Hidden Royalty Chapter Ten

Merlin's heavy footfalls on the stairs could be heard throughout the whole house as he thundered downstairs. It was Monday and he was ready for the new week. He felt great and happy and just… unf, in complete bliss.

And it may or may not be because of the fact that his mother had not only accepted Arthur for the amazing person he is, she also didn't made any fuss about the fact that he was of royal blood. Not once during his whole stay his mother had mentioned it and it made Merlin feel full of pride. It was a bit weird to him at first and he kept fidgeting his hands, almost waiting for the moment his mother would stop her charade, but the moment never came. He only really calmed down when Arthur had gently grabbed his hand and squeezed it softly as if offering some kind of reassurance that everything was alright.

He dropped his schoolbag close to the door and picked up his trainers from the ground and opened the door to the kitchen where he heard some soft talking coming from the small TV that hung on the wall, close to the counter. Merlin almost had to take a double look when he saw which channel his mother and uncle were watching. It was the BBC coverage of the Mercian's King's arrival to England. Even though his mother accepted Arthur, for now, he didn't expect her to actually start watching news again that included royals.

After overcoming his initial shock, he called out a "Morning." and received a chorus of mornings from his uncle and mother back. Merlin dropped his shoes next to the breakfast bar and dived into the cabinets in search of food and in the end grabbed a piece of toast his mother had made and smeared it with some jam. He glanced once again at the TV screen and saw Arthur dressed in a sharp formfitting suit and a coat that reminded him an awful lot about the one Sherlock wears in the BBC show Sherlock.

Arthur stood lined up at a red carpet with his mother and father on each side of him, waiting for the plane that transported the foreign King. It wasn't there yet but reporters said it would arrive within the next ten minutes.

Merlin looked at the clock. "Oh shit, gonna be late at school." He put the toast in his mouth and shoved his feet into his shoes. He tried to tie his laces as best as he could while hopping from one foot to another and trying as hard as he could to not bite down on the sandwich, which would surely fall on the ground if he would.

"Language dear." Hunith reprimanded, but instead of looking directly at her son, she kept her eyes plastered on the screen. She waited in anticipation for when Balinor would land.

"See you this afternoon." Merlin yelled over his shoulder as he exited the room and a moment later Hunith and JJ heard the front door slam close.

Not yet five minutes after her son left, the picture on the TV screen showed the royal airplane coming in sight and swiftly landing on the private airfield. The small staircase was lowered and photographers from press and paparazzi alike hoarded closer and closer, as far as the security allowed them.

Moments later Balinor appeared in the door opening and Hunith noticed again how he used his political smile and couldn't help herself to let a small smile appear on her own face. It were these silly little things that she still remembered about Balinor even after all those years from being apart.

~oOoOo~

Will waited for Merlin on the corner of the street where he waited every morning when he started at the same time as his friend. He saw Merlin coming towards him and pushed himself off the wall he leaned against.

"Hey." Merlin said, and started to walk the same road he had done for the past weeks. Will falling in step besides him.

"Hey." Will replied. "So… tell me. How was it?" Will received some vague text yesterday, that gave a quick explanation from Merlin that Arthur was there and his mum was cool about it. That was about all he got from his friend and he was curious to the outcome, but decided to ask Merlin about it when they would be face-to-face.

Merlin closed the zipper of his jacket all the way until his collar and pushed his hands into his pockets. It started to get really cold nowadays. He turned his head to look at his friend and smiled. "Better than I hoped it to be! I thought that World War Three would happen, but not at all. She even made tea. Tea! For someone royal. I seriously thought I needed to get my eyes and ears checked, but no, everything was working fine. I mean, she didn't even made you tea the first time you came round, it took like four visits."

Will chuckled at the memory. "But… that's good isn't it? Not just the hearing and stuff, but that she's acting normal against Arthur. The way things are going at this rate, it shouldn't be long before your face is plastered all over the gossip mags quoting 'The Prince's New Boy Toy'."

Merlin shoved Will so hard, Will had to take a step to the right if he didn't want to fall down. He couldn't help that he burst out laughing when he saw Merlin's face, it had the already becoming familiar beet red colour of shame. "Don't be daft." Merlin mentioned as he shoved his hand back into the pocket of his jacket.

