Clash, bang, thud,

"Arthur!"

"Slightly – busy – Merlin" Arthur gritted between his teeth. He was pretty busy, seeing as he was fighting of another thug that was trying to run him through. Merlin made sure he was hidden from Arthur's sight when he whispered

"Daro eiddo ben." His eyes glowed and a large tree branch swung around and hit the unsuspecting thug in the back of the head. Merlin watched the man land flat on his face and couldn't help but smirk a bit at his own genius scheme actually working. It was short lived when another came at him with a sword and nearly took his ear off. Arthur came up from behind the man and ran him through without a second thought. Merlin watched in surprise and the man fell to the forest floor.

"Thanks!" Merlin grinned. Arthur glared at him.

"How you have survived this long is a wonder." Arthur looked around for more thugs but only found their bodies.

"Do you really have to kill them?" Merlin asked when he got up and saw the damage.

"Well I suppose I could just let them sit in a corner and think about what they've done until they are ready to apologize but somehow I doubt they would have complied." Arthur growled. They went back to the horses and Merlin mimicked Arthur behind his back.

"Come on, we need to keep going."

"Yes, Sire." Merlin muttered.

"I heard that."

Why were they traveling so far this time? Arthur wanted to hunt for some new game. Merlin had a strong suspicion he should take notes in case Arthur decided to hunt Merlin one day.

"So what exactly are we hunting for again?"

"I am hunting for a rare white stag. Pay attention, Merlin."

"And what does it look like?"

"I thought the name, white stag, would give you a hint as to what it looks like. Possibly, it's white and oh I don't know LOOKS LIKE A BLOODY STAG!"

"So, if it's rare, shouldn't we preserve what's left of them?"

"It's not rare as in going to die off, it's rare in these parts of the country."

"Oh, so would it be-"

"Would you stop asking questions and be quiet for once!"

"I was just going to say-"

"Merlin!"

"Okay, suit yourself, I just thought you'd like to know that-" Arthur abruptly turned his horse around and rode up beside Merlin. He sat and glared at Merlin who looked back but stayed silent. After a moment he pointed to his left, silently. Arthur followed his pointing finger and saw a white stag in the distance, eating some grass. He looked back at Merlin, who was biting his lip from smiling.

"Be quiet, and help me with the gear. Do you think you can handle that?"

"Course." Merlin smiled one of his goofy smiles.