"So can any of you ride a horse?" Merlin asked. I beckoned after them so we could clean up and resaddle our horses.

The girl said, "I can." I looked at them, made an approximation of weight. "Well, which one of you will be alone?" I asked. The horses were strong, but three people? Far too much weight. And I was king. I couldn't let someone walk while I rode.

The raven-haired boy immediately said, "Oh I will. Does that mean these two will ride together? Oh yes, I'll walk." I gave him a strange look. No one sane was keen to go alone on their first ride. But then I noticed the blush on the other two's cheek, and realized his plan. I struggled not to laugh, as was Merlin. We reached the horses and started to put the tack back on them.

After I regained my composure, I said, "Alright then. Merlin-" I motioned for him to help up the boy riding alone. He then got the saddle tightened and was done tacking up. I finished mine and got down on one knee and locked my hands together. "Alright, you-" I pointed at the girl-" up first. Then you." As they got up, I adjusted the saddle. "Do you need any help?" I asked. She shook her head. "Alright. If everyone's ready, let's just walk for now.

"So what are your names?" I said, and walked next to Merlin. I tangled my fingers in his. He used his other hand to gently guide the horse forward. The horse was trained enough that he didn't necessarily need to be led on, but the rider could always get in trouble, and I'm pretty sure the boy would be comfortable if he was going to be in range if he were to fall.

"I'm Hermione, and he's Ron," The girl said, gesturing to the boy behind her.

"And I'm Harry Potter. Yes, The-Boy-Who-Liv-" He then shut his mouth and said, "Just Harry." I peered at them. What was he going to say? I looked at Merlin. He was as confused as I was.

"Alright, Just Harry, Hermione, Ron. I'm King Arthur of Camelot, and this is my better half, Merlin." I saw the blood drain from Hermione's face.

"Oh I- um. I'm so sorry-. Sire, I'm so sorry. I- just." She stammered and stuttered out.

"Relax, Hermione. He doesn't bite-" Merlin said, then snuck a look at me. "Usually." I remembered how long Merlin had to be careful of where he had his scarf because I bit his neck a little to hard.

"Ron, you're to far back on the saddle. You're going to fall off if you don't move forward," I said, noticing his position. With a slight blush, he moved closer to Hermione. Merlin looked at Harry, who was starting to snicker. He then saw Ron, and added, "Also, if you don't hold on to Hermione's waist, you're bound to fall. You're unstable as it is."
Harry couldn't take it anymore. One look at the pair and he burst out laughing. He couldn't control himself.

I whispered in Merlin's ear, "Kids these days," and lightly brushed my lips against his earlobe.

We arrived at Camelot soon after. Ron and Hermione were still blushing furiously and Harry still had the occasional snicker.

I said, "Stop here. I assume you don't need the stool to dismount?" The two nodded and got off Merlin's steed. I helped Harry get down.

Merlin said thanks to the stable hands, while I beckoned to the children, "Come on, this way." The kids followed in close suit. I heard a thump and turned around. Merlin was lying on the steps. Apparently he tried to run up the stairs to catch up to me, and tripped. I laughed and helped him up.

"Really Merlin, after all this time you still are an idiot," I remarked, and slid his hand into mine.

As we began walking towards Gaius's chambers, Merlin smirked, "At least I'm not a clot pole." We didn't have pet names like 'honey' or 'sweetie,' we had 'idiot' and 'clot pole.' After we made a right turn to the staircase leading to the physician's office, I could hear snatches of the whispered conversation behind us. Words like 'Hogwarts,' 'portkey,' book,' and 'Umbridge' floated up to my ears. Merlin and me shared a look. I stared into his deep, green eyes. I recalled the shade of gold they turned when he called upon his magic. I wondered if he could use magic to find out where these kids came from. He answered the unasked question with an almost imperceptible shake of his head. I nodded, and finally broke our stare. I noticed that we were nearing the door, and that the conversation behind us had stopped completely.

I cleared my throat and said, "Alright, this is Gaius, the Court Physician's room. Don't touch anything you aren't told to." I knocked on the door and entered.

Merlin called out, "Gaius!" He appeared from his room, glanced at us five, and said, "Merlin. Arthur. I didn't know you two were adopting. Congratulations." I didn't turn to Merlin, but I could practically feel the heat radiating off the tips of his ears, which turned red when he became embarrassed.

As blood rushed to my cheeks, and I choked out, "No! Gaius, we were out and found these three wandering around. Apparently they have no clue where they are, and are dressed very strangely. They're too young for immediate interrogation and we thought it would be best to leave them with you." I said, desperately willing the flush in my cheeks to go down.

Merlin said to the children, looking slightly intimidated but had wonder all over their face, "You can trust us, and Gaius. Don't restrain any information that is pertinent."

Gaius took another look at the trio, back at us, and said, "I think I can handle it from here. I'll send for Merlin if I require him. " After he finished saying that, I looked at Merlin, and noticed that he was concentrating very hard, and his eye were gold. I had gradually gotten used to the unnatural hue, but usually it only stayed for a fleeting moment. This time, it seems as if he had been using magic for a few minutes, which had to be hard. The gold disappeared, his pupils had gotten huge, but then he fainted.

I caught him before he fell. I picked him up, bridal style, and told Gaius, "I think he strained himself with his magic." I wasn't worried about the kids hearing; magic was legal, but had restriction (not to be used against anyone to harm them, nothing malicious. Nearly the same rules we had about weaponry,) but they still gasped.

I turned around slowly. Looking at them, I asked, "Yes?" Hermione said, "Well, it's just…all three of us can do magic. We weren't sure how tolerant you were."

I was surprised. All three? Either sorcery was becoming more popular, or something very strange was going on. I put it from my mind. Merlin comes first.

"We'll discuss this later. Gaius, can I just take him to our chambers and let him sleep? Does he need anything, like a potion?"

Gaius shook his head. "I'll check up on him tomorrow. If he wakes up before then, bring him here."

I nodded, "Goodbye, Gaius. I don't have any duties today, so if you need anything," I then took my leave.

On my way to our room, I found Gwaine and Percival. Their clothes were slightly wrinkled and Gwaine's hair was tousled. Both had flushed cheeks and swollen lips. Was…was that a /bite/ mark on Percival's neck? I just raised my eyebrows and said, "It's about time, you two." I walked away, barely holding my snickers. It was so obvious those two were meant for each other. They had been oblivious for so long…but I suppose Merlin and I were as well.

I don't encounter anyone else on the way to our room. Once I arrive, I lay him down in the center of the bed. I take of his jacket, neck scarf, shoes, and loosen his shirt. Further consideration, I decide to take of his shirt as well. I stand back, appreciating Merlin's body. He has such a nice face…his cheekbones are so sharp, I could cut myself. And his eyes…his eyes are this iridescent green color, like pools of light that are teasingly opaque. After staring at him for a few more minutes, I shake myself out of my daze and start on the work I would have otherwise out off to tomorrow.

I'm so sorry this took so long. I'm ging on vacation for 2 weeks, so I won;t be able to update. I might put up a few one-shots, though. Also, I don't think I can update once a week. I'll try my best, though. I'm so sorry. :(