The Whisper Beneath Camelot

Camelot was buzzing that bright morning, with knights clanging swords and merchants calling out their wares. Amidst the chattering street of a fortress city, young Merlin walked briskly beside Arthur, who as usual, was striding with a prince-like flair.

“Merlin, did you hear that?” Arthur cocked an eyebrow, pausing his stride. His voice held a mix of skepticism and curiosity.

“Hear what?” Merlin inquired, his eyes darting around.

“A sort of… thump. Like a heartbeat!” Arthur explained. His eyes narrowed, then widened, as if trying to hear it again through the clamor around them.

Merlin felt a faint rumble, so soft he'd have missed it if he hadn't been half-listening to Arthur's royal ramblings. "Oh, I feel it! It's shaking the ground!"

Arthur's mouth opened in surprise. "That - can you feel it too? It’s odd, isn’t it?"

With a nod, Merlin leaned closer, “Let’s investigate. Maybe it’s more than just an unusual echo."

Arthur hesitated, “I was thinking of bringing a dozen guards. You know, just in case.”

Merlin chuckled, “Or we could try thinking a bit first. Let's see what's beneath without jumping to conclusions."

With that, the two ventured towards the source of the sound, their curiosity mounting with each step. Could it be that beneath Camelot lay something legendary, something enormous?

The Echoing Slumber

The path led Merlin and Arthur across the cobblestone streets, past wooden stalls displaying colorful fabrics and gleaming swords until the bustling noise of Camelot faded away. They wandered through the emerald hills, urged on by the mysterious beat that seemed to echo ever louder.

“Are you sure this is the right direction?” Arthur asked, his brow furrowed with concern.

“Positive. It's getting louder,” Merlin remarked, trying to sense any otherworldly signals without using his magic.

The hill opened up into a cavern, hidden beneath a cloak of silken moss. Arthur hesitated at the entrance, peering into the darkness. "It's in there, isn't it?"

Merlin nodded, excitement and apprehension mingling in his chest. "It's the only explanation."

As they descended into the cave, the air grew thick and humid, carrying a warmth that felt oddly comforting. The heartbeat boomed with a slow, steady rhythm, making the walls lightly tremble with each pulse.

“Oh, this is no ordinary echo,” Arthur breathed in disbelief as they turned a corner to face an enormous, slumbering giant. His face serene, the giant's chest rose and fell, creating the rhythmic thumping.

“Should we—" Arthur began, but was cut off by a loud thud. They froze as a small rock fell near their feet, dislodged by the giant's gentle stir.

The giant’s eyes, large as saucers, blinked open slowly. He gazed at them with a sleepy kind of curiosity.

Arthur drew a breath, fingering his side where his sword would normally hang. "This is huge... quite literally. We may need to bring the guards."

“Let’s not jump to conclusions. What we need is a plan," Merlin urged, eyeing the giant with a mixture of awe and strategic thought. "Perhaps we can communicate instead of alarming the whole castle." They stood there, contemplating their next move, with Arthur looking back at the still-dozing giant, a world of questions yet unanswered.