Disclaimer: Sadly, I do not own BBC Merlin. Sigh.

A/N: Hello! You have stumbled upon this ridiculous fic of mine. So this was formulated after I tried searching for an Always-a-girl!Arthur Pendragon fics. I've seen quite a lot of Female Merlin fics already, and I thought "what if it's the reverse", you know? So BAM! This baby is born, nurtured, and well-loved.

This whole fic is canon divergent. Obviously, Arthur is a girl here. Also, if you expect the exact retelling of the series, then this fic isn't for you. If you expect that I at least will adhere to the timeline of the series, then this fic isn't for you, too. I've emphasized that this fic is very, very AU so yep. I included some scenes from the series, of course, but only those I deemed necessary for this fic.

Also, see that "Tragedy" thing under genre? Yep, okay, now think carefully if you would still like to read this fic lol.

This will have a total of three chapters. I still plan to at least re-read chapter two and catch some errors, so I'll post that tomorrow. Chapter three already half-way finished.

Anyway, that's it! Enjoy, and please don't forget to review. This whole thing isn't beta-ed, so if you spot glaring mistakes, I apologize in advance.

Title: The Princess and the Manservant
Author: WickedlyAwesomeMe
Language: English
Form: Multi-chaptered
Genre: Romance/Tragedy
Rating: M
Warning: Major drama, innuendos, lemony goodness, character death
Pairing: Merlin/Female!Arthur Pendragon
Summary: Sometimes, Merlin forgets that Arthur's actually a girl. Always-a-girl!Arthur. Merthur. Canon divergent. Very, very AU.

The Princess and the Manservant

Part I

The first time Merlin saw her, he honestly thought she was a man.

The gangly eighteen-year-old didn't intend to be noticed when he ventured to Camelot. Gaius and his mother specifically told him he shouldn't bring too much attention to himself; as a secret sorcerer, it would be disastrous to let someone too close to him.

But then of course, they all forgot he was Merlin.

Disaster loved him very, very much.

He just couldn't help but call out this wicked knight on his very first day in Camelot. Venturing into the market place, he spied him and some band of Camelotian knights goading a poor servant. The mysterious knight, clothed with a helmet and chainmail, was happily throwing knives towards the frightened servant. Merlin could not accept this type of bullying, and before he could dwell on his actions, he was already stomping towards the ruckus and calling the knight an idiot.

A hush fell among the crowd. Even the rescued servant was sadly shaking his head at him. Merlin could not understand why he wasn't grateful at all.

"What is your name, boy?" the knight asked, his voice muffled by his helmet.

Merlin secretly bristled, offended at being called as such. He was eighteen! He was very much an adult, and judging from the built of this knight, Merlin believed he was even younger than him.

"Merlin," he defiantly spat, lifting his chin. He congratulated himself for not flinching at the sight of his pointy sword.

"Tell me, Merlin," he drawled. "Do you know how to walk on your knees?"

Anger flashed on his face, but before he could retort something in return, one of her lackeys kicked him from behind and he was brought onto his knees. Merlin was briefly stunned at their audacity, but he was on his feet immediately and lunged angrily towards the knight.

A fight broke out – a clearly unfair one – and Merlin knew quite early that fighting against the knight was futile. He tried to discreetly use his magic, tripping the stupid knight with fallen crates of fruits and vegetables, but the bully always gained momentum. He was admittedly good with a sword, a weapon Merlin hadn't yielded at all, and Merlin was forced to bow down and surrender.

His cheeks burned at the embarrassment, but he knew if he had not given up, that pointy sword might have lost itself into his chest. The knight was, after all, extremely vicious.

Despite the shame, Merlin kept his chin lifted defiantly, even when the knight crouched down to level his face with his.

"You surrender, boy?" He could hear the surprise in his voice, and Merlin had to bite his tongue from saying something stupid in return.

The knight then yanked his helmet and Merlin couldn't help but stare. This wasn't a man at all! This knight's soft features were undeniably feminine, with eyes as blue as the ocean in his mother's stories and pink lips stretched wide into a wicked, bemused grin. Her golden hair was braided intricately on top of her head. With the way she was carrying herself, Merlin deduced she was no commoner.

"A lady," he breathlessly murmured, his eyes steadily growing.

"A princess," she corrected, that wicked smile still on her face. Merlin heard himself gasp in surprise. "Next time, be careful with your words, Merlin."

He was thrown into the dungeons for the night, much to Gaius' amusement. His mentor then told him he had encountered King Uther's daughter, the Princess Arthur, and Merlin felt like an absolute idiot.

"So much for staying unnoticed," Gaius tutted, his perpetually lifted eyebrow even rising higher on his forehead.

Suffice it to say, his first day in Camelot already proved to be more eventful than the eighteen years he had back in Ealdor.

