I've been practicing my photomanipulation skills lately. I've been writing drabbles for them too.
You can see them by going to my deviantART gallery.
Eyes Still Burning
"Would you hurry up, Merlin!" Arthur called over his shoulder, stepping over a fallen tree.
Merlin walked several paces behind him, lugging Arthur's sword and crossbow, along with their two packs before muttering under his breath, "Why don't you help me carry some of these things and then I wouldn't be lagging behind."
"What was that?" Arthur asked, seemingly speeding up.
"Nothing." Merlin said quickly, suppressing a laugh before continuing, "I honestly don't know why I put up with you." Merlin followed Arthur's steps over the fallen tree.
"I could say the same about you." Arthur replied loudly.
Merlin could tell he was grinning widely, "Prat."
"Did you say something?"
"Nothing, sire." the servant replied with a smile of his own, "Can I ask you something?"
Arthur paused in his steps and turned around to face the dark haired boy, "What is it now, Merlin?"
Merlin stopped a few paces in front of him, "Why do you constantly insist that we go on ahead of the others? You're the Crown Prince of Camelot and you go wandering off through woods all by yourself."
"I'm not by myself. You're here." Arthur pointed out with a straight face.
"Please, we both know I can't hold a sword properly let alone use it to fight off an enemy." Merlin said with a frown at his words. Why did he continue to insult himself when Arthur did that all the time anyway? He sighed and shook his head.
"Finally something we agree on." Arthur mumbled, "Quick, write it down in the records so that it'll be remembered for decades to come. I'm sure it's not something that'll happen often." Merlin was silent, simply choosing to glare at the blonde. Arthur took that as a defeat from the servant. He grinned triumphantly and turned around, starting to walk again.
Merlin shook his head and hurried after him. He soon found himself walking alongside the prince. He knew without a doubt that he'd only caught up with him because Arthur had slowed his pace considerably. Merlin walked off to the left when something glinted at caught his attention.
"Where are you going?" Arthur called from behind him.
"I thought I saw something." Merlin replied with a sheepish grin as he turned his head to look over his shoulder.
"There's definitely something wrong with you." The prince sighed in frustration before he seemed to perk up and, "Look out!"
Merlin barely had a chance to turn his head and assess the situation before his eyes flashed molten gold and the arrow that had been aimed at them stopped in midair before falling to the ground, harmless.
Arthur stood in stunned silence while Merlin took a deep breath, eyes still burning with magic.