Arthur's POV

I start to feel guilty. If it weren't for my father enforcing the ban on magic, Merlin wouldn't be treated so badly. Even if this was Cenred's Kingdom my father still had influence.

We walk around the forest for awhile. I was grateful that Merlin had managed to strike up a conversation. It helps keep my mind off of things. After a couple of hours of simply talking and goofing around I heard the sound of horse hooves behind me.

We whirl around at the noise, fearing that the bandits were back. Instead, I spot multiple bright red capes with a golden dragon crest stitched into it. Of course I recognize the capes. These were Camelot Knights.

I see my father riding at the front of the group. I see relief flood his eyes when he sees me but immediately harden when Merlin enters his line of sight.

The group rides up to us and steadily come to a halt. My father dismounts his horse and grabs my arm. He pulls me behind him and draws his sword from his belt, pointing it a Merlin.

"Who are you? Declare yourself!" My father shouts. I attempt to pull his arm back but he shakes me off.

Merlin holds his hands up in a surrendering gesture. "I'm Merlin. Umm...your highness."

"Why are you with my son?"

"He's my friend. He helped me escape from the bandits that captured us."

My father glares at him before turning back to me. "You risked your life to save a peasant? And you befriended him as well?"

"Yes and what is wrong with that?" I question him rather angrily.

"You are a prince Arthur! You do not have time for silly games."

"Father, he is my friend! He also saved my life!"

"How could he have saved your life? A skinny boy like that?"

I hesitate before responding. I couldn't tell father that Merlin had magic. "He helped me heal when I was injured."

My father sneers in Merlin's direction. "Fine."

He sheathes his sword and walks back to his horse. "Let's go Arthur. We are heading back to Camelot."

"Could I have a moment to say goodbye?"

He seemed reluctant but finally gave in. Him and the rest of the Knights head off into the forest to give us some privacy.

I turn to Merlin. "So I guess this is goodbye." I say quietly. I didn't want to say goodbye. We were finally getting along and I knew I would miss him.

"I guess it is," he says sadly. He looks down at his boots. I can see some tears in his eyes. I feel a pang of guilt. I'm one of the only friends he ever had and now I had to leave. He would have to go back and face all those people alone.

"Don't feel sad," I smile at him in an attempt to cheer him up, "I know we'll be able to meet again one day. so just keep at it until then."

Merlin sniffles and wipes a tear away with his sleeve. "Alright," he smiles as well, "you better be a great king when I see you again."

"And you better learn to eat more before I see you again dollophead." I laugh and ruffle his hair. "Goodbye you idiot."

"Goodbye clotpole."

I wave to him goodbye and turn to follow after my father. I look back and see Merlin waving as well. His goofy smile stuck on his face.

Before I walk far I remember something. I run back towards Merlin and pulled a piece of blue cloth from my pocket. It was a blue neckerchief.

"Here." I hand him him the neckerchief.

"What's this for?"

"I found it when we were walking around the market today. You seem to have a very limited wardrobe."

Merlin laughs and takes the neckerchief. "Thank you."

I smile and leave.

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Merlin's POV

~3 Years Later~

I walk over the hill towards Camelot. I see the large towers of the castle loom over the horizon. I grin happily. I'm almost there. I begin to run excitedly towards the castle. The sounds and smells of nature brush past me as I full on sprint in the direction of Camelot.

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I arrive at the gate of Camelot. My eyes fill with wonder at the hustle and bustle of the large city. I fill with excitement at every little detail. I turn in circles attempting to take in everything. I wander towards the castle and head into the physicians chamber.

I introduce myself to Gaius and begin to settle in. After a couple of hours of talking with Gaius about what life in Camelot holds we head into the citadel for a feast the King, Uther, was holding.

I enter the room and my eyes glow in amazement. There was food piled high all over the dining hall. Servants hurry about with platters of more food and many nobles stand around the tables, engaging themselves in deep conversation. I begin to feel out of place in the large crowd. All these people were important in someway and then there was me. A nobody.

I follow Gaius around the party for a while. That's when I spot a familiar face near the centre of the room.

A blonde haired man was lounging on a table, laughing with a couple of Knights. His blue eyes were familiar so I continue to stare in his direction.

I see Gaius turn to look at me. He walks up and notices what I am looking at. "That's Prince Arthur. As you can guess he's Uther's son."

That's when it hit me. Arthur. He was the boy who had saved me that day from the bandits.

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Arthur's POV

I laugh and joke with my friends at the feast. I play off a cheerful aurora but I'm actually bored out of my mind. My 'friends' tell the same jokes and are always such bootlickers. I start to scan the room to find someone else to talk to when I notice a certain black haired boy in the crowd.

I stand from my seat and start to make my way closer. My friends stare at me in curiosity but choose to ignore me and return back to their conversation. The young boy is standing beside Gaius. I see him steal a couple of glances my way and realize he must sense the familiarity as well. I know I must have met him somewhere before.

I rack my brain to remember any small hint of the boys identity. That's when everything clicks back into place. I run up to him and grab his arm.

"Merlin?" I question.

"Arthur?" He asks back.

"Merlin!"

"Arthur!"

I give him a quick hug and back away, hoping no one noticed.

"It's good to see you again after such a long time," I start, smiling.

"It really is. I didn't think I would see you again."

"Me neither. I'm surprised you actually wear that blue neckerchief."

Merlin looks down and grins. "Well like you said I have a very limited wardrobe."

I laugh and ruffle his hair. "You grew taller as well. Sadly you still look as pale and thin as usual."

"And I see you're still a prat."

"At least I'm not a dollophead."

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Narrator

The rest is a tale we all know too well. Though now, with the Once and Future King knowing the truth about Merlin, the tale may end with a different twist. How will the story progress when the Prince of Camelot knows Merlin's secret? That is a tale for another time.

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A/N - Yay! I managed to finish my second multi chapter story!

So as you can tell by the ending I might write a sequel to this. It would have things that happened in the TV show but with Arthur knowing about Merlin's magic. It won't follow the exact script of the TV show episode but follow its general plot. I also WONT write every episode.

Anyways if you guys want a sequel please tell me! I know very few people have read this story so I don't know if people actually want it. I'll let you know if I do write one.

Hope you enjoyed this story!