Merlin had only ever wanted to have a simple life. He had loved his home, living with his mother and enjoyed the life they had lived together, even if it was hard, they had had each other. His mother barely mentioned his father growing up, but he had never known the man. How could you miss that which you had never known? His friend Will, had lost his father to the Kings war. Will grieved for his father still, even years later and Merlin knew that he could not feel such a sadness over a man he had never met. He did not feel any different for having never known his father though, his mother had been all he had needed and she had raised him to see the world as she did, with kindness and empathy for all living things.

Still, there were secrets he must keep.

His mothers hometown was a mystery to all in Ealdor. She had arrived here only a short time before Merlin was born, and though they had tried, the villagers had never succeeded in ascertaining where Hunith the widow, as she called herself upon arrival, had originated from. Still, even with child she had been a hard worker and the villagers did not mind her taking an old and empty hut towards the back of their small village, which had long been abandoned due to its previous inhabitants having moved on to another settlement over the hills.

Hunith was welcomed warmly, and when her son was born, all the villagers helped to keep the child healthy. Through a combined effort, the young child was kept fed and clothed, and eventually grew to be a fine young boy. Although only sixteen, the boy was able to help the adults in the fields, sowing and harvesting the crops, and even turned out to be quite the fisher whenever he strayed to the river. He repaid the villagers kindness when he was a child, by helping them feed their own families now, and to him, there was no greater reward then the happy laughter of the villagers own children when they were given a whole plate of food. But Merlin knew, if he was ever seen on a 'fishing trip' the villagers would soon be less inclined to eat the fish that he returned with.

Magic, of any kind, was forbidden.

He couldn't help the way he was born, it was hardly his own doing, and yet if anyone ever found out, he would be executed for just, being. When his friend Will discovered him one day, calling the fish to his net, he swore he would never tell a soul. Hunith was distraught, to say the least, when Merlin later informed her he had been caught st the riverbank, and although Will had vowed to keep his silence, Merlins mother decided it best that he leave their small village, and head to the greatest Kingdom in the all the lands. There, he could learn from the great Gaius, to control his magic, and more importantly, how to keep himself from ever being discovered again. So it was, with a heavy heart at the thought of leaving his mother, yet a light one at the thought of learning magic, and of seeing more of the wonderfully huge world around him, that Merlin set off on his journey, to Camelot. A journey that would be just the start, of an amazing and epic destiny.

*~*N*~*Y*~*M*~*P*~*H*~*E*~*

Tall and imposing, the city was amazing. Merlin had camped for what would be his last night sleeping on the road, even though he was actually someway away from the road, on a nearby hilltop, so that he could enjoy the majestic sight of the huge and wonderful, Camelot. Never had Merlin seen such a sight, and he eagerly drank the place in. Tall spires, grand thick walls that would surely be able to withstand many a siege, though Merlin rather hoped never to discover firsthand whether his guess was correct. Camelot was everything that he had heard it would be, and he could sum the whole thing up in just one word; amazing.

He was filled with a great excitement, both to think that tomorrow morning he would be walking through the front gates, and as soon as tomorrow afternoon, he might be learning something about the magic that hid within him. What would it be like, to finally be able to learn about all those things which made him... different? He turned his gaze from the magnificent Camelot, and rolled onto his back, staring at the stars until he drifted to sleep, a small smile on his lips at the thought of the answers he would surely soon find.

When morning came, he hurriedly packed his camp and trotted along the path, hurrying to his journey's end. He imagined his mentor, Gaius and the things he would be learning. His history, and the truth of his origins. The magic inside him, and the future he might be able to craft with the mans help. He would be able to help so many, if he could just learn to hide his talents from the King. Merlin slowed, frowning slightly as he made his way through the edge of a small forest, which obscured his view of the great town he was headed to. Uther Pendragon was known, and feared, throughout the realm. His hatred of magic was renowned and he was known to execute anyone who had even the loosest connection to magic without a trial sometimes, or even evidence. He swallowed and picked up his pace, pushing the dire thoughts aside as he came to the gates of smiled and looked up at the great walls, wonder and awe filling his heart as he took in every detail. He hopped excitedly between the small market stalls, examining what they sold before moving on to the next. Everything was so new, so big and bold and loud and everything he wasn't used to, but so exciting all the same. He took out his mothers note, and tried to find his bearings, so he could follow her directions. After several false starts, he finally managed to find the path which lead to the castle. He was passing the training grounds, when he heard something which caused him to stop, and peer back into the open area curiously.

