"You did great, Merlin." Balinor and Hunith both said when they went to their son again. The curtain was drawn shut again and a soft buzz of people talking was going around the grand hall.

Merlin's knees were nearly buckling from what he'd just done. "I cannot believe that that just happened."

His mother laid a hand onto his lower arm, giving him a warm smile. "Well it has really happened. You really are now known as Crown Prince of Mercia."

Merlin smiled, "I suppose I am."

"Merlin!"

Merlin turned around and no sooner as he'd done that, there were two arms thrown around his neck and a pair of lips pressed against his own.

A clearing of his father's throat made the pair part. Merlin had pinked cheeks when he looked back to his father, and he casted his eyes down to the ground. Arthur had to hold in a snort at how shy Merlin could still be sometimes when he would kiss him when his parents were around.

Percy and Will came not much time after behind stage and Will carried a bag that he handed over to Arthur. Merlin noticed and he narrowed his brows. "What's that?" He jerked his head forward.

"Remember the time at your birthday. I promised you to give you a surprise later on?"

Merlin nodded silently.

Arthur first looked at the four people around him. "I think he's ready now for that surprise, don't you think?"

Percy and Will nodded with a sly grin. While Balinor embraced Hunith and waited anxiously for their son's reaction.

Arthur reached into the bag and pulled out a gift wrapped box and handed it to Merlin. "Well, here it is."

Merlin didn't waste any time and ripped the paper off, and the sight that met him was quite… disappointing, if he must say. His already narrowed brows turned in a deep scowl as he held his so-called surprise up.

"This… I've been waiting for months, and this is the surprise? An iPad! Arthur, you are seriously the most lousy gift giver, ever." Merlin pouted. Not that he wasn't happy with an iPad, but it was just so… not what he thought Arthur had in store for him. And to have to wait months for an iPad was a bit unnecessary, especially since those things were out for a bazillion years.

Arthur laughed out loud at Merlin's comment, making the other people around him laugh too. Merlin however, was not amused. He then grabbed the iPad out of Merlin's hands and turned it on. "No you… idiot. The iPad is not the surprise, it's what's on it, well sort of."

Arthur turned the screen back to Merlin to show what the actual surprise was. Merlin saw a slideshow of pictures of some kind of house. He glanced up to Arthur. "It's a house. Are we going on holiday or something?"

Instead of Arthur speaking, his father spoke. "No, Merlin. This is your new home for the next couple of years."

Merlin's eyes turned comically wide.

His father continued. "I know you haven't lived long in Mercia yet, but you told us that you would like to continue your studies and we fully support you in that. But, it's just not that logical to fly from Mercia to England every day. And it is important for a young man to learn how to stand on his own two feet."

Merlin was actually speechless for a few moments. "But… I can't just live in this big ass house all by myself!"

Arthur chuckled, and Hunith glared slightly at her son for his language, but she let it slip for now.

Arthur turned Merlin to face him. "You are not going to live by yourself." He turned to Will and Percy and extended his arm. "Merlin, meet your house mates… and me of course."

"Wait. Really?" Merlin's jaw slacked into a big O, but then turned into a big grin. "All of us in one house… this is, oh my god. That's amazing!"

"But," Balinor interfered before Merlin could get head over heels. "We expect you to behave properly. After your royal duties, your studies go before anything else. No partying all night long and that kind of stuff. And don't think you are completely alone, a group of Mercian as well as English guards will be moving in too. But we will talk about this later, I believe it's time for you to mingle. Everyone is excited to meet you."

~oOoOo~

Merlin was intimidated at first to meet all these important people, but soon he found out that they were just that; people. With his quick talk and his ability to find out people's interests quite quickly, he managed all too well with mingling.

He had finally some rest after what must've been an hour of mingling with different kind of people and he made his way to one of the many tables with appetizers. Will and Percy soon joined him there. He was happy that his friends were there, but he still missed one more – Freya. He hadn't seen her yet, and he was now afraid that she hadn't come.

Starting to sulk a bit, Merlin picked one of the snacks and studied it cautiously before finally deciding the hell with it and just stuffed the whole thing into his mouth.

"Dude. Who is that girl." Merlin heard Will say, just when Percy stomped Will on the arm. "I was about to ask that!" Percy told him.

Merlin turned around and saw both his friends point to the girl who was staring out of the large windows. Merlin recognized her immediately and his mood improved tenfold. It was Freya, he was so happy that she had decided to come.

