Horse Drabble

Hi everyone!

I was inspired to write this story while reading CoolCarrot's story "SpoilOpilous" and I asked for permission to write a story basing on this. So it's a legal stealing.^^ Many thanks again for this to CoolCarrot. Hope you like it!^^

Actually I had many ideas for this scene and wasn't able to choose one. So I decided to write several versions of this one situation as drabble. Let's count the victories!

First to go: The funny one.

Next: The emotional option.

Later: The dramatic stage.

Even later: The noble way.

I guess I could add some more.^^

Oh and please excuse all mistakes, I'm no native speaker and had no time to proofread everything. However, please enjoy!

It was affront enough allowing a servant to make a crown prince worry for him. It was unthinkable to let that worry grow huge enough to actually initiate a search for someone as meaningless as a common servant who in fact was useful for nothing but to amuse about his clumsy idiocy.

Fine, Arthur had dealt with this as well as the lowering of his pride to investigate and treat Merlins wounds when he and Gwaine had finally found him injured outside on a far away field.

But then the point was reached when it was enough:

Arthur helped Merlin to stand up and walked towards the horses that Gwaine brought to them. He was sitting on one of two.

Suddenly Arthur hesitated, watching Gwaine who showed no effort or intention to give the seat on his horse free.

Arthur gestured at the knight to get down but Gwaine ignored it obviously with a hidden grin.

Arthurs staring eyes could have pierced through him until Gwaine finally mirrored the determination with his own gaze.

Merlin looked up and down between both of them until he had enough.

"Hey, just go on with this. I'll just go ahead by foot – on the one that's left uninjured – and I'm sure I'll be back to Camelot before you've even moved a meter while fighting for the horse ride."

Gwaine and Arthur snapped out of their staring and looked at Merlin speechless for a moment.

But Arthur soon found back to his confirmed self.

"Don't be ridiculous. Gwaine will gladly walk to let you ride."

But Gwaine had other plans.

"Oh, wasn't it the royal princess who wanted to search for her servant so that she could have her golden locks brushed again until they sparkle? So it's your turn to take the walk. It fit's you so much better."

"Don't you dare, Gwaine! It was your restless wish to find Merlin even more than it was mine. I just volunteered because I didn't want to see you cry for losing your little friend."

"Pathetic, you were the one who ran around in panic, fearing for his beloved handyman never to come back and leave you all alone, forcing you to tidy up behind yourself."

"I don't cause more work than any other prince."

"Pah, not all servants of whole Camelot could get rid of the dreck you cause. Just look at your poor servant. He's thin and powerless by all the duties you put on him. I guess he will die soon if he returns to Camelot and continues serving you."

"It's not my fault that he has no stamina. He was even thinner when he entered my service."

"Can't imagine that. Surely he refused to eat because he couldn't take your stupid babbling anymore."

"You forget that he is the one who always talks nonsense, making me lose my appetite."

"Hey, he's doing you a favour. You're getting fat!"

"Hah! Me? Just look at yourself, drunkard! All the beer and mead caused some pregnancy on you."

"Shut up, princess."

"Think of something new, wino!"

"Pratty Girl!"

"Soaker!"

"King of Fools!"

"Pisshead!"

"Clown!"

"Boozer!"

"Buffoon!"

"Losers!"

Both turned around and spotted Merlin far away on horseback laughing at them. He had managed to get up Arthurs horse by himself and grabbed the rein of Gwaines horse as well, trotting away.

The knights looked at each other in shock until they finally raced after Merlin angrily.

"You will stop at once, Merlin! Give my horse back!"

"No, Merlin, just keep Arthurs but give mine back!"

Merlin grinned and halted for a moment just to let the men approach a little.

Then he suddenly let go of Gwaines horse and galloped away while shouting.

"Here you go, let's see who gets the horse first."

Laughing he went on, realizing with a grin that the free horse just looked at the screaming men for a second but finally followed his conspecific instead, leaving behind some frustrated men who had to run all the way back to Camelot by foot.

Sorry, I couldn't stop myself being mean.^^

Okay, next drabble will be a little bit more serious. If you like?

Please review!

Bye, Cennamace

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