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A few hours before the feast started, Merlin and Arthur were ambushed by the knights, Morgana, and Gwen.

"Is there a reason why you didn't tell us you were a prince?"

"Is everyone going to ask that?"

Merlin pulled on his shirt. His princely shirt. He got a set of clothes from his father, that he brought with him. Oddly enough, they were the perfect size. Arthur let him get dressed his chambers. Merlin's clothing was different from everyone else's. It was much less gaudy, but his shirt had a oval neck line, so it dipped to show more of his chest and shoulders. On Arthur's bed, there were two things wrapped in blue cloth, one of the colors of Eldor. Merlin unwrapped the circler one.

Gwen and Morgana gasped. "Merlin..."

"I know..."Merlin looked at them. The crown he held in his hands was in the shape of a dragon. Its eyes were dark just like the body. Merlin placed it on his head. He moved it so the dragon's head rested on his forehead. "It's beautiful." said Gwen, reaching out a hand. "I wouldn't touch him."

"Him?"

"Yes. Him. He can be very temperamental." Merlin smirked. He unwrapped the second item. This time the knights gasped. Merlin had unwrapped a dagger. It had jewels on the hilt and had writing on both sides of the blade, in a different language. "...I am not what I appear...I am what I appear.*" Mordred translated. "What does that mean?"

Merlin smiled, sadly. "Whatever you want it to mean."


At the feast, Merlin spoke to a knight, that was the same age as him, in a different language. The knight had dark brown hair and it seemed like they used to be very good friends. The knight took Merlin's hand and brushed his lips over his fingers. Merlin blushed and shoved the knight with his shoulder. Arthur had noticed this interaction and felt...well, jealous.

"Come on, Arthur. It's not like your relationship is public or..." Arthur watched Merlin laid his head on the knights shoulder. "...or you can beat the knight senseless."


Since Arthur's chambers were big enough, the knights, Gwen and Morgana had started meeting in there. Merlin walked in the room with the knight that he spoke with during the feast. "Everyone, this is Sir William. He's going to be in the tournament tomorrow." Arthur looked up from his desk. He seemed nice enough.

"...Why were you kissing Merlin's hand during the feast?" asked Mordred. The knight wrapped his arm around Merlin. "Oh, in Eldor kissing someone's hand is a sign of respect. Male or female. Plus, Merlin looks adorable when he bushes...and, please, call me Will."

"...wait, you speak English?" Will laughed at Gwaine's question. "Of course; who do you think taught Merlin?" Will ruffled Merlin's hair, affectionately.

"Will's somewhat my...big brother."

"No else would take on the task of keeping this one out of trouble, so I might as well do it."

"Not doing a very good job, are you?" mumbled Arthur, but Merlin and Will both heard him. "Uh, I think Merlin and I should be getting to bed. We'll see you tomorrow." Will dragged Merlin down the hallway, chattering in a different language.


*The words on Merlin's dagger are like the words on Excalibur.