Hey Guys so a bit of a shorter chapter this time but I will hopefully post again soon. Chapter 25, wow! Thank you all so much for your support! I've been binge playing oblivion lately so it may be a little bit before I get the next chapter up. Solar Eclipse tomorrow! Make sure you watch it! It should be awesome! Hey, I know I have some readers from the UK are any of you in Scotland? I want to go to Scotland someday, it's a big thing with me, I also really want to go to Germany, anyone from Germany? Anyway you probably want me to shut up now so I will enjoy!

I've been binge playing oblivion lately so it may be a little bit before I get the next chapter up, also college being a thing I am doing might slow it down a bit. Solar Eclipse tomorrow! Make sure you watch it! It should be awesome! Hey, I know I have some readers from the UK are any of you in Scotland? I want to go to Scotland someday, it's a big thing with me, I also really want to go to Germany, anyone from Germany? Anyway you probably want me to shut up now so I will enjoy!

The Knights and servant stared at Merlin in alarm. His scars showing prominently on his pale skin as the sun seemed to make them bolder and more noticeable. Merlin blushed when he realized why the men were staring. He turned to the shirt that was laying on the floor and his eyes flashed gold.

"Onbregdan" he whispered as the shirt flew to his hand. Merlin slipped the tunic over his head before awkwardly turning back to the men at the door.

"Um, hi." he said seeming unsure of how to address the situation.

"S-sire" said one of the knights that managed to get out. He bowed and the others quickly followed suit.

Looking between the three men nervously, Merlin spoke, "I uh, I've been in a few fights over the years and I didn't always get away without being wounded."

"O-of course my Lord" said the knight who had first spoken, not wishing to pry into his Prince's business. Before he introduced himself, he jabbed the other man in the side making the second knight flush once he realized that he had been gaping at the young royal. The servant lowered his eyes to the floor, not looking at the young royal. Introducing the group, the knight said, "I am Sir Damien and this is Sir Bryce. Sir Richard sent us to guard you until he can assign more permanent guards. This is Andrew, he is to be your manservant."

"Oh well, I'm Merlin. I'm not sure that I really need a manservant to be honest and I can protect myself." The men looked aghast at the idea of their prince not having a servant or maybe at the idea of him not having anyone to protect him; Merlin couldn't be sure.

Not wanting to offend the prince, Damien said carefully, "With all due respect, Your Highness. You are a prince and should have someone to serve you. More importantly, you need someone to protect you."

Merlin sighed as he ran a hand through his hair. He knew he wasn't going to win this fight and he was too tired to put in any effort. Sighing he nodded and motioned the servant in whom was still looking at the floor. The servant walked in and waited silently as the young warlock turned back to the Knights.

Nodding to both men, Merlin said, "Very well, I thank you both for your service and protection. Should anyone need me I am resting and should not to be disturbed." The two knights nodded and bowed slightly before Merlin closed the door.

Turning to the young servant Merlin studied the man. He was a well built, if short man. His hair was a chestnut brown, his hazel eyes matched the neatly parted hair. His clothes were neat and surprisingly unwrinkled. He wore a dark green tunic and brown pants, which while clean were slightly ragged. The man bowed his head when Merlin looked at him, his hands clasped in front of him respectfully.

"What's your name?" Merlin asked kindly.

"Andrew my lord." The servant said quietly.

"Well Andrew you can call me Merlin, and you don't need to be looking at the floor."

"But sire-" the servant said, looking at the young royal in shock, Merlin quickly cut him off.

"No titles, I hate titles, treat me as you would a friend because that is how I want you to view me, as a friend."

"But-but sire," the confused servant argued, "you are the prince, it would be disrespectful for me to not use your title."

"Not if I'm telling you not to," Merlin sighed at the man's expression, one of confusion and slight fear. "I have enough people calling me sire or some other title sometimes it is nice to simply hear my name." the servant nodded hesitantly.

"Very well si- Merlin." The servant quickly corrected himself. "Would you like me to prepare your bath?" he asked and Merlin shook his head.

"I've got it." He replied and before the scandalized servant could say anything his eyes flashed gold and the tub was filled with steaming water. Merlin looked to the servant and saw that the man was staring at him in astonishment.

"You- you didn't cast a spell!" he exclaimed, jaw hanging open.

"You would be surprised at the power I have." Merlin shrugged. "Though, I would appreciate it if you didn't tell anyone that." He added as an afterthought.

