Here we go, another chapter. I hope this one doesn't disapoint, i mean, i'd hate for people to love my first chapter and then dispise the rest of them. I want to give a big thank you to everyone who reviewed. Being my first story and all it's kinda nice to get even the tiniest reviews. I also want to clear up a few things before anyone gets their hopes up. I A) i realize that this plotline has been used several times before but hopefully i can manage to make it somewhat different than the others. B) This will not be a reveal fic. C) I plan on this being the first in a series, a series that will include a reveal of more than just Merlin's magic. So, anything you don't see in this fic you could always ask to be put in the later ones. Except slash, no point in asking for slash 'cause it won't happen. Anyway, enjoy! (:

Previously:

And that's when Arthur knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt that he wasn't leaving that imbecile of a servant behind from the hunting trip. No, no way. Not when there were so many important questions to be answered, the most important of which being…why was he grinning like that?

"Ah, Merlin," Arthur said, "four things. One: you're late."

"I know but there was a problem concerning Gaius and a tub full of beetles—"

"Two," Arthur cut Merlin off since he was not entirely sure that he wanted to know the rest of the story, "wipe that grin off your face, it's annoying. And three: we are going on a hunting trip tomorrow so make sure we have enough food and supplies to last five days," the prince said as he sat down to eat his breakfast, which thankfully the clumsy idiot hadn't spilled.

Merlin stood up and turned around to face Arthur from where he had been making the bed. "A hunting trip? Why? It's not like the palace kitchens need your help because there's more than enough food down there. Why can't you just train the knights instead? I know how much you like bashing their heads in. I just don't get the point of killing cute, fuzzy little animals just for sport. Surely you can get your kicks elsewhere." Merlin at this point was looking incredulously at Arthur.

"I have been training the knights, Merlin; don't you pay attention to anything? In fact I've been pushing them so hard that they deserve a break. Besides; I am the prince of Camelot and if I wish to go on a hunting trip then it's not for you to question it or argue." He looked pointedly at Merlin to make sure he got the obvious message. But apparently he didn't.

"Just because you're the prince doesn't mean that you should be allowed to make a complete prat of yourself by killing defenseless rabbits," Merlin shot back.

Arthur was getting even more annoyed now; something he only realized that he enjoyed when it came to Merlin after the argument was over.

"Actually, it does mean all of that!" Arthur said, then cringed as he realized what he'd set himself up for.

"So you admit that you are a prat!" Merlin looked triumphant.

Yep, Merlin wasn't one to miss out on an opportunity.

"Merlin, remember I said four things?"

"Yeah?" Merlin said tentatively; responding to the change in his master's tone.

"Shut up," Arthur said effectively ending that conversation. "Now, apart from getting all my hunting gear ready, you have to clean my room, walk my dogs; they're getting pretty restless, polish my armor, do my laundry, and clean my boots. And, since we'll be gone for a while you should probably muck out my stables."

With every new item on the list the expression on Merlin's face looked more and more like one he would wear if the world was ending. When Arthur finished with a very self-satisfied smirk, Merlin scowled and said,

"Clotpole."

Arthur scowled in turn and replied with an insult of his own. "Idiot."

"Prat!" At that, instead of trying to come up with a new insult, Arthur, who had long since gotten up from the breakfast table, turned around and picked up the first thing his hands could find and threw it at his manservant.

"Ow!" Merlin said even though the pair of rather smelly, but harmless, pants couldn't possibly have hurt even with Arthur being the pitcher.

"And make sure you get those washed too, Merlin." Arthur finished, crossing his arms in a manner that said: 'you're dismissed.'

"Yes, sire." Merlin walked over and dropped the dirty pants in the laundry basket, all the while scrunching his nose up like he was smelling something foul and then promptly picked it up and exited the room.

