Chapter one – I Love Him

Arthur lay awake, facing the pavilion roof, while Merlin put his freshly polished armour away, neatly. His thoughts trailed off to the day before. He was in his father's chambers pacing in wait for him to arrive. He stopped abruptly when the door opened to reveal his father, weary and tired.

He shifted into the room and closed the door quickly behind him, almost as though he was trying to hide from somebody, then turned to face Arthur,

"There have been reports of King Freidan's men coming forth to Camelot in act of war" Uther said quickly "They have been spotted in the forest of behlong on horseback, and they are approaching quickly, I want you and your men to ride out and meet them"

"Yes father" Arthur said astonished

"Oh and take your servant with you, he might be of use to you, he needn't be in any use here" Uther added

"What! ... Merlin? ... Father you can't be-"

Then Arthur looked up into his father's face and saw he was very serious.

"Oh alright then" he said finally, after a few moments silence, then left the room to gather up his men.

An hour later he dismissed his men to get supplies and say goodbye to their loved ones, and he himself walked up to his chambers to order Merlin to pack his clothes and anything else he would be needing.

When he arrived in his chambers Merlin was stood by the window facing the door with Arthur's bag already full of the things he would need.

"You'll be needing to pack too" he said, not meeting Merlin's eyes. "My father insisted on you coming" Trying to hold back a laugh Arthur looked up at the troubled and worried look on Merlin's face and his insides squirmed unpleasantly. As Merlin left, a wonderful thought filled Arthur's mind, Merlin would be by his side day and night.

Arthur smiled at this thought, collected up his bag, which Merlin had dumped on the bed before leaving, and strolled down and out of the castle to collect his horse.

All of his men were already awaiting him when he stepped out into the court yard. Merlin joined him moments later, walking absently from the stables, two horses trotting along behind him, one was dark brown with a startling white stripe settled along the bridge of the horses nose, big pointy ears produce from the top of its head and it's abnormally long legs held a very gangly framed body. The other was Arthur's own horse, Layla, now she was way more elegant, her muscular figure covered in snowy white fur, the tip of her nose painted black with a leathery look to it and her head held high, her startling black eyes staring straight ahead.

Arthur took Layla's reins and without a word of thanks to Merlin he climbed up and began riding, indicating his men to do the same.

oOoOo

Arthur was brought out of his thoughts by the sound of voices shouting.

"Sire.... sire" Merlin said, pulling at his arm,

"Sire... we're being attacked, hurry... I need to get you into your armour"

Merlin hurriedly shoved Arthur into his armour, arranged his own so it fit better, then passed Arthur his sword, grabbing one for himself, and hurried into the commotion outside.

Merlin wasn't lying, all around them was a mixture of both Camelot's and King Freidan's men locked in battle. Arthur turned to his side to look at Merlin but he wasn't there, he had disappeared, and was nowhere in sight. Arthur felt his heart start to race as he fought his way to find Merlin.

oOoOo

Camelot was winning, and there were very few of King Freidan's men left, so they retreated and Camelot's men followed in last attempt to kill the stragglers. It's all over thought Arthur, then he was knocked to the ground. Not knowing how he got to be lying on his front in deep, chocolate mud, he turned onto his back and lay there staring up into a face very unfamiliar to him. The man's sword was pointed at his heart; Arthur knew it was over for him, he was to die at the hand of some unknown stranger, he closed his eyes and wondered whether death would come quick and painless, he breathed heavily.

Then it came, and it was painful, as though someone large and heavy had just fallen on him, he opened his eyes slowly, and in fact someone had fallen onto him, a sword wound pressed deep into the man's back. Arthur let his head fall back in relief.

He lifted it again moments later and saw Merlin stood over him a look of shock on his face, his sword pointed downwards at the bloody wound in the man's back.

"You k- k-killed him, you s-s-saved me" Arthur stuttered half astonished and half touched.

oOoOo

Merlin didn't say anything but held out his hand to help him, Arthur sluggishly pushed the large, heavy man off him and grabbed Merlin's awaiting hand, as soon as his fingers met Merlin's warm, soft palm, shivers shot through Arthur's body like lightning. Then Merlin pulled him to his feet.

