The pair got back to the castle by the time most of its inhabitants were awaking. They were trying to walk quietly but it was to no prevail as they were in good cheer and laughter. Arthur made Merlin carry all the fish back, as he had won once again; there was little contest. How Merlin did it without magic Arthur didn't know. However, Merlin did look funny all hunched over with a dozen fish on his back, their eyes wide and tails still flapping about.
"You didn't get stuck with the fish again, did you Merlin?" said a tinkling voice to their left. Gwen had come out of her house and had a pink shawl wrapped around her to block out the chill. In fact, it was the shawl Arthur had given her for her birthday, both boys noted.
"Yeah, I did, even though I won: If you ask me he should be caring the load!" Merlin said as he looked at his friend, who held out a basket to put the fish in. He smiled. He liked Gwen but only as a sister. Arthur on the other hand…
He cast a look over at Arthur, who was smiling at her. When it came to Gwen, Arthur was a different story.
"Well, Merlin no one is asking you your opinion. Besides you're the servant and I'm the prince, unless we somehow changed lives in the past hour or so." He said to his friend.
"No, but I could make that happen!" He said and stopped when his friends stared at him. He cleared his throat and picked up the basket. He knew his friends hated it when he talked about his magic out in the open so causally, because they were afraid for him, in case someone overheard. He loved that, but he also loved the freedom that came from his friends knowing. This was something they wouldn't understand.
He gave Gwen a hug, not missing how Arthur glowered at him as he pulled away. Oh, he was going to have some fun later! As he pulled Arthur away from her, they made their way to the castle. They ran up the steps and into the long hallway, making their way to the centre of the castle. The magnitude of the castle and the many open windows gave them a fresh breeze that they were glad for.
"Hey, Arthur?" Merlin asked as they handed over the filled basket to a passing kitchen boy who scampered off to the kitchen as soon as they handed it to him.
"Mmm?" Arthur said as he made his way back to his room. He was thinking of al the evil chores to give his friend to do since he won. He was sure that Merlin some how used magic and that was unfair.
"Why do you hang out with me? I mean, why am I not just a servant to you?"
Arthur stopped and was about to reply something sarcastic when he saw Merlin's face. It was as serious as his question. He scratched his arm and blew out a breath,
"Because."
Merlin raised an eyebrow at that much similar to Gaius when he did it.
"That's not really an answer."
Arthur laughed, uneasily, "What brought this up Merlin? I am friends with you just because, is that not good enough?"
Merlin shook his head and walked over to him so he could look him in the eyes. He could see the brown mixed with green regarding him so.
"I always value your word Arthur. It's just that I want to know why you hang out with me, Gwen, and the others when we are not like you. You could be on terms with the other nobles in the court and value from it."
Arthur couldn't answer because his father was coming down the hallway and he looked menacing(well he always did so to Merlin) he stopped in front of his son and said simply, "Arthur, I would like to discuss a matter with you in the throne room. It seems to me this has got out of hand."
Arthur face pulled a questioning look as he shrugged, missing the glare from his father to Merlin. He turned to Merlin, whose seriousness had gone and who now looked, to Arthur, a little sad. He smiled at him and told him to go clean his room up. Merlin bowed and was ever the servant in front of the king and prince as he left.
This disturbed Arthur immensely.