Authors Note: Not to much to say about this other than that this short fic was inspired by the two lines of the song "Catching My Breath". They are right down there before the actual story. Might be OOC. Like I said in my other story - Merlin is not really my show. But any way.
Disclaimer: Don't own anything at all.
Catching my breath, letting it go, turning my cheek for the sake of this show
Now that you know, this is my life, I won't be told what's supposed to be right
That's how Arthur felt. Or better yet that was what was expected of him by his Father. So goes the life of the Prince of Camelot. He always strove to be the kind of ruler his Father would be proud of when the time came for him to assume the throne.
Distance was a friend of mine
He kept most people at an arms-length away. Sentiment could be the downfall of a great ruler he was told often. True a ruler needed to have compassion for the people in his kingdom, but the attachment sentiment created could cause one to make poor decisions. When one was a king, you have to make decisions for the whole kingdom, not just for those who mean the most to you. So growing up, he never really had many friends.
Catching breath in a web of lies
I've spent most of my life
Riding waves, playing acrobat
Shadowboxing the other half
Learning how to react
Arthur knew he wasn't supposed to have friends, but that didn't mean he obeyed that rule. He merely learned how to keep certain aspects of his life a secret from his Father. He's spent most of his young life keeping some secrets, trying to never outright lie to his Father about things, but at times a mistruth couldn't be avoided. Like the secret he kept now about Merlin. He has known about the magic for a while. Arthur was not his Father in that respect. He could see the benefit of it, but he wasn't crazy enough to talk about it with his Father. So he kept the secret that no one knows he knows, not even Merlin. But he would protect the few friends that he had. He was constantly on guard, like the trying to ride ways or performing high flying acrobatic tricks. The only problem was there was no net to catch him if he fell. At times he felt as those he were fighting himself. Having to live up to his Father's expectations all while trying to be true to himself.
Heavy heart, now a weightless cloud
But all that was about to change now. Arthur stood solemnly at his Father's funeral. He would be lying if he said he wasn't upset. It was his Father after all. He just hopes that his Father will be proud of the king he would become, even though he would rule differently. The sadness of the occasion wore on him, but he also felt a lightness that he hadn't felt in a long time.
He could finally catch his breath. He didn't have to lie or pretend anymore. He was free to be the kind of person he was. He could let go and openly acknowledge his friends. There wasn't anyone holding him back. It was up to him to decide what was right for the Camelot, but more importantly for himself. Yes he could finally catch his breath.
Catching my breath, letting it go, turning my cheek for the sake of this show
Now that you know, this is my life, I won't be told what's supposed to be right
Catch my breath, no one can hold me back, I ain't got time for that
Catch my breath, won't let them get me down, it's all so simple now