Hidden Royalty Chapter Eleven

At Friday morning, the sky was looking grim and grey and while it reached the point of freezing, snow still hadn't fallen yet. Will looked up to the sky as he and Merlin walked onto the school yard and heard Merlin complaining about Arthur, about how he had barely handed their assignment in on time.

Will looked down again. "Well speak of the devil." He said with a nod of his head. Arthur had just been dropped off and was now walking towards the duo. Merlin breathed deeply in and didn't turn around until he felt an arm being draped around his neck and shoulders with Arthur leaning rather heavily on him.

"Hey." Arthur greeted with a big smile.

Merlin looked sideways to see a grinning Arthur, but Merlin only glared.

Arthur slipped his arm of Merlin's shoulders and crossed them in front of his chest. "Okay what have I done now. I told you I was sorry about the History project, but I handed it in on time haven't I?"

"Yeah at 11:52 pm last night." Merlin snapped.

"So?" Arthur shrugged. "Assignment was due at midnight."

Merlin threw his hands up in the air in exasperation. "I…. just never mind. Let's get inside."

When they started walking, Will went to walk at Arthur's side and leaned a bit closer. "I think he's still a bit upset by what happened on Monday." Will whispered in Arthur's ear.

"Hey I heard that!" Merlin scolded. "I'm not. I'm over it. Those people with their cameras just caught me off guard, okay?"

"Yeah, luckily there was an on guard." Will sniffled, couldn't help himself but to laugh at his own joke. Merlin narrowed his eyes to him and stomped off in a faster pace.

"Oh Merlin! Come on, I was joking."

Arthur clapped Will on his shoulder. "I think you went a bit too far with him this time." Arthur opened the door of the Chemistry classroom to see Merlin already sitting at the workbench. Elbow put on the table top and chin propped on his hand. Arthur walked up to him, his hand sliding over Merlin's back before he took the seat next to him. A few classmates at the bench behind them snickered at the move, they were already becoming familiar with the light touches Arthur left here and there, but were kindly asked not to talk about it to anyone, especially not the press and they had respected that.

"I'm sorry, what can I do to make it up to you?" Arthur whispered.

Merlin sighed and turned on his stool to face Arthur. "Well, you could at least try to be a bit more serious with schoolwork. Not all of us can be privileged enough to just take a backseat because they will know exactly what will happen to them in their future. Some of us really have to prove ourselves and I just hope that you will respect that."

Arthur seemed to think Merlin's words over for a moment and then nodded slowly. "I'm going to put more effort into my schoolwork and especially when I have an assignment with a partner. You're right, I was a bit idle, but I'm going to put in hundred per cent from now on."

"That's all I ask, Arthur. And you know how I feel about the Chemistry assignments, or do I need to show the contract again?" He patted his Chemistry book and bit his lip to not laugh.

Arthur groaned and put his head in his hands. "Oh god no, I almost forgot about that thing."

"You might, but I certainly not… oh hey there's Percy."

Arthur turned around to see Percy not yet running into the classroom, he was red in the face and breathing a bit too fast. He walked up to them, saying a quick "Morning guys." before taking a seat and exhaling deeply. He took a minute to regain breath.

"I thought I was going to be late, I almost were." He glanced to the clock and shook his head. "My alarm didn't go off this morning and you know Monmouth's attitude to latecomers. And I can't afford to skip a lesson."

He hadn't finished his sentence yet or the said man walked in with his briefcase. "Settle down people, quiet." He placed his briefcase on his workbench and popped it open, taking his laptop and some papers out. As he snapped his briefcase close he looked around the class. "As you can see before you on the benches there are four flasks with each having a substance on it. Two are with an A and two with a B. We are going to be researching chemical reactions today."

Merlin eyed the four flasks with interest while Arthur looked positively confused. He had some knowledge about chemicals, but certainly not enough. He started to pay attention again when the professor continued.

"You'll be working with the partner you've been assigned too. One of you will be doing the experiment, while the other will be writing down what happens and then switch places. Are there any questions so far?" Monmouth took a quick look around but saw no one raising their hand. "No? The explanation of the assignment in on your benches, you'll have fifteen minutes to do the practicum and write a small essay about what's happening."

Arthur slid the paper over to him and read it quickly over. He looked at Merlin. "Basically mix A with B, but it specifies to do it very, very slowly. Shall I start?"

Merlin shrugged and picked up a paper notebook and a pen and went to stand on the other side of the bench, opposite of Arthur. He watched as Arthur picked up the flask marked with the letter A and brought the opening to the opening of the flask marked with the B. Very concentrated he let the content slowly trickle into the flask but there wasn't happening much apart from some bubbling.

"So you're still coming tomorrow?" Arthur briefly looked up to look at Merlin who nodded his head.

"Mum is surprisingly okay with it. We're first going to bring uncle JJ to the airport, but I should be home on time for the car to pick me up."

Arthur nodded and continued with the experiment.

"Well that was less exiting that I hoped it to be." Arthur commented when he poured the whole contents of A into B and not much had happened.

