Chapter Two
Merlin found it impossible to convince Arthur that going on this hunting trip wasn't a good idea. As usual his advice was ignored. After all, what did a mere servant know? Much more than the thick headed prince realised...
"Why did you decide to go hunting today?" of all the days to choose from, Arthur certainly knew the worst ones to decide upon.
"Did you have plans for today?" Arthur was riding in front, but his smirk could be detected from miles away.
"How could I?" Merlin murmured sarcastically, just loud enough to be heard. How could he have plans for any day when he was running around after a arrogant prince all of the time.
The monarch sighed, "Look, it's been a little hectic back at the castle recently. I just needed a brake from everything. Then again, if it's peace and quite I am after, maybe I shouldn't have bought you along."
Merlin ignored his teasing for now and decided to get back at him later. He could easily come up with 100 insults off the top of his head. Although, sometimes he would sit there for hours thinking of something to say.
They rode quietly for a while, with the odd exception of Merlin randomly humming because he couldn't bare the silence. Arthur never uttered one work, although he wanted to stop and tie his servants scarf around his mouth to shut him up.
When they had ridden deeper into the forest, Arthur dismounted his horse and Merlin soon followed. They tied there stallions to a small tree and gatherer their equipment, "Are you sure about this?"
"Merlin, what is wrong with you today?" the prince couldn't understand why his servant was being such a baby all of a sudden. It was just a hunting trip!
"Nothing," the boy paused, "I just have a bad feeling."
Arthur sighed and rolled his eyes. A feeling, he mentally repeated, "Were you born so pessimistic, or is Gaius' personality rubbing off on you?"
"I guess it's yet another one of my many gifts," Merlin resorted, wishing the monarch would listen to him every once in a while.
"I'll be sure to add it to the long list."
The sun soon began to set, causing the sky to turn a burnt-orange colour. Nothing bad happened after all. Merlin couldn't help sighing in relief, causing Arthur to give him strange looks, (although, that wasn't unusual. The prince was always giving the boy strange looks).
The pair were glad to be back with their horses once again. It had been a long day, but a safe one and that was something the young warlock was thankful for.
"Well, that was fun," Merlin began smiling like the idiot he was.
"You mean apart from being chased by a boar?" Arthur chuckled, remembering their incident several hours ago. They were walking along, minding their own business – sort of – when a large boar began charging at Merlin for no apparent reason.
The wizard pouted, "It came out of no where! Seriously, it was so scary!"
Camelot's heir laughed. He wasn't sure what he found more amusing: the memory or Merlin's current expression. He looked like a five year old who couldn't get his own way. "Hey, don't worry, I will protect you from scary wild boar," the prince teased, nudging his servants arm. Merlin felt his cheeks heat up slightly, although Arthur didn't seem to realise what he had just said.
After sorting out the horses, the two were ready to disembark. The prince had already mounted his horse and began waiting for his servant to do the same. Merlin was still sorting the supplies, when a shiver ran down his spine. A large shadow blocked the sun for a split second and a bird-like noise rang through the forest.
"W-what was that?"
Arthur rolled his eyes, "It was probably a pheasant. "