Arthur took heavy and rushed steps down the stairs, to where the front doors were, he was late...no thanks to Merlin, who busily ran behind him, as they tried to reach the doors as quickly as they could. They had yet another visitor to Camelot, this one, Arthur did not know...he had never heard her name before, or if he had, it was just in passing. But even so, his Father seemed to know her, and he was quite pleased she would be joining them in Camelot. Arthur, however, was running late, because the Knight's training had run over, and his bath was late...thanks to Merlin, who nearly killed a fellow servant, by spilling water all over the stairs. They pushed their way outside, to see the Lady's horses already there, in the courtyard, and a woman with long hair was now standing with Uther, they speaking to each other, very close together. The Lady's two servants were busy undoing all of her things from her horses and arguing back and forth about it. Arthur chose to ignore them and headed toward his Father, Morgana was already there, looking very unimpressed. Merlin followed behind Arthur, as the went.

"Ah, Arthur," said Uther, once he got close enough. Uther grinned, much like he would, when he was having one of his drunken heart to hearts with whoever would listen, and he touched Arthur's shoulder, keenly. "Arthur this is Lady Catrina, an old friend...well, of course not old, on your end, I must say, you look wonderful." The woman smiled warmly at him. "Anyway, Catrina...this is my son, Prince Arthur, and his uh..." Uther looked behind Arthur suddenly, clearly to where Merlin was and thought for a moment. "Servant, Merlin."

"My Lady," Arthur bowed his head, and Merlin said nothing at all. Catrina smiled at him, and curtsy.

"It is my great pleasure to meet you, Arthur," she spoke, and her voice surprised him, it was a lot more rough than had thought it would be. Most Lady's spoke as if they had honey lodged in their throats. "As I am one of your Father's oldest friends...no matter how charming he wants to be saying otherwise, I do believe formalities are not in order, don't you say?"

Arthur really couldn't careless. "Of course," he nodded, to continue the show. "Shall I have my Servant help yours to your room?"

"Wonderful," she beamed at him and then turned back to Uther. "You never did tell me how handsome your boy was."

"He gets it from me, of course," retorted Uther, grinning, and Catrina giggled at him. Arthur wanted to see or hear no more of this and he walked off, grabbing Merlin by the arm, without really looking where he was, he had just assumed he was still behind him, and he had been right. He yanked Merlin closer. "Have you ever seen something so disgusting?"

Merlin, who looked rather amused, shrugged. "Maybe she likes him."

"Have you met my Father?" retorted Arthur, and Merlin shrugged again. But they had reached the two servants, who were still arguing very openly, and had been the whole time.

"No...no, you will not touch that, you will go away, you filthy-"

Arthur reached the two before Merlin had, who wouldn't have done anything about them fighting anyway. Arthur crossed his arms over his chest and glare at them. The one, with the strange ears bowed suddenly, so low it looked like his oddly shaped nose might hit the ground. And the other, who looked a bit slimy, with greasy black hair, looked confused for a moment, before also bowing.

"My Lord," said the pointed ears. "Forgive me, for this...Toadstool does not belong to us, he helped us reach Camelot, now asks for payment."

"My Lord," said the other, his voice very slick and he looked like he might smell a bit. "I offered to help them out of the kindness of my heart, the Dear...Dear..." he froze, apparently having forgotten her name for a moment. "Lady was all but frazzled, not knowing which way to go. I offered, and now they refuse to pay me. How is that fair?"

"It's not fair," said Merlin behind Arthur, and Arthur sighed, Merlin was right of course, it was not fair, but Arthur thought that it was not Arthur's problem. Yet, now they were in Camelot and having fights in his courtyard, so he supposed it sort of was, after all.

"He's right, it is not fair," said Arthur. "But I am sure there is work you can do...around Camelot."

The greasy one grinned. "Oh...how very kind, My Lord," he bowed again. He looked up, and Arthur saw a flash of greed cross over his eyes, and Arthur rolled his own eyes. "What work?"

"Cleaning out the stables," retorted Arthur, and then turned and headed for the doors. He could hear hurried footsteps behind him, which obviously belonged to Merlin. They needed to show Lady Catrina's Servant where her chambers were going to be, but Arthur found the two rather gross to be around, so he opted out.

"That wasn't very nice," said Merlin, in Arthur's ear, as they headed back inside.

"I don't care," said Arthur, though he knew he was right. "He was being greedy, and the other one...is just strange."

"They're both strange," agreed Merlin.