'Where's the target?' Drawled an arrogant voice, which had immediately caught Merlins attention. He couldn't quite put his finger on it, but he felt like he knew this person already, and he ventured inside the training grounds to try and find the source.

'Over there my lord...' a feeble reply came from the hunched servant, who was clearly distressed that he was in trouble.

'It's into the sun...' The lazy drawl continued. Merlin caught sight of a blonde boy, wearing a suit of chainmail and who looked only a few years older than himself. He knew he had never met the boy, but still he felt oddly like he knew him somehow.

'It's not that bright...' the servant muttered.

'A bit like you then!'The blonde boy crowed, earning guffaws of approval from the other boys flanking him. Merlin was liking this boy less and less, but something about him was still familiar and Merlin was going nuts trying to figure the mystery out. He watched as the servant went to the target and picked it up, moving it to the opposite end of the courtyard. Halfway across, a knife suddenly sunk into the hard wood surface, and the frightened face of the servant popped over the top of the huge circle he carried. Pleading with the boy did nothing, for all he did was tell the servant to hurry and throw more knives at the now moving target. When the servant fell and the target rolled toward him, Merlin felt the need to speak up. He placed his foot on the circular wooden target and smiled at the blonde boy.

'Hey,' he said, as the blonde boy turned towards him, 'come on now, that's enough.'

'What?' Merlin should really shut his mouth, he knew it by the demanding tone of voice the blonde used, but still he couldn't quite co-ordinate his brain and his mouth.

'You've had your fun my friend,' he said, smiling at the boy like he had known him his whole life. The other boy walked slowly towards him, a slightly bemused grin on his face.

'Do I know you?' He asked suddenly, coming to a halt in front of him.

'Er, no - I'm Merlin.' He said, holding out his hand for the other boy to take.

'So I don't know you,' said the boy, ignoring Merlins outstretched hand.

'No.' Merlin said, smiling as he dropped his hand and shook his head.

'Yet you called me friend...' Said the boy, in his arrogant drawl. Merlin hung his head a moment, biting his lip as he tried not to reply. It was a wasted effort, for he knew he couldn't hold it in.

'That was my mistake.' He said, still smiling at the other boy.

'Yes, I think so...' Proud and arrogant. Everything Merlin hated, rolled into one tall package. He might feel like he knew this person, but that didn't mean he had to like him.

'Yeah... I'd never have a friend who could be such an ass.' He said, and for a moment it was entirely worth it. The disbelief in the other boys eyes was entirely rewarding. Merlin made to move away, but was stopped by the other boys reply.

'Or I one who could be so stupid.' At least the pride and absolute arrogance weren't quite so pronounced when he spoke to Merlin this time. 'Tell me, Merlin, do you know how to walk on your knees?' Merlin smiled as he turned around, enjoying the fact that this other boy was so riled up by his teasing. It wasn't everyday you could trade barbs with a stranger.

'Nope.' He replied.

'Would you like me to help you?' The blonde boy asked.

'I wouldn't if I were you...' Said Merlin, shifting slightly as the enjoyment faded. He had been having some fun with this boy yes, but threats were a different matter. He wasn't sure he could control his magic if he were in a scuffle with this boy, and the last thing he needed was to reveal himself before he even reached Gaius.

'Why?' Pushed the blonde, smiling himself at the ludicrous idea that Merlin could do anything to hurt him. Admittedly, the boy was going of their physical differences. The boy was clearly well fed and built, whereas Merlin was a country boy who while able to work hard in the fields all day, was not made for combat.

'You have no idea.' He said, his voice catching. This boy really didn't have any idea. The thought that his magic might flare out and harm this boy, even such an ass as he was, was not something that Merlin liked.

