Just a random thought of what happened between the time Merlin became the Golden Dragon and when Arthur became King is all...
I do not own the characters! They are BBC property!
The hunt was not going well for Arthur and his ever-trusty bodyguard Merlin. The two of them had found a cave to rest in for the night. Arthur was pouting as ever while Merlin stoked the fire. "Why couldn't you just magic my shot to hit it?" Arthur asked him finally. He had randomly shot at a deer half expecting Merlin to magically guide it to the animal in question.
"Because if I did you would be yelling at me for doing so." Merlin said plainly. "Besides, my magic is not for games. Then there is also the fact that your father still hates me for it."
It had been a few months since Merlin had brought the entire city back to life. The King was still extremely wary about having such a powerful Warlock in his castle. It was like he expected the man to kill him at any moment just so Arthur could be King. It was true that Merlin's loyalty was to Arthur and Arthur alone, but he would never harm anyone close to the Prince.
Arthur sat back and leaned against a rock. He looked at Merlin for a few moments before letting out another complaint. "I'm bored…" He had become rather excited about Merlin's magic and wanted to use just about any excuse to see him perform it, other than his life being threatened that is.
Merlin sighed lightly shaking his head. "Alright!" He said giving up what would have been a lost cause, besides he enjoyed entertaining the Prince in this manner. He pulled out one of the sticks from the fire that had glowing embers at the end and blew on the end. The sparks flew off gently before forming a cloud. "Any shape you wish sire."
Arthur grinned as he sat up again to watch. "Let's see…" He said thinking briefly. "A crown! With a sword!" He sounded very much like an excited boy who found his Christmas present early.
Merlin's eyes merely flashed before the embers took the shape Arthur had requested. Merlin had practiced this quite a bit and was now able to make them quite complex. A small smile appeared on his face. It brought back memories from home when he would do this for fun.
"A lot of times you use spells…" Arthur said wondering slightly why Merlin had not said anything before hand. "Why didn't you use them for this?"
"I don't need to say spells." Merlin said explaining it calmly. "I mostly use them to comfort your father who still is not used to even having a Warlock around."
Arthur nodded, it was a smart idea, at least there was some warning of something magical about to happen. He let out a yawn as sleep began to claim his mind. "You should get some sleep." Merlin said making the bedrolls unroll and even themselves out magically. It earned another smile from Arthur who then crawled into one of them.
"Not too late Merlin." Arthur said sleepily. "More hunting tomorrow." With that he fell asleep.
Merlin smiled slightly as he went to the entrance and brought the horses in. He then cast a few protection charms on the entrance to protect them as they slept and a few behind them just in case the cave was home to something. He then went to sleep on his bedroll.
It was near down when Merlin noticed something odd. He was not alone in his bedroll. There was an arm around him that had not been there before. "Gwen…" Came Arthurs voice from very close behind him.
Merlin used every ounce of his self-control not to laugh. "You're shaking…" Arthur muttered holding who he thought was Gwen tighter. "Let me warm you up…"
Merlin now had to say something. Really it was very unbecoming of a Prince to kiss another man on the neck. "Arthur…" He said loudly catching the man in question off guard. "I'm not Gwen."
This had Arthur awake and away from the Wizard in moments. He looked completely shocked before starting to throw a pillow at Merlin who was currently laughing. "It is not funny!" He yelled blushing a deep scarlet hue that rivaled Pendragon red.
"Just wait until I tell Gwen about this…" Merlin said easily dodging the pillow. "She is going to laugh so hard, she might even give you one of her shawls to take with you on these trips."
"Merlin!" Arthur now just completely flustered. "You will never speak of this to anyone!"
Merlin looked at Arthur with a sly look in his eyes. "What do I get for my silence?" He asked the smile just about cruel looking.
Arthur gulped as he watched Merlin. "What do you want?" He asked carefully.
"No more hats." Merlin said firmly. He thought it was a fair bargain.
Arthur thought this over, he could force Merlin to wear a hat at parties and then have this told to Gwen and most likely even the Knights and word would reach his father and that would create a large mess, or he could drop his love of putting the most ridiculous hats on Merlin and not be ridiculed in front of the entire kingdom. The choice was easy. "Done."
Hope you all enjoyed it! R&R!
