Authors note: I realise that these two programs aren't in the same time period, so just pretend that England is a kingdom like Camelot. Suspend your disbelief or whatever it's called. I don't own Merlin or Robin Hood! And as you might of guessed, reviews make me write quicker (and happy)
Chapter 1
Merlin asks a rather good question.
The sun was just beginning to set, leaving the sky a brilliant mixture of colours. Arthur, Merlin and the knights had been riding for nearly six days to reach their destination. Merlin hated it. It was one of the most uncomfortable experiences in the world, and he'd sooner clean out a leech tank than spend another day riding. In fact, he'd rather clean out two leech tanks and eat a bowl of rat stew than ride another day. But, as his aching bones reminded him, Merlin never usual got his way.
"Tell me again why we are travelling all the way to Nottinghamshire?" Merlin raised his eyebrows, his voice light with tiredness and sarcasm. It wasn't that he didn't like visiting new places, he did, but not when they were a week's ride away. It was borderline ridiculous!
"They are having some trouble with outlaws, and as one of their neighbouring kingdoms, it is our duty to lend a hand."
Really, Arthur didn't want to travel to Nottinghamshire either; it was a tedious journey and he really didn't want to leave Guinevere by herself. But his wife had been adamant that she could handle herself, and he wanted to trust her. Plus Gaius was there too, so his anxiety was lessened.
"But we do we have to go? Your the King, can't you send some knights to take care of it?"
It was a good question (though Arthur would never admit it). Overall, just sending some knights would have been much easier. Too bad, it wasn't that simple.
"Because, Mer-lin, we want to gain their trust. And lucky for us, it only means bringing in a few Outlaws."
"So you're sucking up to them?" Merlin laughed. He had baited Arthur to start one of their infamous banters, and like always, Arthur had fallen for it.
"No!"
"Yes, you are!"
"No I'm not! I wouldn't expect you to understand what it takes to run a kingdom."
Merlin stayed quiet for a moment, blue eyes sparkling mischeviously. He could hear the knights behind him, trying not to laugh. Gwaine had clamped his mouth shut, in an attempt to keep quiet. Percival and Leon managed to maintain a semi straight face, but knowing Merlin, it wouldn't last.
"So... how long have you trained to be a suck up?"
This produced the desired effect, as Gwaine was the first to break into laughter. The other knights soon followed, even Leon. The eldest knight was normally last to laugh, and Merlin normally judged how funny his comebacks were on whether it had made Leon laugh or not. This one had, and that irritated Arthur.
"Merlin?"
"Yes?"
"Shut up."