"Well maybe that's what it was supposed to do." Merlin replied." Now move, it's my turn."

"Uh, dominant are we?" Arthur waggled his eyebrows as he swapped places and went now to stand behind the workbench. Merlin just shook his head in amusement and picked up the two other flasks off the workbench and placed them in front of him, studying them a bit. Arthur snorted lightly on how serious Merlin's face looked, but said nothing about it and just let him do his thing.

Arthur began to shuffle on his spot at the same time Merlin picked up flask A. "So, I just wanted to know if…" Arthur said, stammering with each word.

"Yeees?" Merlin said, not looking up to Arthur as he concentrated very hard on not letting the substance pour out too quickly.

Arthur swallowed into his dry throat. "If you want to spend a weekend during Winter break with me, in Switzerland… in my private holiday home… alone."

Out of shock, Merlin tipped the flask onto its side in one motion and the liquid flowed into flask B. Merlin looked wide eyed up to Arthur and as he did so, he didn't see what was happening to the flask. A cloud like foam started to rise up from the flask and overflowed it. Merlin didn't noticed it at first, too shocked yet of what Arthur just asked him

"Merlin!" Arthur yelled, grabbing the flask out of Merlin's hand and putting it on the table top. He pulled Merlin to the side and he watched how the foam slowly started to cease and reducing in size to where it was almost completely back into the flask again. He heard the professor talking again.

"And that, ladies and gentlemen, happens when you don't have patience. This was the sole purpose for this experiment and it seems that Mister Browne has failed that part. You youth are always in a hurry, but patience is important in the art of chemistry…" Professor Monmouth rambled on about the subject but Merlin didn't listen to it, he had only eye for Arthur.

He cocked his head and some look between confusion and shock was the expression he held onto his face. Arthur just asked him to spend a weekend alone, in another country. He couldn't be serious! It was too soon, not that Merlin was entirely putting it off immediately. It was just that he did not expected Arthur to propose something like that.

He hadn't said a word in almost four minutes, so Arthur shook his head and looked down. "Sorry. Never mind." He mumbled. "Just forget that I asked." Arthur walked out of class.

"Mister Pendragon." Monmouth said sternly, but was ignored.

Soon Merlin followed Arthur out of the class.

"Mister Browne!" Monmouth yelled, but was once again ignored.

"Arthur, wait!" Merlin yelled, running through the hallway and trying to catch up with Arthur, but the said person was way faster than Merlin and soon disappeared out of sight as he rounded a corner. Merlin thought he could never reach him in time and slowed his pace but kept on walking anyway. When he rounded the corner Arthur went past, he came to a sudden stop.

Instead of what he thought Arthur had done; running away even further, he now saw Arthur sitting cross-legged on the ground with his back against the wall. Head down and his hands in his lap, fidgeting. There was already one of his bodyguards approaching, but Merlin shook his head to him and even though the guard stopped for a moment to contemplate what was the best option, he opted on turning around to leave Arthur and Merlin on their own.

Merlin slid down the wall and placed a hand on Arthur's arm, making him stop the fidgeting and making him look sideways to Merlin.

"I'm the one who has to say sorry." Merlin began. "But you kinda overwhelmed with me by suddenly asking that-"

"I know. I wasn't thinking." Arthur interrupted with a sigh. "I was actually going to ask it tomorrow, but it… it just suddenly came out. I mean, I asked my parents already and they approved, but if you don't-"

"Well I never actually said yes or no didn't I?" Merlin said, this time interrupting Arthur and Arthur narrowed his eyes slightly. "Arthur… I'd love to spent time with you." Merlin started to smile. "I still have to clear it up with mum and such, but yes. I'd love too."

Arthur breathed a laugh and leaned forward to kiss Merlin, but drew back as he was reminded of Merlin not actually wanting to do too much in public. Merlin however saw what Arthur was intended to do and looked one way and then the other way and when he was satisfied that no one was close by, he grabbed Arthur's neck and pulled him forward in a crushing kiss. Smiling when he drew back again.

~oOoOo~

Arthur and Merlin didn't go back to class after that but went into the cafeteria since they had a free period after and texted Percy and Will with the question if they wanted to bring their bags with them. They would explain themselves later to the professor but neither of them were in the mood to do that now.

Five minutes after that lesson should've ended, Will and Percy came into the cafeteria with both two bags around their shoulders. They dumped Merlin and Arthur's on the table.

"So, are you two going to explain what that was about?"

Merlin looked at Arthur and Arthur looked at Merlin, both having a smile playing in the corners of their mouth. They looked back to their friends when Merlin gave a nod to Arthur.

"Merlin and I will spend a weekend together in Winter break, in Switzerland… if everything is arranged with his mother of course." Arthur added quickly.

Will's eyebrows had shot up. "Wow… that's quite something. You two aren't taking it slow are you." He said with a soft chuckle.

"Well…" Merlin said with a shrug. "Life's too short to stand by and wait for stuff too happen. And I love skiing and snowboarding and I love Arthur, so in my eyes it's a win-win situation."

