Hello to all of you readers out there. Here is my first multi-chapter story for everyone to enjoy. It should be about five chapters, so nothing to long. I hope you all enjoy.

Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin. Perhaps in the next life.

Merlin groaned as he opened his eyes. The sun was streaming into the small window, lighting up his room. Strange. The sun seemed awfully high for this time of year. Merlin thought to himself as he sat up and stretched. He walked over to the window and looked out, his eyes resting on the clock in the square. Merlin's eyes bulged as he realized that he was almost thirty minutes late for Arthur's breakfast. Merlin frantically ran about his room, trying to find clothes to wear. Luckily he only owned two shirts and two pairs of pants. It really helped narrow down his choices. He reached the red shirt first but threw it away quickly when he remembered he had mucked out the stables wearing it. The thing still smelled. Merlin really needed to do laundry more often. He finally found his blue shirt, red neckerchief, and jacket. Throwing those on Merlin picked up his shoes and attempted to pull them on while hopping down the stairs. Not really something someone so clumsy should be attempting. The door flew open and Merlin tumbled down into the main chamber where Giaus usually slept.

"Giaus!" Merlin cried out as he attempted to recover from the fall. "Why didn't you wake me? Prince Prat is going to kill me!" he groaned. He dusted himself off and looked around the room.

"Giaus?" he asked the empty room. Apparently his mentor wasn't in the room. The fire hadn't been started which meant Giaus had been gone for a long time. There must have been an emergency that made him leave. Merlin thought to himself. He dug through the cupboards in hopes of finding some food. Sadly, there was nothing for him to eat. Merlin shook his head and decided he would just have to eat later. Arthur was having breakfast with his father so Merlin wouldn't be able to grab any food from his master like he normally did on the days he skipped breakfast. It would be hard to ignore his aching stomach, but he would just have to deal. Merlin sighed. It was going to be a long day.

He bounded out of the room and into the castle hall. Despite it being so late in the morning, there was hardly anyone around the castle. This was good for Merlin as he didn't have to worry about running into people, as much. But it was still disconcerting that the normally busy and lively castle grounds were empty. It felt wrong. Merlin, however, didn't have time to worry about where everyone was. He sprinted across the courtyard, through the castle halls, and skidded to a stop in front of Arthur's door. The prince wouldn't be out of bed but he would certainly be awake and very aware that Merlin was late. Merlin took a deep breath and straightened his neckerchief, which had become off-center during his run. After he looked a tad more dignified Merlin pushed open the door and began his greeting.

"Good morning sire!" he called brightly as a pillow came soaring from the bed, straight at Merlin's face. Merlin sighed and with the flick of his wrist, stopped the pillow in midair.

"When will you learn?" Merlin asked in mock sadness. Arthur sat up and glared at the floating pillow.

"One: your late, and two: put the pillow down before someone sees." Another flash of gold in Merlin's eyes caused the pillow to drop at his feet.

"Do you know how much Giaus has been lecturing me about you using your magic openly!" Arthur said as he pulled the blankets over his head.

"Well good morning to you too," Merlin said under his breath. Arthur had found out about Merlin's magic about a month ago. They were hunting when bandits had attacked them. Arthur was outnumbered and the bandits were bent on murdering the two men. In an act of desperation Merlin caused all of the bandits to been blown off their feet and thrown against the trees. There was no hiding this from Arthur. Nor was there any logical, nonmagic, explanation as too why Merlin's eyes were glowing gold and why he was saying words of the Old Religion.

Merlin remembered how Arthur had simply grabbed his arm and dragged him back to Camelot. Merlin was sure he was going to be executed, he just hoped Arthur would let him say goodbye to Giaus and Gwen before the pyre was lit. However, when they returned to Camelot, Arthur didn't turn Merlin in. He instead told Merlin he didn't want to see him until he made up his mind about what to do. For almost a week Merlin stayed in the physician's chambers, not daring to try and convince Arthur he only wanted to help him.

Finally, Arthur came down to Giaus' and demanded that Merlin tell him everything. After several hours of Merlin describing all he had done for Arthur, Arthur just left the chambers. Merlin had a restless night. Images of his execution kept plaguing his mind. Giaus had tried to calm him, but Merlin's fear kept him awake. The next morning Arthur came bursting into Merlin's room demanding an explanation as to why his manservant was "lazing about" when he should be serving the prince.

