disclaimer: what i wouldnt give to own the BBC's Merlin, then i could have bradley all to myself! sadley i dont, and this is just a story for your's and my pleasre, hope you like it.

please excuse the typos/spelling mistakes.

The day had been bright and sunny, and the night was following the same tune, as the stars began to shine and the moons light illuminated the turrets of the castle. Prince Arthur sat in his chambers, waiting keenly for night to fall. It seemed forever since the sun had risen that morning, marking the beginning of what was sure to be a memorable day. Because this day was not like any other, and for that very reason, this night would be substantial more exhilarating than any he had experienced. Of cause when the young prince woke that morning, he did not know what would be in store for him, come night fall….

Thud! Crash! Scrape! Merlin came tumbling into the room, trying desperately to keep the trey of food in his hands level, but of cause failing dismally. All the magic in the world couldn't cure his clumsiness. He cursed himself silently and began crawling around the room, collecting Arthurs breakfast that has scattered all over the room.

Suddenly, a loud moan came from the four poster bed in the centre of the room.

"Aaawwgg! What have you done now, Merlin?" Arthur mumbled, half asleep, his face in his pillow.

Merlin cringed. "Sorry Sire. I tripped" he said rather lamely.

"Of cause you did!" Arthur replied, tossing in his sheets.

When he was done with the breakfast spilling's, Merlin crossed the room to a large window. In a swift motion, he pulled open the drapes and let sunshine spill into the room.

"For Christ sakes Merlin, can't you see, I'm trying to sleep." Arthur scolded, turning his back on Merlin and the glare from the window.

"But Sire, its time for you to get up. I…" Merlin rethought what he was about to say, and decided to take a different direction, "…I mean, you overslept. The people are waiting to see you."

Arthur was confused "What are you talking about Merlin?"

"Don't you remember what day it is?" Merlin asked, resisting the urge to laugh at the Prince. What kind of a person forgot his own birthday?

"Of cause I do," said Arthur, clearly insulted by merlins implication. "It's Friday."

Merlin grinned "Yes, sire. Friday the…."

Instantly, Arthur sat bolt upright in his bed "Oh!" he said, frowning at his own slow reasoning. He looked at merlins teasing face and quickly turned on him. "Why didn't you say something earlier?"

"You were sleeping, My Lord!" Merlin replied.

Arthur sighed; he was too tired to think of a good comeback for Merlin. Instead he slowly pulled himself out of bed and crossed to the window where Merlin was standing. Peering down he saw a small crowd forming outside the entrance to the castle. Each of them had some small token to present to the young prince on his birthday.

"How long have they been waiting?" Arthur asked.

"Not long." said Merlin. "You're really not as popular as you think you are!"

Arthur reached his hand up to hit Merlin across the back of the head. But just at that moment, another figure entered the castle courtyard, distracting Arthur from what ever it was he was thinking about only moments ago. She was looking lovely in her favourite lavender dress, and her hair pinned up in a way that was different from anything he had seen before. She looked nervous, like there was something on her mind. He could always tell when she was thinking of him. It was about the only the he could predict about her.

"Oh look, there's Gwen!" Merlin said not noticing the sudden change in his master's mood.

As if were sensing his eyes on her, Guinevere looked up at the window where Arthur and Merlin were standing. Merlin, being exactly who he was, waved at her enthusiastically. But it was Arthur who caught her eye. Completely forgetting the fact that he was (at least from where Guinevere was standing) not wearing any clothes, and his hair looked like a birds nest because he had just gotten out of bed, Arthur smiled at her shyly. She smiled back at him, giggling at his embarrassing appearance. Quickly coming back to reality, Arthur stepped away from the window and headed straight for his wardrobe.

"Fetch me some more breakfast, would you Merlin." Arthur asked, a clear change in his mood.

"Of cause, Sire." Merlin relied, and taking the first breakfast with him, he left for the kitchens.

They were not impressed with having to prepare another meal for the Prince because of Merlins share stupidity, and they let him know it. When Merlin arrived back at Arthur's room only a few minutes later, he knocked tentatively, anticipating another swift mood swing.

Fast paced footsteps approached the door, and the heavy wood door swung open to reveal a fully clothed and flat haired Prince Arthur.

"Ah, Merlin, it's only you." Arthur said, with a grin. Arthur reached out and took a grape from the trey Merlin was holding. He popped the fruit into his mouth and said, "Delicious!" before taking off down the hall towards the entrance of the castle.

