Nightmare from the past

Stranger from the past

Merlin runs through the castle halls. He has overslept, again. On a normal day, he wouldn't mind it very much but Arthur wanted to go hunting early that morning. The manservant rushes to the kitchens, picking up the king's breakfast and makes his way quickly to Arthur's room. He reaches the royal chambers right on time and barges trough the doors, places the food on the table and goes straight to the window. With a quick pull on the curtains he lets morning light fill the bedchamber.

"Rise and shine!" he shouts and without a moment's pause he strides towards the bed, pulling the blankets away from the awakening form of his master.
"Merlin!" Arthur grunts and tries to push the young man away.
"No time to waste, sire! You're the one who ordered a hunting trip for this morning. Get up!" the raven haired boy says while pulling his King out of his bed in an ungraceful way.
The royal hits the ground with a soft 'thud' and groans.
"I could put you in the stocks for that!" the blonde threatens.
Merlin ignores him completely and starts picking out some suitable clothes, hanging them over the changing screen. When he turns around he sees the King pushing himself up and wipe his still tired eyes while yawning loudly. The manservant shakes his head and rolls his eyes.
"Didn't get much sleep, did you?" he asks, making the royal answer with a low growl.
Merlin chuckles and ducks away from the flying pillow that was aimed for his head.
"Ooh, I see how you have all the makings of a great king!" he says, a cheeky grin plastered on his face.
"I am already a great king!" the royal shouts angrily, not wanting to deal with his servant's insolence this early in the morning.
"Right..." is the boys only reply while he raises his brows in a disbelieving manner.
Arthur fumes and stomps behind his changing screen. He would make Merlin pay for irritating him this early, he thinks, mischievous plans already forming in his head.

When Arthur is fully dressed, he sits himself at the table and eats his breakfast quickly while his servant makes the royal's bed. None of them saying anything. The king suddenly stands and turns to his manservant.
"Did you pack everything?"
"Yes, everything is ready."
"Well, take this to the kitchens and saddle the horses." he says, making a gesture towards the dirty dishes.
"Right away, sire." Merlin replies.
He collects the empty plates, goblet and pitcher and leaves the room without another word. Arthur turns to his window to see how his knights are already gathering on the courtyard. 'I'm late!' he curses softly and makes his way rapidly towards his men.

"Good morning, your highness!" the knights greet him in unison.
They make a small bow and Arthur nods his head. Looking around he notices that his servant isn't there yet. Just when he wants to say something about it, the boy in question runs down the stairs.
"What took you so long?" the King questions the panting youth.
"Really? Do you know how big this castle is?" he retorts.
Arthur rolls his eyes.
"Just get the horses." he orders.
Merlin huffs and leaves towards the stables, only to return a few minutes later with two saddled steeds.
"Merlin!?" someone shouts just when they were about to get on the horses.
They all turn around to see who had been calling out. A large, muscular man, though not as large and muscular as Percival, runs towards them. He has short, red hair and a little stubble, dark green eyes and a crooked nose that seemed to have been broken in the past.
"Merlin, is that really you?" the stranger asks, eyeing the young man up and down.
Arthur and the knights turn their gazes from the stranger towards their friend who had become pale.
"Ronald." he says emotionless.
"So it is you!" the large man exclaims. "Good to see you, old friend!"
"Yeah, good to see you too, old friend." the secret warlock mumbles.
"You have friends?" Arthur asks a little stunned.
Merlin turns towards the King, disbelief in his eyes.
"Of course I have friends, prat."
"Yes! We are your friends!" Gwaine suddenly says while making a show of walking towards the raven haired boy and laying his arms around his shoulders.
"I meant, outside of the castle." the royal explains.
"You didn't tell them about me?" Ronald asks, faked disappointment in his voice.
Merlin stares at the man for a while before answering.
"What are you doing here, Ronald?" His voice sounds cold and distant, nothing like they're used from their usually cheerful friend.
"I heard you were working for the King now and wanted to check those rumors for myself. Guess they were true." the red haired man answers. "Aren't you going to introduce me?"
The servant sighs and turns towards his friends. "Everyone, this is Ronald, Ronald, meet everyone."
The newcomer turns towards the six men and makes a deep bow.
"It's an honor to meet you all." he says.
"From where do you know Merlin?" Lancelot asks, a little suspicion in his voice.
"Ooh, we go way back. Don't we, Merlin?"
All heads turn back towards the raven haired boy who just keeps looking at the man.
"We grew up together." Ronald continues when the secret warlock doesn't say a thing.
"Really?" Arthur asks. "I didn't see you in Ealdor when we visited."
"I must have moved before your visit." the visitor replies.
"I'm sorry, Ronald" Merlin suddenly interrupts, "but we were actually just about to leave."
"That's alright." the red haired man says. "I'll see you when you get back."
"How good are you at hunting?" Arthur asks the newcomer.
"I've been hunting for my own food my whole life, sire." the man replies.
The King nods in agreement. "Go saddle another horse, Merlin, so Ronald can join us."
The servant turns to his master with a disappointed look in his eyes. Did he really not see how much he dislikes the man? Was he that oblivious?
"It would be an honor, your Majesty." Ronald says with a deep bow. When he gets up he looks at Merlin who glares at him before walking towards the stables. No one noticed the soft, satisfied spark gleaming in the rogue man's eyes.