The Water is Fine // Merthur

Care for a dip?

Moistclumps of dirt still clung to his clothes as he walked, leaving an earthy trailin his wake. He smelled lightly of lemongrass, or was it just Arthur's imagination?As they walked, Merlin tugged at his wrinkled tunic, fiddling with his bright redscarf that draped across his neck. He looked over at Arthur, catching a wanderingglance. Arthur tried to hold the gaze, but as their eyes locked Merlin quicklylooked the other way. Maybe they were too old for this? Merlin thought. Maybethey should stop traveling like this. Arthur knew these to be just as trueas Merlin did. But how could they stop? A fire burned, and there was windbuilding in the skies. Merlin walked two paces behind Arthur at most times, notjust because he was the King, but because he couldn't stand to be looked at. Arthurdidn't mind this silent arrangement, it kept him from watching Merlin. The two trekkedthought the dense woods in silence for a while, until they came upon adribbling creek in the middle of the trail. Arthur made a sharp turn upstream,dust on his heels. Merlin continued forward, until he realized that Arthur wasn'tgoing to return. After about an hour, the branches had settled and there was nosign of Arthur or his makeshift path. Asshole. Merlin thought. Makingme go and find you on your little expedition? I guess this is what I get fortraveling with a King. Merlin knew exactly where Arthur had gone, sincethis isn't the only time he had disappeared into the trees. About a mile fromthe trail was a small body of water where the larger part of the creek raninto. The grove was undisturbed, without so much as the hum of a fly to fillthe air. Arthur stumbled into the clearing, not surprised Whenever he found a creek,he knew it was inevitable that a larger body of water would not be far ahead. Exhilaratedby the thought of solitude and fresh water, he hastily threw off his garments.Tossing each one into the small lake. One after the other they spread out onthe surface. Arthur threw his socks in last and jumped in after them. It wouldseem to anyone else that he had not touched water in months, years even. Thedroplets cascaded off his shoulders, running back into the water. How delightfullypleasant. He thought. There was one problem though, he was missing somethingvery important. As he drew in a deep, long breath and pursed his lips together,he shouted loud enough that the trees themselves shook "MERRRRLIIIINNNN". Throughoutthe clearing frightened birds scurried. Mice took to their holes and tadpolessquirmed into their mud holes. Arthur was pleased with himself. He knew that Merlinwould eventually come, as he always does.