A/N: XDXDXDXD You all make my day. Really you do. Here's chapter two. Finally we get out of Arian's life story.

Chapter 2: How I Met His Manservant

Arthur was trying to squash the green monster so to speak as he watched Valiant walk away from Morgana. What a creep! And such a vulgar display of affection for someone who was like a sister to him, in front of his father no less!

'Oh there she stares smiling off at him. Like he's a greater warrior or something. Pompous git!' Arthur thought with a scowl as he walked over to Morgana.

She smiled affectionately towards Valiant, "They all seem rather impressed by Knight Valiant."

"Well they're not the only ones." He almost seethed.

Arthur looked over and saw all of the other knights conversing with the beast and smiling. Traitors. Arthur wondered briefly what Arian would think of all this.

'Probably smack me upside the head if he could.' Arthur snorted.

Morgana looked at him curiously before chuckling, "You're not jealous are you?"

"I don't see anything to be jealous of." Arthur sniffed and walked off.

He saw Merlin in the corner doing nothing. Well then...he smirked, what kind of prince would he be if he allowed his manservant to become lazy?

"Merlin, isn't there something you should be doing?" Arthur called to him.

Merlin looked up and visibly sighed, rolling his eyes as he pushed off from the wall and approached Arthur, "I don't know, is there an additional ridiculous chore from your never ending list you forgot to mention sire?"

He hated when Arian was right about something, like how honest Merlin was. Arthur snorted, "Yes as a a matter of fact. Go polish all of the brass in my chambers."

Arthur stated this with a grin and Merlin gave a mutter of , "Ridiculous."

"I want to see my reflection in that brass Merlin!" Arthur called with a grin as he walked away.

George, another servant, just happened to overhear. The king liked brass? How bizarre. But maybe if he educated himself in the ways of brass then the prince would like him more.

Surely the texts had some good jokes about brass...

/

"That guy is just such a prat!" Merlin growled as he entered the prince's chambers with a cloth and a bit of oil to polish with, "That dragon thinks that it's my destiny to change that? No magic on earth could change that!"

Arian froze near the window as he heard Merlin's angry footsteps. Why was he in here? Arthur hadn't said anything about this...

He calmed down. As long as he remained silent Merlin wouldn't notice the weird placement of the dresser.

"I mean, really, polish the brass? He could've come up with a better excuse to annoy me." Merlin grumbled to nobody.

It was still daytime, though slowly the sun was setting beyond the horizon. Arian was a bit worried about Arthur...what would he do against Valiant? What would that knight try to pull...and would it work on an ignorant bird like Arthur?

"Wait...why is the dresser over there?"

Arian's thoughts immediately turned back to the situation as he heard the footsteps move closer. Not only that, but there was this terrible overwhelming feeling and power coming wave after wave, it got stronger as the boy approached and Arian found he couldn't relax.

Blood ponded through his skull as pressure descended upon the entire mirror. It seemed to shake his very being. Gripping claws of power were pulling him forward toward the edge of the mirror. Something was calling to the mirror, making it seem to move like flies to honey.

"That prat must've deliberately moved it to make more work for me. I don't get it, what's the point?"

He felt the mirror being moved and then he could see a fraction of a white hand on the frame. The fingers traced the bizarre engravings along the side of the mirror's frame. Merlin turned the mirror around and Arian immediately stilled, though the powerful waves of magic still managed to make him twitch.

Merlin blinked at him curiously before shaking his head, "What a bizarre painting, though amazingly well drawn I must say. Looks almost alive."

He focused on the lettering again and Arian watched with bated breath. Maybe...just maybe this was his chance!

"This language...I've seen it somewhere before."

"You can read it?!" Arian blurted and stood upright, his hands on the mirror.

"GAH!" Merlin fell backwards and into the wall, his eyes wide as he looked at Arian with obvious surprise and a bit of fright, "What in the name of-"

"You, can you read this?! Understand this?!" Arian looked to his left at the strange lettering and then back at Merlin, "Tell me what it says!"

Merlin was frightfully pale, "Y-You're not a painting..."

Arian's excited grin dropped as he saw Merlin's shock. He was...afraid of him. The only chance Arian ever had and it was gone at the split second hope filled him. No doubt the boy would run and tell Uther...he'd never see his people.

With a sad smile he turned back to Merlin, "I...I guess not. To think that this is all my life would amount to. Living in a mirror only to be destroyed because I actually moved and spoke to someone about-"

"W-Wait...I'm not, I mean...I won't tell. I'm sorry, this is just...a lot to take in." Merlin grasped his head and tried to wrap his head around the fact that Arthur had a dresser in his room with a man inside of it.

