Walk on By
She honestly could not remember her last visit to Camelot being this dull, and though she was eternally grateful that thus far she had managed to have very little contact with Camelot's arrogant prince, she couldn't help but mourn the loss of her easy friendship with the lady Morgana.
She remembers the last time she was here, how she and Morgana, accompanied by their maids of course, would laugh loudly at the knights as they tried to show off for the benefits of the young ladies watching them, often to their own detriment. But it seemed Morgana was no longer the same happy girl she used to be and eschewed all of Mithian's attempts to engage her.
Now with no-one her own age to keep her company, and her father stuck in meetings, she was unbearably bored. She shook of the melancholy and made her way to the stables thinking that at the very least a ride would help to clear the cobwebs of her mind.
She was more than a little amused when she entered the stables to find the boy in there muttering angrily to himself, she stood in the doorway watching him work, the muscles of his arms flexing beneath the thin material of his tunic, and quickly pulled her eyes back up to the back of the boys head, his dark hair sticking up every which way. It was only when his muttering grew louder that she caught what he was saying, and completely failed to hold back her laughter.
"...Merlin, do that Merlin. bloody prat... I'm fighting fit!"
As soon as the laughter escaped, the boy jumped, clearly startled and dropped the fork he had been using in favour of gazing up at her, and she found herself caught in the intense blue of his eyes, which he quickly dropped.
"Sorry, um I didn't realise anyone else were here." The boy, man, mumbled and she was a little surprised at the deep cadence of his soft voice.
"No I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you it's just..." She broke off with another chuckle remembering how his voice had changed into a fair imitation of a certain prince's, and well prat really did sum Arthur up perfectly.
"Oh, erm, you didn't..." He bent down to retrieve the pitchfork, shooting a quick glance at her, and he must have registered her disbelief as he was quick to amend himself, "I mean, you did, but um... it's fine. I was just..."
"Mocking the prince?" She teased, how was it that only a few minutes spent with this young man was already the highlight of her whole stay here so far. His eyes met hers again, wide with fear and embarrassment and oh so blue.
"No! I-I wasn't just..." He flailed around a little, quite comically Mithian thought and the grin was fast spreading across her face.
"I won't tell anyone. Your secret's safe with me." She put a finger to her lips, and this time he smiled back, no longer stumbling over every other word. "I'm Mi- Miriam, a servant with the Nemeth party." She knew that thanks to the old riding clothes she was wearing, dark breeches and a simple plain tunic with a thick woollen cloak over, she could easily pass as a servant, it made a nice change to the extravagant gowns she usually had to endure.
"Miriam." He whispered softly, as if tasting her name on his tongue, and she was a little saddened that it wasn't truly her name but she was not about to lose the only person who had so far managed to brighten her stay, stable boy or no. "Merlin." He extended his hand to her before his wide eyes glanced to the filth covering him and he snatched it back, his cheeks heating up a delicate pink, causing her to giggle once again.
He wiped his hands ineffectually on his breeches before looking to her again, his bright eyes dancing merrily and a small smile still visible, when his voice broke through her daydreams. "So, can I help you with something?"
"I'm not needed at the moment, so I was thinking of taking a ride, only I don't know the surroundings all that well... perhaps you could join me?"
She watched various fleeting expressions cross his face, before a huge grin took over his features and he finally replied. "Sure, I would like that, just give me a minute to go and get cleaned up?"
"Of course, any particular horses we should be using?"
Merlin pointed out a large brown mare, which was his own to use and a beautiful dappled grey. She watched in amusement as he raced out of the stables, towards the citadel, before going over to the grey horse and starting to fit the saddle.
/\/\/\/\
The ride through the surrounding forest was just what she needed, it was peaceful and serene, soft beams of sunlight breaking through the canopy of the trees, the calls of birds overheard and the soft whispering of the gentle breeze. It was perfect.
The company of Merlin was also a surprise, yes she had invited him and he had accepted that was not the cause of her surprise, no, it was the young man himself who had surprised her.
