Hunting Trip

Merlin

Welcome to my first Merlin fic. It's romance and pairings are Arthur and Merlin. Enjoy!

Chapter 1-The hunt begins

Merlin awoke with Gaius over him, shaking him awake."Time to get up," Gaius said, continuing to shake him. Merlin groaned and his blue eyes fluttered open."I'm up," Merlin said, sitting up and rubbing his eyes. Gaius left an amused expression on his face. Merlin yawned and got up. He quickly dressed and went into the main part of the house. He sat at the table and quickly at the porridge that Gaius had made.

"Shouldn't you be with, Arthur?" Gaius said, smiling. Merlin choked on his food."Damn," Merlin sat and jumped up. Merlin smiled at Gaius before hurrying out the door. Gaius grinned and grinned as he headed to Arthur's. Even though the Prince usually had an insult ready for Merlin, he enjoyed his company. He considered Arthur a friend. He thought about Arthur as he hurried to his chambers.

Merlin came to a skidding halt outside Arthur's chambers and went in. Arthur's head whipped around as the door opened and he frowned. "Don't you knock?" Arthur drawled, lying on his pillows. Merlin gave a cheeky grin, which lit up his face, and shrugged. Arthur rolled his eyes but found his stomach fluttering, which had been happening a lot lately when Merlin was around, as Merlin smiled. Arthur threw his sheet back and got up. While Merlin was behind the curtain, Arthur quickly stripped his pants and got into a fresh pair.

Merlin came back around the curtain and slowed. Arthur had his back to Merlin and he had no shirt on. Arthur was slightly tanned and Merlin could see the muscles in his back as he moved his arms as he pulled on a clean shirt. Merlin felt himself flush and quickly looked at the ground. "Merlin, I need you to get my clothes and do the laundry, clean my boots and shine my armour. We are going hunting this afternoon," Arthur said, sitting down at his table.

Merlin quickly got his breakfast and began making his bed."Hunting," Merlin mused, shaking his head. He never really found the joy in hunting. "Yes, so I need my armour and hunting gear ready by lunch," Arthur said. "Of course," Merlin nodded. By the time Arthur had finished his breakfast; Merlin had made the bed and gathered the laundry.

Merlin was making his way to the door when Arthur called him."Don't forget, lunch time," Arthur said. "O and, Merlin. Don't be late,""Am I ever late?" Merlin teased with a cheeky grin. He ducked out of the room and Arthur couldn't suppress the smile that graced his lips. He chuckled slightly and finished his breakfast.

Merlin knocked on Gwen's door and she opened. She smiled. "What can I do for you, Merlin?" Gwen asked, leaning against the door. Merlin held up the dirty clothes and smiled sheepishly."Would you mind?" Merlin asked."Of course, I'd do anything for you," Gwen said and then blushed. "Not anything, I wouldn't-you know what I mean,"

Merlin chuckled. "I know what you meant, Gwen," Merlin chuckled. Gwen blushed. "Thanks," Gwen said. She took the clothes from Merlin and he grinned. Merlin hurried to gather Arthur's armour and boots. He took them back to his house. In his room Merlin shut the door. Making sure Gaius wasn't around Merlin looked at the armour. His blues turned gold as he stared at the armour.

The rag rose into the air and begun scrubbing Arthur's armour. Shoe brushes began to polish Arthur's boots and rags cleaned everything. Merlin grinned and sank down onto his bed. He loved his magic. Although he wished he could just tell everyone, but that would result in his death. In no time Arthur's gear was cleaned and ready to use.

Merlin's eyes flashed gold and everything resumed to be still. His eyes turned back to their usual blue and Merlin grinned.

Gathering up everything he headed to Arthur's chambers. Without knocking Merlin went in. Arthur was there, dressing into his riding clothes, shirtless. Arthur whipped around and rolled his eyes. Merlin's mouth fell open as he gazed at Arthur's chest.

