I wanted to start of this chapter with a bit of a laugh. I had a dream that I was with Merlin when he was in charge of the horses and he accidentally stepped into their muck. I warned him, but since he didn't listen I was trying not to laugh. I do not own the rights for Merlin, Eden is mine.

Chapter 2

"Merlin, watch your step!" Eden warned him.

Right after the warning, Merlin stepped backward into a pile of horse muck. "Ugh! Disgusting!" he yells, hopping on one foot and trying to shake the muck off with the other.

Eden starts laughing and walks over with a rag to help him. "Hold still!" she told him, then knelt down and wiped off the muck. "Maybe next time you will listen to me when I give warning."

Merlin chuckles nervously, but was silenced when Eden gave him a look. "At least, the horses are saddled and ready to go," Merlin said, quickly changing the subject. "but now we have to introduce you to Arthur."

"Who?" she asked. This was the first time she heard the name since waking up. Merlin has been introducing her to everyone on the campsite and keeps mentioning a king. He never mentioned or even introduced an Arthur to her. Until now. Merlin saw her confused look and realized that he has been keeping her in the dark.

"Arthur is the King of Camelot," Merlin explains to Eden. "and I am his manservant." Eden was going to ask another question when another knight came marching up to them.

"Merlin!" the knight said, angrily. "There you are! I've been looking all over for you!"

Merlin quickly kneeled to the knight, and then whispered to Eden, "Bow to him! He's the king!" She quickly did what he said, but as she was kneeling a hand entered her line of sight.

It was Arthur's hand. "Let me help you up," he says, taking her hand. She rises, and then Arthur took a good look at her.

"I am King Arthur," he introducing himself to her," and, of course, you have already met my manservant." Merlin rolls his eyes.

"It's an honor to meet you, Your Majesty," Eden tells Arthur, curtseying. "My name is Eden. Hope you don't mind that I helped Merlin with the horses. Didn't want to look too much like a random girl among a camp full of knights."

Smiling, Arthur says, "No, not at all. Although, I would like to know where you are from. How did you come to my kingdom?"

Merlin got up and was about to make an excuse, but Eden was already talking. "I was travelling," she lies to the king, "on my own when I was ambushed by a couple of mercenaries. Managed to escape into your territory, but was to week to go on."

"Good thing we found you then," Arthur tells her. "You are safe with us, but it will be safer when we return to Camelot."

He turns to face the campsite, and yells, "Pack up! We are leaving!" He turns back to Eden. "We don't have a spare horse for you to use at the moment. You are more than welcome to ride with me."

Arthur offers his arm with a smile. Eden steps back and stands next to Merlin. "I'm sorry, Sire," she tells him, "but Merlin said he would let me ride with him."

An hour later, Arthur and the knights were riding back to Camelot. Merlin, with Eden, riding close behind so no one can see them silently laughing.

"I can't believe you said no to Arthur," Merlin told Eden, laughing. "Even when I told you he was single when he left."

Eden, tears running down her cheeks, says, "I know, but the look on his face was priceless!"

One of the knights came riding up to them and the two quickly stifled their laughter. "There is a small camp of mercenaries ahead," he says, "and they are accompanied by Morgana. Get Eden out of here!"

"Thanks, Percival!" Merlin said, then he and Eden were galloping into the other direction.