Howdy Sugarcube // Merthur

Cotton Eye Joe

Merlin

I put on the shower and let the hot water run over my aching backmuscles. I had just finished helping Gwen prepare the whole party, and now I had twenty minutes to get ready and to check on Killgi. That's what I had called the bunny. (Dragon pun intended)

I sighed. One part of me really wanted to go to the party, meet new people, have fun, all that stuff.

But another part wanted to stay far away from it. First of all, people wouldn't like me, I was sure about that. And I didn't wanna embarass myself in front of Arthur.

I thought about Arthur. A lot. The look on his face when Gwaine invited me, clearly indicated that he didn't think it was a great idea.

But then again, he said I should come.

I don't get this man.

And I don't know how to feel about him. I can't help but liking him and feeling all shy and happy and lovely when I see him. But then sometimes he says things that really hurt me.

Trying not to think too much about all the why-do-I-like-Arthur-Pendragon and could-Arthur-Pendragon-possibly-like-me shit, I finished showering, got dressed, and ran down the stairs.

I entered the barn, where the party took place. There were people everywhere. I didn't even know that so many people lived on the countryside.

I caught myself looking for Arthur's blonde hair in the crowd.

Someone behind me tapped on my shoulder. I swirled around, to meet a pair of warm brown eyes.

"Gwen, hey!"
I noticed the girl with the long dark brown hair, who was standing next to her. She smiled at me.

"You must be Merlin, Arthur's helper.", she asked.
"Yes indeed I am. And you are Morgana, if I'm right.", i answered. She nodded.

"Well happy birthday then!", i said and she thanked me.

Gwen grabbed my arm with one of hers, and Morgana's arm with the other. "Let's go get drinks, and introduce Merlin to some people." She pulled us over to the table where the drinks were standing and handed me a bottle of cider.

I felt way too country-like.

The three of us were talking and joking for quite some time, and Gwen introduced me to some people from around here. Morgana and I got along pretty well.

My mood was lightening up more and more, which probably was also linked to the cider. I got drunk rather quickly.

But I was still silently looking for Arthur, whom I hadn't seen yet.

Gwaine, Lancelot and Leon, friends of the Pendragons, joined us, and we were all getting along great.

I felt happy. Seriously, I did. I thought these four weeks would turn out to be hell on earth, but honestly they started in a very good way.

A little lost in my thoughts, I nearly missed Arthur who was walking towards us, a drink in his hand.

Gwaine was calling out his name, and waving like an idiot. The guy surely had had enough to drink.

Arthur had now managed to find a way through the crowd and greeted everyone in the group. He hugged Morgana and gave her a little package, which she accepted happily.

I tried to take a quick look at him, without anyone noticing. His blonde hair was a little messed up, and he wore his usual v-neck shirt.

The cutouts of these shirts really seemed to get larger everyday, didn't they.

Even though he wasn't dressed up, he looked more beautiful than ever. I don't know if it were the spotlights flashing over his face, pointing out his beautiful eyes. Probably it simply was him being happy, talking to friends and laughing as he was leaning against a table, that made him look so unbelievably beautiful to me.

He disturbed my thoughts as his eyes found mine, which instantly made me blush a little. For a moment they rested on me without expression, but then he started to smile a little.

He was just about to open his mouth to say something to me, when I heard Gwaine scream: "It's time for a dance y'all! Do the Cotton Eye Joe people! Yeehaw!" People from all around were groaning in approval and some yelled "Yeehaw!".

I looked over at Arthur and chuckled. Leaning in to his side a little I whispered: "I thought you wouldn't actually talk like that, cowboy."

He nearly choked on his drink.

Embarassed, he shrugged his shoulders: "Well some people simply miss a little intellect. Gwaine definitely does!"
I laughed and wanted to reply, but I was pulled to the middle of the room by Gwaine, where people had started to position themselves, facing each other.

Gwaine stood a little more than a meter in front of me and yelled: "Just do what the others are doing Merlin. This is gonna be great fun." And as soon as he finished his sentence, the music started.

At first, I stumbled, bumped into people and failed the steps. But after some time, I was twirling around laughing. It wasn't actually quite that diffucult, and the alcohol helped me getting out of my shell easier.

The people now started to exchange partners and faster than I could realize, I was facing Arthur.

The song started for the third time in a row and I heard him say: "Well let's see if you're really as stupid as you look." With a fiery look in my eyes, I replied: "Bet I'm already better than you, dollophead." Silently, he accepted the challenge and the dance started.

I gotta admit, Arthur was a fine dancer. But I followed the steps quite fine and held up to the rythm.

In sync, we ran towards each other to change sides. In the middle, our hands touched and we were twirling around each other. My heart started racing, as I saw the enormous smile that had formed on his face.

After the song had ended, Arthur jokingly slapped my shoulder. "Gotta admit, you're better than I expected. Gwaine taught you well." Automatically, I smiled: "Not too bad yourself. But you gotta work on your twirling tho."

Offended, he raised his brows: "Me? On my twirling?!"

He then realised that I was laughing and hit my head slightly:

"Shut up, Merlin!"