Arthur Pendragon was the Prince of Wales and tomorrow would be his 25th birthday. The whole country was preparing for the celebration that was to come the next day. He stood outside of his castle, looking up at the sky. Sometimes a few nights ago he had woken up to a very strange feeling. He couldn't quite explain what he felt.

All his life something had been missing and that feeling had just gotten stronger. He didn't understand what it was, he just knew he had to figure it out soon.

He felt warm arms wrapping around him from the back. "Stop worrying," He heard a soft voice, "You're not getting THAT old."

He couldn't help but chuckle as he moved his hands over her gentle ones. "I'm not worried." He said, turning his attention to Guinevere. He gave her a smile, "I was just…"

"Lost in your own world," Gwen said, smiling back at him. "I know."

Arthur kissed Gwen's hand gently, turning around to face her. He had known Gwen pretty much all his life. She was merely a maid at the castle but they had spent so much time together that he couldn't help but start developing feelings towards her. Despite knowing the rules and the expectations from Uther, his father and the king of England, and the whole country, he still continued spending most of his time with her.

Eventually, Arthur confronted Uther and told him about his feelings towards Gwen. He had declared his love to Guinevere and that nothing could stop him from being with her.

After a few years, Uther had given up on persuading Arthur to try and fall in love with a royalty or of a noble blood. He had faith that one day he could find the right princess for Arthur.

The next morning, Arthur quietly tried to sneak out of the castle to go for a walk but was immediately caught by his bodyguards. He groaned, looking at bot Leon and Percival. "Don't you guys ever sleep?"

Leon smiled innocently at Arthur, "Not when we have to protect you."

Arthur shook his head, starting to walk knowing there was no way they would leave him alone. "I can protect myself."

Percival frowned a little at that and jokingly said, "You can't even defend yourself from a table…"

Leon snickered as Arthur glared at Percival. Just a few nights before, they were all hanging out in Arthur's chambers when Arthur had walked around drunk, stabbing his toe against the edge of his table. He had yelled and cursed, all while his own bodyguards and friends started laughing and teasing him about being hurt by a non-moving objects.

"Ha, ha, you are very funny." Arthur grumbled as he continued walking.

Percival chuckled to himself as he and Leon followed Arthur just a step behind.

After a few moments of walking in silent bliss, Arthur finally spoke up, "Must I be here tonight? How about we just leave out of London…?"

Leon rolled his eyes at his Prince, "It is YOUR birthday… the guest of honor must be there…"

"But I am the Prince of Wales, don't I get to do what I want to do?"

It was Percival's turn to roll his eyes, "No, Princess, you cannot do what you want."

Arthur narrowed his eyes at his new nickname Percival must have picked up from Gwaine. Gwaine was the Duke of Cambridge and was like a brother to Arthur. They grew up together and were the closest friends. No one other than Gwaine would dare call him Princess, until recently that is when they all started hanging out more often with each other.

"I should forbid you from hanging out with that twat."

Percival snickered, "You could try…"

Arthur couldn't help but roll his eyes, "God help me. I need bodyguards who would listen to me."

Leon laughed at that, "You would die of boredom if we actually listened to you."

"That is true." Arthur sighed, defeated. Leon was right. He would hate it if any of the others were anywhere near his security team. He was very much satisfied with everyone he had working for him. He wouldn't have liked it if their bickering were nonexistent. Although he knows Leon and Percival would never speak to him this way in public or in front of others, he enjoyed every second of their private friendship.

It was almost half passed four when Merlin was standing in front of a newspaper stand. His eyes immediately landed on the front page of a newspaper. In bold letters, it read the announcement of his royal highness', Prince Arthur Pendragon's, birthday celebration.

He quickly grabbed the newspaper, his eyes wide. "What…?" He muttered in shock as he stared at the front page. "What?" He asked again, in disbelief.

There was Arthur on the cover, smiling with both Gwaine and Gwen on either side of him. He even noticed both Leon and Percival a few steps behind Arthur.

"But how?" Merlin wondered, not able to tear his eyes away from the prince.

He skimmed through the article quickly, repeating certain keywords. "Prince of Wales… Duke of Cambridge…" It didn't make sense in his head.

For years he had been living in England (he never left really) and not once had he noticed Arthur being the crowned prince.

How could he possibly have missed this news? Narrowing his eyes, he quickly paid for the newspaper and headed away from the stand.

If only he was not long way from the cave he was in a few days prior. He had lots of questions for the dragon, even though he assumed all would have been answered in a very cryptic way since Kilgharrah seemed to find answering that way very amusing.

Arthur's birthday celebration was at night and Merlin had to figure out a way of getting to Arthur. He had to show him that he was still here and that he would be by Arthur's side at all cost.

It was a couple of hours later when Merlin was standing across the street from Buckingham Palace staring at the beautiful castle not far from him. It was not as big and beautiful as Camelot used to be but it was still gorgeous none the less.

He watched the people surrounding the castle for a few moments, trying to come up with a plan to avoid any news reporters and cameras.

Years after Arthur's death, magic ban was lifted from Camelot. Gwen had figured out Merlin was a warlock, she had accepted him for who he was realizing everything Merlin had done and sacrificed for Arthur.

She had been there at Camlann, watching the brutal battle continue on until this old sorcerer came to Arthur's rescue. She witnessed him help their enemies retreat. It was then that she had figured out who Merlin really was and with Gaius's help, her thoughts were verified.

As the queen of Camelot, she helped bring magic and peace back to their people. But unfortunately, that did not last for too long. With no heir and successor to the throne, she passed away at an old age.

The New Religion was taking over the world it seemed. His worse fears of the days of the purge had returned. Old Religion was considered a moral sin and any practitioners were once again sentenced for execution.

People of magic were once again in hiding. It had been that way ever since. Talk of magic had died with the Pendragon family. Centuries later, people only knew of magic as illusions and trickery. Magic no longer existed in the minds of modern people.

He continued looking around, trying to find the perfect low key area. He hadn't expected it for the palace to be surrounded with so many people. Back in his days, Camelot was not as populated.

He was not going to let people interfere with his plans though. He had to make sure he made his way inside that palace.

Finding the nearest phone booth, he quickly jogged over and opened the door to get in. Once inside, he rested his forehead against the door, trying to quickly come up with a plan.

He took a deep breath and calmed his nerves before reciting the words out loud. "Bedryne us! Astyre us banonweard!"

He never had to use this spell before. He felt the magic working deep within him and within seconds he vanished from the phone booth.

He coughed, waving the smoke away as he blinked a few time to fix his vision. As the smoke cleared, he noticed he was in some kind of a bedroom. He quickly made his way to the nearest window and looked out. He couldn't help but smile as a loud giggle escaped his mouth. He covered his mouth to not make too much noise. He was happy he had made it inside of the castle. He had successfully teleported himself where he needed to be without dealing with any guards. He was in someone's bedroom. He closed the blinds and turned around, his eyes growing wide.

Right there, in front of him, Gwaine stood with just a towel around his waist and an eyebrow raised. "What the…?"