A/N Hey guys! It's Merlyn! Please review and don't give up on the story. We're not the type of authors who write only for views and review. We write because we really like doing it, but it is still nice to know that people appreciate it. Please, guys.

Papaya, check your inbox. I messaged us on my other account. Ya know, I should write a fanfic there sometime. Probably a Merlin one. Or PJO or Sherlock or Harry Potter (and she rambles on. Honestly I have so many more.) Okay, so cause of COVID 19 what we're doing now is writing a couple of chapters each instead of typing up what we've written together. Yeah.

Merlin's POV

I walked out of Gwen's house. The maidservant was so kind. She let them sleep there for the night. It was practically dusk now. Tomorrow my strange companions would see Gaius, and then our wonderful king, Uther (note the sarcasm).

Arthur had woken up. Honestly, I would be worried if he hadn't. 'How do you feel?' I asked, mounting the horse.

He groaned, 'like I've just spent the night at the tavern. You should be familiar with that.'

Why does he think I spent all my time at the tavern? I've hardly ever been there. 'You know,' I said, 'Sir Jacob saved you life. He slayed the beast.'

He snorted, 'and bet you hid up a tree like a frightened squirrel.'

I didn't reply, just gave the horse a small kick and it set off on a gentle canter.

Arthur let out a soft moan of pain as he righted himself, 'I must personally thank him, whoever he is,' he continued, before pausing, 'Merlin, who exactly is Sir Jacob?'

I hated that tone. I hated it very much. I threw my hands up for a second in a surrendering gesture (as long as one can on a horse), 'now, just before you kill me for leaving him at Gwen's...'

I dodged a punch. 'You did what!' he exploded. And then of course complained of the pain in his shoulder.

'Okay, okay, before you kill me for leaving another man at the same house as the love of your life-'

I dodged another punch. And promptly fell off the horse.

'Merlin! Don't go shouting it out in public. And she is not the love of my life!'

'Now who's shouting,' I muttered, scrambling to get up and brushing dust off my shoulders as I steadied the horse, 'let me explain.' I remounted Sir Albert (the horse, before you ask, and no, I did not name him), 'before you got a concussion, we met two strangers. One introduced himself as Sir Jacob and the other as Lady Grey. They hail from a faraway kingdom. An evil sorcerer sent them away into nowhere and they were looking for lodgings and attempting to find out where they were. Then we came across this beast with tentacles (A/N Merlin can see the hollows remember). Sir Jacob was familiar with the kind of creature and when it attacked he protected you with his sword but the beast got your horse and you were thrown off, knocked unconscious. In the end, Sir Jacob slaughtered the evil beast and we were all saved. Lady Grey was mildly bruised so they will see Gaius tomorrow morning.'

Arthur aimed another light punch. This time I was unsuccessful in my dodging.

'Ow,' I said sulkily, rubbing my neck, 'what was that for?'

'For being an absolute idiot, Merlin,' Arthur sighed, 'we were here ages ago.'

I realized the horse stood about a centimeter from the castle wall, 'ah.'

'And you're paying for the horse we lost.'

'What! How am I meant to pay out of that meager pittance you provide me with, despite the fact I, hmmm, do your chores and save your life?'

'Oh, yes speaking of chores, my armor needs polished, my room needs tidying, my boots need polishing and, oh, someone needs to muck out the stables!' Arthur patted me merrily on the back (with unnecessary force, I believe).

And so we rode into the castle, one bickering arrogant prat and the other a handsome magical prodigy.


A/N Yay! Done! I tried to capture Merlin and Arthur because I hate it when people make characters sometimes so OOC. I dunno. I had a lot of fun writing this. I think I could imagine it happening. I did it as long as possible.

NEXT: Into Gaius' chamber we go...