Merlin pulled with so much force that they stood there, closer to one another than either of them had ever been before, close enough to feel each other's, heaving breaths. In that moment Arthur noticed that Merlin's eyes were a dazzling, sapphire blue, that his lips where as red as a rose, and his hair as black as night, of course Arthur had noticed this before but something about how the moon shone onto Merlin's hair and pale white face made Arthurs mouth go dry. They stood there in silence, gazing into one another eyes, then Arthur moved in closer, unable to hold back any longer, Merlin tried to step back, or say No or anything that would stop Arthur coming in any closer but it didn't seem to work, his muscles had tensed and his mouth dry, all he could do was stand there, staring at Arthur as his lips got closer and closer to his own.

Then finally they touched and Arthur's lips tasted as sweet as wine, Merlin's heart beated a little faster as Arthur gently slid his hands up to cup Merlin's face, his fingers resting on his cheek bones and before Merlin knew what his was doing he was kissing Arthur back, his hands around Arthur's waist pulling him in to deepen the kiss. It was amazing; Arthur was a particularly good kisser.

oOoOo

They stood there kissing, only breaking apart for breath, Arthur slid one of his hands up Merlin's T-Shirt and up Merlin's back, it was surprisingly warm and made Merlin shuddered. Arthur felt very proud of himself, his touch made Merlin shudder, but there wasn't time to think about how this amused Arthur because Merlin had pulled away, tucked his T-Shirt back into his trousers and was smoothing down his hair, a faint pink blush painted his face, neck and to Arthur's amusement the tips of Merlin's ears.

Arthur looked at Merlin befuddled, what had made him stop, was it him? Did he do something wrong? No he can't have he reassured himself. Merlin was looking into the trees, as if someone were there, then he heard it, the crunching of fallen leaves, getting closer and closer, smoothing his hair down and pulling out his sword Arthur walked slowly further into the forest followed closely by Merlin, then all of a sudden they found themselves surrounded by the Knight's Of Camelot.

" Ahhh sire, it's you, we thought it was one of King Freidan's men, well one of the few that got away that is" said Sir James Alan and all the knights laughed, even Arthur though he wasn't quite sure why.

oOoOo

The journey back to Camelot was quite, Arthur had insisted upon it, he said that it would draw less attention to themselves as this particular forest was exceptionally well ripened with berries and mushrooms and all different kinds of herbs that servants would be sent to collect. When they finally arrived back in Camelot Arthur slid off his horse, left it for Merlin to put away, then walked up the steps and into the great hall to announce his return and success.

oOoOo

His father sat slightly slouched in his throne, but immediately sat himself straight when he noticed that Arthur was walking slowly towards him.

"My son" He said in a proud voice "Is it done, did we succeed"

"Yes father" Replied Arthur "Some got away but I think that is for the best, they won't be bothering us again"

"Good" Said Uther Relived "Well done my son, you should rest I take it you are tired from your long journey, I will send a maid to collect you when the feast is ready"

"Yes, Thank You Father" yawned Arthur and with that he strode out of the great hall and up to his chambers. When he pulled open the doors to his chamber he saw Merlin hurriedly unpacking Arthur's clothes he had worn the days they were camping in the forest of Behlong and put them in, what Arthur recognised as, the cleaning basket, he then cleared and cleaned the table, then he remade the bed and turned it down ready for Arthur to climb in and rest.

oOoOo

Merlin felt really nervous, as Arthur's gaze burned into the back of his head whilst he went about his daily chores. Once he had carefully but swiftly turned the Princes bed down he turned and tried to make a quick exit, so that he didn't have to talk about the previous events of the forest otherwise he was sure to lose his temper. As he reached the door he heard Arthur speak.

"Bring me up some water will you, I think I might die of thirst" Arthur said in a very timid voice.

"Oh ermm .... yes sire" Merlin stuttered and he staggered out of Arthur's chambers and down to the kitchens. When he returned with the jug of water Arthur was sat in the chair at the table his chainmail and armour thrown untidily onto the unoccupied chair nearest to the fire.

'Clean my armour and polish my sword' Arthur ordered slowly picking up the messy pile of amour.