Percy as well as Will made a fake retching motion. "Can you two be any more slimy." Will said laughingly.

"And as long as you bring us a souvenir, We forgive you for not asking us to go with you too." Percy said with a wink.

~oOoOo~

The next day.

Merlin opened the door to the sitting room and saw his mum and uncle sitting in front of the TV watching some TV show Merlin forgot the name of at that moment. "Hey mum, uncle JJ." He plopped down next to his mother. He got a meagre response of heys back.

"Did you finished packing an overnight bag?" Hunith asked.

"Yep. It's on my bed. And you're absolutely sure that you're still okay with me staying over at Arthur's?" Merlin looked sideways to see his mother nod. He then looked at his uncle.

"Too bad you're already going back uncle JJ, it was such a short visit."

"I know little bugger, but Lyndsey is almost going into labour so I knew I couldn't stay for too long. But it was fun to be here, even as short as it was." It wasn't entirely untrue, his wife was close to giving birth. And now he had talked with Balinor and was assured that Balinor only wanted the best for Merlin and Hunith, he had told his sister that he would go back to the States again for a little while.

He wanted Balinor and Hunith to have time for themselves after all these years and to have some sort of privacy when they would be finally telling Merlin about his heritage. He'd be coming back just a few weeks after, for his nephew's birthday and what he hopes to be the moment that he will be crowned Prince, but he has to wait for what will happen during the Winter break.

Merlin tilted his head to the side. "But you'll be back for my birthday aren't you?"

"Of course! Probably with the Missus and our baby girl."

"I can't wait!" He said with excitement in his voice. "…I will finally have a cousin." He added in a lower voice.

"That's not true." Hunith commented. "You have lots of cousins."

"Yeah, but they're like first or second cousins. This one will be my, whatever it's called, full cousin. Or my dad has to have some sibling who has offspring flying around… I know, I know, we don't talk about him, whoever my father might be. Just calm down mum and don't let that vein in your head pop. I don't even want to know who he is." Merlin said with his voice carrying sign of slightly annoyance, his mother always tensed up whenever he would mention something about his father, even how rarely that happened. He turned his head and pretended to be watching TV.

Hunith had tensed up when Merlin brought up his father out of the blue and snuck a glance to JJ, both looking slightly worried, but neither could comment on it so they just stayed silent and let the moment pass. Hunith breathed deeply in and coughed awkwardly before standing up from the couch.

"If we don't go to the airport now, you'll be probably miss your flight."

"Oh… right." JJ nodded, getting to what his sister wanted. He stood up from the couch and turned off the TV. "Well, let's go then."

~oOoOo~

Merlin and his mum had dropped off JJ at the airport and waved him off when the point came they couldn't get any further. They decided to stay for a coffee before driving back home. Merlin was now looking out of the car window, watching how the city passed by.

"Hm!" Merlin turned his head to his mother. "It seems that it's finally snowing."

"Well hopefully the road stays clear of it until we're home. I don't like driving with snow."

Merlin perked up in his seat. "Well, then could I drive?" He asked hopeful but his mother shook her head.

"Na-ah, not after that stunt you pulled."

Merlin sighed and dramatically dropped his shoulders. "But mu-um, that was like seven months ago. I said I was sorry!"

"Well sorry didn't pay off the damage on the bumper, did it?"

"I said I'd pay you back." Merlin muttered and moved his head back to watch out of the window again. Soon the familiar part of the city came into sight and he looked at the clock. 7:15 it read, so they were right on time before the car Arthur would send would pick him up. He grabbed his mobile out of his pocket to his best abilities because the seatbelt managed to make it harder for him, and he texted Arthur.

To: Arthur
7:16 pm
so what does the great prat have in mind for this evening?

From: Arthur
7:18 pm
you're hurting my feelings Merls. But first an AHS marathon of course, and then well pizza and then whatever.
Maybe take a dive in the pool after?

To: Arthur
7:18 pm
exhilarating

From: Arthur
7:20 pm
using big words now?

To: Arthur
7:21 pm
Perhaps

From: Arthur
7:22 pm
well can you at least use 2 big words, this becomes a bit monotonous

To: Arthur
7:23 pm
now who's using big words, but good of you to mention, will pack my trunks
you should text Will and Percy about it too

From: Arthur
7:25 pm
fine, will do. Car should be there in about 30 mins.
Home yet?

To: Arthur
7:26 pm
About to pull up at the driveway.
See you soon
x

And indeed at 7:54 pm a black SUV pulled up at the kerb and Hunith yelled from down the stairs, "Car's here!"

Merlin's footfalls thudded on the stairs as he came down with his overnight bag in his hand. He stopped in front of his mother and kissed her on the cheek. "Will you be alright on your own?" He asked, concerned.

