One-shots/Short Stories

Merlin

Merlin's Other Secret
Arthur noticed that every afternoon, Merlin would grab a horse and ride out of Camelot - and then return late at night. At first, he thought Merlin was going to an outside tavern when he noticed that every time Merlin would come back, he looked sad. Arthur couldn't stand the secrets anymore and confronted him the next day.

***

"Right, I think that's all," Merlin said out loud. He looked around Arthur's chambers. "Yep, that's all," he murmured. He glanced out the window and noticed it was nearing the afternoon. A smile immediately crossed his face, and he started to make his way out of the chambers. However, Arthur blocked his way by entering the chambers, throwing him his armour.

"Right! I need you to polish my armour again and then my sword. Tomorrow I have a spar with one of the fellow knights in Camelot. A challenge to see if I have been training them well."

"But -" Merlin glanced out the window. "Can-can't this just wait?"

"Merlin, it's tomorrow," Arthur stated. "It needs to be polished and ready by tomorrow."

"B-but I have plans -"

"Oh yeah, I almost forgot!" Arthur exclaimed sarcastically. He then turned to Merlin with a serious look, genuine curiosity on his face. "I noticed that every afternoon you would leave Camelot, and then come back at night. What's with that?"

Merlin avoided his gaze. "I-I have no idea what you mean. . ."

"Oh come on!" Arthur whined. "It's not like you to keep a secret." That's what you think, Merlin thought amused, thinking about his identity magic. "So why do you always leave at that time?"

"To. . ." Merlin trailed off, thinking of an idea. It popped in his head. "To go to the. . .tavern! Yeah! a tavern outside of Camelot. I heard that the ones outside of Camelot are really great -"

"Merlin," Arthur interrupted, giving him a stern look, "I know you're lying. Why aren't you telling me?"

"It's just -" he noticed that he was going to be late if he doesn't leave now. "Look, I-I'll tell you soon, just not now. I really gotta go." Merlin started making his way out with Arthur's armour. "I'll do this tonight, I promise."

***

The next day, Arthur decided to follow Merlin on foot. He watched as Merlin grabbed a horse and started making it trot outside of Camelot. When no one was looking, Arthur slipped out of Camelot and hurried his steps to catch up to Merlin's horse. Arthur was glad that Merlin decided to let the horse take its time than have it run a mile, making him unable to catch up with him. Honestly, Arthur didn't think his plan through, the only thing going through his head was to 'follow Merlin'.

It took a while, but finally, the horse stopped. Arthur rested against a tree panting, glad that they finally reached their destination. When he caught his breath, he peered over his shoulder to see Merlin had tied his horse to a nearby tree and was now setting up a picnic while looking around. "He has a picnic by himself?" Arthur murmured to himself. But he spoke too soon.

"You took your time." a female's voice came. Arthur's eyes widened and quickly peered over to Merlin's area, hiding behind his tree. There was a woman standing in front of Merlin, staring up at him with mischief and happiness in her eyes. She wore a green dress that had long sleeves to her wrists, and the dress went down to the grass, hiding her feet. Her brown hair was in curls, a gold headband holding them in place.