Hey Guys! So more jealous Merlin in this chapter! I hope you enjoy it! Please leave reviews because I love reading them! Enjoy Merlinians!

Chapter 2

"Merlin? Is something upsetting you?" Gaius asked from where he sat, working on some remedies.

Merlin had been sitting on the steps for the past few minutes lost in thought.

"I just..." Merlin looked up at him and then back down again. "I just don't think it's fair for him to have to do this."

"Merlin, it is his duty as King to form alliances in order to strengthen the kingdom."

"But, doesn't he have a duty to himself too? And will this really make Camelot stronger? I just don't-"

The door swung open "Gaius!" Arthur walked in before Merlin could hide.

"What is it sire?" Gaius bowed his head to Arthur.

"Where's- oh there you are," Arthur approached where Merlin sat on the steps, "Merlin I-"

"Sorry Arthur can't talk now, I have lots of herbs to collect isn't that right Gaius?" Merlin tried not to look at the kind and he grabbed his bag of of the post and moved to stand in front of the door. Gaius looked at both of them, eyebrows raised before responding.

"Well, um yes! Now that I think about it I am running low on a few important ingredients."

"See, sorry Arthur. Gotta go, the herbs are waiting!" Merlin left the room, sighing of relief before running down the hallway.

When he turned the corner he slid to a halt before nearly crashing into someone. "Sorry I-"

"Where're you off to?" Princess Mithian stood before him hands clasped in front of her.

"I was on my way to collect herbs." Merlin answered.

"Oh, well they must be quite important for you to go that fast, I don't want to hold you up." He bowed quickly and took a step forward. "Aren't you Arthur's servant?" She turned and Merlin paused.

"Yes." He said simply.

"You must feel very lucky to serve such a fine King." Merlin forced a smile at that.

"Yes, very. I must get going. The herbs won't pick themselves!" He bowed once more and started walking again. He stopped to take a breath after turning a corner and he hadn't even noticed that his hands had been in fists that whole time.

"Merlin!" He heard from down the hallway. He was just about to start running when he heard the princess speak.

"Arthur?" She spoke calmly.

"Oh, Mithian! Uh, sorry to disturb you I'm just uh...trying to find my...servant."

"Merlin? He went that way." Merlin assumed she pointed to the corner he was resting against and he began running again and didn't stop again until he was outside.

Arthur sat by the window in his chambers after Merlin left.

Why was he avoiding him? Maybe he wasn't avoiding him and he really was being truthful. He highly doubted that, Merlin was a dreadful liar.

Someone knocked at the door, "Come in," Arthur stood up, hoping to see someone standing there.

"Arthur?" His shoulders dropped.

"Mithian, is there something wrong?" He tried to force himself to sound more lively than he felt.

"No, not at all," she smiled and stepped further into his chambers, closing the door behind her.

"What is it then?" Arthur tried to catch another glance at the window as he spoke and Mithian seemed to notice when he did.

"Nothing, I just wanted to wish you a good night."

"Goodnight," Arthur attempted a small grin but with Merlin gone for so long it was proving difficult. He was beginning to get worried.

"I'll see you in the morning then." She curtsied.

"Indeed." Arthur held his smile until she made her way out of his room and then, he grabbed his sword and headed out.

Clunk

Merlin watched as the water rippled around the fallen rock. He smiled, skipping rocks was one of his favorite pastimes back in Ealdor. Sometimes the children would have contests which Merlin would often win with the help of his magic.

They had crowned him King of the lake and they lifted his six year old self onto a rock where he stood and waved at his subjects as they cheered. That had been one of his proudest moments as a child.

Sometimes he thought about how much simpler life was in Ealdor. Other times he wondered what possessed him to leave. But in his heart he knew. Destiny.

Just as Kilgharrah told him many times, it was always destiny. Merlin didn't fit in in Ealdor, he didn't have anyone to teach him the ways of magic and the importance of controlling his power. Without Gaius and the great dragon he would most likely still be shattering pots by mistake.

He was thankful his mother helped him make the decision to venture to Camelot but he still missed home. He missed the times where his only responsibilities were helping with the washing and occasionally aiding his mother in the kitchen.

Here, it felt as if he always had the the weight of the world on his shoulders and no one to share to with. He needed to protect Arthur at all costs, it was his destiny. And, he cared about the king too much to do anything besides that. He would serve Arthur until the end of time and he was proud of that.

"Merlin?" He turned around as another rock plopping into the lake. "Sorry, did I scare you?" Arthur stepped out from behind the brush.

"No, not anymore than usual." A corner of Arthur's mouth turned up.

He came over to stand beside Merlin and they stood in silence for a long moment.

"Merlin," Arthur turned to face him, "What're you doing out here? It's nearly sundown," Arthur paused, "and don't tell me you're collecting herbs."

"But what if that's what I'm-"

"It's not." Merlin looked back at the water. Watching how still it was and how it perfectly reflected the sky. The water looked as if it was stained a variety of blues, pinks and lilacs. Whenever there was even a small break in the surface the colors would sway like the trees. "What's on your mind, Merlin."

"I was just...thinking about herbs."

"Really..." Arthur rolled his eyes.

"What?!" Merlin looked at him.

"I think that's the worst lie you've ever told!"

"When do I ever lie to you?" Merlin crossed his arms.

Arthur paused, letting out a sarcastic laugh before he spoke, "Are you serious?!" Merlin said nothing, "You lie all the time! And I can tell."

"Wow there's no getting past you is there!" Merlin was shaking his head and laughing now.

"I'm afraid not," he grinned, "Now tell me, what's troubling you."

Merlin kicked at the dirt near his feet, "I was just, thinking about home. I miss it sometimes." He threw another rock into the lake waiting for the splash before continuing. "Things were much simpler there."

A moment passed before Arthur spoke again, "I can never fully understand how you feel about leaving your home but, I do understand...about Camelot," he took a breath, "Sometimes I feel as if I have a huge burden on my shoulders and it can get lonely." Arthur sat on the grass where he stood in front of the lake, "I have a whole kingdom depending on me and I just feel like sometimes..."

"You're alone?" Merlin finished, sitting next to him. Arthur turned to Merlin and nodded his head slowly.

"Yes. Actually that's exactly it." They sat there for a moment in silence, "You do puzzle me, Merlin. The things that you understand. It's almost like you feel them too. Who knows, maybe you're not actually a complete clotpole." Arthur nudged him in the shoulder and Merlin laughed.

"That's my word dollophead!" Merlin nudged him back and he let out a laugh.

As they laid together, neither one thought of the weight they carried. Their minds, for once were blank and free of burden. In that moment, they felt free.

Hi! I hope you guys enjoyed that chapter! I really enjoyed writing it! Chapter 3 will be up soon I've already started it!