Chapter Notes: Oh dear...I totally screwed up...I really neglected this story *groans* I didn't mean to...just first all this work started piling up and then I just got sidetracked and oh darn it...then I was checking up on reviews and I saw a new one on this story and I was kinda just staring at it for a good 15 minutes *headdesk* then I decided that I had to pick this up again because...yeah doesn't matter...I gotta study for finals atm...so that explains why I've started writing again...xD
I hope I'll be able to update a lot more frequently from now on but I'll be stuck with a lot of work and...yeah we'll see *knocksonwood*
So if you're still reading thank you and enjoy
Love, CrazyIsTheClue
"Merlin."
"Ngh..."
"Merlin!"
"Ngh-nhh"
""Merlin!"
"Whoa what? What happened where's the fire?" Merlin yelped as he fell out of bed.
Gwaine just stood over him with an all too innocent expression on his face. Merlin glared at his friend who could hardly avoid breaking out into laughter.
"Oh Merlin, you're awake how lucky for me." he said.
"Lucky my..." Merlin replied icily still not too happy about being woken up that early. The sun wasn't even up yet. "Gwaine...why did you decide to wake me up at this ungodly hour?"
"Well...I figured you could really need some fun."
"Fun? In the middle of the night?"
"Oh stop being such a killjoy. We're going out for a ride."
"Ride...we...what? When? Now? Like...now?"
"No...yesterday...Yes Merlin now! Now come on get ready." Gwaine said finally and walked out of the door of the tiny room.
Merlin was left to stare after him for a moment before he dropped facedown on his bed and started hitting his head against his pillow repeatedly. Well better choice than the wall at least.
xxXxxXxxXxx
Against all of his better knowledge Merlin got dressed and ready. When he got downstairs he saw that Gwaine had already packed some stuff. It did however look more like he was planning to elope rather than to go for a ride.
Merlin gestured towards the bags and raised his eyebrows. Gwaine just grinned. Minding that Gaius was still sleeping they had a silent but very gesture-filled and rather heated debate. Finally Merlin complied and helped Gwaine to get the stuff to the horses, which were already good to go.
"Gwaine...what is this all about?" Merlin asked, mounting his black gelding.
"Well...as you said you and your little prince need to be less...attached-at-the-hip again and I figured we'd take a trip and leave Arthur to his duties." Gwaine said lightly climbing into the saddle as well.
"Umm..." Merlin wasn't really happy about that idea.
Gwaine noticed. "Oh come on, there's no immediate danger, we won't go too far I left Arthur a note and other than getting a heart attack when he freaks out about how I dare to steal his boyfriend nothing will happen to the prat."
"Gwaine..."
"Oh come on...when was the last time we really had some fun? I was your friend long before Arthur became your boyfriend...come on...Just like the old times...Just you and me...and we can pick up some stuff Gaius needs..." Gwaine threw in casually hoping that Merlin would at least react to that.
The raven stared at him indecisively for another while before he shot him a wry smile, but Gwaine could see his eyes sparkling with humour.
"Fine then...drag me off...but don't blame it on me when Arthur kills you for putting any of us under unnecessary risk."
"Oh first...he doesn't give two craps about me...second...it's just a fun field trip among friends. Now even the two of us could get into trouble there." Gwaine grinned and pushed his horse to race Merlin out of the stables and away from Camelot and his prince.
Merlin shook his head at him with a grin before he got Mystery to carry him after his friend.
xxXxxXxxXxx
"...besides it's just a tiny field trip among friends. We'll have some fun and pick up the herbs and things that Gaius needs and head back. It'll be fun and I'll bring your lover back in one piece. Not even Merlin and I could get into trouble on this one.
So just relax ok?
Gwaine..."
The blond prince just stared at the note in his hand. Merlin had left...with Gwaine...again. He knew that he was being irrational. He knew that Merlin wasn't leaving him. But he felt very cold regardless.
"Arthur?" he could hear the voice of his father through the thick wooden door.
He quickly composed himself and straightened his posture. He was the crowned prince of Camelot after all.
"Yes father?" he replied, voice steady.
"You are to attend a council meeting in a quarter of an hour. Make sure that you are decent by then."
"Understood." Arthur said and he could hear his father leave.
He stared at the note for a moment before he stashed it away and started to get dressed for the meeting. If Merlin was capable to go on a joy ride with Gwaine then Arthur was able to do his duties. He knew that this was probably for the best. He loved Merlin more than he had ever thought possible, but their utter co-dependency would have caused nothing but trouble.
Arthur was soon-to-be-king and Merlin was just a servant. They had to play their roles, fulfil their destinies. And while Arthur was sure that they would do both of that, and do it together, he knew that they couldn't do it if they put each other above everything and everyone else. That wasn't who they were. It would have destroyed them.
So he put on formal robes and walked out of his room, head held up high. He was Arthur Pendragon. He wouldn't be curling up in drawer all day and be depressive just because Merlin had decided to do something without being within shouting range. It didn't matter. Because somehow he knew that, if he needed him, Merlin would still hear him.
"Good morning gentlemen." he said cheerfully as he entered the council room.
Everyone looked at the young confident prince as he walked to his place by his father's side. He noticed some furrowed brows and disbelieving mumbling. His lips curled into a tiny grin and his eyes sparkled with interest. This was going to be very informative.
End Notes: So...*sighsandfrowns* yeah this is as far as this'll go for the moment...I think I'm getting back into the saddle ok with this story...so I hope you enjoyed this chapter and...drop me a line to let me know what you think :D
...the chapter title is actually a Star Trek reference...if you caught it Red Vines for you :D
I hope I'll be able to update soon...until then cya :D