Merlin looked back at his friends who were not yet drooling and simultaneously sending each other hateful glares.

"Seriously, Merlin. Do you know her?" Will asked again.

"Hmmm. I might." Merlin said, mostly nonchalant and not giving it much attention. He knew his friends, Will especially, would become frustrated.

"Merlin!" Will admonished. "Introduce me."

Percy cleared his throat harshly. "I think you meant to say, introduce us."

Will waved his hand disinterested. "Whatever."

"Alright fine. Come on then." Merlin started walking, his two friends walking behind him like submissive dogs. He was just an arm's length away from Freya and tapped her on her shoulder. Freya was startled, but when she turned around she grinned when she saw Merlin standing there.

Freya threw her hands around Merlin's neck. "I thought I wouldn't see you tonight. You seemed so busy with everyone else."

Merlin shook his head. "You should've just come up to me."

"Oh, no. I'm not that important."

Merlin sighed, he would've hoped that Freya had understood how important she really was to him. "Freya, you are important. To me you are."

"Freya!?" Two voices from behind him not yet yelled at the same time. Freya's eyes went wide.

"Merlin, have I done something wrong?" She whispered in Merlin's ear.

Merlin chuckled. "Nothing. My friends are just being idiots." He turned and pointed first at Will and then Percy." Freya, this is Will and this is Percy."

"Oh!" Freya blushed when she realised that these two guys were the friends Merlin talked about. Now she looked better, she indeed recognized the two from a picture that Merlin had showed her some time ago. She shook hands with both of them, but her hand lingered a little longer in Percy's. She smiled coyly up at him.

Will, of course, had to ruin the moment. "Sorry for being a pair of twats just now. We just didn't recognized you, you looked so different on the picture Merlin showed us."

Freya nervously tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "What a bit of make-up and a brush can do for you, eh?"

Merlin had to give his friends that. Freya looked indeed different than her every day look, but then again, so did they. Freya wore the dress that she picked out, and instead of the usual messy bun she wore, she now had her hair styled in soft curls that fell playfully along her face. She even wore some make up, completing her transformation. Merlin didn't know why she was so afraid of fitting in, because she could be totally mistaken for somebody equally important as anyone in the room.

He was brought back out of his thoughts when he heard Freya gasp softly. At the same time he felt two arms wrap around his waist from the back. He tilted his head a bit to the side to see Arthur standing there, grin present on his lips.

"I was wondering where you had wandered off too." Arthur let go of Merlin and extended his hand to Freya. "I'm Arthur."

Freya smiled. "I know who you are." Freya whispered. "I'm Freya."

Realisation dawned on him. "Oh! I have heard so much about you."

Merlin stood back to see his the three friends getting on so well with Freya. He even saw some sparks flying between her and Percy, he was curious to where that would lead.

Some time later they were talking about which movie they should see next weekend as Merlin invited all of them, including Freya, to come over to their new house so they could spent one last time together before Merlin would be going back to school again.

~oOoOo~

Balinor had to stifle his laughter when he looked at his most trusted bodyguard, who was so clearly paying attention to only one person… and it wasn't him. He cleared his throat and raised his eyebrows. "Lancelot, are you ogling the British Prime Minister's daughter again?" The King smirked when he saw his most trusted agent turn to him with his eyes wide and a small blush started to appear on his cheeks.

"Sir! I... uh…" Lancelot gulped deeply.

The King reached his hand out to touch Lancelot's arm. Balinor knew about this on-going glancing, between Gwen and Lancelot. They had met a few years prior and he had known about Lancelot's crush on Guinevere for the past two years. But he also knew that both were too stubborn to admit their feelings for each other. Perhaps that would chance tonight.

Balinor jerked his head in Gwen's direction. "Go on, talk to her. It's almost becoming too painful watching you two twiddle around each other."

"But Sire, I'm here for your protection."

Balinor chuckled in amusement. "I order you to, Lance. You deserve it. And I have five other agents closely around me, never mind the excessive guards scattered in and around the premises. I think I'll be fine for a few minutes. Just go." He softly nudged Lancelot in his side.

"Well, if it is an order, Sire…" He grinned. "Thank you." Lance said with a bow of his head and sauntered off towards Gwen.

Balinor then felt a hand wander on his back and Hunith slowly went to stand next to him. "That was sweet of you." She said, taking a sip from her glass. Balinor eyed the glass suspiciously. He bent forward. "You're not supposed to be drinking champagne!" He admonished, his voice just above a whisper.