"It's gonna happen, trust me, it will. And then I'm going to buy a copy and put your pic on my wall. How's that?" Will didn't dare to look sideways, because he knew he would get some kind of death glare from his best friend, he wisely kept staring in front of him and already saw the school gates appearing in his sight.

~oOoOo~

"Look who it is!" Will said, his voice loud when Arthur walked into the cafeteria. "The prodigal son has returned. What took you so long?" Merlin turned his head and smiled as his boyfriend came towards them. He noticed that Arthur had ditched the suit and now changed back into normal clothes, well as normal as someone royal could get.

Arthur pulled the chair back and sat heavily down. "Ugh you know, posing for pictures, taking a step forward, posing again, and so on and on and on. It took us close to thirty minutes to even get off the carpet and out of the freezing cold weather." His eyes flicked up to Merlin. "Hey you."

"Oh god no." Will moaned. "Now they're sort of out as a couple we have to see and hear all that mushy stuff." He pointed between himself and Percy who sat there sniffling and trying not to choke in his drink.

Percy swallowed the liquid. "Oh let them Will. It's their honeymoon period after all."

"It must be." Will commented with a nod of his head. "I mean look at them, they aren't even aware that we're talking about them."

Will and Percy turned their heads to look at the couple in love. Merlin and Arthur seemed indeed unaware to their surroundings. They weren't holding hands or anything remotely close to that, but the way they looked at each other told everything. They only broke their gaze towards each other when Will as well as Percy waved their hands in front of their faces and they parted with an awkward cough.

"That's better." Percy said, trying to hide a smirk.

The unmistakeable whistle ringtone was heard by the four people and Will and Percy were the ones who looked back and forth between Merlin and Arthur determining which phone was the one who did the ringing. They saw Merlin reach into his pocket and pulled his phone out.

"Hey mum." Merlin said as he accepted the call. "Yeah I can do that. Ye-es I have enough money with me." He rolled his eyes. "Okay see you later." He punched the end call button and pushed his phone back into his pocket. He shrugged. "Have to go to the shop after school for mum."

He looked up and saw Arthur's pointed look.

"What?" Merlin asked with a slightly pitched voice.

"You know what I'm going to say. One of us has to change his ringtone."

Merlin quirked one eyebrow up and leaned forward over the table. "Oh and I suppose that that one is going to be me, isn't it?"

"Well that would be convenient."

"Pfft. Who do you think you are, the King?"

"Well no. I'm his son, Arthur."

"Oh so now you're using your birth right you so much hate to use. Na-ah, not going to happen Pendragon."

"Fine!" Arthur said.

"Fine." Merlin repeated, sitting back against the backrest.

Will stretched his arm out towards Percival. "Oh my god Percy we just witnessed the couple's first official fight. Oh hold me."

Percy chuckled and gave answer to Will's dramatics by grabbing Will's arm into his hand.

The four of them didn't spoke for a few minutes but ate their lunch instead with Percy and Will sneaking mischievious glances to eachother.

Merlin saw that lunch would be almost over and he knew that they all had separated classes for the last three hours, so Merlin decided to bring up the topic of the History assignment to Arthur.

"Arthur, about tomorrow. When do you think you'll be ready with that nonsense? We still need to finish our assignment that's due this Thursday!"

"I can't help it that I have to be there!"

"Well no offense, okay maybe a little bit offense, but you lot weren't hatched out of a fucking diamond or something. Why all the fuss just because one royal is visiting. I mean you are here every day and I don't see the red carpet rolled out every time you enter or exit the school. It's just… ugh… it's so overreacting."

"Merlin…"

"No leave it. Whatever. Text me when you're ready with that and then come and meet me in the library, where I'll be working already." With that said, Merlin stood up and grabbed his bag from the table.

Arthur frowned slightly about Merlin's sudden change around. Had he done something wrong? He doesn't believe so, but he could see on Merlin's face before he left that the said person wasn't int the mood to discuss the matter and so with a heavy heart leaves Merlin to be for the moment.

