Notes:

As always sorry for taking so long. I had such bad writers block on this that every time i opened this I closed it in frustration. I have been working on it every few weeks and I haven't made any progress until today lol. Also tbh everytime i work on a new chapter i reread the whole story plus my notes so I can remember everything and i was getting tired of my own story lol. Very happy that I was able to publish this though! I wanted to thank quetzaly for commenting on all my chapters recently, you really gave me the motivation to finish this.

As always, its good enough, hope you enjoy, please leave a review!

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

...

Chapter Text

Neckerchief rebandaged Merlin's wrist, reinforced with strips of the one of Arthur's spare shirt to silence the rattling chain beneath his newly acquired jacket sleeve. The prince's wrist was similarly clothed to hide his matching, enchanted cuff. Although his own jacket was balled up and shoved in the bottom of his pack. The vibrant red was meant to advertise the nobility and lineage of the Pendragons. Arthur grimaced packing it away. He was fairly confident that he would be safe given he had only spent an afternoon in this village years ago as a young boy. He scratched at the stubble on his chin, hoping it would help to further distance himself from the image of a prince, it certainly made him feel less like himself.

The cold rain had done nothing to temper the horses' attitudes. The sorcerer watched from atop his own mare as the gelding tried to bite his companion in an effort to stop him from reaching for the saddle again. His smirk was quickly stifled as Arthur spun around with fury burning in his eyes. The smirk fully died out once he realized what this meant. With half hidden sigh and a few embellished groans, the warlock slowly and carefully slid off his horse and made to hand over the reins. The stupid sod just looked at Merlin's hand holding out the leather lead. Was he really so stupid?

"What are you doing?" Arthur asked incredulously.

"It is not proper for me to ride while a prince is without a horse," Merlin said with a bit of a challenging edge.

The glare from the peasant was enough to confirm that this was a ploy to make him feel guilty and damn him it was working. Especially looking like a pathetic drowned rat and his face as bruised as it was and unsteady way he carried himself.

"The towns people won't know who I am," Arthur said dismissively.

"But I do, sire," the idiot continued, making the pit in his stomach grow deeper, "We are in Camelot and in Camelot you are to be treated with the upmost respect."

Merlin knew he shouldn't push the issue, but he couldn't help himself. He could see in the way the arse's face twitched that it was getting to him too.

Arthur winced at having his own words used against him. Suddenly they didn't seem as true as they had when they were first shouted.

"Enough," Arthur said tired of arguing, this all seemed so much easier when he and Merlin were working together.

"I'm walking, ride if you want," He bit out pushing past the peasant. He deliberately did not let his shoulders tense as he felt the irritating stare drilling into the back of his head again.

Merlin was aware that he should walk next to his royal highness, especially because the prince's demeaner oozed a disciplined authority that very few commoners possessed. Staying a few steps behind would only sharpen the image of noble and subordinate to any observer. He just couldn't find it within himself to care. His leg had been killing him and he had been trying to hide his limp from Arthur all day. He was sure his efforts were wasted but the prat had not commented on it, which was appreciated.

Arthur stopped walking for a moment, still refusing to look directly at Merlin, so he could catch up. Instead, he studied the old wooden buildings of the town whose name he could not recall. They would be entering the town gate shortly, safer to keep Merlin in his sight. Arthur was not sure what he expected but this new configuration was almost as unconformable than their previous position had been. Nevertheless, the prince felt more resolute in his decision knowing that Merlin wouldn't be boring holes into the back of his head anymore. Also it might be a naive thought but Arthur thought maybe they could go back to they way things were the day before while he pretended to be a commoner. Pretending would not change the dynamics between them. They were not friends, temporary allies, maybe, but not friends. Besides princes couldn't have friends but the commoner he was pretending to be on the other hand... It was a childish, selfish thought.

"Sire, you might want to buy new clothes in the village too." Merlin's voice cut through the damp air so suddenly that Arthur almost lost his footing in the muddy road.

"And why is that?" Arthur asked.

"Those clothes might not mean much to the villagers but they are standard issue and will be a dead giveaway to any Essetirians that you are a deserter or at least borrowing the clothes of one."

"Really?" Arthur looked down and studied the flimsy, thin brown trousers and the simple, itchy, undyed shirt that had a much lower thread count than he was used to.

"Only the finest for Cenrid's men" Merlin said as if reading Arthur's mind.

Conversation died as a stout man in a long damp leather jacket and hat, clearly in charge of the still open gate, greeted them as they entered. After a quick exchange with the gatekeeper, they were released into the nearly empty streets.