Arthur nodded. "Take Catrina's Servant to where her rooms will be, will you? And then bring me lunch, but not too much...I have to dine with my Father and our guest tonight."

"Why do I have to deal with them, if you don't have to?" asked Merlin now, and Arthur looked back, with a smirk.

"Because, if you have forgotten; I get to tell you what to do," said Arthur. "And if I don't want to do something that means...I can make you do it for me."

"I don't think I like this job anymore..."

Arthur laughed. "Have you ever?"

"...sometimes."

Dinning with Catrina had had been much worse than dealing with the Servants however, Arthur had found out, soon before long. All his Father did, the entire dinner was flirt, flirt...and flirt badly. Arthur, himself, who has ever flirted in his life, could probably do a much better job than this. At least Arthur didn't have to endure this torture on his own, Morgana was forced to be there too. She wan't much help though, she just bit her lip the entire time and tried to hide her smirks in her wine glass. Arthur wanted to puke, the sound of Catrina laughing at something his Father had said, which was not funny at all, haunted him, as he walked back toward his chambers. Arthur had to stop himself from thinking about how he wanted to harass his Father, or embarrass him, as he had done to Arthur, over Merlin, several times over. But Arthur was a good son, and he would not. Though, Arthur thinks, hopefully, that Morgana might.

When Arthur entered his chambers Merlin was there, turning down the bed and jumped a little when he saw Arthur, Arthur ignored this and walked over and fell into the bed Merlin had just put together.

"I didn't think you would be back so soon," said Merlin, though with a tone in his voice that said he was not at all pleased with the work Arthur had just ruined. "Was dinner not good...?"

"I think there must be something wrong with my eyes, because I can hardly take them off you," said Arthur, in a mumble, into his mattress.

"What?"

"I am sure you are as beautiful on the inside, as you are the outside..."

"Arthur, what are you..."

"That's what he was saying to her!" said Arthur, picking his head up, off of the bed. "All night long...it was horrible. I think my soul has left me body, I really do."

Merlin grinned now, and tried, Arthur could tell, not to laugh, but he was failing hard, and biting his lip to stop himself. "Maybe he's always really fancied her, that's why he was so excited for her to visit," said Merlin and Arthur frowned at this. "It's...sweet, Arthur."

"It is not sweet," said Arthur. "I could barely eat...I was too disgusted."

Merlin continued to grin at him, and titled his head to look Arthur over. "You're fat enough, you don't need food."

"I have a training tomorrow, Merlin," said Arthur now, but now he was rolling onto his back, and looking up at Merlin, who was now upside down to him. "I have to be well rested and well fed."

"So you can finally beat Leon?" offered Merlin.

"Exactly."

"And I suppose you think I should run and get you more food?"

"It would be very thoughtful of you."

"Hmm..." Merlin made a face Arthur didn't know, he had ever seen before, but it made him gulp slightly, for reasons he didn't want to think about now. "What will I get in return, if I do go?"

"Being allowed to keep your job?"

Merlin shook his head. "No, I want something better."

"Like what?"

"Half of your food..."

A smirk formed on Arthur's lips now, even as Merlin didn't wait for an answer and was already leaving. It stayed there, long after he was gone. Merlin was just such a...well, Arthur really didn't know what, but he liked it, even if he wouldn't admit it, out loud.

The next morning came too quickly, but Arthur forced himself to get up, Merlin had even brought him extra breakfast that morning, so he was very well fed and ready to face his Knights. They were training more lately, as the tournament they held every year was coming up on them soon, and though each Knight wanted to win, Arthur had won the year before, and the year before that, and he had every intention of winning again, this year. If only he could stop getting distracted by his smiling Manservant and allowing Leon such nasty blows. It wasn't so much, this time, that Merlin had distracted him as such, it was more of the thought that Arthur wanted him to be watching, as he clearly should be in awe at how graceful, swift and all around handsome Arthur was, but he had not been...

And once again, Arthur found himself on the ground.

"I'm sorry, Sire," said Leon, as he leaned over Arthur, offering him his hand. Arthur took it, and he hulled Arthur up, back onto his feet. Arthur sighed, and dusted off his armor, he had to admit, his head hurt a bit now. "I had not meant to hit you that hard, Sire."

"It was a good hit," said Arthur, because he was not mad at Leon for it. He square up to him again and Leon did not move, only frowned. "What are you doing...?"

