"Come on Merlin!" Arthur jeered "If you are ever going to start joining me and the knights in training you need to at least learn how to swing a sword properly!"

"I don't see how it matters as long at it hits the target" Merlin moaned, he was tired, he and Arthur had been at it for hours. Facts were facts. Merlin was not good with a sword. He had gotten the hang of basic stances but when it came to actually fighting he just didn't have the strength. Speed he had but not strength. It was going to take a lot more private lessons until he got the hang out if.

"Can't we take a break, you didn't learn all this in one day" Merlin complained picking himself up, "Besides I need to go to see Gaius and get some of my old things from his chambers, plus Uther-"

"Father" Arthur corrected.

"Right, Father needs me to go see the royal black smith to get armor and chain mail made for me"

"That's right I forgot you don't have your own armor yet" Arthur muttered helping his brother up, "But you might want to learn something before Bayard gets here for the peace treaty, Camelot will look bad if it's prince can't fight"

Merlin wanted to say he knew quite a few very power spells that could easily defeat an armored knight but he knew he couldn't. Instead he dusted himself off and headed straight to Gaius's chamber, he new rooms were luxurious but something about Gaius's room made him feel safe.

"Good to see you sire" Gaius teased "Come to get your thing's have you?"

"Correct physician" Merlin teased right back, making Gaius laugh. Quickly he handed him a bundle with a few of Merlin's neckerchiefs and his spell book in it. All this older clothes had been given to other servants.

"Make sure you find a good hiding place for it" Gaius ordered looking at the book, "Uther and Arthur think your magic is gone remember"

"I know I know Gaius" Merlin smiled "Now I have to go change, apparently I can't be seen walking around in dirty clothes I just trained in, though I have no idea why"

"You're a prince now Merlin remember" Gaius reminded

"Please, nobody had given me the chance to forget!" Merlin sighed, "Suddenly destiny is getting a lot more complicated, at least now I know why the dragon called me Princeling"

"Don't worry Merlin, for now just focus on learning the ways of the court" Gaius patted him on the back comfortingly "Keep your magic secret"

-Break-

Merlin had to think of a place to hide his book. The floor in his room was made of stone and now he had a servant who sorted all his things and rummaged through his cupboards. Suddenly an idea came to him, quickly locking the door he wet behind his changing screen, whispering a few words to the rock three of the large bricks fell out of the wall, quickly slice each brick to half withs width he placed the book inside the hollow and replaced the stones. It looked exactly the same but just to make sure, Merlin whispered a spell to reset the bricks so they couldn't be knocked out, only if somebody used magic could they find his book.

"Sire!" Came a loud knock at the door, it was William, "Prince Arthur is looking for you, something about armor!"

Sighing Merlin stood and went to find his brother.

-Break-

The sorceress Nimueh looked through her scrying water in disgust. A magical being, a warlock, happily staying in Camelot. Adopted into the royal family of all places! Not only that, he had saved the princes life. A warlock loyal to Camelot would only bring struggles later on.

This warlock was powerful, she could tell, she had no choice. She had to get rid of him before he got too powerful. It was such a shame to kill somebody with such promise, but it had to be done. Killing him would not to be too difficult, King Bayard was visiting the city soon, she could easily frame the king for the murder and weaken Camelot further by starting a war between the two kingdoms.

"We Gar-Dena in geardagum theodcyninga thrym" she began the log and intricate spell, hiding the enchanted petal of the Mortaeus flower. Quickly lacing the ornate goblet she held, smiling in triumph.

"Merlin"

-Break-

The days went quickly and Merlin was always exhausted by the end of them. Arthur helped him with his sword work every day however after a eek of private lessons Merlin was still only a novice. After a morning of training he had books of history and court proceedings to study along with other lessons about how he should act and when. He also had time with Gaius who would help the boy with these traits. He also attended court meetings and every day he met more and more nobles that had traveled to meet he new Prince.

Poor William had to spend a lot of time cleaning Merlin's rooms as Merlin simply had no time to keep tidy, he found for some reason he needed to change outfits at least three times a day. However calling Uther father was getting easier.

Merlin now stood by his father and brother as the two kings faced each other. The air as so tense Merlin could scarcely breath.

"We welcome you Lord Bayard, the treaty we sign today marks an end to war and a beginning to a new friendship between our people" Uther greeted, his voice flat. Bayard gripped the king's hand and the room clapped, Merlin found he was able to breath again. The room dispersed, Arthur went with his knights for practice while Uther went to show the king to his rooms personally, Merlin felt somebody grab his arm.

"Come on Merlin" Morgana called, "You have another scroll of history to read"

"Do I have to?" Merlin begged quietly as the two left the room, Morgana practically dragging the prince back to his chamber.

"Well we are creating a peace treaty with King Bayard, you might want to learn the history of conflict between the two kingdoms" Morgana pointed out "Be thankful I take the time to help you"

"Thankyou" He said sincerely "I don't know how I would remember all this without your help"

"Don't mention it" She sighed, "Now, lets see how much you can remember in time for the feast".

She rolled out a long yellowing roll of parchment onto the table, making Merlin groan in annoyance, he hoped nobody would question him tonight.

Hey people!

Some fans have asked if I could make this story include MerlinxMorgana but I'm sorry to say the person whom I'm writing this for has asked that I dont.

To be fair I will write more scenes with them in a way that it can be read as friendship or as romance, which ever you choose.