Thank you all for the lovely reviews! I was absolutely amazed and pleased so many of you added me or my story as alert or favourite...

I am sorry that it took me longer to update this chapter, I have been really busy with loads of work... :-(

I think I'll make the story longer now, as a treat to all you lovely readers...

Chapter 3 Night Out With The Knights...

Merlin grumbled to himself all the way back to Gaius's chambers. He didn't understand what made Arthur so mad? It's not like it was the first time the knights weren't telling him something, usually it was to do with the people in the town, and to have Arthur know certain things would put him in an awkward position as the crowned prince. So Arthur usually didn't bother with digging in to what the knights knew and what they didn't unless there was a very important situation, usually life or death ones. And if there was a life or death situation that Merlin didn't know about, then he didn't see why Arthur was so bothered this time. Merlin forced himself to stop thinking about Arthur. Tomorrow was his birthday, he'd told Arthur that he wanted tomorrow off because of it, and Arthur had agreed, however uncaringly as at the time Arthur was reading some documents and didn't bother looking up from them. Merlin was going out to celebrate, even if it was with the knights and felt surreal.

When Merlin got back he found Gaius waiting for him with a whole cooked chicken on the table. Merlin stared.

"I thought you might want a good meal before going to celebrate in the tavern" Gaius said "And it is your birthday tomorrow, so I thought I might as well treat you, god knows you need a good meal or two" Gaius finished eyeing Merlin's thin body.

"Thanks!" Merlin said trying to look offended, and not succeeding. "How do you know I'm going to the tavern?"

"Word travels fast among the servants, and I happen to have contact with a few" was the answer Merlin got. They ate the chicken together, and soon it was time for Merlin to go and meet the knights. When he was about to leave, Gaius stopped him, "For goodness sake Merlin, at least change your shirt!" Merlin looked down and found that his shirt wasn't exactly clean...

After Merlin changed his shirt he bid Gaius goodbye and after Gaius's usual be careful speech, Merlin left for the gate of the castle. On his way there he ran in to Sir Edward.

"Ah Merlin! I was starting to think you're not coming" he said to Merlin looking somewhat relieved. He placed his hand on Merlin's shoulder and stopped him in his tracks.

"No Sire! I was just with Gaius" Merlin explained.

"Good" sir Edward nodded his head "Well come on then, let's give you a big birthday celebration" and he proceeded to walk off and like any other noble expected Merlin to follow him. Of course Merlin did all the while babbling about knights not having to give him anything let alone a birthday celebration, which fell on deaf ears. They didn't meet any knights when they got to the gate, so Merlin thought that it was just Sir Edward, which would make more sense not to have all the knights out just for Merlin. But he realised that he was wrong as all the knights were already waiting for them at the tavern. Sir Edward had Merlin sit at the head of the table the knights all sat at. Merlin blushed even more; he thought it would be a miracle if he didn't burst in to flames by the time the night was over. Sir Edward came back to the table with a pint of ale for Merlin. Merlin thanked him and drank from it. It was different to the ale he usually drank it was the more expensive ones.

"So Merlin, what do you want to do?" Sir John asked.

"Err... I don't know Sir" Merlin said. Merlin looked around the tavern and felt uneasy; he couldn't help but feel like he didn't belong there. He noticed a knight that he hadn't seen before, staring at him really creepily. He averted his eyes just in time to see Sir Leon who had been quite till now stood up and get the attention of the whole tavern. Everyone stopped what they were doing to see what the head knight had to say.

"Men! ...and woman!" He added to the barman's daughter, who worked as a barmaid. "We, the knights are here tonight to celebrate a grate friend and an amazing persons' birthday. I would appreciate it if you all raised your glass in toast to Merlin, Prince Arthur's loyal manservant!" Everyone raised their glass and shouted at once "Merlin!" and to Merlin's own mortification after that everyone seemed to want to buy him a drink. And everyone seemed to know who he was. But Merlin would be lying if he said he wasn't enjoying himself. He felt like he was somebody, like he mattered. So after his fifth glass he gave in and enjoyed himself. He did notice the knights going of to some men talking to them then they would all come to him and talk to him really weirdly, as they were trying to flirt with him, which didn't make any sense. Then Sir Edward introduced him the new knight who he had seen earlier staring at him. Sir Unwin, had just came back from home, he had been away because his father had been gravely ill, now it seemed he had passed away. Merlin gave his condolences and the knight accepted it kindly. Merlin spent the rest of the night with Sir Unwin. He did wonder about the name though.