No one really knew why the princess was named as such. Servants talked while Merlin attentively listened, highly intrigued by the mightiest swordsman – swordswoman – in the whole Five Kingdoms. Rumors said that Arthur would brutally punish anyone who dared ask for her real name. No one had ever attempted to question her name anymore, and people then accepted that she was Princess Arthur.

One thing Merlin understood, however, was that King Uther very much wanted a son. His ward, handsome and noble Prince Morgan, was the envy of all men in the whole kingdom. And apparently Arthur's. Hunith once pointed out her son was quite an observant little boy. Merlin knew from sheer observation that the princess was very much envious of Morgan.

Which was why, he thought, that maybe Arthur wanted to act as a prince. He had yet to see her in a dress; Arthur always wore breeches and tunics. Although not exactly frowned upon in Camelot, it was highly unlikely for a princess not to wear dresses like a normal one.

Merlin also never saw Arthur out of her chainmail, looking like the knight who were always guarding her from any harm. Merlin reckoned she could very much take care of herself. He once raised this point to Gaius, who told him that Uther didn't think the same as Merlin and had been fiercely protective of Arthur ever since her mother died.

Merlin tried to steer clear from the princess after their embarrassing fight in the town's square. She was a brat and a bully; no maidservant had ever lasted under her. Merlin then had promised himself he would never, ever associate himself with the Princess of Camelot if he wanted to last longer in this kingdom.

Alas, the universe had other plans for him. When a certain fiasco regarding a disguised Lady Helen and a hurtling knife happened, Merlin acted out of instincts and saved the still unconscious princess.

"What reward do you want, boy?" King Uther asked once the commotion had died down. From behind him, Merlin could see Princess Arthur looking at him with an unreadable expression on her face.

"Nothing, sire," he humbly replied, wanting to get away from this Great Hall as soon as possible. If Uther discovered he was guilty of using magic, even though it was meant to save his daughter, Uther wouldn't be talking about rewards.

"Nothing?" Uther looked genuinely surprised. "Nonsense, boy." He gestured for his daughter to step forward and Merlin suddenly had a very bad feeling about this. "Since you have valiantly saved the princess, I think it is fitting to make you her personal manservant."

Her face had soured and Merlin bet his expression mirrored hers.

"But Father, he's a boy."

Merlin vigorously nodded his head, knowing that it was somewhat improper. Didn't princesses require maidservants instead? But Uther waved his hand dismissively, not listening to anymore of her pleas, and now Merlin was stuck being her manservant.

"How stupid are you?" Princess Arthur thundered that night when he strode inside her bedroom to report for his first day.

Merlin's senses were momentarily assaulted by the flowery fragrance of her room. This was a princess' room, with red and gold trimmings boasting Pendragon royalty, and other flowery and girly stuff. Princess Arthur stuck out like a sore thumb, what with her breeches and tunics and shiny swords.

Princess Arthur crossed her arm against her chest, clearly waiting for a reply. Merlin loudly cleared his throat before retorting, "I honestly expected to be thanked."

He clamped his lips tightly, his eyes widening in surprise for his audacity. He was usually polite with nobles, but Arthur made it so easy for him to be disrespectful.

The princess' eyes had also widened in surprise, before a small, wicked smirk grew on her face. "Actually, this is most fortunate," she then said. "My previous maidservants are always a bore."

Clad in heavy armor, Arthur slinked closer to Merlin until she was mere meters away. Merlin's eyes widened, the flowery fragrance from her hair tickling his nostrils, and he stumbled a few steps back. The princess was honestly quite short, only standing up to his chin. Merlin could easily stare her down, but she exuded command and confidence. He thought that despite her short stature, she was the one staring him down instead.

"Try getting insolent, Merlin, and you'll find yourself in the stocks."

Merlin swallowed down a groan, knowing his stay in Camelot had just become harder.

Summer blew away and the cool, fall breeze settled in. Merlin contented himself in watching all the leaves wilting and falling noiselessly on the ground. He loved fall the best; it was neither too cold nor too hot. Merlin knew he should enjoy this before the first snow blanketed the kingdom.

Harsh winter was the worst for him. He always got unbearably cold. Back in Ealdor, where thick cloaks were a luxury, Merlin slept closest to the fire to keep him warm. Hunith forbade him from using magic to make their hut toasty, but sometimes, when his mother was already asleep, Merlin would secretly let magic warm their humble abode. Hunith always slept well during those days.

"Merlin."

He flinched and sighed, looking over his shoulders to warily gaze at the approaching princess. Arthur just got back from the Training Grounds, her braided hair sticking to her forehead and neck. She was still in her chainmail and her sword was slung carelessly over her shoulder. Briefly, he lamented for whoever was unfortunate enough to be married to her in the future.

