AN: Hellooo. It's been a while hasn't it? I know I said it'd be up within two weeks. And I'm sorry. I just didn't have the time to write because of finals and all. Anyways, here's the next chapter! A lot of the dialog is actually from the show I just changed some of the situations, so it's not exactly like the show.
Anyways, enjoy ~

8 Years Later

Merlin trudged through the forest. After days of traveling, he finally reached the edge of Camelot. It was midday when he reached the gates. Memories from his childhood started to flood back as he walked through the markets.

He was just about to walk into one of the many doors into the castle when a voice distracted him.

"Where's the target?" The young man said sarcastically. Merlin stopped and watched.

"There." Another boy said. Merlin assumed he was a servant.

"It's into the sun?"

"But, it's not that bright."

"A bit like you, then?" The young man and his friends laughed.

"I'll put the target on the other end, shall I, Sir?" Merlin watched as the boy carried the target to the other side of the field. He was shocked when a dagger ended up on the target as he was walking.

"Hey! Hang on!" He exclaimed. Merlin's eyes moved back to the blond holding the daggers.

"Don't stop!" The servant continued to move to another spot.

"Here?" The blond threw another dagger.

"Come on! Run! Do you want some moving target practice?" The servant continued to shuffle around the area until he tripped and the target went rolling in Merlin's direction. Merlin stopped it with his foot and set his backpack on the ground.

He helped the servant up to his feet and turned towards the blond. "Come on, that's enough."

"What?" He replied.

"You've had your fun, my friend."

"Do I know you?" The blond said as he walked towards Merlin.

"Uh.. No."

"Of course. And yet, you called me 'Friend'."

"That was my mistake."

"Yes. I think so."

"Yeah. I'd never had a friend who could be such an ass." Merlin bent down to pick up his belongings. He began to walk away but Arthur grabbed his shoulder.

"Do you know who you're talking to? I could take you apart with one blow." Merlin turned back around and his things falling back to the ground.

"I could take you apart with less than that." The blond raised his eyebrows and analyzed Merlin's skinny frame.

"Then be my guest! Come on, then!" Merlin glared at him. He went for a punch at the other man but he twisted Merlin's arm behind his back and pinned him there.

"I could have you thrown in jail for that." He smiled.

"Who do you think you are, the King?" Merlin exclaimed.

Arthur continued to smile. "No. I'm his son, Arthur."

Merlin swallowed a lump that was in his throat. This is Arthur. He thought. The prince let Merlin go and he fell to the floor. The looked up at him. He really looked at him. He had the same light eyes, and the same golden hair. How did he not notice?

"Arthur? Prince Arthur?" Arthur nodded.

It had to be him. He thought. "There's something about you. I feel like we've met before. I can't quite put my finger on it." Merlin was about to say something but Arthur turned and walked to the castle. "Morris. Make sure you put the targets back where they belong." He heard Arthur say as he walked away.

oooo

"Uhm.. Where would I find Gaius? The Court Physician?" Merlin asked a guard that was standing next to an opening leading inside the castle. The guard pointed into the hallway without looking at him. Merlin nodded his thanks and walked into the direction. He continued walking until he found a sign that said 'Court Physician' and an arrow pointing to a door to his left.

"Hello?" He said popping his head into the room. There was no answer. "Hello?" He repeated louder. He heard something towards the top, and he saw Gaius reading a book on the balcony above, not paying attention to the young boy that walked in.

Merlin coughed intentionally loud and Gaius finally heard him. He looked down at the skinny boy. "Yes? Can I help you?" He asked as he climbed down from the balcony.

"Gaius?" Merlin said trying to get a good look at the old man.

"Yes?" At first Merlin didn't know what to say. He simply stared at the physician with his mouth gaped open. "Do I know you? You look very familiar." Gaius studied Merlin's face.

"I- My name's Merlin. I use to live in the castle years ago. You might know my par-"

"Merlin!" Gaius interrupted and pulled him into a big hug. When the two separated, Gaius directed Merlin to the table to sit.

"How have you been? You've grown so much since the last time I've seen you!"

"Yes. It's been a long time, Gaius. A lot has changed since I've been here." Merlin smiled.

"Not that I'm not glad to see you, but you shouldn't be here. Magic is illegal."

"I-I know Gaius. It's just that.. I had no where else to go." Merlin looked down at his lap.

"What do you mean by that?"

"It was last week. There were a couple bandits that came into Ealdor demanding money or else they'd destroy all the crops. Winter is right around the corner and obviously we had to do it. But the village is very poor. King Cenred cares very little for the outlying regions.

