The winter solstice is a special time for everyone in Camelot. They couldn't wait for the eating, singing, dancing around the decorated trees and watching the soulmate strings appear. But December 21 was especially important for one man. Arthur Pendragon. For the winter solstice was also his birthday.

For as long as anyone could remember on December 21st a golden string would appear around peoples pinky which would connect them to their soulmate. Arthurs father had told him how as soon as he was born there was already a long piece of golden string stretching from his smallest finger out into the woods beyond Camelot.

For a long time Arthur wasn't allowed to go and follow his soul string but it was customary that on the solstice following the princes' 18th birthday the best nights of the kingdom would go and follow the princes' sting to find the princess who's soul he had been bonded with.

For a long time Arthur couldn't wait for his 18th birthday. What a day it would be. The knights would set off in the morning and by nightfall they would bring back a dark haired maiden with an enchanting smile and sparkling eyes. They would dance around the tree and sing songs from their kingdoms. Sharing stories of myth and legend.

For years Arthur couldn't wait. Until suddenly he could. For suddenly he began to realised that his soulmate wouldn't be a princess at all. Maybe a prince, but knowing his luck it would be a mere peasant boy.

Arthur dreaded the night were the knights would come home. His father smiling broadly until he realised what had happened. "A boy!" He would scream. "My son will not be bonded with a boy!". Many a morning the prince would wake up drenched in sweat, afraid of what would come to him on his 18th birthday.

But sooner than he could dread it was the 20th of December and the knights were preparing to leave.

"Father" Arthur mustered all the courage he could and walked into the kings chambers. "I must insist you do not send the knights out tomorrow"

"For heavens why?,my boy, it is tradition! You have been dreaming of this day for years"

"That was true in the past, Father but it isn't now"

"Arthur, you cannot refuse this. It is what has happened for centuries!"

"I understand father but I couldn't help but notice that tomorrow will be my 18th birthday and not the solstice following by 18th birthday."

"I'm sure it won't matter too much, Arthur"

"But father there must be a reason why they following the string on a princes' 19th year and not any-"

"Calm yourself, Arthur" Uther smiled "I know what you are up too"

Arthur stared in shock. No.

No.

He couldn't know. He'd have been executed long ago. Crown prince or not.

"You- You do?"

"Of course!" Uther laughed softly "You are afraid of meeting her"

"I am?" Arthur let out a nervous laugh.

"You are young! You want more time to flirt with towns women"

"I do?"

"I understand Arthur, plus its your birthday!You are becoming a man! You don't want a woman on the same day!"

'Yes…" Arthur began to realise that to be frank this was a lot better excuse than his "That's exactly the problem"

"I bet the tavern women said they wouldn't sleep with you until your 18, didn't they" Uther mused, lost slightly in his own memories.

"Yes" This was actually true, the tavern women and the tavern men had promised him this, but it was the blacksmith's son who he was looking forward to seeing tomorrow. "So you won't send the knights out?"

Uther stood awhile in thought "As you have come up with an almost fathomable reason I will let the knights rest tomorrow"

"Thank you father" Arthur smiled. He was safe. For another year.

The next morning Arthur woke to the sounds of many servants and nobel people alike wishing him a happy birthday and a merry solstice. Arthur loved the winter solstice, just seeing everyone so happy was amazing, though of course there was still some in sadness in the air. Like his father who's string merely rapped around finger with no connection since it was cut on this day 18 years ago. Or those like Arthur whose string stretched out of the castle grounds. As most people went in search of their soulmates on the solstice the only strings other than Arthurs was Gwen' who couldn't go in search for she had too much work tennis to Lady Morgana and Gaius.

On his 14th birthday Arthur asked the physician why he had never gone in search of his soulmate.

"Oh Arthur" The old man replied "I did, when I was young, and it brought me here to Camelot"

"She lived here!"

"Yes sire, she was a healer in this very kingdom"

"But... why isn't she here anymore?"

"She was sent away not long after you were born"

"Why?"

Gaius sighed, envious of the boys innocence. "I'll tell you when you're older, now run along and give this to Morgana"

Arthur nodded and took the small vile and began walking out. When he reached the door he turned back.