Hunith laughed and slapped him playfully on his arm. "What do you think, I'll finally have the house for myself for once. Now go, don't let the poor driver wait." She embraced her son one last time. She might have told Merlin a small lie and that's about not being on her own tonight. Balinor would come, he was 'officially' going back to Mercia last Thursday, but he secretly came back this morning again. So far the press or paparazzi haven't caught up with it and Hunith hoped that would be the case too when he would come at her place.

"Alright then." Merlin said as he let go of his mother and opened the front door. "Have a fun evening mum."

It would be a fun evening for her indeed.

~oOoOo~

"Mister Browne?" A voice spoke when Merlin walked towards the black car.

Merlin not yet jumped by the sudden voice, but did snap his head to the left to see who had said it. A man in black walked from around the car and towards the car door. He opened it and Merlin could see Will and Percy already sitting in the back. Merlin nodded to the man.

"Yeah, but please call me Merlin."

"As you want." The man said with a nod of his head. "I'm agent Leon Cavalier, Head Security of the Prince's protection, and I'll be escorting you to the palace."

Formal much? Merlin thought, but instead of saying it out loud he just nodded once more and got into the car at which Leon closed the door and soon enough drove off.

The trio looked in awe as they neared the palace, of course they've seen it before, multiple times in fact, but never up this close. Leon didn't drove through the main gates, but instead steered the vehicle towards an entrance further down the road and somewhere at the side of the massive building. There was a short security check before the boom barriers opened and Leon drove further down the premises until they neared a covered passage that reminded the trio a lot of a parking garage. But a way nicer and fancier parking garage that is. They stopped closely to a door.

"We're here." Leon said from the front seat and slipped out to open the backdoors.

"Thanks." Merlin mumbled, not knowing what else there is to say. When he turned to get out of the car he saw a glimpse of the man's gun and it made him gulp slightly. Of course he knew that security guards were carrying those, but seeing one for real and up close made him a bit more sweaty. But when he looked up to the guard his worries were soon out of the window as he saw the man's friendly face and knew that that man wasn't going to hurt him.

"If you just want to follow me." Leon instructed.

They walked with their bags in hand through some impressive hallways, decorated with marble and art hanging on the wall. Not that Merlin was an expert in art, but he recognized some names of world famous painters.

They stopped when they reached elevators and Will bounced on his feet. "Elevators!" He said excitingly and Merlin and Percy had to clamp their mouths shut to not laugh out loud right that moment. Merlin glanced up to the security guard and saw that even he had to recompose himself after letting a smile appear.

Soon the doors pinged open and Will went in first. "Oh my god there's even a little sofa thingy in here!" He draped himself on the sofa, feet up and eyes closed. Until Percy prodded at his legs with his fingers.

"Right Will, acting normal is a bit hard for you isn't it. Get your feet off it, you Neanderthal."

Will flapped his hands up and down and stood up. "Alright, alright. No need to be so violent." Merlin just rolled his eyes and waited for the lift to reach its destination. When the doors pinged open a second time they stepped out in a room that somewhat resembled a movie theatre.

The trio's eyes feasted on the big space that seemed to include a popcorn machine, a soft drink station, an open cabinet that probably held every kind of candy known to mankind and of course the large screen with a few rows of comfy looking chairs placed in front of it. The room was illuminated in a soft light that made the atmosphere look like a real movie experience.

Will just went to test one of the seats, ignoring Arthur all together at first who appeared moments after, and it looked like Percy and Merlin hadn't noticed him being there either. Leon did however and stepped to the side and gave a short jerk with his head to acknowledge Arthur.

"So." Arthur said, making the two persons standing in front of him jump slightly and who directly turned to him. "You like it?"

"Like it?!" Will yelled from his place. "I freaking love it!"

Arthur just shook his head in amusement.

"It's amazing Arthur." Percy said, a little more reserved than the way Will acted.

"Yes it is." Merlin added. "Never seen something like this in my life. Must be nice to have it."

Arthur ducked his head slightly. He never really liked to brag about the riches and comforts he had at his disposal. But he was glad to have it, because he loved to entertain people, and certainly people who liked him for being him instead of His Royal Highness. As he looked down he noticed Merlin's jeans, they were tight but not yet skinny. It did however extenuate some parts that Arthur shouldn't be thinking about and he quickly shook his head and looked away, thanking his luck for the slight darkness of the room that would hopefully hide his small blush that he felt spreading across his face.

He cleared his throat. "You can just dump your bags in here and then we can start watching." He turned to Leon. "Thank you Leon." Leon nodded and sent a small wink to Arthur when he knew that no one was looking, he knew how important this evening, and certainly being with Merlin, was for Arthur. He had to listen Arthur talking about it for the entire week. He closed the doors and now Arthur was alone with the people he considered his best friends.

"So, which series of AHS shall we watch?" Arthur asked already having a tablet in hand that Merlin found out was the remote for the screen. He received a chorus of 'I don't mind' back and then flicked through the programs on the screen until he found what he was looking for.

"We'll just start at one then, and see how far we will go." He placed the tablet down on one of the chairs. "Just pick a chair and then I'll get something to drink."

"I'll help." Merlin offered, but Arthur shook his head.

