The Prince and Manservant stayed another night in the forest. Merlin hasn't been himself. He was lying watching the fire. He was starting to worry about his master. Correction, he concerns the young prince. It made the prince go crazy in his mind, wanting to know what was going on in the sense of the young warlock. He wasn't his usual, dorky-talkative-happy self.

Arthur knew Merlin was no coward; the manservant was one of the bravest idiots he knows; if Arthur had to admit, he was even more daring than some of his knights. He would never admit that to him. No, that would go straight to the boy's head. "Out with it. What's wrong?" Arthur slid down to sit next to him.

Merlin glanced at him, turning his attention back to the flickering flames. Arthur sighed. "Merlin, you can talk to me, you know that? Your starting to worry me. This isn't like you." He told him.

"None of your business," The boy replied coldly. Arthur bit his lip; that said it. Merlin was upset. He looked around, trying to find a way to cheer him up. He needed to see him smile.

"Okay, is it because of the Sorcerer?" He got a shrug in response. "I'm sure he not even in Camelot, but there's something more. Merlin, you need to talk to me, I can help"

"No! You wouldn't understand" Merlin grumbled at him. Arthur looked at him.

"Try me? We have known one other for years Merlin, you must know you of all people I am trust worthy," He nudged the younger boy slightly but gently to try and cheer him up. " Yesterday morning you were talking my head off, since the meeting you been mute, I know I said this before, but you being quiet Is more irritating then your non stop chatter"

Merlin sat up holding his legs in a hug up against his chest. "What do you want me to say? I can't, you wouldn't understand. No matter how much I may want too. I can't" he looked back at the fire. Arthur frowned at him. He could guess what his manservant was hiding. It just hurt that Merlin felt he couldn't tell him about it. But he also understood the reason why.

"Don't tell me, I guess you will when your ready too, try and get some sleep at least." Arthur itched away from him so he could lay down. His eyes trailed to his manservant, before closing his eyes to sleep.

He was awoken by Merlin throwing his saddle bag at him. "Merlin!!" He shouted.

"What? Are we going to go Back to Camelot? Because if you ask me we should head their now it's a half day ride there" his manservant smiled slightly. " Come on" Arthur looked at him. He smiled slightly. Merlin was brighter this morning. He noticed his eyes looked tired, and still ridden in fear.

"Did you get any sleep?" He questioned.

"Yeah, can we go now" Merlin asked, collecting their gear. Arthur groaned and getting up. He was getting better at reading his manservant's emotions, he hadn't slept again.

"You better talk to Giaus when we get back to Camelot, I don't need a servant who is looking in fear and tired" Arthur told him collecting himself and his gear before going to his horse. "Merlin promise me you will."

"I will talk to Giaus" Merlin told him, mounting his horse. They headed back towards Camelot.

It was midday when they reached the gates of Camelot. They slowed their horses down as they entered the citerdal of the kingdom. They came to a halt at the entrance to the palace. Arthur was the first to dismount his horse . "Merlin go to Giaus, and go to bed, I don't need your services today" Arthur spoke to him. He saw his servant give a small nod.

The prince of Camelot headed up the stairs and into the palace where his father was waiting for his report of the death of the sorcerer. "I hope you have good news." Arthur looked at him.

"I'm afraid not, Sire. We had traveled to the Druids Camp, unfortunately they weren't able to help. They had no idea the true identity of Emrys" he held his arms behind his back. Uther slammed his arm on the long table.

"I gave you an order to hunt him down, but you didn't" the king growled. "If that sorcerer finds out his if royal blood. He will destroy anything"

"How can I find someone I don't even know his real identity or what they look like. They may not even be in Camelot or even near. You don't even know what they even want to take of the kingdom! Your just assuming! You know just as well as I they were born with magic" Arthur growled through his teeth.

" Born!? His mother cursed him. I should of made sure he was dead, when I noticed. He practices magic ! People with magic only want to do harm to the kingdom" Uther spoke to him disappointed.

"You don't know that, you don't know anything about him" Arthur spoke. Unaware Sir. Leon was standing there listening, he let out a cough to gain their attention.

"excuse me sires, we haven't had any luck with tracking down the sorcerer" Leon spoke . "Did I hear this correctly? You have another son. And you want him....."

"Enough!" Uther shouted " that sorcerer isn't my son, just a monster" he growled " you will track him down Arthur. Now leave me"

Arthur scrunched up his nose, he stormed out of the room. Leon stood there, before bowing and leaving. He was unsure what to do, he was loyal to the family . But killing a prince was a whole different story. He saw Arthur "Arthur, you don't want this do you?"

Arthur looked at him. "No, I don't know what to Leon, but how do we know he had a choice but not to practice magic. Can you imagine living like that? Having magic from birth but everyday you have to hide who you really are or you will face execution because of how you were born" Arthur spoke. "Then finding out your being hunted"

"It would be terrifying, they probably hide"

"......or shut down" Arthur spoke, "and not sleep, afraid that your going to killed" he drifted off,

"Sire? You know he is?"

" No, but I think I might" Arthur straighten himself up, "I can't Tell you my thoughts on who." He headed towards his room, trying to think of what to do.

AN

Here's the next trouble, I am hoping I am doing right by their personally. Arthur knows it's Merlin. Heehee, due to the way he was acting, but he doesn't want to push it. And his worried about him. Leon will find out and help Arthur keep it quiet.

please comment on what you think! So I know I am on the right track with their personalities. I really should be doing assessments ​​​​​, ohh well

SoulFury