Merthur One Shots

Into The Forest

I just read this one back and realised how cringey it was, especially at the beginning! It was my first time writing but still I just made a few changes to make it read better, sorry to anyone who liked the original...

It was a dreary day. Merlin wandered through the cool shade of the forest trees, scanning the floor for herbs. The dim sunlight shone through the branches, creating shadows across his face,  and indicating that it was late afternoon - soon he would need to get back to Arthur's chores.

Just as he was bending over to pick a small flower, he heard the snap of twigs breaking behind him and quickly spun round. He eyed the trees and bushes around him, but saw nothing.

"There's nothing there" he sighed to himself and shook his head as he gazed back down at the damp forest floor. 

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Behind the trunk of a large tree just a few metres away, Arthur's heart was racing. 

"Be quieter next time!" he muttered to himself, almost slapping his palm against his forehead but stopping himself in fear of it making too much noise. He chuckled at the thought of Merlin insulting him for being so stupid, then again as he recalled the wide grin his manservant always wore when he did.

Stealthily peering round the old tree, Arthur noticed Merlin had moved along the path a little; sidling round the trunk he adjusted his position. Moving more carefully this time, he slowly crept towards him, making sure to avoid any large twigs as he went. It took all of Arthur's self control to stop him from chuckling as he got closer and closer to Merlin, but just as he was standing right behind his servant's back, Merlin turned around. His servant gasped, a bright look of surprise on his face, but it was quickly replaced with a beaming smile, and he started to run.

Arthur stood for a moment thinking how cute his servant had looked with that grin on his face, before he came to his senses and began chasing after him.

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Low-hanging branches clawed at Merlin's face as he stumbled through the undergrowth. He had heard Arthur sneaking up behind him, but nonetheless was genuinely surprised at how quickly he'd reached him. "It's a wonder that all his hunts don't go more successfully" Merlin chuckled to himself as he stopped to lean on a tree, panting from the unexpected exertion. When he'd turned around to see Arthur right behind him, his first thought had been to run away, secretly hoping to be chased by the dashing young prince. 

After pausing for a few moments to catch his breath, he heard hurried footsteps coming up behind him, and turned to carry on through the trees.

Merlin continued on, but quickly became tired again from constantly tripping over old tree roots and brushing past bramble bushes. Spotting an old oak nearby, he stopped and slumped down at its base, and waited.

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Determined to catch up to Merlin, Arthur sprinted through the forest (well, ran as fast as he could through the thick brush). After some time, he came across his servant slouched underneath a large oak tree. However before Merlin could begin to get up, Arthur playfully pulled him to his feet, causing both to let out a fit of giggles. His hands grasped his servant's arms, and he wondered at the strangely full biceps beneath his fingers. "It must be carrying all that armour" Arthur thought, as he absentmindedly stroked Merlin's arm with his strong hands. 

Shifting closer to him, Merlin's sudden movement brought Arthur's mind back to the present. He leaned in closer to Merlin's face, so that their noses were almost touching. As he looked up, their eyes locked, and the prince couldn't help but get lost in those deep blue orbs, shimmering in the dappled sunlight of the forest. 

Arthur's mind started reeling, but before his thoughts could make sense of what was happening, he felt the press of soft lips against his: Merlin's lips. He was confused for a moment, but quickly sunk into the kiss, wrapping his arms around his servant's back and pulling him closer against his body. Merlin responded by running his long fingers through the prince's blonde hair, caressing the back of his head and sending tingles down Arthur's spine.

He had been waiting for this moment for so long, and now it was finally here he didn't want to let go. 

When they eventually parted, Merlin had the most gorgeous grin spread across his face, making Arthur pull him back into another long kiss. 

They walked back into Camelot that evening very happy indeed.