To know that Arthur wasn't going to turn him in was almost to much for Merlin to handle. In an act of joy Merlin threw his arms around Arthur's neck and began continuously apologizing for lying to him. Arthur complained about the contact but made no move to push Merlin away. He instead wrapped one hand around Merlin's waist and began rubbing his back with the other. After awhile the two broke away and continued about as if nothing had happened. Arthur had kept Merlin's secret and had actually asked him questions about magic, how it worked, if everyone could do it or just certain people, and so much more. Merlin had started doing small feats of magic in front of Arthur. Both to get Arthur used to seeing it in action and to show him not all magic was harmful. Giaus, of course, was less than happy about these public shows and after a long talk with Arthur, had made him promise to keep Merlin from doing to much. In the end, Arthur and Merlin grew much closer together. They trusted each other more and the amount of secrets shared was almost none.

"Merlin," Arthur's annoyed voice snapped Merlin out of his thoughts, "why are you late?" Arthur was now sitting up in the bed, staring expectantly at Merlin.

"Giaus wasn't there this morning to wake me up," Merlin explained as he pulled Arthur out of the bed and dragged him to the changing screen to get dressed.

"For gods' sake Merlin, you are almost of age! You're telling me you can't get yourself up in the morning!" Arthur said as Merlin adjusted his collar before handing Arthur his boots.

"Well you are of age and you don't get yourself up," Merlin retorted.

"That's different!" Arthur gasped.

"Or dress yourself," Merlin continued.

"I am the crowned prince of Camelot. I don't need to be able to dress myself," Arthur crossed his arms and pouted. Merlin smiled at the sight of his prince looking much like a petulant child who was told that he couldn't have any sweets until after dinner.

"I pity your future wife," he chucked as he handed Arthur his jacket and followed the prince out the door.

"Whatever," Arthur said with a wave of his hand. "Do you remember the rules for being in the presence of my father?" he asked expectantly.

"We go over them every time!" Merlin cried out as he shut the bedroom door and jogged up to Arthur.

"And yet you still called Sir Roger an inbred ass," Arthur sighed.

"I still don't think your father heard it," Merlin snapped as the pair continued down the hall.

"Merlin," Arthur said while rolling his eyes.

"No speaking out of turn, no making you laugh, no mimicking your father when he's not looking, no spitting in his food-" Arthur stopped midstride, causing Merlin to run into his back.

"That isn't a rule," he said, turning to Merlin with an eyebrow raised.

"No, but I remind myself not too every time he goes on one of his 'magic is evil' rants," Merlin responded with a shrug. Arthur groaned and continued on his way to his father's room. Merlin's stomach growled.

"Let me guess," Arthur started, "you didn't eat breakfast."

"I didn't have time," Merlin cried as he attempted to ignore the hunger pains that were shooting through his abdomen. Arthur reached over to a passing servant and grabbed a piece of bread off the tray. The servant was about to protest before she realized that it was the prince. The girls mouth snapped shut and she continued on her way.

"Here," Arthur said, handing the bread to Merlin. "Eat this. I'm not going to have you passing out like a girl."

"Aw, you do care," Merlin teased as he took a bite of the bread.

"No, I just don't want to listen to your stomach and my father compete for attention this morning," Arthur responded angrily.

"Whatever you say, sire," Merlin smirked as he took another bite of the bread. They were passing one of the castle's many vaults when Arthur stopped short again. Merlin again ran into the prince.

"Arthur, can you give me more warning when you stop!" Merlin cried as he fell to the ground. Arthur cursed under his breath and looked around.

"Where are the guards?" he demanded.

"How should I know!" Merlin cried as he picked himself off of the ground and dusted his pants off.

"This is one of the vaults that holds the blueprints to the citadel. It has to be guarded at all times," Arthur said, waving his arms for effect.

"Ah, yes," Merlin said sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck, "I've been meaning to talk to you about the guards."

"What of them," Arthur stated as he looked around the corners for any signs of life.

"They are horrible at their jobs. How else do you think I commit so many illegal acts without getting caught," Merlin looked up, Arthur wasn't really paying attention. Merlin shrugged his shoulders and continued. "They're easily distracted, they're stupid," Merlin continued to count the reasons on his fingers.

"Hey," Arthur called out suddenly, causing Merlin to jump, "Come here!" Arthur commanded. Merlin looked around to see a young guard come running down the hallway to Arthur.

"Yes, m'lord," the guard said shyly. He looked to be in his early twenties. He was probably new to the job and was not quite used to having the prince and king command him.