His stomach fluttered as he saw this, which had been happening lately around Arthur. Arthur began pulling on his shirt which snapped Merlin out of his gazing."Have you got my stuff?" Arthur asked, turning around. Merlin nodded and stepped forward. He began dressing him. Arthur felt himself heating up as Merlin brushed his body while dressing him. He cleared his throat and tried to clear his head. What the hell is the matter me? Arthur scolded himself.

"All done, sire," Merlin said, standing back and smirking at his own work. "Finally," Arthur drawled and gathered his sword. They had already eaten. "Have you got the food for supplies?" Arthur asked, facing Merlin again. Merlin's eyes darted from side to side."Err," Merlin said, shuffling guilty."Be quick," Arthur drawled, hiding his amusement. "Meet me down by the stables."

Merlin quickly dashed out of the door and headed to the kitchen to grab some supplies. He hurried to the stables. Arthur was waiting, along with several other knights. Once which include Knight Jonathan which Merlin disliked. Rolling his eyes he headed to Arthur.

"Finally, Merlin. Sometimes I don't know what's in your head," Arthur said, taking the bag from Merlin and shaking his head.

You, Merlin thought and froze. Where the hell did that come from? "Merlin? Really what is in your head?" Arthur asked. Merlin snapped out of his thoughts and looked up to see all the knights mounted on their horses. Merlin quickly scrambled to his horse. Struggling to get up Arthur rolled his eyes. Grabbing Merlin he hoisted him up and Merlin swung his leg over.

Arthur grinned at how cute Merlin looked when he smiled when he was firmly on his horse. They took off from the castle and headed out into the woods. Merlin dragged behind, watching Arthur leading. Merlin took the chance to look around. He was quite happy looking at how beautiful his surroundings were while the others looked for rabbits and foxes.

"Merlin, must you drag behind," came Arthur's voice from the front. Merlin grinned and looked to Arthur. This caused Arthur's heart to beat faster at Merlin's grin."You know me, sire," Merlin said with a cheeky grin. Arthur did know Merlin and he faced the front, hiding his smile. They continued to ride on. As the sun began to lower they came into a large clearing. They could hear a stream that was just beyond the trees.

"Well set up camp here," Arthur declared and dismounted from his horse gracefully. Merlin shook his head, in awe of his graceful dismount. The other knights dismounted gracefully too. Arthur turned to see Merlin dismounting. His foot got caught and Merlin fell on to his ass. He huffed as the horse whinnied."Think that's funny?" Merlin asked the horse and Arthur watched Merlin in amusement. He liked Merlin's clumsy and whacky manner.

Arthur turned and secured his horse. Everyone else followed his lead.

Merlin tied his horse up and grabbed his belongings of the saddle. The knights all began pitching their tents up. Of course, Merlin was only a manservant so he did not have one. Arthur looked over at Merlin and saw him unclasping his bag. He pulled off a blanket and laid it down. Merlin sat down, kicked out his face and lent against the tree, grinning and looking around.

Arthur watched Merlin. He liked his big ears and his grin. It suited Merlin's personality well and it's what Arthur liked about him. He watched Merlin watch the knights in a amusement as they set up camp.

Merlin chuckled as he watched the knights. All of a sudden something knocked the wind out of him. Merlin looked up and saw Jonathan looking at him with a smug smile.

"You, set this tent up for the prince and I," Jonathan said smugly.

'Sure," Merlin grimaced and got up. Moving to where the others had set up their tent Merlin began.

"No, not here. There," Jonathan directed in a sickly sweet tone. Merlin groaned and started again at the Knights order. Finally, after setting up three times, Merlin was allowed to leave.

Mumbling under his breath he want and sat back down by his tree. Arthur was talking to one the Knights known as Mark and Merlin watched. He narrowed his eyes as Jonathan appeared.

"I hate hunting trips," Merlin said to his horse and it snorted in response.

Hey, what did you think? This is my first Merlin story and I hope you enjoyed the first chapter!!