Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin, BBC does and we all love them for sharing it :D

Story Notes: So…I don't really know where this came from…the idea for this just kind of jumped on me and refused to be put away…so here it is…

The chapter titles are always titles of songs which I used as inspiration for the chapter… :D

This is a Merlin/Arthur story, meaning it contains male on male love. If you don't like it, don't say I didn't warn you in advance…as for the content the characters are possibly a little OOC but I tried to keep them as close to usual as I could :D

So I'll stop rambling on now…

ENJOY ;D

Chapter I: Best I've Ever Had

Chapter Notes: xxXxxXxxXxx=divider Rated T for good measure :D

Arthur woke from the feeling of his lover shifting against him. He could tell that it was morning by thy muffled noises of the castle life that slowly stirred. He felt the warmth of Merlin's body and sighed in contentment, pulling him a little closer, gently nuzzling the back of the younger men's neck. He had never felt so completely happy before.

He felt Merlin shift again and opened his eyes to find intent blue eyes fixed at him with a hint of amusement.

"Mornin' " he yawned and Merlin gave him his patented goofy grin.

"Good morning sleeping beauty, I figured you'd never wake up." Merlin mocked him, an affectionate tone in his voice.

Arthur grumbled lowly in return and while Merlin got up to open the curtains he pulled his pillow over his face.

"Arthur, don't be such an infant. You have to get up. I'm gonna get your breakfast. You'd better be up when I come back when I return or…"

"Or...what?" Arthur teased when Merlin was almost out of the door. The only answer he got was a low chuckle before he heard the door close.

Arthur pulled the pillow off his face and instantly groaned at the brightness of the sun. He was tempted to simply close the curtains again and simply continue sleeping, but he knew Merlin would be back soon so he hesitantly crawled out of the warm bed.

Just a few minutes later Merlin was back bringing not only a tray of food, but also a brightness and warmth to the room that Arthur always felt in his presence. When Merlin settled the food on the table and rushed to gather some clothes for Arthur to wear, said walked up to hug him tightly from behind.

"You don't need to do this, I can have another servant tend to it. I don't want you to…"

Arthur broke off, being at a loss for words, but Merlin understood perfectly, leaning into his touch a little more.

"Arthur, about that. I have…I would like to…Can't I just stay your manservant?"

Arthur turned him around and he saw something in the other man's eyes that he didn't understand and it made his stomach sink.

"Why?" he simply answered, carefully assessing Merlin's facial expression.

"Because I really liked the way things were and I don't want them to change. All bad aspects aside being your manservant has been a great pleasure to me and I would not willingly want to give this up to someone else…I really don't even want to think about anyone else always being by your side no matter where you go while I am off god-knows-where running errands for Gaius…I just don't. But I understand if you wish for another servant…" he finished, averting his eyes.

"Merlin" Arthur started, voice filled with so much emotion that Merlin searched his eyes "Never think that I want someone other than you by my side. I just don't want you to feel like you have to do anything you don't really want because you feel like you are obligated to do it as my manservant. You are the most important person in my life and all I want is for you to be happy, wishing that I can be the person to make you happy above all others."

Merlin snorted, which had a frown appearing on Arthur's face.

"What?"

"Arthur, I have been your manservant for the better part of almost 3 years now. When did me feeling obligated to do something ever force me to do something I didn't want to do or my obligation stopped me from doing and saying as I thought it was right?"

Arthur just grinned at that pulling the raven-haired boy into a tight embrace. Merlin smiled, putting his arms around Arthur in return, gently caressing his back, while Arthur was running his hands up and down Merlin's spine.

They stayed like that for a while, perfectly content with just holding each other. After what seemed way to short a time Merlin pulled away.

"You! Eat! Now!"

He instructed the fair headed prince with a teasing smile on his face while he moved towards the door.

"Wait, where are you going? Shouldn't my manservant help me dress?" Arthur replied mockingly, yet curious.

