Boots
Summary – The truth about Merlin's boots
Rating – PG
Warnings/Spoilers – None
Word Count – 626
**
Merlin has one pair of boots that are different from the rest.
Expensive, made from the finest leather and baring the seal of Camelot, most people believe that he stole them from Prince Arthur.
Only he and Arthur know the truth.
The truth being that one day, Merlin and Arthur were hunting, (That is to say, Arthur was hunting – Merlin was 'helping'.) when Merlin slipped off his shoes to wade into a stream so that he might free a bird tangled in the reeds. Arthur, thinking this wimpy and pointless, threw Merlin's shoes down river as a joke. Only, Merlin didn't find it funny. He got upset, tearful and downright angry.
"My mother made me those shoes!" he raged.
"I'll buy you another pair," Arthur replied with a casual shrug of the shoulders.
"That's not the point," Merlin replied as he threw his hands in the air. "Don't you understand what sentimental value is?" Arthur sighed.
"Merlin, being angry doesn't suit you. It makes you look like an idiot!" Arthur teased, a smile playing on his lips. Merlin simply glared, before storming off. Arthur waiting a few seconds but when it was obvious that Merlin wasn't returning, he went after him.
He found Merlin sitting on a tree stump a few minutes' walk away. He looked so upset, that Arthurs determination to tease him some more, went straight out the window.
"Merlin, I'm sorry..." He whispered, not knowing what else to say. What else was there to say? He couldn't go and get the boots back, not with the current being so strong.
"Why do you never think of anyone besides yourself?" Merlin asked with a sigh, not bothering to look up.
"Because that's the way I was brought up Merlin! I'm a Prince, not a saint," Arthur said as if it were obvious.
"That's probably a good thing... I doubt you would make a very good saint," Merlin whispered with a smirk that Arthur couldn't see. Arthur however, heard it in his voice.
"Am I forgiven?" he asked as he poked Merlin's shoulder with his toe. Merlin didn't answer right away, and so Arthur poked him again. "Well?"
"Give me your shoes, and we're good," Merlin said, finally turning round to face Arthur. Arthur frowned and muttered wordlessly for a few seconds. "I have to walk back to Camelot Arthur, you have a horse... I won't be able to walk for days if I'm forced to walk home barefoot," when he finished talking, he flashed Arthur's favourite goofy grin.
"Fine! But only as I don't want you to become even worse at your job than you already are," Arthur said with a roll of his eyes. Merlin's grin widened as Arthur removed his boots, and chucked them at Merlin.
The next day, Merlin attempted to return Arthurs boots. Arthur however, was having none of it.
"Keep them Merlin." He said as he pulled on his favoured red coat. Merlin however, put them away in Arthurs dresser. Arthur immediately pulled them out, and handed them back to his manservant. "I said keep them Merlin. They suit you, really they do... and I feel bad about what I did. I owe you a pair of boots at the very least." Merlin opened his mouth to protest, but Arthur held up a hand. "Merlin, I order you to keep them," he said his voice full of authority, with no room for question. Merlin nodded.
"Thank you sire, I'll just take them to my chambers, and then I will return to clean your chambers," Merlin said as he slipped out the door.
"Oh and Merlin?" Arthur said, calling his manservant back to the room. Merlin appeared in the doorway in an instance. "Wear them next time we make love,"
**