As Merlin walked through the castle corridors with a huge basket in his arms, he realized that to some extent he was glad Arthur had ordered that they go on a hunting trip. Ever since he'd gotten into the habit of saving the prat's life he had always been worried that he would go on a patrol or hunting excursion without him. The prince couldn't seem to go a week without someone making an attempt on his life and since it had been about six days since the last one Merlin figured it could happen any day now.

Just a few days ago Arthur had gone on a patrol with some of his knights and he hadn't been allowed to come along because Arthur had stuck him with a bunch of chores and insisted that he stay behind. And even though nothing bad had happened something could've, and that was all Merlin could think about the entire time Arthur was gone.

Merlin didn't know how it had happened. One moment he thought that if the prince died then the world would have one less bully in it. The next moment he had found himself constantly concerned for the safety of a prat! All Merlin knew was that now he had begun saving the prince's life he couldn't stop. Not only would all of it be for nothing, but he would lose someone he cared about. As much as it still pained him to admit it, he knew that Arthur was close to him, perhaps even a friend.

But Merlin was so used to having friendships that went both ways, and even though he would admit that he was Arthur's friend he didn't think Arthur was his.

But the prat had gone on a dangerous quest to save him, but what did that mean?

The warlock continued to puzzle over that question as he washed the clothes with a mixture of hands, water, soap, and a bit of magic since no one was around.

Merlin hated the hunting parts of the hunting trips, but he was glad that he was going. If Arthur was going then Merlin wanted to go as well, that way he could keep an eye on the prince. Not only to protect him but also to make sure he didn't act like too much of a prat. The Great Dragon had said that maybe it was his job to change Arthur, but whether destiny wanted him to or not, Merlin had decided that if he was going to be spending a lot of time around Arthur anyway he might as well try to make him more bearable.

So that was why Merlin would beg Arthur to leave the poor, fluffy animals alone, but he would never ask to stay behind. Besides, in this case Merlin thought that it would be good for Arthur to get out of Camelot, for he had noticed the increase in temper, restlessness, and overall prattishness.

And that's why it was a resigned, but contented heart that Merlin did all of the prince's chores with. However, that quickly changed as he went downstairs to the kitchens to get the food they would need for their five day excursion. Most of the servants who would normally be there getting food would be gone since it wasn't a usual mealtime in the castle. This would mean he would have to face Margaret alone, without any buffers there to protect him.

Margaret was the main cook in the castle, mostly because she had the greatest skill and experience. It was she who would cook all the royal dinners, and it was she whom Merlin feared most in the world. Honestly, though, Merlin liked Margaret a lot, but she had a strong desire to see everyone fed to the point that she deemed to be healthy. So whenever Merlin would go to the kitchens to get Arthur's food she would eye him critically and if he didn't pass her inspection of a well fed boy he would most likely end up with a lecture. And seeing as he never passed he got a talking to every time he saw her.

At least he would if there weren't dozens of other servants around to keep her too busy to do much more than say: "you don't eat enough, start eating better or I'll have to start force-feeding you!"

Margaret was a gentle soul at times, but she was also very passionate and if she thought Merlin was skipping meals, (which he often was,) she would sit him down and make sure he ate every bite of the food she placed before him.

So that was why, as he entered the kitchen, Merlin's heart sank when he saw that there was only one other servant in the room besides him, which in no universe would be enough of a distraction for Margaret to keep her attention away from the too skinny boy.

So Merlin, deciding that he couldn't put it off for ever, slumped his shoulders and walked over to the counter separating Margaret from him. But he stopped walking when he saw that the other servant in the room was Gwen, and for a moment, hope swelled in his heart. Maybe she could help him a bit; get Margaret to back off some, since it was very hard to refuse Gwen anything. But as the young sorcerer saw the formidable cook turn her all-seeing eye on his lanky form and Gwen give him an apologetic smile he knew that he was on his own.

Gwen rushed past him mumbling something like "sorry" as Margaret gave him a stern look that said 'come here now.' He gulped and went over to face the scolding and copious amounts of food he would most assuredly be given.