That night Arthur got a text from Merlin.

From: Merlin
11:42 pm
I'm sorry for the way I acted this morning. I'm a bit stressed because of assign.
Am I forgiven?
x

Arthur smiled at the little x at the end of the message, it wasn't as much as an 'I love you' but it was close enough.

To: Merlin
11:44 pm
You are. And I'm sorry, it was my fault we started this late with it.
ILY.

He felt bold using the three letters, but that were his feelings and he had the right to express them and for Merlin to hear, well read them.

With a smile on his face he fell asleep. And when he woke up the next morning he saw a message from Merlin that was sent after he went to sleep.

From: Merlin
0:24 am
love u 2

~oOoOo~

The next morning.

Hunith was feeling slightly nervous this morning. Today would be the day that Merlin would meet his father -even though he had no idea what part the man had in his life, for now at least. Besides that, Balinor would meet his son and she felt guilty that it had taken almost nineteen years for that moment to arrive.

Because of that, today would be the one of the most special days in Balinor's life and she hoped with all her heart that nothing would go wrong. She felt the need to pace, but stopped herself from doing it and instead sipped her coffee silently, in contrary to the usual tea she took in the mornings. She felt the need for something a bit stronger and herbal tea just wouldn't cut it.

JJ sat next to his sister and nursed a coffee as well. They heard Merlin shuffling around upstairs and expected him to be downstairs any moment now. They both knew that had to keep acting like they normally would and hoping that Merlin wouldn't noticed the nerves they both felt.

Just like yesterday they heard Merlin thundering down the stairs and walking into the kitchen with his trainers in hand and telling them good morning.

Merlin searched the cabinets for bread or cereal, he wasn't sure what he was in the mood for that morning. He settled on a piece of bread with peanut butter and not yet shoved it into his mouth before putting on his shoes and dashing out the kitchen. All this in under five minutes.

Hunith sent out a text to Balinor that Merlin had left to go to school.

~oOoOo~

"Oh Jesus!" Will exclaimed after seeing the immense large crowd that had gathered around the school gates entrance. There were press, paparazzi and just random people who were curious to see the Mercian King and of course the British Prince.

They elbowed their way through the crowd. Will went up front and Merlin followed, he knew Will was far more persistent and could be plain rude if he wanted to. 'Excuse me.' 'Students here.' 'Out of the way.' 'Fuck off' and 'Coming through.' were just a small summary of the statements Will used to get through the crowd and these were just the random people, now came the lines of photographers.

Will began his expressions again, but he as well as Merlin stopped when they heard some guy who stood just a few feet away from them, a photo camera in hand, shouting; "It's Will O'Leary and Merlin Browne, close friends of the Prince!"

The whole section of people with video and photo cameras turned to them and started to snap away and started to yell questions that Merlin didn't really understood because no one waited for their turn and just yelled as they pleased. All the flashing in his face was overwhelming and he started to shield the flashings off with his arms, but it did nothing to the pushiness of the people around them. He felt pent-up and when he did a quick look around, he didn't saw Will anymore. He felt alone even when he was surrounded by people and couldn't move forwards or backwards. And at that moment he almost felt the need for cry for no apparent reason.

But then Merlin was grabbed by his arm and pulled forward through the crowd and through the entrance of the gate at which the press and paparazzi couldn't get behind because it was private property. The person pulled Merlin a bit further down the schoolyard so he would be out of the press' sight. Merlin finally felt that he could breathe again and only now looked to his side to see who the person was that saved him from the crowd. It was a man, a big man at that, dressed in an all-black attire and when he looked up to the man's face, he noticed the clear earpiece in his ear. That's when it clicked in his head, this must be one of Arthur's security people.

"T-thank you." Merlin finally stammered out and then felt a hand on his shoulder and two familiar faces came into view.

It were Percy and Will.

"Merlin are you alright?" Will asked, some concern laced throughout his voice. "Damn those people are crazy. Percy had the same as well when he arrived and people recognized him."

Merlin nodded. "I am now, thanks to…" He looked up to the man and waited for the man to say his name, but instead Percy answered it.

"Tom? What are you doing here?"

