#I haven't decided if cavall (arthur's dog) should be there

[adhd-merlin]

In the end, it's less of a hunting trip and more of an amiable jaunt through the woods with the occasional game sighting. Stupid of Arthur to expect otherwise, really, given that Merlin on a hunt is more a hindrance than a help — much like old Cavall, whom Arthur also brought along because of sentimental reasons rather than his actual usefulness.

Arthur himself, though he never mentioned it to Merlin, has grown a distaste for shooting deer after learning what truly happened on his dreadful hunt with Princess Mithian. Not entirely rational, but he seems to be getting a bit soft with age.

They cross paths with a boar on the first day. It emerges from a thick shrub on the side of the trail and stops some way ahead of them, well within shooting range, its snout twitching and its tail swinging from side to side as it looks around. Arthur signals for Merlin to stop.

As he takes aim, something rustles in the underbrush. A piglet trots out of the shrubs to its waiting mother, followed by another. And then another.

Arthur makes the mistake of glancing at Merlin's face.

"Oh, for goodness' sake." He lowers his bow.

He and Merlin watch in silence as the boar and half a score of piglets scuttle safely to the other side of the trail.

Entirely too soft.

(draft sneak peek)