"Naah, just sit down, you're my guests after all."

"Don't be a prat, I offered, just let me."

Arthur chuckled and rolled his eyes. "Fine."

They returned to the seating section with a tray with drinks and popcorn and saw Percy and Will had taken a seat on the row of chair in front of the very last row of chairs. Will turned and waggled his eyebrows as he extended his hand to grab two glasses of drinks. "We thought to give you two lovebirds some privacy." He turned to give Percy the glasses before turning back and grabbing a bowl of popcorn.

"Will." Merlin hissed, then he turned to Arthur and laughing nervously. But Arthur just stepped closer and balanced the tray on his hand and drew Merlin closer to him by sneaking his other arm around Merlin's waist.

"Ugh, can't you two wait doing that until the show starts?" Will teased.

"Fine, fine." Arthur set down the tray and picked up the tablet once more. He pressed the first episode and the episode started to play. Arthur dragged Merlin down onto a chair and were just in time to see the creepy 'Murder House' with Abby standing in front of it, appear on the screen.

~oOoOo~

After having watched six episodes and having ate a bucket of popcorn plus almost a whole pizza per person which came later, the four friends were having enough of just sitting around and watching the screen. Arthur and Merlin didn't do much during the episodes except holding hands, they were still experimenting to see what they liked and also didn't want to do too much while there were other people around.

Percy stretched his arms above his head and cracked his back while Will moved his head from side to side.

"So I guess we're done watching." Arthur chuckled. "You guys up for a swim?"

"This late?" Will said.

"Why not?" Arthur answered. "It's really relaxing. Come on, don't be spoil."

"Yeah Will." Merlin said and Percy nodding, already standing up from the chair.

They picked up their bags from the door only needed to walk through two doors before coming into what seemed like a changing room with a few stalls. Arthur pointed to a pile of towels and everyone took one and didn't take long to change. Arthur was already leaning against the wall, wearing a red knee length trunks and a towel thrown lazily around his neck and was now waiting for his friends to be ready.

Merlin was first to get out of the stall with a black swimming trunks that was just above the knee and a white vertical stripes on the sides, Arthur swallowed when he saw Merlin. He knew Merlin wasn't the biggest guy, but he didn't expect him to have so many defined muscles. Merlin smirked and walked up to him, his fingers softly caressing Arthur's skin. He whispered, "Didn't your mother told you that staring is impolite?" He stepped back when he heard the two other stall doors opened.

Will as well as Percy knew what was going on and just rolled their eyes. Their trunks were similar to the one Merlin was wearing. Arthur jerked his head to the side. "This way guys." He opened a glass door that lead to the indoor pool. It was a regular pool, the same like you would find in a public swimming pool, plus having a bonus which was a whirlpool at the far end of the pool.

"Nice." Will said and dumped his towel on one of the lounge chairs at the side before sprinting to the pool and cannon ball his way into it. When he came up again he sighed and let himself float. "I could get used to this." He closed his eyes and let himself float some more. Percy looked up to Arthur and smirked, Arthur gave an encouraging nod as he knew what Percy was about to do. Percy ran towards the pool and jumped in, closely landing to Will who started to splutter.

"You twat! I could've drowned." They started to have a water fight.

"Sigh, sometimes they're just kids." Merlin said dramatically, but took Arthur's hand and soon enough all four of them were in the pool and were doing races or just some swimming.

Percy and Will had climbed out to sit in the whirlpool, leaving Merlin and Arthur alone in the big pool. Arthur was leaning his back against the side, his elbows resting on edge of the pool and his legs softly moving back and forth to keep himself afloat. Merlin was facing him, their foreheads touching and his body pushed up against Arthur's, his hands placed on the edge of the pool at either side of Arthur's head and his legs wrapped around Arthur's waist.

"Well I can certainly get used to this." Arthur whispered he brought one hand from the border to leave light touches at Merlin's side. Merlin hummed contently. "But not when we have onlookers." Arthur nodded to the two grinning fools in the whirlpool. Merlin turned his head and shook it.

Merlin noticed the time by the led clock on the wall. "It's almost 1:30 am, maybe we should go to bed… Not like that." Merlin added at Arthur's raised eyebrows and hopeful look. He pushed himself off Arthur and instead of using the small stairs, he pushed himself up with his arms that he placed on the edge of the pool.

They took a quick shower that were placed next to the pool area to wash away some of the chlorine before drying off and dressing. Arthur walked out and pushed the button of another elevator which seemed to be spread out through the entire building.

As the lift rode up the four of them noticed how tired they really were and Will started to yawn and not yet falling asleep.

Percy poked him. "Don't fall asleep. If you do, I will just leave you in here!"

Will yawned again. "Well, what a good friend you are."

Arthur took Merlin's hand when the door opened. "Just through this corridor guys." He leaded them through a corridor and rounded a corner and were now standing in a hallways with several doors. Arthur opened the first one. "This one's yours for the night Percy. Breakfast will be around 8:30 but just come to my room when you are ready. Mine's the one at the back.

