Thank you for everyone who gave this a read, due to story traffic not working, I'm not actually sure whether people read it or not XD

Enjoy and R&R

Chapter Two

Chasing Natives

"You weren't at the feast last night." Merlin looked over his shoulder and saw his Father enter his tent, a stern expression on his face. "Do you have any idea how embarrassing it was to return home and not have your own Son greet you? What could be so important that you couldn't even make an appearance?" No answer was given. Merlin saw no point. No matter what excuse he made, his Father would say it wasn't good enough and that there would be consequences. "Have you lost your voice whilst I was away?"

"No Father. I'm just tired," Merlin lied as he got to his feet. He didn't like it when he was at a different eye level to his Father. It made him feel weak. "Was there anything you wanted or did you just come here to lecture me?"

"You shouldn't talk to me like that. I may be your father but I'm also the chief of this tribe and you should show me some respect."

"I'm sorry. Is there anything you wanted or did you just come here to lecture me, chief?"

His Father's staff whacked him across the leg and Merlin fell to the ground, his hand holding the point of impact in an attempt to lessen the pain. Glaring up at him, Merlin forced his magic to remain inside him as it bubbled to the surface, wishing to strike out at the man that he no longer saw as his Father. "You need to stop behaving like a boy and become a man. Tonight I was going to introduce you to someone who I believe will make you an excellent wife."

"I have no interest in love," Merlin said bitterly.

"You don't need to be in love to marry. The woman will make you a man that can lead this tribe, at the moment you are shameful and an embarrassment. No fitter to be chief than the eight year old who resides in the tent next door."

"Maybe you should raise him to be your heir then," Merlin replied and got back slapped across the face.

"You shall remain in your tent for the whole of today without any meals. It will give you time to think about your attitude towards your Father and Chief." He left the tent a moment later and Merlin pushed himself up onto the bed, his leg shooting pain through his entire body as he attempted to put weight onto it.

He cared little that his Father had told him to stay. It had never stopped him from leaving before. No, what he did care about was that he hadn't warned his people of the invaders but what could he say? That he'd been spotted using magic and had run like a frightened rabbit? He'd be mocked for the rest of his life. Sorcerers were known for their strength. Not for their cowardliness.

That man, whoever he had been, had fascinated him. For he had stood tall, confidently, like he owned whatever land he walked on. Every step he took had been graceful, even as he waded through the water and when he'd been within reaching distance, Merlin had been tempted to touch his golden locks that had shone in the moonlight. His blue eyes had been filled with such determination that even if he had wanted to move, Merlin doubted he could. Who could walk away from such a man?

Only when the man began to lose his temper did Merlin strike back. Without thinking he had thrown the man from the water and created a barrier between them, giving himself the chance to escape. Not before he took a final glance at the shadow belonging to the stranger. He had dressed so strangely, carried weapons that posed a threat to others and held himself like a chief. Who was he and what was he doing here?

Well, Merlin was going to find out. Walking over to the back of his tent, he slipped out through the slit he'd made as a young boy and escaped through the trees that surrounded the camp. Being the chief's Son had some perks, his tent was at the edge of the camp and had no surrounding tents where people could spot him from. It meant he could escape with ease.

Running through the forest, Merlin smiled as the wind blew through his hair and he went towards where he'd last seen the invader. Once there, he followed the tracks back to their camp and found himself facing a tall fence. He knew that the trees that had once been beyond this fence were now the very things that protected their destroyers. How could anyone harm nature in such a way? It had done nothing to them and yet they had done the equivalent of killing them.

Feeling determination of his own, he looked to his side and saw a place he could climb to look beyond the fence. Once he was on the ledge, he peered from the bushes to see tents covering the ground and men surrounding small fires they had made to cook their morning meal. His eyes scanned every point of the camp and eventually spotted the man he'd been searching for. He stood with two other men, laughing at something one of them had said and Merlin wondered what it would be like to have friends who you could be yourself around. Even Will didn't know exactly who he was.

