"Arthur." Merlin stood in the threshold with his hands curling around each other, a tooth stuck biting his lip, and his foot tapping on the ground. "I have something to tell you..."
"What is it Merlin?"
"It's not going to be easy. I'm not sure you'll understand."
"What is it?"
"It's just…"
"Just...?"
"Well..."
"Well what Merlin? Just tell me."
"That armor makes you look fat."
Merlin was running for the door before Arthur could throw his sword or something else just as violently pointy at him. He was sure he would pay for that comment at training somehow but he was just going to hide behind the knights until Arthur called him out. They were usually pretty understanding. And big. Big was a good thing. They were like an impenetrable mini-man wall.
After hearing about the odd creature described by the stranger, Merlin had a talk with Gaius. He was just as clueless as Merlin was about the thing which led to many days of researching the possibilities. In the end they came up with nothing. Absolutely nothing.
For all he knew the stranger really was insane and that's why there was no record to be found. That odd feeling he got when the man talked never left his gut though. Something was wrong and he knew it. He would just handle this like he always had. Alone. He wasn't about to tell Arthur about it without proof or well…anything really.
That uneasy feeling became justified when the prince was called out to see the king.
Arthur decided that Merlin's punishment would be dueling practice. Whichever knight could disarm and knock Merlin down with the least amount of blows won while the rest would have to run laps around the castle. Merlin was sparring Percival -if it could be called sparring with how terrible he was- when a messenger came to tell Arthur he was summoned- much to Merlin's short lived relief. The knights really could throw a good punch
"Father wants to see me now? He knows we're in the middle of training."
"He did say it was urgent Sire."
"Alright. I'll be right there."
"Did you want me to come with you?" Merlin called to him hopefully, turning around and getting pushed to the ground from behind by Percival as he did so. The knights all chuckled at his loud groan and the small glare he sent them over his shoulder.
"I don't need you with me everywhere Merlin. Stop trying to get out of your duty. Men, continue what you are doing until I return. Sir Leon is in charge." Arthur gathered his things and left Merlin there on the ground. At least he had the decency to laugh after he turned away from his poor manservant.
"My duty-" Merlin grumbled under his breath as he stood to face another knight. He was rather uncomfortable in the armor they put him in and very off balance. He almost managed fall all on his own. Again. "I'll show you my duty."
He didn't really get to show anyone anything before he was knocked down to the ground again.
Arthur still hadn't returned by the end of the session. Leon continued for him, making the men run their laps, and picked up with the rest of training when they were done beating on Merlin. After it was over the knights offered to buy him a drink at the pub but he turned them down so he could find Arthur. It was near dinner and it wouldn't be like him to skip out on that. He was curious about what made Uther call him away all day long. It couldn't be good whatever it was.
That thought of course did nothing to stop Merlin's worries. Not only was he continuously thinking about this giant prophecy looming in the background but also had to worry about his magic, keeping it from Arthur, while at the same time keeping the true relationship he had with the prince a secret from everyone. There was just so much he couldn't tell people. Not even Gaius knew it all.
What if Uther found out? What if that's why Arthur was taking so long? What if someone saw them in the stables the other day?
Luckily, it only took enough time for Merlin to get his food and clean his room before Arthur was walking through the door. He wouldn't be able to hand another round of what if thinking otherwise.
"Oh good Merlin, you're here." Arthur greeted without looking up. "Pack your things. We will be leaving tomorrow."
"Leaving?"
"Yes." He continued to walk into the room, shucking off his armor as he went, and sat in his chair like what he was saying was not completely out of nowhere. "Father has asked me to look into some disturbances in the neighboring kingdoms."
"Disturbances? What kind of disturbances?"
"Creatures...odd creatures. They seem to be made from sorcery and have been terrorizing villagers all over."
Oh no. Magical creatures attacking villagers sounded very much like the thing Merlin was dealing with. Sort of dealing with. And if it was brought to Uther's attention that just meant it was getting worse. But what were these creatures? Were they the subject of the prophecy or something else altogether?
