AN: Hey again Merthur4Evah here. So here is the next chapter to my story, hopefully just as good as the first. Sorry it took so long, but I couldn't find a way for me to like it. Also between work and home, I've been busy. I once again claim no ownership to Merlin and all that applies.
Also Thanks to: AmandaFray, twistedsister-emogirl , cristina reid , I-Heart-Yami-Yugi ; For the nice reveiws. I'm glad you liked my story so much. Anyway, here it is:
Chapter 1:
Arthur walked Merlin down the hall chatting away about all the cool things in his room. Merlin couldn't help but notice that all the guards straightened up as they passed. Merlin was sure that this was due to the fact that Arthur was the prince. He let that thought soak in for a minute. He was being dragged around by the prince...He was being dragged by the Prince...He...He was being Dragged, by the Prince!
Oh No! What if the thing that frightened his mother was actually happening? What if Arthur was taking him to see the king? What if they had found out his secret? What if right now Arthur was taking him to face punishment? He wouldn't be able to handle it. What about his mother, what would happen to her? He had to get away. But how? He would have to do it soon, before he got so lost that he wouldn't be able to find his way out. Would Arthur let him go if he promised to leave quickly? After all he was just a kid, would they really be that cruel?
Arthur sensed Merlin tense up, and saw a scared look in his eyes. He turned Merlin to face him. "Hey, you okay? Don't worry about the guards. They do that, so I won't tell my father that they're disrespectful. Not that my dad would listen to anything I say. But they don't know that, so I don't tell them otherwise. It's nothing serious really." Arthur said. It seemed to Merlin that he was almost complaining, but that couldn't be right. Strangely, after Arthur spoke, he felt much better.
Arthur took him by the shoulder and continued to take him down the hall. They came to a pair of double doors at the end of a hall, to the right. On the wall across the door was a small window that looked over a courtyard. The sun that came from this window lit up the big oak doors and showed off their marvelous gleam. Almost as if they did it to impress Merlin. Arthur pushed the doors open at the same time and then pulled Merlin closer in.
"Welcome, to my room." Arthur said with grin. Merlin's jaw dropped. The evening sun shone into the room, giving it a mystic air. The room must have been bigger than his whole house, and it was so nicely decorated as well. The place looked like a dream:
Merlin found plenty to keep his attention. There was wooden swords; wooden chest plates with a rope to go around the neck; more wooden knights, some with horses, some without; a few dragons, different from Gaius' in the fact that their wings actually moved. There were tables with bowls of fruit, showing off the lack of hunger here. There was a huge wooden cupboard. It wasn't like the cupboards back home, no; these were carefully and beautifully carved and stained. He felt almost like he did and didn't belong here. It was very strange indeed.
"Come on. Grab a chest plate and sword. I'll teach you to fight properly." Arthur said, catching Merlin's attention. Merlin looked at the wooden armor that Arthur held out, and smiled nervously as he grabbed it. As if to reassure him, Arthur said, "Don't worry, I'll go easy on you."
Merlin took the sword and put on the chest plate. He had play fought with a friend of his back home. But it was never like this. Their swords were just sticks, and they had no chest plates. Usually they did reenactments of real fights. Merlin felt like this time would be different. He felt that Arthur had been taught to fight like the best knight of all time, and not by some silly reenactment either.
Arthur took advantage of Merlin's thought break to attack. Merlin pulled his sword up quickly, and just in the nick of time. Arthur continued a series of complicated blows, whilst Merlin blocked best he could. It seemed his only advantage in this fight would be his speed. The one thing that made him the champion back home would save his hide from becoming one giant bruise here. Eventually, Arthur stepped back and gave him a short reprieve.
"At least you know how to defend yourself. That's better than most. Now come at me." Arthur said as he crouched into a defensive position. Merlin steadied his sword. His arms were tired, and attacking probably would get him beat. But, eager to please his new friend, he adjusted his position and attacked battle cry and all. As predicted, Arthur easily avoided all the attacks. He could have easily counter attacked, and yet he didn't. He just sort of laughed, like "Ha-ha". Soon Merlin was exhausted and Arthur looked like he hadn't even broken a sweat. So he decided to try a move his friend's father had taught them.
He changed the way his hands were holding the sword, and moved his feet. He put his hands to the side of his chest, still holding the sword, and pointed the blade at Arthur. He put one foot slightly in front of him, and leaned forward, staring at Arthur. Arthur watched him back, and slightly changed his position. For a moment, Merlin was envious of how fluid the motion looked. He took a breath, and lunged. It was a weird lunge, if you could call it that. As he attacked, he lowered the tip of his sword and moved it to the opposite side as the handle. When he got to Arthur, he let go with the lower hand, and used the other to swing the sword into and uppercut slash. Even though this took only a few seconds, Arthur managed to block the move easily and used the block to shove Merlin away.
