Arthur awoke the next morning groggy, completely disoriented, and sore. Slowly he got up, his muscles groaning in protest as they were stiff and cold from sleeping outside and on the cold ground. It was mid-October and the weather was turning much more chilly at night, and as they had nothing but the clothes on their backs the night had not been very pleasant. Deciding to at least try to wake himself up, Arthur went over to the river to splash some water on his face, but was met with a rather unusual sight to say the least. There, on the bank of the river, was Merlin. Which in and of itself would not have been that unusual only, this time he wasn't wearing any clothes at all. Arthur stood there shellshocked as Merlin dried himself off using his clothes, only to turn around and realize Arthur was suddenly there.

"Arthur!" Merlin screeched using the article of clothing he had been using to dry himself off to cover himself and regain a shred of his lost dignity. "What...what are you doing here?"

Arthur stood there for a few moments opening and closing his jaw, trying to form a sentence, "I...uh...you know...I uh...came to...you know...stuff." After several failed attempts at an answer Arthur managed to compose himself to give a fragment of an answer, "I...w...wanted to...uh...wash up." He said trying to recover from the sheer awkwardness of seeing his clumsy manservant naked.

Merlin was still staring wide eyed at Arthur, waiting for him to leave. However Arthur's brain seemed incapable of thinking as he just stood there, clearly still in shock.

"Arthur..why don't you...you know...go away so I can...uh...change?" Merlin offered still blushing furiously.

"Oh!" Arthur exclaimed "Right I'll just...uh...go do that." He said turning and walking away, almost tripping over the root of a tree that had exposed itself from the ground.

()()()()()()()()

Arthur sat on the ground, twiddling with a piece of grass, left with his thoughts since Merlin was not there to disturb them as he usually did. His mind was currently occupied with thoughts of Camelot, more specifically his big warm bed. The comforter was large and filled with soft goose feathers, and his mattress and pillows were equally as comfortable. What he wouldn't give to open the night in his bed instead of the dirt and mud.

"You seem deep in thought." Merlin said remerging from the river.

"Well I was, until you came and disrupted me, as usual." Arthur said shaking his head at Merlin's usual ways.

"Oh," Merlin said, "Well, what were you thinking about?" He asked innocently.

"Just fantasying about my bed." Arthur said looking smug.

Merlin looked wide-eyed, "Ok, maybe I shouldn't actually have asked."

"If you didn't ask you wouldn't be Merlin, just another boring man servant." Arthur said leaning back against the tree.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Merlin asked the prince.

Arthur smiled, a mixture between smug and genuine. "Well for starters most servants know to call me sire, yet you insist on calling me Arthur and not caring if you disrespect me-"

"But-" Merlin started to interrupt but was then interrupted again by Arthur.

"That's another thing, you always interrupt me, something a regular servant would never dream of doing. You're also loud, constantly violate my personal boundaries, and you talk about my feelings way to much for anyone's good. Things a normal servant would never ever dream of doing. You're just so, I don't know...Merlin."

Merlin stood still a moment absorbing what Arthur had said then he spoke in almost disbelief, "I violate your personal boundaries?" He asked.

Arthur rolled his eyes, "Yes, you do. All the time. You've thrown me out of bed numerous times, you constantly pull me every which way, I mean come on Merlin."

"Shut-up, you wouldn't last a day without me and you know it." Merlin said, a half-smile on his face.

"Oh yes," Arthur said sarcastically "I wouldn't be rudely talked to, tripped over, and have my innermost thoughts talked about. There would also be a lot less of me covering your arse in battles since you seem incapable of defending yourself. It's like you suddenly take on the attitude of a deer, or a wimp at least. No, I can't say that you're always a wimp."

"Hey! I have never missed a battle before! That counts for something!" Merlin said defending his actions.

"No, it doesn't that's like saying I went to the tavern and just stood there, technically you're there but it's not as if you're actually you know-doing anything." Arthur explained to Merlin in his typical arrogant way.

"Oh, you're just a clever one aren't you?" Merlin said sarcastically.

"That with the side of fit and incredibly handsome." Arthur did his best prince charming grin.

Merlin rolled his eyes, and they both laughed at the sheer ridiculousness of Arthur's grin.

