The next morning Arthur ate his breakfast as quickly as he could and send someone to fetch his horse. Morgana, the kings ward, had noticed his hurry and was terminated to find out what was her brotherlike friend was so excited about.

"In a hurry are we?"

"What is it, Morgana? I don't have time for your silly games now."

"Who are you meeting? Because it's clear that you're going to someone, or you wouldn't rush to eat breakfast and spend so much time on how you look."

"I'm not. I'm going for a hunt."

He turned his back to her and left his room. He got his horse from the servant and went straight to where the tower stood. Merlin on the other hand was still in bed. He hadn't reopened the topwindow after closing it when it was raining, so he wasn't awakened by the sun. Fume, the phoenix, was pissed because he hadn't had his food yet. He jumped on Merlin's bed waking the boy.

"Fume? Oh, I'm so sorry. It must be long past breakfast. I have to do my chores."

He fed the phoenix and started on his daily chores. A few hours passed and he'd finished his chores. He knew he didn't have to rush it but he liked it. He could always spend time for stuff he wanted to do, well, as long as it was in the tower. Each time after lunch he'd spend hours humming and singing, and he also like the view of the tower. At the corner of the open place where the tower stood, Arthur was once again hiding in the bushes. He wanted to know the boy in the tower better, and he would. He sneaked closer to the tower and after a few minutes he was below the window.

It's now or never. What did the woman say again? Oh right!

He fixed his hair, straightened his jacket and stood up straight.

"Merlin! Let your hair down so I can climb up!"

Up in the tower Merlin was startled by him, he thought it was his mother, which was odd for she had said she'd come back the day after. He was confused but nevertheless he let his hair down because he never wanted to make his mother wait. Arthur saw the hair fall down and after making sure this was how he should go up he went up. When he got to the top, Merlin screamed. Loudly.

"Calm down, I mean no harm."

"W-who are you? How did you find me?"

"I am Arthur, and You?"

"… Merlin. Again, how did you find me?"

"I heard your singing yesterday. It was very beautiful."

"… Thank you, Arthur. That's very kind of you."

"Why are you in this tower?"

"Mother brought me here when I was young. She said that there are people out there who might want to take me from her."

"Have you ever been out?"

"Not after I came here, but I will. When the time is right. I hope."

The boy had a look on his face that told Arthur that it wouldn't happen in a long time.

"How old are you?"

"sixteen, why?"

"I'm just curious that's all. Aren't you lonely out here on your own?"

"I have Fume. He's all I need."

"Fume?"

"My phoenix. He's a very dear friend."

"… It's a magic creature…"

"Yes, is that a problem?"

"My f- the king has forbidden magic in Camelot."

"I didn't know. I hope you won't tell on him about me for having a phoenix."

"I will not allow him to hurt you."

He knew he would disobey his father to save this boy. He'd fallen for him, badly.

"Merlin? What do you know about love?"

"Love? My mother loves me and I love her."

"No, no. True love, love at first sight, such things."

"That only exists in fairy tales."

"I believe you are wrong, my dear Merlin, I can assure you it's real."

"How?"

"I experienced it myself."

"Oh… You have, huh…"

Merlin didn't sound very happy, after all, who would be when a handsome man comes into your house where no one comes and says he has found his true love. He was more pissed then happy that the man was in his home.

"Yes, not far from here I fell for a young beauty and I barely know him."

"I'm sorry that you don't know him, sir."

"I'd like to. So maybe I can come again tomorrow?"

Arthur had taken a rope with him so he could climb down by it. Merlin, who was surprised that he had, took a few moments before answering him.

"…Yes, Arthur, I'd like that."

Arthur went down and Merlin saw him disappear. Then it hit him, Arthur said he liked HIM.