"What is this thing called again Merlin?"
"A plane," said Merlin patiently, for what felt like the millionth time.
"A plane," Arthur repeated slowly. He frowned. "Are you ever going to tell me what this thing actually is?" He shifted uncomfortably on his seat.
"All in good time," Merlin replied casually. In actual fact, he was planning to tell Arthur what a plane was once they were about to leave, aware that if Arthur knew what it was he would escape from the plane as fast as he could. He couldn't suppress the flicker of guilt for deceiving Arthur like this, but he wasn't sure what else he could do.
Arthur sighed. "It had better not be anything weird, like that car thing."
"I thought you liked cars now!" Merlin protested. "Or got used to them at least."
Arthur shook his head firmly, a look of horror on his face. "I hate cars! Horses are much better…"
"Yes, I know," Merlin interrupted, not in the mood to get into another long debate with Arthur about the practicalities of travelling on horses or cars. Whenever Arthur started ranting about how noisy and smelly cars were, that was usually quite a lot of the day gone.
Merlin glanced at his watch. "We should be leaving soon…"
"But what will happen?" Arthur snapped. "Please Merlin, just tell me."
Merlin gasped. "You said please! Arthur, are you okay?"
Arthur frowned. "Fine. I don't get ill, after all. Only weak people do that."
"Exactly!" said Merlin seriously. "That's why I was asking."
Arthur rolled his eyes. "Very funny. Look Merlin, I command you to tell me what is about to happen to your king!"
Merlin sighed. "The plane will rise into the air and…well, it's a bit like a car, only it flies in the air." He paused, avoiding Arthur's eyes. "I'm sorry Arthur, I know you'll hate the idea-"
"Don't talk to me," said Arthur quietly.
Merlin glanced at his friend, the feeling of guilt growing rapidly. "Arthur, I'm sorry I didn't tell you-"
Arthur took a deep, shaking breath and squeezed his eyes shut, turning away from Merlin.
Merlin grasped his arm. "Arthur? Are you okay? I'm being serious this time…"
"You are no longer my friend," came Arthur's muffled voice. "And there's no need to ask if I'm okay, because I'm asleep. That's why my eyes are shut. I'm not scared."
"Arthur-" Merlin began desperately.
"I'm trying to sleep!" Arthur snapped.
He ignored Merlin for most of the journey, in fact, he didn't move once. Merlin knew how he must be feeling, and kept a comforting hand on his arm, despite the fact that Arthur wasn't talking to him. He felt a rush of relief once the plane had landed and they left, Arthur looking resolutely in the opposite direction.
"Arthur, I'm sorry that I didn't tell you what it was until the last minute," said Merlin anxiously, now starting to panic that Arthur was so terrified as a result of the journey that he might take ages to recover. "I'm so sorry-"
Arthur looked at him and Merlin stopped short. He was smiling.
"Err, Arthur?"
"I thought it was brilliant Merlin! Can I go on it again? Could we buy one?"
A/N: Thank you if you reviewed! :) I know this chapter could probably be better, but I still hope you liked it.