"I'll just bet that makes all the ladies swoon." Merlin said, half-smiling.

"Oh no-some of the faint. Especially when I wink, that really gets them." Arthur said, laughing alongside Merlin.

Merlin was still grinning from ear to large ear, "You have no shame do you?" He asked the Prince.

"Nope," Arthur replied "None at all."

()()()()()()()()()()()()()()

The day did not get much warmer than the morning-a sure sign that fall was upon them and that soon the harvest and preparations for winter would soon begin. Around noon the pair stopped again, each one thirsty from the hours of walking which was very tiring. More so for Merlin who did not have any formal endurance training, or stamina for that matter.

"I'm tired, can't we just rest for a little while more?" Merlin asked his feet throbbing horridly from the lack of better shoes.

Arthur rolled his eyes, "How'd I know you'd eventually start complaining?"

"It's not my fault!" Merlin protested. The Prince shot him a look that was akin to 'yah, right'. "Honestly, if you had to walk all day in my shoes your feet would hurt just as much as mine do right now-which is a lot let me tell you."

Arthur looked at Merlin, his blue eyes showing irritation, "What exactly do you want me to do? Give you a foot message?" Arthur asked him sarcastically.

"Yes, that'd be lovely thanks." Merlin responded crossing his arms over his chest.

Arthur rolled his eyes, "Well that's not going to happen so I suggest you just suck it up and keep walking."

Merlin rolled his eyes and groaned, "You're such a prat."

"Yah, and you're a girl." Arthur replied poking the small fire.

Merlin just shook his head at the prince, "I'm not even going to dignify that with a response." He said laying on the ground, looking up at the beautiful fall sky. The sky was a brilliant blue, soft pillowy clouds floated in the endless sea of sky. Merlin sighed contentedly. That was when he noticed it. There was a plum of smoke. Smoke, as if ti was from a fire. Were there were people.

"Arthur!" He said leaning over so he could hit the prince in the ankle.

"What, did you see a butterfly?" Arthur said sarcastically.

Merlin shot him a glare, "No, look there's smoke!" Merlin said excitedly.

Arthur looked up and squinted at the sky for a few moments, then his face went slack with realization. "Oh my God." He said, barely audible.

What Merlin asked looking confused, his dark eyebrows knitted together.

"Merlin you great idiot where there's smoke there's fire and were there's a fire there's people and when there are a bunch of people together there's a village!" Arthur explained, sorely tempted to hit Merlin upside the head.

"Oh, well then what are we waiting for? An invitation from faeries?" Merlin said getting up and starting to walk away.

Arthur got up and walked a bit faster so that he could take the lead, he was the crown prince of Camelot after all, he had a reputation to uphold.

"What's the first thing you're going to do when you get back to Camelot?" Merlin asked, giddy with anticipation.

"Sleep. In my large comfortable bed, and eat. But no fish, I suppose when we get back they'll have some kind of grand feast for me. I want beef, a nice juicy steak and some wine. That sounds perfect right about now." Arthur said clearly lost in his fantasy about food and his extremely comfortable bed.

"You're disgusting, honestly Arthur." Merlin said rolling his eyes at the prince. "Well when I get back I'm going to see Gaius and Gwen, it'll be nice seeing them again. Then I'm going to take a whole day of and sleep, and eat, but mostly just relax." Merlin said grinning with the temptation of relaxation from the craziness that was his destiny.

Arthur snorted, "Who says I'm going to give you the day off you slacker." He said shoving Merlin in a friendly manner.

"I do you prat, you'd better after everything I've done for you." Merlin said seriously.

"Excuse me, after everything you do for me? The only things you do for me are get me in trouble and make loud noises so that I loose m prey not to mention you're really a terrible man servant." Arthur said turning towards Merlin as they walked along.

Suddenly Merlin stopped dead in his tracks. "Arthur, he said "Eventually something will happen and it might change the way you think about me but I need you to remember something, everything I've ever done is for you. I'll always stand by you, I'll always be loyal to you and you alone. Please, remember that because someday you'll need to remember it." Merlin said his blue eyes glistening in the mid-day sun.