As he watched them, he lay on his front and rested his chin on his hand. A smile on his lips. If his Father wished for him to remain unseen, so be it, he would just do it here rather than inside his tent.

Their camp was built and yet there was no indication that they were going to go exploring. Ratcliffe remained in his tent making plans. None of which he shared with the men. Arthur wanted to get out of here and go find that man he'd seen last night. He'd dreamt and thought of no one else since their meeting and needed to confirm that he hadn't been hallucinating.

"If you'll excuse me, I'm going to go look at the view, see what is out there waiting for us."

Leaving his two friends to chat amongst themselves, he left the confinements of the camp and walked along the fence line to approach a set of rocks he knew he could climb to look over the tree tops. Spotting it a few meters away, he smiled and climbed them easily after he left his weapon at the base so not to weigh him down. Pulling himself over the edge, he was about to get to his feet when he came face to face with the very man he'd seen last night. He was lying there, obviously trying to spot something as he moved his head side to side and a sigh left his lips as he gave up.

"Looking for something?" Arthur asked. The native sat up immediately and gazed at him wide eyed. He was even more handsome during the day and portrayed innocence by the way he looked. "Or maybe you were looking for someone?" He couldn't help but tease, except instead of getting a reply, the man shot off into the bushes like he had done the night before. However this time there was no barrier to stop him. "You're not going anywhere."

It didn't take him long to catch up with the man, for he may know the forest well and slip through the trees with ease, but he was not quick on his feet. Arthur on the other hand was. Without realising where they were, Arthur ran out from the trees and chased the man who was about to cross a river without a boat. "Wait!" Arthur yelled and reached out, his fingers firmly wrapping around the man's wrist to stop him in his footsteps. "Please, I just want to talk."

"Geleáfa," the man said to him firmly and Arthur held back a laugh. For someone so skinny, he certainly sounded like someone who could defend themselves.

"Do you not speak English?" Arthur asked and the man tried to rip his wrist from his grasp, however failed. "My name is Arthur Pendragon," he put his free hand to his chest, "Arthur."

The native looked at him silently for a moment and then sighed, coming towards him with one quick step. Arthur held his breath as the man pressed his hand against Arthur's chest and closed his eyes. What was he doing?

"Areccean," he whispered and Arthur felt his hand heat up. Wondering what was going on, he peered down at the stranger and waited. Hoping he was in no danger. "You are a persistent man and should not have followed me. If my people spotted you they would kill you where you stand." It took a moment to realise he spoke in perfect English with a slight accent.

"You do speak English then?"

"I speak whatever language you are speaking now. It was easy enough." He looked up at Arthur since he was a few inches shorter and seemed to forget just how close he was standing, including the hand that was pressed against his chest. "I did this so I could tell you to turn back. Go back to your people who destroy beautiful things and dig up land that is not theirs."

"Why did you come to my camp?"

"I was seeing what your people were doing. You are a threat to my people after all." He pushed Arthur away suddenly and walked towards the water, "Leave Arthur Pendragon."

Dashing forward, Arthur grabbed him by the hand this time and stopped him just before his feet touched the surface of the water. "Would you stop running away from me. It's getting rather annoying. Who are you? What are you called? You know my name, at least tell me yours."

"What difference will it make?"

"None but at least we will be on first name basis," he gave his dazzling smile and saw the man hesitate to leave. Perfect. Taking his chance, Arthur pulled him away from the water and back towards where they had been stood before.

"My name is Merlin," the man finally introduced himself.

"See, that wasn't so hard was it?" Arthur asked rhetorically and couldn't help but tap his nose playfully, "It's like training a dog." A frown crossed Merlin's face and he turned to leave again, "Wait! I'm sorry. It was a joke. You do know what a joke is right?"

