Thanks for the reviews last time, highly appreciated. So by request- the continuation…

Chapter 3

As soon as he woke, Merlin realised that he was not in his own bed. It also did not take long to notice a large warm body curled up next to him. Merlin checked himself to see that he was still clothed and turned to see Arthur sleeping soundly. Merlin smiled as he moved some of Arthur's hair off his face. Reminiscing over the events of the day before, Merlin got out of the bed and got a drink out of the jug that lay on the table. As he placed it back on the table, Arthur stirred.

"Good morning," said Merlin, walking up to the bed.

"Hhmm," answered Arthur.

Merlin smiled and poured the remainder of his glass of water on Arthur's head. Arthur coughed and spluttered before containing himself, wide awake and looking up and Merlin.

"You idiot," he said smiling as he grabbed Merlin and brought him back onto the bed. They wrestled for quite some time, laughing and giggling until Arthur, being the stronger of the two, finally pinned Merlin down. Silence filled the room; the only noise heard being the heavy breathing of both males after their little battle. They smiled at each other as Merlin grabbed Arthur and pulled him down for a passionate kiss.

"So I guess you're alright with what happened yesterday," Arthur said when they broke away. Merlin face turned expressionless. Arthur knew something was wrong.

"What is it, Merlin?" Merlin turned to face him.

"I'm scared," he said. Arthur frowned.

"I know. So am I." Merlin laughed.

"Arthur, you're a prince, you're not scared of anything and…"

"No," argued the prince. Merlin hitched a breath and looked away. Arthur took his hand.

"Yes I am a prince. That means I'm not supposed to be scared of anything." Merlin looked at him. "It doesn't mean that I'm not." Arthur smiled a little for reassurance and was relieved when Merlin smiled back.

"So what are we going to do?" Merlin asked.

"I doubt there is anything we can do. I mean, now that I've you know, come to terms with my feelings, I'm not backing out. I'm not going to lose you." Merlin blushed and looked down. He didn't know that he meant that much to the young prince. Arthur smiled.

"And before you get a completely large head, I have to tell you that I have to get dressed and go."

"Why?" Merlin asked. Arthur got off the bed.

"Because my father and King Cedric are to sign a peace treaty and I have to be present. He's coming all the way from his own kingdom with a couple of his knights and his daughter, Lady Amelia."

Merlin grimaced.

"Sounds exciting and I guess that means that I have to come as well," he said.

"I can just see the excitement exploding out from your behind," Arthur replied. Merlin gave him an evil glare and Arthur just smiled.

"Now come on, let's get going."

King Cedric arrived within the hour with his knights and daughter. Merlin watched from afar as Arthur helped Lady Amelia dismount her horse and greeted her with extra friendliness. Merlin could not help as a stab of jealously came over him. Arthur probably sensed this, looking around until he saw Merlin, smiled and winked at him, before continuing inside.

As Merlin entered the hall, he found King Uther and King Cedric in a corner of the room in deep discussion, and sitting at the table were Arthur and Lady Amelia. Merlin swallowed. Calm down Merlin, he thought to himself, you trust Arthur and he trusts you, there is nothing to be jealous about. Just then, Lady Amelia put her hand on Arthur's and Merlin almost torn her head off. He fought the magic building up in his veins, before turning to leave the room.

"Uh, Merlin?" It was the Uther who had spoken. Arthur turned around quickly and looked at him, not even realising that he was in the room.

"Yes, my lord."

"Can you gather everyone to the court please? We are about the sign the treaty and an important announcement is going to be made. So I need everyone present."

Merlin turned to look at Arthur who seemed just as puzzled as he was.

"Yes, sire," he replied before bowing, and exiting the room.

After Merlin had gathered everyone into the court, the peace treaty was signed. Merlin watched as Arthur stood by his father like the perfect prince, proud and strong. A few times he had looked over at Merlin, gave him a small smile, and then returned to observe the signing.

After this a big feast was held. People chattering away all around him, Merlin was being extra careful not to knock over anything. He looked over to see Arthur still talking to Lady Amelia, her long brown hair moving over her shoulders as she laughed at his every word. He then saw Arthur go to drink from his cup and realising it was empty called over Merlin. As Merlin got there Lady Amelia addressed him.

"Hello servant boy. Would you mind filling up my cup for me?"

Merlin could hear the sweetness in her sarcastic tone as she addressed him. But nevertheless, he walked over to her and filled up her cup. As he began to walk away, she addressed him again,

"Excuse me, servant boy." It was not a question, it was a statement. Merlin turned around.

"Yes my lady?"

"Let me give you a hint of advice. Once you are done serving a noble, you must ask if there is anything else they would like. Then you bow and be on your merry way." She laughed to herself. "Although I do not offer my advice to many servants, I'm not surprised that I am offering it to you. You look like the biggest idiot on two legs. Heck my grandmother could do what you do better- on her death bed. I can't believe you even have a job here and…"

"Enough!"

Merlin looked up from his place on the ground that he had been staring at, to see Arthur standing up in his chair glaring down at the woman who had just spoken to him. Merlin's heart pounded with great pride as Arthur stood up for him, realising now that the hall had become completely silent. It was disrupted by Lady Amelia's giggling.

"Oh sweet Arthur, forgive me. Sometimes my mouth just runs away with me. Do send my apologise to your servant."

"He's standing right there," Arthur said through his teeth, "why don't you just apologise to him yourself?"

Now it was King Cedric's turn to laugh.

"Great show, oh, great show. Now that we are all in the spirit of things, I think that it would be time for us to share a great announcement. A plan of action to bind our kingdoms as one. So please sit down, so we can begin."

Arthur turned and smiled at Merlin before sitting down and turning to face the two kings who had now taken a place at the front of the room. Realising that he was still standing in the middle of the room, Merlin quickly returned to the back to stand with the other servants. Feeling a hand on his shoulder, he turned to see Gwen and Gaius smiling at him. He took a deep breath and began to listen.

"Today," started King Cedric, "marks the day and many future days of peace between two great kingdoms. I have never been happier, to sign a treaty with any other kingdom, more than Camelot. An alliance between our two kingdoms will see great things for this land, and we hope that the people of Camelot and those present from my own kingdom, will do well in helping us do so. So first, I would like to make a toast- to peace and prosperity between our kingdoms."

"To peace, and prosperity," the hall erupted in unison.

King Uther then stepped forward.

"Now, as I'm sure many of you are aware, my son Arthur, is now of legal age and soon will be able to lead the kingdom once I am gone. It is only fitting that Cedric and I see that this treaty will live on through the next generation of leaders of these kingdoms. So Arthur, my Lady, can you please come up here."

Merlin was quite confused at this point. He turned to see Arthur slowly get out of his chair, probably meaning that he also had no idea what was going on here. When the two of them were standing on either side of the two kings, Uther spoke again.

"So as these two stand here before you today, I would like you to raise your glasses once again. For the alliance of these two lands to come, through the marriage of Prince Arthur and Lady Amelia."

The whole hall broke out in applause as the big surprised was revealed. There was a big smile on Uther's face as he looked around the room and patted Cedric on the back. Lady Amelia was smiling soaking up all the attention.

But Arthur's eyes were on one person and one person only. The person who was mirroring his feelings at this very moment from across the room. The person that felt the same hurt and confusion that he was experiencing at that very moment. It seemed like everything else had turned into a blur, like the world was going in slow motion. He wanted to say something, anything. But he couldn't.

And neither could Merlin.

Well, well. I don't know how many of you saw that one coming.

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