"Perhaps we should take a break?" offered Leon, and Arthur frowned at him, in return. "I...I could use a drink, Sire." Arthur sighed now, and nodded. Leon bounced off happily, not looking at all like he needed a drink, and Arthur grumbled. Clearly Leon thought he was thick in the head or something, or losing his touch. Arthur was not losing his touch, just his mind, at least when it came to the matter of his heart, and all around, it doing some pretty dumb sh-

Arthur's thoughts were lost to him, all at once, when coming toward him, was the King of Camelot himself, and on his arm was the Lady Catrina. She beamed, very pompously, as she looked around at the many men in their armor, as they stare at her, in return. "Arthur!" greeted Uther. "How is training, Son?"

"Alright..." he said, because Uther never asked this, and Arthur knew he was only asking this now, because he had a woman on his arm. "Why are you here?"

"I am taking my lovely date on a walk, around the grounds."

"Oh, Uther...of course it is not a date," said Catrina, batting her long eyelashes at him. "Your Father is such a sweet talker, isn't he, Arthur? I swear, he must charm everyone he meets."

Charms them right onto a pyre, Arthur thought. But he grinned. "He is something."

"We mustn't keep you any longer, I know you are very busy...with your men," said Catrina, and it was the way she said with your men, that made Arthur a bit confused. What did that mean exactly? He nodded all the same, and Uther continued to grin like a fool, and they were off. Going, Arthur knew exactly where. Where Uther had once taken Merlin and Arthur once, it was 'where he took all his woman.' Arthur wanted to vomit.

Arthur trained his men, much into the day, it was evening, before he called off the training. All of the Knights were exhausted and hungry, as was Arthur, but his drive to be prefect were much too high to be ignored. He didn't mind being bested, and Leon was a great fighter, probably better than him, if Arthur were being honest, but Arthur liked being the best. He took pride in being Camelot's best warrior. All the men walked off, in various directions, once Arthur had called it enough for the day, or night...rather, and they all left, grumbling. They would get over it. War was unpredictable, they needed to be ready for it. There could be a day like this, where the war raged on, and there were no breaks for 'water.' Arthur walked over to where Merlin still sat, he had sat there all day, other than when he had gone off, to fetch more water. He looked a bit annoyed at Arthur, too. But he also, would get over it...

"Did you see that block?" offered Arthur, as he got closer. Merlin raised his eyebrow. "I countered Leon nicely, don't you think?"

"Not really," commented Merlin, as he stood up, and rubbed his back. Perhaps sitting there all day made him sore, though...Arthur was fairly sure all Merlin did all day, every day, was sit around anyway. "Why are you keeping them out here all day? To prove you can beat Leon?"

"No..." retorted Arthur, but that had been exactly what he had been doing. "Shut up. Merlin!"

"You're ego is so big, that you can't stand that someone else might be a little better than you at something?" Merlin did not shut up, and Arthur rolled his eyes and didn't say anything. He didn't want to say anything to Merlin, because if he did, it would be very rude and he didn't want to be mean to Merlin. "Is your self esteem really that low?"

"No!" he shot back, and his eyes turned cold, and narrowed. "I-" Wanted to impress you, but that did not come out. Instead, Arthur froze, and then another horrible thought came to mind. "...who wants to be ruled by a King who cannot protect his people?"

"Arthur..." said Merlin, slowly, and he sounded a bit exasperated. "No one thinks you can't protect them, just because Leon won a few fights. You're a great warrior, probably the best I've seen. I've never seen anyone who can fight three people at once. You shouldn't doubt yourself so much..."

"I don't doubt myself," he lied, and Merlin smiled at him.

"You will be a great king, I've always known that."

"And...what if I'm not?"

Merlin smirked now and shrugged his shoulders. "I'll make sure you are."

"And what exactly are you going to do, Merlin?" retorted Arthur, though his momentary pity party, not cured, but over for now, he grinned at him.

"Beat you up," said Merlin and Arthur rolled his eyes, very openly, and very dramatically. "I have done it before...when we first met, remember?"

"I remember," said Arthur, and he couldn't exactly stop himself from smiling like a wondrous fool. " And I very clearly remember winning."

"No..." Merlin shook his head, and looked at Arthur, with this dastardly sort of smile that was both adorable and completely disrespectful, all at once. "I definitely won."

"When?" asked Arthur, in a shout, but not because he was mad. He was certainly not. He could stand here, bickering with Merlin forever, if the fates allowed him to."When I beat you with a mace?"

"No, but that was rather rude," retorted Merlin. "Before that bit...I won. After that, I was distracted."

"By what...my beauty?"