"My lady?" he asked, finally jumping down from the huge window ledge to fully look at her.

Arthur made a face. "I told you to just call me 'Arthur' when we're alone." Her bottom lip protruded comically, and Merlin was distracted for a bit.

"My lady," Merlin repeated, the corners of his lips twitching into an amused smile. Arthur bristled again and scowled. "Do you require my assistance today?"

"Call for Guinevere," she finally said.

Merlin frowned. "Guinevere? Why?" Arthur absolutely hated maidservants. Besides, Gwen was his friend; he worried Arthur might do something to her.

"I need her help tonight for the feast," she said with disgruntlement, her cheeks coloring in annoyance and perhaps some embarrassment.

"But, I always help you during feasts," he protested in confusion. Princess Arthur always arrived in expensive tunics and breeches and Merlin was tasked to help her with those. Terribly improper, seeing they were of opposite genders, but Merlin had yet to catch her in the middle of dressing up. He hoped that day would never come, of course.

"None of your business, Merlin," she spat. Her cheeks had reddened more. She left without waiting for his reply, and Merlin had no choice but to seek for sweet, kind Gwen.

When he relayed Princess Arthur's orders, Gwen had a knowing grin on her face. "You're not scared of her?" Merlin asked, accompanying the kind maidservant back into the castle.

Gwen softly laughed, her eyes sparkling under the night sky. Merlin admittedly had a crush on her during his first week in Camelot, but Gwen proved to be a good friend, and those childish feelings gradually went away. "The other maidservants just don't understand Arthur," she explained. "I doubt you do too."

"I don't exactly know what goes in that thick head of hers," he murmured under his breath.

She swatted his arm, half-amused and half-affronted, before shaking her head. "Being born a Pendragon is both a blessing and a curse, Merlin," she admonished as a sad smile bloomed on her face. "Princess Arthur, I believe, thinks it is more a curse for her. And she just… she needs a friend."

"She treats you like a friend?" he gasped, his eyes almost bulging out.

Gwen smiled and nodded her head. "She may be rough around the edges, always wearing that ridiculous armor of hers, but underneath all those layers, she is lonely, Merlin." Humor sparkled in her eyes when he made a face. "I think sometimes, the kingdom forgets that she is a princess, much less a girl."

"Well, what do you expect? She doesn't dress and act like one."

Guinevere sighed and merely shook her head. She bid him goodbye, promising to accompany him later during the boring feast, and Merlin was left to help Gaius with some of his potions.

When the feast came, Merlin swallowed down his envy at how the nobles were able to merrily eat and drink the night away. He always had to stand at the sides, waiting to be beckoned to pour more wine or fetch more meat from the kitchens. It didn't help that the food made him unbearably hungry.

A hush fell when the huge, double doors opened. Merlin craned his neck and rolled his eyes as Prince Morgan confidently strutted inside, a handsome smirk splashed across his pale face. Some of the ladies were giggling amongst themselves, and Merlin had to thank the gods above he wasn't born a noble.

But then, when he saw the lady behind Prince Morgan, his jaw dropped. Princess Arthur, dressed in Pendragon colors, regally strolled inside. Her golden hair was left hanging behind her back, shiny and swaying and he almost imagined that they smelled of flowers.

His eyes strayed on her dress once more and was stupidly surprised to notice that she actually had womanly curves. The tunics and breeches she wore were always loose to give her more room to move. Tonight, however, Arthur looked every bit the princess she was.

Distractedly, his eyes strayed around and noticed that no one was surprised with her change of clothing.

"Princess Arthur dresses up on the late Queen Ygritte's nameday," Gwen suddenly said, sidling up beside him. She was smiling widely at Merlin, and the manservant felt his cheeks warming. "Isn't she lovely?"

Thankfully, Gwen didn't wait for a reply, because Merlin knew he would have made a fool out of himself anyway.

For the whole night, his eyes never strayed away from Princess Arthur. He might have caught her staring at him, too, but he wasn't entirely sure. He was too blinded by her golden hair to properly notice her eyes.

He knew something in him had changed ever since he saw her in that lovely dress.

Merlin was more hyperaware of the princess, even when she wore that ridiculous armor of hers. Often, he found himself lost in the Training Grounds, watching Princess Arthur fight against the other knights. She was mighty good with a sword; she truly deserved the title of being the best swordsman in the whole Five Kingdoms.

"Hey, idiot," Princess Arthur called one day when she sought for him in the Gaius' bedroom. The Court Physician was nowhere to be found, probably still in the village and tending to the sick.

"My lady," he said, a tad mockingly. He was unable to hide his smile when Arthur made a huge show of rolling her eyes. "To what do I owe this visit?"

Arthur heavily sighed and plopped down on the seat beside him. The seventeen-year-old princess frowned and peered up at his face. "I'm bored," she declared, petulantly placing her chin on top of her palm. "Let's go for a ride."