"Gaius?" Arthur asked "Was your soulmate magic?"

"She is, Arthur"

The boy nodded wisely. "Don't worry, when I'm older I'll follow your string and bring her back to you"

The physician smiled "Thank you, my boy" he was sure he would.

Now, four years later, Arthur watched the three gold strings lead off into the distance, he'd watched his on his birthday every year, he knew in exactly which direction it went, which trees it intertwined, yet there was still a part of him that hoped it wouldn't lead out of the gates.

A part of him hoped it would lead to Leon or Elyan, not that loved either of them in that way, he just new if everyone could see his soulmate so easily it would all over sooner. He might even get a quick shag in before anyone realised.

And talking about quick shags, he had a few promised to remind people of.

The next year it was a lot harder to stop the knights but luckily he had had a whole year to think about it.

His plan was to go out the night before and find some creature that he could set out in Camelot that would be far more important to catch then find Arthurs soulmate.

It would have worked if Arthur wasn't such a clotpole.

The problem was that he couldn't find such a creature. He spent the whole night searching and consequently was asleep in the woods for most of his birthday until the knights who were supposed to be searching for his soulmate found him.

So technically, it was a success.

The next year Uther had successfully locked Arthur up so he couldn't get in trouble but this time he had come up with a plan that couldn't fail.

By winning a lot of bets Arthur had managed to get a lot of angry Tavern people to just wreck havoc outside the castle gates- to make the string unfollowable - and in the lower town to generally distract and-

"Arthur!"

Shit

"ARTHUR!" Uthers shouts echoed through the castle and down to the dungeon.

"I know this is your doing! For heavens sake, my boy, you can't keep running from this forever"

"I know, father"

"What do you have to say for yourself? You have destroyed the lower town and all the food! There will be no banquet tonight!"

"I am truly sorry father"

"I am not finished" Uther continued "For you, Arthur Pendragon, must be punished!"

"But father!" Arthur protested "No banquet and a birthday in the dungeons is surely punishment enough!"

Uther nearly laughed "I won't let you off that easy. As you chose to act like a child I could treat you like one, I could put guards on your doors, not let you see anyone for a while" He paused and Arthur smiled

That doesn't sound too bad-

"But no, you'd love some time off. No, I think more responsibilities is the way to go. You could start coming to the council with me. Yes and more training! First thing tomorrow morning! We also must find you a new servant for you to train with. And a shit one at that"

"No! Father! Please!" Arthur begged

"I'll have them let you go before sundown"

Well

He thought

It can only go up from here

And boy how it did.

The next morning Arthur was woken up extra early for target practise. At least with target practise there was always a peasant boy to be mean to. And that was exactly what he was doing when-

"Come on, that's enough" A sweet male voice interrupted his thoughts.

"What?" Arthur asked exasperatedly, he really didn't need this today.

"You've had your fun, my friend" The owner of the voice was a peasant boy, he will admit a handsome peasant boy but still, a peasant boy was daring to talk to him!

"Do I know you?" He asked the stranger

"I'm Merlin" He said, there was something about this boy. Something he knew he was missing.

"So I don't know you?" Shit that sounded more arrogant than intended.

"No" Too late now, may as well lean into it

"Yet you call me your friend" Nailed it.

"That was my mistake" The dark haired boy smiled.

"I think so" Arthur stepped toward the man whose body seemed to be a magnet to Arthurs.

"Yeah" He smiled. No. It was a smirk this time, he was planning something "I'd never have a friend who could be such an ass" There it was.

"Or I one who could be so stupid" Ha, two can play at that game.

Oh come up with something else he thought when Merlin didn't respond."Merlin, do you know how to walk on your knees?" Burn

"No"

"Shall I help you?" Arthur took another step towards the man, who, Arthur speculated, was taller than he looked.

"I wouldn't if I were you"

"What are you gonna do?"

"You have no idea" Well, Arthur thought, this is getting exciting.

