting his weapons and throwing him off balance. He staggered back, his face burning. His face twisted into an angry mask and he whirled to face his men. "Well don't just stand there!" He jabbed a finger in your direction. "Get her!" The men turned to you with similar snarls on their faces. You hefted your staff and braced yourself.

"Stop!" Someone shouted. Everyone froze and looked around for the owner of the voice.

"Up there!" One of the bandits pointed up. You followed his finger and saw a legion of Camelot's knights watching you. "No one move!" They turned their mounts and rode to the mouth of the valley. The men all looked at each other before taking off. They were long gone before the knights made it to your position.

"You!" The one you recognized and King Arthur demanded. "Where did they go?" You jabbed a finger in the direction they had fled. Arthur waved his hand and five knights rode past you in that direction. You avoided looking at Mordred, slightly saddened that he would forsake his roots. Arthur dismounted and walked over to you. "What is your name, and what are you doing so close to our borders."

"Your Highness, you wound me! I was under the impression I was expected." Seeing that he didn't understand, you shrugged off your cloak, revealing your tattoo. You dipped into a curtsey. "Queen Y/N of the Forest Druids." He still had a dumbfounded look on his face. "I was coming to meet with the King and discuss our people." Arthur raised an eyebrow.

"I'm sorry, I don't believe we've made arrangements for such a meeting."

"Oh," You laughed. "Not you." He gave you an odd look. "I meant the Druid King."

"There's a Druid King?" You turned to look at Merlin, who had remained silent during the exchange.

"You never told him?" Merlin shrugged as he tried to come up with a response.

"Tell me...what?" Arthur turned to Merlin.

"Yes, Merlin, what are you going to tell him?" You played innocent and he glared at you.

"You're cold, N/N." You gave him an innocent look.

"Well, out with it, Merlin!"

"Y/N's my wife." He blurted out suddenly. Your eyes widened. Well that was...blunt.

"I'm sorry, what?!" Arthur looked between the two of you. "You...You're married?!"

"Yes." You said simply. "And if I'm the Druid Queen, that that makes him..." You helped him along.

"The Druid King." He went silent for a moment, before taking a step towards Merlin and giving him a smart rap on the head. "Why didn't you tell me, Merlin?! Don't you think that's something you should've told me!" Before you could intervene, the knights returned. The one with long black hair swung down with a grin on his face.

"We got them; Mordred's taking them to the cells." He told Arthur before turning to you. "You're safe now." You looked at Merlin, who just shrugged again. "May I ask the lovely lady's name?"

"Okay." You told him. He blanked for a few moments.

"...What's your name?" He asked awkwardly after a few moments.

"Y/N."

"Well, Y/N. I'm Gwaine." He said as he produced a flower out of nowhere and handed it to you with a flourish. You stepped back and held your hands out.

"No thank you."

"Oh, come now, don't be shy." He persuaded.

"If I show you why I'm saying no, you'll feel like an ass. Would you like to know why I'm saying no?" Gwaine thought for a moment with a confident grin on his face.

"Sure," You cocked an eyebrow in response to his smirk.

"Alright, but don't say I didn't warn you." Without waiting for a response, you walked over to Merlin, grabbed him by the kerchief around his neck, and pulled his mouth to yours. He stiffened for a moment, before relaxing and loosely wrapping his arms around your waist. When you pulled back and looked at your audience, their eyes were wide and their jaws were slack. "This is my husband." You said simply. Gwaine's face flared up and he awkwardly dropped the flower he was holding. The knights burst out laughing. Arthur cleared his throat and the commotion settled.

"Well considering the sun will set in," He looked up. "Three quarters of an hour, it would be remiss of me if I didn't offer you and your...your husband," He gave Merlin another weird look. "A place to stay for the night.

"That's very kind of you, Your Majesty. Thank you." You curtseyed. You mounted Merlin's horse behind him, and he turned his horse as you followed the convoy back to Camelot.

"You got me in trouble, you know." He said after a few minutes of silence.

"Oh don't worry, you actually have rank now. Use it." He laughed.

"Somehow I don't think that will make a difference."

Well, we'll find out when we get there, won't we?" He removed one hand from the reins and lowered it to cover where your hands were clasped around his waist.

"Yes we will."