Making Windows Where There Were Once Walls

Ch. 1: The Hunting Trip

When Arthur set out on a hunting trip alone with Merlin that early spring day, he was expecting a couple days of freedom and fun with his friend (though he'd never admit they were friends to Merlin's face). Instead, Arthur returned to Camelot feeling like his world had shattered. Since his father's death, Arthur has felt like he couldn't breathe. Even though he had been raised to be a king from birth, having to rule Camelot and mourn his father's death simultaneously had exhausted him more than any tournament or hunting trip ever had.

He and his father had not agreed on a lot of things, but he had still lost his one remaining close family member. First his mom, then Morgana's betrayal, and finally Uther. He had Agravaine he supposed, but it wasn't the same. So, when Merlin had entered his chambers last week, Arthur was already awake, and had ordered Merlin to prepare two horses for a hunting trip.

"Is it too much to hope that you'll be taking Leon or Lancelot," Merlin had asked, his voice laced with fake sweetness.

"Stop being lazy, Merlin. It is an honor to be invited on a hunting trip with the king," Arthur replied haughtily.

"An invitation implies there being a choice, sire."

"Oh, shut up you idiot and do as you're told," Arthur snapped, but the warmth in his voice, and the grin he sent Merlin's way, softened the command. Even though they had never stopped insulting each other, it was now a game the two of them liked to play, no real malicious intent behind their banter. In fact, Arthur found that he was spending more and more time trying to get Merlin to smile and do his cute laugh. Arthur shook his head to clear his mind; he didn't like to dwell on the way that Merlin made him feel warm inside. And Merlin was definitely not cute! Bumbling, clueless, and clumsy, certainly, but never cute.

Within the hour both Merlin and Arthur were down by the stables readying to leave as they checked and double checked that the saddles were properly fastened and the proper supplies packed. Arthur bundled his unstrung hunting bow in his sleeping gear, tied it down to the back of his saddle, and swung up onto his steed. Merlin followed suit on his own horse, and soon the two of them were riding out towards to woods.

As soon as they reached the edge of the forest, Merlin started to talk as loudly as possible. "You know Arthur, I have other duties to attend to then following you around while you gallivant around, killing animals. I could be cleaning your armor or helping Gaius. I am still his apprentice. And you know that I don't like seeing animals be killed, they haven't done anything to-"

"You're talking so loud that your scaring off all the game," Arthur interrupted, finally getting fed up with Merlin's prattling.

"Imagine that," Merlin hummed, trying to look innocent, "I hadn't even noticed that I was talking loudly." Nevertheless, he didn't stop rambling loudly for the rest of the day.

Later, after Merlin had managed to scare off every animal Arthur had come close to catching, the two of them sat around a fire Merlin had built.

"Great," Arthur grumbled. "Due to your incompetence we have nothing to eat."

"Funny that you say that," Merlin laughed smugly. "I happened to pack rations in case your hunting prowess was lacking. Between the winter and being crowned king, you've grown slower. I'm sure even Gaius in his old age could have caught some game by now." His eyes shined with mirth as he grinned at Arthur.

"Why you insolent little... I ought to put you in the stocks when we return," Arthur growled as he launched himself at Merlin. The two of them rolled around on the forest floor laughing as they both tried to win their playful skirmish.

Even though Merlin was small and lithe, he couldn't use his magic this close to Arthur and hope to get away with it, so he was soon pinned down by Arthur, who grinned down at him as they both tried to catch their breath.