Hi everyone. I know it took a very looooooooooonngggggg time to update. I'm not doing this on purpose really but I've just been on writer's block and I didn't know what to write that would make it sound interesting instead of the old boring simple sentences. Besides that I have this huge exam coming in November. Where I'm from, on you last year of school, you have this main exam which you have to pass or else you will have to repeat it till you pass. I'm pretty sure those kind of exams are everywhere around the world. Alright, I'm getting side-tracked. But I'll make it up to you, I'll put up chapter 10 and 11 up today and will try to update real soon.

Uh… Merlin's got anger issues in here?

Chapter 10

Where had the days gone? That night made Merlin feel very depressed, as if the weight had returned and each breath he took seems short and cut. When the sun rose above the horizon, Merlin had come back to the castle with bloodshot eyes with dark bags underneath. He did not sleep. With arms crossed and eyes that had yet to find the definition of sleep, Merlin had laid on the ground watching the slew of trees and listened to the whispery wind. That was a few nights ago. When the sun had risen above the horizon, robotically, Merlin got up and walked towards the direction of the castle. He was mute and was silent the entire time he worked, barely listening to Arthur's constant criticism and sarcasm. And the night, he returned late, Morgana and Gaius already asleep. The tiredness had taken over and Merlin somehow had overslept, causing his sudden jerk but Morgana was there, comforting him, looking over him.

Merlin was working in Arthur's chambers today. The prince had gone out hunting with the knights. The room seemed as if a pig had rampaged through it, bed unmade, cloths left lying on the floor, papers strewn all over the table, it seemed simply Arthur to leave such an unmade room. One look at the room and Merlin placed the pail in hand by his foot. A sigh was released.

-}-

Morgana sat on the wooden bench as she watched Gaius worked his physician hands while brewing a new cure. Or so they hoped was a cure for the plague.

"Gaius, do you think there's something wrong with Merlin?"

"Yes, I do believe that, he's so…"

"Distant," Morgana finished the sentence, staring at the bubbling red liquid.

Gaius glanced at the young woman. Her worries were present in her face. The already pale skin lost its colouring making her look white as plain sheet. Raven hair framed her face, making it look small and thin, but her cheekbones were becoming more visible anyway. Her growth was very visible now considering it had been a month into her pregnancy. She was no longer wearing her princess dresses but instead wore the dresses Gwen had made for her. It was more floral, more light coloured, not like the bold colours of her princess gowns. The dresses made her look very sweet, less intimidating and very feminine.

Gaius made it a point to talk to Merlin later, ask the boy what was running through his mind that has made him so withdrawn. He would get up early in the morning and leave to do his work before coming back at night to say very few words while at dinner and later on turning in for some sleep. As Merlin always had been, his face may be easy to read but his mind held many untold secrets and tales and problems. Always the problems that bother him, so Gaius assumes this silent Merlin were battling many problems.

-}-

Merlin stood under the hot sun, waiting for Arthur to be done with his spar with the knights. He was battling Percival. It still baffles him as to why Percival could lose to Arthur considering the fact that Percival has the height advantage and has a slightly bigger built than Arthur. He assumes stamina and balance being the problem but the knights train on a daily basis. Maybe it was Arthur's status. Yes, maybe that was the main factor, despite Arthur's constant demand to be treated equally during training. It would be the only time he would want to be treated "equally".

"Come on, Percival," Arthur taunted as he swung his sword; body bent and ready to attack or dodge. His face held a smirk and mocking blue eyes.

"You getting tired, sire?" Percival retorted with an accusing tone.

"Me? No, I'm just getting started," Arthur launched himself towards Percival, swinging his sword forward but not directly towards his opponent. Just missing the shoulder.

Merlin watched the two men fight, the sound of the metallic sword colliding one another filled the air. Training happens every two days in a week and it all ends the same way, with the knights bullying and making fun of Merlin. They weren't serious, Merlin knew that, but sometimes he wishes they would just stop because it does get irritating. Today was no different.

Merlin had just taken off Arthur's armour and lined them on the table by the ring. The silly jokes exchanged between the knights were ignored. That is until Merlin felt something hit the back of his head. His hands abruptly stopped all movement before his head turned sharply at all the laughing knights. The loud guffaws stopped all at once at the menacing face, Merlin has never looked so threatening. He balanced Arthur's armour into his arms and went away with an impressively fast pace considering the weight he was carrying.

Why was he so angry? This happened all the time, what difference does it make between today and a couple of days ago? Maybe it was because he was not particular in the best mood when he woke up this morning. Or maybe because he has had enough of being bullied and tormented because they think he was a stupid servant who serves the prince and is incapable of doing anything. All of them believed that he was nothing more than just some lowlife that actually deserved no place in the castle, they all believed that he was just a simpleton. If they could see how many times he has saved them from being a lowlife like him then maybe they would appreciate him a little more. Or they could strike him down on Uther's first command.

He knew he was being quiet and distant from everyone, making little conversation and barely smiled like a goofy child. That was what Morgana calls his smile anyway. Ah, Morgana… still the anchor of his life, still the one keeping his head sane. But he was pushing her away too, not too much but still. She was worried about him, every single day since he had been so…lifeless. He should make it up to her, cook her a warm dinner and eat it by the candlelight. Yes, that would be most romantic and the best way to tell her that he was sorry, so very sorry.