Hello again!
First I want to thank you all for your kind reviews. I was really happy that so many wanted me to continue. And as you can see, I did.
I took your advices to heart and decided to put some more narrative and writing about what they think into. But as I did so, I realized that my first chapter needed a total makeover or it wouldn't fit into the rest of the story anymore. And so it seems, this won't be a short story anymore but develop to a much longer one as I had originally planned.
I guess some of you might object but I assumed it would be better to start this story anew.
So the second chapter won't be the continuation of chapter 1 but a part of the Prologue in the long written form. I hope you'll like it anyway though I of course understand that many of you will be disappointed that I didn't just continue because you want to know what happens next. But don't worry, I'll continue the story as soon as possible.
Until then I hope that you like this chapter as well. Please review and tell me your opinion about it.
And again, please excuse the many mistakes. Unfortunately English isn't my native language.
Have fun reading!
It was just another morning starting in Camelot. Nothing seemed any different when Merlin entered the prince's chambers with his breakfast. It was still dark inside the room.
Walking yawning to the windows to open the curtains Merlin nearly would have stumbled over a pillow lying on the floor.
Just now he remembered their little argument from yesterday when the prince had again picked on his servant for mentioning some insulting remarks about Arthurs ridiculous attempt to hide his love for Gwen from Merlin.
Merlin didn't mince matters until Arthur got furious and threw everything within his grasp at his servant who had already learned how to leave the room in such situations while dodging the shot items. Who wouldn't, considering such a regular training?
Sighing Merlin bowed down to pick up the silk cushion while balancing the tablet within his other hand.
Merlin should have known that this was no good idea. Feeling that the tablet slipped off his hand he whispered a spell in reflex, preventing the tablet to crash to the floor and thereby wake the whole castle.
Breathing in relief Merlin steered the flying tablet towards the table which was quite difficult within the dark.
Yes, a little light would be nice he thought and focused on opening the curtains a little with the help of another spell.
At once a ray of sunlight helped him to see the exact whereabouts of an empty place on the table where he wanted to place the tablet.
"Shut the light off!"
Shocked by the prince's sudden mumbling, Merlin lost control over the floating spell and the tablet crashed to the table with a heavy noise.
At once the prince shot up screaming.
"Merlin! What the hell are you doing?"
"Sorry, sire. I just slipped over some pillow."
Rubbing his tired eyes the prince sharpened his view on his servant.
"Merlin?"
Considering the accusing sound of the prince's voice, Merlin knew that the following conversation wouldn't be a pleasant one.
"Yes, Arthur?" No matter what, Merlins answer was as innocent as it could possibly be.
"How come that you slip over a pillow that you already carry in your hand?"
"Oh no, I slipped over another one."
The prince looked around gesturing.
"Where is it?"
Feeling caught, Merlin looked around to find an excuse. But this wasn't his lucky day, Arthur had only thrown this one pillow that way, all other items were closer to the door, not able to serve as the thing to blame.
Arthur got impatient.
"I'm waiting, Merlin!"
"Ahm, I … it was … maybe … just my imagination?"
Groaning in exasperation Arthur searched for appropriate words to show his disbelief.
"Why do the gods hate me so much as to punish me with you as servant?"
Merlin would have lied if he hadn't felt offended so he wasn't able to choke down an unconsidered answer.
"I'm not the one who threw all this stuff around yesterday!"
"Merlin!"
Merlin clearly realized that the prince was near rampaging around again like the evening before. But to his luck, Arthur didn't find anything more to throw at his servant unless he would have tried to throw the blanket. Despite the rough awakening Arthur wasn't angry enough as not to see that this would look more than ridiculous.
So he calmed down a little bit, seeing how his incompetent servant already readied himself for dodging items the prince would throw at him. Merlin just looked too stupid standing right there, holding the silk cushion ready as if it could defend him.
It nearly made Arthur grin but he would never show to his servant that he was already about to forget about this dreadful waking.
No, Merlin would have his punishment. The prince thought eagerly what it could be. Mucking out the stables … no, that was nothing special, Merlin would have to do that anyway. Maybe cleaning all his armature, cloths and swords? No, also not good, Arthur couldn't possibly stay all day to watch his servant suffer.
