A/N

Ok so here is the sequel to consequences, not necessary to read but it will help you understand this one. Again, this won't be quiet as long on Consequences but I hope it'll be good. So here we go. It's kind of short but the next chapter will be longer!

Merlin never thought he'd say this, but he was glad to be going on a hunt with Arthur. He'd been under lock and key for the past two weeks by Arthur and Gwaine, no matter how much they denied it, just to make sure he'd fully recovered from his head injury. Merlin had thought that things would be different between him and Arthur. He had hoped at least Arthur would treat Merlin a bit more like a friend, but no, they were back to there master and servant thing. Sure Arthur did show a little more that he cared, but that was it.

These past few days, Merlin had been missing Will a lot more then usual. The pain felt fresh, like when it had first happened, and he wasn't sure why exactly. Maybe it had to do with Arthur's sudden 'friendship' vanishing once Merlin had recovered. Then Merlin realized it was coming up on the three year anniversary of his death. But, Arthur hadn't cared to ask why Merlin seemed down, nope, he just told Merlin to cheer up, they were finally getting out of the castle.

Merlin shook his head, trying to shove the unpleasant thoughts out of his mind. He watched as Gwaine and Lancelot crept forward behind Arthur while Leon, Percival, and Elyan stayed a little further back with Merlin. Arthur raised his crossbow to shot a doe that was grazing not far ahead when Merlin tripped on a root and landed flat on his face, scaring the doe off.

"Merlin!" Arthur snapped, do you try and be clumsy?" Merlin stuffed out his anger thinking bitterly about the fact that less then a week ago he would have ran over just to be really sure he was ok, but not anymore. He couldn't help but wonder what Will would have done. He knew Will would at least have pretended to care when he didn't, unlike Arthur. Merlin also knew that he would have come with his mother to see him when he'd fallen and nearly gotten himself killed. And when he woke up he would have slapped some sense into him. Merlin had to once again force out his unpleasant thoughts. It's been three years already…get over it! Merlin tried to tell himself, but it was easier said then done.

"You alright?" Gwaine asked.

"Fine" Merlin muttered bitterly standing up.

"Don't worry about him…the princess is just mad that you scared off his prey" Gwaine assured.

"Yea…" Merlin agreed dejectedly. Lancelot stayed behind with Merlin while the others started forward with Arthur, "I thought…maybe things would be different" Merlin admitted to Lancelot, "I guess not…"

"He does care…" Lancelot began.

"He sure has a funny way of showing it" Merlin muttered darkly.

"You know how Arthur is with his feelings" Lancelot argued. Merlin didn't answer; he simply started off again after Arthur, trying to ignore the unpleasant thoughts that plagued his mind.

Things just only got worse for Merlin as the hunt continued. He kept tripping over nothing, fumbled the equipment and even knocked Arthur over.

"You're completely useless aren't you?" Arthur snapped when Merlin dropped everything he was carrying when he stumbled, he managed not to fall flat on his face, but the equipment went everywhere. He thinks I'm just a useless servant…

"And you're a prat" Merlin snapped.

"I can have you thrown in the stocks for that you know" Arthur warned. Will wouldn't threaten me with the stocks…

"Go ahead then, I'm best friends with the rotten vegetable throwers anyways, I mean it's not like you aren't always throwing me in there anyways" Merlin snapped.

"Merlin…" Arthur warned looking dangerous.

"Hey guys…" Gwaine interrupted before things could get out of hand, "We're all hot and tired…"

"Let's stop and eat some lunch ok?" Lancelot suggested. Arthur and Merlin continued to glare at each other, daring the other to speak first.

"Arthur?" Leon asked worriedly.

"Fine…" Arthur snapped breaking eye contact with Merlin, "get the horse's" Arthur added to Merlin, but Merlin was already heading off, dark thoughts swirling around in his mind.

End notes

So Merlin's feeling a little bitter towards Arthur at his sudden change of attitude. How's that gonna turn out? As always, reviews appreciated Have a great rest of your Sunday!