A/N : Hey everyone! First of all, I'm sooo sorry it took me this long to update, but I've been on holiday (again! This time in Austria) and had been coping with a bit of a dry-up of inspiration. That being said, I really hope you'll like this chapter! Maybe you'd better read the previous one again, because I've changed some subtle things that some of you may not have read (I made Merlin a bit more angry, because I realized thanks to someone that he was a bit too nice when it came to the issue.).

Anyway, pleaaaase tell me what you think? Please let me know? I'll give you a zillion cookies!

XO, as always
Mae'side

Merlin

His father looked at him apprehensively, noticing how his now grown son made no effort to keep the anger from his eyes. It was strange how those blue orbs that had been clear as heavens earlier today, could now hold such hatred. So Merlin had figured it out, as well. Garreth wondered who had been the one to break it to the young boy, and how the news had been delivered. The shock had come as terrible to him, and he couldn't imagine how it had been for young Merlin, who had no memory of his father but the vision of him walking away.

"I want you to leave Camelot. Tonight."

Merlin felt proud of the power his voice held, of the superiority that shone through. Arthur would share the sentiment, though deny it immediately. "Well, you couldn't very well go off crying at his feet, could you now, Merlin?" "This is my home, now, and you have got no business here."

"Actually," Garreth took a step forward, a slow grin tugging at his lips, and Merlin inwardly shook his head at the appearance of it. The man standing in front of him didn't deserve a grin in Camelot, for this was his home, these were his friends, and he'd protect them, and his own soul, for all he was worth. "I've got a job here at the palace, now. I'm working the kitchen tonight." He swung his arms back and forth, smacking his hands together when they neared eachother. The rocking movement was so arrogant, so conceited, that it made the loathing only grow.

"All right. Then leave tomorrow." He countered the argument. It wasn't that big to overcome, really.

Garreth's grin disappeared and he continued his path towards Merlin, until he was close enough to touch. Fortunately, he had the sense not to. His voice turned soft and apologetic, and he sighed softly. "Merlin, I know that things in the past may have been… I know I've done you wrong… " Garreth closed his eyes briefly, his brow furrowing with an emotion Merlin couldn't define. "..but I was hoping you'd give me a second chance."

When Merlin shook his head, but kept silent, his father took the opportunity to continue. "You liked the man you met in the yard earlier. Just…give me a chance to be him."

The young boy shrugged, feigning disinterest. "Don't see why I should."

"Because," his father hesitated, glancing at Gwen, then giving Merlin a meaningful look that was filled with underlying messages. "Because I know you want people to see you for who you really are, as well."

He took a shivering breath. So his father did know, after all, and him being here only added to the risk of his secret being discovered. Yet he shook it off, for he knew he had to. Hanging around with Prince Prattishness had taught him that much. "You have no idea who I really am."

Turning to Gwen, he gave her a soft smile. "Come on, Gwen. We're done here."

-

Arthur

"MERLIN?!" Arthur cursed for what seemed the hundredth time that day when his man servant was nowhere to be found. Again. Naturally.

Gwen passed him in the hallway, giving him a quick, hesitant smile. "If you're trying to find Merlin, I can help."

Arthur rolled his eyes. "Guinevere, the fact that I've been shouting his name throughout the entire castle might be indicating that yes, I AM looking for my lazy, no good servant. Any help would be welcome."

She just smiled at him, for some reason unaffected by his bad temper. Dear Gwen, always all heart. Yet her smile disappeared as suddenly as it had come when she continued to explain where his servant had gone. And whatever it was, Arthur knew it wasn't going to be good. "I saw him taking it out on a poor lump of wood on my way over here. I think he's upset, sire." She paused, not knowing if she should be telling him about all of it, sharing the emotions that were currently coursing through Merlin's scrawny body. "…about seeing his father."

"Right." Arthur drew his fingers over his forehead, gently rubbing at the tender skin. "Have they spoken yet, now that the secret's out?"

Gwen nodded. "Merlin was brilliant. I think you'd have been proud." The ammount of stars appearing in her eyes told him exactly how excellent Merlin had handled the situation, and Arthur had to smile.

"Are you really telling me Merlin was mean?"

The maiden laughed, a rich sound that filled the hallway. "Oh, the meanest. Poor Garreth didn't stand a chance." She fell silent, a frown furrowing her brow. "Well, obviously not poor Garreth since he left Merlin in the first place."

Arthur's mouth slid to the right side of his face, easily melding into his cheek. "And Merlin is doing what exactly?"

She looked helpless. "You'd better see for yourself."

-

"MERLIN, what are you doing?" The prince neared his servant, looking on curiously as the axe flew upwards before descending back into the wood with one harsh thump. The chunks were scattered in the vicinity, and the tension was rolling off of the other man's back. Something had to be done about this situation, and it had to be done now. Arthur walked around the massacrated tree and smirked. "You know, if I wanted a canoe, I would have asked for one."

Merlin shook his head violently, the sweat making his skin glow. For all the time they'd spent together, Arthur had never once seen Merlin so unhinged. And that was something to be said, for all the times Merlin had been upset had been too many in number to count.

He sighed dramatically, before lowering his voice and trying another tactic, hoping this one would be effective. "Merlin." He sternly said. "I want you to stop. That's an order, you brat."

For a moment all was silent, and Merlin's eyes skipped upwards to connect with his. The anger, the sadness and the pain… it was all there. He could see the emotions battling for dominance, and then he saw the sadness fall, and pain give way. The axe struck again.

"Enough of this." Arthur muttered quietly, knowing Merlin wouldn't hear it anyway. The loud screeching sound of anger inside his mind must be overwhelming. Knowing it was dangerous, but not caring either way, Arthur came to stand beside Merlin and intercepted the axe when it passed him. Merlin's confused eyes gazed right through him.

"Merlin." Arthur's voice was soft now, considerate, but it still held enough authority to make his servant listen. "You need to stop this."

All of a sudden the hand that gripped the axe went limp and fell to his side, and Arthur took the opportunity to lay down the tool, as well.

"He 'was hoping' I'd give him a second chance."

Merlin

"Gwen told me you've fought him hard." Arthur's voice held a little appreciation, and Merlin was glad. Yes, he had. Arthur should feel proud. "Like you should have. I mean, what else could you do?"

Ah. There it was.

"So are you going to?" Confusion suddenly took over. Going to..what, Arthur? "Give him a second chance?" Arthur's chin bounded softly against his chest, his eyes large in question. Well, he hadn't thought about it, really. His anger had been too great at first to already start thinking about momentary forgiveness.

"I don't know," he said, looking down at the soft ground beneath his feet, littered with wood, and marveled at his own strength.. "Honestly, I don't know. I'd like to think that if I screwed up, people would give me a second chance, so I think I might be a hypocrite if I don't think about it."

Arthur grinned. "Well, you're certainly right about the first thing, Merlin. You know, I'm a saint, when you think about it… How many times have you screwed up this week?" He sighed playfully. "And yet, for some reason that keeps escaping me, I keep on paying you for it. If I weren't the" he cleared his throat dramatically, "crown prince already, they'd probably have me knighted just for putting up with you."

Merlin rolled his eyes. "I don't know why I even try having these conversations with you, Arthur. Honestly, the lump of wood made for much better companionship then you do, right now."

"You're such a joker, Merlin!" He sarcastically threw out while slapping Merlin on the back. "Really, you're too kind. Now let's go. You've got armour to clean."

Ok, pleaaaaaaase tell me what you think? I'd really like to know (if) you haven't forgotten about this story and (if) you still like it!!

ZILLION cookies!!

XO, as always