Merlin slightly scooted away, feeling his head go fuzzy at her close proximity. "I thought you were supposed to attend the council meeting today," he distractedly replied.

"Father kicked me out," she spat with a glare. "He said what they'll discuss today cannot be heard by a child." She bristled, shot up from her seat, and started to pace. "I am soon to be named as Crown Princess! Why can't he see that I will one day rule Camelot?"

"I'm sure King Uther means well," Merlin reassured.

"You agree with him?" she accused, betrayal in her eyes. "You think I am too faint-hearted to hear the brutal state of this kingdom?"

Merlin sighed. "Arthur," he softly appeased, "you are still a child, and I believe your father is just shielding you from this reality."

To his utmost surprise, angry tears brimmed in her ocean eyes. Merlin panicked, having no idea how to mollify a crying princess.

"If I were born a boy, he wouldn't think I'm too young," she spat, haphazardly wiping her tears away. "Sometimes, I think he looks at me and wishes he has a son instead."

Merlin found himself at loss of words, because he fervently believed this too.

Then, suddenly angrier, she rounded at Merlin and punched him on his arm. "And I am not a child! I am seventeen! I am soon to be named Crown Princess!" She angrily punched him again and Merlin glared. "You have no right to speak that way to your future queen!"

She stormed out of Gaius' bedchambers, leaving an irate Merlin behind.

Merlin thanked the stars above for Guinevere. Without her, he doubted he could even survive as Princess Arthur's manservant.

After their disastrous conversation in Gaius' bedchamber, the princess was extra hostile towards Merlin. Every time he delivered her meal, he always left with a bruise or two. Princess Arthur, after all, had a good aim. Merlin's forehead thought so, too.

She was in a volatile mood and despite apologizing for his behavior, the princess wouldn't listen. Sometimes, she was being extra harsh at him, leaving dirtier laundry and messier rooms in her wake. Merlin received the brunt of her bad mood and he one day thought the misery was already too much.

Thus, he sought for Gwen, who agreed to help him.

"Riding a horse will calm her down," she said, patting his arm apologetically. "Come. Let us invite her to ride away for the day."

Merlin witnessed the unlikely friendship between the princess and the maidservant, and he reckoned it was beautiful, albeit surprising. Gwen was really good with Arthur, and the younger of the two clung to Gwen as if she was the big sister she deserved. Princess Arthur kept on glaring at him, but after some whispered words from Guinevere, she was mollified and relented to ride a horse with the two of them.

They sneaked off during noon, knowing that the guards at the gate would question their odd ensemble. Princess Arthur wasn't allowed to get out of the kingdom without a knight, but Merlin knew she'd throw a fit if she had to ride with a stuck-up knight during their whole ride. Thus, Guinevere leant Arthur one of her peasant cloak and they were able to slip away.

He wasn't really good with a horse, but being Arthur's manservant required him to learn this skill. After asking Sir Leon to teach him how to ride one, Merlin finally got the hang of it and had enjoyed it immensely ever since. With his magic, he could communicate with his chosen horse, Arion, and they would both have a lovely ride. Every time he had a particularly stressful day, Merlin would seek his horse and they would trot around the outskirts of Camelot to melt the stress away.

Arthur's horse, fittingly named as Stormbringer due to his foul temper and stormy eyes, didn't like Merlin one bit and he always struggled to secure Arthur's saddle. Today, however, the horse could sense his mistress' bad mood and had stayed put until Merlin could fasten the saddle.

Before he or Gwen could mount their horses, Arthur and Stormbringer were already galloping away. Merlin hastily clambered up but missed a step and fell painfully on his backside.

"Don't worry," Gwen said with an amused smile. "I know where she'll be."

Scowling, Merlin mounted his horse – slowly, this time – and trotted behind Gwen until they arrived in huge field. Merlin's eyes widened at the sheer beauty of the place; there were colorful flowers and huge, towering trees. Arthur and Stormbringer were near a small, glittering lake. He and Gwen hastily trotted closer and tied their horses near Arthur's.

The princess was sprawled casually on the ground. Her golden hair was unbound and framed her pretty face like a halo. Merlin was momentarily blinded, before catching Gwen's eyes. The maidservant lifted an eyebrow, obviously amused with his staring. He madly blushed and plopped far away from Arthur. Gwen copied their actions and also lied down in between them.

For minutes, they let nature lull them to peace. Merlin actually fell into a small nap for a few minutes, before jerking awake when he heard water splashing. Glancing beside him, he saw that Gwen also fell asleep. Arthur, however, wasn't lying on the grass anymore.

Merlin slowly sat up and looked towards the lake. His breath hitched as his eyes landed on the princess. Arthur had her tunic rolled up to her elbows and her breeches rolled up to her knees. Showing too much skin, he knew that she was indecent, but Merlin couldn't bring himself to look away.

