"Hello, Arthur!"

Not exactly what Arthur had been expecting, the voice sounded young, around his age, though Arthur was not bulging with muscle, he had trained men in the arts of war and swordfight, he was a master. How someone of his age could so easily hold him down irked him.

The body above him was boney and light, Arthur struggled slightly in exasperation. Feeling the rope around his wrists tighten, he internally scolded himself for not paying attention to his surroundings, regretting deeply for letting his guard down, even if he was exhausted.

"That should do it." The man on him chirped as he got up. Pulling Arthur into a sitting position, he then circled to face the bound man.

"My name is Merlin, pleased to make your acquaintance." The man said as he squatted down before Arthur, completely ignoring the death glares. "You are very lucky you know, the community wanted me to kill you, than they wanted to capture you, than thank you, and now kill you again."

Arthur just held his gaze to show his contempt, he could not believe it, of all the people to tie him up, this Merlin, all lanky limbs and messy dark hair, shocked Arthur. The last time Arthur was held down had been by two grown knights and a squire, he must be more fatigued than he thought, if such a scrawny lad could tie him up so.

"But, fortunately, my mentor insisted I help you instead." Merlin said enthusiastically to a point Arthur thought he was being mocked.

"By luring me with my horse and tying me up, very benevolent." Arthur gritted out.

"Well, you were said to be vicious and all powerful, Red dragon, and I doubt you'd be willing to talk to me once you know who I'm working with, so I decided to trip and tie you. Of course, the hilarity of it is not lost on me" Said Merlin as he snickered.

Arthur just fumed. "So who, exactly, do you work with?"

"The community." Arthur gave a blank look. "The Tri-community?" Still nothing.

"You must be joking, the druids of course!"

"What do you mean of course, druids are supposed to be peace loving drifters!" Merlin widened his eyes, "Okay, I know you're a bit out of the loop on some news, but seriously this is ridiculous."

Arthur spluttered indignantly.

"Point is, all your heroic accomplishments? You really should watch who you agonize. You have no idea how many lords want your head on a golden platter and how much they'd paid to realize said dream. But you did save dear Mordred from those knights… even if you agitated the chieftains right after by saving the knight who tried to kill the poor boy."

"Bollocks, when in hell did druids go mercenary?"

"Since your father killed Cerdan, it was inevitable to be honest, people are bound to snap at SOME point." Merlin shrugged simply.

Arthur felt the urge to insult and swear at Merlin, but glowered at him instead, as Merlin continued. "Although I do work with the druids, I am technically an ally, my loyalty lies with myself. My mentor, Kilghrrah told me to help you, although you seem a prat, apparently I am supposed to help you unite Albion, among other less important things…"

"And what, pray tell, makes you think I want to be king at all?" Arthur asked in a cold voice. "I don't care for the throne, not anymore."

Merlin seemed a bit edgy with the chill of Arthurs tone, but furrowed his brows. "Don't be a child. You're the rightful prince, do you have any idea how agitated your father had become after you left? How many sorcerers he had killed just to relieve his grief?" He leaned in with a snarl. "All while you lay around playing hero and neglecting your duties."

"My duties." Arthur growled in return. "My duties of what? Killing and raiding villages? Because that's so much better."

Merlin widened his eyes, at first he thought Arthur was just a spoilt dollop head, shying from his duties. But he felt as if he could see a man of kind heart struggling to do what's best, a man he could follow.

"I'm not here to judge you. I'm here because no matter how far fetched, Kilghrrah is always right. Wither or not you want to be king, I will follow you and help you, and in turn help the people."

Merlin's eyes shone with sincerity, and Arthur could not help himself, "Fine, first though, untie me, then, we're going to the Druids."

Notes:

Because of the background I have given Arthur, I thought he would be less feisty when interacting, though still as hot tempered inside.