The Secret Keeper

As Camelot's towering walls cast long shadows, Merlin found himself meandering through the castle gardens, where wildflowers danced under the evening breeze. His mind buzzed with thoughts of the prince's chores, magical practice banned by Uther, and Arthur's endless antics.

A sudden rustle grabbed his attention. Nestled in a secluded corner, there lay a small pond, its surface a mirror under the moon's gentle glow. Peering closer, Merlin noticed three remarkable turtles by the water's edge, their shells aglow in fiery crimson hues.

"Well, what have we here?" whispered Merlin, crouching closer.

The largest turtle lifted its head sluggishly. The smallest one, though, seemed oddly alert, its bright eyes meeting Merlin’s gaze with uncanny recognition.

"Could you be…?" Merlin trailed off, intrigued yet cautious.

From the shadows, a voice broke the tranquil scene. "Merlin? What are you doing out here? You know it isn’t safe," it was Lady Morgana, her voice a mix of authority and concern.

Merlin straightened quickly, his mischievous smile tempered by the reality of Uther's ban on magic. "Uh, just... enjoying the night air," he replied, trying to sound casual, though he could feel the air charged with the turtles’ unspoken secret.

"You never know what secrets are hidden under the starlight," Morgana remarked, her eyes drifting to the pond before turning away with a flick of her dark, elegant cloak.

The turtles watched them closely, and Merlin knew then that the true challenge had just begun.

A Whisper in the Shadows

The castle gardens seemed even more mysterious as Merlin pondered the significance of the fiery crimson turtles. He noticed an old, run-down boat partially covered with vine on the opposite side of the pond, a sign of secrets waiting to be uncovered.

Before he could dwell further, the smallest turtle nudged Merlin's foot gently, as if pulling him back to their small world by the water's edge. He crouched again, feeling an aura of urgency surrounding them.

Suddenly, the turtles began to shift, their fiery shells aligning in a complicated dance. Their movements hinted at more than just simple patterns, like something trying to communicate a message or a secret.

"What are you trying to tell me?" Merlin murmured, completely absorbed as he tried to make sense of the display.

Before long, laughter rippled through the night air, prompting Merlin to stand up abruptly. It was Arthur and Gwaine, bounding through the garden like a pair of mischievous puppies, oblivious to the delicate situation unfolding.

"Merlin, are you actually working for once?" Arthur teased, shoving Gwaine forward playfully.

Gwaine chuckled, dusting off his tunic. "Thought you'd take up flower-watching, or is it turtle-spotting now?"

Merlin forced a wide grin, masking the puzzle nagging at his thoughts. "Just... catching some fresh air, really. You know, it's nice to admire a little nature now and then."

Arthur raised an eyebrow but, disarmed by the evening's merriment, spared the garden and its secret occupants from further investigation.