"Of- of course, sire," the servant said, bowing. Merlin shot him a look. "Sorry Si- Merlin. I will try and find some clean clothes for when you are done bathing." He said, walking to the door. Merlin could tell he was restraining himself from bowing. There was a knock at the door just as Andrew reached it. The young man looked to Merlin hesitantly who stared at the door in confusion, his brow furrowed. Hadn't he told the guards he was not to be disturbed?

Merlin nodded to the servant and the servant opened the door to see the two knights on guard duty trying to pull Sir Nathan back from the door.

"You can't go in Nathan!" said one of them, pulling on one of the knight's arms, the strain audible in his voice, the other knight pulled on the other arm.

"But I need to give him-" Nathan cut himself off at the sight of the servant and Merlin walking up behind him. The Knights huffed in annoyance as they released the now complacent knight.

"Sorry sire," Sir Damien said, shooting a glare at Nathan. "we tried to tell him you were not to be disturbed but he wouldn't listen."

"It's fine." Merlin replied, waving away the knight's worries, "What's wrong Nathan?" he asked, looking at his friend in concern.

"Nothing," he replied, straightening his clothes, which had become wrinkled in the scuffle "I just wanted to give you some clean clothes that may fit you." He said, holding up a bundle of clothes that he had been holding. "They're my old ones and should fit you, at least until the tailor finishes with some more appropriate clothing anyway." Merlin smiled at the kind knight before accepting the gift.

"Thank you, Nathan I appreciate it, however next time please don't fight your way past the guards." The knight blushed but nodded. "Now if you all would excuse me I wish to bathe and rest." Andrew bowed before finally leaving the room, the others bowed as well and Merlin closed the door.

Turning back to his room he sighed in relief at finally being alone again. He put the clean bundle of clothes on the bed so he could change into them. Merlin stripped his dirty clothes off as he walked to the bath, letting them fall to the floor, he could worry about them later. He carefully unwound the bandage around his upper left arm, the scratch from the crossbow had already begun healing, his magic helped him heal much faster than most. He stepped into the bath, the hot water immediately soothing his aching feet and he lowered himself further into the tub. The hot water was heavenly against his aching bones and he moaned as it eased the soreness that he now felt all over, the weeks of riding had not been gentle. He lay in the tub for what felt like forever, simply letting the water ease his aches and pains as well as his worries, allowing himself to relax for what felt like the first time in years. After some time he grabbed the bar of soap that sat on the edge of the tub and began to scrub the weeks of dirt and blood off. After a good fifteen minutes of scrubbing Merlin finally felt clean, he looked at the water which was now a muddy brown color and wrinkled his nose in disgust. Standing up he grabbed one of the towels that sat on a small table nearby, he wrapped it around himself as he stepped out of the tub.

Walking over to the bed he grabbed the clothes, he quickly dressed and was pleasantly surprised at how well they fit. Finally climbing into the large bed Merlin smiled in satisfaction at the soft mattress and fluffy pillows, it had been far too long since he had been in such a comfortable bed, it felt foreign now but he quickly fell asleep, too exhausted to stay awake any longer.

-LB: Hey! Why did you leave me out last chapter? *pouts*- AN: I was too tired, I'm sorry- LB: *pouts in corner*-AN: *Sigh*-

*Arthur POV*

Arthur rode in front of his knights, Sir Bedivere rode beside him. The knights laughed and joked with each other but Arthur could tell they were nervous, who wouldn't be after all? They were marching to a kingdom filled with sorcerers to demand their friends back with only 50 knights, if something went wrong they would all die. Bedivere was silent as he rode next to his king and Arthur didn't bother trying to make conversation, too busy puzzling over the dreams he kept having. Why did that figure keep insisting that he accept magic? What would happen when he didn't? Arthur growled in confusion and anger.

"Is something wrong my lord?" Bedivere asked, looking at his king in concern. Arthur shook his head.

"No, it's nothing, I'm frustrated at Merlin is all." He lied.

"What has that foolish servant done this time?" the knight asked, anger lining his voice. Arthur shot him a glare.

"Don't call him that, only I can insult him." He said and the knight flushed but nodded.

"Sorry sire, what did he do?" he asked again.

"He has run off to Aria to help the knights, and after I save him I'm going to kill him. Maybe I'll just throw him in the stocks for a month." He mused and the knight beside him chuckled but said nothing as he did not want to be reprimanded by his king a second time.

"So, what are you planning when we get there?" he asked instead. Arthur was prepared for this question as when he hadn't been worrying over the dreams he had instead been thinking about what would happen when they got to Aria.