Arian's gaze snapped from the ground back up to Merlin in surprise, shock, disbelief, until finally resting on gratitude. Merlin gave the man a once over. He couldn't be that much older than Arthur, four or five years at the most. His hair was ragged and went down to his waist, his skin was tan like one of the desert migrators he'd seen on the outskirts of Ealdor, his green eyes were honest and terribly kind...there were child's clothes draped over the man's waist. He was thin at the waist, but had more toned muscles than he'd ever seen-even in Camelot's best knights. There were remnants of scars on the man's body, almost like he'd been scratched. Merlin calmed down as he realized that this was nothing more than a man. Just a man caught in a strange predicament.

Merlin moved back up from the floor and stood albeit shaking in front of the mirror.

"What-I mean-who are you?"

"It's been a while since I've had to introduce myself. I'm Prince Arian Tregor, the last remaining heir to the House of Tregor." Arian smiled as he said his name.

It felt almost foreign on his tongue after so long without saying it. The last time he'd introduced himself aloud probably would be when he met Arthur...

"You're a prince?" Merlin blinked in surprise.

"What? I don't look the part?" Arian snorted in sarcastic surprise.

"I guess I never expected you to be...well, I guess I didn't expect you at all actually. Does Arthur know-?" Merlin's eyes widened.

"Yes." Arian cut him off, "But he can't know that you know. He has enough problems to deal with without worrying about you running your mouth off to Uther."

"I guess..." Merlin blinked, the man had a weird accent too, though it was hard to tell since Camelot's own accent was leaking through, "How long-?"

"Too long. Since I was six, the dresser was sold to Uther when Arthur was five and I was...seven? Yes, I think so. I'm surprised you didn't run off." Arian blinked at Merlin.

"Well, I've had a busy week..." Merlin stated with a slight awe to his voice, "Not much could surprise me now I suppose."

He hesitantly reached out and touched the mirror. Arian instantly flinched and covered his head, "Back off! Off of the mirror now!"

Merlin jumped away and the man seemed to relax more. He looked to his hands with furrowed eyebrows, "What did I do?"

"Gods...it felt like I was being squashed into a hole the size of a needle head...you're waves are just...overwhelming." Arian groaned and clutched his head before sighing, "Okay okay, turn me."

Merlin hesitated as he warily stepped closer again and gripped the edges, careful not to touch the mirror. Arian seemed more tense as Merlin finally was able to move him around to face the rest of the room.

"Now three BIG steps back."

"What? Why do I-?"

"Excuse me, last time I checked I was the prince in this little situation. Come on, three BIG steps back." Arian tried not to smirk at his abuse of power.

Merlin glared but took three steps back. Arian snorted and relaxed further until he was able to lean away from the surface of the mirror with a smile.

"Wow Marlin, really didn't think you'd listen. Power isn't something I'm used to having."

"It's Merlin, not Marlin. Now explain everything or I'll just leave you here for the next maid to find." Merlin snapped.

Arian crossed his arms with a devilish grin, "Then I'll just tell them you're actually a great and powerful sorcerer and used a spell to trap me in here."

Merlin froze and glared evenly at him "Or I could just smash the mirror and say it was an accident."

"Ah, you forget that Arthur and I are rather well acquainted. Besides these threats are getting us nowhere. I know you have magic Merlin." Arian smiled wider, this was too much fun.

Merlin froze before sighing, "How did you know?"

"I didn't. I guessed." Arian smirked even more and he could practically see the steam coming from Merlin's ears, "How Arthur hasn't realized it I'll never know, you practically put yourself out in the open...though I suppose he IS a pigeon, so I've learned to forgive his small brain. But seriously, you need to keep on the down-low."

"Wait, no-I am, but-" Merlin stumbled over which thing he wanted to say and Arian patiently waited until the sorcerer decided on a phrase.

Merlin almost growled, "Okay, answer my previous question."

"I don't know HOW exactly, but I can feel waves of power. Every time magic gets within...hm, I've never been able to test my range, but I know when magical happenings happen in Camelot. And you...you are the most powerful thing giving off waves. The closer you got to the mirror the more I was bombarded with waves. Understand?"

"Not...quite exactly. How did you get inside the mirror?" Merlin asked, now completely fascinated.

"Merlin?"

Both men flinched as they heard Arthur's voice from the door. They shared a glance and Arian gestured to quickly move him back.

"Merlin is that you?" Arthur sounded slightly irritated as his footsteps neared.

"Hurry up you fish head!" Arian ordered beneath his breath.

Merlin stopped and gave Arian an incredulous look, "Fish head?"

"You said it last not me, now go!" Arian demanded as Arthur walked into the main area of his chambers.

Merlin stood at attention, cloth behind his back. Arthur gave him a once over before striding up to Merlin, "What do you have behind your back?"

"Nothing sire." Merlin stated.

Arthur gave Merlin a look saying, 'Do you think I'm stupid?' before taking Merlin's arms and looking at them from every angle. Satisfied he took the rag from Merlin's grasp and tossed it in his face. Arthur walked up to the dresser and inspected it before turning back to his manservant.