Arthur continued to talk while his thoughts were processing. "I am to make sure these stories are true and determine what kind of threat the creatures pose to the kingdom."
Merlin nodded though his stomach was doing back flips. "So we'll be taking the knights with us then?"
"No. The less the better. As I am sure you are aware -something has to get past that thick skull-" Merlin ignored his sarcastic tone and muttering and instead refilled his goblet while he listened. "Camelot is not welcome in all kingdoms and we do not wish to start a war. It will just be the two of us. My father doesn't want to send anyone he does not trust completely into enemy territory. So I will need some of your clothes. I do not wish for people to know who I am and I will need to dress plainly."
"Just the two of us?" Merlin smiled despite the uneasiness, danger, and insult to his clothes. He waited until Arthur looked up and caught his eyes to wiggle his brows suggestively.
"Don't get excited Merlin." He warned while pointing the fork at him like a weapon. A weapon with cheese on it. "I will not take any of your clinging. This is a simple scouting mission. We will do what is required of us and return."
"Clinging?" He scoffed and turned around to finish making Arthur's bed. "I'm not clingy." Just because he wanted to follow him away from training and because he worried about him all day did not make him clingy. He wasn't even that worried. Not really. Mostly.
"Just make arrangements with Gaius. We could be gone a while."
"You're the clingy one." He was ignored, as per usual, left to finish his chores and return home.
"I don't like this. We don't know what we're up against." Merlin paced in front of Gaius, snatching things to stuff in his pack for the trip. He just didn't know what to bring! There was no warning label with this prophecy and that feeling in his gut was not helping his decision making. He had packed and unpacked at least three times and that was just before eating. "I don't have time to research these beings when he wants to leave in the morning and it's not like I can bring the books with me."
"You know more than you would normally in a situation like this for the two of you. I doubt any attempt you made now would make any difference."
"Thanks Gaius."
"I just meant that you have already done so much." Gaius spun around, trying to keep up with Merlin pacing all about the place. "The Dragon said the prophecy came from a time before the written word. Perhaps this beast does as well."
"And yet you let me read all those books anyway?" Merlin spun to face his elder who was trying not to smile by pretending to putt around with their dirty dishes. "How long were you thinking this?"
"Reading is good for you Merlin."
"Mhmm." He chuckled as he reached for extra supplies Gaius kept that would help if either of them were sick or injured. It was a good bonus to have, living with and training with a physician. He just hoped he would not have to use it in these travels. "Well I don't know what I'm going to do if we come up against these creatures. My magic is improving but I haven't a clue how to use it."
His eyes dropped down to the book he pulled away to get access to the rosemary. A book he knew so well, by heart even, yet couldn't seem to put down. If Arthur were to find it…he couldn't be sure of what would happen. It was a book of magic after all. Still…he was going very far into the unknown.
"Are you sure you want to do that?" Gaius asked with a raised brow as Merlin slid the book into his bag.
"I may need it."
"If the prince finds that-"
"I know."
"Alright. Whatever you think is best. Just get yourself to bed. You'll need all the rest you can get."
"Thanks Gaius. I'll see you in the morning." Merlin smiled and gladly shut himself in his room, throwing his body on the bed and staring up at the ceiling. He would finish packing tomorrow and sleep for now.
Only, sleep wasn't going to come anytime soon. There was just too much to think about. Mostly it was just every overwhelming feeling he'd had since his talk with the Dragon but part of those thoughts were about being alone with Arthur for an extended period of time. Gods it would be infuriating, just the two of them. Of course it would be the good kind of infuriating. Just the two of them…alone in the woods...again. Merlin could feel his throat start to dry and his muscles start to twitch as his blood ran south from not-too-distant memories.
With a peek at the door he decided Gaius was going to let him be and he could reach down and push his clothes off his hips without worry. With a sigh he fell back against his pillows and closed his eyes in the dark picturing Arthur. There he was, waiting for him somewhere in the middle of a field. Why a field? It didn't matter, he was too distracted by the sight of the sunny day and the gorgeous man to care. The grass was tall but his body was bare and the closer he came the more was revealed.