"We can't simply demand their return, if I can avoid any confrontation I want to try. I am going to take a small group of knights into Aria and try to find Merlin and the others. You and the rest of the knights will stay hidden nearby and if I don't return in 24 hours you are to return to Camelot and alert the Queen of what happened." The knight stared at him in horror.

"But sire you could be killed!" he objected. "allow me to lead the group in your stead sire, that way if we are captured you are not in danger."

"No, I have lead more renascence missions than you."

"But My Lord-"

"I gave you my decision Sir Bedivere, do not test me today."

"Yes, sire." The knight answered, still unhappy about the decision. They rode in silence the rest of the day. The knights behind them gradually grew quieter as the day drew on and they grew tired from the long hours of riding. They soon stopped for the night and the camp was quickly set up. He was sitting in his tent eating the stew on of his men had brought him when he heard a rustling at the entrance to the tent. He looked up and one of his younger knights stood there, Sir Gavin, if he remembered correctly. The young man shuffled uncomfortably under the king's gaze.

"What do you need?" he asked.

"I um- I heard that you will be leading a party into Aria, and I- I wanted to volunteer to go with you." The knight said, meeting his gaze. Arthur rose from his seat and inspected the man, he was smaller than most of Arthur's knight's making him perfect for such a mission, Arthur also vaguely remembered the man being extremely light on his feet.

"Why do you want to come on this trip? Surely you are aware of how dangerous it will be?"

"I am aware of the danger My Lord, I wish to come because I want to prove myself to you and I believe my size will be able to aid you in this mission."

"Well, at least you're honest." Arthur said, studying the man "very well, you can come but you must follow every order exactly as I say and you must do it immediately."

"Yes, sire, of course, sire." Sir Gavin said, bowing hastily. "thank you, sire, I won't let you down." He said eagerly, excited to prove himself to his king.

"I trust you won't," Arthur said and waved his hand in dismissal, the knight quickly left, leaving the king alone to his thoughts once again.

-Line break passing through- LB: *trips* Ah!*- AN: *Snorts*- LB: *pouts* it's not funny.-

Merlin woke with the sun, the light peeking in between the curtains and shining onto him. He groaned and rolled over, not wanting to get up yet. After another minute or two and having still not fallen asleep again he rose from his bed. Stretching he walked over to the large window and threw the curtains open to look at the silent courtyard below.

After several minutes of watching servants began to trickle into the courtyard, on their way to begin the day, Knights and guards followed, on their way to take their shifts. Merlin heard the door creak open and he turned to see Andrew walk in. The young servant startled at the sight of him up and about.

"Sire." He said, bowing "My apologies, I didn't realize you were awake, I should have been here sooner."

"Don't worry." Merlin answered, smiling at the man "I am accustomed to rising early anyway. And again Andrew, call me Merlin."

"Sorry, sir- Merlin." He corrected himself, blushing slightly. "I brought you your new clothes." He said, holding up the folded clothes he had been holding. Merlin smiled and walked over, taking the finally made clothes from the man. He disappeared around the corner and dressed. The clothes were made of a soft cotton that felt wonderful against his skin after years of scratchy wool. The tunic was a royal blue color with a gold trim around the collar of the shirt as well as the bottom hem and wrists, the trousers were a dark brown that went well with the blue, though they were made of a thicker, more sturdy fabric. The clothes fit him perfectly and highlighted his features well. Merlin was grateful that it wasn't extravagant and it was still practical.

Andrew nodded in satisfaction when Merlin walked out from behind the screen.

"One more thing Merlin." He said, holding out a sword belt. Merlin took it but looked at the man in confusion.

"But I don't have a sword yet." He objected. The servant gave a knowing smile before turning around and opening the wardrobe.

"It is only a temporary thing but Sir Richard made sure that you would have a sword upon your return." The servant came out and Merlin gasped at the sight of the blade in his hands.

The sword gleamed in the rising sun, it was beautifully crafted and looked to be the perfect fit for Merlin.

"It was your father's blade when he was prince." Andrew said, holding it out for the prince to take. Merlin gingerly reached forward and took the precious blade, he stepped away from the servant and stretched his arm out, testing the weight of the blade. He gave it a few practice swings and was pleased at how easily it worked with his body; if maybe a little heavy for him. He grinned at the servant as he sheathed the sword at his side.

"Thank you, Andrew."

"It was my pleasure. Merlin." Merlin's grin grew wider at the servant's use of his first name and, making his way to the door he mentally prepared himself for the first day as King.

I hope you all enjoyed, sorry it's a smaller chapter, it's kinda just a filler, the next couple chapters may be like this but I still would love to know what y'all think so please review and have a great day!