This chapter is just features Merlin and Arthur because that's my favorite dynamic on the show, and I can't get enough of writing scenes between the two.
You guys gave me some awesome ideas, and I will be sure to use them in the next few chapters.
Until then, thanks to those who reviewed, alerted, and favorited, and otherwise read last chapter. This series is actually really fun to write.
So, thanks for reading, drop me a comment if you can, and I still don't own 'em.
Bye!
It was drizzling, beads of rain water mixing with the sweat running down Arthur's face as he hacked through a stubborn patch of vines. He heard Merlin stumble behind him, but chose to ignore the younger man; already used to the fact that Merlin seemed to have two left feet.
"Are you keeping up, Merlin?" Arthur called over his shoulder, finally breaking free of the vines.
"Arthur, can we stop?" Merlin asked curiously, ignoring the blond's question, sounding slightly out of breath.
"We're almost there." The blond kept going, very much aware of Merlin trudging behind him, abruptly stopping when he caught sight of a deer grazing about a hundred yards away. Merlin must not have been paying attention, his full weight slamming into Arthur's back and sending the blond stumbling forward, the sudden noise frightening the deer.
As if took off, Arthur rolled his eyes and turned to shout at his servant, only to catch him as he collapsed into Arthur's chest. Worried, Arthur lowered himself and his manservant to the ground, lightly tapping his face.
"Merlin," he said softly, waiting for a response. "Merlin, wake up."
"Mm," the younger man mumbled, turning into Arthur's hand.
"This is not the time to take a nap," Arthur grumbled, gently shaking his servant. "Wake up."
"'s too early."
"It's not too early. You just fell asleep."
Merlin merely burrowed deeper into Arthur's tunic and immediately started snoring again. The blond very nearly grabbed his manservant's shoulders, intending to give them a hard shove, but he stopped when he noticed the dark, ugly circles under the younger man's eyes and the way his face looked unnaturally haggard. It made Arthur wonder when the last time Merlin had slept.
"If you tell anyone about this…" Arthur started softly, letting the threat linger in the air, carefully moving both himself and Merlin backwards so he could lean his back against a tree, using the canopy of leaves to block most of the rain. "You are going to be the death of me, Merlin." His fingers hesitating over the younger man's hair before he dropped his hand to his side.
Leaning his head back, he vowed to have a long chat with Merlin about letting Arthur know when he needed a break so something like this didn't happen again.