The forest was quiet. Too quiet.
Merlin had learned that "too quiet" in a magical forest usually meant one of two things: either something dangerous was lurking, or Arthur had finally learned to shut up for five minutes. Since Arthur was currently safe in Camelot (and very much not shutting up), that left only the first option.
Merlin sighed, adjusting the bundle of firewood in his arms. "Great. Just great," he muttered. "Gaius is gonna love hearing about this."
Then—a rustle.
Merlin tensed, eyes scanning the underbrush. The last time something rustled at him in the woods, it had tried to eat him. He wasn't in the mood for another near-death experience. Not today.
Slowly, he set the firewood down and raised a cautious hand. "Alright, whatever you are, I should probably warn you—I have magic, and I am not afraid to use it!"
Silence.
Then, from the bushes, emerged…
A tiny ball of fluff.
Merlin blinked.
The creature blinked back.
It was small. White. Round. Disturbingly cute. Its fur looked softer than any noblewoman's cloak, and its big, icy-blue eyes locked onto his with an intensity that was almost… human.
Merlin swallowed. "Oh no."
The creature—puppy?—tilted its head, tail wagging slightly. Then, with absolutely no regard for Merlin's personal space, it bounded over and promptly sat on his foot.
Merlin stared down at it, horrified. "No. No, no, no. I am not adopting you."
The puppy wagged its tail harder.
"I mean it. I can barely take care of myself, let alone a dog."
The puppy blinked up at him with the most heartbreaking expression of innocence he had ever seen. Its eyes were like two little shards of sky, shining with an eerie level of understanding.
Merlin's resolve wavered. "...Stop that."
The puppy did not stop.
Merlin groaned, rubbing his face. "Gaius is gonna kill me."
The puppy yipped.
Merlin sighed in defeat. "Alright, fine. But no biting Arthur."
The puppy's tail wagged faster.
Merlin had a bad feeling about this.
---
Camelot, Later That Evening…
Merlin crept into Gaius's chambers like a man smuggling contraband—which, technically, he was. He peeked around the corner, making sure Gaius was asleep, before whispering to the small bundle of fluff tucked under his cloak.
"Okay, listen. If we get caught, look cute and don't make a sound."
The puppy yawned.
"Good. You're a fast learner."
He tiptoed inside, but the moment the door creaked—
"Merlin."
Merlin froze.
Gaius stood by the table, arms crossed. His gaze flickered down to the bundle of fur in Merlin's arms.
"…What," he said slowly, "is that?"
Merlin grinned nervously. "Uh. A very small and harmless problem?"
Gaius pinched the bridge of his nose. "Merlin."
Merlin hesitated, then carefully pulled the puppy out from under his cloak and held it up. "Okay, look at her. Just look at her."
Gaius looked.
The puppy stared back with wide, shiny eyes. Then, as if sensing its life depended on it, it let out the tiniest, softest, most adorable whine imaginable.
Gaius visibly struggled.
Merlin pressed on. "I found her in the woods, all alone! I couldn't just leave her there!"
Gaius groaned. "Merlin, you cannot just bring home stray animals every time you feel sorry for them!"
"Okay, but this one is different," Merlin insisted. "She's weird."
Gaius raised an eyebrow. "Weird how?"
Merlin hesitated. "…I don't know. She just feels weird. It's like she understands things. More than a dog should."
As if to prove his point, the puppy gave Gaius a look.
Gaius stared back.
The puppy's expression clearly said, I know things, old man.
Gaius exhaled sharply. "…Fine. But she is your responsibility."
Merlin beamed. "I already named her! Her name is Luna!"
Gaius muttered something about reckless young sorcerers and went to bed.
Merlin grinned down at Luna, who wagged her tail happily. "Welcome to Camelot, Luna."
Luna licked his nose.
Merlin laughed. He had no idea what he was getting himself into.