Will and Merlin looked at each other and then looked back at Percy. "Tom?" They both asked with a surprising tone.

Percy nodded repeatedly. "He's my brother." Percy said with a sense of pride.

"Brother." Merlin repeated slowly and looked up to his rescuer, he could indeed see the resemblances between him and Percy now he concentrated. He looked back at Percy. "Why haven't you said that your brother was one of the Pendragon's security guards? Does Arthur even know you're family of one of his guards?"

"Arthur?" Percy questioned, eyebrow raising. "No, no, you must understand this wrong. Tom isn't working for the Pendragons, he's working for the royal family of Mercia."

"Really now." Will said, crossing his arms. "But can't only people from Mercia become guards for the Mercian royal family? Or at least so I've read once."

Percy shrugged. "Yeah. But then again he… well we are. We're born and raised in Mercia, but then me, my little sister and my parents moved to England like eight years ago. Tom stayed behind because of his job… and well me being Mercian isn't really something you bring up casually in a conversation." Percy shook his head in amusement.

Will turned to Tom and narrowed his eyes. "So if you're Mercian security why are you even here? The King hasn't arrived yet."

All this while, Tom hadn't replied to any of what was being said. It wasn't his place, nor assignment. His assignment was protecting the Prince and that was exactly what he was doing.

But now he had to play the next part well and don't raise any suspicion. He stood straight and replied to Will's question. "I saw the two of you caught up in the middle of the crowd and you both seemed to have difficulties in getting out, so me and a fellow guard moved from our position. As to why we're here is because we have to make sure the surroundings are clear from any danger before the King's arrival." Tom lied easily.

He heard his earpiece crackle with new information and brought his finger up to his ear. He nodded at the message that was inaudible for the three standing around them. He looked at all three of them and kept his gaze at Percy first. "Well little brother, as much as I like hanging out with you, I have a duty to perform." He turned to look at Will and Merlin and his eyes lingered a little longer on Merlin. "It was nice meeting you."

He almost slipped up by almost saying your highness, but he could suck that bit in at the last second.

He walked away and when he was sure he was out of hearing distance he said in his mic. "The Prince has been brought to safety."

~oOoOo~

Cheering, yelling and shouting could be heard when the first car arrived and Arthur got out. He was dressed smartly again, but not as fancy as the clothing he wore yesterday. He waved politely at the crowd and his security people were already pushing the invading press and paparazzi back to create a path for their Prince. The car he sat in drove off, only for another one to appear, this one had the Mercian flags at the front of the car.

The door opened and Balinor got out with grace, sophistication and confidence. He smiled to the crowd and joined Arthur's side to pose for some pictures. Arthur put out his hand and Balinor shook it and holding it a tad longer for photographers to capture the moment. It was procedure for them, nothing more than following the rules or royal etiquette.

Mercian guards mingled with English and both parties tried to give both royals a smooth and swift entry towards the school's entrance. They kept their eyes wide open, on the lookout for any potential threat.

Arthur and Balinor slowly made their way to the school's entrance and leaving the shouting crowd behind them who still continued to yell questions towards them. Some were standard questions, while others were personal. Neither royal elaborated much at the questions being asked.

When they were both finally inside and the doors closed behind them they sighed. "I always dread that part the most." Balinor admitted. Arthur nodded in response. "So do I, so. do. I."

They ignored the long line of people waiting to be introduced to the Mercian King for a moment as Balinor said. "It's been a while since we've last seen each other, hasn't it? I believe almost a year."

"Yes, it was three weeks before Christmas, sir."

Balinor placed a hand on Arthur's upper arm. "Oh what have I said about that. Drop the sir, I feel so old already!" He joked and in return Arthur smiled mischievously back. Arthur turned his body and held his arm out to the people who waited.

"Shall I introduce you then?"

~oOoOo~

Merlin sat in the school's library, he had texted Arthur a million time but the prat was just ignoring him. Visiting King or not, they had an assignment to finish!

He started to angrily type on his laptop, with the book about Mercia he used to copy the information out standing upright on the table. He was so engrossed with getting the assignment finished as soon as possible, that he didn't hear anyone approaching. He nearly jumped off his chair by the sudden voice.