She had learned that he was not only prince Arthur's manservant but also apprentice to the court physician, both fairly high stations within the servants hierarchy which confused her as to why he had been mucking out stables. A question to which the only forth coming answer was that 'Arthur's a prat', maybe it was the only answer she needed.
All that aside, she found his company and conversation pleasant and easy, he regaled her with stories, everything from amusing tales of disastrous feasts and stuck up nobles, to gripping adventures against all manner of magical creatures or fearsome bandits alike, the twinkle of happiness never fading from his eyes.
When the sun was nearing midday they stopped their horses in a large clearing, more like a meadow than anything, filled as it was with wildflowers. It was a truly beautiful place, perfect for a picnic, the smile she had been wearing ever since she had met the young man widening as she took in the beauty around her, and the dimpled smile on her companions face.
"Here is a perfect place for lunch, it's beautiful. I can't believe how quiet it is." She told him, not catching whatever expression he wore as he jumped from his horse and was instantly by her side offering a hand to help her from her own mount. Feeling bold she ignored the hand in favour of gripping both his shoulders, her body brushing his as he swung her down. She wouldn't admit that the brief press of his body to hers caused her heartbeat to quicken in her chest.
She blushed furiously when she realised they were still standing inappropriately close and her hands were still on his arms, rubbing softly at the muscles beneath her fingers. She quickly pulled them away and looked down to her feet while Merlin, face as pink as hers must be, cleared his throat and retrieved the packs from his mare, leaving her to pick a spot to rest in.
She sat just a little distance from the horses, surreptitiously watching him from beneath lowered lashes as he set about preparing their picnic, nothing fancy just a small blanket for the food to be placed on, a wineskin, some fresh bread, cheese and various fruits, still it looked wonderful and as soon as Merlin seated himself across from her she reached out snagging a small handful of blackberries, popping one into her mouth and relishing the sweet/sour taste that exploded on her tongue.
"What's the story then?" She asked once her initial hunger had been sated.
"Story...?" Merlin looked up at her a small puzzled frown on his face.
She gestured round at the clearing half eaten apple still in her hand, at the still slightly bemused look she figured she had best clarify. "This clearing, it's beautiful, it is close enough to the castle that one wouldn't need to worry about attacks so you would expect there to be more people here, or at least signs that it was often used. There's nothing, it's too peaceful, so... why do the people not come here?"
"Ah, that is quite a story... It started when the dragon broke free from Camelot..."
/\/\/\/\
When Mithian lay her head down that night, happily exhausted, she pictured the young serving boy, his bright blue eyes, the dark scruffy hair, pale skin, beautiful cheekbones, and she wondered if he would be free tomorrow, if perhaps she could spend the day with him again.
It had been nice, easy, he had been open and honest and though there had been moments when he had stuttered in embarrassment, or glanced away blushing furiously, it was for none of the usual reasons. Not because she was a princess and he feared offending her, or she needed to be treated delicately because she was a lady, no it was an innocence, shy and self-conscious, as they stole glances at one another or laughed brightly together.
She had enjoyed herself more than she had in a long time, and though it was stupid and impossible she still desired to make the most out of his company while she still could, before she returned back to her life of gowns and sneaking of to hunt, the teasing of her younger brother whenever she begged him to let her join him in testing out a new bow, the convoluted plots to escape the other women of the court.
She sighed heavily, allowing her mind to wander to dreams where she was not a princess, where nothing was expected of her but to survive and be happy, dreams where bright blue eyes danced with laughter even as strong arms pulled her close.
/\/\/\/\
When she awoke she went to meet her father and the king for breakfast, the lady Morgana and the prince once again absent instead sending their apologies, Arthur had left the castle early for a hunt and Morgana was unwell after a bad night, it being no secret that the lady suffered from severe night terrors and had done ever since she was a child.
She waited patiently for a break in the conversation and delicately cleared her throat, "I was wondering if I might take a horse and enjoy a ride in the forests."
"Of course, but you cannot go alone, Mithian." Her father replied, covering her hand with his own.
