Merlin was in the woods and he was collecting herbs for Guias. He was unaware as someone snuck up on him, Merlin was grabbed from behind and a hand covered his mouth. Merlin was scared and he grabbed the person's wrist. "Mmmhhhppp!" He tried to scream and he thrashed around.
"It is very dangerous to go out here on your own, Merlin. It's a good job that a very brave and handsome knight is here now" the person whispered.
Merlin relaxed and he pulled the hand away from his mouth "You nearly scared me to death".
Arthur smiled "Follow me" he Let go of Merlin and they walked further into the forest.
Arthur led Merlin to a clearing and a stream, they walked over to a few pillows and blankets and Merlin smiled when he saw that Arthur had prepared a picnic.
"What's this?" Merlin asked.
"A picnic" Arthur stated.
"I can see that, Arthur. But why here?" Merlin asked.
"It is likely that my father would probably kill you if he found out about us. I thought that I could do something for you" Arthur answered.
Merlin looked at Arthur "You did all of this?"
Arthur nodded "Yes".
"I've been dressing and bathing you for years!" Merlin exclaimed.
"That wasn't all bad" Arthur smirked.
"That's four years of my life that I've had to put up with you being a prat" Merlin stated.
Arthur grabbed Merlin's hips and he pulled the young warlock against his body "Thank you for not giving up on me".
Merlin smiled "You're welcome".
Arthur kissed Merlin and when their lips parted they sat down for the picnic, Merlin was still blissfully surprised at how charming Arthur was and that was something which continued to surprise him and make him fall even more deeply in love with the prince.
As their date went on, Merlin and Arthur were talking and laughing, Arthur was lying on his back with his arm under his head whilst Merlin was leaning on his side.
"Sometimes I dream about not being a prince and to have a farm," Arthur said.
"I grew up poor, it was hard to survive and my mother struggled. My father left when I was young, I don't remember him much, I had to work on a farm to get food and money". Merlin explained.
Arthur looked at Merlin "If I could get some land and a farm... I would take you with me".
"To do all of the hard work?" Merlin asked.
"No, to be with you forever" Arthur smiled.
Merlin smiled and he blushed "It sounds great."
"You're blushing" Arthur stated.
Merlin looked away from Arthur "Sorry".
Arthur reached over and he held Merlin's hand "It's sweet".
Merlin looked at Arthur and he smiled.
Arthur smiled at Merlin but then he noticed something behind the warlock "Don't move".
Merlin became worried "What is it? Is it bandits?"
Arthur slowly reached down for his sword, he then quickly moved his arm and he leaned over Merlin. The warlock closed his eyes when Arthur suddenly grabbed what was behind him. He then looked at the Prince.
"A wasp" Arthur simply said, he grinned and he looked at Merlin.
Merlin smiled in relief and he leaned over to kiss Arthur.
Arthur held onto Merlin's upper arm and he felt a hand on his chest. As their kiss deepened Arthur moved and he rolled Merlin onto his back, he leaned over Merlin and they continued to kiss.
Meanwhile, Morgana was on a walk through the forest and she had followed the couple; he saw what Arthur and Merlin were doing. She hid behind a tree and watched them, the hatred in her heart flared and she rushed back to the palace.
Arthur pulled back and he looked at Merlin "I really like you, Merlin".
"I really like you too, Arthur" Merlin smiled.
"Why didn't you tell me that you had magic before?" Arthur asked.
"Because it's my destiny to guide you to become king. I have only ever used it to help people, I knew that if people found out then I would most likely be killed" Merlin explained.
"I won't let that happen. I promise. I will stand by you because I love you" Arthur smiled.
Merlin smiled "Thank you. I love you too".
"Can you show me something magic?" Arthur asked.
Merlin glanced around to see if anyone was watching. He did not sense anyone so he opened his hand and he looked at his hand.
Arthur watched Merlin's eyes flash gold and he saw a small golden dragon appear in Merlin's hand "That's amazing".
Merlin smiled and the dragon flew in circles around himself and Arthur.
"You are amazing" Arthur smiled.
Merlin's heart fluttered at Arthur's comment "It killed to keep my magic a secret from you. I've wanted to tell you for ages, I just didn't want to risk losing you".
Arthur kissed Merlin. The warlock wrapped his arms around Arthur's neck and he kissed the prince back. Before he knew it... Merlin was lying on the blankets and Arthur was leaning over him.
Arthur pulled back and he looked down at Merlin "You could never lose me. You have always been there to save my life, even before you were my servant. And when the day comes I will be there to save you".
Merlin nodded and he smiled "You have no idea how happy that makes me".
Arthur saw the tears in Merlin's eyes "Why are you crying?"
Merlin sniffled "I've kept my magic a secret all my life. Only a few people know".
"You can trust me to keep your magic a secret" Arthur reassured.
Merlin nodded "I know. But if the wrong person found out then I would be killed".
"I will not let that happen. You are safe with me" Arthur said in a soft voice.
"Thank you" Merlin sniffled.
"No. Thank you" Arthur leaned down and he kissed Merlin. He slipped his arm underneath Merlin's back and he lifted his secret lover up, so that Merlin was pressed against his body.
Arthur heard the sound of horses approaching and he quickly pulled back from Merlin. The warlock acted fast and he grabbed the plates and pretended to be washing up.
Uther rode into view with some knights behind him and he saw Arthur "What are you doing, son?"
"Having an afternoon picnic. How are you, father?" Arthur asked.
"I am quite alright. I might join you" Uther answered as he climbed down from his horse and walked over to sit down on the cushions. Exactly where Merlin was sat.
Arthur forced a polite smile and a nod, as he sat up and moved away from the king. But he could not help how disappointed and annoyed he felt, because he had planned this picnic to surprise Merlin and his plans had been stomped on. He glanced over at Merlin and he noticed the disappointment in the warlock's eyes and it just made him more annoyed, he felt that he had let Merlin down and he despised whatever force had caused Uther to ruin his date with the warlock.
The prince zoned out whilst Uther helped himself to the rest of the picnic, he could not help how sad and slightly angry he felt.
Uther was just chomping down on some fruit when he saw that Merlin was sat next to the stream. An idea flowed into his head and he picked a goblet up before threw it at the boy. The goblet hit Merlin on the back of the head, he flinched before he placed a hand on the back of his head as he winced in pain.
"Do you need anything, my Lord?" Merlin asked.
"Some entertainment. Do something, boy!" Uther ordered.
Merlin ignored the urge to roll his eyes and ignore the request due to how rude Uther was being, but he stood up and he picked up three apples. He stood a few meters in front of Arthur and Uther. He then started to juggle with the three apples.
Uther was interested in the juggling but he then saw the cheese knife. He picked it up and another idea popped into his head, he turned back to look at the servant and he threw it at Merlin.
Merlin saw the knife flying straight at him, he quickly threw two of the apples into one hand and he held the third apple at where the knife was going to hit him.
The knife went into the apple and it did not touch Merlin, but it did not stop Arthur from being worried about how Merlin had almost been hurt. None the less, he clapped in order to not seem suspicious and Uther clapped too.
Merlin put the apples back into the picnic basket, before he went back over to where he had been sat. He wished that he could spend more time with Arthur, but he understood how it was too dangerous for his relationship to be exposed to the world. Maybe one day it would not be so dangerous?