Arthur woke up with a start when Merlin suddenly screamed. His hand reach to the dagger he kept under his pillow.

Merlin seeing Arthur trying to figure out what was going on, calmed down slightly. "Sorry Arthur. I got it to stick." His face was red with embarrassment. He was so engrossed with his work, that he didn't notice the time.

When Arthur felt his heart calming down slightly, he slid from the bed. Crouching down next to Merlin, he couldn't help but notice that Merlin's eyes were even bluer than normal.

"Do you think it will work?" Arthur's voice was slightly groggy.

"It should, I will run a test try tomorrow." Merlin gave Arthur a tired smile.

A squeak escaped Merlin when Arthur suddenly just picked him up. "Bed with you." Arthur easily held Merlin close to him. His heart melted slightly when Merlin relaxed against him. He put Merlin on the spot he was sleeping since there was still some warmth.

He added some extra wood to the fire and then climbed in behind Merlin. Merlin's breathing was deep and even.

Arthur gave a soft smile, he knew that Merlin would always have his back even when he didn't always want to hear it.

Loarayn sneaked down to the kitchen, she was dressed in one of her more common folks clothing, but it was still clear that she was nobility.

She knocked on the door and Audrey turned to her. The cook slightly frightened her with the stern faces, but she had seen how she mothered the people who worked in the kitchen.

"I'm sorry to bother, but I was wondering, you don't know by any chance what the King's favourite food is?" Her voice was as sweet as honey.

Audrey gave the girl a long look. "And may I enquire why you want to know?" Her voice was hard.

Loarayn gave the cook a tired look. "He is the only change my kingdom have. I would do whatever it takes to keep them safe."

"Just know one thing, the king will do what is right by his people first, and then only would he help another kingdom." Audrey could see that the girl had more plans than she was letting on.

She turned her head slightly, giving the cook a look. Audrey could feel how something in her warned her against her.

"I am sorry, but I can't help you. It is time that you leave." Audrey's voice was hard. She made a mental note to talk to Merlin about this girl. Something is off.

Arthur glared as the sun rays hit his face. He wanted to turn around and bury his face into his pillow. Before the realisation that he needs to get up and face the day.

He could see that there were about two hours before the next meeting will start. He gave a silent groan, Merlin was still fast asleep.

His mind went back to what Merlin said the previous day. He couldn't help but still wonder why Uther had done what he did. He never got a real answer and now he just wanted to avoid him like hell.

He could still remember the fights and the punishments if he stands up against him.

Arthur almost jumped when Merlin spoke next to him. "Art'h?" His voice was thick with sleep and his tongue slept slightly.

Arthur ran his hand through Merlin's hair. "Go back to sleep. You were awake until late." His voice was low.

Soon Merlin was fast asleep again. Arthur turned onto his back. Maybe he should talk to Uther when this was done.

He bit the inside of his lip. His gaze moves to Merlin. His eyes soften. He knows Merlin would stay on his side no matter what.

He wished that he could move that forward a lot faster than it was going at the moment. He wanted to give Merlin the world, wanted him on his side.