Merlin got suspicious at the sudden silence and the sight of his masters deeply thinking face.
"Arthur? Something wrong?"
Now he had the perfect thing. Delighted Arthur turned quickly around to his manservant who at once held the pillow back up in front of his breast in case that the prince would restart his throwing exercise.
"Merlin, ready the horses and make preparations! We'll go hunting!"
By all gods, why couldn't it have been something like his normal chores?
"Oh no, why of all things hunting?"
"Because I'm in the mood for it, stop asking such dumb questions!"
"Fine, for who should I prepare?"
"Me and you."
"What? Can't you go with one of the knights?"
"No, they would just disturb me."
"And I wouldn't?"
"You will simply learn to behave today. It's more than overdue."
Arthur enjoyed watching Merlin painting pictures inside his head of what would await him until he suddenly gazed reproachful back to the prince.
"Don't tell me you want to shoot me out there where no one witnesses it."
The prince grinned meaningful.
"Perhaps."
Resentful Merlin wanted to get out of this.
"You can't be serious. Who will carry your shot prey if I'm dead?"
"You forget something, Merlin. If you're with me, I NEVER get to the point where I can actually shoot an animal."
Merlin twitched back by Arthurs loud voice.
"So what's the point of this?"
"You will see. And now stop wasting my time, go!"
Merlin didn't like this. Of course he didn't really assume that Arthur would ride out with him just to kill him secretly. The prince wouldn't have to take such efforts; no one would blame a royal one if he killed a servant for behaving wrong.
But Arthur knew about his servants uncommon features and though he always yelled at Merlin because of that he never really cared enough about it to punish Merlin severely. Sending him to the stocks didn't count.
Obviously Arthur just wanted to go hunting with his servant because he knew exactly how much Merlin detested it. Fine, better hunting than being slaughtered.
Trying not to worry about it anymore Merlin cared about the preparations.
About an hour later when Merlin was just about to get the second horse ready, Arthur appeared at the stables in a good mood. He wore his usual hunting outfit, so there was no doubt that he was serious about this.
Merlin sighed and would have loved just to vanish while Arthur talked to a nearby knight who obviously volunteered to accompany Arthur on his hunting trip.
But Arthur declined.
"No, thank you, Sir Leon, I just want some time for myself. Since several months I haven't been out for a nice hunting. So now that the king has recovered I need some time to relax from all the stressful weeks when I had to take over the temporary rule."
"I understand, my lord."
Sir Leon eyed towards Merlin.
"Your servant will go along with you?"
"Yes, he will."
The knight looked astonished and lowered his voice.
"I know it's not my business, sire, but do you really think, having Merlin with you would allow any quiet minutes?"
"Don't worry, Sir Leon. I won't even recognize that he's there."
'As if I wouldn't exist.' Merlin thought by himself teeth grinding. But he didn't say anything and behaved as if he hadn't heard it.
Sir Leon went away and Arthur got up his horse, watching Merlin doing the last preparations.
"Ready Merlin?"
"Just a sec, I'm on my way."
"Hurry up, we don't have all day!"
"Yeah yeah! Saddle your horse on your own next time."
"What was that?"
"Nothing!"
"That didn't sound like nothing!"
"I just can't await it."
Arthur clearly heard the sarcasm out of Merlins words but decided not to mention it.
Five minutes later Merlin had also found the way into the saddle and made his horse follow Arthurs.
But the further they emerged from Camelot Merlin got a strange feeling. Was it just Arthurs bad mood? No, there was something in the air as if a danger came up.
Merlin hoped that his stomach was just fooling him but he couldn't help but to feel as if this was like calm before the storm.
So far so good. I hope you liked it though it wasn't very long and filled with much action. There will be more in the next chapter and I hope I can update sooner this time.
I've already written the most of the next part but I want to work over it again because I got some new ideas while writing.
However, please share your opinion about this chapter with me. Many thank and have a nice weekend!
Bye, Cennamace
