The Mystery About Friendship

Characters: Arthur, Merlin mentioned

Summary: This is set after the 2.12 episode The Last Dragonlord, about Arthur's reflection on how his relationship with Merlin had developed.

Just when Arthur felt as though he was getting to know his servant, Merlin would do something unexpected. Camelot was being terrorised by the Great Dragon that had somehow escaped. Every day Arthur would lead his men into battle against it, feeling that each day would be his last. As Arthur used every ounce of his courage and fortitude, the one undeniable fact was his servant, no friend as he had now become, stayed right by his side.

The last couple of weeks had been a test of endurance for both of them. From the initial night after night fight with the dragon itself, to the journey to find the last Dragonlord that could bring an end to Camelot's suffering.

Arthur's memories regarding part of that journey had been obscured by the injury he had sustained, while hunting for the Dragonlord. What was undeniable looking back though was had it not been for Merlin's undoubted resourcefulness they would never have found the Dragonlord. Not only that, Arthur would never have made it back to Camelot. This was not the first time that his "useless" servant had proved to be so practical.

No matter how much Arthur tried to tell himself otherwise, there was something about Merlin that somehow set him apart. He had known it from the moment the scrawny youth had threatened him, the first time they'd met in the market that day. Yet no matter how hard Arthur tried to work it out, much about Merlin remained in the shadow. At times he could be infuriately secret about himself. But despite that he remained faithfully by Arthur's side, whatever the Prince was forced to face.

There had been something strange about Merlin's mood, all the way through the trip. Arthur could not put his finger on what it was, but it was clear to him the younger man seemed to be fighting an inner battle with himself. His usual smart answers back to the Prince were missing, making Arthur actually miss them.

Arthur at one stage had tried to speak to him, but as ever his friend proved to be elusive in his answers. Merely claiming he was worried for everyone in Camelot, Arthur instinctively knew that to be a lie. But no encouragement could get Merlin to open up. He had just lay there quietly lost in his own thoughts.

There were times when Arthur wished he could bring down the barriers that existed between them. He was forever lost between what he was expected to do, and how he could make his own judgements. He knew his father would never understand it, for he was a man for whom a servant was a servant, and nothing more. But Arthur knew Merlin was something more than that now.

The day Merlin had marched by Arthur's side to face the Dragon, had told him that. They were no longer master and servant now, the line had been breached. He would rather die then admit it to Merlin of course, but in his own mind Arthur knew. That day his manservant had become his friend, his most reliable companion, and someone whom Arthur knew he could not do without.