'Be my guest!' The other boy goaded, clearly sensing Merlins discomfort, but assuming it was fear of what the other boy would really do to him should he attempt to fight. 'Come on, come on!' He spread his arms and gestured to the crowd, who had slowly surrounded them. Merlin glanced around and was not pleased to find himself enclosed. The other boy stared at him, and slowly leaned closer. 'Come on...' He drawled, and Merlin snapped. He struck out with his fist, and was easily deflected by the blonde boy, his arm twisted behind his back. The boy leaned over Merlins shoulder and quietly said into his ear, 'I could put you in jail for that.'

'And who do you think you are, the King?' Spat Merlin, humiliated, but at least not discovered as magical.

'No,' laughed the boy, giving his arms a slight shake as he leaned closer to his ear. 'I'm his son, Arthur.' Merlin felt the other boy push him to his knees, and he didn't resist. His insides turned to ice as he realized he had just tried to strike the future King.

*~*N*~*Y*~*M*~*P*~*H*~*E*~*

Merlin wasn't sure how long he had spent in the castle dungeons, only that in the time he had been here, his throat had grown incredibly dry and he was exceptionally cold. He drew his thin jacket closer around his shoulders and brought his knees to his chest, resting his head on his knees as he thought over his day. His grand arrival in Camelot hadn't exactly gone according to plan. Now instead of learning about his magic, he was wondering if he would even be alive tomorrow. Personally, he rather hoped that he would be, he liked breathing, and living, and the thought of not was rather discomforting. He turned his thoughts instead to Arthur, the insufferable prat of a Prince. How was he to know that the blonde servant bully, was in fact, heir to the throne of Camelot? He sighed wearily and ran a hand through his hair, before he stretched himself out on the floor and tried to sleep, hoping that the morning would bring good news of his release, and fearing that it would instead bring the news of his execution. He pictured Arthur coming to gloat as he delivered the news himself, and then imagined punching him in the face for real, relishing the look of shock on the other boys face. He smiled to himself, as he began to drift into sleep, pleased that the guards couldn't see what he did in his head.

'Merlin...'

He could hear a voice, calling to him. Deep and powerful, the voice resonated within his mind, drawing him towards wakefulness. He grumbled, not wanting to wake yet, enjoying a dream of Arthur carrying a large circular target that Merlin threw fireballs at.

'Merlin...'

This time the voice was louder, and Merlin jolted awake quickly, the dream forgotten. He scurried up from the floor and looked all around his cell, finding no one for the voice to belong to. He walked to the other side of the cell, and looked out through the bars, searching the corridor both ways and still coming away with no further clues who had called to him.

'Merlin...'

The voice seemed to be calling from where he had been sleeping on the floor. Tentatively, as if the floor itself my suddenly come alive and bite him, he made his way back to the small nest he had made himself in the loose straw on the floor. He knelt down, and felt the ground, wondering if the voice could really have come from below him. He leaned forward to press his ear to the floor, when a door clanged open loudly outside his cell. He hurriedly got to his feet and hastened to run his hands over his clothes, brushing some errant strands of straw from his torso.

'Merlin?' A hunched older man with long grey hair walked into the room, eyes searching every nook and cranny as if expecting Merlin to be hiding somewhere. When he realized Merlin was standing in plain sight, the man walked over to the cell door. He stared at Merlin, and Merlin felt slightly unsure as to how to behave. He smiled uncertainly and waved, as if he were surrounded by other people and confirming that he were indeed, Merlin. Slightly unnecessary as there were no other prisoners, but Merlin tried his best to act nonchalant about acting such an idiot. The old man opened the cell door, and walked in, shaking his head slightly.

'The one thing that someone like you should do, is keep your head down.' He said in a drawling croak. The old man shook his head, but despite his chastisement, he seemed rather torn between amusement and fear. Merlin tried to think, and after thinking on the words that the man said, he suddenly reached out towards him.

'Are you, Gaius?' He asked, smiling as the old man rolled his eyes at him.

'And who else do you think would come down here looking for you?' Gaius continued to rant, ignoring Merlins sudden blinding smile. 'You were supposed to arrive yesterday, and then when I go to take the Lady Morgana her sleeping draft, I overhear Prince Arthur talking about this idiot boy Merlin, who he'd had locked in the dungeon for the night!' Gaius glared at Merlin, who was currently trying to stop himself from grinning ear to ear.

