I do not own Merlin or any of its characters, if I owned Bradley James I would keep him locked up in my bedroom. Although there would probably be several other fans hunting me down for stealing him. Also I am in need of a new beta, my current one does not have time to help me out. If you are interested message me. Enjoy!

Chapter 4

"Merlin," Arthur called as he came down the hallway. Merlin turned quickly and collided with Arthur. They fumbled for a moment before righting themselves. "Honestly Merlin, you are the clumsiest person I have ever met."

"Sorry my lord, it won't happen again," Merlin said with a grin.

Arthur knew enough about Merlin to know that it would probably happen several more times. "Its all right I need you to prepare a room for Elaina," Arthur ordered. He clapped his hands together and looked very satisfied with himself.

"Who," Merlin asked in confusion.

Arthur pursed his lips and blinked at Merlin a couple of times. "Merlin are you not aware that there is a girl staying in my room, sleeping in my bed, she's wearing my clothing too if that means anything at all to you," Arthur snapped.

"Oh, the girl from Heideen, her name is Elaina," Merlin surmised.

"She's more than just a girl Merlin," Arthur said in annoyance.

"Of course my lord, I am sure to you she is much more than just a girl," Merlin said quickly.

"What is that supposed to mean," Arthur demanded.

"Simply that I can see you have taken… an interest in her and that it doesn't surprise me that…," Merlin trailed off as he stared at Arthur.

"She's the princess you idiot! That's what I meant," Arthur said. He hit Merlin on the head to further emphasize his point. "And what if I have taken an interest in her? I think someone of her station should be treated with respect."

"Yes my lord," Merlin said quickly.

"I don't like what you are trying to imply Merlin," Arthur said.

"Sorry my lord, I will refrain from implying things about your intentions toward Princess Elaina," Merlin replied with another grin.

"Shhhh," Arthur said waving a hand at Merlin. "We don't want everyone to know that she's a princess."

"But she is a princess," Merlin pointed out.

"Yes Merlin she is, but that doesn't mean we are going to announce that the prisoner we were supposed to execute has turned out to be the princess from Heideen and that she's currently staying in my chambers," Arthur pointed out. He gave Merlin an irritated look. "You can be incredibly daft sometimes."

"Yes my lord," Merlin said with a nod. It dawned on Merlin a moment later that he had just admitted he was daft. He hoped Arthur hadn't noticed but his smug smile said otherwise.

"I'm glad we agree on something," Arthur replied. "Put her in a room down the hall from me, but do not put her next door Merlin. People might get the wrong impression."

"What impression might that be," Merlin asked.

Arthur narrowed his eyes at Merlin, "They might think I have un-noble intentions idiot."

"Do you," Merlin asked.

Arthur pursed his lips again and stared at Merlin. "Merlin," he said evenly.

"Yes Arthur," Merlin said with a grin.

"If you don't stop asking me all these questions and do what I told you I am going to have you thrown in the stocks, I know how much you enjoy it," Arthur replied.

"Right away sire," Merlin said quickly. He started up the hallway back toward Arthur's hall. He paused and turned to look at Arthur. "Will two doors down be good enough?"

"Yes Merlin," Arthur growled. "Two will be plenty."

"Excellent my lord," Merlin said before darting around the corner and out of his sight.

Arthur shook his head and spun around on his heel. He jumped back to avoid colliding with Gwen and Morgana who had been lurking behind him.

"Is it true Arthur," Morgana asked, her excitement evident in her voice.

"What," Arthur asked pulling his head back a bit.

"The prisoner," Morgana began. She glanced around and lowered her voice. "The prisoner is actually the princess of Heideen."

"Where did you hear that," Arthur asked in surprise.

"We overheard you telling Merlin Arthur," Morgana snapped. "Don't worry we won't tell anyone."

"That makes me feel so much better," Arthur said sarcastically.

"Is there anything we can do for her my lord," Gwen asked.

"Yes as a matter of fact there is," Arthur said quickly. He placed a hand on both of their shoulders. "Merlin is preparing a room for her, but I don't think it would be appropriate for him to look after her. He's not got a lot of experience with girls. If you could look after her Gwen, that would be incredibly helpful. Also she will need some things to wear. Right now all she has um… well she's actually wearing one of my shirts."

"Arthur really," Morgana scolded. "She hasn't even been here a day and you've already taken advantage of her."

"I did NOT take advantage of her Morgana," Arthur said indignantly. "She was ill and is staying in my chambers. I thought she would be more comfortable there then in the dungeons. Gaius threw out her dress it was ruined from the journey. I lent her a shirt."

"That was very sweet of you Arthur," Morgana said. A smile spread slowly across her face as she eyed Arthur. "What does she look like?"

"In my shirt," Arthur asked giving Morgana a confused look. "That's a perverse question Morgana."

Gwen and Morgana burst out laughing at his reaction. "No Arthur, what does she look like? What color is her hair? Her eyes," Gwen explained.

"Oh," Arthur said. He grimaced in embarrassment. "She's got um red hair, it's as long as Morgana's I'd wager. Her eyes are green. She's got freckles across her cheeks and nose."

"You didn't say if she was pretty," Morgana pointed out.

Arthur exhaled in frustration, "Yes she's beautiful Morgana. I didn't know you were so interested in a woman other than yourself."

"Arthur Pendragon, that is a terrible thing to say," Morgana snapped.

"My apologies. Do you have any more questions or can I go," Arthur asked tiredly.

"Forgive me for saying so my lord," Gwen began carefully. "But have you slept? You look as though you haven't."

"Uh, no I did not sleep much last night," Arthur said avoiding the gaze of both Morgana and Gwen.

"Why didn't you sleep last night Arthur," Morgana asked. She exchanged a glance with Gwen before continuing. "What were you doing?"

"Elaina was in my bed, I was in the chair all night. It's not the most comfortable place to sleep," Arthur said quickly.

"Really," Morgana replied. "That was kind of you to let her sleep in your bed."

"Yes well, she was unconscious so I don't think she realized or cared much," Arthur pointed out. "She's glad to be alive."

"Of course she is," Gwen said supportively.

"Right, um if you would excuse me I have things to do," Arthur said before practically running away.

Morgana exchanged another glance with Gwen before bursting into laughter. "Did you see his face when he was describing her," Morgana asked.

"I certainly did," Gwen replied. "I'd say his smitten."

"I would have to agree with you, why don't we go introduce ourselves," Morgana said in excitement.

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