Chapter Two – Magic is Evil
Arthur fell into bed, his exposed muscle still aching from the heavy training regime of the day. He had not returned to the Throne room, and not spoken to his father. In fact he made all attempt to avoid him. He had instead attempted to keep himself busy so he would not have a moment to think about the problem that had haunted him night after night for weeks.
Ever since the incident with the Great Dragon, Arthur had been unsettled. Sure the Prince was arrogant, but he wasn't conceded enough to believe that the blow he had dealt to the dragon that night was indeed mortal enough to shoo him away. He had been swept aside like a ragdoll, and when he had come too, Merlin had a strange look in his eyes.
So what really happened?
This was the question that he had been asking himself every night. Had Merlin done something? If so why would he let Arthur take the credit? It started a backtrack of everything that seemed strange while Merlin was at his side. There were many incidents that had suddenly resolved themselves since Merlin's had arrived in Camelot. Many unusual victories, or an unexplainable strokes of luck, like when the roof of Idirsholas caved in and Arthur and Merlin had escaped the undead knights.
So Arthur started paying close attention to Merlin. He watched him closely when he had the chance. Merlin tagged along on hunting parties and Arthur watched him. Through this careful attention Arthur had begun to understand his Manservant in a more personal way. The way his body moved. The way he always seemed to have some knowing look in his eyes. The way he held himself. It's amazing how much you can learn about a man through the way they move. Also over the last few weeks Arthur had begun to notice the boy's foolish charm. His ridiculously goofy smile. Something about that honest grin, ever since he notice it, Arthur had looked for way to tease it out of him. It wasn't that difficult. All he had to do was loose patience with the boy, which also wasn't difficult. The thought disturbed him, why did he think of Merlin in this way?
Over the weeks, though no proof was given, all the strange happenings had led Arthur to suspect one thing.
Magic.
It was the only explanation. Arthur never actually witnessed the act, but he had noticed strange things. Merlin whispered things under his breath a lot, things which the Prince could never understand. Sometime Arthur would look over at his Manservant and his arm would be outstretched with his hand contorted in some strange position.
This, this is what he had been struggling with for weeks. Arthur knew magic was evil, or at least he thought it was. That was after all his father's teaching. However after all these weeks, he had begun to know Merlin in such a personal way. His character revealed itself to Arthur, and he was much more than some bumbling idiot to him now. Magic may be evil, but Merlin is not.
His heart was unsettled. In more than one way. Unable to push the thoughts from his mind, Arthur became restless, so he got up and gazed out the window. The moonlight highlighted his chiseled body, his face serious. Gazing down into the courtyard, a familiar figure jogged across it in the darkness. Arthur realized he had never given much thought to what Merlin does when not under the Prince's (or Gaius's) service. Maybe it was time he found out.
Arthur sighed and rolled his eyes. The Prince grabbed his shirt, threw on his boots, belted on his sword and left his chambers.