The grass tickled Merlin's hips as he waited for Arthur to get close. With a smirk and a twinkle in those blue eyes Arthur knelt before him and wrapped a hand over his hip, down his stomach, and directly around his member. His rough hand grabbed him tight and strong, pulling the pleasurable feelings to the top of his mind with a single hard stroke. With eyes half closed Merlin watched as he curled his fingers around and tilted his wrist up and dragged those constricting digits to the edge of his head bringing Merlin to the edge of a gasp.
The smirk coming from the blonde beneath him was enough to will him to go faster as his face flushed and the heat pooled in his stomach. All it took was that look and Arthur was obliging to his silent wish, his fingers rolling back as his palm slipped around his head and folded around his shaft, pumping the jittery waves of pleasure straight to his toes. Those strokes continued to make Merlin's eyes roll back in his head, his hands grasping the tall grass and the blonde's hair until he had them both in a harsh but necessary grip so he could stay standing on his own two feet.
A moan escaped his lips as Arthur flicked his tongue past his, out over his head, up his slit, and down the center of his shaft. Another pass up and Arthur opened his mouth to him, taking in the first few inches, teasing, playing, and causing his body to move with every small pull his hands made. Then he engulfed him all.
One swipe down and his lips were nudging the base of his erection, his nose pressing into his stomach. The pressure increased to double as his head pulled back and his cheeks hollowed out. Gods, it was impossible how fast he could move his mouth like that. Every flash of gold from Arthur's head bobbing brought another thrill through is body and soon he was snapping the grass from the ground in chunks as the pleasure climbed higher and higher and Arthur's nails bit into his thighs and his cock hit the back of this throat and he just couldn't take it anymore. One more lap of Arthur's rough tongue pulling over shaft, his soft head rubbing against the ribbing in his throat, and he felt the heat build too much and he was coming with a groan.
Merlin blinked his eyes open to come face to face with the ceiling and a sticky hand.
They really needed to watch that while they were traveling. They didn't need to fulfill another prophecy again.
The next morning Merlin ate and prepared the horses, waiting for his royal laziness to slump out of bed and meet him. Merlin couldn't help but smile when he saw him coming down the stairs wearing his 'civilian' clothes. It was one of his shirts that had him grinning from ear to ear. He couldn't explain it but seeing him in his clothes sent a tiny thrill through him that he was all too interested in following. He couldn't wait for their first night out around the campfire together.
Arthur just glared at him. He never was a morning person.
"Morning Sire." Merlin greeted with a smile.
"Mmm." Arthur groaned and passed Merlin his things so he could strap them onto his horse.
"Have a good night's rest?" Merlin asked while loading the horse. Well, he was hiding behind the horse. Arthur would kick him if he had the chance just for asking about his sleep. Sure enough, Arthur moved around the horse just so he could glare at him properly. Followed promptly by a tongue licking out across his bottom lip and a heated gaze crawling down Merlin's body.
"What?" Merlin asked, feeling semi-self-conscious. His new purple shirt looked good but there was no way Arthur was checking that out. He wouldn't notice. Alright, it was getting weird. Did he have something on him?
"I had quite the interesting dream."
Merlin leaned back as Arthur crowded him with a accusatory stare and joked, "Naked in the royal court?"
Arthur shook his head. "You and I were in a field."
"A field?" Merlin gulped. Did he accidentally throw some magic into his fantasy last night? Arthur quickly grabbed a handful of Merlin's ass while walking right past him and towards the other side of his horse. Oops.
"What happened?" Merlin teased, standing tall so Arthur could see his suggestive smirk over the saddle.
"I'm afraid I can't tell you." Arthur returned that smirk while adjusting his sword to its hilt.
"Will you show me?"
"Perhaps." Merlin grinned down at the ground as his face burned tomato red. He could actually feel it in his ears as memories of the imagery he conjured up came to mind. Blonde hair, blue eyes, mouth full. "If you behave."
