Merlin once again found himself exploring. Each time he found something new, someone interesting. This time though merlin found himself in front of a door he hasn't seen yet. Merlin had pretty much memorized each door in a fit of excitement. This one though had a small dent on the bottom left corner he didn't recognize. Turning the old handle Merlin walked in. Books, herbs, potions surrounded him. Smiling with glee Merlin ran over to the book stand. Grabbing a book Merlin sat down on the bench and started reading. Halfway through the book he was interrupted.

"Hello?" Looking up Merlin saw a old man walk through the door. "May i help you?" Merlin shook his head.

"No" then turned back to the book. The old man frowned then sat down next to him.

"That's a book on magic"

"Oh thanks I couldn't tell"

"Magic is illegal" Merlin frowned then grabbed his dictionary.

"Ill-e-gal, adjective
contrary to or forbidden by law, especially criminal law." Merlin frowned.

"It is?" The man nodded.

"But Arthur is the king"

"Yes"

"And he's perfectly fine with my magic."

"He knows about your magic!" Merlin nodded then pulled out a spell book.

"He gave this to me" Gaius raised a eyebrow but said nothing.

"What's your name boy?" Merlin held out his hand.

"I'm merlin!"

"Gaius" they were interrupted by the obnoxious call of merlins name.

"Well I got to go. By Gaius!"

"Your always welcome Merlin." Merlin smiled then walked out. Arthur ran over to him.

"There you are! Common I want to take you on a hunting trip." Merlin turned his neck but said nothing. Following Arthur.

Arthur, Merlin, and a couple of trusted knights crept around. Merlin, had no clue what was going on but went with the flow.

"I got one!" Arthur turned his head to see one of his men had shot a deer.

"Perfect! Lets round it in." Merlin walked over to see what all the ruckus was about, when he saw a arrow pierced into one of the beloved deers. Not just any deer, but vinnie. Gasping Merlin ran over to vinnie and hugged it.

"What did you do!" Merlin screamed. The deer faintly licked merlins face. Nuzzling it's nose into merlins cheek. The knight who shot it pulled a embarrassed face and hid his arrows behind his back. Arthur rubbed his neck. Whatever he was expecting it certainly wasn't that. Merlin watched as his only friend through all those tough years fade away into what only can be described as death. Sir Leon ran over to merlin and coaxed him away from the deer.

Arthur felt jealousy spread within him. He had the sudden desire to kidnap Merlin. Brushing it aside Arthur just softly asked Merlin a question.

"Do you want to Burry it?" Merlin nodded tears stand his face. Arthur and the knights spent the next two hours making a "perfect" burial. They had to pick flowers, add moss, and even had to get the little thing a flower crown. With tears the knights lowered it while Arthur comforted Merlin.

Upon arriving back morgana spited merlin in tears and ran over to comfort him. Scolding Arthur and sending him glares.

Merlin continued to read with gaius. It helped release the pain. He often ranted to Gaius about practically everything. Sir dalent made a show of getting Merlin flowers (turning Arthur red like dalents blood.) that brings is to present day.

Merlin peacefully was reading about the different types of rock. When the door creaked open. Arthur walked through.

"Hello Gaius, could I have a treatment for this terrible itch on my left b-" merlins fuzzy head of hair popped up from the bundle he had left it in. He turned his head left in confusion.

"Hello Arthur what are you doing here?"

"I could say the same"

"What are you four?"

"I don't know" Arthur blinked twice. Neither of them noticing the arrival of Gaius.

"What do you mean you don't know?"

"Well I have no clue how old I am if you must persist on asking" the itch to get back to his book edging him on.

"How's that even possible?"

"Arthur it's not as easy to tell the passing of years as it may be for you. I can't even remember being raised. How am I supposed to remember the passing of time."

"Well-"

"He's 16" both men jumped at the old mans arrival.

"That's 2 years younger then me"

"I'm aware Arthur"

"I'm 16?" Piped up Merlin

"How could you possibly know"

"What does that even even mean?" Merlin continued to look at himself confused

"Well it was easy sire. He has the 16 glow. Possibly a younger 17. Definitely a older 16"

"Should I be happy I'm 16?"

Arthur had no response. Things got very quiet after that. Merlin continued to mumble to himself. Gaius gave Arthur his desire about 20 minutes later. Concluding that whole affair Arthur grabbed Merlin and walked out the door.

"Oh by the way, I'm leaving to check out a bandit attack first light tomorrow"

"Oh I want to go!" Merlins voice taking one of very excited.

"Absolutely not no way"

"Why not!"

"You could get hurt! Or worse! Killed!" Arthur didn't like the taste of the words killed when Merlin was a wisp in his mind. The tasted sour and metallic. Bloody.

"Like Camelot's any safer"

"What does that mean"

"Well for started that man over there is carrying a knife in his bootleg"

"Sometimes people have knifes"

"The girl there has a cross bow"

"Wait why does she have a cross bow?"

"The boy over there had a sword"

"Non of these people should have weapons"

"The kitchen boy over there has Poison in his satchel"

"How are you noticing these things?"

"Over there, that girl, she's a spy"

"She's been here for 8 years how come no one noticed this?"

"The guy over there has a bloody piece of glass in his hand"

"Where are these people getting all these weapons?"

"That's not the point-"

"Hold on how has this been going on right under my nose"

"Arthur!"

"Alright alright! God. You can go. But only because I need to get this sorted out before I can let you stay here alone" Merlin jumped up and down excitedly.

"I need to go make some flower crows for everyone right now!" Merlin immediately ran off. Sighing Arthur screamed after him.

"BE UP AND READY AT FIRST THING IN THE MORNING" Merlin yelled a faint "ok!" Giving Arthur enough relief to go to bed. If only he had merlins energy. It was like Magic.

The only reason i updated again was because of MerlinandArthur2021  so raise them up to the heavens on Carbored or something. Love y'all!!! <3 IM TIRED AND WANNA READ FANFIC SO NO MORE UPDATE REQUESTS.for today at least