Oh my goodness, thank you for all the lovely comments, I just had to upload today for you lovely people! Mika271170, glad you like it, so um here is more I guess you don't have to wait. Also thank you for the "original comment." It was just a random idea hat popped into my head and I thought it was a bit random, I didn't expect people to want to read about this but I am so glad my mind is not the only one that works like this. Carol27, Well since you were so convincing here I am, I wouldn't want to make you miserable! Nanesantos70, hello again my friend, fancy seeing you here! Everyone has got to love a bit of Merlin angst! Bubzchoc, good job you don't have to wait then. Absentminds, yeah he can be a bit of a prat, but I love him loads anyway (and I cant call anyone weird considering my mental state and daydreams about Merlin so yeah, don't worry you didn't sound weird.) Solar07, we wouldn't want to damage Bradley's pretty face though! Dobby'sPolkaDottedSocks, glad you like it! So, thanks again guys and I hope you enjoy this…

Chapter 3

Merlin was sitting at the desk, well slouching to be honest, and was scribbling furiously. Gaius had set him a gargantuan task, to write up the properties of all the different herbs that he collected in a medical guide. Gaius had been planning to do this for years and now he had a good excuse to give Merlin the task. He hoped that when he passed on someone would be able to learn about all the plants and their medical uses, as well as how to prepare them. Of course in his mind he had always hoped that Merlin would be his apprentice and continue his work but that would be too much to ask. The boy already had to cope with his destiny and care for Arthur and despite his best intentions Merlin had never fully grasped the topic of medicine and had always struggled with healing spells. Of course his talents in the latter were greatly improving, Merlin had to learn fast after all his training with Arthur, which often left him bruised and bloodied and Merlin needed to be able to patch up Gaius and the knights. After carefully writing up about 15 of the most common herbs and their uses Merlin was exhausted and wanted nothing more than to stop. When he mentioned this fact to Gaius, he was not at all pleased with the response.

"Ok then Merlin, you can practise your alphabet again. I want you to try joint up writing now." Gaius ignored Merlin's groan and carefully wrote the alphabet down three times with perfectly joint up writing. Gaius then informed Merlin that he was popping out to get some herbs and that he expected 5 more herbs to be written up in the book and the alphabets to be filled in by the time he was back. Merlin continued grumbling furiously and releasing numerous huffs and sighs as he started his second attempt of the alphabet. That was until he jumped out of his skin and he swiped his quill along the page crossing out half of his work. He swore and looked up at the door, which had been flung open to reveal a bright red, ashen faced Arthur and Merlin was sure that if looks could kill he himself and half of Camelot would be lying faced down in the dirt. Merlin immediately realised that he had to hide his sheet of alphabets. Arthur could not find out. He quickly shuffled the page out of the way as best as he could and looked up at Arthur.

"Um, can I help?"

"Yes Merlin, I believe you can. The thing is, that an idiot servant of mine left my best shirt on the floor. And now it has been eaten by a rat!" In Merlin's panic he failed to realise that the idiot Arthur was referring to was indeed himself. He shuffled around, being very careful not to draw attention to the page he was desperately trying to hide. At first he thought that he had gotten away with it.

"What are you going to do about it Merlin?"

"Err, I, Um. I will catch the rat." Merlin shuddered when he thought back to last night's meal and began to ponder the purpose of rats in life. What on earth were they made for? They were nothing but trouble! Arthur nodded slowly, hit Merlin around the head for good measure and began to turn around and leave. Merlin let out a relieved sigh and began to pull back his page, not noticing when Arthur turned around to watch him curiously. Normally Merlin would have grumbled and complained about it being his time off, he was preoccupied with something, and by the looks of things that something was a sheet of parchment.

"Merlin what is that."

"Nothing."

"Nothing…is that why you were staring and concentrating on it as if it had caused you a lot of pain."

"I was not, I was just thinking." Merlin quickly lied but his ears were beginning to flush red. Why did they always betray him like that?

"You thinking. Now I am getting really worried!" Arthur grinned and took the opportunity to throw one of Merlin's favourite insults right back at him.

"That's my phrase."

"But it fits you perfectly." Arthur was met with yet another glare and feigned turning around before swooping back and snatching the piece of parchment out from under Merlin's elbow. Merlin lunged forward and tried to grab the parchment back, however it was far too late. Arthur had already seen the page, the damage was done.

"Merlin, are you learning to write?"

"No, of course not! I was just-I was-Um. I can explain." Arthur just grinned, this was hilarious. How often had Merlin called him a prat and an idiot and he couldn't even write. Hypocrite!

"I always knew you were stupid, but not that stupid. There really is no limit to your intelligence is there Merlin". The last sentence was said with a spectacular example of Arthur-Pratdragonish-sarcasm and Merlin flushed even brighter. Arthur really was an idiot. He stood up from the desk with tears burning in his eyes and Arthur immediately realised his mistake. Maybe he had been a bit harsh.

"Look, Merlin. I didn't mean it." Of course he didn't say sorry but did feel a tad guilty. Merlin however ignored his statement and stormed past Arthur, waiting until he was out of the room before wiping his eyes. Arthur had seen this action and for once in his life he regretted his actions. He had made Merlin cry. Kind, loyal, faithful, innocent Merlin.