"Go, my armor still needs its own polishing."

Merlin gave a nod as he walked off towards the armory. He knew that he would have to talk to Arian again, if he could sense even low levels of magic...it'd be so much easier to accomplish the whole destiny the dragon talked about.

/

"Okay so...what's a prat and how does it pertain to you exactly?" Arian asked curiously after Arthur had turned him around.

"I honestly have no idea. I'm sure it's some village pun or other nonsense like that." Arthur sighed as he plopped down onto his bed, "Anyway, I won all of my rounds in the tournament today, not that I had any doubt, but-"

Arian didn't know how hard it was going to be to not tell Arthur something. They usually shared everything with each other...but...

Arian moved his gaze back to Arthur's exhausted posture as the Prince of Camelot boasted and he silently made a decision. Arthur really did have his own problems without Arian forcing his own upon him, he could keep this one secret from Arthur, then with Merlin's help break free and do all of the research about Tregor himself. Plus Arthur knew he had been training to escape, so it would only be a mild surprise if he were actually able to accomplish it.

"-then that creep of a Knight sucked up to Morgana like a snake-"

"Are you referring to Valiant?" Arain immediately snapped back into the conversation.

"Yes, I just said that three minutes ago. Were you even listening Arian?" Arthur growled lightly.

Arian shrugged, "Doesn't matter. Past is in the past, say, did anything seem...weird about him?"

Arthur sat up and raised an eyebrow, "Valiant? No...not really. No need to be suspicious of anything."

"I felt waves coming from that shield Arthur. Be careful." Arian warned.

"Stop being such a mother hen Arian, you feel waves all the time. If I ran my sword through everything you felt a wave from then by the end of the day there'd be hardly anything left!" Arthur laughed and stretched before standing up, "I'd like to stay for a bit longer, but my father requested that I dine with him this evening."

"I'm serious Arthur." Arian called as the blonde walked away with a wave of his hand.

"Arthur!"

The door closed and Arian sighed. It was times like this he remembered that Arthur was younger than he was, though they did grow up together and Arthur had seen more, Arian still interpreted things in a different light then his friend.

For instance, though Arthur didn't know it, magic was something they disagreed on. Arian was still slightly frightened of the practice, but as the years started to drag on Arian started to wonder if magic would get him out of this.

Sometimes when he fell into a dreamless sleep he expected to see Peter crouching over him with a familiar smile, telling him that everything was fine. That he was safe as long as he was there.

Suddenly Arian didn't feel as safe anymore.

/

"Hello?" Merlin looked up from searching for Arthur's armor, "Is there someone there?"

The armory was always freezing, it was to be expected as the window from above had no glass and allowed all of the chills to come in. Even in summer it was cool and a great refuge for knights after a long day of training. However all of the weapons cast shadows. As those shadows grew darker with each passing hour your mind would play tricks on you.

Merlin could've sworn he'd heard something. A shallow hiss that seemed to echo off the stone walls and bounce back to him. Looking around he spotted Valiant's shield.

It seemed to be drawing him in and pushing him back at the same time as he moved closer. Merlin gasped as one of the snake's eyes blinked back at him. He took a shaky breath and moved to touch it before cold metal was shoved against his chest. Merlin holds his breath as he slowly follows the sword tip at his throat until he's standing up.

"Can I help you with something boy?" Valiant spat.

Merlin fumbled before his eyes rested on the armor he'd been looking for then back at Valiant, "Nope. I'm good. I, I was just...I was, erm, gathering my master's armour."

The knight gave a very disbelieving smile before letting the sword drop, Merlin immediately relaxed some.

"Then you'd best be on your way."

"Right, yeah, no problem." Merlin laughed with a slightly cracked voice as he grabbed the armor and bolted.

Merlin had seen that shield blink at him, he was almost sure of it. He needed that mirror to reaffirm that he was right and then figure out a way to stop it...he had to get to that mirror.

/

(Morning of Semi-Finals)

Merlin laid out all of Arthur's armor as the Prince came in to see how his manservant had handled the load. Arthur blinked in surprise at the shining armor set out almost perfectly on the table. Shaking it off he chuckled and tightened the gambeson around himself, "You did this all on your own?"

"Yes sire." Merlin answered immediately, darting glances towards the dresser that had once again been moved to face the outside.

"Hm. Now let's see you get me into it without forgetting anything." Arthur challenged.

Merlin put on Arthur's hauberk and surcoat, followed by the gorget, vambraces, pauldron, and couter. Next, his mail coif, belt, sword belt, dagger, and sword. Merlin handed Arthur his helmet with a triumphant grin at how fast his work was done.

"That was much better. Not that it could have got any worse." Arthur half complimented, which for Arthur was about as close to a real compliment as you could get.