Hunith tilted her glass to him. "Don't worry." She whispered back. "It's apple juice mixed with sparkling water. Have to keep up the pretence for now." She stood back and winked, holding out her glass in front of her.

Balinor shook his head in amusement and clinked his own glass against Hunith's.

~oOoOo~

Merlin had excused himself to go to the toilets, and was now walking back to his friends again. He looked a bit around, most of the people nodding politely at him when he walked past. Then his eyes widened when he saw one familiar face. A face he thought he would never see again.

He jumped behind one column, hoping to hide from the guy. But that hope was scattered when he felt breath encircle his ear just seconds later and a familiar voice saying, "I don't hope you're hiding from me... Your Highness."

Merlin jumped up. He stared wide eyed in the brown eyes of the guy in front of him.

Gwaine licked his lower lip. "If I knew back then that you were some royal, I may not have done something. You know, keeping up your reputation and all. Well mine's soiled anyways." Gwaine barked a laugh. "But yours? … and now I read that you're together with Princess. That's just waiting for a disaster to happen isn't it?" Gwaine barked a laugh.

Merlin narrowed his brows, what in the world was this guy talking about? Which Princess?

"Oh come on. You know me. Gwaine, from that one time... in the toilets at the back of that club…"

"Yes, yes. I know." Merlin interrupted, looking around him to see if no one overheard. To his fear, he saw Arthur coming to walk up to them. He needed to ditch Gwaine and needed to do it now. But it was too late, Arthur had already caught up with them.

"Merlin, there you are! And you're talking with… Gwaine." Arthur wasn't even surprised that the guy was there.

Merlin started to mumble incoherently. He just didn't want Arthur to find out that this was the guy who gave him a hand job once. It had happened three years ago, but still. He glanced numerous times between Gwaine and Arthur.

"Is something wrong?" Arthur asked.

Merlin shook his head frantically, then he stopped to stare at Arthur. "Wait, you know him?"

"Sure." Gwaine interrupted. "Me and Princess here go way back, aren't we?" Gwaine answered with a smack on Arthur's back.

Arthur glared. "I told you to stop calling me that. You never change do you?"

Merlin took the opportunity to divert the attention from him. "So where do you know him from?"

Instead of Arthur, Gwaine answered. "From some posh all boys school." Gwaine rolled his eyes.

"Gwaine here is from old money," Arthur began to explain. "His parents are probably even richer than the two of us combined." Arthur looked back at Gwaine. "And Gwaine does literally nothing in his life, apart from drinking and partying. And I don't know how he does it, but somehow he always seems to find a way to get himself invited to a party, whenever there is one."

"Hey!" Gwaine exclaimed, looking faux hurt. "I do something in my life."

"Yeah, shagging every human that still breathes." Arthur mocked. "And just so you know, this one's off limits." Arthur pulled Merlin just a little bit tighter against his side.

This is going the wrong direction. Merlin thought to himself and was glad that they were interrupted by some waitress.

"Some champagne, sir?"

Merlin turned gratefully towards the waitress that was holding a tray with some glasses. "Erm… sure, why not. Thank you." He drank almost two-thirds of the glass in one gulp.

Gwaine and Arthur took a glass as well and there seemed to be some strife going on between the two of them. Merlin coughed, setting his glass down again and gripping Gwaine's arm. "I, er, just wanted to take this opportunity to get some dirt on you from him." Merlin said, glancing back at Arthur. "Won't take a moment. Let's go, Gwaine." Merlin tugged harder on Gwaine's arm and Gwaine followed, feeling more and more amused by the flustered Merlin.

When Merlin pushed him behind yet another column, he pointed one finger at Gwaine. "Arthur can't find out about… that. Seriously."

"Merlin, why the shame? We're humans after all, we do things like that. In fact, why don't we…"

Merlin pushed his hands against his ears. "If you finish that sentence… I swear to god!"

Gwaine bellowed, his whole body shaking with laughter. "Still so timid. You should try to loosen up, Merlin. And if you do, call me." Gwaine sent a wink at Merlin's way and Merlin rolled his eyes.

"I'm quite happy with Arthur, thanks. And if you'll excuse me now, I'm in need for fresh air." Merlin took a step away from Gwaine before stopping and turning again. "And remember, not. a. word."

Gwaine mock-saluted. "Aye, aye, captain."