"So how come the prince isn't here tonight?" Sir Unwin asked after awhile. Merlin frowned.

"The prince is busy" He answered bitterly. Then frowned again, he must have drunk too much, or the knight's attention gone to his head, he knew where he stood with Arthur so why was he upset. He shook his head to clear it of the thoughts and smiled brightly at the knights "It means more for us, right?" the knights all laughed at that, and Merlin relaxed even more. He was having a grate time; for once he didn't have to worry for Arthur's safety or tend to his every need. And here everyone was celebrating his birthday. Merlin didn't realise how the rest of the night went, or remember!

MAMAMAMAMAMAMAMAMA

Arthur lay in his bed not able to sleep at all. He felt guilty for the way he had treated Merlin recently, and it wasn't letting him get any rest. He stared at the ceiling and thought of the way Merlin had gotten angry at him earlier. He really should do something for him to show that Arthur wasn't so indifferent and that he did appreciate Merlin's loyalty. With that thought he tried to close his eyes and fall sleep. But it seamed impossible. Sleep wouldn't come. So Arthur got up and dressed. Then he made his way to the court physicians carters. He knocked once then heard some muffled noises from behind the door, then Gaius opened the door.

"Sire! Is everything alright?" Gaius said looking concerned.

"Everything is fine Gaius" Arthur reassured him. "I hope I haven't woke you"

"No sire, I was just reading" Gaius said frowning. "May I ask what I can do for you?"

"I was wondering if I could talk with Merlin?" Arthur said looking behind Gaius, and not seeing Merlin. Maybe his in his room, Arthur thought.

"Merlin isn't here sir" Gaius said.

"Where is he?" Arthur said frowning, where could he possibly be at this time of night?

"He's out at the tavern with the knights' sire" Gaius answered him. Arthur stared at him. Out with the knights?

"Thank you Gaius, I wouldn't take anymore of your time" and with that he turned and left not waiting for Gaius's answer.

So Merlin was out with the knights! Ha as if Merlin was upset. And what was up with the knights taking Merlin out to the tavern. If they liked him so much they could have him as their manservant!

No, Arthur thought, that wouldn't work. He didn't want to loose Merlin, but some digging was needed. He had to find out what was happening between his knights and Merlin. Arthur felt anger rise in him, here he was worrying that he had upset Merlin, and where was Merlin? out having fun in the tavern with Arthur's knights.

Arthur grabbed the first thing he reached which happened to be a very expensive vase and through it across the room. It hit the wall with loud bang and shattered all over the floor.

He didn't know why, but Merlin affected him so much it was unbelievable. He just wanted to lock up Merlin in his own chambers and not let him out of his sight, he didn't want anyone to so much as look at Merlin let alone touch him. He wanted to...to...to...to hold him...to...to kiss him...to...

Arthur froze at that thought. Kiss him! What was wrong with Arthur, he couldn't have such feelings for a servant let alone a man! Didn't he like Gwen? Even though she was a servant, at least she was a woman! Arthur shook his head, no he couldn't possibly have such feelings for his manservant, it just wasn't right. No Arthur simply had to forget his feelings, nothing would change!

Arthur lay on his bed, closing his eyes tight, and started counting calmly in his head. He had decided that when he reaches one hundred he would completely forget about these unacceptable feelings. So he counted and counted till he fell to an uneasy sleep. Never realising that he never reached the number one hundred...

End of chapter 3!

Hope you liked it, again sorry for the delay...

I was going to continue this chapter for much longer, but I had a feeling it would be better to end it where I did...

R&R plz...