"Yes sire" Merlin mumbled then he walked slowly over to Arthur, gently set the jug on the table then took the armour from Arthur, careful not to brush his hand against the Princes, then turned and heading for the door. Once again he was stopped abruptly by Arthur.

"Where do you think you're going" said Arthur slightly irritated

"I'm going clean your armour and polish your sword sire" he said nervously

'Oh so you do listen from time to time' provoked Arthur, for which he received a glare from Merlin.

'If you're going to be like that then you can sit here and do it, then I can make sure you do a decent job this time'.

'Yes sire" said Merlin through gritted teeth.

He turned and sat at the table and began the work immediately, Arthur's eyes on him the whole time. When he had finally finished he put it neatly away and headed for the door once more.

"Where do yo-"Arthur began

"Why did you do that" Merlin interrupted

"Do what" Arthur said curiosity filling his eyes.

"The forest ... you ermm ... Oh you know what I mean" Merlin snapped furiously.

Merlin thought that Arthur didn't hear him first, he just got up from his seat and headed for the door, then he said " Don't worry about it, just go" "NOW" he added sternly.

Merlin didn't move, but just stood there staring at Arthur in astonishment.

"Not until you tell me why you kissed me" Merlin said in the bravest voice he could muster.

Arthur looked taken aback, as though Merlin had just said something intelligent, his cheeks burned a light crimson, and he took long slow strides towards Merlin, stopping dead when he reached him, reaching out a hand he cupped Merlin's face, Merlin looked away, that wasn't the answer he was looking for. Arthur pulled Merlin towards him for another kiss, but Merlin stepped back and stared at the floor.

oOoOo

He couldn't let this happen, 'Arthur's The Crowned Prince Of Camelot and I'm just a lowly Manservant' He thought.

oOoOo

Arthur looked at him with hunger and longing in his eyes.

Arthur just didn't understand, here he was trying to show Merlin how he felt and he just stepped away and stared into blankness ... 'Is it because Merlin is nervous?' ... 'Is it because he doesn't like me'.

'No' Thought Arthur 'He kissed me back so he must feel the same way? Right?' Arthur was confused.

He was brought out of his thoughts when he saw Merlin staring him straight in the eyes, so he stared back. Merlin's eyes didn't portray any of his feeling's, instead all Arthur could see was a sort of glassy and distant look in them.

'Merlin, what's the matter' the Prince said anxiously.

Merlin's glare answered, 'maybe I shouldn't have kissed him, maybe it was all a mistake, he hates me, I can see it in his eyes, he hates me, HE HATES ME!' is all that rushed through Arthur's mind.

Merlin watched as the prince's face went through array of emotions, confusion, nervousness, hurt, sadness then finally came to rest on regret. Arthur, The Crowned Prince Of Camelot was regretting, Merlin never thought he'd see the day.

oOoOo

'Arthur, why did you kiss me' Merlin said raising his voice, Arthur knew the tone, Merlin wanted an answer, and, the prince knew from experience, he would get one.

'I-I... I don't know' the Prince lied. Arthur watched Merlin's look of anger disappear only to be replaced by one of confusion.

'You kiss me and you don't even know why' Merlin asked, voice laced with confusion and irritation. The prince simply nodded, and Merlin knew that was the best he was going to get so he turned and without a word or glace at Arthur left, taking the laundry basket with him.

oOoOo

Arthur stood frozen to the spot; he didn't think Merlin would give up so easily. Arthur's mind kept playing back the kiss, Merlin's intoxicating smell, his soft lips, his firm but smooth touch. Merlin, his Merlin-

Wait a second Merlin was not his, Merlin had pulled away when he had tried to show him how he felt; Merlin had demanded an answer when it was quite clear why Arthur had kissed him. Why was Merlin so blind as to see what was right in front of him, Arthur didn't go around kissing just anybody, but maybe that's what Merlin thought, maybe Merlin thought Arthur went around kissing people for fun.

'No', he thought 'why did Merlin have to be so god damn cute, stupid cute, why did I have to go and kiss the idiot, why do I always think of him, why am I always sad and down when he's not around, and why does my heart hurt so much, it's not like I lo-'

"Oh My God I Love Merlin" Arthur voiced out loud as realisation dawned on him.