Chapter 7

Arthur stood up and walked aimlessly around his room, unconsciously ruffling his hair, as he reflected on all that Merlin had just told him. He understood completely now why he had never told him. Merlin knew that telling him meant putting him in a very difficult position. He had two choices. One: commit treason. Two: kill Merlin. One of them, he knew, would be necessary, but the other was definitely out of the question.

He was the crowned prince of Camelot, and as such a respected and important figure he had certain obligations to his people!

Who was he kidding? His choice had nothing to do with his people and everything to do with him. He couldn't, not in a million years, even think of doing that. He turned to Merlin, his face unreadable as he studied his servant's face. He looked worried, but not at all defensive. Merlin would do anything he asked. He'd give his own life for him. He'd let him kill him, he had shown that earlier. If there was anything Arthur knew about Merlin it was that he wasn't evil. Everything his father had said about people who used magic made no sense at all seeing Merlin, his friend, sitting there looking completely harmless and worried, even though Merlin could kill him easily with a flash of his eye.

That should worry him, he thought. It should worry him that Merlin could kill him so easily. But it didn't. Arthur knew Merlin was telling the truth when he pledged his loyalty, and described every time had had saved his life. Merlin would never kill him, sorcerer or not.

So he was back at his decision. Defy his father, the man who raised him, who loved him, and cared for him his whole life, or betray Merlin, his best friend who, although they had only known each other for a few years, he felt they had been friends all their lives.

The choice was easy.

Arthur stopped pacing and looked directly into Merlin's bright blue eyes, knowing his decision was the right one.

"Well," He said, "What now?" He asked.

"Wh-what?" Merlin stuttered, confused.

"Well everyone in court saw you, so it's no secret anymore, but hopefully they will do what I said and not tell my father. Of course, this sort of thing is bound to come out sooner or later, no matter how hard we try, so what now?"

Merlin suddenly broke out into a huge smile. "You mean-"

"Yes Merlin, I am not going to kill you. You're far to valuable for that." He smiled slightly.

"Prat."

"Exscuse me?" Arthur demanded, lightly, "I just told you I'm sparing your life, you should be worshipping me."

"Yes, because I'm so valuable. And I really don't think your head needs to be any bigger."

Arthur ignored his comment. "Yeah, do you know how hard it is to actually find a good servant around here?" Arthur asked.

"Pretty hard. Have you found one yet?"

"Nope."

Merlin's face was lit up. "So...you don't want to kill me?" He asked, disbelievingly.

"Honestly Merlin, do you have any faith in me? I thought we were friends." Arthur answered, almost not believing how easygoing he was himself.

"Well you did try already..."

Arthur's face darkened. He already felt horrible about what he had almost done in the throne room. At the first test of honor he had almost killed his best friend. He was ashamed of himself.

"And I regret it, I really do. I'm sorry, Merlin." Merlin smiled and Arthur continued, "But really, this is difficult. The whole court was there, everyone knows now."

"But not your father." Said Merlin, "Your father doesn't know, and you told the knights not to tell him."

"He'll find out eventually."

"Well let's hope that's later, rather than sooner." Merlin's eyes were bright. Arthur frowned.

"The most logical conclusion would be for you to leave Camelot, and never come back."

"Do you really want that?" Merlin was staring straight at Arthur, who suddenly realized that that was the last thing he wanted. Merlin would be safer that way, but he would lose him.

"No."

"Me neither. So we just pretend nothing happened, until the King finally finds out."

"And when he does?"

Merlin pondered that question for a minute before answering, "Then I guess I'll run."

Arthur and Merlin looked at eachother for a few minutes. Both knew that Merlin staying in Camelot was a bad idea. When Uther found out, because he would eventually find out, he would be furious at Arthur for not telling him, which could lead to trouble between the two, and he would then have Merlin killed. Yet neither wanted Merlin to leave, against all logic.

"So I'm staying?" Merlin asked.

"You're staying."

I didn't mean for that to be so short, but I figured it was a good place to end. I'll update with the next part soon.