The Hidden Kingdom

Chapter Ten

Merlin put on a fake smile as he looked at Gwaine, "Yeah of course, I'm fine."

"What are you doing, up and about in the dark?" Gwaine asked curiously as he rubbed the sleep out of his eyes.

Merlin shrugged, "Just couldn't sleep, That's all."

Gwaine gave him a disbelieving look.

"At least not with the Prat's snoring." Merlin added quickly, tilting his head towards Arthur.

Gwaine chuckled, "Yeah that's Princess for you, he could wake the bloody dead. I don't know how you put up with him mate."

Merlin grinned, "Me either, where are you going?"

Gwaine yawned, "Nature calls my friend. I'll take the next shift since I'm up, you get some rest." He said as he sluggishly moved towards the treeline.

Merlin shook his head, "Goodnight Gwaine." He said quietly. Merlin moved back to his bedroll to see Arthur had rolled over to his and was doing an impression of a starfish.

"Oi, Arthur move." Merlin whispered tiredly.

Arthur grumbled back he in his sleep.

"Arthur, you're stealing my bedroll you clotpole." Merlin said pushing his shoulder for him to wake up.

"I'm the Prince." Arthur whined, with his eyes closed.

"That doesn't mean you get to steal my bed, just roll back over to yours." Merlin complained as he tried to push Arthur back to his side.

Arthur peeked one eye open to see Merlin's annoyed face and closed his eyes with a smirk. "You can't tell me what to do Merlin."

"You're impossible, you know that?" Merlin said shaking his head.

"Go to sleep Merlin, you're gonna wake everyone up." Arthur mumbled.

"Fine, then I'm taking your bedroll then." Merlin said with a grin. As he reached over about to switch places, he heard a throat clear loudly behind him. Rolling his eyes, Merlin looked back over his shoulder to see Arthur looking at him with one eyebrow raised.

"I could have you in the stocks for that you know?" Arthur said with a loud yawn.

"Go ahead, good luck finding someone who will wash your dirty socks while I'm gone." Merlin smirked as he settled down in the Prince's spot.

Arthur chuckled, "Well I guess you are useful for something."

Laying on his side Merlin stifled his smile at their usual arguing and scoffed, "Prat." He muttered as he closed his eyes.

"Idiot." Arthur answered back quietly.