Thank you to my first ever reviewer Kiki1770! This next chapter is dedicated to you and my auntie, whose birthday is today. Obviously I have now decided to continue this, with perhaps revealing maybe some more of Merlin's secrets...

In memory of the fallen

Chapter 2 -Arthur has a (good!?) Idea

Sometimes, Arthur really needed to learn how to shut his big mouth. But, Arthur supposed, being royalty, and the way he was brought up had left him thinking that nobody else was important, and (of course) that feelings didn't matter. For feelings were for girls and Arthur defiantly was not a girl.

Before he met that idiot Merlin, Arthur knew that he might have been spoiled. "An arrogant, stuck up, supercilious brat" as Merlin so elegantly put it. Arthur had to say that sometimes (and only sometimes mind you), Merlin was right.

But having been spoiled when younger meant that he didn't care about other people's feelings and opinions. Merlin had changed that, in fact Merlin knew everything about Arthur. And it might off possibly of hurt Arthur a tinsy, winsy, ickle wickle bit when he realised that he knew next to nothing about Merlin.

The first indication was when joking around with the other knights about their love lives. Merlin's reaction had shocked Arthur when he had teased him, as for in that one second that their eyes connected, he had saw pain and hurt beyond all imagining. Emotions that were locked away behind those Cobalt blue eyes so nobody could see. Eyes that was far too old for their time. The words that Merlin then spoke had made Arthur realise that Merlin had suffered greatly beyond imagining.

"How dare you Arthur Pendragon! You know nothing about me and my life." Merlin shouted at him, and Arthur realised with a shock that Merlin had used his full name, which he did only when angry. "How dare you." Merlin whispered brokenly, so quietly that Arthur had though he imagined them.

The realisation that Merlin, Merlin had secrets had hit him hard, for everyone could read Merlin like an open book. He displayed every emotion on his face, for all to see for god's sake! When Percival then spoke about leaving Merlin alone, Arthur conceded, for the best tactician knew when to strike, and Arthur certainly was the best.

The second sign was when they had finally reached Camelot, when Arthur turned around to command Merlin to tend to the horses and prepare his dinner. Merlin had gone and had disappeared so quickly and quietly that no one had noticed. Who ever knew that the bumbling fool could move softly! Merlin had never gone to tend to the king that night, instead Guinevere had decided to go down to the kitchens and fetch it for them.

Gwen had asked Arthur if he had something on his mind, for he had been quiet during the dinner as he was trying to find the reason behind Merlin's actions. When seeing his wife's concerned look when he replied "nothing" absentmindedly, he admitted defeat and let it all pour out. Arthur had often found that it was good to bounce ideas off Gwen, as she often had good points he hadn't even considered.

Arthur told her all about what he had seen and heard and his wondering about how; how Merlin could have secrets that he hadn't told Arthur or indeed any of the round knights as Arthur had noted all of their reactions.

Guinevere had suggested that it was a girl from his home Ealdor, but Arthur disagreed with her. He had already thought of that, but when he had stopped Kainen from attacking the village, no one there had seemed well, particularly attached to Merlin, apart from his mother Hunith and the boy Will, who had then promptly died. He mentioned this to Gwen, who agreed, as after all, she had been there too.

"Besides", Arthur said suddenly, "The pain in his eyes was too recent, to be that long ago and remember he mentioned that the reason he left was because he didn't fit in. If there had been a girl he loved, he would not have cared about what others thought of him, or she at least might have visited once in a while. Which means... it means that Merlin would have met her here!"

The situation made Arthur laugh out loud. Merlin had been in love, here in Camelot and he hadn't even noticed. His laugh cut off suddenly when he realised that meant that Merlin had indeed been keeping secrets from him, as Arthur had been hoping that maybe it had all happened before he had arrived in Merlin's life.

Arthur got up from his chair from which he had sat on, having dinner and walked over to the window, to look upon his beautiful city as he struggled to think. What he saw him made him gasp, and motioning for his queen to come and join him, she hurriedly made her way over. And what she saw made her too gasp with surprise.

For there was Merlin, entering the courtyard from the lower town, where he must of had some engagement. Gwen looked for a moment, that said softly, "Arthur look at his eyes." Arthur heeded her words then peered out of the window. Merlin's eyes were red, bloodshot and puffy, with tear tracks running down the side of his face.

The rulers of Camelot own eyes widened, as they saw Merlin suddenly stood to a standstill. He just stood there, in the middle of the courtyard with tears streaking down his face and with his head bowed. After a long pause, he moved away, and they watched as he shuffled slowly back to what must of been the physicians quarters, where Merlin stayed with Gaius.

They stood for a long while, looking out but seeing nothing, as they tried to comprehend what they had seen. Arthur could tell that the Queen's mind was whirring as he knew that she had not fully believed the enormity of the situation until she saw the state Merlin was in. Arthur straightened and said determinedly "That's it. I'm going to do something about this; I can't stand Merlin looking so... so broken." Arthur stood and strode to the door, where he was just about to open it until he heard the queen's voice, which was still standing motionless at the window.

"Arthur he was wearing a black neckerchief." Arthur looked back stunned as she continued "Please, just be careful, don't hurt him even more." She stressed the please, as if she thought that Arthur would be tactless. As if, Arthur silently scoffed as he reached for the door handle, but before he could go through she interrupted him again.

"Dear where are you going to?" She questioned an amused looking smile on her face as Arthur stared back confusingly. "Too go and get the other knights of course!" Saying this with a look of 'I can't believe you would ask such a stupid question' face. Gwen laughed as she saw his face, and then replied "Well dear... do you really think they would want to be woken up, for a matter that could be dealt with tomorrow?" She watched as realisation dawned on Arthur.

It couldn't be that late surely? Arthur glanced at the majestic clock on the mantelpiece and with a shock, saw the time. They had been talking all evening and into most of the night! His beautiful queen smirked as he turned back towards the room, heading towards the screen where he would get changed into his night things.

When he came out, he found his beloved wife perching on top of the bed. He frowned then asked, "Why aren't you in your night wear?" Guinevere turned and said mischievously "I can't get out of these clothes. Arthur gazed back with a look of amusement and anticipation.

"Let me help you with that, my darling beautiful Queen Guinevere." Arthur knew that she wanted to take his mind of Merlin and he let her. For tomorrow they could tackle Merlin with his amazing plan...

Soo, that's the second chapter done! Yay! I don't think I put any references... Please may you review so I know how to improve! Until next time!