"Interesting book you're reading there… oh sorry, didn't want to scare you."

Merlin looked up to the person standing just a few feet away from him. He guessed the man was in his late forties, maybe early fifties judging by the greying hair. He seemed friendly enough and he was dressed in a suit. Perhaps he was one of the new teachers he hadn't seen before, Merlin reasoned to himself. After all they were always dressed in suits.

Merlin tilted the book back to see which one he was reading again and saw that it was the book about Mercia. He shrugged. "It's alright, I have to use' it for just some History assignment, no big deal. Although my partner has left me to finish it all on my own, the prat."

Balinor swallowed heavily, he was at loss for words right now. He wasn't even supposed to walk up to Merlin, like he had somewhat promised Hunith, but when he had strayed off with the excuse of going to the toilets he couldn't help himself and went to the library as where his security said Merlin would be. And now he was in the presence of his son, the one he discovered he had just a few months ago. It was such an overwhelming experience and he was close to tears, but he kept them in. Bursting out in tears in front of his son wouldn't be the best first impression to give.

He clasped his hands nervously in front of him. What was he supposed to do now! His saw his son staring at him with his head slightly tilted to the right. Balinor breathed in, he could do this.

"Maybe I could help? I know a few things about Mercia." Balinor could smack himself over the head, what a stupid thing to suggest. He bowed his head in a shame like fashion but tilted it up ever so slightly when he heard a chuckle.

His son was smiling, and it was such a beautiful sight. He clearly inherited his mother's smile. Merlin then shook his head.

"Kind of you to offer sir, but I don't think school would approve of it."

Balinor heaved his shoulders up. "Well at least I offered."

"That you did." Merlin said, smiling again.

Balinor couldn't resist and put out his hand for Merlin to shake. He wanted to touch his son, feel his warmth. "It was nice to meet you…" He let some silence drop for Merlin to fill in the dots. He couldn't let Merlin know he already knew his name, he needed to be convincing.

"Merlin." Merlin said in response and grabbed the man's hand. "Merlin Browne."

Merlin didn't saw the small flicker of anger going over Balinor's face. Balinor was still not happy hearing that fake last name, but just like before, he couldn't let Merlin find out about that. Balinor drew his hand back, but didn't say his own name. He looked around for a moment, trying to find a way to easily get away before the situation would become too awkward. He asked, "I'm a bit unfamiliar with this building. Could you maybe point directions to the main hall?" He knew exactly which way it was too the main hall, but it was the only thing that came to mind.

Definitely a new teacher, Merlin confirmed to himself. "Sure, it's through those door and down the stairs and then follow the hallway."

"Thank you Merlin. And good luck with your assignment."

He turned around before Merlin could even reply and as he walked out of the library he couldn't help but let the fingers of his other hand travel over the hand Merlin shook. He soon felt a presence besides him, it was Lancelot.

"If I may, sir." Lancelot waited a moment until he saw the King nod his head. "I think that went rather well, all things considered."

"Well, I suppose it could've gone worse." Balinor replied to his most trusted guard. He breathed in deeply. "I should go back to Arthur and the principal, I've been gone long enough."

~oOoOo~

Merlin was almost through with the part about Mercian history when he finally got a text from Arthur. He read the text shook his head irritably.

When he sent a text to Arthur to come to the library, Arthur didn't even respond, nor came to the library and now Arthur sent him a text to come to the lobby and he was supposed to come pronto. He was so close in just ignoring Arthur, but he had been in the library for close to two hours and he started to get sick and tired of the place and he was in desperate need for some leg stretching.

He stood up and took the two stairs down and walked towards the lobby area. He frowned slightly when he saw the same man he met in the library not yet an hour ago, standing next to Arthur and talking to him. They were swarmed by men and women alike in black suits, but that wasn't even the strangest to Merlin. It was the fact that the man seemed so relaxed talking to Arthur. From what he'd seen in the few interviews he watched of Arthur on TV, he noticed how all people talking to Arthur seemed rather tensed, but not this person.

Merlin mentally shook his head, when did he become so concerned about people's postures?

