It was just another day for Merlin, cleaning up Arthur's room and preparing things for him later. Helping with the royal pain's training and receiving so many bruises that he had lost count. The warlock was polishing Arthur's boot one night as the prince slept, he was dying to get some rest but had to finish polishing Arthur's armour first.

"Hhhmmm, Mer...lin", the prince moaned, causing Merlin to snap his attention to Arthur's still sleeping figure. "Please... don't go... Merlin", Arthur continued to talk in his sleep.

Merlin was confused as he watched Arthur toss and turn about to find a better position. Merlin thought nothing of it and went back to polishing the armour.

Once he had finished cleaning the armour, Merlin gently kissed Arthur's forehead "Sleep tight, Arthur" he whispered before he made his way back to his chambers and he pulled his boots off, he then collapsed onto hid bed and he instantly fell asleep.

The next day was surprisingly boring for Merlin since Arthur refused to make him do anything, the prince did not even leave his room. Merlin was worried and, as a week passed, he began to get agitated too. Arthur had ordered for Merlin to be kept within the castle grounds and the servant was not to be allowed any further than the courtyard. Merlin came to the decision that he needed to confront Arthur about what was happening in order to get his freedom back.

Merlin woke up and he prepared a bath for himself, he used magic to heat up the water and he stepped into the bath. He was still freezing but he washed himself, when the water started to get cold he stepped out and he got dressed. He walked out of his bedroom and he saw Guias "Morning".

"Morning, Merlin. Did Arthur ask you to do any work yesterday?" Guias asked.

"No. He didn't say anything to me yesterday, but he's told the guards not to let me leave the castle" Merlin answered.

"Uther has ordered for Arthur to dual against his uncle Agravaine." Guias stated.

"Arthur didn't say anything. Why has Uther ordered for a tournament?" Merlin asked as he sat opposite Guias.

"To celebrate his own birthday. What he fails to realise is that Arthur could get seriously injured or even killed" Guias stated.

"What is Uther thinking? Arthur's next in line to the throne, and Uther's only heir" Merlin realised why Arthur had been avoiding him.

"That is why I'm worried. You should go and see him, don't back down" Guias firmly said.

"Do I ever? I'll see ya later, Guias" Merlin stood up and he walked to Arthur's chambers. When he opened the door to the prince's chambers and he walked in, Merlin felt something hard hit his head and he stumbled back.

"Merlin?" Arthur had not realised that it was Merlin and he panicked.

"I'm alright. I'm just stargazing" Merlin answered.

Arthur walked over and he shut the door, he then looked at Merlin "Show me".

Merlin lowered his hand and he looked at Arthur.

Arthur inspected Merlin's head and he saw a small bruise forming "Bloody hell. I'm so sorry".

"It's alright, Arthur" Merlin smiled.

"What do you want?" Arthur asked in his prince Arthur voice.

"You know that I hate it when you talk to me like that" Merlin stated.

Arthur said nothing, he just walked over to his bed and he collapsed onto it.

Merlin sighed and he walked over to where Arthur was "What's wrong?" He knew what was wrong but he knew that Arthur hated to be gossiped about.

"Nothing" Arthur murmured into his pillow, before he stood up and he walked over to his desk. He placed his hands on his hips and he looked out of the window.

Arthur did this whenever something was bothering him, therefore Merlin knew that something was wrong.

"Arthur, I know you better than that. Do you want me to go and get you some berries or something from the village?" Merlin asked because he knew that Arthur loved berries.

"No! I order you not to leave the castle grounds!" Arthur had not meant to shout and he was mentally kicking himself for raising his voice to Merlin.

Merlin sighed and he saw Arthur's facial expression soften.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to shout at you" Arthur apologised.

"It's fine. You can talk to me about anything" Merlin softly said. "Why can't I leave the palace? Uther hasn't found out about us, right?" Merlin asked.

"My father hasn't found out about us. There's been some reports of bandits and thieves in the kingdom, I'm just trying to keep you safe and out of harms way" Arthur explained.

"Why didn't you just tell me? I would've done what you said" Merlin sighed.

"Because I'm also protecting you from my father. He would probably have you killed if he found out about us or your magic" Arthur answered.

Merlin stood up and he walked over to Arthur "Thank you".

"Well you have saved my arse enough times, so it is time for me to protect you" Arthur smiled.

Merlin kissed Arthur and their kiss soon became more heated. Arthur picked Merlin up and he carried the warlock over to the bed. Arthur leaned over Merlin and the warlock used his magic to lock the doors and windows, he also used magic to sound proof the room so that they would not be heard by anyone that walked passed the door.

Once their love had been spent, Arthur collapsed onto the bed and he laid beside Merlin. Arthur had the sheets covering from the waist down, whilst merlin had sheets over his chest.

The warlock rolled onto his side and he snuggled up against Arthur, he felt the cold more than Arthur so he shivered.

"I'll keep you warm." The prince wrapped his arm around Merlin and kissed his head.

"Thank you" Merlin smiled and he rested his hand on Arthur's chest.

"Are you alright?" Arthur asked.

"Yeah. That was one way to make up for yesterday and for throwing a boot at my head today" Merlin smiled.

"How badly were you hurt yesterday?" Arthur looked at Merlin.

"Just a few bruises. They don't hurt as much anymore" Merlin answered.

"You are getting better at fighting with a sword" Arthur smiled.

"That's because I have the best swordsman in all of the land training me" Merlin smiled.

"You're beautiful" Arthur said in a soft voice.

There was a happy twinkle in Merlin's eyes because of Arthur's compliment "And you're handsome".

Arthur smiled and he kissed Merlin.

Merlin stayed with Arthur for a few minutes before he had to go back to help Guias. Arthur watched Merlin get dressed and his lover gave him a kiss before leaving. He had decided not to ask Arthur about the tournament, because it could stress the prince out.

Arthur sighed and he put his arms under his head "He's never asked for recognition for what he has done. He's never had any glory for saving me or the kingdom. He's the bravest man I know and he's mine".

Things in Camelot settled down over the course of three weeks. But when was Camelot ever calm form more than a few weeks.