Arthur awoke in his bed, two days after his birthday celebration. The day before was strangely hazy. He looked around and his breakfast was already there. He ate it absentmindedly and got dressed. As he was pulling on his coat, Gwen arrived and took the tray, "Where is the layabout? Can't be still hungover."

Gwen froze not turning back to Arthur. "Sire… He's-"

"Guinevere." She slowly turned, looking as if she'd been caught. "Where is Merlin?"

She opened her mouth to speak, but closed it again. "He's- you see- After yesterday he- Oh sire he was so frightened-"

But Arthur wasn't listening as he stormed past her. The servants in the hallway all ducked out of the way. It was as if they feared what Arthur might do if they stood in his way. He paid them no mind as he banged on Gaius' door. "MERLIN!" When no one answered he opened it, and trudged across the room to Merlin's door. It wasn't open and he banged on it as he had the door to Gaius' quarters. "MERLIN you will get out here this instant. That's an order!" But nothing stirred on the other side. He growled and backed up, ramming into the door with all his strength. The lock gave way and he charged into the room. But there was no one there. "Merlin?" He said it as if he were confused. Merlin should have been there cowering in a corner like the idiot he was. Not… Not there.

It was'nt like he was even all that angry with him.

It was then he realized that he hadn't even thought about turning Merlin in. Perhaps storming out and avoiding him the whole day hadn't gotten his point across that he was angry but not murderously so. And about Merlin's… Feelings. Well it didn't have to ruin the way things were. Lots of people found him attractive, they got over it. He didn't have to leave. Arthur glared at the empty room. "Fine, Merlin. You'll be back. They always come back." With that he turned and left his servant's room.

But as the days wore on, Arthur found himself checking in with Gaius every day. The old physician took these visits in stride. A boy from the kitchens had taken up Merlin's old duties.

Arthur wasn't going to turn Merlin in. Merlin; a sorcerer. He was willing to forgive him something he couldn't forgive of Gwen… Or anyone. Arthur went about his duties as normal; reviewing reports, attending his father's meetings, training, etcetera. His mind was kept busy. Yet if anyone could see his summary of the reports, Arthur was slowly missing things. He drifted off in meetings, and was distracted at training. Severely distracted.

"Sire, are you sure alright?" Sir Kaye, a new knight from the country, asked standing over Arthur. It was the third sparring match he'd lost that day.

"Yes! Something wrong, Arthur?" Said a near gleeful voice from the sidelines.

The prince flinched and stood, brushing himself off. "No, Morgana. Nothing is wrong, just an off practice. Kaye keeps getting better by the day." The other knights shied away as she came close.

Morgana started chuckling. "You should hurry up and apologize to Merlin. This is getting ridiculous."

Arthur gaped at her, "What? Who said-?"

She shook her head, smiling gently. "Look Arthur, you don't have many friends. Don't screw up things with the one person who likes you despite you being a spoiled prat."

"Morgana! You deal with your servants your way and I'll deal with mine."

Arthur went back for another round with the young knight and he did his best to block Sir Kaye's blows. But it was obvious to anyone he was distracted. As he was finally about to win a round, he looked to the side lines when he thought he saw a head of unruly brown hair. Sir Kaye knocked him on his ass. "ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!" He screamed at the heavens. Sir Kaye ran away, poor lad. The other knights scattered, leaving Arthur alone.

He threw his armor down on the floor of his room. "That damn, idiot. I can't-" He groaned and rested his head against the post of his bed. "I'm a busy man!" he yelled to the empty chamber. He sat down at his desk to get back to writing up reports. But instead he stared at the parchment for a few minutes. Checking one more time wouldn't hurt. He stood and made his way down to Gaius' rooms one more time and was most definitely was not pouting along the way.

"- Ya, he was attacked by a beast while traveling home, poor lad. I always liked him. Though he did always seem a bit dimwitted."

Arthur stopped the servant girls and demanded they tell him who they were talking about. When the poor girls said it was a boy named Tory, he yelled that they should be more specific when discussing dimwits. Gwen passed by and stopped him. "Now there is no need to snap at them. I know you're worried but Merlin-"

"I am NOT worried! Do you hear me Guinevere? NOT!"

She raised an eyebrow. "Well, if you're so NOT worried, why are you getting so upset?"

Arthur gaped at her before he mumbled to the floor. "I'm not upset."

"You are. He went home for a bit because he thought you'd be angry." She chuckled and shook her head, "He'd be ecstatic to know your falling to pieces."

"I'm not falling to pieces. Do not make me sound like such a girl."

She smiled fondly at him, "I'm sure he'll be home soon. Stop worrying and stop pouting."

"Prince's do not pout."

"Then I must have been mistaken. Would you like to go check together?" She asked patiently.

He kicked at the ground a little before nodding and they went down the stairs.

They finally made it to Gauis' chambers and found the old man was staring sourly at a piece of sealed parchment. "Before you ask, he's not here. But this came for you… this is Merlin's writing." Arthur quickly snatched the paper from the physician's hands and tearing it open. Sure enough there was a letter in Merlin's excessively loopy and tiny handwriting. It was all crammed together and several parts were crossed out.

Dear Arthur,

I am sure by now you have noticed my absence and are vexed with me. But really, you were either going to sack me or behead me anyway so really this should be expected. Moving on, this is my last piece of parchment so please forgive me for the corrections. Please forgive me forgive me forgive me If you are still angry I did not tell you I am a sorcerer I am sorry for not telling you. Please do not see it as a betrayal of your trust. I would have never let harm come to you if I could help it. I kept it from you mostly because I did not want to ask you to choose between keeping my secret and your duty to your father. It is the same reason I am leaving now. I am not sure where I will end up. I am not at my mother's and I did not tell her where I was going, so please do not bother her. I miss you. I'm sorry, don't try and find me. Please don't hat You will be a great King someday. Maybe then I'll return. I'd like to see it- you on the throne, surrounded by subjects that love and respect you. I know you can do it. I always have. You will be kind and just and wonderful. Know this, wherever I am, whatever becomes of me; I am yours, happily and proudly, until the day I die. I love you I love you I love I love you, Arthur Pendragon. The thought of leaving without saying goodbye was too much for me to bear…

Goodbye.

Sincerely,

Merlin.

PS. Don't be a prat

Gwen stared at Arthur expectantly, "Well?"

Arthur was gripping the paper more roughly then was probably necessary, "That… IDIOT! I'll have him burned at the stake for this madness! Goodbye? No one says goodbye unless I say so! How could he just leave me like this?" He stared at the paper then and Gaius and Gwen exchanged curious looks. "Oh, I'll find you, Merlin. And then you will scrub this castle from top to bottom. I hope the dragon in the basement eats you." With that he crumbled up the paper and started for the door. "Gwen? Could you have someone prepare my horse? I'm going hunting."