"What do you mean 'something' Merlin? You can't honestly expect me to just stay quiet and accept that for what it is? Why are you so bloody cryptic sometimes, it's like you're hiding something from me." Arthur said trying to process what Merlin had just told him.

"Now's not the time, Arthur, but eventually it will be. promise me you'll remember. Promise me." Merlin said looking him dead in those beautiful blue eyes.

"Alright, I promise." Arthur said, more than a bit taken a back by all of this.

"Good, so about that day off..."

()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()

The pair had been walking for about what seemed like an hour, both joking and trying to keep their excitement bottled up. After nearly five days in the forrest it would finally be the end; they'd arrive at this small village announce he was the crown prince were they would give him a horse and directions and together he and Merlin would ride for Camelot together. At least, that's what they thought would happen.

"I just think that you're entertaining nonsense ideas as usual." Arthur said to his companion.

"Yeah well I-" Merlin was cut off when they saw between the trees the village up-ahead. Looking at each other, both expressions a mixture of joy as they looked at the village that was now visible in between the sparse lining of trees.

They stood before the tiny village, both pairs of blue eyes fixed on the small village as if it were the crown jewel of Camelot. There were small huts built around a dirt road with an occasional wagon drawn by an ox or horse. The small market place was abuzz with women followed by their small children, some infants strapped to their mothers back. Past the small straw huts was all farm land with the occasional 'house' and people could be seen working in the fields. It was in all ways the typical village just above the poverty line, even smaller than Ealdor, in terms of land. But there seemed to be too many people for such a small village, each one wearing either a hat or scarf which was quite peculiar as it was not that cold out. Both men looked at each other unsure what to do, but it seems they thought too long and a woman had already noticed them. Her brown eyes went wide as she dropped her basket of food, picked up her daughter and ran away. As soon as she ran all the movement in the village seemed to stand still and all eyes turned to the pair standing at the tree line. Three men, waisting no time whatsoever, raced out to apprehend Merlin and Arthur, who just sort of stood there in shock, clearly not expecting to be attacked. But as soon as the men touched Arthur his years of training once again took hold. Dodging the man's outstretched hand he landed a punch in his exposed side, then tripping him and the man tumbled to the ground. Merlin on the other hand had not fared so well and the two other men had his arms pinned to his back. "Don't you know who I am? I'm Arthur-" Arthur started to yell lunging for Merlin but was interrupted by an elderly lady. "He's my grandson Arthur! Unhand him Keagan!" The lady said rushing towards the pair, although not that fast as she was quite elderly. Arthur looked peculiarly at her, something was familiar about her but he knew she was certainly not his Grandmother.

"Honestly, let's not jump to conclusions there obviously not soldiers! Men, they only see what they want to see! You three should be ashamed of yourself, attacking an innocent civilian, my grandson no less. I'm severely disappointed in you three I believe you owe these two boys an apology!" The elderly lady said, the three men refused to look at her as each seemed much more interested at the ground. They wore similar expressions of shame across their faces.

"Well, I'm waiting. And look them in the eyes when you apologize!" She said reprimanding them further and Merlin looked at Arthur choking back laughter. These men were obviously older than Arthur and Merlin and were being hollered at by a very elderly looking woman who looked every bit as cross as she sounded.

"Sorry." "Yah, uh, sorry." "Quite sorry there lads." They mumbled looking Merlin and Arthur in the eyes looking downright humiliated and it was becoming increasingly to contain their laughter.

"Wasn't so hard no was it? Next time perhaps it would be more prudent to think before you rush to accuse innocent people." She said rising her eyebrow in a very Gaius like fashion that almost made Merlin bust out with laughter.

"Sorry Clara." The man, Keagan, said looking at the elderly woman trying to hide his embarrassment and shame.

"Good, now go, shoo, back to work I'd like a nice big harvest this year. Go on now shoo." She said shooing the boys away so only Merlin and Arthur remained, and Arthur looked completely gobsmacked.

"Clara?" Arthur asked really looking at the woman. She had light grey hair tied back in a loose bun. He face looked worn and tired, as did the rest of her body. But her eyes twinkled a beautiful light blue, and she had a friendly and mothering auror about her. Her dress hem was torn and dirty, as was her dirty white colored apron that was also as tattered. She was a very faded pink dress that had patches all over it, but nonetheless she looked content, and her face wore an expression of motherly love on it.

