Merlin's red scarf caught the attention of the Griffin.
The beast approached with a white-hot passion. Lust over it's next meal gleaming in his eyes.
Merlin turned and ran. Gasping as he soon ran out of breath.
45 feet into the forest Merlin stopped turned to the beast and enchanted a branch. The branch flew to the Griffin piercing its heart.
Merlin sighed. He heard a noise behind him.
"Who's there?"
Lancelot stepped out. "I came to help, but it appears my services were not needed."
Merlin was tired. He looked at the man with curiosity. He seemed familiar. "Not today, but thanks!"
Lancelot stepped forward and Merlin backed up seeing the sword at his side. Great… another enemy.
"It's alright I won't hurt you. Are you alright? That beast has claimed many lives."
"I'm fine."
"You know, drawing its attention like that was pretty brave."
"I guess."
"How do you expect to explain its death."
"I don't." Merlin was still on edge. Who was this guy? "I am headed straight home. No need to tell the village it's dead. They'll figure it out. Even beasts get hurt by nature." He gestured to the branch.
"I suppose," Lancelot looked lost in thought.
"I must go, I have a delivery to make," Merlin lifted his bag of herbs. "Good day!" Merlin smiled.
"Goood… day?" The man replied.
And just like that, Lancelot left. Merlin really should have asked for a name.
Merlin returned and Morgana wanted to see him.
"Why does she want to see a useless servant like you," Arthur fumed over the bizarre request.
"We like to count the ways you can be a brat and plan out ways to annoy you," Merlin's smile was too big for his face.
Arthur glared at him. Calculating… the two were a source of nuisance… would they… no…. maybe. Finally he questioned, "Really?"
Merlin giggled hysterically. "I am sworn to secrecy!"
"Merlin, why does she want to see you?"
Merlin thought, what would be a reasonable excuse.
"She has questions about her sleeping draught."
"Why doesn't she ask Gaius?" Ok so that was a bad excuse. Umm…
"I… Um… didn't ask." He looked reflective. "Women are strange creatures."
"You should know you're such a girl."
"Prat… can I go?"
"Yes, before she comes," Arthur shoed him off.
"Did you send me flowers?" Morgana smiled.
"No?" He looked confused.
"Did Arthur?"
"No?"
"Oh," She sounded dejected. "I thought…"
She had flowers on the desk.
"Ohh" Merlin looked at her sympathetically. "You thought those were from Arthur or me."
Arthur crept outside of Morgana's door to spy. What could she be plotting? He pressed his ear to the door.
"It doesn't matter." She looked at him like he was a stranger again. "You should leave Camelot."
"I won't go. I will serve Arthur, period." He looked at her kindheartedly and firm. "You can trust me. I want you to know there are people like you. Arthur will make a great king someday. You'll be safe. You're not alone."
Arthur removed his ear from the door. Merlin was comforting Morgana. The word so sincere and mushy; It felt wrong to ease drop.
"What do you mean like me?" Morgana looked confused.
"Born with… magic." Merlin's voice sounded lost. She looked as though she saw a gost.
"But I'm… I..never" She stuttered.
"Uther's wrong. Some people are born with it. You dream of the future."
Morgana looked downright afraid.
"Relax, they can't see your dreams. Arthur is destined to bring magic back. Uther… I'm sorry for the pain he causes you… Arthur is good, please believe me."
Morgana was crying she simply nodded.
Merlin soon left and returned to Arthur's chambers.
An accusing Arthur met him. "Are you courting Morgana?"
Merlin's eyes went wide and he laughed, hard.
"So, you just love girly chit chat?"
"Wha… what are you talking about?" Merlin could barely control his laughter.
"I heard you two."
Merlin's laughter stopped. "You spied?" His voice was low and almost dangerous sounding.
Arthur almost was completely derailed by Merlin's reaction. "She asked you to leave Camelot, why would she do that?"
"You spied." Merlin slowly said the words. Then looked up, "for how long?"
"Long enough. Stop dogging my question!" Arthur fumed.
"I don't want to talk about it."
"Merlin!"
"Ask Morgana."
"You can't deny me! I'm the prince."
Merlin racked his brain. "She thought you were too much of a prat to serve."
"Merlin!"
"Arthur, don't spy!"
The next day Morgana was ill.
**Lancelot will return! Just wait. Please review this is my first fanfic!