He came closer and the people in black made way for him. He now saw that Will and Percy also stood in the protective circle of guards. He felt a bit overwhelmed and smiled shyly.

"Ahh, this is the person I spoke about." Arthur said as he gestured Merlin to come closer. When Merlin was close enough, Arthur grabbed him by the arm. "This is Merlin. Merlin, meet King Balinor."

Merlin's eyes not yet budged out of their sockets and a deep red blush appeared on his cheeks. That man wasn't just a man, but some royal. The same royal he hadn't been speaking highly of in the last few days, and today he talked to that royal without even realizing that it was a King!

But what struck him the most, was that he didn't even mind talking to the King, if anything he felt rather good talking to the man, how brief their encounter may have been.

When he spend a bit more attention to the guards that flanked the King, he noticed that they were almost looking the same as Arthur's but not yet quite. Arthur's security wore an all a white dress shirt, while the men next to that man all wore black dress shirts.

He saw Percy's brother also standing around the King, Tom was it?

He was brought out of his concentration by hearing the man… no the King talking. "Oh yes, we've had the pleasure of meeting each other before."

"You have?" Arthur wondered, his voice holding a surprising tone.

"Yes. When I've been to the restroom earlier, I took a wrong turn and ended up in the library." Balinor was almost amazed with himself how easily the lie left his mouth. "Merlin here was kind enough to give me directions."

"It was nothing." Merlin timidly said, his head bowed down a bit and a silence fell over the group.

Luckily Arthur was there to break the short awkward silence and grabbed Merlin's hand. He squeezed it softly and whispered in Merlin's ear, "Balinor wanted to know who my friends were, hope you're not mad."

Merlin shook his head.

Balinor had to muster all his willpower to not keep staring at his son, it might cause suspicion and that was something he didn't wanted at this moment. He smiled although with a hint of sadness as he stated, "Unfortunally my time has come to an end here and I have to go back again. It was so nice to meet all of you."

He shook hands with everyone, keeping Merlin for last and then with some difficulty turned around and walked out of the door. He denied the urge he felt to look back and kept walking forward in a fast pace. As his security opened the doors and he neared the gates, he already heard the reporters enquiring about his thoughts about the university.

When he had been through the process again of being photographed by the press, he finally found himself in the sanctuary of the car and he heaved out a sigh. The first thing he did when the car drove off was pulling out his phone and calling Hunith.

Inside, Merlin, Arthur, Percy and Will still stood at the same spot.

"I liked him." Will said with a raised chin.

Percy nodded in agreement. "Me too. Although I was a bit scared of actually meeting him. I mean, I heard some things about him from my brother but I've never dared to believe that I would actually meet the King of my country one day." Percy admitted. "No offense Arthur." He quickly added.

Arthur shook his head. "None taken. But the one opion I'm most curious about is Merlin's. So Merlin, your thoughts?" Arthur asked, almost scared for Merlin's reaction.

"He was…" Merlin thought for a moment. "Not what I expected." He settled on in the end. He heard Arthur breathe a laugh and Merlin gave him a soft shove for it at his arm. "Don't laugh." Merlin reprimanded.

"I'm sorry! " Arthur said. "But you, your answer… that was not what I expected you to say."

"Hey! I'm not that bad. And I was polite to him, wasn't I?"

Merlin sighed dramatically.

"Well if you must know, I actually think he's quite nice. I mean when he was in the library, he even offered to help me with the History assignment which you were MIA to. Keeping that in mind, I think I have a new favourite royal."

Arthur opened his mouth in an 'O' and feigned being hurt by placing one hand over his chest. "You take that back!"

Merlin tilted his chin up and pursed his lips, making it look like he was thinking about it. "Hmmm…."

Arthur grabbed Merlin's arm again and pulled him flush against his side and whispered low in Merlin's ear, "I don't think the King would do this to you." He wrapped one arm around Merlin's waist, knowing that the guards who stood around would shield it off as much. He resisted the urge to kiss Merlin because he knew that his guards wouldn't be able to block that out and he also knew that Merlin wasn't ready for a public outing yet and he would respect that.

"Get a room you two." Percy and Will said in a happy chorus.