"A joke is meant to be funny. That was hurtful. I don't have to be a genius to know that a dog is some kind of creature and I am not something to be trained. The way you talk is like you expect me to answer anything you ask without question. Are you the chief of your tribe?" Merlin asked and glared at him. What did he have against authority?

"I am the Prince of my people. My Father is probably the equivalent of your chief." Arthur released Merlin's hand as he convinced himself that he wouldn't run and let his arms hang by his sides so Merlin was at ease about to whether he had a weapon on him. "You are right, I am not used to people not answering me. It's a breath of fresh air actually to have someone talk to me like an equal. Do you not respect authority?"

"I respect those who earn it. I do not know you and therefore do not respect you." Merlin tipped his head for a moment and then the side of his lips tugged up, almost letting Arthur see a smile. "It would probably help reduce your ego. You act so much better than everyone else when around your people. No one will truly treat you like an equal if you do not do the same curtsy."

"I knew you had been watching me!"

A blush covered Merlin's cheeks and he crossed his arms over his chest, "I was curious to see who had discovered me last night. Anyone would do the same. Especially when they are not used to surprises."

"You normally know if someone approaches you?" Now that was weird. Who could possible do that?

"I know a lot of things many do not. Like I know that your people do not trust one another and that you obey orders because you have too, not want too. My people are the opposite. We are a tribe who act as one unit and are happy to do as asked. Well … almost everyone."

"I'm guessing you're the one who doesn't do as asked?" The small smile that appeared on Merlin's lips confirmed his suspicion and Arthur felt his own smile appear. Merlin's smile was something that could brighten anyones mood. Especially when he was trying so hard to appear strong against a stranger. "A rebel are you? I bet your mother goes insane trying to keep you in check." He must have hit a nerve because the smile instantly fell. "I'm sorry … I didn't mean to upset you."

Merlin gave him an understanding look before turning away, luckily he didn't move away, just kept his back turned. "My Mother died a few months ago," he admitted and Arthur felt his heart sink. No wonder his bright smile had gone. The pain was still new. "I suppose she did find my rebellion annoying but it was also something she loved about me. She often told me that she'd get bored if she had a Son who did everything as asked. Some days she tired of my antics … I've often wondered if it was because of me she …" he drifted off and Arthur reached forward to rest a hand on his shoulder. "I don't know why I'm telling you this."

"Maybe because it's easier to talk to a stranger compared to a friend. They cannot judge. I'm sorry that you lost your mother-"

"Silence!" Merlin hissed and held a hand up to silence him. If Arthur didn't see that he was serious, he'd laugh. No one had even told him to be quiet. "You tricked me."

"What?"

"Your people approach this part of land like they are following a path. You lead them right to me. I knew this was a mistake."

"No! I swear I did not." Arthur heard nothing but the wind blowing in the trees but the look of panic on Merlin's face told him that he was telling the truth. "I will lead them away but only if you swear to meet me again."

"I don't think so. Even if your men get here, I shall fight them off, they do not frighten me. You have no idea what kind of weapons I possess." Merlin stood tall and the look in his eye was filled with strength, like a true warrior. Arthur had no doubt that Merlin could fight the men off but by the way he had acted when he had seen Arthur's gun last night, he did not know what kind of weapons his people had. No one could fight off a weapon they knew nothing about.

"They have weapons that will kill you stone dead before you can blink. Tell me you'll meet me again and I'll tell them nothing of you." Arthur tried to bargain with him since he was unconvinced Merlin would meet him again otherwise. "Tomorrow night. When the moon is at its highest point in the sky. We can meet where I first saw you. Please come."

"I will come but only because I need to get back and cannot-" Merlin stopped speaking for a moment and then took a step away. "-If you bring anyone with you I will know it Arthur Pendragon. Do not betray what little trust you have gained by doing this for me today." Arthur nodded and ran off back towards the trees, heading straight towards where he could hear men approaching. None of them would get past him. He had the opportunity to learn about the people here and explore the land through another's eyes. No one would take that away from him. Not even his own people.