Though these stories don't touch upon it, the events in the actual Merlin storyline are still happening.
Arthur stared at the boy from across the camp while Merlin, oblivious to his scrutiny, was lighting the fire, or at least he was trying to light it but the wood was still damp. It had been raining for about a week straight and it had finally let up this morning. That being the case Arthur had immediately ordered Merlin to prepare the horses and inform the knights that they were going on a hunt. Arthur chuckled as Merlin lost his balance and went tumbling into the pile of firewood, scattering it. He hurriedly reset the wood and then he lowered his head and struck his flint again, this time managing to make the tinder catch fire. Arthur just watched as he glanced around quickly, as if making sure nobody was watching him and then set to work preparing their meal. Arthur turned and began to walk towards the horses, allowing a small smile to cross his face as he spotted the shadowy forms of Gwaine and Percival sneaking up on the boy.
It was odd, he thought, how fond all the knights (including Arthur, though he would never admit it) had grown of the young servant. The more Arthur thought about it though, the more sense it made; despite the fact that he was a lousy servant and clumsy beyond all imagining, there was something instantly likeable about the boy. Maybe it was the fact that he didn't seem to care about social status; Merlin talked to everybody the same way, offering surprisingly wise insights for a boy his age and sarcastic comments to anybody he spoke with, including the prince. He smiled as he heard Merlin's surprised cry at whatever prank Gwaine had pulled on him. Arthur was heading back towards the main camp when he heard a loud crack followed by a surprised yelp from Gwaine and laughter from the rest of the knights. He entered the little clearing where they had made camp to see a disgruntled Merlin thoroughly covered in mud and brandishing the wooden ladle he used to spoon the stew and Sir Gwaine rubbing the back of his head and pouting while the rest of the knights roared with laughter. Arthur strode up to Merlin and crossed his arms.
"Well? Would you like to explain what's going on?"
Still looking disgruntled Merlin shrugged and mumbled something to the ground.
"What was that Merlin? Speak up! What's going on here?"
"Nothing," the boy said sulkily. "Gwaine dumped mud all over my back, so I hit him with the ladle."
Trying to lighten Merlin's mood Arthur asked in a mock serious tone: "And are you aware that attacking a knight of Camelot is a serious offense? I could have you thrown in the stocks for this."
" I don't care! I'd rather be in the stocks for a week than have to be hear. I'm tired, sore, and now my cleanest shirt is covered in mud!" Merlin bit his lip and glared at the ground, seemingly embarrassed by his outburst.
"Ah, I see. Is there something else the matter?" Arthur asked this because Merlin seemed uncharacteristically upset over this prank, considering that this was far from the worst prank Gwaine had pulled on him since becoming Arthur's manservant. Truth be told Arthur was concerned about the boy whom he considered to be like a little brother and he was feeling increasingly protective of the boy, aware that his knights viewed Merlin in much the same way.
In response to Arthur's question Merlin just shrugged his shoulder and continued to glare at the ground before turning back to the fire and announcing that dinner was ready. Once everybody was seated and eating, Merlin made himself a bowl and then went and sat next to a tree on the outskirts of the clearing well away from the fire and other knights. Arthur had noticed this and was just beginning to rise and join the young boy when Lancelot walked over and sat next to him. Content to let Lancelot deal with Merlin, Arthur settled back down, still keeping an eye on the two forms sitting in the shadows.
"Merlin, this stew is wonderful. Where did you learn to cook like this?" Lancelot looked at the boy for a few moments. When no response was forthcoming he decided to jump straight into the matter. "What's the matter? And don't you dare say nothing, because I know that's not the truth…so really…what's bothering you. Is it something Arthur or the knights did?"
Merlin just sighed before mumbling: "It's nothing, really, I just…I don't like hunting. I lost my temper back there and I shouldn't have." Merlin couldn't help the small wince that crossed his face when Lancelot clapped him on the thigh, and he looked over at the man, hoping that he hadn't seen. He wasn't that lucky and by the look on Lancelot's face he could tell that there were going to be questions he didn't want to answer. He returned to staring at the ground.
Lancelot, for his part, had noticed the boy's wince and he thought back through the day, trying to remember anything that could have injured Merlin. He could think of nothing and just as he was about to give up he saw the mud on Merlin's shirt. That sparked a memory and Lancelot thought back to Merlin's outburst earlier in the evening. "…I'm tired, sore, and now my cleanest shirt is covered in mud!" In an instant he realized what the boy's problem was and almost laughed with relief for the fact that it wasn't more serious.
"Merlin, have you ever been on a hunt before?" At the negative shake of Merlin's head, he continued. "Have you ever ridden a horse before?" Again Merlin shook his head, looking so piteous that Lancelot couldn't help the laugh that escaped his lips. Merlin shot him an angry and slightly hurt look. Still chuckling, Lancelot put his arm around the youth's shoulder. " I imagine you're pretty sore right now. I remember the first time I rode; I was so sore by the end of the trip that I fell right off my horse and couldn't get up without help!" Seeing the reluctant smile that spread across the boy's lips he continued, standing up and pulling the younger boy with him as he did so. " I know for a fact that sitting alone in the cold doesn't help one bit, either. It's nothing to be embarrassed about, to tell you the truth I'm amazed you got all of camp set up as fast as you did."
Before they reached the circle around the fire, Lancelot knelt down in front of the boy, looking him straight in the eye. "Merlin, you don't have to keep things like this to your self. You can always tell any of us and we'll help you out. You don't have to handle everything on your own, you understand?" Once he had received a small nod from Merlin, Lancelot stood and moved to take a seat next to the king, leaving a space for Merlin to sit next to him, which he did, albeit stiffly. After giving the king a reassuring look in response to his questioning gaze, Lancelot turned back to Merlin and gave him a grin and a small, secretive wink. Then speaking loudly enough for all to hear he asked: " So, Percy, have you ever told Merlin about the first time you rode a horse?"
Everybody chuckled as a blush rose in the quiet man's face. Thus the rest of the evening was spent around the fire, the knights all sharing their embarrassing stories, each eager to make the grin reappear on their "little brother's" face.