"Merlin come back! I didn't mean it. I'm sorry ok!" There he had said it. He Arthur Pendragon had said sorry. Merlin ignored him and carried on through Gaius' chambers and throwing open the front door.

"Look I apologised. What more do you want me to do. I shouldn't have said that. I was out of order. I am sorry!" Merlin whipped around and Arthur felt a lump rise in his throat. Merlin's face was red and blotchy, a stark contrast to his usually milky white skin and there were tear tracks glistening down his cheekbones.

"What. And that makes everything better. You are such a…" For once Merlin's infantry of insults failed him, so he simply turned around again and ran out of the door. He continued sprinting, passing Gwen who glanced at him concerned and not thinking about where he would end up. He ran straight into Gaius who was heading back with a basketful of herbs and Gaius held out a hand to stop him.

"Merlin my boy! What is wrong? What is upsetting you?" Merlin shook his head in response and found himself leaning into Gaius' embrace. He rested his head in the crook of the older man's neck and began to sob desperately.

"He. He. Arthur. He-found out." Gaius understood immediately and sighed, Arthur really was a prat, and next time Merlin called him so Gaius had no intention of reprimanding him. He lowered his basket to the floor and patted the boy awkwardly on the back; gently shushing him and stroking his back until Merlin had hiccupped himself back to normality. Merlin pulled away and rubbed his eyes with his knuckles and flushing slightly. That was the first time he had properly cried in years, the occasional tear here or there or cry of pain, but apart from that Merlin had prided himself in his ability to control his emotions. He was able to hide a lot, his magic, his feelings, his emotions and he couldn't help but admit that it felt rather good to let it all out.

He hadn't just cried about Arthur's hurtful comment but about his father, his mistreatment, his exhaustion, how fed up he was for being taken for granted and in fear of his destiny. He was only human and had the weight of the world on his shoulders. If Arthur knew just the half of it Merlin was sure that he would never have a goblet launched at his head again, or get called another insulting name. He continued to move away from his house and into the woods, he needed time to think and clear his head. Without realising where his feet were taking him Merlin ended up by the lake. He couldn't help but be awestruck by the breath-taking views and felt a lump rise in his throat. He missed Freya so much and once again tears threatened to spill down his cheeks. He stripped off his socks and dipped his feet into the cool water, drawing his knees up to his chest and leaning against a boulder. Eventually Merlin felt the stress of the last few weeks crash over him and he dozed off with his head lolling forward onto his knees.

Merlin failed to wake up at the cracking of twigs behind him and only stirred when a hand was placed on his shoulder. He jumped and began to pull away. Why wouldn't anyone just let his sleep?

"Gaius, if Arthur wants me tell him to lock himself in the dungeon and never come out!" Arthur flushed slightly and bit back a retort. Now was not the time to call Merlin an idiot, he would come to that later.

"Merlin, it is me." Merlin's eyes snapped open and he immediately felt as awake as he did when Arthur threw buckets of water over him.

"Oh. What do you want?" Merlin's tone was far more aggressive than Arthur had ever heard it and Arthur flinched slightly. This was not the Merlin he knew, he really had messed things up this time.

"Merlin, I really am truly sorry for what I said. I was a prat. You didn't deserve that. You are an incredibly loyal servant, and maybe, well, definitely the best friend I have. Probably the only true friend I have if I am honest." Arthur's apology came out in one garbled rush and his cheeks turned the same colour of his cloak.

Merlin stared up at Arthur, that had been totally unexpected and he couldn't help but smile at Arthur's expression. He looked so self conscious and puppy-dog eyed. But he still had been an out of order prat. Merlin wasn't usually spiteful or resentful but his pent up emotions had made him far more volatile than usual.

"What and that makes everything better?" Once again tears pricked in his eyes and Merlin turned away. Half of him wanted to get up and hug the prince; the other wanted him to carry on raging and fuming.

"No, that doesn't make it better, but there is nothing more I can do. I promise I will never mock you about it again, I understand that it must have been hard for you back in Ealdor. You worked didn't you? It's no surprise that you didn't have time to learn to read or write."

Merlin watched in horror as Arthur's eyes filled with tears which spilt softly down his cheek.

"Merlin, I am so sorry, please forgive me." Arthur moved over to Merlin and took it as encouragement that the boy did not scoot away. He then cautiously wrapped an arm around Merlin's waist and pulled the smaller boy into his chest. He felt tears soaking his shirt and his own flowed down his cheeks and into Merlin's soft brown hair. Merlin accepted the embrace and felt his anger swiftly melt away into despair and concern. Arthur was crying. Actually crying. Arthur never cried, not even when he was in extreme pain. Merlin sighed and pulled himself closer into Arthur's arms breathing in his musky scent and only pulling away when they had both stopped crying. Arthur couldn't help the fact that he had been born as an arrogant-prat, and Merlin had to admit that he was a lovable arrogant-prat at that. Merlin sat up and reached for his socks, pulling them and his shoes on before finally speaking.

"I accept your apology. Although does that mean I get the day off tomorrow?"

"Don't push it!"

"Prat!"

"Dollophead!"

"That's my word!"

I hope you enjoyed it, once again I will update tomorrow or the day after depending on how many reviews I get. Yes, I know that is bribery but they really do make me ridiculously happy and I just can't get enough! Seya soon and thank you for reading!