Princess Arthur was playfully splashing around. Her white tunic was already wet from her little adventure, and Merlin almost choked at how it snuggly hugged her bosom. Her long, golden hair swayed with the wind but what had caught his attention the most was her smile. It was wide and relaxed, and it lit up her features.

Merlin's hand slowly crept to his heart, willing for it to slow down.

"Oh, you're awake," Princess Arthur said as her glittering eyes settled on him. Her cheeks reddened as she hastily unrolled her tunic and breeches, before finally wading back to the lakeshore. It took all of his willpower not to stare at her chest, the tunic still deliciously clinging to her body.

"Feeling better?" he finally asked when he found his voice.

To his utmost surprise, Arthur flashed another pretty smile. "Loads," she said, sitting down on the patch of grass beside Gwen's slumbering form. Apparently in better spirits, she peered shyly at him, the smile still on her face. "Thank you for bringing Gwen. I know I've been atrocious to you for the past few days."

"Very atrocious." Merlin solemnly nodded.

"Don't push it, dollophead," Arthur snapped with a scowl, but her eyes were smiling. Merlin found himself grinning boyishly in return and his heart may or may not have sped a bit when she returned it with another pretty smile.

That day was the first time he realized that Princess Arthur was actually beautiful.

"Are you an idiot!" Merlin hissed as he pulled Arthur aside and hid them both behind a huge bush.

"What are you doing here?" the irate princess snapped, distractedly peering over the bush to look for any patrolling mercenaries.

Merlin yanked her back behind the bushes, prompting her to scowl. "Saving you from your idiocy, that's what."

"I don't need saving, thank you very much." Arthur pushed him and stood up. Merlin, who fell on his bottom, glared darkly at the stubborn princess. She was wearing her ridiculous tunic and breeches once more, but this time, they were the usual ones worn by servants.

Quickly scrambling onto his feet, Merlin sighed. When the Great Dragon spoke to him about his great destiny with Princess Arthur, he was seriously doubtful their lives could be so intertwined. Merlin vowed he would never listen to the dragon anymore and steer clear from Arthur as much as possible. His heart always gave little leaps when she was in the vicinity and comprehended it was a bad sign. He knew he must avoid her before things escalated and he was too far in to leave.

But then, when the news that Gwen was snatched by the mercenary Heignst and his men, mistaking her as the Princess Arthur, Merlin had no choice but to follow the princess. She had stupidly thought everything was her fault, when it was clearly Heignst's, and had defied her father when he loudly forbade her from saving her friend. Although he was angered by Uther's decision, he thought it was still stupid for Arthur to leave without any back-up.

"Are you coming or not?" She was looking over her shoulder with a glare and Merlin, knowing he had no other choice, quickly trailed behind the princess.

As they sneaked inside the dilapidated castle, Merlin had to admit that Arthur really did not need any saving. In fact, without her, Merlin doubted they would even sneak past the guards. Her sword slashed to and fro, and the guards fell like dead flies on the field, before they finally found themselves inside a huge revel with a cage in the middle.

"Gwen!" Arthur cried, but Merlin latched onto her wrist before she could lunge forward.

Mustering the darkest glare she could, she pushed Merlin away. He was cursed with clumsy feet and before he could steady himself once more, Arthur was already inside the cage and battling a Wildereen.

Merlin cursed his stubborn mistress and summoned his magic. The whole castle shook with great force and the Wildereen, frightened by the sudden movement, scuttled back into its cave. Merlin blasted off Heignst's men with a huge swipe of his hand. He then ran down to the cage and pulled it open, ushering Gwen and Arthur until they were out of the crumbling castle.

"What the hell happened there?" Arthur demanded, her breathing loud and erratic. Merlin thought Uther would cringe at her foul mouth.

"I don't know," he lied through his teeth. Gwen, who knew about his magic ever since the first day he arrived, gave him a knowing glance.

They all decided to rest for the night, because it was too dark to venture around the forests. While Princess Arthur slumbered on her cot, Merlin strode forward and sat beside a solemn Gwen.

"I'm sorry," she apologized. Merlin stared at her in surprise. "It's… it's my fault Arthur was brought in this situation."

Unable to help himself, Merlin snorted. "Funny," he said, "because she blamed herself for your misfortune." Despite her guilt, Gwen smiled. "She looks up to you, Gwen. I think you should know that."

"I am but a servant."

"But for her, you're her friend," Merlin insisted. Gwen prettily smiled as happy tears brimmed in her eyes. "More of a big sister, really. You should have seen her face when Uther refused to order to rescue you."

Gwen winced. "We're going to be in trouble when we get back to Camelot, aren't we?"

