After spending much of his younger years training and studying with Merlin, Arthur became quite wise for his age and surprisingly gifted in minor magics. Very minor. If anything, more so the understanding of how it works than anything he could put into practise himself. Still, it was enough to impress Merlin and in turn he was offered a gift. A single enchanted object that could do a magic spell for him. He spent days pondering on what and how and it was as he was reading in the woods near the castle that he recalled Hazel. It always weighed on him, just leaving her like that. Abandoning a girl is hardly what a knight does, let alone a king in training. And so, he made a choice.
The object is a ring, carved from the branch of an oak tree so old that none remembers when it was planted. It allows him to shift quite easily between two forms. And although Merlin had many wise cracks and doubtful glances to give at first, he did come respect Arthur for wanting to do good by his first crush. Amazingly, or perhaps just, as expected, Hazel remembered Arthur and was quick to accept his apologizes and offers.
To make sure she is safe and comfortable he made a small home, like a bird house but far more splendid, in a tall tree that sits just outside of his bedroom window. That way, despite all differences, the two could see each other whenever like they liked. Although to be fair, she's slept in his room far more than his own over the past year.
Of all the changes she has had to get used to, from bathing more regularly, to not having to hunt for food, it was the winter months that caught her the most off-guard. Thick brick walls, a roaring fire place, heavy blankets and sheets. All the food she could eat. Not to mention delicious little treats made of honey that helped to perk her up. She realized that she never had to hibernate anymore.
Arthur doesn't have as much work to be done in the winter either. So he has come to spend most of his time 'relaxing' with Hazel. His king sized bed always felt a bit too big even in his human form but as a squirrel it stretches on far and wide like soft, rolling meadows. And hey, being so small means that all the stains are also too tiny to worry about too.
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