"Don't you wan the rest of your breakfast?" Merlin yelled at his back.

"Mustn't keep the people waiting!" Arthur replied as he rounded the corner, with a distance spring in his step.

Everyone he passed on his way to the entrance bowed and wished him happy birthday. The thanked them all in a hurry and when he finally reached the castle doors he was almost out of breath. Arthur signalled to the guards to open the doors. The crowd instantly converged around him, bowing their heads and offering their gifts.

This was the part of being a Prince that got to him. Arthur had spent his entire life being valued more highley than others, because of who he was. But as he hubley accepted the gifts from the people he would someday rule over as king, he couldn't help but feel a fraud. Their hands were worn and tired from work, while his remained soft and clean. Their faces were freckled by the sun and their clothes were worn from wear. At time like these Arthur felt he should be the one rewarding the people for their contribution to Camelot, and the gifts he was being showered with today, he did not deserve.

Then his eyes caught a glimpse of lavender and two of his well wishers parted to reveal Guinevere. She curtsied and handed him his gift. The reached out his hand to take it, and gently brushed her palm as he received the gift.

"Happy Birthday, My Lord." Guinevere said, smiling sweetly.

"Thank you." Arthur replied, looking her directly in the eyes. For all of a moment Arthur had to resist the urge to hold her hand or kiss her cheek, but their moment was lost when more people bushed Gwen aside to be closer to the prince. Arthur spent the rest of the morning greeting people and receiving gifts. Some of the larger farms had given him the best of the season's harvest, while small children made dolls and charms. All the while Guinevere's gift was grasped firmly in his hand. It would be hours before he could finally discover what it was she had given him. But he couldn't help but thing that she had given him so much already. Guinevere was everything good that Arthur saw in himself. She had shown him what it was to be a good and decent person. He had never met anyone with a kinder heart or more goodness inside them.

When Arthur was finally free, he returned to his chambers to be alone. When he was sure that the door was locked and Merlin was nowhere in sight, he took Guinevere's present from his pocket and looked at it curiously. What she had given him appeared to be a small leather pouch with a pale blue ribbon fastening it together. Arthur gently pulled the ribbon loose and peered inside to find a small piece of parchment folded neatly. He took out the paper, unfolded it and read:

Dear Arthur,

I wanted to get you something special for your birthday, but you already have so much and I could hardly afford a gift fit for a Prince. So I decided to make you something. A promise. If ever you need me I will always be here for you. You are a good man, and someday you will make a great king, but if you need any help along the way, please know that I will never leave you alone. Happy Birthday.

Love, Guinevere

Arthur stared at the note, surprised by how comforted he felt at her words. So often he felt alone in the world, and it was clear that she understood exactly how he was feeling. Arthur was lucky enough to be living in a castle full of people to keep him company, but Guinevere was living in her home in the town alone. She must feel as lonely as he does, even when he is surrounded by hundreds of people. Right then he made a promise to himself; that he would never let Guinevere feel like she had no-one to rely on. No matter what happened between them, or if he married a princess and became king, he would never leave Guinevere without a friend to turn to if ever she needed it.

Just as Arthur had finished hiding the note in the far reaches of his cupboard, Merlin came thundering in to the room.

"Lunch!" Merlin announced as he placed yet another tray on Arthur's dining table, this time with a clear amount of caution.

As Arthur sat down to his meal, a brilliant idea came to his mind. He quickly rushed to find a piece of parchment and a quill, and scribbled a not onto it.

I am keeping you to your promise. Be home tonight, just after night fall.

Arthur

Ps: Your gift was perfect. It was better than anything money could buy.

"Merlin, take this note and give it to Gwen. But don't read it." Arthur said, adding the last part in after seeing Merlins curious expression.

"What does it say?" Merlin asked, clearly not thinking.

Arthur pushed him out the door and said "None of you big fat noses business."

When Merlin was gone Arthur sat down to eat his lunch, but he found he had lost his appetite. He spent the rest of the day waiting for night to come, imagining the endless hours he would spend with Guinevere. He couldn't think of a better birthday he had had in his entire life.

Hey, i wrote this in a four hour break i had at uni so it might be crap but i was hoping of making this into a few chapters, coz i havnt really done that yet. if you think its worthwhile let me know. the story would go on to be: Gwen gets accused of a crime but arthur knows shes innocent because he was with her the night it happened, but he cant admitt he was with her. coragious rescue, you get the gist. hope that doesnt give too much away.