(Arthur's POV)

I was enjoying the time spent with Merlin. We spoke to one another and learned a little bit about each other. I learned that he didn't live in my Kingdom before coming here. He lived in Ealdor. He never knew his father and he had only his mother and friend Will. I learned that he has literally never been with anyone and didn't know how to act if he ended up in a relationship.

He loved Blue and Green but never used either color often and he had no idea how to adress a King or Prince. I found that hard to believe considering, aside from his rude comments in between, he correctly addressed me and spoke correctly and was never out of place. I found that he was quite interesting and he believed I was as well.

We talked until darkness began to fall and the sun painted the sky in brilliant shades of pink, red, and orange. Merlin sighed happily and I smiled cheekily and found myself staring at him. In this light his skin lookes so much lighter but not quite pale. His smile was small but still had the ability to make me wonder what the hell I felt. I realized that Merlin was handsome and I found myself memorizing every bit of his face.

He opened one eye a bit and I quickly looked away, blushing. He chuckled and sat up. "We should get going." I said.

"Wait. There is something you must see first."

I couldn't hide my curiostiy. There is seldom things that I haven't seen. But I decided to wait because I knew that even if I wanted to, I would not leave this moment. I didn't want to leave it, it was far too precious.

Just before the sun completely disappeared the flowers near the lake began to glow. The fish and lightning bugs lit up as well and I watched in awe as everything glowed and danced in the night. 

Once the lights faded and the world turned back to darkness, I turned to Merlin. He was barely containing his laughter and I knew it was due to my expression but I didn't care. I started laughing and he joined moments later. 

I was quite enjoying myself and I was glad that I was able to have this moment with Merlin. After we finished laughing I watched as Merlin relaxed a little. He seemed completely calm and I was glad that I was able to do that to him.

His eyes raised and met mine and I found myself once again, lost in the blue depths of his gorgeous eyes. Everything was silent and in that moment it was only him and me and I oculdn't be happier. I leaned foward a bit before pulling back. A look of hurt crossed his face before it hardened into one of being tired.

"We should probably get going now." he whispered.

I felt disappointed and upset with myself for some reason but I couldn't figure out what it was that was making me feel that way. I shrugged it off and we hiked up the hill with my horse in tow. I decided to walk alongside Merlin.

At last we reacheached the edge of the forrest and made our way towards the castle. I smiled as I thought about the day's events. They were definitely strange but I enjoyed almost every second of it.

We neared the gates and I was relieved to find that the Guards were standing there normally. At least no one was frantically searching for me because of how long I have been out. We almost made it into the guards range when a shadow landed behind Merlin bashing him on the head with a club. 

I tried to yell to the guards but only managed a loud noise. It was enough to draw their attention though. The last thing I saw before being bashed myself, was the two guards running towards me.

(Merlin's POV)

My head pounded and ached and I slowly opened my eyes. The light blinded me at first but once my eyes readjusted I took in my surroundings. I didn't know where I was but from what I could tell it was a cellar. There were dusty shelves racked with bottles of weird liquids. It smelled fainlty of rot and decay and I coughed because of how dusty it was.

I tried to remember what happened last night and smiled slightly when I recalled the hours spent with Arthur by the lake. He looked so amazing and I couldn't help but notice that somehow he looked even better. He was also relaxed and I was glad I was the cause.

I shook my head and tried to think about what happened afterwards. We were talking and then we started heading back towards the castle. The silence was peaceful and I enjoyed it then I got hit in the head and that's all I remember. I frowned at that.

Then I heard footsteps echoing through the halls and I closed my eyes and tried to steady and slower my breathing so that I appeared unconcious. The two people stopped outside the door and spoke a little before entering.

I recognized one of the voices but I couldn't place my finger on whose it was. The conversation suddenly halted and the same voice chuckled before speaking. "Ahh he's awake at last."

(Arthur's POV)

I groaned as the light poured in through a crack in my curtain. Wait my curtain? Where's Merlin? God he's gonna hear about this. I'm going to be late for whatever it is that I need to do today because he didn't bother to wake me up.

I got up and dressed, slowly, and headed out the door. I got a few odd looks and I assumed it's because Merlin wasn't with me. Then Guinever stopped me and told me my shirt was on backwards. Blushing, I quickly turned the shirt around and hurried off to find Merlin, more mad at him now than ever.

I storm into Gaius' chambers and saw him jump. "I am late to wake up, missed breakfast, don't know my stuff, and nothing is done. Where is Merlin?" I asked angrily. Gaius' eyes widened and he put his stuff down before staring at me with those wide eyes. I wondered if I had frightened him. 

"Sorry if I've frightened you I'm just angry with Merlin for not doing his job properly. Now where is he? I would like to speak with him." I asked calmly. I didn't want to frighten him anymore than I already did but the look on his face didn't disappear. I began to worry. What the hell is going on?

I decided that I was only going to ask once more. "Where. Is. Merlin?"

"I thought he was with you, Sire."