All right guys well here is my first fanfic ever; please don't shoot me for any errors. This was set before Morgana went all evil and pyscho an everyone's asses. I OWN NOTHING!

Reviews, both good and bad, are very welcomed.

"Merlin"

"Merlin"

The light was completely blinding as it surrounded the figure in front of him. She was clothed in white with long blonde hair tumbling down her back. He looked straight into her beautiful blue eyes and saw her smile slightly. She looked familiar the blonde hair, blue eyes, and the kind smile. Then he realized, it was the Lady Igraine, Arthur's mother.

"Look after him Merlin," she whispered, "look after my boy."

"I always do."

"Guard him," she whispered, "it's on its way."

"What's on its way," he yelled, "guard him against what."

"Merlin."

"Merlin."

"Merlin you idiot wake up!"

Merlin opened his eyes and gazed up at the blue orbs above him. Prince Arthur of Camelot was standing above him glaring rather fiercely. It took him a couple of seconds to get over the fact that Arthur looked like an angel, with the sunlight streaming in through the window illuminating his features.

Merlin had already come to terms about the feelings he felt for the Royal Prat. He also came to terms about the fact that nothing could ever happen between them. Beside the fact the Arthur was to be the future ruler of Camelot, Merlin was sure the Arthur was straight.

There was a small cough from next to him, breaking him out of his musings. He slowly turned to meet the gaze of the future ruler. "Um Arthur, what are you doing here?" he questioned.

"What am I doing here?" Arthur yelled back, "looking for my idiot of a manservant who failed to show up this morning, that's what!"

"What do you mean?"

"Merlin, it's mid-day"

He looked out the window in shock and sure enough the sun was hanging in the middle of the sky. Had he really slept for that long? The silence must have spoken volumes to Arthur because then he asked, "You honestly didn't notice?"

He shook his head.

"Merlin, I knew you were mentally deficient, but I didn't know you were blind," came the exasperated voice.

"Well excuse me Sire, but I was dead tired from polishing your five pairs of boots last night."

"What did I do to deserve an idiot like you?"

"You didn't do anything, I saved your life."

By then both boys were glaring at each other

"Well since you managed to waste half the day sleeping you better get on with your jobs, I believe the stables need a good mucking."

Merlin just nodded and turned away from the royal arse. Arthur seemed very shocked by his actions, fully expecting Merlin to fight back. Ever since the defeat of the Great Dragon, he had noticed Merlin seemed horribly withdrawn. If he had to put a word to it he would have thought that Merlin was depressed. But that would be ridiculous, Merlin doesn't get depressed, he's the one who normally cheers up the people getting depressed.

But as Arthur continued to watch Merlin, he took in the hunched shoulders, dark bags underneath the eyes, and too pale of a skin.

"Maybe you should take the rest of the day off, you look horrible," he said.

Merlin looked up at shocked at the proposition. He then turned and saw his reflection in the mirror. To say that he was shocked by his own appearance would be the understatement of the century. He never noticed how pale he was getting or how thin, or how hunched. But he did know about the dark rings around his eyes. He hadn't been able to get a good night's rest ever since Balinor had died. The guilt had slowly begun to eat him from the inside.

A quiet cough brought him out of his reverie. He slowly turned to face Arthur again, and saw the concerned look on his face before it disappeared behind his usual mask.

"I'm fine Sire, but thank you for your unusually kind offer," he responded.

"What do you mean 'unusually kind', I'm always nice, and in fact I'm so nice that sunshine basically comes out of my arse."

"Anything you say Sire."

"But I am!"

As Merlin clean Arthur's room, he couldn't help but notice the way Arthur's eyes continuously followed him. It was rather un-nerving having someone stare at every move you make. That is why, when Gwen walked in announcing a council meeting, he resolved to buy her flowers. But apparently destiny REALLY liked to mess with his life, because he found himself being dragged by Arthur to said council meeting.

Arthur's POV

Something seemed very off about Merlin. He couldn't quite put his finger on it, but something definitely seemed off. Merlin looked as if someone had torn his heart out, stomped on it, burned it, had a dog piss on it, then had it put back inside his chest.

Arthur was, to put a word to it, concerned for the raven headed boy. He had always had feelings for the young warlock, ever since the first day he saw Merlin. The boy with the raven hair, sapphire eyes, and sharp cheekbones had made only one word go through his mind. Mine.

And now as he gazed at Merlin, completely ignoring what his father was blubbering on about, he couldn't help the fluttery feeling he felt in his stomach. Bloody hell I sound like a right pansy.

"Well, what do you think Arthur?" his father asked about allowing Mercia to send their princess to Camelot in hopes of peace.

"Um..," he said not hearing a word that came out of his father's mouth. Trying to look as if he WAS actually paying attention, "I believe the only way to avoid war is to let the Lady Margot come to Camelot, but give Mercia conditions under which their princess can come, in order not to appear weak."

Uther looked at him contemplatively, he tried not to squirm underneath the intense gaze, but then his father's face broke into a proud grin.

"Very well done my son, I'm proud of you."

"Th-thank you father." He stuttered.

He got up, still dazed by the compliment and all but dragged Merlin from the room.

"Are you feeling alright Arthur?" Merlin questioned, a little un-nerved at the dazed expression he saw upon the man's face.

"Hmm, what?"

"I asked if you were feeling alright."

"Oh, I'm feeling fine thank you."

He could feel Merlin's suspicious gaze burn holes into the side of his face. He continued walking completely ignoring his manservant until, said manservant, managed to trip over his own feet. Without think his arm immediately wrapped around the warlock's waist, steading him.

Merlin turned in Arthur's arms and had his breath hitch at how close their faces seemed to be. Sky blue eyes locked unto deep sapphire, and one could practically feel the sexual frustration emanating from the two boys. Arthur's eyes unconsciously flicked to Merlin's lips then back to his eyes.

He could practically feel Merlin tremble in his arms. So without a thought he turned and pushed Merlin against the wall and leaned in until their lips were separated by just a sliver of air. Merlin let out a very manly squeak. Then the sound of footsteps coming down the corridor followed by the king's voice broke the boys from their reverie.

Arthur jumped away from Merlin just as the king rounded the corner. Giving his son a curt nod, he continued on his way down the corridor.

The awkward tension could be cut with a knife. Arthur risked a quick look at his manservant and saw that the boy was leaning heavily against the wall, flushed.

Merlin opened his eyes, and again, sky blue eyes met with deep sapphire. Then before Arthur could even speak, Merlin turned without a word and all but ran down the corridor.

Arthur leaned back unto the same wall and tried to collect his thoughts. It wasn't working as well as he hoped because he could still feel the warmth left from Merlin. Get a hold of yourself! You love Gwen NOT Merlin! He shook his head as if to get rid of the troublesome thought and hurried down the opposite end of the corridor.

What neither of them noticed the two women watching from the shadows, watching to glee. The Lady Morgana turned to Gwen and said, "I believe now is the time to put our plan into action."

Gwen smirked at her mistress and they both hurried away, arm-in-arm, heads bent together, and whispered amongst each other.