Merlin shook his head and began to walk towards one of the doors that would lead to the balcony. He placed his now empty champagne glass on one of the tables and opened the doors, already feeling a cool breeze on his face. Before he was able to go out, he felt a hand on his shoulder. Turning he saw it was Tom, looking worried.

"I'm fine Tom, just wanting to have some time alone. It's been quite night."

Tom smiled at Merlin and gave him a nod of approval, his hand going up to his mouth to talk into the mic hidden in his sleeve. "Lancelot, the Prince will retreat to the balcony for a few moments. Can you inform his parents?"

"Will do."

Tom looked at Merlin after receiving that answer. "If you need me, I'm just out here."

"Thanks, but I doubt something will happen to me on a balcony."

Tom opened the door for him and Merlin stepped out. Immediately walking to the stone railing and taking his jacket off, placing it over the railing. The sky was already black and a few stars were making their appearance. Merlin smiled up to the sky, leaning his arms against the railing and just staring at the sky. It all just felt so peaceful.

"Beautiful night isn't it?"

Merlin jumped by the sudden voice and turned to see a guy walk up to him. Only when he was close, Merlin somewhat recognized him from one of the pictures his father had showed him prior to the event.

"Sorry, I didn't meant to scare you." The man apologized, holding his hands up.

"You only did a little." Merlin laughed softly. "It's just that I thought I was alone here." He cocked his head, squinting his eyes. "You're… Martin right?"

"Close, Mordred."

"Oh right, sorry." Merlin twitched his lip to the left.

"Well, it isn't a name you hear every day." Mordred added. He jerked his head to the doors. "So, are the people already driving you mad, that you felt the need to escape?"

Merlin shrugged. "Sort of. I just wanted some fresh air... and yes, perhaps I wanted a small break from all the etiquette too."

"I can relate to that!" Mordred smiled. "I especially wanted some time away from my sister. She always nags about me needing to stand a certain way, and to talk the right way, etcetera, etcetera." Mordred drawled on, he was trying to get on Merlin's sensitive side. Then he stopped. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't rant to the Crown Prince."

Merlin held his hands out. "No! not at all, I'm glad I'm finally meeting someone who's experiencing the same as me." He laughed.

There was a short silence, which Merlin broke. "So, my father told me you were my cousin."

Mordred tilted his head from left to right. "In a way, yes. Second cousins though."

Merlin nodded. "So you're a Prince as well."

"In a way, yes." Mordred smirked about his repetitive answer. "But currently I go by the title of Duke."

Merlin's eyes started to glint. "So you must have some obnoxious name as well, don't you?" He smirked when he saw Mordred roll his eyes.

"His Royal Highness Prince Mordred Sebastian Leonardo Le Fey of Letrian." Mordred droned up in a monotone voice. "But in short just Mordred le Fey, Duke of Letrian."

"Well that isn't that bad! But why isn't your name Emrys as well, since we are family."

"Basically, it's due to my grandmother. You see, your grandparents had one other sibling, my mother's mother, your grand-aunt. She married a man and had taken on his name, and when my mother was old enough to decide whether or not to go by the Emrys name, she declined. She wanted to keep her parents' name. So that's it basically."

Mordred held his nose up and it made Merlin laugh. Mordred couldn't look away from that smile, he was just so drawn to it, but he knew he shouldn't like Merlin. He was after all the one who stood between him and the crown… or well, Morgana and the Crown, he wouldn't even be a King. Mordred was starting to become a little bit confused. Why was he doing this again?

He didn't want to think about it, and let his eyes wander around the outside area. "So, how do you find Mercia for the time you've been here? You've been here a few months, I believe?"

"Oh, it's been really great, honestly! I admit, it took some taking used to, but I think I'm pretty used to it now. But, it seemed that I'm moving out apperently."

At that, Mordred frowned which Merlin caught so he began to explain. "I'm going to go to school again Monday next week."

"Oh yes, I've read about that."

"Yeah, and my parents have arranged that me, Arthur and two of my best friends can live in a house in England. I'll be moving in there probably tomorrow."

Mordred whistled low, "Oehh, big change. Are you excited?"

"For the move, or going back to school?"

Mordred shrugged. "Both?"

"Well, yes and no, I guess." Merlin answered truthfully. "I mean, I know that there will be a whole media circus about me and my new role and all that other crap when I go back to school, so that's not something I'm really looking forward to." Merlin shook his head repeatedly. "But I'll also be around my friends, the ones who truly care about me for me and not for some shining crown on top of my head."