"Arthur." Was all she said her blue eyes watering up a bit, and Merlin couldn't help but feel a bit awkward, but happy at the same time.

For an elderly woman she moved quite fast and she closed the distance between herself and Arthur hugging him tightly. "Oh, I remember when I could still hug you and you would fit in my arms." She pulled back looking up at the prince in front of her. "Now you're twice as big as I am, oh how times have changed." She said sounding wise.

"Why, why did you leave?" Arthur said looking down to the elderly lady, his blue eyes a mixture of hurt and joy.

"Sometimes, ignorance is bliss Arthur." Clara said, true pain and sorrow in her eyes. But in a flash that was replaced by that familiar twinkle and she looked over to where Merlin was standing awkwardly trying to hide the fact his eyes had teared up. He was not rather fond of Arthur calling him a girl again because he happened to be quite the sap.

"And just who is this strapping young lad?" Clara said smiling at Merlin.

"Oh right I'm Merlin." He said sticking out his hand and smiling while trying to blink his tears away.

"Oh dear Lord you're Hunith and Balinor's son aren't you! You have her eyes, and his build." Clara said hugging Merlin who was just standing there a bit awkwardly.

"How…how do you know my parents?" Merlin asked a bit shaken up by all this.

A sudden expression of loss overtook Clara's face, "Like I've said before it's better for you to not know. "The expression left her face and she returned to her happy self smiling widely at the very confused pair, "Come on, come on we're going back to my house where we can talk about how much times have changed!" She said excitedly walking in the direction of her house, Merlin and Arthur just exchanging looks at each other. She was by far the most peculiar old lady they've ever met. By far.

()()()()()()()()()()()()

Clara's hut was medium size to maybe even large; well at east compared to that of her neighbors at least. They entered through what you could hardly consider a door and while Merlin felt right at home Arthur felt quite a bit awkward only every sleeping in a hut once and that hardly counted because it was Merlin's. There was a small table and chairs lined around it on the dirt floor of what appeared to be a kitchen, there appeared to be two small bedrooms attached and Arthur didn't have a clue as to who the other bedroom was for.

"I just can't believe it! It's almost unreal, having you two boys here it's just going to be so lovely while you're staying here. By the way, what on Earth are you boys doing here, not that I don't want you here but this isn't exactly the shinning gem of Camelot." Clara said bustling about her tiny house, sweeping here putting that away there.

Merlin and Arthur exchanged glances yet again, a gesture that did not go unnoticed by the bustling elderly woman.

"Well, it's a bit of a mystery to be honest." Merlin said only to be elbowed by Arthur in the side.

"Ouch!" He squeaked at the prince shoving him back.

"Merlin." Arthur said taking a step closer to his manservant, the beginnings of a fire in the prince's blue eyes.

"Oh, don't you Merlin me, you started it you great arse." Merlin said.

"Boys!" Clara interrupted, "As much as I would love to stand here and watch you argue with each other I'm afraid I have to get back to work soon and I need to know how and why you are here." Clara said her expression hinting at her annoyance with the pair.

"What I was about to say before I was so rudely interrupted," Arthur began looking pointedly at Merlin, "Was how do we know you're the real Clara? How do we know you're not some magical being disguising as her so you can kill me because of my father's deeds?" Arthur said questioning.

"Arthur!" Merlin exclaimed in disgust.

"What?" Arthur queried. "She just shows up in the knick of time after she's disappeared from my life for what, the last 10 years? And she won't tell us anything, well maybe she doesn't know because she's not Clara! I mean it makes sense, doesn't it? We're practically always getting attacked by crazy magical beings hell bent on killing me for my father's mistakes, you can't blame me for being cautious this one time." Arthur explained.