Percy said his good night and closed the door. Arthur walked to the next door and told Will that this was his and lastly he opened the door directly next to his bedroom. "This one's yours Merlin. And if you change your mind about what we talked about earlier or you can't sleep… there's a secret door behind that tapestry that leads to my room." He pointed to said object before turning his head back to Merlin with a smug smile.

Merlin narrowed his brows and snorted. "Really, a secret door. What is this, the Middle Ages?"

"Just saying." Arthur said with a shrug and leaned in closer, waiting for some kind of permission from Merlin who leaned forwards as well and crushed their lips together.

"Night Arthur." Merlin said and closed the door.

Arthur breathed out a sigh and leaned on the wall next to the door. A smile gracing his lips and he kept standing there for a few moments before going to his own room. He would sleep fine this night, he knew it.

~oOoOo~

"Rise and shine!" Someone yelled with another one pulling open the curtains of the room Merlin stayed in. Merlin groaned, burying his head deeper into the pillow and pulling the blankets over his head. Another person yanked them down and Merlin whined, looking through the slits of his lids to see who were in the room.

Will, Percy and Arthur stood around the bed, smirking. Merlin patted around to find the blanket.

"Told you our Merlin here isn't a morning person." Will said with a nod of his head to Merlin.

"Come on lazy daisy." Arthur said with his hand grabbing Merlin's shoulder and shaking it. Merlin just groaned some more in response.

Will stepped forward, pushing Arthur out of the way. "Here let me, this always works." Will bent down close to Merlin's ear and yelled, "BREAKFAST!"

And indeed, like Will said and what was expected from any other person that would be yelled at close to the ear, Merlin's eyes flew open and he gave Will a hard shove. "Asshole! Stop doing that!" Merlin pushed his finger against his ear and wiggled it up and down in the hope it would stop the ringing.

Will ignored him. "Get up Merlin, breakfast is ready and it has snowed last night so we're going to our playground and have a snowball fight or whatever."

Merlin yawned and stretched. His muscles taut under his skin as he never slept with a shirt on, just pants. "Snowball fight…" He rubbed the heel of his hands into his eyes. "Are we nine?"

"Yes." Will and Arthur said at the same time. "So get up and move your butt." Will added.

"Alright. Ten minutes." Merlin said with a yawn.

"Five." Will said determined over his shoulder when he, Percy and Arthur walked out of the room to wait in the hallway.

To Will's amazement, Merlin indeed managed to be ready in five minutes. Or well, ready was a big word. Merlin's hair stuck out in all directions and he still had a sleepy expression on his face. His clothes looked somewhat decent so that was a plus.

"This way." Arthur said with a gesture of his hand towards the direction of one of the many breakfast rooms.

~oOoOo~

Merlin had somewhat sobered up during breakfast, all he needed to achieve that was some tea, an espresso and some toast. He had sorted out his hair and a splash of water in his face was all it took for him to look a bit more lively again.

When the four of them finished breakfast, Arthur stood up. He nervously rubbed his neck. "Now, don't laugh, but I need to tell my parents I'll go out."

Percy furrowed his brows. "Why?"

Arthur shoved his hands into his jeans pockets. "Well, long story short, they kinda decide whether or not I need to take bodyguards. I mean there are guards always close-by, but sometimes they want to have some directly following me." Arthur shook his head. "Just protocol basically. And you can come too if you want, so you can meet them."

Will's mouth dropped almost to the floor, his head tilted forward and his eyes budged out of their sockets in an almost comical manner. "Meet the King and Queen you mean?"

"Yeah Arthur, I'm not sure-" Merlin added, but Arthur cut him off.

"They won't bite!" He said with a chuckle. "They're just normal people."

Will had recomposed himself and quickly fell into his old teasing manners. He sighed dramatically. "Well, as long as we're here. They might as well meet me."

Merlin quirked an eyebrow at him. And even though he felt a bit reluctant he stood up from his seat.

The three followed Arthur and came to a stop at two big wooden doors, Merlin started to fidget with his hands. Arthur leaned in closer.

"What's the matter?" He whispered, only for Merlin to hear.

"Well, I will meet my sort-of boyfriend his parents. I'm freaking out a bit!" Merlin whispered harshly back. He felt a hand slip into his own.

"I survived meeting yours right? I'm sure it'll be the same for you." He gave an extra squeeze in merlin's hand for some reassurance as he raised his other hand to knock at the door. It didn't take long before the four of them heard footsteps and not long after the door opened and the Queen of England stood in the door opening.

"Arthur!" The queen said with a solemn smile. "Come in, come in. You've brought your friends too I see." She stepped back and opened the door more. "Uther." She said and her husband looked up from the newspaper he was pretending to be reading. He stopped reading the moment he heard the knock on the door.

He saw his wife stand behind the four young men and was pointing to the one with black hair with her eyebrows wiggling and a teasing smile on her face. Uther stood up with a playful shake of his head and soon his wife was at his side again. He would finally meet the infamous Merlin their son hadn't stopped talking about, and as he looked down he noticed that his son's hand and Merlin's hand were linked. From that moment he knew that it had indeed turned out into something more serious as his wife had predicted.