'I'm sorry...' Merlin said, hanging his head. He hoped this wouldn't set him off on the wrong foot with Gaius, as he was eager to learn what the other man had to teach him. He tried, and failed, to stop himself from fidgeting, eager, excited and nervous about what lie ahead of him. His smile disappeared suddenly as he thought about what Gaius had just said. 'Wait, you knew I was down here last night? And you waited til now before you came to get me?' Gaius glared at him awhile longer and then shrugged his shoulder, clearly saying that Merlin had deserved his stint in the dungeon to think about his actions. Merlin hung his head to hide his grin.

'You're lucky.' Gaius said suddenly, walking to the other side of the cell before turning and slowly stepping back towards him. 'I've managed to pull a few strings to get you released.'

'Oh, thankyou, thankyou!' Merlin gushed, before hurriedly quieting himself. The glare on Gaius's face telling him in no uncertain terms that his enthusiasm was not appreciated. 'I won't forget this...' After a moment, Gaius nodded and smiled slightly.

'Well...' Gaius said, and Merlin felt his smile fade as an amused glint lit the older mans eyes. 'There is a small price to pay...' He said, before walking away. Merlin made to follow him, but was stopped by the guards, who instead led him down a different path to the one Gaius took. He followed silently, his eyes on the floor, lest he get himself into more trouble then he was already in. When the guards finally stopped, he still didn't dare look up properly. He flashed a quick glance up, and met the eyes of a guard, who gestured with his chin to something beside him. Merlin hurriedly dropped his eyes and turned the way the guard had gestured, where he saw a wooden stockade. Merlin groaned, and sank to his knees, allowing his head and hands to rest in the available holes. He didn't dare to open his eyes as he was locked in, and didn't dare to ask how long he had to remain. When the guards left, he let out a large sigh of relief. True, they were probably still nearby, but he was able to relax a little at the distance. He finally looked up and his heart stuttered, as he took in the crowds of people stood before him.

'Oh no...'

*~*N*~*Y*~*M*~*P*~*H*~*E*~*

Merlin was troubled. Amidst the humiliation he had suffered in the stocks, he had met Guinevere, or Gwen as she preferred to be called. She was a fun girl, easy to talk to and listen to and she had proven to be a good friend by helping him find his way around the castle. Gaius had proven to be a fountain of knowledge, and had made sure to fill him in on Uther's hatred of anything magic. The Great Dragon locked in a chamber beneath the castle, had been something that particularly caught his attention, but he now had something far more concerning on his mind.

Gaius had been having him run errands for him, as he was here under the pretext of being his apprentice, Gaius thought it only prudent to have him deliver tinctures, remedies and other such potions to those who needed them. Merlin also suspected that Gaius rather enjoyed the fact that he no longer had a personal delivery boy to save his own legs the long distances of walking. It was when Gaius had him deliver a preparation tonic to Lady Helen, the singer who had traveled far across the country to come and sing for Uther, that he first found himself growing unsettled. The Lady was not in her chambers, and so Merlin had gone to leave the tonic on the dresser for the Lady to see upon her return. However, the straw doll on the dresser, caught his attention, and he couldn't help but pick it up and turn it over, hoping to discover its purpose. He placed it back, as he reached toward a diary, partially hidden by a shawl. Something about the loosely bound pages called to him, and left him feeling unsettled in his own skin. Hearing a noise in the hallway, he hurriedly returned the diary and shawl, and when the Lady Helen asked him what he was doing he took up the tonic again, and handed it to her with a bow, before making a hasty exit. He hurried through the halls, and fled into the lower town, hoping to find Gwen at home so he could share his concerns with the maid.

'How's your knee walking coming along?' Arthurs drawling voice snapped Merlin out of his daze, and he couldn't help but grin slightly at the boys arrogance. He shook his head and kept walking, determined not to cause Gaius, or himself anymore trouble. 'Oh, don't run away!' Arthur taunted. Merlin stopped and bit his lip, clenching his fists, knowing he should just keep walking.

'From you?' He called, silently sighing at his own idiocy. He knew he shouldn't be taking Arthur's bait, but still, he did it.

'Oh thank god,' Arthur said, stepping closer behind him. 'I thought you were deaf as well as dumb!'

