"Merlin, stop horsing around!" Arthur called out into the treetops, where he'd sent Merlin to check for anyone who might be following them. "I want to get back to Camelot before sunset."
"Um… I'll be a few minutes, Sire. You go on ahead without me. I'll catch up."
"Don't be ridiculous. We're not splitting up now."
"It won't be splitting up. It'll just be a temporary separation."
Arthur strode over to the base of the tree and peered up through the branches. "Merlin?" he asked, slightly confused and a little annoyed. "What on earth is going on?"
Merlin groaned. Why could Arthur just leave him here; then he could magic himself down without even having to open his eyes. "Nothing," he lied, and gripped the branch tighter. "I'm just a bit stuck, is all."
"What, are you caught on a branch?"
"Not exactly."
Arthur smirked up at the other man. "Don't tell me you're afraid of heights," he mocked.
"No!" Merlin scoffed. "…Just afraid of falling out of very high trees."
"Right," Arthur said sceptically. Then his grin widened. "Wait until all the other knights hear about this one!"
Merlin just closed his eyes and gripped the tree tighter. He might as well just stay here forever. It'd be better than all the teasing he'd receive when he got back Camelot.