Merlin was an extremely happy and talkative four year old. Anyone who had met him could tell you that. His mop of black hair would get pushed away from his stunningly blue eyes as he babbled on and on excitedly about whatever it was on his mind. But the day Merlin met the young prince, Arthur, was very different.

Merlin was sitting alone at the swings, pumping his legs back and forth, in an attempt to swing himself up higher and higher. His mum, Hunith, had fallen ill, with the flu, and sent him to the park alone. Merlin was admittedly, not fond of being without his mother. He knew he was a small child, and his overly large ears made him an easy target for older children. Despite this, Merlin was in a decent mood. In fact, he was in such a decent mood he was practicing singing his mother's favorite lullaby as he swung, so he could perform it for her later. But as he sang and pumped his legs, a boy with blond hair, neatly combed back walked up to the swings.

"I want to swing," The boy stated, glaring openly at Merlin.

"Alright," Merlin responded cheerily. "There are plenty open! You can swing next to me if you like."

"No. I like that swing best. Get off." The blond crossed his arms, and raised his eyebrows expectantly.

Merlin sighed, "well, I will be leaving in a moment. You can have it when I leave." He instantly knew expecting this boy to be reasonable was a mistake. The blond unfolded his arms and grabbed at Merlins foot, pulling it hard. Merlins head hit the swing first, and continued to fall, until his head hit the mulch with a painful thud.

The older boy knelt on Merlin's chest, and pushed his shoulders down shouting, "When I say get off, you get off!" Frightened, Merlin nodded quickly. The boy, slowly stepped off, with his fists clenched tightly at his sides. "Good. Now scram."

Tears of frustration rolled down Merlin's cheeks and he screamed at the boy, "who do you think you are?! A king?"

"No," The boy smirked, straightening his red jacket proudly, "I'm the kings son. Prince Arthur."

Merlin's eyes widened in shock and he bolted away from the park, and didn't stop running until he was leaning against to door to his small apartment three streets away.

"Merlin sweetheart, is that you?" Hunith, called from her bedroom.

"Yes mummy…" Merlin's voice was hoarse, from trying to hold back the tears. Hunith, of course, immediately knew something was wrong.

"You're certainly back early!" She exclaimed, "Would you like to talk about it, darling? Come here." Still upset, Merlin couldn't refuse and burst through the door to his Mother's bedroom.

"I met a prince mummy." Merlin said, trying to make sure Hunith wasn't worrying. But even as he said this, his eyes began to tear up once again.

"Was he nice, darling?" Merlin shook his head, climbing onto the foot of the bed. "Well, why not?"

"He wanted to swing, but I was swinging, and he wanted my swing even though there were lots open, but I was going really high! So, I told him I'd get off soon, and he could have it, then he pushed me off the swing and sat on me and yelled, and said he was a prince and told me to leave." Merlin ended his speech, gasping for air.

"I'm so sorry, my sweetheart. I know what will make you feel happier! Do you know what day it is today, Merls?" Hunith pulled Merlin into her lap as she spoke, as if she were about to tell a great secret. "It is August 21st today, Merlin. Do you know what that means?"

Merlin gasped, "My birthday is in three days!" After a pause he added, "Can I choose a restaurant like last year?"

"Of course, it's your birthday after all!" Hunith smiled at her son.

"May we go to that place with the yummy noodles and the guys who set the table on fire?" Merlin questioned with the innocence of a child.

"Hibachi? Sure we can, if you'd really like it." Hunith nodded, "Would you really like that?"

"Yes mommy yes!" Merlin bounced up and down happily now, all arguments with the young prince almost completely forgotten.

Tell me what you guys think of my first ever fanfiction! This will be continued, though when I am not sure. Sadly I own none of these characters and all rights belong to BBC.