'Look, I've told you you were an ass...' Merlin said, turning toward the Prince. 'I just didn't realize you were a royal one.' He smiled at the look of surprise on Arthurs face. 'Ooh, what are you going to do?' He taunted, watching the blonde as he looked to his surrounding friends. 'Get your daddies men to protect you?' Arthur laughed, and stared at him in genuine amusement. If all else failed, perhaps Merlin had a bright future in being a jester.

'I could take you apart in one blow.' Arthur laughed, fighting to keep his composure.

'I could take you apart with less than that.' Merlin said, smiling at the Prince. Arthur shook his head as if to make sure his hearing was still working.

'You sure?' He asked, a slight edge to his voice. Merlin recognized the warning, and knew it was his final chance to back away, but the arrogance of the Prince annoyed him, and he so wanted to make Arthur regret picking on the less fortunate than himself. With only a moment taken to think it through, he tugged off his jacket. Arthur and his friends laughed heartily, and one of them passed Arthur a small flail.

'Here you go, big man.' Arthur said, throwing the flail to Merlin, who promptly flapped his hands and failed to catch it. He bent and collected it from the floor, holding it slightly uncertainly. 'Come on then,' Arthur taunted, swinging his own flail around his head. 'I warn you, I've been trained to kill since birth...' He continued, as he walked towards Merlin.

'Wow...' Said Merlin, grinning at the blonde boy as if impressed. 'And, how long have you been training to be a prat?' He asked. Arthur looked away, and Merlin saw him smile. His own grin grew, as the Prince looked back at him, shaking his head with amusement.

'You cant address me like that,' Arthur said, laughter in his voice.

'Sorry,' Merlin said, lowering his head slightly and feigning a bow. 'How long have you been training to be a prat, my lord?' Arthur turned his head aside, and Merlin was sure he could still see the other boy smiling, genuinely amused by their little back and forth. Perhaps he wasn't often challenged, and was enjoying the moment. The sudden lunge of his flail, had Merlin rethinking the situation, and he ducked hastily. He backed away from the Prince, stumbling back towards the small stalls.

'Come on then Merlin,' called Arthur, as he followed him, swinging his flail dramatically. As he made to swing his own weapon, it became caught in a wicker basket. He tried to dislodge it, to no avail, and decided instead to abandon it entirely, as Arthurs flail descended towards him. He ducked out of the way, dodging the weapons impact. He scampered around a cart, which Arthur promptly hopped into, forcing Merlin to move back towards the stalls. He stumbled as Arthur swung the flail at him, and he fell back into some vegetables, before rolling back over the stall, landing heavily on the floor. Arthur smirked at him as he quickly got to his feet and made a dash for the far side of the stall, making his way to open ground. Arthur clambered his way through the stall, landing on his feet where Merlin had landed on his backside. Merlin backed away, and fell hard onto some sacks. Arthur darted before him and cut off any escape.

'You're in trouble now.' Arthur taunted.

'Oh god...' Merlin muttered, faced with Arthur and his flail. His eyes darted all around for anything he could use as a weapon, or a way to escape. They fell upon some scythes hung up on the stall behind Arthur and Merlin leaned forward, staring hard at the scythes. With a familiar rush, magic flew forward and twisted the scythes until the formed a hook, which promptly caught Arthur's flail mid-swing. While Arthur turned bemusedly to his tangled flail, Merlin made a hurried dash to the aisle between the stalls. He backed away as Arthur pursued him, swinging his freed flail over his head. He was watching Merlin closely now, as if he were waiting for something. Merlin searched around for a way to stall him, and his eyes happened upon a crate on the floor. He willed the crate to move, and stopped it right in front of the Prince, whose foot landed right inside. By the frustrated howl Arthur gave, Merlin guessed there was a loose nail. He grinned and darted around the stall behind him, putting it between himself and Arthur.

Arthur swung his flail, frustrated now that he hadn't already won. Merlin crouched on the floor and spied some rope. He willed the rope to stretch across the gap, knocking the Prince off his feet and to the floor. Merlin picked up Arthur's flail and swung it, admittedly rather less gracefully than the Prince.