"I'm a fast learner." Merlin boasted lightly.

"I hope, for you sake, that's true." Arthur snorted and shared a look with Merlin.

He didn't know how Arian could read someone he'd never met so well. The honesty in Merlin's gaze was something he wasn't accustomed to, neither was the ability to deal with a Pendragon Prince. He could see pride in Merlin's gaze, and a fiery sense of duty that was hard to find in someone so quick with his tongue.

"Good luck." Merlin stated.

Arthur gave a slight nod, happy with knowing that the encouraging words were truly well accepted as he left to the arena.

/

As soon as Arthur left Merlin snapped his gaze to the mirror. Grabbing the armoire he turned it a bit faster than yesterday, now that he knew where to grip turning the furniture was easy.

"You, in the armory last night there's a shield, did you feel any-" Merlin immediately began.

Arian hold up a hand, "Keep your cows in their stables Marlin! You haven't milked them yet!"

"It's Merlin. And this isn't a game-"

"My name is Arian. Prince Arian, technically Crown Prince of Tregor though I haven't been sworn in yet. Apparently you forgot that a few moments ago." Arian leveled Merlin with an even glare.

Merlin seemed taken aback before sighing, "Yes, sire, my apologies."

"Accepted. Thank you Merlin, but don't call me sire. Just Arian is fine." Arian grinned, content with himself, "NOW go ahead and ask...after you take three BIG steps back again."

Merlin rolled his eyes and gave him a scowl before giving an irritated and sassy grin as he took three loud steps backwards. Arian couldn't resist.

"Ah, a bit too far. One step closer then." Arian felt elated and humored with Merlin around.

Merlin scowled before breathing heavily through his nose and taking one step forward. He held out his hand in exasperation, daring Arian to tell him to move again.

"Thank you Merlin."

"Now...I'd like some answers."

Arian was silent for a moment before gesturing to the chair. Merlin sat down in Arthur's usual spot.

"I had wanted to scare my nursemaid so I was hiding in my room's closet waiting for her to come in. I jumped out at her and laughed before demanding that I see my sister Catrina...Catrina, she was always sick. It was hard for her to move at times, let alone play with me. When my nursemaid said I couldn't play with her I ran off and snuck down into the vaults. I saw this mirror and the strange lettering and got curious. That's when...the invaders attacked. I heard the guards fighting at the entrance of the vaults and tried to use the mirror as leverage to get out of the bars...it started to glow a strange gold color, my body felt weightless as I was sucked into the mirror and my body was gold. It was colder than anything I'd ever felt, then I felt like I was being dissected and put back together thousands of times. It was like the mirror was changing my very blood. Then I was being carried away, everything went dark. Then I saw it...my father's and my sister's bodies burned. My mother held captive by the Saxon leader for whom I still have no name. My people left with a tyrant..."

Merlin remained silent and a bit fidgety, "I'm sorry..."

"I'm over it trust me, all I want to do now is get out of this cage...my people need me. It's my destiny Merlin...something I think you understand at least a little bit." Arian stood back up and put his hands on the mirror, the cloth hanging at his waist to cover his almost naked form, "I need your help. Arthur has his own problems with being a prince himself, and in return for your help as soon as I get out I will help to convince Arthur that magic isn't evil."

Merlin's eyes widened again, "You don't believe...magic is evil?"

Arian looked torn, "I had a friend once, Peter, he was a squire about four years older than me...often I was attacked by bandits or kidnapped. I would go unconscious and wake up with Peter carrying me and the castle in the distance. I noticed the gold flash only once, then I asked my nursemaid why I couldn't be like Peter and have pretty eyes like the sun...she told my father and he was executed. A year or two after that the Great Purge finally ended."

Merlin felt even more sorry than before...he stood up and moved closer to the mirror, noticing Arian flinch he stepped back again, "I-I don't understand your pain, and I'm not sure I can help you...I'm not as powerful as people seem to think I am."

"But you are!" Arian's eyes widened in surprise, "I can feel it Merlin. You shouldn't doubt yourself...will you help me? Please."

Merlin thought long and hard, maybe Arian was just another piece to this huge destiny thing. But Merlin already apparently had one royal prat to deal with...two could be overwhelming. He looked at Arian's helpless gaze, Merlin saw all of it in those eyes: the pain, sadness, loneliness and the dwindling feeling of hope.

"Merlin...I can't go on like this." Arian admitted evenly.

Merlin felt his conscience tug at his brain and before he could think of the consequences he nodded, "I guess I could try..."

And for some reason as he saw Arian's ecstatic grin as he laughed gleefully like a child and so loudly Merlin was afraid someone would come into the room, he couldn't help but get this overwhelming feeling of wrong.

-A/N: Dun dun dun! So, thus is the story behind the brass jokes. It's Arthur's fault.