Hey guys! I'm back… So sorry I've been away for so long. I have been working full time and studying full time all from a computer screen and I just couldn't stay at the computer for one more second when I did get some free time. Didn't even get time off during the lock down like everyone else as I could simply work or study from my laptop. I haven't even been reading Fanfiction let alone write one.

But now my studies have finished, and I have changed jobs which means no longer sitting in front of a computer 24/7… yay!

So, I have come back, I will finish this story, and have some ideas for more. Here is next chapter, hope you like it and let me know what you think.

Chapter 11 … The Most Awkward Dinning Hall

Merlin's boots made echoing sounds on the stone floor of the castle hallway as he made his way to the Dinning Hall. Will was following him ever silent, even his footfalls were quiet.

The young Prince felt like he was walking to his doom. To his own end. To the end of time!

Ok, maybe he was being a little dramatic, but he liked to think he had the right to be.

Too soon for Merlin's liking they had reached the doors to the great hall. The two guards at the door bowed their head, an indescribable look in their eyes, perhaps not believing that the scrawny lad that was lower than them in station only that morning, now had risen so high and they were to bow to him.

Merlin cringed at that, this was not what he wanted, and he had made a lot of friends among the servants, guards, and the people of the lower town here in Camelot. What would happen to those friendships now?

The two enormous, intricate wooden doors opened indoors to allow him entry, and he did. He wanted to keep his head up to show that he didn't regret his actions, but he did regret some of the consequences for his actions and he was ashamed of them, so the result was a funny tilt of his head which raised a few eyebrows around the room.

It seemed everyone was in the hall except Arthur and Morgana. The two Kings stood near the head table, which stood horizontally at the end of the hall. They looked to be having an intense kingly conversation, which Merlin wasn't feeling brave enough to go and nose about. The two Queens were not too far away, seemingly getting on very well which is something Merlin had suspected would happen.

Gaius stood with Alice, whom Merlin hadn't seen yet, or known had come to Camelot with his parents. The two looked like they were an old married couple. Something to tease the old physician about, later. If Gaius ever wanted to speak to him again that is.

Lancelot and Gawain stood to the side as well, looking subdued, their father Sir Galahad stood nearby and shot them angry looks occasionally. Merlin cringed, guilt feeling him up again. He had to find a way to explain to Sir Galahad how he had blackmailed his sons.

Others were scattered around the large room, Camelotion and Ealdorians mingling and getting to know each other. Knights trading adventure tales and servants exchanging gossip about their respective kingdoms.

Merlin so wanted to join in and listen or contribute to the conversations. But all he did was stand in a corner and sip slowly off of the wine goblet Will had handed to him silently. Watching everyone with envy filling his heart for the first time since he had come to Camelot.

He both wished to be here and far away at the same time. At no point in his life had he been this miserable, even before Camelot.

After a few minutes Arthur and Morgana arrived in true Royal entrance, which Morgana seamed to revel in. Merlin watched as the two made their way around the room, doing exactly what Merlin wanted to do so badly, mingle.

MAMAMAMAMAMAMAMAMAMA

Arthur entered the hall with Morgana, as she wanted, with flair. They made their way around the room, trying to make their guests welcome.

The reason they had been late was that without Merlin's help Arthur had had trouble with getting ready, and regardless of what Merlin's voice said in Arthur's head, it wasn't with getting dressed, exactly. The issue was that his new servant clearly didn't know what outfit was suitable for Arthur to wear to this event. Morgana had to step in and help. Although she picked the same as the serving boy, Arthur wore it because he couldn't bother arguing with her.

On their 'round' Morgana did most of the talking. Arthur mostly nodded, smiled or occasionally winked where appropriate. In truth Arthur did not want to be here. There were so many questions running through his mind. He looked around the hall his eyes searching for his old servant. At first, he thought that Merlin hadn't turned up yet, but then he saw the newly discovered Prince. Merlin stood in a corner sipping from his wine, as if he was not a part of the evening celebrations.

Arthur ignored the clenching feeling of his stomach. What had Merlin expected? For everyone to ignore his deceptions? For everyone to look the other way and continue as if nothing had happened. He continued his round across the hall, with Morgana at his side. Once they had made a full circle, Morgana went off to do her own mingling. Becoming the life of the feast as usual. Arthur was about to make his way to the head table and just sit and drink his misery away, when his eyes landed on Merlin. Realizing that he would be next to Merlin if he did and that the other Prince was doing the same thing, Arthur changed course and stood with some nearby knights, half listening to their stories and drinking from the goblet that a servant had placed in his hands. He was not ready for the conversation with Merlin, certainly not in a crowded hall.

The rest of the night went by in such a manner. Arthur could not help but keep glancing at Merlin, who was always at the corner, by himself. No one talked to him, not even his parents. Arthur found that he did not like this image. So many times, he found himself trying to make his way towards his previous servant, but had to stop, because he honestly did not know what to say to him.