Merlin was in shock. He had perfected that move until it was flawless. With it he had won so many battles against his friend. But somehow, Arthur blocked it, and countered. Merlin shook his head, suddenly becoming aware of his dizziness. He hadn't fought this hard in as long as he remembered. How could one small boy be this good? Tired, from the energy that move took; Merlin just sat on the ground and grunted. Arthur laughed and sat down beside him.
"Hahaha. Don't worry, Merlin. I'll have you fighting like a proper soldier in no time." Arthur padded Merlin on the back. Merlin could only nod, panting. Then he fell back onto the floor, still struggling to catch his breath. Arthur laughed some more.
"I don't...Ha...Know how...you do it...Arthur...You're...Amazing..." Merlin said between breaths, not helping his breath at all. Then he suddenly laughed at himself. Arthur must have thought he was laughing about the fight. He was, in a way. He realized that the whole time they were sparing, he hadn't even once thought of using his gift to his advantage. His mother would be proud. Speaking of his mother, he should probably find her.
"Hey Arthur. Not that I want to leave, But-" Merlin started.
"Then Don't." Arthur interrupted. Merlin looked at him, and he looked back. "Stay here with me. I get so lonely. And it would be great to have someone around. Besides, I like having you around. It somehow comforts me." Arthur looked away as he said most of this. Merlin stared at him for a long silenced moment, before continuing.
"Anyway, my mom is probably worrying about me. But, maybe I could come back later. My mom and I are going to be staying with Gaius for the night. I'm sure I can come see you before I leave in the morning." Merlin said in a reassuring way, he felt that Arthur needed it. He soon saw Arthur drop his head. Then he thought for a minute. "Hey, you know, my mom might let me stay with you tonight. And I'm sure tomorrow won't be the last time we see each other, anyway. I can always convince my mom to bring me back here, if I want her to."
Arthur lifted his head and looked at Merlin. There were small tears in his eyes. Merlin got the feeling he was used to crying silently, and without showing his weaker side to anyone. Merlin fought back a twinge of sympathy. He couldn't imagine what his life would have been like if he'd never been allowed to cry in front of people, especially ones he was close to. But, Arthur was a prince, forced to keep his most personal feelings to himself. Even if he was only five years old.
It was then that Merlin got an idea his mother would scold him for. He looked at the small toy dragons and concentrated, whilst Arthur wondered what he was doing. Slowly the dragons started to move, their legs and wings stretching, making Arthur jump to a standing position. Merlin put out his hand, his palm facing the dragons. The Dragons then started to flap their wings and fly around. Merlin put out his hand, palm up this time, and allowed one to land on it. Arthur stood there shaking, Wide-eyed at Merlin. Merlin slowly grabbed Arthur's hand and placed it palm up next to his. The dragon moved onto Arthur's hand. Arthur began to laugh.
"It tickles. He he." Arthur said, and then he looked around with new eyes. He saw what Merlin saw, not just toy dragons flying around. No, it was living toys flying with grace and beauty, all on their own. Arthur then realized that the thing his father despised to the ends of the kingdom; could be just as beautiful, or maybe even more so, than the land his father was trying to protect. He'd never known that magic could be beautiful. His father had taught him magic was to be feared and destroyed. His father...His Father! Merlin!
"Merlin, stop it!" Arthur said with urgency. Merlin, seeing the look on Arthur's face, stopped immediately. All the dragons quickly shifted back to their old forms and fell to the ground. Arthur looked Merlin square in the eyes. "Merlin, promise me you won't practice any more magic in Camelot, unless I say it's okay. I know what my father does to sorcerers, Merlin, and it isn't pretty. He's drowned them, and burned them. He's even had them hanged. Childeren too. It's not safe here for people like you! Promise me!"
"I promise." Merlin nodded. It seemed obvious to him that what Arthur was saying was true. What he also realized, was that Arthur wasn't going to turn him in. If he was going to do so, he wouldn't be warning him right now. He'd be hollering for the guards to come take Merlin away. This thought comforted Merlin, for some reason. Knowing that he had a friend here who knew his secret, and wasn't going to get him killed.
Merlin just sat there, looking at the setting sun through the window. Arthur did the same. They watched as the sun fell lower, and the sky changed to from blue to a bright orange. The color change made the room seem even more magical then when Merlin made the dragons fly. Unfortunately, using all that magic made him hungry, being hungry made him think of food. And, of course, food made him think of his mother.
"I should get back to my mother, before she worries." Merlin said after a while. Arthur nodded. Then there was a knock at the door, and Arthur got up, and went to open it.
"Gaius, please come in." Arthur said stepping out of the way. Gaius came in, bowed slightly in Arthur's direction, and then walked over to Merlin.
"Come with me, Merlin. I told your mother that I'd bring you back after my meeting with the king. Sadly, that time is now. We wouldn't want her to worry now, would we?" Gaius said, as he held out a hand to the child.
