Merlin One Shots

Home Sweet Home

Merlin and Arthur travel to Ealdor to visit Hunith, only to find the village destroyed.

Arthur looked over at Merlin for the hundredth time today and rolled his eyes.

Merlin's hands were still fiddling in his lap from happiness.

"Stop fiddling your hands. You're making yourself look more stupid than you normally do."

"Sorry. We're almost there."

"You've been saying that every ten minutes."

"I'm sorry sire. I'm in shock that you know how to count to ten."

"Shut up Merlin."

"Anything for you sire."

Arthur huffed out in annoyance but was secretly happy for Merlin.

Arthur knew that Merlin has been wanting to visit his mother for a while, and while he would never tell anybody this, he enjoys seeing a smile on his servant's face. Of course, all his father knows is he is on patrol to visit the outer villages.

What a few gold coins could do to get a few knights off your back.

Merlin couldn't help but start playing with the reins of his horse.

He hasn't seen his mother in almost a years time. He couldn't wait to tell his mother everything that has happened.

Arthur found out about his magic, accepted him, and kept his secret. Of course, Gaius scolded him to no end, but it had been worth it.  Though he didn't purposely tell Arthur, so he shouldn't have gotten scolded.

Course Gaius thought differently and it was all Merlin's fault.

While Merlin was caught up in his excitement, he didn't notice that anything was wrong. He was just so happy to see his mother.

But Arthur noticed.

At first, he put it off. But as they got closer, he knew that scent anywhere. He smelt it for three days straight.

"Stop the horses."

Merlin looked over at Arthur with confusion. They were almost there. Why would they need to stop now?

"What? Don't you already have enough cushion down there to not feel sore?"

Arthur gave Merlin a look of distastefulness as he jumped off his horse.

Rolling his eyes, Merlin followed suit with Arthur.

"Seriously, why are we stopping? We're almost there."

"The horses need water. There's a pond just east of here. I'll meet you at the village."

"But-"

"Merlin. What did we discuss about you questioning my orders?"

"Not to do it?"

"Correct!"

Merlin gave Arthur one last hard stare before stomping off mumbling.

Watching Merlin walk off, Arthur turned back to the road and began swiftly walking. He knew whatever he was going to find, he needed to see it first.

As he continued walking, he couldn't help but notice how the smell was getting stronger.

At this point, Arthur began running.

He didn't care as it slowly began getting harder to breathe.

He didn't care that each breath was like breathing in hot, fiery air.

All that mattered was finding where the smell was coming from.