Lost Horses

It was starting to get dark by the time Arthur and Merlin had made their way back to where they had left their horses. The short mission had been successful, and the bandits had been escorted out of the Kingdom. Arthur had watched with satisfaction as they had raced away not waiting to confront Arthur and his friend and sorcerer. Already, Arthur was dreaming of a bath and an early night with his wife Gwen back in Camelot. He allowed himself a smile as he followed Merlin through the trees.

Arthur could hear the stream up ahead, soon they would be making haste for home. Every now and then a bird moved inside the branches around them, making his friend jump. Arthur shook his head in disbelief. How was it that Merlin with all the magic he had at his fingertips, could still be so nervous of a mere bird, he wondered?

Arthur stopped for a moment, looking around his sixth sense telling him to be cautious. By the time he had turned around, Merlin was some way ahead. He ran down the ever-darkening path, eager to join his friend. He could see him downstream, looking about him as if searching for something.

What was he doing, he thought to himself? It was only when he joined Merlin, that Arthur realised what his companion was confused about. They were alone, with no horses anywhere to be seen.

"Merlin, where are the horses?" Arthur cried out, indignant.

"I don't know, I left them here." He shrugged.

"You mean to say you have lost them?" Arthur asked, his tone rising in growing disbelief.

"No!" Merlin insisted, looking indignant.

"So, where are they then? Arthur watched as his friend turned around his hand on his forehead, as if he were expecting them to come back any minute.

"They have to be somewhere," Merlin shrugged.

Arthur watched him walking down a path.

"Where are you going?" the King asked, confused.

"They have to be nearby," Merlin commented, "maybe they've gone off for a trot somewhere!"

"A trot? Merlin their horses not people, they stay and eat grass they do not go off on trots!" Arthur fumed, following Merlin down the creepy path.

"What would you know about horses anyway? You are a King, not a stable hand!" Merlin replied, looking over his shoulder.

"I have spent all my life around horses Merlin. I have never met one yet, which just suddenly decided to go on a trot all by himself!"

Merlin had come to a stop Arthur watched his friend curiously. Merlin's magical powers fascinated him. Sometimes they made him almost afraid. He followed his friend's eyeline, suddenly, he could see what looked like little bits of stardust moving along the path.

"What are you doing?" Arthur asked, genuinely interested.

"Trying to see if my mind's eye can track them down," Merlin explained.

"Mind's eye?" Arthur asked, "You have an eye in your mind?"

Merlin laughed. "It is just a phrase for my magical senses. If I concentrate, I can see the path ahead, follow me."

Arthur screwed his face up, still not sure what his friend meant. By now, his stomach was starting to feel hungry. He shut his eyes in frustration wondering how long this escapade would take.

"Can you see anything?" Arthur called out, only to be met by silence. "Merlin!" Arthur cursed, not only had their horses disappeared he now could not find his friend either. He threw his sword to the ground in annoyance, only for a voice to spook him.

"He has such a temper on him, doesn't he guys?"

Arthur turned around to find Merlin with two horses and a silly smile on his face.

"I don't know what you are grinning about, wait until I tell the Knights how you managed to lose our horses, you won't be able to walk down the street in anything other than sheer embarrassment."

"If it wasn't for me, you would still be wandering around trying to find your horse," Merlin pointed out, handing the reigns to Arthur.

"My horse? I seem to recall you also lost your horse as well!"

"At least I managed to find them." Merlin pointed out.

Arthur hated letting his friend have the last word, but in this instance, he had to admit he was right.

As they climbed back onto their steeds, Arthur thought about the hot bathtub he would soon be relaxing in. As he geared his horse up, they were soon galloping home the white towers of Camelot rising up in the distance.