Thank you once again for all your wonderful reviews. Next chapter is finally here. Warning that names and places in this chapter and chapters hereafter are made up, even though it doesn't take away from the story. Enjoy!

Chapter 4

The doors of the hall slammed as Merlin ran down the corridor. He did not know how his legs were carrying him so fast seeing as his whole body was shaking. He knew that this would come eventually, that Arthur would have to take a wife and produce an heir. But not so soon. He thought that he and Arthur could have at least had a year together before any complications started, but that plan was more than stopped- it was destroyed.

He reached his chambers and threw himself onto the bed, crying hysterically. The words of the announcement kept ringing through his head. Arthur-marry-Amelia-marry-Arthur-Arthur-ARTHUR! My god, Merlin would have done anything to not be there at that moment. But instead of thinking of the things that he could have done to prevent this from happening, he remembers Arthur's eyes, burning into his. The shock that he had seen in Arthur's face when the announcement was made. He opened his eyes wide in realisation. Arthur did not know about the announcement either! Merlin got up and ran out the door but was soon met by the warmness of Arthur's arms.

"I am so sorry, Merlin," he said, "I didn't know that my father was going to…"

"No its fine, I know you didn't."

They stood there for a while, feeling the comfort in each other's arms. It didn't matter what was going on around them. The comfort that they found in each other's arms, was more uplifting, than the sorrow in their hearts that was weighing them down. They released each other and walked into Merlin's room. Merlin walked over to the bed and sat down, but Arthur stayed standing looking out the window.

"What?" Merlin asked.

"I wish we had more time," he said at last. Merlin sighed.

"I know. But I knew that this was going to happen eventually." Arthur looked up in surprise, but it finally disappeared when he finally gave into his denial. He sat down on the bed.

"Me too."

There was a short silence between them before Arthur spoke again.

"I could try and talk to my father."

"No, don't do that," Merlin said. Arthur looked startled.

"Why not? Merlin, I thought that you wanted us to be together. I thought that what we had was great and special and nice and…" Merlin put his finger over Arthur's lips to silence him in mid-sentence.

"Listen to me. Your future is more important to me than anything. What we have together, god, I don't even know how to describe. What I do know, is that…you have to marry Lady Amelia. No, no. Just listen, Arthur. You have to marry her for the future of your kingdom. You have to marry her for your father, you have to marry her for your people, and you have to marry her for you. Now, I know you have to be with her and produce an heir, but that does not mean that I don't want to be with you. I always want to be with you. You are the most important thing to me in this world and I can't be parted from you any longer. So I'm willing, even though it is going against your father's wishes, to still be with you, that is, if you want me to. But if the result of continuing our relationship, will lead to you enduring any physical or emotional harm, then I will end it right here. I don't want anything bad to happen to you if your father or anyone else ever found out. I wouldn't be able to live with myself. If leaving this now is the only way to keep you safe, then I would make the same decision a thousand times over if I was in this situation again. You mean too much to me."

The speech that Arthur had just heard was the most wise, the most selfless, the most sensitive and the most loving thing that anyone had ever said to him. He did not know that Merlin was willing to sacrifice their own relationship for his safety. It had bought Arthur to tears. He was holding Merlin's hand, stroking it and crying like a little child. Merlin kissed his forehead, telling him it was going to be ok, bringing then down onto the bed, cradled in each other's arms. This is what felt right, thought Arthur. But he knew that Merlin was also right. He knew that he had to marry Lady Amelia.

Once they had lay there for a good ten minutes Arthur went to get up.

"Where are you going?" Merlin asked. Arthur laughed.

"I just ran out of an extremely important feast. Do you think there is going to be no one wondering where I am?"

Merlin laughed. "Guess you're right."

Arthur got off the bed and opened the door. He felt Merlin grab his wrist.

"Arthur, you must act the part. Be a prince, be a prat. At least that is something that you don't have to act. Be happy with the engagement. Be happy."

Arthur smiled and Merlin released his hold. As Arthur walked out the door, he wondered if the prince and him, will ever have the same relationship again.

A day later, Arthur and Lady Amelia were set to go Cedric's kingdom to announce their engagement to the people of Noresford. Merlin had been asked to go with Arthur by the king, him not knowing that Arthur had also asked him personally to go the day before. Lady Amelia was not very happy when she found out that Merlin would be accompanying them on the trip, but the king assured her that Merlin was one of his most trusted servants, serving beyond the line of duty. Along with them will be Lady Amelia and Cedric's servants and a group of knights from both sides. They will be gone for three days.

