Arthur asked Merlin in concern
"So you're okay now?" Merlin turned back to a worried Arthur just out of their parents ear range.
"Yes I'm fine thanks Arthur... no one else could make me feel better that quickly apart from you" Arthur's smile grew and he squeezed Merlin shoulder a little to let him know he felt the same way. Merlin's father called
"My Son, Arthur would you do this kingdom the honour of having a royal speech explaing why I was here so long and then break the news about Merlin?" Arthur nodded as he and Merlin walked up to their fathers.
"But on one condition Philip, father... that I am the one to break the news and tell them of why Merlin was left in the dark about who he was, considering he was my servant I think it appropriate" they both nodded. So hours later Uther stood at the top of the tower and spoke with Merlin in royal garments, his father and Arthur either side of him. Arthur had his hand on Merlin's shoulder as if to comfort him, Merlin appreciated it, it was the only thing stopping him running a mile away from this very event. Uther spoke
"My kingdom... as you are all aware, king Philip of Wales has come to visit our kingdom... but what you don't know is that he has a son, that is the reason he stayed for so long" Gasps and whispers fill the crowd. "He is well known in this kingdom, but I will let my son tell you who he is" Arthur squeezed Merlin's shoulder tighter before letting go and moving to stand at his father's side.
"Thank you Father... People of Camelot, What I am about to tell you came as a shock to me too, for I only found out this morning who this prince is, but first you must know he never knew who he really was, not until about a 2 weeks ago, when his mother came to camelot to explain him, finally who his father is and that he was in fact a king... For those of you who have heard the rumours about this person being a prince I want to tell you, they are true, I can't expect you all to like this, or to even respect him as a prince, but you will try, but for those of you that know him personally, you will try and treat him as you always have. He is still the same man, loyal, caring, loving... though he can be an idiot, clumsy and many other things... I present Prince Merlin of Wales" the crowd were so shocked at this they all just glanced at one another as if to try and fathom what news they just received. Merlin took slow steps towards Arthur, he turned to Arthur and smiled, finding convidence he never knew he had
"Thank you Arthur..." he looked down at the people "I can't hardly believe I am up here, representing a kingdom I have not even seen yet... though from what my father tells me, it is such as Camelot, strong army's, busy markets places... but my father tells me there are a few small difference, which I will let you think about... but please if any of you, friends or otherwise wish to come and visit my kingdom with me... Arthur has already promised to ride with me to my kingdom when we leave tomorrow. But before I go I wanted to say something... you are still my family, though I may not know some of you that well, you are family because as unwilling as I was to admit it, this is my home now and it shall stay that way for as long as I am alive... " Arthur had grabbed Merlin's hand and raised it in the air
"For Prince Merlin" the crowd shouted in glee
"FOR PRINCE MERLIN" Merlin bowed to the people and walked to his fathers side, who was smiling proudly at his son. Merlin laughed as he pulled his father into a hug. Merlin was more happy than he could have ever been. As he turned to Arthur, the fact finally dawned on him that tonight would be his last night with Arthur, at least the last night before he had to visit a lot. This brought a frown to Merlins face as he and Arthur walked slowly to the throne room, as their fathers went to arrange some things. Merlin and Arthur joined the banquit in the throne room.
Morgana came back from her trip, having heard Merlin's speech as she arrived she had stormed into the castle she went straight to the throne room, Angry, raging, even more than anyone could fathom, She went for Merlin as soon as her eye set on him, not even caring that Arthur was with him, she was stopped by a protective Arthur, who had grabbed her swinging arm and held it behind her back, as he had done many time's to Merlin.
"Morgana what are you doing?" trying to keep it low key, but Morgana was bringing the attention of everyone in the throne room.
"I'm trying to hit Merlin what does it look like? Do you have any idea what he tried to do just before I was kidnapped by Morgause?" Arthur pulled his sister out of the throne room and into the servant corridor, where he knew no one would be this late, he then answer her question with a nod as he let go of her. Merlin was at their tale after explain to the knights and everyone in the throne room why Morgana was so upset.
"Yes Morgana I do and I'd have done the same... he was protecting Camelot" Morgana looked at Arthur in shock, to shock to try and hit Merlin again.
"You mean you know? What do you know?" Arthur sighed
"That he poisoned you... of course I know... he can't deal with that guilt alone... without me he would have gone out and searched for you himself" Morgana stumbled back.
"And what... so you know who he is as well? because Arthur if you knew, if you knew you'd-" Arthur put his arm around Merlin's shoulder.
"Oh what if I knew that you are just like him... well not exactly, he'd never hurt me, or his father... or anyone else in this kingdom for that matter, because this kingdom is his home, as he said... in that lovely speech he would never stop being my best friend" Arthur turned to Merlin and sighed
"Why are people so unwilling to believe we're friends? I mean you would think after the amount of crap we've put with from each other they'd realise we're more than servant and master..." Merlin laughed
"But then again... who would think me a prince that will be king one day... Oh god King" he lowered his voice "Don't tell your father but I would rather not end up like a king he is" Morgana await Arthur's anger, for him to slap Merlin, for him to forbid him from returning to Camelot but what she got was something she would have never expected.
