Chapter Text

Nothings gonna hurt you baby 

What merlin wanted to do today, a day where arthur was supposed to be in council almost all day to discuss important matters regarding attacks on nearby villages by bandits, was to sleep in past daybreak, eat breakfast for the first time in months, head to the village to buy his favourite blueberry pies as a treat and go for a nice walk outside camelot.

Yet, here Merlin is in the stables, readying the horses for an impromptu hunt because Arthur is an immature dollophead who can't sit still for too long without itching to get away.  

Merlin had been raising his first bite of the porridge gaius had made for breakfast to his mouth as the door to the physician's chambers burst open with a thwack.

A scrawny serving boy stood in the doorway looking panicked.

'merlin! Arthur has sent for you.' the boy gasps for air as if he had run all the way from the council chambers, maybe he had. 

Merlin let out a whiney sigh, looking at his porridge defeatedly.

'Right now?' exasperation drips from Merlin's voice. The serving boy nods sharply and Merlin accepts his fate and stands up from his seat to move towards the doorway. He grabs his jacket as he walks out of the door and shirks it on with a pout on his face. 

'bloody prat' merlin mutters under his breath. 

Merlin races to Arthur's chambers in record speed considering the fact every servant gave him a sympathetic look along his way to arthur.

'probably nothing' he thinks, trying to stay optimistic about his stolen time off. 

What could possibly have annoyed Arthur today? Merlin's mind drifts to all of the possibilities when he abruptly bumps into someone.

'I'm so sorry! oh! hello merlin' Gwen's bright smile illuminates merlin's vision.

Gwen's hair is pulled back into a messy bun with some sort of ribbon holding it all together that matches the lilac color of her stained dress.

Gwen never fails to put a smile upon Merlin's face, she was the first true friend he made in Camelot and she will always hold a special place in her heart.

Merlin is glad they were able to get past any romantic feelings years ago because Merlin's heart has always been reserved for another, though he tries not to think of the fact too much in hopes of repressing his true feelings. 

'I was daydreaming it was my fault, how are you doing gwen?' Merlin bends to help Gwen pick up and re-fold the linens that tumbled out a wicker basket she had been holding due to the impact.

"I am more concerned as to how you are doing, I hear arthurs in a horrid mood." Merlin's brows furrowed in confusion as to how word had spread so quickly of arthurs humor, it must be truly foul. gods have mercy. 

'What is wrong with the clotpole? surely something can't have annoyed him this early in the morning.'

dawn had broken less than two hours ago and mayhem was already afoot. Merlin straightens back to his full height along with a sheepish looking gwen.

'well, you weren't there to wake him.' she shrugs as if that makes perfect sense, merlin stares not comprehending. 

'I arranged that George would wake him today, he was not unattended.' confusion seeps into merlin's voice as gwen huffs.

'`Yes but you know how he gets when anyone else but you wakes him.'

Merlin did not in fact know, usually any time Merlin is not here to wake Arthur that means he is probably busy saving Arthur from an assassin, or evil sorcerer or mythical beast.

'What on earth do you mean gwen?' Merlin's hands flare out to his sides in emphasis but Gwen just shakes her head in mirth.

'you best get going merlin, or else we will be at war by noon.' She pats him lightly on the shoulder and toodles off, leaving Merlin standing in the bustling hall confused. 

When Merlin finally rounds the corner to Arthur's chambers he finds the usual guards outside arthurs chamber looking straight-spined and more alert than usual.

The two men give Merlin a thankful nod when they see him as if to say 'thank god you are here.' Merlin sails by them and straight to arthurs door which he barrels into.

When the door swings open he finds Arthur sat at his desk with a stern expression on his face. The sound of his quill scratching angrily fills the room as Merlin stands petulantly in the doorway.

'do you want to explain to me why you are in you chambers and not in council?' merlins hands flare out at his sides in annoyance.

arthur's eyes meet his and for a small moment merlin forgets his anger.

arthur is the picture of regality at his desk, pouring over documents in one of those devilish shirts he wears with a far too low neckline that tempts merlin to do unspeakable things.

But alas, merlin knows his feeling would never be returned by his prince yet that knowledge does not put an end to the silent torture merlins heart endures, and maybe other body parts at certain times. 

" merlin, i believe you meant to say 'good morning your highness? How may I help you?"

Arthur knows that trying to correct Merlin's insolent behavior is a losing game at this point after the years he has spent trying.

Now his corrections are more in jest than seriousness.

Merlin rolls his eyes to add to his prior impertinence, his patience (that was never really there) thinning.

"your right sire , what i meant to say was why have i been summoned on my only hours off in months when you are supposed to be busy all day but you are here, apparently raising hell on earth too!" 

Arthur scoffs and stands from his dark wood desk, bracing his hands on the tabletop. a beaming smile graces his noble features. he clasps his hands together with a clap

"because merlin, we are going on a hunt." 

"what."