"Are you on duty now?" Arthur asked. The man shook his head no.

"Good, stand here, in front of this door, and guard it until I dismiss you or one o'clock," Arthur was about to walk away until he saw confusion on the man's face. "Which ever comes first," he added as he turned and motioned for Merlin to follow him.

"When I find out who was supposed to be on duty they will be in the stocks for a month," Arthur growled under his breath as they continued through the castle. The pair was almost to Uther's chambers when a voice rang out through the halls.

"Are you being mean to Merlin again?" Morgana's voice called out playfully. Arthur turned to see Morgana and Gwen making their way through the hall.

"I am not being mean to Merlin. Right Merlin?" he responded.

"He's being awful. I think I should quit," Merlin replied, making his eyes large and innocent.

"I am not! Quit lying!" Arthur snapped.

"Well I think Merlin is much more convincing. What do you think Gwen?" Morgana said teasingly, turning to her maidservant. Gwen giggled before responding.

"Merlin's sweet and kind. I think we should go with his story," she said.

"Yes well if Merlin would stop being such a girl then I wouldn't have to be mean too him," Arthur said as Morgana matched his stride.

"Well at least Merlin actually cares about people!" Morgana snapped as her and Arthur started their usual bickering.

"Do they ever stop arguing," Merlin asked with the shake of his head.

"Never," Gwen responded fondly.

"How long do you think we'll have to sit through this breakfast?" Morgana asked Arthur, effectively ending the argument until further notice.

"Well let's see. Father will probably rant about the evils of magic for thirty minutes, dote or argue with you for twenty, and then let's add in fifteen for miscellaneous topics," Arthur said tallying up the time.

"So about an hour," Morgana shook her head sadly.

"If you two just agree with everything the king says, you might be out of there in 45," Merlin said. Arthur reached back and cuffed Merlin on the head just as the group stopped in front of the king's chambers.

"Merlin, go announce us and remember the rules," Arthur stated as he and Morgana straightened out their clothes. Merlin bowed mockingly to Arthur before knocking on the door. When there was not response Merlin knocked on the door again.

"Go in and see if he's up," Arthur said quietly. Merlin nodded and slowly entered the room.

"Sire?" he asked quietly as he poked his head into the room. He looked around before stepping back out into the hallway.

"It's empty," he explained to Arthur and Morgana.

"What? That can't be," Arthur murmured as he stepped into the room. "Father?" he asked. Merlin stepped back into the room. It did appear that the king was not in his chambers. Arthur stepped out and looked around. His eyes landed on a young serving boy who was stepping out of an adjacent room with a bucket and washcloth.

"You there!" he called, causing the boy to jump. "Have you seen the king?" Arthur continued, this time more gently.

"No-o-o sire," the boy stuttered. "I haven't seen him yet today."

"How long have you been here?" Morgana asked soothingly.

"Been cl-l-eaning the floors for about two hours, m'lady," he responded with a bow.

"Thank you," Arthur stated. "Continue your job." The group looked at each other before stepping into the room. If the king hadn't been seen at all this morning, that could be a bad sign.

"Search the room, make sure he's not anywhere," Arthur commanded as he stepped into the antechamber. Gwen and Morgana began opening up the cupboards and closets to ensure he hadn't been stuffed in there during an attack. Merlin went to the bed and looked under it. After several minutes it became clear that the king wasn't in his room. Arthur was now really worried. His father had never missed a meal before with his son and ward unless it was urgent. These were the times that he could focus his attention on the two and not be distracted by matters of state or propriety. This was the time that he could be a father and not a king. Arthur sank down into a chair. Morgana patted his shoulder soothingly. Merlin was leaning against the bedpost, wondering what could have happened to the king when he heard a noise from the bed.

Merlin furrowed his brows and looked at the covers. Carefully, he pulled them back. Whatever Merlin was expecting was not what he saw. He gasped, causing the others to jump.

"What is it Merlin?" Arthur asked as he rushed over to him.

"I think I just found your father," Merlin said numbly. Arthur followed Merlin's eyes down to what had gotten his attention and gasped as well.

"Today is going to be a long day," Arthur said, staring at Uther. Except, Uther wasn't Uther.

I love writing cliffhangers. I hope you all have a wonderful New Year's and continue to read this. Critique is always welcome as I do wish to improve my writing. I will try to do one chapter a week but life might get in the way. See you all next time.