Merlin widely grinned. "Big, big trouble, Guinevere."

Today was Princess Arthur's eighteenth birthday and Uther finally acknowledged her as his successor to the throne. Merlin thought she was being ridiculous for even doubting that she would be Crown Princess today, but Arthur pointed out she had actually felt Prince Morgan would be Uther's successor instead.

Merlin, secretly fearing that this might also be the case today, had nothing in reply.

As the whole kingdom celebrated for their new Crown Princess, Merlin was once again forced to watch at the sidelines and serve the guests. Princess Arthur was dressed in Pendragon colors, her vibrant dress rich with embellishments and intricate designs. Arthur was every bit the Crown Princess this kingdom deserved, and Merlin could not help but stare.

Gwen was giving him annoying looks, too. One time, she even caught him gawking a bit when Arthur prettily laughed at something Prince Morgan said.

"What's the matter, Merlin?" Gwen asked, eyes glinting mischievously. Merlin's cheeks flooded with blood and shot her a dark glare.

Predictably, Arthur started receiving marriage proposals after her birthday. One particular royal of Rheghed, a Prince Hector, had arrived the very next day and asked for the princess' hand. Merlin could not understand the panic in his heart, but it somehow gave him some peace when Arthur steadfastly ignored Prince Hector's advances.

In fact, Merlin thought Crown Princess Arthur was being extra spiteful. The prince once commented of Arthur's strange clothes, reckoning that future queens must dress properly and such. Uther pleaded Arthur to at least wear a dress when having dinner with him, Morgan, and Hector, but Arthur stubbornly refused.

"He's a bore," Princess Arthur lamented one time in their little field. She had her head on Gwen's lap, and the older woman apologetically patted her cheek. "All he talks about is his accomplishments." An unladylike snort escaped from her lips, much to Merlin's amusement. "Gods, you should have seen him with a sword. He's worse than you, Merlin! And that's saying something."

"Thanks, Arthur," Merlin drawled with an eye roll.

Prince Hector stayed for a few more days, and Arthur was already at her wit's end. She demanded Uther to let Hector leave, which wasn't the wisest decision. Now, Uther had banned her from taking Stormbringer out for a ride and he would only allow her if she started wearing dresses.

For the first few days, Arthur stubbornly stayed in her room. But, by the third day, she missed riding around, and finally relented by dinner that night. Merlin was torn between berating his heart for speeding up at the sight of Princess Arthur in a lovely dress and strangling Prince Hector for lewdly staring at the princess.

Merlin secretly thought it would be better if Arthur started wearing more dresses. But of course, the princess did not need to know that. Merlin already predicted he'd be thrown in the stocks for even voicing out his opinion.

On the eve of Prince Hector's departure, Arthur was already pressured to have an answer to his proposal. King Uther thankfully thought about his daughter's happiness above all else and refused to decide for her, despite Prince Hector's pleas.

During dinner that night, Princess Arthur opted to eat in her bedchambers alone. Merlin, of course, was tasked to bring her meal to her room.

"Is Hector still pestering you?" she greeted when he came into her room, precariously balancing the tray of food.

Once he settled the tray on her table, he grimaced. "I was threatened to be thrown to the stocks," he revealed. He glared when Arthur smirked at his misfortune.

"And what did you tell him?"

"That I wasn't really scared of his threat because I get that from you daily."

A lovely laugh escaped from the princess' lips. "Sometimes, I wonder if you're very brave or just plain stupid, Merlin," she replied, her eyes twinkling with mirth. "It's a miracle you have not been banished from Camelot yet for speaking out of turn."

"Why can't you just tell him you don't like to marry him?" he asked, inviting himself to sit on one of her plush chairs.

"It's not easy," she replied, throwing a withering glare at his direction. "You won't understand."

"Why not? You don't like to marry him, so you say no. It is terribly easy, Arthur."

"For you yes, but you're not the one wearing a crown, Merlin." She blew a frustrated sigh and leaned against the back of her chair. "You will never understand." Her hair curtained her face, hiding her emotions from him. "As the Crown Princess, I am expected to find a strategic husband."

Nerves clotted in his throat, but Merlin still had no words to answer her.

"I think I'll be a terrible wife," she finally confessed, followed by a soft, sad chuckle.

"You'll be a wonderful queen," he supplemented.

Princess Arthur gave him one of her rare, genuine smiles. "Thank you, Merlin," she said. "That is most kind of you."

"It is true, you know."

Her cheeks colored a little, but she rolled her eyes. "Prince Hector begs to differ." She said his name with venom, and Merlin slightly flinched. "He said that he'd like to be my king to help me once I'm on the throne. A queen without a king in this beautiful kingdom will be disastrous, he said. He sounds as if marrying him is a way of saving me."

"But you don't need any saving," he reminded, her words when they rescued Gwen echoing in his ears.

