Hello lovely people who are reading my story! I just wanted to thank all of you! Especially sophiahitachiin for my first review, azravinh who was the first person to put my story on their alert, and isineferet who was the first to favorite it! I LOVE YOU ALL! And the people who weren't first, I LOVE YOU TOO, that would just be more names than I feel like typing, when I could be typing others things...

Umm, anyhoo, chapter two. What you should know. No one has edited this chapter (except me) so there are probably lots of mistakes. If you are good at noticing that kind of stuff and want to tell me about it, I would love a review! And sorry, the exciting stuff doesn't quite start in this chapter, but we are definitely getting there. In other words, this chapter is not just fluff like the first one! Not sure how often I will update, I kind of want to put a lot on right now, but feel like I should wait a bit. I couldn't wait too long though, cause I want to make you guys happy! So, on with the story.

And I don't own Merlin. Which, to be completely honest, is probably a good thing.

Chapter two: Discovered

Arthur woke with Merlin tucked into his side. Merlin had been spending most nights in Arthur's chambers since the day in the woods when they had both admitted to their feelings. It had not been too difficult to hide their love, seeing as most people had already accepted the slightly unusual closeness of the master and servant, and believed it to be nothing more than a friendship both of them greatly deserved. Well, Gaius was definitely suspicious, as were Gwen and Morgana, but none of them would say anything to anyone else, and merely exchanged knowing glances whenever Merlin and Arthur left a room together, or stood a little too close.

Their hastily made plan was working perfectly, well WAS working.

Arthur was having breakfast with his father and Morgana, with Merlin and Gwen scurrying about with pitchers of water to refill the goblets, when Uther spoke, "Arthur, you are aware that King Edmund is coming to visit in four days, I wish for you to be on your best behavior."

"What do you mean, father?" Arthur replied, with slight hesitation, "When have I ever not been on my best behavior for guests?"

"This is not just any guest Arthur, King Edmund holds much of the land between our kingdom and Mercia, if we are on better terms with him it would mean great things for our kingdom"

"Alright… still, I don't really see why you feel the need to warn me, unless there is something more. Father, what aren't you telling me?"

"Arthur, that is exactly the kind of disrespect I do not want you showing in front of our guests" Uther stated, his tone staying neutral, but slowly growing into something that resembled a growl, "but there is one thing I have kept from you, I did not think that I needed to trouble you with this earlier, but his daughter, the Lady Carina, will also be joining us. King Edmund and I believe that a marriage between you would greatly benefit both kingdoms."

The last sentence the king spoke sounded like an afterthought, but it left every person in the room in shocked silence. Merlin had frozen, eyes flickering between the king, who continued eating calmly, and the prince who had forgone all thought of food and was staring, with a look of shock, at his father. Gwen and Morgana shot worried glance back and forth, nervous for how Arthur would react to this statement, but they did not have to wait long before the young prince broke the silence, asking his father,

"You think we should marry? But father, you can't be serious; I don't even know this Lady Carina. You can't expect me to marry someone I do not love."

Luckily for the forbidden couple, Uther did not notice Arthur's brief glance at Merlin when he said the word love. He also did not notice the small smile that flickered to Merlin's face, before he returned his eyes to his feet, trying his best not to drop the pitcher he was holding.

Uther was completely focused on Arthur, yelling, "That does not matter, Arthur! You have shown no interest in any of the girls from other kingdoms, and we need to find you a bride. This has gotten unreasonable. You cannot reject every girl who is worthy of being your queen! You must find your match, or the Pendragon line will be lost!"

"That's what you're really worried about isn't it father? Not about me, not even the kingdom, just that I have a child? I am sorry father, but I will not marry to ensure the time a Pendragon rules over Camelot continues."

With that statement, Arthur marched out of the dining hall, ignoring his father's orders for him to remain. He was followed by Merlin, who had handed his pitcher to one of the servants by the doors, and rushed to Arthur.

When Merlin arrived at Arthur's chambers he was not surprised to see that Arthur had decided to take his anger at his father out on some innocent furniture. His room was a mess, which slightly irritated Merlin as he knew that he would be cleaning up this mess.

But, that wasn't important right now, what was important was getting Arthur to calm down, so they could figure this out.

Arthur, who was sitting on the bed, staring at the wall opposite the door Merlin had just entered through, needed him. Merlin crept around to sit next to him, and pull him into a hug. Merlin often found himself comforting the prince after an argument with his father, but this was different. They had known that something like this was bound to happen but it was so difficult to actually be forced to face this situation. So they sat, in silence, as Merlin stroked his love's hair, and wished that there was an easy solution to their problem.

After about five minutes Arthur shook Merlin off and began pacing the room.

"This isn't fair." The upset prince shouted, "We should not have to hide. I love you Merlin, I love you so much. Why can't I show it to the world?"

"You know that can't happen, Arthur" Merlin replied, slowly walking to Arthur, and stopping his frantic pacing so he could look him in the eyes. "And we knew this would happen eventually. Maybe you should just marry this Lady Carina, she could be nice, and we know you need someone to give you an heir."

"That's just it Merlin, why does it have to be a Pendragon on the throne after me? Why can't I find someone who actually deserves to rule. We can find the perfect leader to take over, and I will never have to marry! I've thought about it, and it almost makes more sense. The Pendragons have already done enough to this kingdom. Maybe it's time for a change. Maybe we should just run away and be together, save the kingdom from having to deal with such a prat for a king."

"Arthur you are going to be an amazing king. Do not ever doubt that. This country needs you to bring the peace and prosperity. And no one cares more about the people than you do. I wish there was a way out of this as well, but Arthur, you must be king. And although I wish we could just appoint the next king, the people might not accept that. The power has always been handed down through generations. We don't want the people to revolt. So you will have to find someone else eventually. But I will always be by your side, no matter what. Even if you love someone else."

"I could never love anyone else Merlin! How could you even think that!" The prince said, pulling the skinnier man into an embrace.

"And I know that I must be king, I want to help the people, but I love you, and I don't want anything to get in the way of that. What are we going to do Merlin?" Arthur finished with a soft plea.

"Don't worry Arthur. We will get through this. I love you, and I will never let anything come between us, I promise."

With that the young warlock pulled his prince into a kiss. Arthur leaned into his love, holding to him tightly, almost as if he was scared he would drift away if he let go.

Uther had not followed his son out of the dining hall. He figured giving his son a little time to reflect on his rash actions would probably be best. Plus, he was hungry, and he wasn't about to let a good breakfast go cold.

So this is how Uther decided, after finishing his meal that he needed to have a talk with his errant son. Still slightly enraged by his son's blatant disrespect during breakfast, he stomped off to his son's chambers. He did not knock when he got to the door, as he was king, and kings did not knock, so the two occupants of the room had no warning of the new person joining them. In this way, Uther stumbled across his son, the future king of Camelot in the arms of a servant. A male servant.