A cool summer's breeze spilled in through the open window of King Arthur's bedroom. He was already awake, but the lanky, dark haired man next to him was still snoring gently. Arthur laid on his side and began to press light kisses to his companion's shoulder. Merlin always seemed so at peace when he was asleep, Arthur didn't like to wake him, but Merlin would sleep all day otherwise, and they had business to attend to.
The king drew patterns on Merlin's skin, finger tips dancing over jutting hip bones and running down his spine. The young man's body started to stir from its slumber, as did other things, and Arthur wondered briefly if they had time for a quick bit of fun before he had to go play King.
Unfortunately, Arthur was pulled out of those thoughts by an insistent knocking on the solid wooden door of his chambers. Merlin almost jumped out of bed as the noise jolted him awake. He sat up and rubbed his eyes, blinking blearily in the bright morning light.
Arthur chuckled, "Good morning sleepy head," he got up, pulling a blanket around him and went to the door. He opened it just a crack.
It was Percival, with a worrying expression on his freshly shaved face, "Good morning, Sire. I apologise for the early disturbance but I have important news."
"It's no bother, Percival, what is it?" Arthur asked, readying himself for immediate action.
Percival nodded, "The guards were making their usual rounds this morning and discovered something rather unusual near the edge of the forest."
"Well, what is it they have found?"
"We-we aren't sure, it's a great shining light, but it moves in splinters on the spot. The men are already saying that it is some kind of witch craft."
Arthur frowned, "Thank you for bringing this to me straight away, Merlin and I will go now and take a look, if wouldn't you mind waiting here to escort us to the exact spot."
Percival nodded again, "Of course, sire."
Arthur shut the door and returned to Merlin, who was sitting on the edge of the bed, the sun light streaming over his pale, naked body. The sight before him was difficult to look away from, but if he didn't they wouldn't be leaving that room.
"You haven't been playing with any magic out on the edge of the forest have you?" Arthur was mostly joking, though he knew Merlin was gifted with magic and he had to ask. It had taken some time to get used to the idea, especially after his father and his strong beliefs. Arthur loved Merlin though, he knew who Merlin was, magic or no magic and allowed himself to accept him and his gifts.
"Um, no? Why?"
Arthur began to get dressed, it seemed that they were going somewhere, so Merlin figured he should be getting dressed as well and scrambled to find his clothes.
"Apparently the guards found some sort of magic ball of light this morning on the edge of the forest and it's freaked them out quite a bit," Arthur filled him in.
Merlin handed Arthur's boots to him, "So, we're off to the forest to investigate then?"
"Yes, hopefully we will be able to figure out what it is and get rid of it, do you think we should we send for Gaius?" Arthur asked him and checked that he wasn't forgetting anything.
Merlin stood next to his king, "Perhaps we should check it out first and then send for Gaius if we think his assistance is needed."
Arthur nodded in agreement, "Ready then?"
Merlin replied that he was and they met Percival on the landing outside of the door. The three men briskly marched down to the stables to fetch horses, and then they rode off towards the forest with Percival in the lead.
Percival took them right to the edge of the forest a little way out from the main hub of Camelot, and they could see the magic light glowing amongst the trees as they bordered the forest on their horses. The trio dismounted and tied up their horses before moving in closer to investigate.
"I've never seen anything like this!" Arthur marvelled, staring at the light suspended in the air, hands on his hips as he waited for Merlin to complete his examination.
Merlin did a full circle around the mysterious light, "Neither have I," he picked up a long stick and cautiously moved forward, stick extended outward. As he got closer the stick entered the light, and when nothing happened; he put it all the way through up to his hand.
"It's not coming through the other side," Arthur informed him.
Merlin thought about it for a moment, it didn't seem harmful, it was only putting out energy; an energy that he could feel the way he could feel his magic, and surely the stick must be going somewhere, right? He braced himself and still holding onto the stick, put his whole hand then arm through.
Still, nothing happened. He did however, feel warm sunlight on his skin. He withdrew his arm and dropped the stick to the ground next to him.
"What do you think?" Arthur asked, anxiously waiting to hear what Merlin had discovered.
"It seems safe," Merlin smiled, "I'd like to know what's on the other side, are you ready for an adventure?"
"I thought you'd never ask," Arthur beamed back, "Percival, stay here and guard the area. Do not let anyone else near this…mysterious light, we will return soon."
"Yes, sire."
And with those words, and an excited shared glance; Arthur and Merlin took each other's hand and stepped through the glowing light towards an adventure that was sure to change their lives.