"Be my guest" Merlin threw a punch at Arthur but the blond boy quickly took his hand and twisted it around in a uncomfortable position "I'll throw you in jail for that"

"Who do you think you are?" Ooh here it comes "The king?"

"No" Arthur couldn't wait to see the look on the poor boys face "I'm his son, Arthur"

The look on the poor peasant boys face was indeed priceless but quickly he has some guards took Merlin away though somehow Arthur knew that he would see that strange man again.

In fact he saw him again only the next day in the market and then again at the banquet - the townspeople were upset that it was canceled the day before - he even saved Arthurs life.

And true to his word Uther found him the worst and stupidest servant ever in Merlin. Not that he was very disappointed, no he wasn't at all, he was actually quite glad for though Merlin was by far the worst servant in all of Camelot, he was also becoming Arthurs best friend.

"So" Arthur began one dark evening in early January "Merlin"

"Yes, Sire?" Merlin replied while folding the last of Arthurs garments.

"What brought you to Camelot?"

"Well" Merlin paused, he couldn't tell Arthur the whole truth, his mam sending him away to Gaius to be taught how to be good warlock, and most importantly, a good man. But that wasn't all of it "I was following my string" Merlin gestured to his pinky.

"You were searching for your soulmate?"

"Yes, sire. But the trip was longer than I anticipated, I did manage to get a few miles from the city before midnight came though"

"So you know she's in Camelot?"

"I'm pretty sure" Merlin nodded "Unless they're some sort of hermit living just outside"

"Lets hope not!" Arthur mused.

"I'm sort of glad I didn't find them just yet, I don't think I'm ready" Merlin sighed.

I don't think I'm ready to find out its someone I don't know already.

"Plus, I heard there was some sort of brawl outside the gates, wouldn't want to get mixed up with that!"

"Knowing you, Merlin, you'd get mixed up in it even if you were far away in the stars"

"You know me too well, sire"

There was a long pause before arthur was brave enough to speak.

"Call me Arthur"

"Arthur" Merlin smiled "I already know you too well"

The two men stood in comfortable silence for longer than they'd like to admit. Arthur humming a song the tavern men were singing the day before, Merlin idly brushing dust off Arthurs things.

Suddenly he burst out laughing.

"What!" Arthur jumped, before blushing at his own concern.

"The- the!" Merlin gasped

"Spit it out!" Arthur cried "Come on"

Merlin only continued laughing. "What is it?" He was mildly offended now.

"The-" Merlin said when he finally managed to compose himself "The art of women!"

"What the h-" Arthurs face grew redder than he had thought possible when he noticed the book Merlin had found "Get out"

"Oh come on!"

"Get out" Arthur said sternly "Go polish my armour"

"It's the middle of the night!" Merlin protested

"Then you better get a move on" Arthur pushed his servant out the door "I have training in the morning"

Merlin left but Arthur could still hear his laughing down the corridor.

Arthur sighed, and looked over at his bookcase, relieved that in his laughter Merlin hadn't seen the sister book titled 'The art of men'.

The git.

"Oi!" Arthur shouted at Merlin one spring morning as the warlock came in to wake the prince up.

"What?"

"Get out of my bloody room!"

"Why?" Merlin asked making no effort to leave "The king wants you down for cancel meeting as soon as possible"

"Aren't you listening, you buffoon!" Arthur said moving suspiciously under the quilts "Get out of my chambers immediately!"

"Wait" Merlin smirked as he realised that there was a rather large lump on the other side of Arthurs bed.

"Merlin" Arthur warned through gritted teeth "Get. Out."

"I see you have someone with you" Merlin smiled "Care to introduce me"

"Merlin-"

"Or maybe I know her already"

"Get-"

"Gwen?"

"-Out"

"Carys? I do like her"

"I'm warning you"

But it was too late, Merlin had already walked around the bed and lifted the covers.

"Hello, Dafydd"

"Hiya, Merls" The scared man replied.

"How's your sister, I heard she's got a bad cold"

"She's getting better, thank Gaius for me"

"Will do"

"Merlin" Arthur interrupted "What are you doing?"