"You're your parents children, that's for sure. If only things had turned out differently and circumstances weren't what they are, I indulge myself in what could have been." Clara said, eyes saddening once again as she put her broom down and took a seat at the table. "Arthur's right, and so wise for a boy so young. You've grown into that soldier you've always wanted to be haven't you?" She said pausing, "Well, when you were young Arthur you always wanted to be the perfect soldier, you used to go out and watch the knights train and you'd always tell me 'Clara, when I get big I'll be just like them'. Every single one of them knew you and would always talk to you and they'd teach you little tricks and you'd have the biggest smile on your face. But your favorite knight was Sir Durwyn, he was your hero. You would try to follow him around in the castle you thought you were so sneaky." She gave a small chuckle. "You worshipped the ground he walked on, you even anted your hair cut like his, wore the same clothes he did, he was your idol."

Arthur stood there blushing from the tip of his nose to the tips of his ears, lost in a memory.

Arthur stood hidden behind a pillar, his blue eyes focused on the man walking ahead of him. His crimson red cloak floating behind him, and armor clinking with every step he took. Soon enough he was almost out of view so Arthur quick ran up to the nearest wall, flattening himself up against it and began to shimmy down the rest of the hallway careful not to make a sound. Soon enough he reached the next pillar and hid behind it, cringing as his foot made a noise.

Sir Durwyn turning around, "Who's there?" He asked, fake surprise in his voice.

Arthur held his breath, trying not to make a noise.

"Hmm...I swear I heard a noise...coming from over...here!" Durwyn said pulling prince Arthur out from his hiding spot from behind the pillar and slinging him over his shoulder, Arthur squealing with laughter.

"A fitting punishment for an enemy!" Durwyn declared tickling Arthur who continued squealing and thrashing about on Durwyn's shoulder.

"Stop...! Stop...! Uncle! Uncle! Uncle!" Arthur laughed nearly breathless, his smile stretching from ear to ear.

Durwyn took the prince down from his shoulder, "I'm going to be just like you when I grow up!" Arthur exclaimed and then thinking better of it clamped his hands over his mouth, looking embarrassed.

"That's quite an honor Arthur, thank-you." Durwyn said ruffling the small boys hair. "How would you like it if I took you down to the armory and showed you my armor?" Durwyn said asking the small boy.

"Wow, really?!" Arthur exclaimed excited, his blue eyes wide with wonder.

"Really, come on maybe if we're lucky some of the other knights will be there too." Durwyn said smiling down at the small prince who was currently beaming up at him his blue eyes wide with wonder and excitement.

"What ever happened to Sir Durwyn anyways?" Clara said asking Arthur.

"He...he died in battle a while ago." Arthur choked out, the distant memory fading away.

Clara frowned, "I'm really sorry to hear that, he was a wonderful man. he really was. Now for you Merlin, did Hunith ever tell you about the time she got her hand stuck in a bottle? I'm sure she did, it taught her curiosity only goes so far, I'm positive she would want to pass that little nugget of wisdom onto her children." Clara said, a slight smile to her face.

"Child. I'm her only child." Merlin said, sadness just barely touching his voice.

"Really? I always imagined her with a big family, I'm sad to say I lost touch with her, she was much like a second daughter to me." Clara said, a look of sadness overtaking her features. "So now tell me, have I passed the test boys?" Clara asked the duo.

"Er, yes." Arthur said clearing his throat a bit awkwardly.

"Good then so now I fully expect you to tell me why you're here." Clara said.

()()()()()()()()()()()()()()

"Are you sure that's what you saw?" Clara said staring Arthur dead in the eyes.

"Yes, it looked like a very large black dog, but I didn't exactly get a very good look at it, I don't understand why this is such a big issue?" Arthur questioned.

"I'm just a bit curious, that's really all I want to make sure magic isn't involved.

"How do you know about magic?" Arthur said his blue eyes boring into hers.

Clara sighed heavily, "Arthur you forget I lived in a time of magic, when it was the norm." She said.

Arthur thought over her answer for a few moments before excepting it. "Alright now that that's all cleared up we need to get back to Camelot as soon as possible, i'm sure my father is pulling out what little hair he has left over me." Arthur said pacing about the room, Merlin standing in the door frame.

"I'm afraid that's not possible." Clara said.

Arthur did a double take, "What do you mean 'That's not possible'?!" Arthur practically shouted, his pacing grinding to a halt.

