"Wh-what's that?" Merlin said gesturing to the paper in Arthur's hand. He internally winced for his voice cracking. He assembles his features into a bored almost disinterested look. In reality he was dying to know more information, but he couldn't reveal himself.
"Some knights from a nearby kingdom would like to have an audience with me, it appears there kingdom was attacked some 10 years prior and they are now in search of there prince who was forced to flee so they can retake the kingdom." Arthur finished the account with a grimace probably imagining ever losing Camelot.
Merlin, on the other hand didn't have to imagine it. He was there. He remembers it like it was yesterday. He woke to the sounds of screams; the entire lower town was on fire. His mother rushed in and pulled him out of bed, still in his nightclothes. As soon as he exited his bedroom his three closest knights surrounded him. Sir Jacob, the redheaded knight thrust his sword and sheath into his hands and they ran down the hallway. He pulled it on with shaking hands.
"Where and we going? What happening? Where in Tyler?" He shouted hysterically. Tyler was his brother.
"The castle was attacked by your aunt," He mother said in short gasps, running very quickly. "We are going to your brother and father now," she added still panting from the exertion.
He, his mother, and his knights rounded the corner and nearly ran into his bother and father.
"Tyler," Merlin shouted, hugging his brother. His bother hugged him back for a few short seconds. He then pulled back and squatted till he was looking in Merlin's eyes.
"I need you to take this and run," he said pressing the royal seal into his hand. Tears were streaming down Merlin's face.
"No, you're coming to!" he shouted. His bother pressed Merlin's arms down to his sides.
"I'm sorry, but I have to protect the kingdom," his bother said "Merls, you have to run," he said using his nickname for the last time.
"No! I'm staying with you he said clutching his brothers arms." His brother glanced at Sir Jacob. Sir Jacob brought the hilt of his sword down on his head, effectively knocking him out. When Merlin woke he was in Ealdor. His mother was the only one with him. Everyone else had stayed to fight.
Merlin was abruptly brought back into reality when Arthur shook his shoulder.
"Merlin, what's your problem? You haven't been going the the tavern again have you?" Arthur said.
"No," Merlin replied defensively. It was the truth, he only went to the tavern when Gwaine forcibly dragged him there.
"Idiot," Arthur mumbled. Merlin grimaced. He really hated being called an idiot when he was anything but an idiot. It was part of his disguise though, so he just went with it, calling Arthur a prat when he wasn't looking.
"They are visiting tomorrow morning, so you need to come to my chambers early," Arthur said glancing at Merlin as he did so. Merlin nodded in Arthur's direction and exited his chambers. He had a lot to thing about.
With some thought Merlin decided to go to Freya's lake to get some peace. He took a horse under the pretense of gathering herbs for Gaius and rode out, arriving at the lake shortly. He sat by the edge of the lake and let his hand rest on the surface of the water. Tomorrow he was going to see some of his knights. He wondered who would come and how they intended to take the kingdom back. He hoped it would be sir Jacob and sir Gabriel, for they were his closest knights and friends from Altair. Merlin sighed and got up. He needed to return to Camelot before his absence was noticed. He gathered a few herbs so as not to look suspicious and rode to Camelot. Merlin got back went back to Arthur's chambers to receive his work for the day. It was a shockingly small amount of work, so Merlin had time to train some more before turning in for the night.