The air between them remained empty as they wandered down the main road for several minutes more.

"If I may speak plainly?" Merlin asked.

"It hasn't stopped you before" Arthur couldn't help himself from saying almost bitterly.

Merlin almost stumbled over his next words after aborting a witty retort, "You should let me do all the talking," was said not at all like a servant taking orders he had been playing at all day.

He knew that he should tread carefully giving orders but he wasn't sure if he could trust the prince act passably as a common person. Everything about his demeaner, his stiff posture, his head held high, the way he tried to meet the eye of few people they encountered, all spoke of someone raised in the halls of court, not the alleys of a city or the pubs in the countryside.

"Do tell" Arthur said.

Merlin could not tell if the clipped tone was Arthur humoring him or restraining anger, either way it hadn't sounded positive but he still took it as a cue to continue.

"I think I can better pass as a peasant than you because-" Merlin gestured to himself then Arthur in a sweeping motion, "-and you might get recognized here"

"You think that I can't pass for a peasant?" Arthur asked curiously, keeping his voice low. It was cold and damp but several people were still weaving through the streets in erratic paths to keep dry under awnings and overhangs. Merlin and Arthur were already dripping wet and irrevocably chilled, it was pointless to dodge the weather.

Merlin began politely, "Well - I thought you might not have much experience with common people"

"I am captain of the guard. I spend plenty of time in the lower town and market." Arthur countered.

"Yes," Merlin agreed, "You probably don't spend a lot of time talking with them"

Through gritted teeth and in a forced whisper, "Believe it or not I do talk to my people"

"Of course, I do believe you," the idiot assured quietly, "I just meant that the people might speak differently to you because you are a noble." The last part was whispered.

"That would be because most people know how to address those above them" Arthur said trying to dismiss the issue.

"Yes, that's probably true, sire-"

Arthur grabbed Merlin by the collar, "Be careful of how you speak" he said slowly trying to articulate his words to convey the double meaning. Don't call me sire.

"Let me go" Merlin said just as carefully.

Arthur stared at Merlin for a moment. Internally, he wanted to shrink away from the hateful glare, but he refused to let himself be a coward anymore and met the gaze.

"Just say what you need to say" Arthur bit out, letting go of the idiot's shirt.

Apparently, that was all it took for Merlin to lose his composure, "Clearly you have never had any experience with people who aren't falling over themselves to kiss your ass because you have no idea how regular people behave."

Merlin recoiled instantly; he should not have said that. Everyone told him that his tongue would get him killed one day and this was just evidence of that. He could only brace himself for whatever angry outburst was coming his way.

There was only laughter instead. Arthur couldn't help but laugh. It wasn't funny, at least it shouldn't be. He saw the way people handled themselves around him. His entire life was filled with starstruck or fear stricken people trying to hold themselves together in his presence. It was one of the biggest frustrations of his life that he was unable to have any sincere relationships. His relationship with everyone including his father, Gaius and his knights were all tainted by his status and the social etiquette that came with it. Merlin who had known him for less than one week was able to pinpoint his biggest insecurity and summarize it better than he ever could. The biggest irony of all being Merlin was the only person, until this morning, to not seem to take his rank into consideration. It was all so stupid and absurd. Everything.

Merlin held his breath, that laughter was a bit too manic to be genuine. Maybe the prince finally snapped?

"Well, that's one way to put it" Arthur agreed still ever so slightly out of breath from his short burst of laughter.

Merlin couldn't help but put on an uncomfortable smile but only out of relief.

Arthur's smile started to falter when Merlin remained silent and somewhat spooked. He thought maybe the Merlin from yesterday was back, he was wrong.

"You have no idea, I- Its just- I see the way everyone is afraid to say the wrong thing to me. It is no secret. Everyone just parrots back what they think I want to hear."

Merlin remained silent, digesting that tidbit of information. He could empathize but he felt no sympathy. It was tedious being on the other end of the formula. It was a situation he was too well acquainted with. At times Merlin thought he would go insane being a yes-man. But Arthur enforced the system that isolated himself. Arthur benefited in every way that the system disadvantaged Merlin except this one. Yeah, he had no sympathy.

"That sounds... tedious" Merlin offered at last.

Arthur waited a moment as if expecting more then said, "Best you do all the talking" expression souring again.