Mordred felt a pang of guilt through his stomach, but simultaniously stored the information about Merlin moving out, away in his head to tell Morgana later.

~oOoOo~

Morgana sashayed through the crowds, setting her sights on her uncle. When she got closed, she opened her arms and put on her best smile. "Uncle!"

Balinor wrapped her into a hug. "Morgana, I'm so glad to see you." He let go off her and looked around. "Where's Mordred?"

Morgana waved her hand. "Oh you know how he is; not liking to be around too many people. He's probably somewhere in a corner." Morgana laughed and then turned to Hunith and inclined her head. "My lady."

Hunith smiled softly. "Don't be silly, you can call me Hunith. It's been a while since I last say you and you've grown into a pretty young lady ever since." Hunith saw a small frown appear on Morgana's face and started to clarify, "I sometimes saw you when you visited the palace, but you were just a toddler. I think you have been too young to still remember me from then."

"I am sad to say that I have, but we have a lot of time to catch up." Morgana refrained from pulling a face; instead she put on her fake smile. She pretended to look around. "But where is my newest cousin? I didn't had the pleasure to have met him personally yet."

Balinor looked around, but there were just so many people that he couldn't find his son right that second. He looked around some more, but was interrupted by a tap on his shoulder.

"Sir." Lancelot said, "I just received a message from Tom, telling me that Prince Merlin is on the balcony."

"Ah, okay. Thank you, Lancelot." Balinor turned back to Morgana, "Well, he's on the balcony. Shall we go to him, or wait for him here?"

"There's no need, I'm sure I'll see him around one day. I mean, Mordred and I have returned back to Mercia from our overseas travels and we have decided that we wanted some rest now, and… well you know what day is coming up."

Balinor placed a soft hand on Morgana's shoulder. "I know, dear. It hasn't been easy these past three years." Balinor brought Morgana to a room just outside of the hall, sitting her down on the sofa. He and Hunith sat down next to her.

"It's just, I miss them so much." Morgana told her uncle, burying her head into his shoulder. If only he'd know what the real story was behind her parents' deaths.

Balinor embraced his niece's shoulders. "You know that you can always come to me if you need anything, or if you just want to talk to me. For you I'll always make time."

"Thank you, uncle." Morgana said, wiping away the faux tears. Hunith handed her a handkerchief that she accepted. "I can't thank you enough for everything you've done for Mordred and me these past years."

"It's the least I could do, Morgana." He kissed her on top of her hair. "Are you alright to go back to the hall again, or do you want to stay here for a while longer?" Balinor saw a hesitant nod from his niece and placed his hand on top of Morgana's. "Take as long as you need."

He held his hand out for Hunith and together they walked back to the hall, not aware of the hateful glare Morgana sent towards the two of them.

~oOoOo~

The event continued well into early morning, and Merlin's eyes were already starting to fall down. The past hour he'd been sitting by himself, watching the last guests take their leave, and honestly, Merlin was glad. He had enjoyed this night, but all those new people, all those new impressions took a great chunk of his energy.

He had seen his parents dance to a slow song earlier, and he was genuinely happy to see how the two of them acted around each other. It was a shame that they had to keep the pregnancy a secret for the time being, or Merlin was sure of it that his father's hands were constantly on his mother's stomach. Even tonight he had seen how his father's hands twitched to touch it on some occasions, but his mother made sure to put a stop on those movements.

"Hey, you ready to go?" Merlin looked up to see Arthur standing in front of him, his jacket hung around his crooked arm. Merlin nodded and stood up, trying his best to stifle the yawn that was threatening to make his way past his lips.

"Did you enjoy tonight?" Arthur asked and got yet another nod as an answer back. Merlin felt far too tired to keep up any coherent conversation at this moment.

Tom soon joined the pair and held the door of the car open and Arthur nearly had to carry Merlin inside the vehicle, but Merlin managed to lift his legs one by one and made it into the car without falling asleep. He managed to keep awake just until Arthur got in and buckled his seatbelt. After that it was a lost cause really and Merlin fell asleep against Arthur's shoulder.

Back at the palace, Arthur did not have the heart to wake his sleeping boyfriend and decided to carry Merlin inside to his room and placing him gently down onto his bed. He only took Merlin's jacket, shoes and tie off, leaving the rest on and to worry about tomorrow morning.

He actually could not wait until next week. He and Merlin, just as Will and Percy, would move into their new home.