Margaret was an intimidating person for several reasons. Firstly, because she was big, which in itself was because of a combination of a large bone structure, plumpness, and the four or five aprons that were tied around her waist. Secondly, because she was in her forties and had obviously lived through the Great Purge, which if nothing else gave a person character. Thirdly, because she had somehow learned Gaius's signature eyebrow raise, so you felt like you had both of them frowning at you. And fourthly, because she would order almost anybody around when it came to food, including Arthur.

But despite all of her supposed harshness, everything she did she did for others. So even though Merlin feared her lectures he knew they came from the heart.

"Merlin, my goodness boy, don't you ever eat? Maybe I should go upstairs and talk to that physician about how to properly feed someone who obviously would starve to death if left alone. Honestly, you serve the prince; you'd think the least you could afford to do is eat enough. Come here and sit down, if I have to fatten you up all by myself then I will."

Yep, that's Margaret.

Merlin tried to protest as the plump woman pushed him into a chair. "Really, I'm fine, Margaret, I eat plenty. You don't need to—"

The cook cut him off, "Yes I do, since no one else seems to notice how pale and thin, and downright ill-looking you are. And if you won't do anything to help yourself then I guess it's up to the rest of us to keep you alive." She gave him a pointed look as she placed a plate heaped with food in front of him. "Seriously, what is that prince or that guardian of yours thinking letting you go back to work before you're fully healed. All one has to do is look at you to see that nearly dying had a negative effect on your health."

Is that why, Merlin thought, all the servants have been extra nice to me lately? And why Gwen wouldn't even help me out with Margaret? Do they think I'm still sick? That I need Margaret's help with getting better?

Oblivious to Merlin's inner questions; Margaret continued ranting. "It's a miracle that you haven't passed out yet from exhaustion or hunger. I mean, really, it's a wonder you're still alive when no one seems to want to help you get better. You know," she said, her tone changing somewhat, "you're a kind person, Merlin, and you deserve some recognition for what you do."

Merlin's head shot up from the plate of food he'd been trying get away with not eating at this. Did she know about his magic? About all he had done for the prince? If so then why hadn't she turned him in yet?

"You give help anyone who needs it, and even some who don't. You're kind, even to those who aren't always kind to you. You're always willing to listen to a person's problems even though you have more than enough of your own; having to deal with the prince and all that." She paused for a moment to chuckle. "One of the first things you did after coming to Camelot was to stand up for someone who was too afraid to stand up for himself. You even tried to give your life for both Gwen and Arthur on two different occasions. You deserve a lot better than you get, Merlin, and though there a lot of things in this world that aren't fair, the lack of respect and love you get is, in my opinion, the un-fairest."

At first Merlin had felt relieved that Margaret still knew nothing about his magic, but then the relief had turned into embarrassment and more than a little happiness as the words of this completely different rant sunk in. And as the energetic woman finished a smile crossed Merlin's face that had nothing to do with something funny, or a prank he wished he could play on Arthur. In fact, this particular smile was one that rarely ever crossed his features; one of pure, total, joy.

And even though that smile began to fade as the day went by, the memory of that moment of recognition, that small taste of what it felt like to be praised honestly and fully for something he had never hoped to get praise for remained inside him for the rest of his life. And from then on, that moment and others like it was what he thought of when his life became dark or scary. Whenever he needed comforting he'd think of how it felt…and he would smile.

Aww, i loved and hated writing this chapter. The part with Merlin and Arthur was hard, but i think it turned out decent. I hope you all enjoyed reading the ending as much as i LOVED writing it. Fun fact: i was told the other day that apparently they don't say clotpole they say clodpole since it is an actual word in actual books. So apparently we've all been getting it wrong, but i don't care, i'm still going to write clotpole because that is how i will always think of that word being spelled and pronounced. I plan on updating every other day if i can, but unfortunatly i don't think i'll be able to update for another two days but i'll try. Hopefully i can still make my not-so-long-lived quota. So once again please review and give me any tips or critiscism that you think i could use. As long as it's helpful. Well, bye for now!