slowroad93Title: Sometimes, you have the best ideas.
Rating: G
Pairing/s: Arthur/Merlin
Character/s: Arthur Pendragon, Merlin
Summary: Arthur is at yet another formal event hosted by his father and he's bored.
Warnings: None.
Word Count: 382 words
Prompt: Dancing (Prompt #419 Bingo round 2)
Merlin stood in the corner, watching Arthur dance with the daughter of some aristocrat. There was no real reason for him to be there, there were enough servants around. But Arthur had insisted, saying that the reception would be boring and that he might need rescuing from the many young women who would be there, looking their best and trying to catch his eye. Some of them could get a bit uncomfortably clingy.
But watching him now, it seemed that the prince didn't need rescuing. He seemed to be quite charmed by the girl he was dancing with. Only someone who knew him as well as Merlin did, would notice that he was bored. A few minutes later, the song ended and Arthur bowed and took leave of his companion. He came straight to Merlin and indicated that he wanted a drink. Merlin poured him one.
"You're not having a particularly good time, I see."
"I never do, on these occasions. I'd much rather be back in my room having dinner with you."
"Me too. But I have to say that I enjoyed watching you dance. You dance beautifully, Arthur."
Arthur blushed just a little bit at the compliment. It was a sight the Merlin found entirely too appealing.
"I've had enough of this damn reception. Do you think I've been here long enough?"
"Do you want to sneak away?"
"Do you think my father will notice?"
"Well, he is somewhat occupied with Lady Selena, so he might not. Besides, there's not much he can do, once you leave, is there?"
"True. But he'll lecture me tomorrow."
"Tell him you left because you have an early patrol tomorrow."
"But I don't."
"Arthur, you are in charge of the patrols. If you decide to have one tomorrow, you can. I'll pack us some food and we can have a breakfast picnic out in the forest. Let's invite some of the knghts to go along."
Arthur raised his glass to Merlin and bowed. "You, my dear, have the best ideas, sometimes."
"I know. So who should I ask? Leon? Gwaine? Lancelot?
"None of them. Let's sneak away on our own. It's a lot more fun when it's just the two of us."
"That's true. Now let's get out of here before your father notices."