"Well I was speaking to the prince's servant yesterday," She glanced at Uther as the king made a slight scoffing noise, though she was unsure whether it was his distaste of her talking to servants or his distaste of Merlin in particular, "and I believe he is to be out gathering herbs this afternoon, perhaps we could go together, I get my ride and the physician gets his herbs."
"I suppose that would be alright, as long as you do not go too far."
"If you can find the boy." Uther interrupted, so distaste of Merlin then. "He's about as reliable as a two legged horse, from what Arthur tells me, don't see why he doesn't just get rid of the boy."
"Well if I may be excused so I might send a message to him?" At the nod of both men she left the hall as quickly as she could while still appearing dignified, but once outside of the doors she picked up her skirts and dashed back to her chambers to change, it wouldn't do to have Merlin see her dressed in such finery.
/\/\/\/\
Once dressed in a similar tunic and breeches as the day before she made her way over to the court physicians chambers, taking a deep breath before knocking on the door. She heard a muffled 'enter' and pushed the door open, her eyes trying to take in everything before her.
The rooms were cluttered, books, parchment, vials and herbs scattered on every surface and lining every wall, until her vision was filled with laughing blue eyes. Merlin stood before her, a large smile on his face, eyes crinkled at the corners, watching her reaction closely.
"Have you not been inside a physicians rooms before, although I supposed Gaius has a lot more unusual things than most..." He hmm'd thoughtfully as he himself glanced briefly around and she took the opportunity to take a small step back.
"No, luckily I have not found much reason to frequent a physicians, do you really use all this stuff?"
"Hmm, well, mostly. There are some books that the king would probably disapprove of but well, someone needs to do the research when the citadel is being attacked by six-headed snakes or some such and poking at them with swords is ineffective."
Her breath caught in her throat, what did that mean? She knew in Camelot magic was banned, and though her father had signed a treaty which meant banning it in Nemeth also they didn't actually enforce it, no-one feared magic in her kingdom, no-one was killed for using or possessing it, and the only books she could think of that Uther would disapprove of were...
"Do you...? You shouldn't...! You should return with us to Nemeth!" Her mind was whirling, he couldn't stay here, not if he had magic, he would surely be killed the minute he was found out. It wasn't safe!
"What?!" He looked puzzled and slightly alarmed, his blue eyes narrowing.
"You have magic!" She hissed quietly, and watched as his whole face blanched and he stuttered wordlessly, "I promise I won't tell anyone, but you shouldn't stay here if you were caught-"
"Wha- I-I don't... how-" He was gasping like a fish from a river too long and briefly thought perhaps she could have handled this better.
"Look sit, it's okay. I mean it I won't say anything, ever, not to anyone." She led him over to a bench at a small table, pushing him down onto it, before sitting beside him and taking one of his hands in both of her own. "Look at me, I promise, it will be alright. We'll get you away from here."
"What? No! I-I can't!" He visibly drew in a deep breath as he squared his shoulders, his eyes coming up to meet hers, slightly dulled from the shock and fear. "Ok, look-"
"Do not lie to me! I know! You cannot tell me you don't have magic, you do, and I know, and I won't tell anyone, you can trust me." She was squeezing his hand so hard she couldn't believe he hadn't complained yet, squeezing as if she could use it to push the trust into him.
"How did you know? I didn't do anything, or say anything?" His whole body had slumped in defeat, as if he thought at any moment he would get dragged to the dungeons. She didn't like it.
"When you mentioned the books..." He raised a questioning brow at her, "What use is the knowledge of defeating magical creatures without the power to do so? It is obvious it's not Gaius who goes out to face them, but you, who has the perfect excuse to ride out with the prince."
She was still clasping his hand between her own, though her grip now was much more gentle, her thumb rubbing circles against his palm. She looked deep into his eyes and saw the pain and loneliness that was usually so well masked.
"Look it isn't safe for us to discuss this here, I propose we take a ride out to the clearing again, I'm sure Gaius could always use some extra herbs."
Merlin looked a little unsure, his body language still expressing his nerves and fear as she waited patiently for him to decide.
"Ok, let me just leave a note for him." Merlin grabbed up some parchment and a charcoal stick and started scrawling a hasty note to his mentor.