AN; Okay guys, here it is, the second chapter. I am so sorry it has taken me so long. I have just finished my first year of college so I have been swamped with course work for the last 9-10 months, and it didn't leave much time for writing.

Anyway, I hope you like it. It has a little angst though.

Chapter 2

Merlin stood in the middle of the throne room in front of a seated Uther and Morgana, with Gaius and Gwen stood just to the side of the two royals. Merlin wrung his hands together, only moments before the four had come rushing into the court yard to see Arthur being carried by two guards, unconscious, with Merlin trailing behind. Arthur had been carried to his chambers and Merlin was ordered to explain, with led to the current situation.

Merlin glanced at the four people again before sighing, slowly he told them of the events which has taken place on the rocky beach, trying to prevent tears from falling from his crystal blue eyes.

When his story had finished two females had shed a tear for him and he could see they wanted to comfort him but now was not the time. He looked to Uther, the King looked relieved that his son would live but he looked sympathetic towards Merlin's loss. He may not have initially accepted his relationship with Arthur but eventually he had seen that the two men adored each other and how loyal Merlin was, is, to Arthur. Then he had given them his blessing.

"Merlin," The brunet looked up at the king when he spoke. "I wish to thank you for your sacrifice. I know it must have been a hard decision for you …"

"No, sire, it was not." Uther looked confused. "For Arthur, for his life, I would do anything to protect him." He said with conviction.

Uther smiled, a rare soft smile. "I know Merlin, and thank you for loving my son so much. If you wish you will no longer have to work for him, you could be Gaius' apprentice, with the same pay of course."

Merlin smiled gratefully, but shook his head. "Thank you for the offer sire, but I want to be around him even if he doesn't remember me rather than be without him completely."

Uther agreed then swiftly he, and Gaius, left the chambers to check on his son.

Only then did Merlin allow his self to grieve. He fell to his knees, the tears cascaded from his eyes and he let out heart wrenching sobs. Morgana and Gwen quickly ran to him, gathering him in a hug, stroking his hair and whispering kind words to him, soothing him the best they could.

xxxxx

Merlin lay, restless, in his cot that night. He shivered from the cold bite of the night air, he was so used to being in a huge bed, with a warm duvet, snuggled into Arthur's side who always seemed to emit heat which kept the cold at bay. Tonight, however, there was no big, soft bed. There was no feather duvet. There was no Arthur.

A few tears fell from the corners of his eyes and he tried to bury himself impossibly deeper into the itchy blanket, though it did little to comfort or warm him. Sleep was unreachable, the ache in his chest was a constant reminder of what he had lost earlier in the day.

When Merlin's eyes finally fell closed it was simply from exhaustion and just an hour or so before dawn broke, the rays of burning sunlight awoke him again. Normally they would make him happy, warm him to the bone and ignite the fire in his belly that gave him his endless enthusiasm. Today it was nothing but a bad omen, for he knew that nothing good would come from this new day.

He dragged his listless body into a sitting position, he rubs his eyes wearily because they stung from crying and sleep depravation. The ache had not lessened. A sigh passed the warlock's pink lips as he tried to mentally prepare himself for the day ahead.

xxxxx

When the young man eventually ventured out of his tiny bedroom Gaius was already scooping some questionable porridge into two bowls. He looked up at the sound of shuffling feet and the clatter of Merlin's door closing behind him, the old physician threw an encouraging smile towards his apprentice. It was returned, in kind, with a smile didn't reach the brunet's eyes, not even close.

"Come Merlin, you need to eat." Gaius said, motioning the boy forward. Merlin just slumped onto the bench and proceeded to push the oats around the bowl with his spoon, only managing a few spoonfuls.

"Merlin," Gaius put a hand on the boy's shoulder. "I know that this is going to be difficult for you, but you did the right thing, you saved Arthur. One day, he will know that, he will know all you have done, will do, for him. One day, he will remember you." Even though it was slightly unwise of Gaius to promise such a thing when there were no guarantees, but he was willing to try anything to cheer up the boy who had become like a son to him.

"Gaius, thank you." Merlin replied, his voice raspy for sobbing during the night. "But we both know that is not going to happen. This is permanent, I have to except that. Any hope I allow myself will only be dashed sooner or later." Merlin manages a half smile, grateful that Gaius cared for him enough to attempt to lie to him.

They ate the rest of breakfast in a moderately comfortable silence.

xxxxx

Merlin looked at the wooden door as if it was the most terrifying thing in the whole world, as if it was a monster that was liable to eat him at any given moment. He sighed, placing a hand on the door he wills himself to open the door, already failing twice before. He took a deep breath, his hand put more pressure on the door and slowly it opened. The brunet walked into the room, shut the door silently behind him and leaned against the solid wood. He turned around and there, in the middle of the bed was Arthur, the man he loved, sleeping peacefully. Despite himself Merlin felt a genuine smile cross his face, something that always happened in Arthur's presence, even when he was sleeping.

Silently Merlin crept across the stone floor toward the curtains adjacent to the bed, then drew the curtains open, allowing the morning sun to spill into the previously dark room. Merlin stood in front of the windows, allowing the sun to warm his pale skin.

A deep groan startled him, spinning around he was faced with an awakening Arthur, the blonde's blurry blue eyes slowly opening due to the harsh assault of the golden light. The prince then spotted Merlin, despite what Merlin had said to Gaius earlier there was still a small flame of hope burning in his heart, willing Arthur to remember his name, remember their friendship, remember their kisses.

That flame quickly flickered out and his heart broke into a thousand pieces as Arthur spoke. "Who are you?" He grunted.

Merlin gulped, willing his voice not to tremble or crack. "I'm your new manservant sire, your father hired me."

Arthur grunted once more before flopping against the bed. "Fetch my breakfast." Came his muffled voice. Merlin had never fled a room faster in his life. Once in the hallway he allowed himself to shed another tear, the last one he promised himself.

xxxxx

Merlin had delivered the prince his breakfast, he watched Arthur's eyes, checking for any flicker of recognition, there was none.

So he went about the room collecting the dirty clothes that the prince had thrown all over his room the day before in his rush to get to the beach. Just as he was making the bed Arthur's voice disturbed him.

"So, what's your name?"

"Merlin, sire." The warlock replied.

"What a strange name, have you worked as a servant before?" the blonde continued his questioning.

"Yes, sire, a noble. That's why your father hired me, I have good experience."

"Hum, good." Arthur said before swallowing down another sausage.

Merlin fell silent again, he hoped that Arthur didn't keep questioning him.

xxxxx

Through out the day Arthur observes his new servant, he looks kind of familiar but Arthur can't place him. Something niggles at the back of his mind, he feels like he is missing something, blind to something so obvious. Coming up blank he decides to ignore it.

As the day wears almost to an end he cannot help but notice that the servant, Merlin, has been glancing at him a lot. The other man's blue eyes were swimming with indefinable emotions, but for the life of Arthur he did not know why, eventually the glances stop and Merlin only looks at him when Arthur asks for him. Arthur just shrug's it off as the boy having first day jitters.

xxxxx

By the time Merlin was back in his own room he was emotionally drained. All day he had watched Arthur looking for any sign that the prince remembered him, there was nothing. During the day Merlin had become a perfect servant, no back chatting, always obedient, he didn't drop anything and always addressed Arthur as 'sire'.

Merlin has become the perfect manservant, the cost was his heart.

…

Well, I hope you liked it despite the angst. This story will be continued, it is just taking sometime as I have other on-going stories and stories that I am working on which I have not posted on FanFic yet.

Please let me know what you think about this chapter, the story so far and the story idea in general.

xx