"Yes Sire." He teased back.
There wasn't much else to do but ride the day away. They had a very far way to travel all the way up to North Umbria. Through Mercia, Deira, Rheged, and of course Elmet was in the middle of it all. Also known as 'The Perilous Lands'. And while they were 'the perilous lands', people of Camelot weren't exactly welcome everywhere so danger lurked in every kingdom.
It was a long time to travel and for the first few days it was fairly uneventful. There was a lot of talking, shutting up, fighting, making up, and 'bonding' by the campfire. At least the world didn't end because of it. Both of theirs were just rocked.
It was their last night in the realm of Camelot and Arthur decided to lead them to a pub he knew on the outskirts of the kingdom. It was a rowdy place, just as Merlin expected, with bunches of men singing drinking songs and woman joining in while shouting and dancing. Arthur grabbed them a table while Merlin grabbed them food and drinks, as if it would be any other way even if Arthur was pretending to be a 'normal' person. That was an argument they had in plenty.
"Because normal people don't order other people around!"
"But you are my servant."
"Apples!"
"What?"
"Apples. Now."
"But no one is even here! We're in the middle of the woods, where am I supposed to go?!"
"I don't care just apples."
"You know, I kind of like it when you get worked up like this. Maybe we should find some whiskey instead."
"Whiskey?"
"Whiskey." Arthur strode next to him and laced a distracting hand through the bottom of his shirt.
"Whiskey."
The argument died pretty quick after that. So, there was Merlin getting Arthur his food and drink just like he said he wouldn't do. He really needed to stop letting him distract him from his very good points like that. He would just have to get him back later. Only, they wouldn't have time for that.
A few bites into the meal they bought and there was a man running into the bar, screaming louder than the rest.
"They're burning down the village! Get out! They won't stop for anything!"
"Calm down." Arthur was first to jump forward and make his presence known, standing noble and tall. "Who are they?"
"Creatures sir. Creatures as high as a horse made of the fire it breathes."
"Men!" Arthur turned and yelled over the muttering happening by the instant hysteria. "Grab weapons and water. As much as you can carry. You priority is to stop the creatures. A group of you shall evacuate the town. Make sure the women and children get to safety then come to help put out the fires."
"Arthur." Merlin stage whispered and shimmied up to his side as the mob started to follow his orders.
"What?"
"Just reminding you who you are."
"These are my people Merlin."
"I'm not saying don't help them. I'm just saying be careful." Merlin added with a smile, "You prat."
"Idiot. Let's go."
Arthur led the way outside where they saw the horse-like creatures burning through the streets. They looked to be normal horses -if they were not on fire and shooting the flames from their mains, tail, and mouth. One came cantering right in front of them as they ran and Merlin had to fall back to the ground in order to avoid it. He was staring at the burn marks in the dirt when Arthur yelled, "Get up you moron!"
He scrambled to his feet and followed Arthur to the horses, each pulling out a sword though they both knew it was pretty pointless in Merlin's case. Actually, "How are we supposed to fight horses on fire with swords?!"
"I'll listen to any bright ideas you have!"
They both knew that wasn't true but both started to run back out onto the streets. The night was paved in a glow of orange and red, the air filled with smoke and screams. Men and women alike were chucking buckets of water onto houses, lines to pass the buckets along forming down the street, bending and breaking as the horses continued to charge and attack. There had to be at least five of them. It was hard to tell since they blended in with the scene.
"Stop gaping and move!" Arthur yelled at him so he gripped his sword a bit tighter, ran out and charged with the prince towards the nearest horse, its eyes glowing harshly as it stomped towards them.
Arthur swung his sword out with harsh accuracy, sending the blade directly for the creature's neck. Instead of cutting through the flesh, there was a large clang and the metal bounced back from the attack as the creature charged forward. Arthur and Merlin shared a terrified -what now?- glance before the horse came charging back, this time sending a column of fire in their direction. They both ran from the fire breather until they reached a house untouched by the flames and jumped behind.