Clara took a deep breath in, "When you first showed up here I asked why you would want to be here of all places, well I'm afraid that's case and point. Aside from being dirt poor every person here is united by a single thing, hate for your father. Each person here is currently on his list of most wanted. Now imagine if they knew his son was here. You saw how they reacted when they thought just a regular old joe showed up here unannounced, can you imagine how hostile they'd be if they knew it was Uther Pendragon's son? That's why I told them you were my grandson, they can't know who you are." Clara explained.

"You have to stay in the role of my grandson, and Merlin you can be his traveling companion." Clara said in that tone of voice that you just knew was final, and that no one should try to argue about.

"How long do I have to keep this facade up?" Arthur asked.

"As long as it takes until I have enough money to buy you a horse and supplies to make the journey back to Camelot, you do realize that it's a 3 day journey back?" Clara said gravely.

"Excuse me, but we were only riding an hour from Camelot, not three rudy days!" Merlin exclaimed from the doorway.

"I know, you just must have walked longer than you thought, or maybe rode the wrong trail I don't know but either way you will just have to deal with what's happened. If they so much as suspect who you are you'll be dead within the minute."

"Clara, please I'm the Crown Prince of Camelot I think I can handle a bunch of poor towns people." Arthur said scoffing at her warning.

"Arthur; let's put it this way there's a reason these people are some of the most wanted people in Camelot, you'd best remember that." Clara said leaning forward, her blue eyes had lost any remnant of a twinkle.

"Now, I have business to attend to, so you boys can go off exploring the wonder of Elswyth; meet some new people, have some fun!" Clara said getting up and shooing them out the door with a large smile plastered on her face.

Merlin exchanged a sideways glance with Arthur as they were shooed out of the door by the elderly Clara.

"Remember dinner is at one o'clock sharp boys!" Clara called out after them.

()()()()()()()()()()()()()()

Arthur and Merlin wandered around the small village, Merlin looking like he belonged there and Arthur looking like a pig in the ocean. they walked along the main road which was basically a dirt path that was lined on both sides with small houses, some with small stands out front. No matter where they went however they received stares and glares from the local townspeople untrusting of the newest visitors.

"You should really close your mouth Arthur, you're going to catch flies with it open like that." Merlin said weaving in and out of the small crowd.

Arthur scowled, "What do you even do around here anyways, throw sticks at each other?"

"No, we use this thing called imagination and a hint-it's not something other people do for us or that our parents buy us." Merlin said smirking as Arthur struggled to effectively weave in and out of the crowd.

"You're so funny Merlin." Arthur said dryly.

"See, I told you there was a reason you've kept me around so long." Merlin said looking back at the prince his blue eyes shinning brightly.

And somehow the words on the tip of Arthur's tongue seemed to die that moment. With Merlin looking the happiest Arthur had seen him in a while, and Merlin was looking at him with that happiness that seemed to make him glow. He was happy that Merlin was enjoying himself, he really was.

"Look Arthur! A football game! Oh man I haven't played since Will died! Come on there turtle!" Merlin said effectively ending the moment. And then Arthur was being dragged by a very over exuberant Merlin to an uneven field where a bunch of guys a bit younger than them were kicking a ball around.

"Hey, mind if we join in?" Merlin asked the guys playing.

They paused momentarily, one boy coming over, "Oh, you must be Clara's grandson, everyone all over town's talking about it. Well, I'm Gaerth, that's Jaek, Ed, Tobias, Dywn, and Norwyth. And you are...?" He asked.

"I'm Merlin, and that's Clara's grandson Arthur." Merlin said talking for Arthur.

"Alright, well you'll be on my team and he can be on Tobias', you two play much?" Gaerth said.

"Well I used to at least, I know all the rules." Merlin said taking off his jacket and lying in on the grass.

"What about you?" Gaerth asked Arthur.

"I have, way back in the day, so I might have lost some of my formidable skill." Arthur said joining them on the playing field.

The guys cracked up, "Is he always so an arse?" Jaek asked Merlin.

"Only always." Merlin responded, "No are we going to play or what." He asked a playful smile on his lips.

Tobias ran over and trapped the ball with his foot, "Let's see how good you two are then, shall we?" He said. He passed the ball straight to Arthur who bobbled it at his feet for a few moments before it was stolen by Ed.

