Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin:(
Hey guys! I'm back! This is a new story I came up with and I decided to let you guys see how you like it. There will be some language, but not much. I'll continue with this story if you'd like me too.:)
So, tell me what you think, I'd appreciate it greatly, and let me know of any errors you need me to fix. Enjoy!
King Arthur was pulled out of his peaceful dreams when sunlight suddenly enveloped him and he heard his servant give his usual, ''Morning, Sire!'' in his dopey, annoying, grin he always has on his face and pulled out some fresh clothes for him to change into.
''Merlin!'' The sound was muffled, since his face was still ineptly laid in his pillow, But the message delivered anyway.
Go Away.
''Now, Now, Sire. Merlin exclaimed in a serious face which made Arthur even more annoyed. 'You have important Kingly things to do today. You don't want to be late!''
He, Of Corse, He's rewarded with a pillow thrown in his face, And a very annoyed King sliding back towards unconsciousness.
Oh no, he couldn't have that.
''Sire! You don't want me to pull you out of bed again, Do you? Because I will!''
Another pillow is thrown at him and he ducked, silently wondering how many pillows the prat has, While Arthur abruptly sat up in bed and started untangling himself from the sheets.
''My Lord!'' Merlin put a hand to his chest dramatically, feigning hurt. 'How could you!
When he only received a glare in response he continued. ''I, mean, I know, With all the stress and kingly duties, and realizing you need a bigger belt then you've got already... he trailed off and picked up a shirt for the King, while the Arthur finally got himself untangled and stood up, making his way over to him.
''Merlin!'' he made his way over to the annoying idiot and pointed a warning finger at his servant. ''I am NOT fat!'' he snatched a shirt from him and went behind the changing screen to dress.
the slightly younger man snickered to himself when he finally succeeded in getting the royal prat out of bed.
''Works every time.''
''I heard that!''
''We're going hunting today, Merlin. I expect all the chores I gave you to be done in an hour.''
Arthur exclaimed to the raven haired man to his right while walking down the corridor.- towards his training.
''An hour?! an incredulous Merlin exclaimed while trying to catch up with the insane, Prattish, King. ''That's impossible! Do you have any idea how long it takes to finish the chores you give me?"
''Well, Then.'' They stopped walking and faced each other. 'You had better get on it. Oh, And that reminds me, My armor needs polishing, as well as my boots, My dogs need walking, The horses fed, and, You need to clean my room. You can forget mucking out the stables this morning. A proper servant already did that for you, since you were late, as usual.'' The blonde crossed his arms, waiting for an answer. (And, Not shockingly, He didn't have to wait long.)
''Pardon, Sire? If I had been any earlier, I would have had to go to Gaius for a fractured skull!'' He motioned to his head in a way of getting the point across.
''They were pillows, Merlin. I always knew you were weak, But not that weak.''
''Not for much longer! Any longer you would have run out of pillows, And gone for plates, and goblets, And.. Candles!''
''Don't be ridiculous, Merlin. I wouldn't waste my nice things on a weak skull like your own.''
''Prat.'' Merlin grumbled quietly, but, unfortunately, didn't go unnoticed.
''Well, Merlin, I think it's about time to get started, don't you? We leave in an hour. And I know you wouldn't want to be late.'' Merlin glared, Arthur just flicked his hand, signaling the way to the armory, (which is what, of corse, Merlin would start with.) And smiled as his friend gave him another glare before heading down the corridor, towards the armory.
Arthur watched him go. Wondering how in the world that annoying, bumbling, idiot could sometimes be so wise?
Its like the guy has two sides to himself, One, The Annoying servant who would continue to bicker, trip over his own feet, pick fights he knows he can't win, And about a dozen other things. Two. The wise, secretive, shadow that comes out only in times of need.
Sometimes, Even, The young King can even see in his eyes. The fight, the loss, the pain, the wisdom.. He never mentions in to him though. Knowing he would just as well end up talking to a brick wall, But, It's there.
He never seizes to amaze him.
With that thought in mind, He let his mind think back on the day after his father died. That confusing, yet different conversation he's had with the ''wise'' side of Merlin.
Flashback
''Do you need anything else, Sire?"
He received no response as his friend And master, continued to stare out in space, letting his mind wander into his own world full of memories and sorrow.
He waited a minute before speaking again. Watching the battle in Arthur's eyes as they changed from fear, sorrow, pain, to loneliness. Merlin wouldn't know what he's seeing, thinking of. But he knows that he's completely oblivious to what he just asked.