"Why, I'm making your guest welcome" Merlin turned back to Dafydd "I bet he hasn't even offered you breakfast"

"Well… umm…" Dafydd began "No"

"How about that" Merlin turned to Arthur.

"Its just I have some important business to attend to-"

"Don't worry Daf, just get dressed and I'll bring some breakfast down to you and your sister" He smiled slyly at Arthur "You must be exhausted"

"Alright!" Arthur exclaimed as he jumped up suddenly "Like I said I'm very busy so Merlin if you would escort Dafydd to the door"

Merlin, knowing when to stop the teasing walked the half dressed Dafydd to the door before leaving himself to get breakfast.

Once they had both gone Arthur preceded to bang his head violently agains the bed post.

Why,

He sighed loudly.

Does this always happen to me?

"You haven't had many night companions recently" Merlin asked while serving dinner to Arthur in mid August.

"What?!" Arthur spat out his drink. Night companions? Is he actually twelve?

"I was just wondering if our poor prince has lost his touch" Merlin smiled cheekily. Arthur grimaced. It was true though. For the few months after Merlin had found Dafydd, he had found many other strange men and women in Arthurs bed. It was an unspoken agreement that Merlin would lead them out in the morning while heavily implying that if they were to breath a word of this to anyone it wouldn't be a good day for their head. But this wasn't the case at the moment.

"I suppose I have" Arthur sighed, though he knew it wasn't true. Whenever he went around the town he would meet many women and men making enticing propositions yet lately something was making him turn them down. Maybe it was just the summer heat. Maybe it was the sad smile Merlin would give every time he found someone with Arthur. Maybe it was Arthurs own face in the mirror when the men began flirting with Merlin as well.

"Unlike you to admit such a thing"

"I simply meant" The prince lied "That I am beginning to think maybe I'm ready to meet my soulmate"

"Weren't you supposed to meet them ages ago?"

"Yes but I managed to avoid it"

"Why?"

"Merlin?"

"Yes Arthur"

"You do know it is punishable by death for a man to even think of a man in such a way as I have been with them"

"Yes but-"

"Then you realise that it is almost certain that when I find my soulmate they will be the 'wrong' gender and then both him and I will be burned at the stake"

"Yes, sire" Merlin said, feeling foolish "I'm sorry"

"No, Merlin, its okay"

"But you said you are ready to meet them now"

"Yes well- I can always hope that that isn't the case" Arthur smiled "Plus I'll need someone else to look after me when you find your soulmate this year"

"I won't quit when I find him Arthur"

"Him?" Arthur said, topping the foolish part of his brain pushing Merlin away.

"Like you" Merlin closed his eyes "I am not certain that they will be a he but I just have a feeling"

"Mhmm" Arthur agreed.

God he hoped he wasn't burned at the stake, for he wanted to see a whole lifetime of Merlins wise and peaceful closed eyes smiles.

On the first of December Uther announced that if anyone, friend of foe, would in anyway disrupt the quest to find Arthurs soulmate then they would be executed.

Arthur gulped. Though he had decided to let them follow his string this year, there was still a part of him that took comfort in the fact that he could, if he wished, set up some sort of plan to make the knights fall ill or something along those lines.

As the days went by he grew more and more in fear of his birthday.

On the 14th tears began to gather by his eyes as he looked out of his window, down at his kingdom which he feared he didn't have long left with. As the first tear began to fall down his cheek, he felt a strong arm pull him into a warm embrace.

Merlin.

God he will miss Merlin.

Merlin with his sarcastic humour and his snarky comments.

Merlin with his neckerchiefs.

Merlin, who almost always smelt of wood and earth.

Merlin, the stupidest man he'd ever met, and yet the wisest.

Merlin and his smile that could stop war.

Merlin and his eyes that told stories of adventures the prince could only dream of.

Merlin, who's arms felt like a second home.

Merlin, who he had twenty days left to be with.

"Merlin?" Arthur asked, his words muffled by Merlins shoulder.

"Mhmm"

"Lets run away"

Merlin chuckled "Where?"

"To Ealdor"

"Oh?"

"It's a small village I once visited as a child" Arthur told him "We weren't supposed to stop there but as we were passing through I was drawn to it somehow. I begged my father to let us stay"

"I know"

"What?"