"Bit rusty there? Or over confident?" Jaek asked laughing.

"Rusty, that's all." Arthur said not wanting to admit he wasn't very good.

Ed continued taking the ball up the field trying to make a move around Tobias but failed and Arthur's team regained possession of the ball.

"Nor, Nor!" Tobias said, calling his teammates name before passing the ball to him.

Merlin was, however, on Norswyth's back and the moment he tried to turn with the ball he ran into Merlin. Trying to remain in possession of the football Norswyth kept the ball at his feet moving it with his back to Merlin. He attempted to turn with Melrin on his back but failed and Gaerth's team regained possession of the football.

"Looks like your friend here isn't as incompetent as you are." Tobias joked with Arthur.

"Yah, but just look at the way he runs, it's like a tree blowing in the wind he's just every isn't he." Arthur said doing an impression.

"Oh yah you prat?" Merlin said dribbling the ball towards Arthur. Arthur clearly not as skilled as Merlin went for the ball which was when Merlin swept his foot over the ball pulling it the opposite way Arthur had lunged and thereby beating him and taking the ball towards his team's net.

"Ooohh!" Merlin's team shouted out as he beat Arthur in the flat and went on to beat Tobias and took the ball to goal and scored.

"Looks like I'm not completely useless after all Arthur." Merlin joked with him shoving him on his way back to his teams side.

"Yah, well you're an idiot and I'm the pr-" Arthur almost said but was cut off by Merlin.

"Biggest prat I've ever met? I know, why do I even travel with you, you clot-pole?" Merlin said covering Arthur.

"Oh, you are so dead Merlin you have no idea." Arthur said putting on his game face.

"Bring it Prince Prat." Merlin challenged.

()()()()()()()()

The sky was getting dark and the boys had been playing football for nearly three hours now and were loosing the ability to see were the actual football. Merlin and Arthur had been going at it all match, bantering back and forth as usual and each trying to beat the other and taunting each other. Eventually they called the game, having lost track of the score each going home to eat dinner at home with their families.

"Traveling companions my arse." Gaerth said to Tobias as soon as the pair had left earshot, heading back to Clara's for dinner.

They walked back shoving each other and getting into casual arguments as they normaly did entering Clara's hut laughing and sweaty from the hard game of football.

"Wipe your shoes before you come in I just swept the floor mind you!" Clara warned.

They did as they were told, "Looks like you boys had fun today, Arthur can you set the table?" Clara said from the kitchen cutting up vegetables.

Arthur shot Merlin the look that clearly stated that he had never set a table in his entire life, so in short, he had no idea what he was supposed to do.

"Here watch me, you might want to get a quill and take notes to." Merlin said smirking heading to the kitchen.

"Clara, where do you keep the silverware?" Merlin asked.

"Cupboard to the left dear, and let Arthur do it for once." Clara said chastising him.

"You heard the woman Arthur you do it." Merlin said, quite deciding he liked Clara and he sat down at the table.

Arthur just looked at him, "What? I don't even know what I'm supposed to do." Arthur said trying to argue his case.

"Best you learn now then." Clara said from the counter. "Merlin why don't you tell him what to do."

Merlin rolled his eyes, "Alright Prince Prat every person needs a spoon, a glass of water and a bowl. Think you can put each thing at the table setting?" Merlin said sarcastically quite enjoying the confused look on Arthur's face.

Arthur floundered around the kitchen looking for the items, Merlin laughing at him. "You're not going to find bowls there Arthur, oh honestly for a prince you're pretty useless without a sword in your hand."

Arthur huffed dramatically finding the forks and mismatched plates. One fork, cup and a bowl for each person, that's three Arthur." Merlin said quite having a bit of fun with this.

"No, really? I was going to set seven places Merlin." Arthur said sarcastically reaching over and thumping Merlin on the back of the head.

"Prat."

"Idiot."

"Everyone take a seat, dinner is served boys." Clara announced setting a pot of steaming stew on the table.

"Thank Gods for that." Arthur said, eyeing up the stew as if it was water in the middle of a desert.

Merlin sighed, "He's always like this, always about the food. It's a love affair gone wrong I mean just look at his gut, there's all the proof you need." Merlin said fake mocking the prince.