The trip was long, each other that passed, seemed like it had not made a difference in the amount of travel that was still left to endure. Close to sunset the towering castle of Noresford came into view. Arthur turned to see the king and his daughter's faces light up. He then looked at Merlin who was looking right at him. He smiled at him as they rode through the grand gates.

It was similar to Camelot, except instead of everything being red, gold, or black, everything was blue or green. The courtyard was slightly smaller than the one at home, with the exception of a large fountain that lay in the centre of it. There were paths over to the left of the palace leading to the lower town and the knight's training area, as well as the blacksmith were situated opposite it. As the horse's stopped in front of the palace, several servants came rushing to help them off their horses. Arthur acknowledged the servants, but from behind him, he could hear Merlin thanking them with great sincerity. As they were ushered into the great hall, they were greeted by Queen Lola, Cedric's wife.

"Welcome to Noresford!" she proclaimed. "I hope that your trip was enjoyable."

"Yes it was. You have a very beautiful kingdom," Arthur replied.

"Indeed, indeed. I hope that you will be comfortable in your stay, as well as happy about the announcement of your engagement this evening."

"I am honoured," replied Arthur simply.

"As am I. Now, I presume this is your servant."

"Yes," said Arthur turning towards Merlin. Ushering him forward, Merlin bowed to the Queen, making sure that it was low enough to meet Lady Amelia's satisfaction. He thought he vaguely heard a pout slip from her lips.

You, she called signalling to one of the servants at the back of the all. "Please escort Prince Arthur and his servant to the finest guest chambers in the castle. I hope you will be comfortable there."

"Thank you," said Arthur, bowing slightly, gathering Merlin and following the servant out of the hall.

The guest chambers were quite large. Merlin had joked that he thought that the chambers were larger than the ones that Arthur had at Camelot. Arthur had thrown a pillow at him in response. It was nice to see Merlin in a daring mood, see the place and the situation that they were in. Arthur decided to test him.

"Merlin, are you alright?"

"Yeah, I think I am," Merlin said in reply. And that was all that the prince needed to hear.

The announcement of the engagement later that evening was the strangest thing that Arthur had ever done in his life. He stood on a foreign balcony, in a strange place and told a bunch of people that he didn't even know, that he was to marry a person that he didn't even like. Although he did not say most of these things out loud, it was obvious that Lady Amelia didn't care who she told about her engagement. Ever since they had found out they were to be married, she had always been near him, touching his hand whenever she could and whispering innocent things, filled with suggestion into his ear. She even told him that she was not a virgin and that on their wedding night she would do things to him that would leave him begging for them to get remarried, so they could do it again. Arthur had not found this highly disturbing, just weird. It was obvious that Lady Amelia was trying to get on his good side before they were married just so she could have a creative sex life. All Arthur did was think of Merlin.

Merlin had watched Lady Amelia smother Arthur ever since they had arrived in Noresford. Always hanging around him and whispering things to her lady friends when his back was turned. Merlin had been so tempted to louden her voice with magic at that moment, so all of Noresford would hear what their future queen was saying about Arthur. So he could hear what she was saying about Arthur.

Merlin and Arthur had talked very little during their stay so far at Noresford. Merlin had stood in the back of the crowd while Arthur made the announcement of his engagement and staying in the servant chambers the time between then and dinner. Once dinner was over, Merlin went to Arthur's chambers to help him get ready for bed.

"Hi Merlin," Arthur greeted him enthusiastically, "finally a face that I actually know. I have been around strangers all day and I can't take it anymore."

"I'm sorry," said Merlin, "that I have not been there to help you."
Arthur shook his head.

"It's alright Merlin; I know that you wanted to keep your distance."

It's true. Merlin did want to keep his distance. He didn't want to see the things that he did, but he saw them. That's jus the way that it was.

"It's just so hard," said Merlin, "pretending that there is nothing between us. Just doing the bare minimum to avoid suspicion…when I want to do so much more. Watching that- that- girl…"

"Hey, hey, hey," said Arthur, bringing Merlin into his arms.

"You need to know, that it is just you, the one that I want to be with. You and only you. No one else, do you understand? I don't want a single bit of doubt in your mind, because there is none in mine. Just because I have to be with Amelia, does not mean that I am going to pack up and forget all about you. You have no idea how much you mean to me."

Merlin smiled and that was all that Arthur needed. He leaned down and kissed him deeply.

REVIEW PLEASE! Next two chapters are going to be interesting. So stay tuned.