"Ealdor" The dark haired man explained "That's where I'm from"

"Oh" Arthur felt so stupid for not even wondering where Merlin had been in the years before he met him.

"I remember you coming there"

"You do?"

"Yeah, I thought you were a right old prick"

Arthur laughed and hit Merlin on the arm.

"I'm only kidding" Merlin sighed "I don't actually remember much about it, I just have one clear memory of the look of amazement on your face when you-"

"Saw the ducks" Arthur finished "yeah I know, everyone and their mum has told me about how for weeks afterwards all I was talking about were those ducks"

"What kind of boy hadn't seen ducks before?" Merlin chuckled.

"A royal one" Arthur breathed in one more shaky breath before he pulled away from Merlin and wiped his face "Thank you Merlin"

"My pleasure" Merlin began to leave the princes chambers when he turned back "And Arthur?"

"Yes?"

"I'd love to" And with that he left.

Arthur stood with a stupid smile on his face. Deep down he knew he knew they couldn't run away. He wasn't even allowed out on hunts in fear he would run away and only return when it was too late to find whichever princess held his heart. But for those few moments he chose to imagine that amazing life the two men would share together. Yes. It would be lovely.

Arthur, by some miracle, managed to persuade his father to not keep him in the dungeons for the entirety of his birthday. He didn't know how it happened really. But the main thing was that it did.

It was ten minutes to midnight and the knights were all ready to charge. Arthur was stood, with guards to either side of him, on left of the square. On the other side stood Merlin, his eyes glowing in the moonlight. Soon gold would appear around them, Arthurs sting leading out of the gates for the knights to follow, the knights own strings flowing behind them back into the city. And then there was Merlins. Where would that go? Down to the lower town? Maybe even up to the castle! Maybe it would go to one of the knights. Arthur would be even sadder then, Merlins first chance at seeing his love and his soulmate was run off in search of Arthurs.

The clock was ticking. Some villagers began coming out of their homes, some ready to follow their own golden light. Some to begin the celebrations as early as possible. But most were wanting to watch the others magic.

5

They all gathered to count down.

4

Couples stood by one anther, recalling the moment the strings had brought them together.

3

Children danced, excited to see the rays of sunlight they had only seen a few times before.

2

Arthur couldn't decide whether closing his eyes or keeping them wide open was the best option.

1

Glowing lights appeared. They first began at peoples fingers but made their way up stairs, through keyholes, drawing pretty patterns in the sky.

Arthur looked to the gate.

Two gold strings lead out of the castle.

Two.

Quickly Arthur looked to his hand and followed the light with his eyes.

Down the steps.

Through the courtyard.

Past the gates.

He could feel those around him gasp as they realised too as his eyes rested on a hand.

He was almost afraid to look.

Afraid to see the man he knew.

The man who he knew was his soulmate all along.

The man who he hadn't realised he was in love with until this moment.

He looked up to see.

Merlin.

Who else could it be?

His blue eyes looked at Arthurs, scared yet hopeful.

His face happy yet terrified.

He smiled.

A smile on his lips which only said one thing.

Arthur.

Arthur ran as fast as he could to his soulmate.

They kissed. The knocked noses. They almost knocked themselves out. But all that mattered was that they were together for this fraction of a second as their souls collided in an explosion of gold light.

They didn't hear the cheering of the crowd.

The startled horses.

The shout of Uther Pendragon, ordering them to be pulled away.

"A boy! My son will not be bonded with a boy!"

An army of men pulled them apart but no army of men couldn't stop them. Or so he wished.

"Merlin!" A desperate cry.

"I love you!" A meaningful phrase.

"I-" A last word.

A hand clamped over the princes mouth. Arthur watched as the love of his life was pulled away to the castle. He watched his soulmate scream as the world around him turned to black.

-The End-

Hey guys thanks for reading! Hope you enjoyed! If i get enough comments I might do some sort of epilogue but idk. Anyway thanks this is like the first fanfic I have completed and im chuffed so yeah thanks!

Gwen xx