"Oi! Unlike you I do something, like I don't know, work?" Arthur said pouring some of the stew into his bowl.

"Oh yah Arthur lifting the fork to your mouth is a tremendous amount of work, however do you do it?" Merlin said also taking some of the stew.

Clara laughed, "You two must be very good friends, you argue like an old married couple after all." She said her blue eyes lighting up at her company.

"Well I guess, we've been in enough life or death situations together I suppose you could say that." Merlin said blushing and not looking up from his bowl of stew.

"So Uther still manages to make more enemies I assume?" Clara asked the pair.

Arthur cleared his throat awkwardly, "They don't seem to be a big fan of his anti-magic laws and feel they need to take matters into their own hands."

Clara nodded, "I figured as much. So Merlin are you a knight then if you're friends with Arthur?"

Arthur choked on his stew, "Gods no! This imbecile couldn't fight with a sword if you glued it to his hands. No he's my manservant, and a lousy one at that."

"Wow, great vote of confidence. But he left out how I got that glorious positions, figures really. Saved the git's life, but of course he's much to proud to admit I pushed him aside after a dagger was thrown at him."

Arthur snorted, "Yah right, you just fell at a good time you clumsy oaf."

Clara smiled, "Well it seems to me you've been in more than a few life or death battles, of course you'll have to tell me all about it how Camelot is and how everyone's faring." Clara said taking a sip of her water.

So they spent the rest of the night talking about all that Arthur and Merlin had encountered, the pair continuing there usual banter and insults. Arthur told Clara all that she had missed and all the old friends they had shared and how they all had changed. Merlin observed and laughed a long when Clara told Merlin all sorts of embarrassing stories of Arthur when he was young that had the young warlock absolutely howling with laughter. For once it seemed the three had a normal family diner for once in their lives. A diner with a fire, a warm meal, and a wonderful conversation filled with laughter and joy. Something each of them would truly cherish.

"Oh goodness look at the time, well we should all get to sleep quite a bust day ahead of us tomorrow." She said getting up from the table and started clearing the plates away.

"Oh, Clara here," Merlin said taking the dished over to the bucket of water that was the sink, "Arthur and I will do that."

"Wait, what?" Arthur said from the table sitting up and looking at Merlin as though he had suddenly sprung a second head.

"Well she cooked diner it's only right we clean up afterwords." Merlin said slinging a dish towel over his shoulder.

"I set up the table!" Arthur said blue eyes wide.

"Arthur, you put a bunch of dishes on the table that doesn't count you prat. Here, you can even have the royal dish towel your highness." Merlin said hitting Arthur with a dish towel right in the face.

Clara watched with a smile on her face as Arthur splashed water on Merlin and merlin retaliating. She laughed when Merlin tried to tackle Arthur but seeing as how scrawny he was failed miserably. They ran around the kitchen in their own little world, laughing and jeering at each other in the middle of her small shack. And it seemed like either even knew she was watching them as they ran around and Arthur managed to get Merlin in the face with a handful of water, each forgetting the dishes were the whole reason they were in this situation.

Camelot had been wondering who their princess and future Queen but Clara already knew who would sit on the throne beside Arthur, the only question was did they see it?


Hey Everyone!

First and foremost i hope everyone's safe and made it through Sandy intact. In the small town in PA I live in we got pretty hard and that's why I didn't manage to upload it last week. We're all OK and we only lost cable for 6 hours but my sister lost power for 7 days and some people I know still haven't gotten it back. I rode out the storm on tumblr and watching supernatural on Netflix so I ha d a pretty good time all in all. Speaking of Tumble mine is keepcalmandblamemagic so follow me if you want. Have I ever told you how much I love the fall? Because I really really really do! So you'll notice the best parts of my story will take place in the fall. Still a long way for the boys too go before they kiss. Like a long time. So this is my 3rd fav chapter my all time favorite is a whiles off from now. Like end of book 2. So how do you guys feel about MPreg? Leave me a note or response because I'd love to know how you guys feel about it.

Thanks for all the reviews and favorites you guys are the BEST!

Always and Eternally,

Rachel

P.S Basically my soundtrack for this chapter was Pandora and type in Mumford & Sons