Arthur smiled and still held hands with Merlin, although he could feel the slight tug from Merlin's part to let it go. Reluctant he let go of Merlin's hand, but saw that his parents had already noticed that they were holding hands. He didn't mind, his parents would've found out sooner or later anyways. "Mum, dad, these are Will O'Leary, Percy Michaels," He paused a moment to look at Merlin. "And this is Merlin Browne."

Merlin felt himself turning red at the way Arthur looked at him and he didn't dare to look back at the King and Queen. He swallowed heavily when he felt the two coming toward him.

Uther shook hands with the three, while Ygraine hugged everyone. Will, Percy and Merlin all stood motionless when that happened, neither of them knowing what to do and whether they should hug back as well. They were sort of relieved when the King and Queen took a step back.

"Mu-um." Arthur complained.

"Oh hush, Arthur. I wanted to meet them ever since you brought them up. Let me."

Arthur started to turn a bit red as well when he felt three pair of eyes on him. "Yes, I might mentioned you lot, here and there." Arthur muttered towards them.

"Here and there he says." Uther sighed and turned to the three friends. "Our son hasn't stopped talking about you!"

"Oh god." Arthur murmured, bringing his hands up to cover his face.

Ygraine gave her husband a soft shake of her head. "We should stop." She turned to her son and friends. "Did you all have breakfast already?"

"Yes Miss." Will said timidly, his big mouth kept in line for once.

Ygraine waved a hand. "Oh don't be so formal, call me Ygraine." Ygraine sat down on the sofa closest to the door and gestured her son and his friends to sit too, but Arthur shook his head.

"No I was just going to tell you that we will going out and you know, wanting to know whether or not having to take BG's with me. We're going to that playground next to the park."

BG's was his code word for bodyguards and something he was just used to use whenever talking about them to his parents. Even though he knew that he was never really alone and always being followed by a group of guards from a distance, he hated it when he was being directly followed by guards who didn't stray more than eight feet from him. He hoped he wouldn't need them today, but when he saw his mother bit her lip and looking up to his father he already saw it coming.

His father shook his head. "I know you hate it Arthur, but seeing the last few weeks with the threats coming from all directions we can't let you leave without them."

Arthur's shoulders dropped and he stepped closer to his father. He hoped he would have some success with his negotiation. "Just one then?" He asked hopeful.

"Four." His father replied.

Four!" Arthur repeated with a high voice. "No, two."

"Three." His father said determined.

"No, two. Please dad."

Uther looked up to his wife and she nodded her head. Uther sighed. "Fine , two. Leon and Elyan."

"Thank you." He turned around and waved his goodbye. "I'll be back for dinner, okay?"

"Sure hun. Have fun." His mother said and he closed the door.

~oOoOo~

"Well that was… different." Will said as they walked through the hallway and scratching his head. "I thought they would be. Well to be honest I don't know what I though what would happen … just not that."

"I told you they weren't that bad." Arthur said with a smirk. He breathed in deeply. "Well apart from the security, it should be a nice day."

"Are there really that many threats?" Percy asked with interest.

Arthur shrugged and Merlin subconsciously gripped Arthur's hand in a tight grip. "Well there are, but most of them are just empty threats. However, there are a few who actually do something. But having security around is usually enough to scare them off at the last minute. Besides, there are always about three cars on standby who follow me around, so even if something happens they're there within the minute."

Percy breathed loudly out. "Wow. I'm not sure if I'd ever go out again."

"Well I can't let them stop living my life now can't I?" Arthur opened the same door the trio came in last night and saw a same black car as the one they drove in yesterday. Leon opened the door and when Merlin got in he saw the other bodyguard sitting in the front seat. He recognized him from last week when Arthur was in the library and Arthur said Elyan would take him anywhere he wanted.

When Merlin sat down and buckled his seatbelt he asked, "You're Elyan right?"

"That is correct sir." Elyan replied in a flat voice. Merlin scowled, he had specifically told the man to not call him sir, but he would leave it for now.

The car was big enough to have three rows of seats, including the front seat, so Will and Percy moved to sit in the row of seats behind the one Merlin sat on and Arthur went to sit next to Merlin.

When the car started to drive, Arthur automatically grabbed Merlin's hand in his own as it was starting to become common with them and looked Merlin in the eye. "Now that wasn't too bad was it?"

The smile he had on his lips was enough for Merlin to release the tension from his body and he relaxed more. "No. No it wasn't. You know, you really do look like your mum."

Arthur heaved one of his shoulder up. "Ah, hear that a lot. But hey, I take that as a compliment."

"It was meant to." Merlin said with a nod of his head, but then his eyes widened. "… not that your dad is ugly. No wait, I mean-"

Arthur chuckled. "You're cute when you stammer."