Once the feast ended, Arthur hurried to his own chambers, not even bothering to change out of his clothes, he dropped on to his bed, trying to sleep and not think. But sleep was a long way away and when it did arrive, it was filled with images of a quite Merlin at a corner of the hall.

MAMAMAMAMAMAMAMAMAMA

Merlin once again found himself making his way towards the dining hall. His boots were making less noise due to the bustle of the morning, but the rest of the manner was the same as the knight before. Will was still silent behind him, and he still felt like he was going to his doom. It was morning now and Merlin was going to the hall to have breakfast the with the rest of the royals. When they got to the doors, it was more of the same thing. Inside, however, was set differently to last night. The long table at the end of the hall had been moved to the middle where the royals sat for breakfast.

Everyone was here except Arthur. At the head of the table sat king Uther, to his left was his wife, Queen Ygraine. The sit next to her was empty, presumably where Arthur would sit once, he arrived and to the left of that sit sat Princess Morgana. To King Uther's right sat Merlin's father, King Balinor and to his right sat Queen Hunith, Merlin's mother. Merlin took his own sit which was situated to the right of his own mother. He mumbled a quite good morning. He got a node from the Pendragons and a sideways glance from his mother, but no reaction from his father. Merlin dropped his head. It wasn't long before Arthur joined them and took his sit.

Merlin thought about looking up at him, but the conversation they had last came to his mind, and he remembered how Arthur had avoided him last night, and he didn't want to see the contempt in his eyes again. So, he kept his head down as the servants began to serve them. The rest of the royals talked among themselves as they ate their breakfast. Merlin kept to himself as they ate, keeping his head down and not joining in the conversation. He played with his food, not really having an appetite.

All that came to a halt as he heard his father make a comment. Somehow the topic of what the Emrys family planned to do now came up and King Balinor said:

'We should head back soon. We need to sort Merlin's initiation with the council. I hope no one here will say anything about his stay here.'

Merlin's jaw dropped. His father planned to go back as if nothing had happened? Merlin tried to think of going back to his old life after the freedom he had experienced in Camelot. He couldn't do it. He couldn't go back.

'No.' he said standing up. The whole room looked to him in surprise.

'Sit down Merlin.' His father hissed angrily. But Merlin shook his head, moving away from his sit.

'No!' he said more forcefully. 'I'm not going back to being locked up again.'

'Merlin.' His father said warningly. 'Watch yourself.'

'No!' Merlin said again. 'You can't just close your eyes and act like nothing has happened. I wouldn't do it!'

'Merlin!' His mother pleaded. 'Please stop.'

'You don't really have a choice, Merlin.' His father said angrily. 'Did you think that there would be no consequences for your selfish actions?'

Merlin felt trapped again, like the walls of the hall were closing in on him. He had to get out he had to. He suddenly found it hard to breath. He kept repeating 'no' under his breath.

'Merlin?' his mother asked as she got up to get to him, her hand stretched towards him. Merlin looked at her, panic engulfed him. So, Merlin let go. Waves and waves of magic were released from him and as it did time began to slow down again. Merlin looked around at all the frozen people. He had to leave again, but where could he go? Then it hit him, Essetir! No one would be able to chase him into Cenred's lands for fear of causing a war.

So, Merlin ran again.

MAMAMAMAMAMAMAMAMAMA

Arthur sat, watching the argument taking place among the other royal family. He watches Merlin, as distress and panic took over his eyes, and feels his own heart constrict at this. He wants to get up and hold Merlin, but he doesn't think he should intervene. But what happens next leaves Arthur frozen in shock.

Waves and waves of golden magic exuded from Merlin and as it did everyone began to freeze as if time itself had stopped. Arthur looked around to his own family and they stood stiff and not moving. Morgana was the funniest of all, with her hand partially raised towards her open mouth. For a moment Arthur wished he could capture the moment and tease her with it later.

Then the blond prince watches as Merlin looked around at what he had done, then seeming to have come to a decision, he turned and ran out of the room, in his haste and panic not realizing that Arthur was not affected the same as everyone else. He just knew that the younger boy was running away again, and this time probably somewhere where the rest of them couldn't follow. It didn't take long for him to run after Merlin once those thoughts came to his mind.

Merlin, however, was nowhere to be found. It was eerie to walk in the castle halls and see the people frozen mid action. Arthur had to quench the temptation to walk over and poke some of them or wave his hands in front of their eyes. But right now, was not the time. He needed to find Merlin.

He eventually saw him through a window as he was running out of the castle grounds. Arthur cursed and ran out towards the stables to grab his horse. But unfortunately, time seemed to be frozen for the horses too, and Arthur was not able to get his horse, so he ran out on foot, hopping to be able to catch up to Merlin.

End of Chapter