A/N: THIS IS NOT MY STORY! I'M POSTING IT FOR A FRIEND!

My friend Ben asked me to post this for him, since he doesn't use FF that much.

Whatever comments you leave I'll be sure to pass on to him.

ENJOY!

Trigger Warnings: Violence; Abuse; Mature Audiences

Of Duty or Love

Chapter 1:

"Morning Revelations"

"Good morning Arthur!" Merlin gleefully chirped. "Ok, time to get up."

"Go away!" Arthur moaned through my pillow.

"Come on Arthur, You have to get up." Merlin said shaking the young prince. "You have training to do, Order of the king."

"Damn you, dad." Arthur groaned, sitting up revealing his naked chest. He stretched his arms and showed almost every muscle in his chest. Merlin gulped and quickly spun around, hiding his gaze. "What is it Merlin? Oh come on, it's not like you to not talk much. You're quite chatty in the morning."

"Oh, um, sorry sire. It's just that I'm a bit tired this morning." Merlin said faking a yawn to show his point.

"No matter. You know you're chores while I train?" Arthur asked.

"Clean your chamber, wash your clothes, and polish the chainmail. Correct?" Merlin replied with an inaudible groan.

As Merlin was about to leave the room, Arthur began, "Merlin, I've been wanting to tell you something. But I couldn't find the words to do it. Oh, get over here!" And Merlin slowly and cautiously walked over to his master. Arthur grabbed Merlin's shoulder and brought him close. "Merlin, you see, I've meet someone and I need your help. You know this person more than I do. Well, slightly."

"Would you like to inform me on who this lady is? Gwen, I presume? You know, I swear I've told you before…"

"Merlin." Arthur tried interrupting.

"Because, she's more of a sentimental person and things like…"

"Merlin." Arthur tried again.

"She's not too big on theatrics, but a good show never hurt anyone and you never know she may…"

"MERLIN!" Arthur yelled and yet his man-servant continued to blabber on about Gwen and what Arthur could do about his apparent attraction to the woman. Merlin was talking while rummaging through one of his master's closets looking for an appropriate attire for the upcoming dinner with the king.

The Prince spun around looking for something to throw at Merlin to shut him up, instead he spun around and hit a table causing a number of things to fall. To his astonishment nothing hit the ground, looking up he saw Merlin's eyes were gold, his hands pointing at the papers and unknown wine that were suspended in midair.

With sudden realization, Merlin dropped his hands and began sputtering apologies for using his magic. The man-servant's eyes widened in horror as Arthur strode over to him, but Merlin stood his ground pressing his eyes together tight as Arthur drew closer, in fear of being hit before being sent to the dungeons to be killed. Arthur, on the other hand, walked over to Merlin calmly. The prince cupped the smaller boy's cheek softly, pressing his lips against the other boys.

"W-what are you doing?" Merlin managed to stutter out.

"What did it look like I was doing?" he responded with a raised eyebrow.

"Well," the shorter boy stuttered. "I guess the real question is why? Shouldn't you have killed me?"

"Am I that bad of a kisser? You would really prefer to be dead?" Arthur asked, sarcastically.

"Well, no! I mean you're quite a good but- wait, you know what I mean! Y-you saw me do magic, but, you're not going to kill me?" Merlin questioned.

"No Merlin. Because unlike my father, I have realized something. That being that not all magic is evil. And if I wasn't sure about that before, I am now. Because there is no way you could be evil Merlin, because, you're the person that I love." The prince finished as he pressed his lips against Merlin's again, with more passion this time.

Nothing could remain perfect for long. as Merlin pushed Arthur back and thought,

"Arthur, no. This," he said pointing back and forth between the two. "Won't work. You're going to be king and you need and heir. I can't do that. You need a queen, and I'm only a servant. This, no."

Arthur's heart broke. "But Merlin, I don't love anyone else. I love you. I've thought about it for a long time. But seeing that you obviously don't share the same views as me. I'm sorry, I should've thought more about it. I'm sorry." And Arthur began to walk out of the chamber, he was stopped by Merlin's hand on his shoulder.

"Arthur." Merlin said pleadingly, "Don't go. Please. Where go from here?" He asked.

Arthur found himself dumbfounded, the soon-to-be King was shocked at what he had heard Merlin say. "Wait, are you... telling me you love me too?"

"How couldn't I love a man like you? So caring and kind to everyone. Being your servant has been the best times of my life. I've seen so much and learned from the best. And don't get me started on your looks, I've had to watch you bathe. And I want to love you with all of my being…"

"Then why don't you? We can be together and run away, make our own life."

"Arthur, You're duty is to Camelot. You're going to be the king very soon and I want to love you but you're a prince, I'm a servant, There's no way we can be together."

"Then we'll keep it a secret. We'll wait these next few months out together and when I'm king you and I will be together, officially. I'll make it legal along with so many other things that my father won't allow. Merlin, I love you, and you love me. That's all that's important, not what anyone else thinks."