When Merlin finally returned to Gaius's chambers, Gaius immediately asked, "What did Arthur have to say?"

"He offered to teach me about being a king."

"That's good,"

"Are you insulting my abilities?" Even as he said it, Merlin couldn't stop himself from laughing.

"It's good that Arthur didn't immediately tell the court."

"About that... They already know"

"How did they find out?"

"Guards from Carlain arrived to arrange for my transportation."

"So soon?"

"Apparently. They also brought up a peace treaty."

"Well, that's good. We wouldn't want a war, would we?"

"No, we wouldn't."

One of Camelot's guards entered the room and stood there, slightly awkwardly before bowing.

"Uh ...Sire? You are needed in the council room."

"Of course." Merlin's voice felt like it was detached from the rest of him, as if it was someone else's voice speaking his thoughts, with a type of politeness that he hadn't known he was capable of.

In the council room, Merlin saw something that he wasn't expecting. Arthur, alone.

Merlin walked across the room to where he stood and said, "You asked for me?"

"I did. We don't have much time before Carlain's guards are going to want you to leave; you are their leader after all."

"I'm never going to be used to that."

"You will."

"You seem to have more faith in me than usual."

"Shut up, Merlin."

"That sounds more like the Arthur I know."

"You know, I don't have to help you."

"But you want to. You wouldn't have offered otherwise."

"Have I mentioned how much I hate it when you're right?"

The next three hours were spent with Arthur going over lists and lists of things, and Merlin repeating them until he could say most of them from memory without getting a single word wrong. By the end of Merlin's "lesson", Arthur looked quite pleased, Merlin quite tired.

"Did you want to go on?" It was the first time that Arthur had ever actually asked for Merlin's opinion, and in return, it was the first time that Merlin had given Arthur an answer that was noncommital.

"You look tired. We'll continue tommorow." Arthur's tone was decisive.

Merlin had never heard anything come out of Arthur's mouth that had even come close to caring, but there was no mistaking Arthur's tone. He was trying to make sure that Merlin didn't overwork himself. He was trying to look out for him.

This simple realization confused Merlin more than he would have expected. Why did Arthur care now? Why was it so important that Arthur be the one to teach him about these things?

When he returned to his room, Gaius was already asleep. Merlin was glad. He wasn't sure that Gaius would be able to answer his questions, and he wasn't in the mood to hear the regretful tone that Gaius always used when he couldn't give Merlin the information that he wanted.

He collapsed on his bed and immediately fell asleep.

The morning brought another lesson from Arthur. Merlin was expecting more memorizing, but Arthur had other ideas. He brought Merlin to the area where the knights spent their days training. He picked up one of the lighter swords and handed it to Merlin. To Merlin's surprise, the grip seemed to have been made for his fingers.

Arthur, on the other hand, didn't look surprised.

"Why do you have a sword that fits my hand?"

"Believe it or not, Merlin, you're not the only person of your size that needs to hold a sword."

"Right."

That was the last word that Merlin spoke until the sun went down. He practiced several aspects of swordfighting, until Arthur told him, "Now, you should practice against a real opponent."

Merlin stared. He couldn't have meant Arthur. But there was no one else around.

Merlin nodded and resigned himself to his fate.

The fight lasted longer than Arthur would have expected, and ended rather differently. Merlin's skills seemed to have developed quickly, as after about ten minutes of fighting, Merlin had knocked Arthur's sword from his hand, and within seconds had the blade against his throat. Merlin drove the sword into the ground next to Arthur, then extended a hand to help him to his feet.

"Are you sure that you need these lessons? You seem to be doing pretty well."

Merlin was surprised that Arthur wasn't even slightly angered by Merlin's victory.

"I still have no idea what it's like to be king."

"That's next."

Merlin could have sworn he saw Arthur smile.