For Your Entertainment

[ayoungboy]

The circus comes into town in the late afternoon. It's a quiet caravan, but the whispers start immediately. It's not a regular circus. This one - this is the Camelot circus. One of the most esteemed traveling acts in the country, and not for the faint of heart. This one has a flaming sword eater and a terrifying magician.

A few brave people try to peek at the preparations, but once the big tent is up, all that can really be seen are food stands being set up, and a few podiums for acts unknown. Everything else is hidden from view. You want to see? Come buy a ticket.

Comments

[ayoungboy]

Merlin ends up clinging to the saddle, leaning back against Arthur's chest. Goosebumps rise pleasantly on the back of his neck.

[royalpratness]

"See, this isn't too bad, is it?" Arthur leads the horse around the enclosure in a slow walk.

[ayoungboy]

"No," Merlin admits, tilting his head up to look at Arthur for a brief moment.

[royalpratness]

"Ready to go a bit faster? I promise you won't fall off."

[ayoungboy]

"Don't let it throw me," Merlin says uncertainly.

[royalpratness]

Arthur rolls his eyes but there's a fond smile on his face. "Merlin, you could let the horse float if you wanted to. " He spurs the animal on and it falls into an easy trot.

[ayoungboy]

"It'd be a bit of a strain. Horses are heavy." Merlin says, not realizing it was a joke.

When the horse goes faster - even just by a little bit, Merlin takes a death grip on the saddle.

[royalpratness]

Arthur chuckles, wrapping an arm more firmly around Merlin, holding the reigns with the other. "Relax. I've got you."

[ayoungboy]

Merlin lets one hand move to Arthur's, around his middle, and squeeze tightly. "...you sure?"

[royalpratness]

"Positive." Arthur smiles, making the horse trot a little faster.

[ayoungboy]

Merlin yelps a little, clinging tightly to Arthur.

[royalpratness]

"Hold on." Arthur laughs, spurring the horse on until it starts galopping.

[ayoungboy]

"Arthur!" Merlin cries, somewhat terrified.

[royalpratness]

Arthur just laughs, spurring the horse on to gallop another round.

[ayoungboy]

"Arthuuurrr!" Merlin yells in alarm as the horse just goes faster, continuing around the yard.

[royalpratness]

"It's okay!" Arthur grins, making the horse slow down again.

[ayoungboy]

Merlin squeaks and presses back against Arthur's chest. "Hardly!"

[royalpratness]

"Are you always such a girl, Merlin?" Arthur laughs, bringing the horse back to a walk.

[ayoungboy]

"You know I'm not a girl," Merlin says meaningfully.

[royalpratness]

Arthur grins, brushing his nose against Merlin's ear. "I sure do."

[ayoungboy]

Merlin shivers pleasantly, blushing and ducking his head.

[royalpratness]

Arthur gives a long-suffering sigh. "Well, I can see that horse riding won't become your new favourite past time, huh?"

[ayoungboy]

"I don't know...why don't we just go slow? Really slow."

[likespie]

"Really slow?" Arthur pats the horse's neck. "I think we can do that." He leads the horse out of the enclosure and off towards the nearby forest behind the estate.

[ayoungboy]

Merlin forces himself to settle on the seat, still gripping the seat and leaning back assuredly into Arthur's chest.