Chapter three: An encounter

As he did every day Arthur went for a long ride, after a while riding he came to a lake, quietly he dismounted and sat on the bank of the lake looking into the water, this spot was lovely and very peaceful, the prince found his thoughts as always drifting to Merlin.

Slowly Arthur leant back it was just so relaxing, gently he closed his eyes and drifted peacefully off to sleep.

At the same time Merlin had just left his cottage for his morning walk, his root took him past a lovely peaceful lake, how ever when he got to the side of the lake today the warlock was surprised by what he found there.

Fast asleep in the shade of a large tree was none other then prince Arthur, Merlin stopped dead in his tracks at this sight the dark haired young man stood there for a long while just looking at him, the blond haired prince looked so wonderfully handsome laying there fast asleep the sun light coming threw the trees leaves and dancing bright pattens across his golden hair.

Nervously Merlin went closer, quickly the man servant looked around there was no one else there he was sure of that, Merlin was sure as he got even closer to Arthur that doing this was like a siren calling him to his doom but the dark haired young man just couldn't resist going closer to get a better look at the prince.

Merlin very slowly knelt down in the grass along side Arthur the dark haired man servant was very careful not to make any noise as he did so. The Dark haired young man ran a critical eye over the love of his life, there was an evident loss of bulk from the prince, he looked no ware near as strong as he had done before, there were light shadows under his eyes, the prince was most definitely not the man he had left behind.

The man servant folded his arms, if they were still at the castle Merlin would have scolded Arthur feed him well and put the prince to bed as he obviously needed more sleep. Gently Merlin reached out and stroked back some of Arthur's fringe and gazed down at the princes face, it was so soft in sleep and his lips looked so deliciously inviting right now. . .

Merlin shook himself right now was not the time to be thinking like that about Arthur, right now he should be getting out of here hopefully before the prince woke up from his sleep and found Merlin was right with him.

How ever Merlin found that he was unable to make himself move, he sat in silence watching the prince as he slept, it felt like some kind of fairy tail, any minuet Merlin expected a beautiful princess to come riding into the clearing and wake the handsome sleeping prince up.

These thoughts made Merlin smile, oh how he would love to be the one to kiss Arthur, to be his princess, his love, anything more then a friend and a servant, but even though Morgana had told Merlin that Arthur had changed the dark haired young man was sure that it was still not possible for the prince to love him. "Merlin. . ." The prince's voice muttered softly.

Merlin started suddenly and gazed down at Arthur, and let out a relived sigh when he saw that the prince was still fast asleep. "Are you dreaming about me?" He asked the sleeping prince softly.

Arthur made no response to this question but a small smile had slowly appeared on the sleeping prince's face. Merlin was instantly enchanted by this expression, the dark haired young man leant closer to Arthur just to get a better a look at his smile, the young mage found himself smiling in return.

Absent mindedly Merlin reached out and stroked back some of the blond hair that had ended up in the prince's face, Arthur's smile grew and he sighed in his sleep. Quietly the dark haired young man sat back, he couldn't take his eyes off of him, this one moment it was beautiful and Merlin wanted it too last for ever. The young mage knew that the moment wouldn't last forever but he was going to make sure that he enjoyed it as much as possible, for as long as possible so that Merlin had this memory to warm his heart forever.

Arthur sighed gently slowly his eyes started to flicker open, Merlin quickly rose to his feet, he ran as quickly as he could and hid behind some trees. Slowly Arthur's blue eyes flickered open, he sighed again and sat up slowly. The blond prince looked round the clearing and let out a deep and heartfelt sigh. "I dreamt of Merlin again. I really can't get him out of my mind, I love him so much. . ." Slowly the prince looked up at the sky. "I just pray he is safe and well, more then anything though I wish he were back home beside me were I could love my Merlin and keep him safe."

Quietly prince Arthur got to his meet, he mounted effortlessly into the saddle, and turned his horse towards the castle and road home.

With tears in his grey blue eyes Merlin stepped out from were he had been hiding behind the trees and watched the prince of Camelot ride away. "Oh Arthur. . ." The dark haired young man whispered. With a nod of his head Merlin decided after all that he had heard and seen, it was now the right time for him to return to Camelot and to Arthur. . .

((yes, yes it's sappy and romantic but it made you feel all good inside right? Any way working on chapter four lol I am sure Arthur is going to be pleasantly surprised by Merlin's return aren't you?)