"Sure...go with that," said Merlin now, and Arthur laughed. Merlin grinned at him again, and Arthur's laugh died out, suddenly getting stuck in his throat, at the sudden thought of how ridiculously stupid and perfect Merlin was, all the time. And how Arthur would very much like to find the nearest wall, shove him against it, and kiss him even more stupid. Which was a bit new, because he had never actually thought of kissing Merlin before, but he did have nice looking lips, and according to some kissing booth runners, he had great kissing lips. Surely, Arthur should find out himself? But, alas, no, he shouldn't. He couldn't. "What are you looking at?" asked Merlin now, as he looked behind him, thinking Arthur had been looking there, and he started laughing. "Oh..."

Just beyond the training field, at the edge of the trees, emerged King Uther, and his 'not-date,' the Lady Catrina, both looking very disheveled, like they might have taken their clothes off and then hastily put them back on. All while...rolling in some dirt. Arthur let out a very deep sigh, and Merlin continued to laugh. Whole heartily laugh, the man was bent over, from laughing so hard. Arthur was not amused.

"You laugh now...but this is your King, behaving like a teenage boy," said Arthur, and Merlin looked up at him, from his bent state and shrugged. "You mean to tell me, they couldn't have done that in a bed? In the privacy of the King's chambers?" At these words, Merlin lost it again. "For God sake...what if someone had seen? Children play in those woods...I know, I've seen them!"

Merlin heaved a heavy, large breath. "I don't think I have ever told you how much I love living here...it's so good!"

"Well, I am glad you are enjoying yourself, you go ahead," retorted Arthur. "Have a good laugh...I will be the only one who seems to understand how serious this is."

Merlin calmed himself a little, and stood straight again, almost. "It's not that serious, Arthur...really."

"THE KING OF CAMELOT IS HAVING SEX IN THE WOODS!"

Merlin laughed again, laughed so hard his face turned red and he sniffed, and rubbed his eyes. "You don't know that's what happened..."

"HE WAS WEARING HIS TUNIC BACKWARDS, MERLIN!"

Merlin covered his mouth with his hand, and nodded. "Yes...that is a problem."

"I just don't understand...what does he see in her?" said Arthur now, and Merlin continued to smile at him, knowingly. Arthur chose to ignore it. "I...suppose, she is alright looking, but...he's met plenty of good looking Nobles before, why is he so drawn to her?"

"Sometimes you can't help who you're drawn to...sometimes it just happens and there's nothing you can do about it," said Merlin, and Arthur raised his eyebrow.

"And what exactly makes you say that?" he asked. "Who are you drawn to?"

"Well...no one, but..." Merlin made a face and shrugged. "It's love, I think that's how it works anyway. It's not always right away, you know...sometimes you know someone for a long time before you realize your feelings for them," Merlin continued to say, and Arthur knew this was true, as that was exactly what had happened to him, with Merlin. But he didn't say anything now, he just looked down, at his dirty boots, and sighed. "Maybe Uther just realized he's in love with her, and he's...getting on a bit, so he doesn't want to waste any time."

"Still," said Arthur now, a bit sourly, if he were being honest. "He doesn't have to act like a child..."

"After all the things he thinks you've done to me...maybe you should give him a break this time?"

Arthur glared over at Merlin at this. "All of those things he made up in his own mind!"

"True," Merlin grinned. "But he didn't kill me, so I'm alright with whatever he does."

"Because you're simpleminded."

"Maybe...but I blame you for that."

"How is that my fault?" retorted Arthur, but Merlin was walking away now, and looked over his shoulder, to smirk at him. Arthur followed. "Really, if anyone is to blame for your mental state, Merlin, I would say it is your parents..."

"I will tell my Mum you said that then, see what she thinks," retorted Merlin, as he reached back and yanked Arthur forward, by a strap of his armor, so they were walking next to each other now. Arthur stare at him, with narrowed eyes.

"Don't you dare!"

(A/N: This chapter took me a long time to edit tonight, for some reason, like over an hour...hmm, don't know why, but anyway, this is the official start to season 2, so yay! Also, I have been wanting to change the summery of this story, because it's a bit wordy and is the summery from the OG idea of this story, before I took it so many other places, and I wanted to change it to a scene from the story, but it said I wasn't allowed, so...yeah, if anyone has any ideas on what you might think a good summery or a good bit of the story to use as a summery might be, feel free to share it!PS. Also, I just noticed like three errors right before posting this, so if you see any, please excuse them, it was probably four in the morning when I wrote it and now my head hurts, I'm full of excuses!)