Luckily Merlin's point was not lost on the prince and he seemed to watch Merlin for a second before relaxing his posture and keeping his eyes downcast despite the desolate vendor stands lining the street around them. He wondered how bustling this mini metropolis would be on any other evening. Looking around, he could almost picture the crowded market and got lost in his mind's eye for a moment watching the imagined market.

As they passed a wooden sign advertising a tailor, Merlin asked, "Do you have enough money for clothes?"

Arthur sized up the small operation before nodding and counted out several coins for Merlin from his purse. Blue eyes widened to comically large proportions. Merlin quickly picked through the coins in his hand.

"I shouldn't need that much" the buffoon said doing a piss poor job hiding his surprise and handed the gold pieces back to Arthur.

"Use the smaller coins, draws less attention" Merlin advised seriously before disappearing into the shop before Arthur could defend himself.

Of course he knew how much stuff cost. He just hadn't considered that he was buying peasant clothes and not his usual finery. Arthur busied himself with the horses, patting them down and checking for injuries that might have been causing their rotten disposition. They just seemed sore and overworked and none too happy to have Arthur messing about their legs. A feeling he understood well. So instead he leaned against the shop opposite the tailor's and sheltered under the overhanging eaves, holding onto the horses' reins. From his perch, he was able to perfectly see inside through the broken shutters. Merlin had a large smile on his face and seemed to be talking animatedly to some older gentleman. The older man bellowed in laughter and motioned to Merlin as if speaking to someone in another room.

Arthur couldn't help but immediately distrust the man and readjusted his hand to sit inconspicuously on his hip near the hilt of his sword. His jovial demeaner seemed unnatural to the prince. It was not his experience that Merlin had an enjoyable presence. Maybe the shop keep was just acting nice to get Merlin's business? Now stationary, he began to feel the full effect of the cold and aches started manifesting. Merlin was brought a chair, Arthur wanted to punch a wall.

The warm inviting shop had been a much needed break for Merlin. The elderly couple that ran the shop seemed very sweet and very concerned that Merlin and Arthur were traveling in such abysmal conditions especially after Merlin had been thrown from his horse and sprained his ankle and landed on his face. After some pleasant and much welcomed conversation and cooing over injuries, the tailor's wife pushed a stack of fabric into Merlin's arms and sent him on his way, telling him to get some rest.

Based on facial expression alone it seemed as though the royal prat's break had not been nearly as refreshing. Merlin couldn't help but grin at his companion which was met with a grimace.

"Let's go." Arthur said eagerly pushing himself off the wall he occupied and begun walking away.

"Hey, these are your clothes," Merlin chastised hastily shoving them into his pack on his mare.

Arthur turned as if poised to argue before the shop door opened once again for the woman to pop her head out.

"Be safe dears, I worry about boys like you on a night like this" she said looking at Arthur.

"Thank you" Arthur said bowing his head before she disappeared again.

"Here," Arthur said having doubled back to grab the reins to lead both horses.

"Thanks."

Arthur sighed, "We don't have time to make friends."

"There is only one messenger and he spends most nights drinking at the inn which is two streets down on the right" Merlin said leaning against the horse, pride be damned he was tired.

"What?!" Arthur spat.

"My new friends told me that the town messenger, Odel, spends most of his nights drinking at the inn." was said pointedly and under his breath muttered "not that you would know what it's like to have friends"

"Is that what you were doing in there?" Arthur asked surprised.

"It took a few minutes for the seamstress to find clothes in your size, I was multitasking"

Arthur refused to respond.

Notes:::::::::::

Thanks everyone for the likes and comments! Please comment, it gives me life.

When Arthur was getting lost in thought thinking about the market he was definitely thinking about his mom. I dont remember what chapter it was mentioned but to cope with the loss of his mom as a kid he would pretend she was alive and watching him from afar so he would always look for her at markets. He realized this was just his child brain's way of coping but remains fascinated with people watching there still. or maybe it's just habit.

Honestly the biggest source of writers block for me was the fight. Normally I have an idea where i want the conversation to go and just start writing dialogue and let the characters steer things naturally but this time I needed Merlin to say "Clearly you have never had any experience with people who aren't falling over themselves to kiss your ass because you have no idea how regular people behave." I felt like he couldn't be pushed to exploding like that without any extra pressure. Hence arthur grabbing his shirt which he only did to keep their cover... and a bit out of frustration.

I'm really tired of making the boys fight but I don't think Arthur learned his lesson yet. Well I think he did but I don't think he learned enough of a lesson to fix it yet.

Also whenever Arthur noticed the tailor and merlin buddying up real quick and he was instintly like "I dont trust this guy" Yeah jealous.