I'm walking in the forest just outside of the palace, and I'm following someone wearing a dark blue hood. I don't know who this person is, but I feel as if I should. As I watch the man's footsteps it's as if every step is filled with a sense of wonder and joy as each foot print leaves a small glimmer of light just before the next foot falls. This man isn't very tall, and his stride is of someone who is very wise yet young.

I find myself unable to move further, but I watch nearby as he builds a fire and once the logs are neatly placed well enough to be ignited I watch with curious eyes as I notice this man has no flint nor is he looking for anything suitable to use. Then I see it with my own eyes...with a graceful wave of his hand a fire springs to life without the man uttering a single word.I don't know how or why but I know that the man in front of me is smiling, despite me not being able to see him I somehow know that he is sitting there content and without a care in the world.

I hear something not far off, perhaps a creature of some sort. I wait and listen with my hand ready at the hilt of my sword when suddenly, a child comes running with the purest look of joy I had ever seen. She hugs the man from behind and drapes her hands around his shoulders and to his chest. "Master Emrys, what are we learning today?"

Again, I cannot explain it, but I know that this man is smiling. Another thing I don't understand is why we are still so close to Camelot and this man is seemingly teaching a young girl magic. upon further inspection from where my feet are rooted, I noticed that on the child's wrist is the mark of the druids. "Master Emrys is everything alright? Do you not feel well?" The little druid girl looked so innocent asking, it's hard to believe that my father can despise such innocence but then I remember everything that magic has ever done to me and I push the emotion aside. I watch as the man looked at her and whispered to a point where I couldn't hear his voice and suddenly the druid girl is jumping for joy and dancing around. "I was hoping we would learn that today!"

Soon I see the man wave at the fire again but this time his hand stays steady after a singular wave and I feel my eyes go wide in wonderment as a the embers erupt from the fire and create a dragon flying around the campfire.

I watch as the girl attempts the same thing and instead of a dragon she produces many butterflies from the embers. Once again she jumps and giggles but then she looks at the man once more. "Mama said that whatever is pulled out from the embers is a symbol unique to our soul mate and that a soul mate doesn't have to be someone you marry or fall in love with. Mama said that a soul mate could be your bestest friend...is all of that true?" The man nodded and I knew again that he smiled but instead of carefree it was more of a smile in understanding...like he's experienced the soul mate part. "Do you have someone like that?" The girl asks as she sits down next to him. He nods and then I see the scenery disappearing into a white light.

"Rise and shine Arthur. You've unfortunately got a long day ahead of you." I wake up with the blinding light Merlin insists on invading my room with by opening the curtains and I sit up, much to my dismay.

"Merlin, did it ever occur to you that I may want to sleep in for once?" I ask, slightly knowing the answer but I'm too tired to care.

"Honestly, no, considering all the times you've gotten mad at me for NOT waking you up. Anyway, like I said...you have a long day ahead of you. Breakfast this morning is eggs, ham, bread, and I snuck you some of your favorite cheese." I looked at him and I couldn't help the small laugh that escaped my mouth as I rubbed my face with an equally tired arm. It was as if my whole body still wanted to sleep.

"I don't know how my father did it all Merlin. Being king has been a rough road."

"Perhaps he focused on what level of grumpiness he was to use each day."

"Careful, thats my deceased father you're talking about."

"It's true though isn't it?" He said with a sarcastic grin as he went to my dresser to grab my clothes.

I look up at the ceiling taking in his words. I know he meant them in kind, and I know that he knows I still mourn him. "I suppose you're right." I finally answer. "He was quite grumpy some days wasn't he?"

"I think his favorite way to pass the time was to throw me in the stocks so I'm a bit biased, but yeah...I'd say so." He laughed and finally set my clothes on my bed.

I get up and allow him to dress me. Once he is finished we go to the council room to discuss repairs from one of the more recent attacks Morgana has made to the city and Merlin is sitting next to me. "Arthur, if you don't stay awake I'm afraid they are going to think you don't care."

"I am awake you fool. I'm waiting for better ideas other than fortifying the kingdom more. If you have a better one you have my permission to speak up." I whisper back as one of the advisors was still speaking.

I hear Merlin clear his throat. 'Oh you've got to be kidding me.' I stare at him patiently as I contemplate how much food will be wasted if I throw him in the stocks. For heaven's sake I was only joking! "Your Majesty if I may offer a suggestion..."

'Don't laugh, don't laugh...' "Go on, what is it Merlin?"

"Instead of continuing to fortify the kingdom, which hasn't actually proven to help anything, except perhaps frighten the children and other townsfolk...perhaps we could focus our efforts on providing the homes of the townsfolk with steadier structures. That way they aren't easily knocked down, burned, or broken into. I'm sure they will appreciate it. We could also check on the crops just outside the city to make sure that the soil hasn't been stressed in anyway that would affect the way this or next harvest will proceed."

"I can't believe it." I say with my mouth wide open in shock.

"Your majesty?" Merlin looks at me with a hint of worry but there is alalso pride evident in his eyes.

"You actually have a valid point and those are amazing ideas. Will wonders never cease with you Merlin?"

"I hope not, you'd get bored." He joked and we both looked at the other advisors.

"Get to it gentleman." I ordered, and everyone went about their business as I was left with Merlin.

We went back to my chambers for a few hours and I collapsed onto my bed, not wanting to move. "Arthur, are you alright?"

"You know Merlin...I don't get you sometimes. One minute you're a bafoon the next you exude this kind of wisdom and intellect of someone twice your senior." I lean up on my elbows and look at him as he takes off my boots. "Are you sure you don't want to be king?"

He laughs an honest laugh that I don't believe I've heard from him...ever. He looks at me with genuine amusement. "No Arthur. I have no desire for the throne. I can think of no one better for the throne than you." I lean back with a smile. Merlin has always been a good friend when I need one.

"Hey Merlin..."

"Yes Arthur?"

I sit up once more on my bed and I pat the space next to me, trying to tell him to sit. Once he does I look at him hoping for more unexpected wisdom. "Have you ever had a strange dream that was so real it was if you were truly there?"

"Honestly...a few times, but nothing worth mentioning. Mine were mostly nightmares so I don't think you'd want to know. Should I go get Gaius for you?"

'Nightmares? Why is this the first I'm hearing about it?' "No, that won't be necessary. What else do we have to do today?"

"Well, nothing really. That meeting was basically your long day I know how much you hate them, and I can't say I blame you."

I smile at him and fall back onto my pillows placing my legs in his lap. "Merlin, I'm curious...if you had the chance to take the throne and no one stood in your way would you truly not take it?" I thought about Morgana as I asked this but since Merlin mentioned earlier that he didn't want to be king it bothered me somehow. Wouldn't any peasant want a chance to be royal if they could?

"No, I would much rather be your servant any day. The throne is not for me I swear. I don't think i have what it takes to be a royal supercilious prat." I kick him in the stomach and I hear a resounding "ow" followed by "What was that for?"

"Treason Merlin...you know what Supercilious means but not treason." I can't help the grin on my face. Like I said in our second meeting, he's an idiot but he's a brave one. "Will you go get us lunch Merlin?"

"Us? My, my...Arthur, I didn't know you cared. I'm touched!" I watched as he sarcastically placed a hand over his heart.

"Don't get full of yourself. Your too skinny and I can't have you snapping in two if we go on a hunt or get in a fight. Seriously, your practically a skeleton, how you've managed to last this long with your clumsiness I'll never know."

He leaves and without realizing it I've dozed off again.