Chapter 9

Merlin and Izzy stopped suddenly causing Ellie to run into their backs.

"What did you stop for." She frowned looking up at them from the floor. Izzy rolled her eyes and helped her up.

"The guards." He whispered and Ellie made an 'o' shape with her mouth.

"Oh right. Merlin. You go in." she said and pushed him out. The guards turned to him and got their swords out. Merlin gulped.

"Err…Hi." Merlin smiled and waved.

"Who are you?" One of the guards asked moving towards him. Merlin glanced at the girls quickly before looking at the guard.

"My name is Merlin. I'm Arthur's man servant." He said trying to sound manly and failing. The guard raised an eyebrow. "I need to speak with him right away." He insisted smiling his cheeky grin. The guards looked at each other before grabbing Merlin's clothes and opening the doors dragging him in after them. Ellie and Izzy looked at each other worriedly.

Everyone turned to look at the doors when they opened. Arthur sighed and shook his head when he saw Merlin being dragged in. Katie giggled silently seeing Merlin's surprised face.

"Sire, this fellow says he is Prince Arthur's man servant." The guard holding him said gruffly. Arthur stood up.

"What did he do this time?" Arthur asked walking over.

"I haven't done anything." Merlin said pouting slightly. Arthur hit him over the head and turned to King Oden.

"I apologise for what ever damage this buffoon has done." Arthur said smiling angrily. "Please excuse me." He grabbed Merlin's arm and they walked back outside. Oden watched them go with a tense smile on his face.

Myror, the assassin let out a groan of frustration as Arthur left his seat for a second time. He placed his crossbow down and rubbed his forehead. He needed to kill Arthur. And soon.

Arthur threw Merlin onto the floor.

"What did you do Merlin?" he asked pouring himself a glass of wine.

"I already told you. I didn't do anything." Merlin said angrily getting up off the floor, and brushed down his clothes. "I needed to talk to you." He added. Arthur rolled his eyes.

"How many times do I have to tell you Merlin? I decide when we talk." Arthur took a sip of his drink. "You should know that by now you idiot." And he sat down.

Ellie stopped outside and knocked on the door. Izzy rolled her eyes and opened the door not waiting for a reply. Ellie frowned at her.

"You shouldn't do that. It's rude." She reprimanded Izzy. Izzy ignored her and turned to Merlin.

"You told him yet?" she asked sitting down on the bed. Arthur sighed.

"Oh sure. Make yourself at home." He said sarcastically and smiled softly at Ellie blushing slightly, remembering what Katie had said. Ellie smiled back at Arthur and sat in his chair. "And tell me what?" He frowned.

Ellie bit her lip nervously. "Erm…well, Izzy overheard something." She whispered. Arthur raised an eyebrow and turned to Izzy.

"What was the conversation about?" He asked curiously. Izzy stared at him.

"Oden-" she started but got interrupted as Uther burst in. He looked around and glared at Arthur.

"What was that all about?" Uther said loudly. Ellie stood up quickly and both she, Izzy and Merlin headed for the door closing it behind them. Arthur sighed.

"I apologised. It is not my fault Merlin is such an Idiot." Arthur replied. Uther glared harder.

"Then why did you hire him?" He asked angrily and Arthur snorted.

"I didn't hire him. You did. Remember." Arthur said patronisingly. "He saved my life, in case you forgot." He added and walked around the desk sitting in his chair. Uther sighed.

"I did didn't I." He muttered. "Well then you have to get rid of him." Uther said and walked towards the door. Merlin, Ellie and Izzy, who were eavesdropping, gasped when they heard him say that. Arthur frowned.

"I won't do that." He said contradicting his father. "He may stupid and he may be an idiot. But I will not fire him. He is a brilliant servant. When he's not forgetting things. Arthur muttered that last part. "And he's my friend." He added confidently. Merlin looked shocked and pleased at the same time when he heard Arthur say that. Ellie smiled and they all moved away from the door not wanting to get caught by Uther.

"What?" Uther laughed. "Servants are not friends. They are workers." Uther commented. Arthur sighed.

"He is a loyal friend. As Is Beth." Arthur smiled softly. Uther frowned.

"Elizabeth is not your friend. She is a maid. She is not worthy of your attention. I suggest you find someone else to fawn over. She will only use you to become queen. That is all Elizabeth is interested in." Uther said his hand on the door handle. Arthur stood up glaring angrily.

"Beth is not like that. She is kind, caring, generous, and a lovely girl the kind that any man wishes to marry." Arthur said sternly. "And I intend to be the man that marries her." He added daring his father to disagree with him. Uther shook his head.

"This is just a crush. You shall get over it eventually." Uther said and opened the door and glared at Merlin and Ellie. Arthur sighed and sat back down tiredly rubbing his forehead. Uther left and Izzy entered slowly, with Merlin and Ellie trailing behind her.

"Are you alright?" Ellie asked softly and walked over to him. Arthur shook his head.

"I'd like to be left alone. I need to think." Arthur said staring into the fire. Ellie nodded and walked away slowly. Izzy grabbed her arm.

"We can't leave yet. We need to tell him…" Ellie cut her off.

"It can wait till later." Ellie replied quietly. "He's safe. Merlin's just next door after all." Ellie smiled at Merlin. Merlin nodded back and they left leaving Arthur to his thoughts.

What did you think? Do you think I should make chapters longer?

Soz about the late updates. I probebly wont get another chapter uploaded until after the holidays.

Ideas and reviews please. They make me happy :)