'Do you want to give up?' He taunted, grinning as Arthur glared at him and backed away from the weapon in his hands. Admittedly, Merlin was hardly going to be able to hurt him with it, but even so, a weapon was a weapon. 'Do you?' Merlin called, and feigned a swing of the flail. Arthur's foot fell into a bucket, and the Prince stumbled to the ground. Merlin followed him, looking proudly around the crowd. His gaze happened upon Gaius and he felt the fight go out of him, the gravity of the situation hitting him suddenly. He had embarrassed Uther Pendragon's son, by taking his weapon. A moment later this thought was driven from his mind, as Arthur whacked him with a broom, and eventually knocked him to the ground. He groaned and winced at a sore spot on his... well, everything hurt really. The guards grabbed his arms and roughly hauled him to his feet, prepared to drag him away to the dungeons he was sure.

'Wait.' Arthur stopped the guards, his voice both amused and regal, a command to be obeyed. 'Let him go. He may be an idiot, but he's a brave one. The guards released him, and Arthur walked toward him, stepping beside him and watching him carefully. 'There's something about you Merlin. I can't quite put my finger on it.' Arthur said, but in his eyes, the Prince was saying far more to him. Arthur signaled to his friends to leave and began to follow them, before leaning close and whispering to Merlin, 'Meet me by the stables in five minutes.' And then Arthur was gone. Merlin stood for a moment, shocked and uncertain. He saw Gaius walk towards him and decided that even Arthur would be better than the old mans fury just now, and he hurriedly disappeared into the crowds, making his way to the stables. He walked through the stables slowly, running his hands over the horses silken fur if he happened to pass close enough. Suddenly a hand was over his mouth and he was yanked into an empty stall. Screaming would do no good, so Merlin resorted to the only thing he could think of.

'Urgh, that's disgusting!' Arthur's incredulous voice was both a relief and an irritation. The hand on his mouth was quickly withdrawn and Merlin turned to see Arthur wiping his hand on his shirt. 'You really are just a peasant! Who the hell licks a hand when they don't know who it belongs to?!' Arthur tutted and huffed and puffed while Merlin just watched, his heart slowly beginning to beat at a regular pace again.

'Well who the hell grabs people with no warning?' Merlin countered, jabbing a finger in the Princes direction. 'Only weirdos, bandits, and perverts, or uh, well, someone else.' He tried to look straight at the Prince, but the withering look Arthur gave him was enough to have him turn his gaze to the nearest horse, and he shifted uncomfortably as he began to stroke its neck.

'You really are a complete idiot aren't you?' Arthur said. Merlin opened his mouth to respond, but one look at Arthur had him deciding it wouldn't be to his benefit to respond, so he hastily shut his mouth and turned back to the horse. He stroked the mares neck a few more times, calming himself as much as the horse. When he looked at Arthur again, he saw the Prince watching him curiously.

'What?' Merlin asked, 'Why are you staring at me like I'm going to suddenly sprout a tail or something?' He quickly glanced behind himself, checking that he ha in fact, not grown a tail. Arthur shook his head.

'You really are absurd.'

'Yeah well, your hair is absurd.' Merlin glanced at the Prince, who looked more baffled than annoyed by his comment, and turned back to the horse he was petting.

'Anyway,' Arthur said forcefully, closing the ridiculous conversation. 'I wanted you to meet me here because I needed to ask you something.' Merlin glanced over, raising an eyebrow as the blonde boy stepped closer and put his hand over Merlin's on the horses long neck. Merlin felt his temperature rise as he looked up at the Prince, uncertainty and fear building in him. 'How long have you been a sorcerer?' Merlin felt his heart almost stop. It wasn't possible, how could Arthur know? Was this just a test, to trick him into confessing?

'I-I, I don't know what you're uh, what you're talking about,' Merlin stammered. He glanced at the blonde boy beside him, expecting to see fear, revulsion. Instead Arthur was openly curious, and definitely certain of his claim.

'Merlin, you're limited intelligence aside, I am not an idiot so don't treat me like one.' Arthur never once moved his gaze, or his hand and Merlin was growing uncomfortably warm under the Princes gaze. 'I know you used magic, you know you used magic. Just admit it and this will go a lot easier.'