"The bandits were very upset with what we gathered. They began destroying the crops and my mother ran out to stop them. I tried to go after her but my father wouldn't let me. He told me he'd handle it. He even made me promise that I wouldn't do anything." Merlin paused."We gave them a funeral the day after."

"Oh, my boy. I'm so sorry to hear. Listen, if you need somewhere to stay, you can stay here." Merlin looked up. His tears just about to leak out of his eyes.

"Thank you, Gaius."

"You can put your belongings in that room back there." Gaius pointed to a door in the very back of the room. Merlin remember from when he was younger that it was Gaius's room.

"Isn't that where you sleep? I'd be more than happy to sleep on the floor out here." Merlin tried arguing.

"Don't worry about me. There's a cot right over there that I can sleep on. Go on then." Gaius pulled him out of the bench and pushed him in the direction of the small room.

Before he walked in, he turned back around. "Thank you, Gaius." The old physician nodded and continued looking through some of the books that were stacked on the table.

oooo

"Merlin!" Gaius's loud voice called from the main room. Merlin barely acknowledged Gaius when he barged into the room. "Merlin. Wake up, will you? It's almost noon! I need you to run a few errands for me."

"erm. Sure, Gaius.. Of course." Merlin mumbled.

"Come on, I've got breakfast on the table for you." Gaius said as he walked out.

Merlin forced himself out of bed and quickly got dressed in his usual attire. He walked out of the small room and found porridge that Gaius had made on the table. He sat down and ate the food.

"When you finish, I want you to deliver these for me." Gaius set 2 different bottles with liquids onto the table. "Hollyhock and Feverfew for Lady Robin, and this one is for Sir Olwin. He's as blind as a weevil, so warn him not to take it all at once." Merlin nodded his head as he shoved another spoonful of porridge into his mouth.

After delivering the bottles of medicine the the correct person, Merlin decided to walk around the market for a bit.

Merlin recognized a few familiar faces although they have aged a lot. Merlin was staring at some young kids throwing some rotten vegetables at a poor man in the stocks and didn't see when he bumped into someone. "I-I'm so sorry. Are you okay?" He saw a girl around the same age as him.

"Yes, I'm fine. Thank you. I'm Guinevere. But, most people call me Gwen. I'm the Lady Morgana's maid." She said.

"Right, I'm Merlin." He offered his hand and they shook.

"I saw what you did yesterday."

"Oh, you did?" She nodded. "It wasn't very smart of me, was it?"

"No, no no. I saw what you did. It was brave." Gwen smiled. "Although, you'd never be able to beat him."

Merlin's smile faded a bit. "Thanks.."

"No! No, I'm sure you're stronger than you look!" Gwen panicked as she suddenly realized what she had said. "It's just, uhm.. Arthur's just one of those rough, tough, save the world kind of men and well.." She paused.

"What?"

"You don't look like that."

Merlin leaned into Gwen and said quietly, "I'm in disguise." They both laughed.

"Well, it's great that you stood up to him. Arthur's a bully and sometimes he needs someone to tell him that." They walked in the same direction towards the castle. "So, where are you headed?"

"I should be getting back to Gaius. I'm sure he has more things for me to do."

"Are you Gaius's new apprentice?"

"I guess you can say that." Merlin nodded.

"Well, I have to go do some chores for the Lady Morgana. It was nice meeting you, Merlin."

"You too, Gwen."

They both walked into different directions and headed off to their destination.

oooo

Merlin walked back to Gaius's chambers and took the long way. He wanted to spend a bit more time thinking. "Arthur's a bully and sometimes he needs someone to tell him that." He remembered what Gwen said.

How much has he really changed? Merlin thought. He remembered when they were younger, they'd always play together. Although, he was a bit harsh at times, he was always kind to everyone.

I guess people change. Merlin was saddened by it. He really wished Arthur didn't turn out like this. He expected Arthur to grow to to be fair, and kind to everyone. He turned out the exact opposite.

When Merlin reached the chambers, Gaius was focused on a glass beaker that was sitting over a small fire and bubbling liquid on the inside.

"Gaius, do you need anything else?" He asked the busy physician.

"Not at the moment. But I'll make sure to call you when I do." Gaius said not looking away from the beaker.

Merlin nodded and walked up to his room. He didn't have anything else to do. So he decided to take a short nap.

AN: How was it? I'm not so proud of this chapter. It actually took a while to write. If you still haven't noticed, I combined the first and second meeting of Merlin and Arthur into one. And Merlin meeting Gwen is a bit differently too.

I've got a couple of anons asking if this is going to be a Merthur fic, and I should have cleared it up in the beginning, but I guess I forgot. This will not be a Merthur fic. All ships will be canon to the show. I apologize.

I hope I get the next chapter done on time this time! See you then!