"Exactly!" she cried. Merlin was unable to hide a smile. "He told me all I will be tasked to do is to bear an heir for Camelot and be a good wife."

His lips stretched wider into a grin. "How dare he speaks about the future Queen of Camelot like that!" he replied.

"I know!" Arthur was instantly on her feet.

Merlin instinctively stood up from his seat. "Where are you going?" he asked, watching as Arthur dashed towards her door.

"I have a proposal to reject," she called over her shoulders. Merlin rolled his eyes once more, predicting that King Uther would have a fit if Arthur barged into the Great Hall unannounced.

Strangely, though, he was unable to stop a smile from growing on his face.

"Merlin, do you promise to be honest with me?"

The manservant instantly felt nervous as he suspiciously eyed Gwen. His friend's face did not betray any emotions however, and Merlin was forced to stiffly nod his head in reply.

Gwen leaned closer as a smile bloomed on her face. "Do you like Arthur?"

Her question came as a shock and Merlin backpedaled. His cheeks warmed instantly and he refused to meet Gwen's searching gaze. "W-whatever do you mean?" he stuttered.

The maidservant sighed and stood up from the bench. Merlin desperately wished Gaius would arrive back so that he could make stupid excuses and leave Gwen without answering her question at all.

Gwen then suddenly crouched at his side and peered at his red face. "As her unofficial big sister, I need to know," she said with a smile. Merlin pursed his lips and hesitatingly met her eyes, but Gwen didn't need to hear any words from him to know his answer. "Oh, Merlin, you are hopeless."

"Nothing could ever happen between us," he grounded out, now scowling at Gwen's question and their situation.

His friend gingerly held both of his cheeks and forced him to look back at her. "I think it is lovely," she confessed. "No matter the situation."

"No, Gwen, you don't understand." He pulled away from her hands and stood up from the bench. "This isn't about me being a servant and her being a princess… well, I mean yes, that too. But this is more about me being a sorcerer." He wildly looked back at Gwen as their situation finally sank in.

Merlin had tried desperately to quash these ridiculous feelings away. It wasn't right. Although Arthur already treated him as a friend, Merlin knew that even that was forbidden. If Uther got wind of their current relationship right now, Merlin doubted he would be the only one punished.

"Arthur isn't like Uther."

"You don't know that," Merlin bitterly spat. "I hear Arthur talk sometimes… how she's scared of magic and the evil it brings."

"She doesn't understand magic, Merlin."

"Which is why this" – he angrily pointed at his chest – "is ridiculous. I know you've known about my feelings for a while now, Gwen, but I wanted you to at least stop me from spiraling into that direction!"

Gwen looked annoyed by his tirade. "And you're getting angry with me?" she asked, crossing her arms against her chest. Merlin had the decency to look a little shamefaced for his attitude. "Arthur may still be scared of magic, but you weren't there with her when she watched those poor, unfortunate people killed for something they could not control."

Merlin's eyes widened. "What do you mean?"

The annoyance completely left her face and she sadly smiled. "Arthur always cried when a suspected sorcerer is killed in the town's square," she continued. "She told me that she knew magic is evil, but so does killing. She never understood why her father opted to behead them in public or burn them at a stake."

His breath hitched as he blindly plopped back on the bench. Merlin feared the day when Arthur would discover he was a person of magic. He feared that like Uther, Arthur would immediately sentence him to death for having something he was born with. But to hear those words from Gwen, well, he wasn't quite sure anymore.

"Why are you even telling me this?" he said, his voice sounding strangely soft and surreal. "Nothing will ever change."

"Because," Gwen replied, sitting down beside him once more, "Arthur is happiest when she's with you."

His cheeks reddened once more. "That's a huge load of rubbish, Gwen."

The maidservant sighed and shook her head. "Oh, Merlin, you are hopeless," she repeated.

Arthur was enchanted by a damnable spell and the only thing Merlin could think of was to ask help from Kilgharrah.

"A kiss from her true love, and the spell will be broken."

Of course, the logical thing to do was to try to see if he could break the spell. But then again, Merlin refused to believe he was Arthur's one, true love.

He had relayed this information to Gwen, and stupid, stupid Gwen had a stupid, stupid grin on her face. Merlin didn't even bother protesting when she blatantly suggested he kissed Arthur to break the spell. HA! Even hearing it from another person sounded ridiculous to him.

But Merlin was slowly growing desperate as he watched Arthur hopelessly swept off her feet. King Olaf's son, Lord Victor, was a brat and a brute. If Arthur were in her right state of mind, she wouldn't even glance his way. Merlin even reckoned Prince Hector was better than this ridiculous beast.