'What, so you can turn me in with a free conscience?' Merlin spat, wrenching his hand free and stumbling across the stable. He turned his back on Arthur and tried to think of a way to escape, but he saw nothing. He turned back to Arthur to find the other boy was right in front of him again, watching him with amusement, annoyance and something else, hidden behind a feigned nonchalance.

'Merlin...'

'I don't want to be burned at the stake, I'm not even seventeen!'

'Merlin...'

'I never got to learn anything! About my history, my family... about anything!'

'Merlin..!'

'I've never kissed anyone-'

'Shut up Merlin!' Arthur roared, finally forcing Merlin to be quiet. 'God, you ramble like an old woman! For Gods sake, I'm not turning you in!' Merlin blinked. And then he blinked again, tilting his head to the side.

'What?' Arthur sighed and shook his head, sitting himself on a bale of hay and leaning his elbows on his knees.

'If I turn you in, I would have to say that I could feel you using magic.' Arthur looked up from his hands, and Merlin felt a profound sadness emanating from the other boy. 'I'm not about to turn you in. I can feel magic. You're magic feels warm, like the sun. It's gentle, and...' Arthur paused, looking up at Merlin briefly. He cleared his throat and looked away again. 'When its evil, it has evil intent, it feels malicious. You? You're about as malicious as a rabbit.' Arthur snorted, and Merlin managed a half smile. He wasn't sure what to say, so he let the Prince continue. 'Can you imagine my father putting aside his hatred of magic, when he discovers that I am magical?' Arthur glanced up at him and Merlin realized that Arthur was right, to Uther, anything even slightly connected to magic was dangerous and must be destroyed. His own son, would be an even greater betrayal then just some villager.

'How long, have you been able to sense magic?' Merlin asked, sitting on the floor at Arthur's feet. The Prince smiled tiredly at the young warlock.

'Since I was born,' he said quietly. He looked at Merlin, waiting expectantly.

'Same.' Merlin said. Arthur nodded, and he spoke no more. Merlin continued to sit silently at his feet, staring at the young Pendragon's hands and wondering what it must be like to be the son of the man who hated magic to his core, and be able to sense magic itself. To be able to tell whether a person was evil, or kind, and still have to watch them die. Merlin reached out, and rested his hand on Arthurs. He did not look up and meet his eyes, but if he had, he would have seen surprise and gratitude. Never had the Prince been able to share his secret with anyone, but now, he had found someone who understood. At last, he had a true companion. They stayed like that for awhile, until eventually Arthur stood. Neither said anything as they left the stables and went their separate ways, but they both felt a lingering sense of peace and calm, for the rest of the afternoon.

AN:~ So!

Here is a Merlin fic! :D Yep, I am branching out people! Don't get me wrong, I still love my old fandoms and I will surely write more - but, for now I need to express my new loves... This was going to be longer, I apologise - but its now like, 3am and I have been going solidly since 9pm... yeah. So. its going up now and I'm going to sleep.

For those who haven't read my works before, or who have but are sulking with me over my unpredictable departures and general unreliablility when it comes to updates, hi! I have two ways of writing - AU, like, REALLY AU, as in, there's little to nothing of the original plot - or, attempting to use what was already given to us closely. I once wrote a three chapter song fic called Time After Time, which used a single episode of Naruto, told first from Itachi's POV, then Sasuke's POV (or possibly vice versa) then I dumped them both in unfamiliar waters and let them figure it out from there :D (you wont find that story, after my last profile was hacked and all my stories deleted, I found that my files had all been corrupted - so, even though I -HAVE- everything I ever wrote, I cant load it or even read it myself... unless I want to see a page full of #######################)

ANYWAY; my point, is that this fic will be as close to the original material as I can keep it (obviously you know this, having just read this chapter) Yes, I have many a plan on what to do with it, and no, I'm not going to give any clues :p however I will say that I'm excited to be writing again as I haven't been for awhile :) NOW;

I hope you enjoyed this chapter, I have another Merthur I would like to start soon, but also don't want to be too torn as I might not get much time to write again... still, I hope to update soon, but let me know if you like it with a review and maybe it'll inspire me :)

Thankyou for your time - I love you all x