"Of course, Gaius. Can Arthur come too?" Merlin asked. Gaius looked at the other boy and nodded. Merlin smiled brightly, and then looked at Arthur. Gaius didn't look, but he was sure the young prince was smiling just as brightly. Gaius was glad that they had become friends. After all, though neither one of them knew it yet, their friendship would last and grow into a new age of peace. Not just for Camelot, but all the surrounding kingdoms, as well.
Gaius led the boys down the hall, back to his chambers. They did nothing but nonstop talking and playing. It was good to hear the young prince laugh; he didn't think he'd even seen him truly smile. Maybe it was because he finally was around a boy his age. Everyone knew he hated hanging around Morgana, the king's ward. And, everyone expected them to get married someday. Maybe, Arthur would start to like her in about ten years, but for now he just needed someone he could relate to.
Currently, the prince and his relater were shoving each other playfully, and then they were running down the hall, Merlin chasing Arthur for his fair turn to shove. But Arthur had been too quick for him. They ran past Gaius, rather fast and recklessly.
"Hey slow down, and be careful, Merlin. Your mother won't like it if you get hurt." Gaius said, as they continued running out of sight. He wasn't worried; Arthur knew the way to his chambers. Gaius had practically raised the boy while the King was busy. He smiled to himself, it was amazing how two different boys from two different worlds could be friends, and so quickly too.
He remembered when the great dragon had told him of the prophesy. How he had felt the presence of Emrys entering the world, shortly before a letter from Hunith came, saying that she had had her baby. He would have never thought this possible. But here it was. The stuck up prince had found a friend in a matter of hours, probably minutes. Then he heard something that pulled him from his thoughts.
Merlin and Arthur had been running, playing tag. Merlin had a hard time catching up, how was Arthur so fast? Merlin was the fastest boy in his village. Also, he was the best fighter, the best at sparring, and the best at hide and seek. But here, he was in a different league. He wondered if Arthur's professional training had something to do with it. He was finally catching up to Arthur, who just ran around a corner. He took the turn and ran into Arthur, who had stopped, and fell backwards to the ground. He looked up to see why Arthur stopped and hopped painfully to his feet, and bowed his head. In front of Arthur stood the King.
The King looked down at his son, who put his head down in shame. He hadn't known why his son was running until a scraggly boy ran around the corner. At least the boy showed respect to the king, by bowing his head. He guessed that the boys had been playing, and that they had gotten carried away. His son's shame proved as much. The scruffy boy looked like a peasant, though he hadn't seen this boy in Camelot before.
"Arthur, what is going on here?" The King said fiercely. Arthur mumbled a reply, and the King glared at him. "Speak up, Arthur. Mumbling doesn't suit a prince. Now Say it so I can hear you." The King said louder. And it was then that Gaius came around the corner. His expression looked, well, expressionless. He walked over to the King, and bowed his head. "Ah, Gaius. Maybe you can shed some light on why my son and this boy were running recklessly through the halls."
Gaius raised his head. "Of course, my lord. You see, a friend of mine came to visit, and she brought her son." He pointed to Merlin. "Shortly afterwards, Arthur summoned me to you. It seems he commandeered the boy to play with after I left. But, I wouldn't be too hard on the boys; they are children, after all." Gaius bowed his head to show he meant no disrespect. Uther depended on Gaius' wisdom; he hoped it would go the same for this time. Gaius lifted his head as Uther nodded.
"Yes, thank you, Gaius." He nodded toward his old friend, and then he looked down at his son. "Now, as for you, Arthur Penndragon. You will bring this boy back to his mother. If I ever catch you doing something reckless like this again, I'll take you Friend, and put him in the stocks. Do I make myself clear" The King stared down the Prince, who had bowed his head.
Merlin heard the King walk away, and chanced a look at Arthur's face. He could tell he was holding back tears. He straightened up and put a comforting hand on his shoulder. There was no attempt made to shrug it off. Instead, another hand covered his. He felt suddenly hot, but didn't move. He knew his friend just needed a moment like this. Merlin smiled slightly, and then he looked up at Gaius, who smiled down at them. Then he watched the King turn a corner, and disappear; down the hall they had just ran down.
"Come, we've got to get you back to your mother." Gaius said. And, with that, they all headed back to Gaius' chambers.
AN: Please forgive my knowledge of Arthurian toys. Hopefully it wasn't disappointing. At least Merlin found it interesting. I tried to stay in character, but I really wanted to show Arthur's sensitive side early on. I plan on making it temporarily go away soon. So enjoy it before it's gone. Hehehehe. Also, if the story seems too rushed, it's because I don't want to spend 15 chapters when their kids, and 30-40 when their older. That's way too much. And as for making the chapters longer, I think they're fine the length they are. (You guys planning on overworking me when I'm over worked, Are You? *suspicious look*) Just Kidding. I appreciate all the great comments I've gotten so far. Anyway, working on chapter 3. Maybe it won't take so long. (Cross Your fingers) ^_^