"What are we supposed to do?" Arthur yelled to his sword, looking over his shoulder and around the house to see if the creature followed. It was busy attacking other houses so he turned to Merlin who was just as clueless. If only they had Arthur's true sword, that which could kill anything dead or alive. Excalibur was still stuck at the bottom of that lake. . . and he was just thinking of this now?!
"What about water?" Merlin chucked the idea out. "They're made of fire, maybe water puts them out."
"Yes Merlin, I'm not an idiot. How do you throw water at something moving as fast as they are?"
"I have an idea."
They both ran and collected any volunteers they could find and as many shields and whips as they could muster. The farmers were well versed in how to corral creatures and though it took time and the flames had injured many they were able to direct the horses into the same area. They were horses after all and responded to the same type of treatment. They did lash out but the shields were used to block their fire, causing more than one to earn burns from the heat, everyone already sweating from the exertion they were putting forth.
"Now!" Arthur cried out and others positioned behind the shield bearers started to chuck the water on the horses running in mad circles. They cried out when splashed but it wasn't enough to stop them. Merlin watched from behind his shield and cursed in his mind as another creature came stampeding directly for the man at his side.
Arthur raised his whip with trepidation as a villager came with a bucket from behind. It was like second instinct as the water was thrown and Merlin used the shield to block his eyes and mouth as he whispered the words that he remembered from his book. It was nothing more than a freezing spell but his gut told him it was the one to use. It was speaking to him a lot lately and he would not ignore it.
It was correct, for when the water came into contact with the creature's skin it reared to its hind legs in a whinny and promptly fell to the ground, the flames having disappeared and the body of a natural horse left behind. Merlin looked to Arthur who was grinning at him and they both cheered in victory.
Their attention was quickly drawn to the others as more water was thrown and Merlin used Arthur's distracted state to repeat the spell over and over again until every horse was on the ground and every flame had disappeared from their bodies. Soon the civilians turned to the town and the assembly line of water was utilized until every last flame had been put to rest.
Arthur found and pulled the man who had been screaming in the pub in the first place away and handed him a small handkerchief with the Pendragon crest embroidered into it. "Take this. Get someone to ride to the castle and hand this to the king. Tell him what happened here and tell him to send help. Tell him Arthur is well and he is going to find the source and stop it."
The man's eyes widened as he took the token and nodded. "Yes Sire. Right away."
"So much for not letting them know who you are." Merlin mumbled as he proudly wiped the sweat and dirt from his face. It was a miracle neither of them were harmed by the flames and that show of magic was quite good if he did say so himself. If only Arthur knew about it.
"It's just one man. Besides, these people need help and we will not be here to help them."
"We're not going back for help then?"
"No. It would take too much time. We've already come this far. The best thing for us to do is to find where this is coming from. To do that we must follow the original report. Our plans have not changed."
"Alright. Let's go then. I doubt we'll find a place to sleep here."
"You know," Arthur started following, rolling his shoulders as they walked. "I think I might make rubbing my back part of your job description."
"Oh yes. We can put it right next to things that will never happen and things that will only happen if you do them too."
"Don't be such a baby."
"I'm not the one complaining about my shoulder." Arthur pulled back an arm and thwacked him across the top of his back. "Ow!"
"Now you are."
Merlin glared at him while rubbing his shoulder but Arthur was grinning with his hair all messy and something playful in his eyes. Even after all of that fighting and sweating he could still find a way to look absolutely perfect.
"You were really brave out there." Merlin smiled at Arthur's skeptical look.
"They were just horses Merlin."
"I mean it. You were really amazing." Merlin looked behind him quick before reaching out and grasping his hand squeezing it in his as they walked. "I love you."
"I love you too." Arthur smiled and squeezed it back before they both dropped them away for fear of being seen by someone who knew who Arthur was. "Though you weren't nearly as brave as I was."
"I was too!"
"Oh you were hiding behind your shield the entire time!"
"So were you!"
"But I did it much better."
"You are just such a clot pole."
"What was that?"
"Nothing."
