Arthur had been standing at the windows of his chambers; thinking about his father. His father was on his death bed. Camelot soon rested in his -- Arthur's -- hands. The thought weighed heavily upon him.
The lives of so many were his. The destiny of Camelot was his.
He reached up and rubbed his temple, trying to rub away the grouch line that had appeared on his forehead. "Merlin?"
"Yes, Arthur?" The aforementioned Merlin sat at a chair, polishing the soon-to-be King's boots.
"When I become King, there's alot of things I have control of."
Merlin chuckled, pausing with his boot-shining. "Well, that certainly comes with the title."
"What if... someone takes that control from me? There are still sorcerer's out there, Merlin, that curse the Pendragon name." Arthur turned from the window, looking at Merlin and then started his pacing. "I have so much yet to learn! There are Knights of the court older then me!"
"There are a lot of people older then you..." Merlin pointed out. "You know what I mean." Arthur scowled.
"I'm afraid not..." Arthur stared at Merlin; slightly dumbfounded. "Anyway... what I'm trying to say is, I don't know if I'm fit to be King yet."
"Of course you are, Arthur. You have me, after all!" Merlin flashed the Prince a cheesy grin. "That is a problem." Arthur laughed.
"Hahaha, very funny." The wizard smiled, putting down the boots as a knock on the door came. "Open!"
In stepped, Morganna; clad in a sky blue silky dress. "Arthur, why aren't you down with your father?! He's even been requesting you."
The same sadness as before clouded Arthur's face. "I know. It's...It's...--I'll go see him." He said, Merlin raising an eyebrow as he listened to Arthur's odd sentence. "I have come to give you something." "What is it?" Arthur asked. Morganna looked at Merlin, wondering if he was going to stay. She had rather he didn't. Arthur saw the expression on her face and rolled his eyes. "Merlin's going nowhere. Now what is it, Morganna?"
"This." She opened the leather pouch she had strapped across her torso and pulled out a letter. "This is Uther's...wishes. After he's gone. He wanted to make sure you received it, but not to open it after he....passes." Arthur took the worn paper gently, fingering it for a minute.
"You said he wishes to see me?" He asked after a bit, looking back up at Morganna. "Yes, he does. I should be going...Please, go see him." Morganna's eyes pleaded with him. "Of course I will." Without another word, the lady had turned and left, leaving Merlin and Arthur.
"There's that too!" Arthur exclaimed. "What?!" Merlin was rather startled at his sudden excitement. "I do not even have a lover, fiance, wife...anybody! No lady to be Queen! No one to rule by my side. I am lost, Merlin." Merlin's lips twitched, watching as Arthur put the letter in a safe spot. "You like Morganna." "I like nothing of the sort!" He scowled, striding toward Merlin. "I simply stated that...oh, nevermind. I don't need to waste my breath explaining my self to you. I need to see my father. Come."
Merlin looked surprised. "Me? You want ME to come? He's your father. Don't you want to seem him in private?" "I said for you to come. Don't make me make you come." Arthur threatened, leaning towards him. "Alright, alright. I'm comin'!"