Merlin jabbed, purposefully, twisting Arthur's own words, from long ago, against him. They were young, hardly thirteen summers, when they witnessed some children of a visiting Lord tormenting a servant at the castle, they kept ordering her to do the filthiest things, all in the name of duty and service. Arthur had had enough when one of them decided to order her to get down on her knees and lick his boots. His brother had been furious and lashed out, stating that she was not a toy doll for them to play with, she was a person and did not need to compromise her dignity in the line of duty. He had even managed to get the girl another position. What happened to you, Arthur?
Merlin could see the anger rise in his brother's eyes, good. He remembers. Just another push. "You can't speak to me like that," his brother said, his voice hardened.
"Really"? Merlin made sure to use his best mocking tone. "Don't like to hear the truth"? Merlin knew what he would say next would hit his brother hard but he had to be cruel to make Arthur understand. "What are you going to do to shut me up? Have me flogged? Well on our way to becoming the next tyrant king, are we? Merlin let his anger towards their father fuel his words.
Arthur was their only hope, he was destined to be the one who would stop the bloodshed and bring peace to Albion once more. To watch their savior, behave like this affected Merlin badly. He had to make sure Arthur understood the consequences of what he was doing. His words had the desired effect. Arthur snapped and took a swing at Merlin's jaw. However, Merlin was faster he grabbed his brother's attacking hand and spun the other prince round restraining his arm painfully behind his back while bringing his own to Arthur's neck, in a firm yet light chokehold. Gwen gasped, witnessing the incident and immediately ran to find her mistress and relay what was taking place.
"How dare you! I am a Prince of Camelot"! Arthur yelled as he struggled against Merlin's firm hold. Luckily the training field was mostly deserted except for Arthur's cronies, who for some reason didn't feel the need to want to rescue their prince and instead of fled like cowards. On another day Merlin would have had to face the full force of the knights of Camelot and there was quite a bit of doubt as to whether they would wait for him to explain before avenging the insult to their prince.
"And yet you behave like a common thug. It is the sworn duty of a ruler to protect their subjects and ensure they live healthy, dignified lives not be the cause of their harm and humiliation or have you forgotten all the lessons we learned as children, brother"? As Merlin's words sunk in Arthur abruptly stopped struggling and wiped his head to the side, trying and get a better view of his captor's face.
"Merlin"! he exclaimed in shock. To which his brother's only reply was a look of sadness "You disappoint me Arthur" Merlin released him immediately after and Arthur stumbled a bit before righting himself enough to turn and get a good view of his twin brother, who he hadn't seen in more than five years.
Merlin looked nothing like he had when he left the gates of Camelot that winter long ago. They had discussed it with their father. His brother was not a fighter, everyone knew that. His thin frame and lack of balance always caused him to make a fool of himself on the training field but what Merlin lacked in physical prowess he made up for in mental ability. He was a shrewd and deadly negotiator who could use his words to bend anyone to his will, he also had a keen interest in learning and a scientific mind which led him to apprentice under Gaius at the tender age of 10. It was Gaius who had suggested that Merlin hone his natural abilities rather than waste his energy on picking up skills he had no interest in learning. This led to Merlin leaving to further his education at the Monastery of Dokken, the greatest repository of all knowledge in the five kingdoms.
The Merlin that stood before Arthur now did not look like the scholar he has set out to be, he looked more like a knight, a true prince. When he looked into his brother's eyes he saw the familiarity there. Though twins, the Pendragon siblings looked nothing alike, while Arthur inherited their mother's light hair and soft looks, Merlin reflected their father in physical appearance, except his eyes, they were their mothers' eyes. Always so expressive, currently they bore painful disappointment in him, a look that left no doubt that the man standing in front of him was Uther Pendragon's son. His brother held his gaze for a moment longer before shaking his head and turning to walk away. "Merlin"? Arthur called after him...
"I will see you tonight at the feast, so much to celebrate..." his voice cynical and mocking as he walked back to the castle.
Arthur just stood where he was left. He couldn't believe his brother had returned and though excited to have him back, he couldn't help the feeling of humiliation and anger well up within him. He was hurt by Merlin's words and his actions against him, no matter how truthful and justified they might have been.
"Sire"! Arthur turned to find Sir Leon run towards him followed by his own manservant. The man he had been tormenting not long before and who had at some point during the confrontation between brothers, thought it wise to seek help for his liege. "Is all well? Your servant came to get me, he said you were being attacked"? The Knight relayed, assessing his prince from head to toe to ensure he was alright. He then saw Merlin's retreating back, walking away from the field and asked; "Who was that sire"?
"My brother has returned to Camelot" replied Arthur in a neutral tone.
"Prince Merlin"?! Arthur just nodded to his knight's question before moving towards the Castle and his rooms. "Prepare me a bath" he commanded his servant before continuing on in deep thought.
Merlin made his way towards his father's rooms. His disappointment in Arthur's actions spreading to his father's own values, which may have prompted the development of such behavior. No matter he was back, and it was his destiny to make sure that Arthur didn't follow in their father's footsteps, it didn't matter if his brother ended up hating him in the process. As long as Arthur fulfilled his destiny and became the king he was meant to be, Merlin didn't care about the cost to himself.
He reached the doors to his father's chambers and knocked, "Come in" was the response and he entered. Uther's back was turned to him, his father, just as regal and strong as he remembered. He seemed to be reading a report, natural light from the window he faced emboldened his hard features. Merlin was able to view a slight profile as the older man half turned his body away from the window. He should hate this man, for the torture of his magical kin and all the innocent blood spilled, but he didn't. He will never forgive what his father has done and shall continue to do, but he still couldn't hate him because they are kin as well. "Just leave the tray on the table and go, I do not wish to be disturbed".
Merlin smirked, so he thought he was a servant, "Is there a new custom in Camelot, that I'm unaware of, to treat its princes as common servants? Things have changed drastically since I last walked these halls". The king's head snapped up to meet the visitor, whose voice he hadn't heard in half a decade. Yes, it was older and deeper but the teasing tone was unforgettable...