Hey everyone! Sorry if this is a bit late, I went back and reread some stuff and the context of how I wrote it threw me for a loop later in the story so I had to change some stuff around. Hopefully it doesn't blow up in my face now later in the story.

Anyway thank you KP and SherlockHolmes4884 for your reviews.

To KP: Yes I thought so to. Fan fiction to the rescue.

To Mr. Holmes: They definitely will appear and it's still a long road before romance appears.

Thank you Dwimor and Agent Curly for following!

With that let the story continue!

Chapter 10: A Lesson In Humility

Thirty minutes ago he was made servant to the most insufferable human on the planet. All thanks to the dragon hiding in the caves below no doubt. You would think the scaly bastard would get the hint when you say no? He doesn't care about his "destiny". The druids taught him to live his life and he will bring about what he was meant to do.

He will do it his way or no way at all!

Sitting in his chambers bemoaning his lot in life was a, currently, miserable Merlin. Gaius walks through the door and smiles in amusement at his charges misfortune. He may be the boys family but you can still laugh at family, especially their family. Don't get him started on his grandfather. Walking up to Merlin he pulls out a book from behind his back.

"Well, now we at least have a purpose for your magic."

"Not you too Gaius!" The warlock whines.

"Me too? Who else knows about your magic Merlin?" Did this idiot get himself discovered already!?

"The dragon under Camelot. Bastard planted the idea of sticking me with Arthur in Uther's head, I just know it. He is convinced that Arthur is the Once and Future King I am supposed to guide."

Gaius now had an entirely different reason for a heart attack. When had his charge met the dragon?

"Oh, I wasn't under the impression you had met the Great Dragon yet." Merlin's derisive snort showed his thoughts on the matter.

"The Winged Bastard kept me up for two nights before I went down to see him just to shut him up. Spent the whole time ignoring what I said and told me that Arthur is my destiny!" He let out a humorless laugh that showed how much he truly valued the dragon's word.

"You should show him respect, Merlin he is a wise creature. Dragons can see the future, if he says it's true than it is."

"No, it's not. Mother once told me about my father. That he would speak with dragons and match their wit. The only way to know if a dragon speaks the truth, is to know what they know, whatever the hell that means. "

Gaius was not aware of this fact at all. If the knowledge came from Merlin's father, Balinor, then it would be indeed a true statement. If so then Merlin was wise to doubt the dragon's words.

"Still, best keep Arthur safe just in case shall we? Here, I have something for you." Offering the book he had been holding to Merlin he continued as it was taken.

"Many years ago it was given to me as I started my studies in magic, now I believe it will serve you better."

Merlin takes a minute to flip through the pages, the outside was unmarked leather but the inside was a collection of different sized pages, each gilded and written in ancient languages. Some patches fell out from being tucked between pages and he studied their writing.

"This is a book of Magic!" He exclaims.

Gaius nods,"and as such it must be kept hidden."

"I will study every word," it was an oath he would keep.

"Merlin," a voice echos from the main chambers, "the prince demands your presence!"

The warlocks face fell as the physician smiled. "Go on, your destiny calls. Best see what he wants."

"Not funny Gaius, not funny at all…"

—

Merlin felt overwhelmed by the list of things he had to do tomorrow. It was a physical list taking up two pages, with times he was supposed to have them done by! Standing in the prince's chambers having just been handed the list, Merlin didn't know what to think.

Compared to Morgana's room Arthur's was downright sparse. Only a small table with some food on it sat near the door, to the right lay a fireplace with a decent fire glowing within. A four poster bed to the left, a writing desk, two dressers and a changing screen beyond that with several windows spaced around the room. The only decorations were the curtains and the suit of armor behind the door.

"You're joking right?"

"No, Merlin you're expected to get all those done while assisting me tomorrow." Replies the Prat.

Merlin laughs and throws the list into the fire. "Sorry, all of what?"

Arthur looks up from undoing his boots to see the list now burning beyond recovery, not that he would stick his hand into a fire for some paper but still.

"MERLIN! What the hell do you think you are doing?" He demands.

"Not that" came the demining reply of the warlock.

"You have been commanded by your king to serve me and I gave your chores and you burn it?"

"Technically I'm here for an apprenticeship to my Uncle. After that I would go home to Essetir which makes Cendred my King. Not Uther."

"I can have you thrown in the dungeons you know?"

"You've already done that, and put me in the stocks, and publicly attacked me. Short of death there isn't anything you can do to me that would be worse than serving you." Merlin was still rather angry and Arthur was proving to be the perfect target.

The prince felt his anger rising but took a deep breath and calmed down. He didn't often have to deal with angry commoners but he knew he would one day have to and Merlin was proving to be an excellent way to start.

"Look, you've been publicly given this position by the king. To refuse would be to insult my father. He has killed men for less."

"I don't care. Fire me and say was horrible or even tell him that I never showed up. You're someone I would never serve without a sword at my throat and even then, the sword looks like the more promising option."

Ouch. Arthur was honestly shocked that's what this man thought of him and more than a little hurt. Not that he would admit it. He thought of himself as a fair and just man but here is this man saying he would rather risk execution than serve him? He didn't understand.

"So, why would you save my life?"

Merlin still looked angry but relented slightly.

"You may be a royal ass but you don't deserve to die, especially not for your fathers' sins."

Arthur was stunned, this boy barely even a man had saved his life, after he had been a right ass to him, simply because it was the right thing to do. It was downright knightley, and here he was a knight abusing his power over him simply because he could. He felt more humbled by this that he had in a long time.

"I'm sorry," the words flowed out before he could stop them.

"What?" Came the bewildered response.

"I said I'm sorry," Well no turning back now; "about the way I went about treating you before. I know it's not what you came to Camelot to do but I wouldn't want you to be executed for simply not wanting to serve me."

"So you're letting me go?"

"On a condition, serve till after the tournament in a few days time then I can dismiss you and tell my father you were simply a rubbish servant. Then, you can resume your apprenticeship with your uncle. Deal?"

Arthur didn't know why he was bargaining with someone beneath him, but his instincts were telling him he owed this man at least this much for his recent behavior. Merlin looked at the prince's outstretched hand and saw it as a sort of truce, for something neither wanted to do. So with obvious reluctance he shook the prince's hand.

"Deal"

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