Summer had well and truely come to Camelot. Though June had only just begun, the days were long and warm, and sunshine plentiful, bringing joy and light after a long dark winter. No one wanted to stay within the castle walls, including Merlin. He had begged and begged Arthur for the day off, as he had given the knights, citing that it was far too hot to be working and anyway wouldn't his majesty prefer to spend the day by that lake they passed on patrol the other day, perhaps with a picnic? The 'his majesty' was what tipped him off that maybe Merlin wasn't 100% sincere, but to be honest he would much rather be sat by the lake than stuck inside the castle, and he had finished all the jobs he had to do today so why not. He would enjoy a day beside the lake with the company of his manservant.

Soon the picnic had been eaten and the two of them were sat in the midday sun, lying in the heat like a pair of relaxed cats. The conversation was easy, both of them half asleep and not wanting to put much effort into speaking. In any case, they spent so much time around eachother that any thought one might have, had already occured to the other.

'Arthur?' Merlin's voice cut through the gentle silence, 'Did you know you had freckles?'

'Did i know i had freckles, what kind of stupid question is that? I have actually looked in a mirror before, you know.'

'Wow really? I had no idea, you really can't tell.' Merlin's sarcasm was heavy, though he continued in a softer tone, 'They suit you, you look..' he struggled for the right word, 'nice, cute.'

'Cute? I am the King of Camelot, uniter of all Albion, once and future King. I am not cute.' Arthur seemed so flustered by the compliment Merlin decided not to point out the blush that had spread across his cheeks.

'Ok King Arthur of Camelot, uniter of Albion, once and future King, you're not cute.'

Arthur may have believed he was telling the truth if he hadn't ended the sentence with a wink.