''You know, It's not your fault.''
The soon-to-be-king snapped out of his daze and looked at Merlin. As if just realizing he was present.
''You may go.'' The blonde said after a moments wait, But the Warlock did not move, But continued to look at him in a way that was knowing. As if knowing what he felt like, What he's going through.
''It's not your fault.'' Merlin repeated. and Arthur snorted silently and raised his eyebrows as if to say 'Yeah, sure.'
''I mean it. It wasn't. No matter how you beat yourself up about it.''
''I let the sorcerer in, I gave him permission. And in doing so, Got my father killed. How is that not my fault?"
''It wasn't.'' And in that statement, his voice sounded so truthful that he had wanted to believe it. That maybe, this wasn't his fault, that he didn't screw up again. But he was there. He knew what had happened. And he didn't buy it. So, Instead he just gave a half-hearted smile and brought his eyes back down to the floor.
''I appreciate your concern, Merlin. But I don't expect you to understand.''
He brought his eyes back to his friends' and was surprised by what was there. His face was blank, but his eyes.. Were so full of understanding.. Full of knowledge and wisdom..
But what he said confused him even more so.
''I do understand. More so then you think. And, Arthur, I was there too. I know what happened. And it had nothing to do with you.''
That mysterious glint in his eyes. Knowing, understanding. That's just too.. unusual..
Then he remembered he never asked about his parents. Who they were, Where they lived, And how so he had never heard him say anything about them before.
''Merlin.. What of your parents? I've never heard you say anything about them.''
He remained still. Though his eyes showed shock and confusion. He hadn't thought he would have asked about his parentage. Even after that mysterious reply.
What did he take him for?
They both stared at each other, both waiting for someone to say something. Untill the raven-haired man finally gave up, realizing Arthur wasn't going to say anything untill he spoke first.
''I don't think my parentage is what matters in this situation, My lord.''
That's it. He never addressed him by title unless he was mocking, or holding something back. And, in this case, doesn't look like there would be very much mocking.
''No.'' The blonde stood from his place from his bed and looked at the man in front of him up and down. 'No. I want to know. I never asked, But you never said anything either. And I haven't seen any of your relatives amongst Camelot, Besides, Gaius, That I can tell. I want to know.''
Again, He received no response from his friend, And he reached out a hand to place on his shoulder.
For a minute, they just started at each other. As if trying to find the answers in each other' eyes. And the Princes' concern grew. Even though he would never admit it.
''Merlin. Did something happen to them?"
His friends' eyes traveled somewhere over his shoulder, withdrawing himself. Much like what happened to him, only moments before.
And that answered his question right then and there. He gave Merlin's shoulder a tight squeeze and called his name again. Only this time, He did get a response.
''They died. Many years ago. When I was a boy.'' The warlocks' eyes traveled to meet Arthur's. Waiting for a reaction..
''I'm Sorry.''
Was all he could muster. His shock betraying his voice. How could this had happened and he not know of it?
''If there is nothing else you acquire?"
Arthur pushed his shock behind him enough to give him an un-faltered reply.
''You may go.''
But that did not stop that one fleeting question in his mind. And he stopped Merlin just before he exited the room.
''How?" Merlin paused, only for a moment, before answering quickly and leaving the room.
''They were murdered.''
End of Flashback
Arthur never pushed him further on the subject, Knowing how hard it can be to lose someone close to you. But that doesn't mean the anger and curiosity wasn't there.
Curiosity, For how exactly something like that happened, How he bottled it up inside and nobody knew. Anger. For whomever could do that. And to a boy! He was only a boy when someone murdered his parents. How could some thing do that to a kid?! Oh, how he wanted to kill whoever had a cold enough heart to do so.
And the other anger was towards himself. For not noticing.
How could his friend keep this hidden for so long? Something that terrible? He saw the haunted look in Merlin's eyes. And knew automatically that it had haunted him ever since. But how had he not noticed?!
Un-clenching his fist, he made his way to the training grounds. Maybe he could release his anger into something physical.
As he neared the training grounds he couldn't help but think of the way the raven-haired mans' eyes' shone with strength and understanding. Maybe there was something else too. Something close to.. Fear? He still couldn't shake the feeling that his parents killing was not even a part of his story. But he doesn't know.
Maybe he's turning into Merlin, with his 'Funny Feelings' all the time. he chuckled at the thought and picked up his sword.
He may not know everything now, But he can let it slide. But he won't forget
Arthur Pendragon never forgets.