"Well your royal pratness will have to dress himself today, I have got to get back to Gaius' chambers and run some errands for him and you have some kind of very important meeting with your father and some other royals which will most likely take all day and to which no servants are invited. So…bye…"

He waved, almost darting off, had it not been for Arthur to grab his arm and swing him around, pressing him up against the wooden door. Merlin blushed slightly as the sensation of having the entire length of Arthur's firm body pressed up against his started to show it's effect on him.

"Is that supposed to mean that I won't get to see you the entire day?" Arthur pouted, forehead pressed against Merlin's.

"Afraid so." Merlin answered regretfully.

Arthur groaned at that

"Will you at least be here tonight?"

"I wish I could, but people are going to get suspicious when I spent too much time in here."

"Ugh, never mind the people"

"Arthur, people tend to talk…a lot"

"So let them talk I don't care what anyone thinks." Arthur knew he was behaving childishly, but he didn't care. He was frustrated that Merlin was all reasonable about them not seeing each other until tomorrow and the younger boy sensed that.

"Arthur you know I want nothing more than to spend all my time with you. But we just can't do that. You will be king one day, you have a reputation to uphold. Plus…" he continued quickly as Arthur was once again opening his mouth to argue "your father would have my head if he found out about us."

Arthur closed his mouth, allowing an annoyed huff to escape from him. Merlin was right of course. But he still didn't like it.

"I'll be here first thing tomorrow, I promise" Merlin said pressing a soft kiss on the prince's lips before he wanted to free himself.

But Arthur kept him pinned down, looking into his eyes with a serious expression.

"Please be careful. You are the best I've ever had and I love you more than I ever thought possible I don't want to lose you over some stupid herbs" 'Or to someone who you can be yourself with without worrying about people talking' he added silently, biting his lower lip.

Merlin gently cupped his face.

"Don't worry" he said and when he looked into the deep blue eyes Arthur felt as if Merlin was answering to his mental fear rather than the spoken one "This is never going to happen. I love you Arthur Pendragon and I will always come back to you."

The sincerity in Merlin's eyes took Arthur by surprise, but the intense show of emotions from the other boy comforted him more than he would admit. He leaned in to kiss Merlin who eagerly met his lips with his own. Then Merlin drew away, flashing him a last affectionate smile before he disappeared, leaving Arthur to prepare by himself.

xxXxxXxxXxx

An entire day without Merlin spent locked inside a room with his father and some other royals? He looked over to his sword and considered sourly to throw himself at it, but when he walked towards the window, seeing his lover walking over the courtyard throwing knowing smile into his direction he just sighed and got ready for the task that lay ahead of him.

Merlin was content with walking through the forest looking for the herbs which Gaius needed. He enjoyed the warm bright sun and the fresh air laced with the smell of fresh earth and trees. A deer crossed his path and the birds were chirping happily. It was a very beautiful and peaceful day and Merlin couldn't help but smile as his thoughts returned to the last night and the morning in Arthur's chamber. After all the waiting all the pain and hurt feelings he finally had all he ever wished for.

He was so caught up in thoughts about his emerald eyed prince, smile never fading, that he didn't notice how the birds suddenly went silent as he bowed down on a meadow to pick some herbs.

That was the reason why he nearly had a heart attack when he turned around finding Kilgarrah staring at him with a haunted expression.

He was about to complain to the giant dragon about sneaking up on people without a warning and giving people heart attacks when he was forcefully interrupted by the dragon's deep and urgent voice.

"You must listen young warlock. Great danger is heading towards Camelot. A powerful old opponent of Uther is gathering reinforcements to attack and if you don't find a way to stop them the young Pendragon will never see his great destiny."

Chapter End Notes: So that's as far as the first chapter goes...I hope you liked it...this is the first Merlin story that I wrote so I'm a little bit insecure about it :D

Your opinions are appreciated, praise and constructive criticism alike :D

Thank you for reading this...

I will be posting the next chapter soon depending on the feedback ;D