~oOoOo~

They arrived rather soon at the playground Will and Merlin spent most of their teenage years at. The roads were pretty clean thanks to the snow pushers that spent the entire morning making the roads clear and safe to drive on. Leon parked the car and he and Elyan got out and opened the back doors. Again, Merlin just said thanks to make it a little less awkward.

The playground was almost directly next to the park which was built years later to give children more space to play, but still the little playground was often visited by parents and their children because it was mostly overgrown by trees that gave a nice shade during the summer. Even today there were some parents with their children, but not that many. They did look a bit baffled at suddenly seeing their Crown Prince entering the playground and some took a picture with their phones, but most of them had a sensible mind and knew that the Prince wasn't waiting to be ambushed by them.

However, a few smaller children, mostly girls, recognized the Prince and ran up to him. His bodyguards moved forward, but Arthur waved them off and crouched down instead to be on eyelevel with the kids and answered the many questions they asked. Some girls asked if they could be a Princess, at which Arthur answered that they already were. This made the girls blush and shyly pecking a kiss on his cheek before running back to their parents or going back to their friends to continue playing in the freshly fallen snow.

Arthur himself stood up and turned to his friends. All three of them smirked at him.

"N'aww. Arthur." Will began, placing his hands deliberately on his heart. "You got kissed… by girls!"

"I'm sure Merlin won't mind these girls." Arthur sent a wink to Merlin. Merlin shook his head and a smile appeared on his lips.

"Not at all." Merlin mentioned.

The four of them walked further into the area and some parents decided to pack up their stuff and give the Prince and his friends some space. Arthur wanted to tell them that they really didn't had to do that, but it was already too late because they were gone before he knew it. He didn't had time to think long about it, because he got a snowball smashed against his head.

Turning his head around he saw Merlin laughing and already making a new one. "Oh you're going to be sorry." Arthur yelled back and scooped up some snow. He forgot his gloves and the snow was freezing his hands, but he didn't care about that right now.

They soon ended up having a snowball fight before falling down into the snow after almost half an hour, laughing and catching their breath.

Leon and Elyan kept looking around for any danger.

"I'm free-zing." Merlin said rubbing his hands together and blowing some hot breath in them. "Can't we go for a coffee or tea somewhere? We can always come back later."

"I think that's a great idea." Will said, shivering from the cold himself. "What about you Percy?"

"Definitely." The larger man said.

Arthur turned to his guards. "We're going to get somewhere warmer, what do you suggest?"

Leon looked at Elyan and then back up at Arthur. "There's a restaurant not far from here, we can drive to it and check if it's not too busy."

"Excellent. Let's go." Arthur said, his feet already moving towards the exit of the playground. He turned around to the trio walking behind him. His arms opened wide and as he started to walk backwards, he said, "I so won by the way."

Merlin scoffed. "You wish. Percy won."

The two bodyguards were moving forward to catch up, but stopped when they heard some twigs snap from within the overgrown bushes. In a split second everything changed. The peacefulness was gone and panic came into its place. The two men placed their hands on their gun and Leon spoke softly about a potential threat in the mic hidden in his collar, and asked for back up. They were full of concentration as they walked slowly to the bushes.

"Show yourself." Leon said stern when they were a few feet away from the bush. Leon nodded at Elyan and turned for a short moment to shout at the Prince but before Leon could say something there was some more rustling and then a shot being fired, the bullet went right through Elyan's upper arm and Elyan dropped his gun as it was the arm he held the gun in.

In a fraction of a second, a man charged out of the shrubs and brought his gun down on Leon's head. Knocking him out before Leon had even time to react. It happened too fast and no matter how much training Leon had, he wouldn't be able to move that fast to prevent it.

There were some gunshots coming from the other side of the park, but the man dodged the bullets almost expertly and raised his gun once more to shoot at his actual target.

Arthur, Merlin, Will and Percy stood dead in their tracks, not quite believing what went on in front of them. They had turned when they heard the first shot.

When they saw the man turning and pointing the gun up to them, Arthur came in action. He shouted "Go!" at the three persons standing in front of him. Percy and Will had quickly caught up with Arthur and he told them to go to the exit. Arthur had seen that black cars with bodyguards were already screeching to a halt at the parking lot next to the playground, he knew his friends would be safe with them. He turned his head, thinking that Merlin stood beside him, but Merlin was standing a few steps away from him. Arthur ran up to Merlin and curled his hand around Merlin's wrist and dragged him back with him. That was when he heard the gun go off again.

He felt something that was like a pinch, but far more painful, in his arm which then felt like it was being burnt. The next thing Merlin was leaning heavily on him and Arthur's hand tightened even more around Merlin's wrist.

He blinked heavily, almost not understanding what was happening. His vision started to be fill with men and women in black suits, some he recognized, others not. He heard one more gun being fired somewhere from behind him and then people started to shout. Merlin was pulled away from him by some of the unrecognizeable people, while people he did recognized tugged on his arm to get him away.

But Arthur was slowly starting to register of what had happened and his feet just didn't work anymore and he fell down on his knees. He blanked out, but heard people all around him shouting, "His Highness has been shot!"