Of course, King Olaf was ecstatic his son was being noticed by the Crown Princess of Camelot. Merlin observed that King Uther wasn't quite thrilled with the sudden talks of marriage between their children. The sorcerer understood the king's sentiments; King Olaf and his son weren't exactly the best people for their kingdom. But of course, Uther had no choice if it meant Arthur would be happy.

Merlin could not simply accept this madness. Which was why he finally found himself bursting into Arthur's bedchambers one night. The princess was getting ready for bed, absolutely beside herself with happiness that she would be travelling with King Olaf and Lord Victor back to their kingdom for a visit.

"You shouldn't go," Merlin protested, hating the dreamy, vacant look on Arthur's face.

"Silly, Merlin," she said, releasing a giggling that wasn't her at all. "Of course I should! It is customary for the bride to visit her future husband's kingdom, you know." She giggled behind her hand once more and shyly looked downward. "I'm going to get married soon."

Merlin finally decided to brush his doubts away. He stomped closer Arthur, who at least looked at him curiously. "Is something the matter, Merlin?" she asked. "Does my dear Victor need me?"

Anger flashed in his eyes and he may have yanked her onto her feet a little roughly. Arthur yelped in surprise and tried to push him away, but Merlin's lips were already pressed against hers.

All the anger melted away. All the feelings he had desperately buried deep down in his heart came back with a vengeance. Her lips were soft with his; gods, she was soft against him and his nose was invaded with the flowery scent that was definitely Arthur.

The kiss was broken quickly, and Merlin was a little sorry it was over too soon. One look at Arthur's face, however, made his heart quicken once more. Clearly, the spell was broken and it dawned on him that he was, without any doubt, Arthur's one, true love.

A stupid grin bloomed on his face as Arthur's eyes flashed. Without any warning, she slapped him soundly across his face.

"What was that for?" he cried, cradling his smarting cheek.

He had never seen Arthur's face so red before. "What was that for?" she demanded in a shriek, looking frazzled and confused. Her fingers gingerly pressed against her lips, and Merlin was reminded once more of what they felt like.

Merlin wanted to tell her he had broken a bloody love spell, but then Arthur would demand how he did it. He wasn't sure if Arthur would take the news that he was her true love quite well.

Thus, he hastily excused himself and ran away.

The next day, King Olaf and a very confused Lord Victor journeyed back to their kingdom. Merlin knew Gwen would seek out for him immediately and he didn't bother running away from her when she finally did.

"The love spell was broken," she stated matter-of-factly.

"Yes," was his curt reply.

A huge grin appeared on her lovely face. "You're Arthur's true love."

Merlin scowled and looked away. "This doesn't change anything, Gwen," he spat back.

He braced for Gwen's loud protests, but when none came, Merlin curiously looked at her direction.

He jolted in surprise to see a red faced Arthur standing in front of him. Merlin desperately swiveled around and prayed it was nosy Gwen with him instead. Alas, the maidservant was nowhere to be found.

Princess Arthur cleared her throat and Merlin had no choice but to look back at her. "That night never happened," she merely said before turning around and stalking away from him.

His heart gave a painful lurch at her retreating back. His right hand clutched his chest as he sadly sighed. "That night never happened," he echoed as soon as Arthur was out of earshot.

Merlin fell on the grass in shock. Eyes widening, he looked up at Arthur. The princess was a mess; fighting off the Great Dragon had tired her so. But the expression on her face… gods. Merlin prayed fervently that she was still unconscious when he finally tamed Kilgharrah as the last dragonlord.

"Y-You!" she sputtered, cheeks reddening with a mixture of rage and betrayal. Merlin's heart fell to his stomach, also seeing a hint of fear in her eyes.

She finally found out.

"I-I saw you," she said, angry tears filling her eyes. "With the dragon!"

Merlin slowly lifted his hands to appease her and took a deep, shaky breath. "Anybody can talk to the dragon, Arthur," he slowly said.

Enraged, Arthur drew out her sword and pointed it at Merlin's neck. The manservant held his breath, but his gaze never broke away. It pained him to see that there was betrayal in Arthur's eyes.

"I saw your eyes, Merlin," she growled. "They turned… they turned gold."

Merlin slumped down in defeat, knowing it was futile to defend himself. Arthur finally found out. He had feared this day would come, but he never anticipated it would come this soon.

"Please, please, tell me I was merely imagining things." She was pleading desperately, her tears steadily streaming down her face. "Please, Merlin, please tell me I was wrong."

Her sword hand was shaking and Merlin gingerly placed his bigger hand on top of hers. He swallowed the nervous lump in his throat. "I'm sorry, Arthur," he whispered.

Anguished sobs tore out from her lips. Arthur hastily threw her sword away and ran back to the castle.

And Merlin… Merlin helplessly watched her go.

A/N: End of Part I! Drop a review!

Again, I will post Part II tomorrow.

With love,
WickedlyAwesome