An awesome idea given to me by The_Girl_In_The_Mask although, I may have tweaked it a bit here and there.

"Arrrrthuuurrr!"

"What do you want now Merlin?"

Merlin's pout showed Arthur just how much the spell affected Merlin. "My butt hurts from riding a horse so long!"

"Unfortunately, it's still a two day ride to Camelot, so you'll have to get used to it." Arthur sighed loudly.

Someone put a spell on Merlin to make him younger. Merlin had stated that he was fourteen, and he'd demanded to know who this strange man was. When Arthur had told him he was his future boss, Merlin had muttered something about 'annoying prats,' and 'desperation being a horrible thing'.

When Merlin heard the word 'Camelot', he attempted to jump off his horse and run away. Being super clumsy, the furthest he got was face planting off his horse, and an attempt to scramble away.
Arthur swooped him up in his arms. Then with another sigh, he angrily asked, "What's wrong this time Merlin?"

"You said we were going to," then with a whisper Merlin spoke, "Camelot!"

"Yes, Camelot. That's where we live you idiot. You work for me and your uncle Gaius."

"Gaius?" Merlin asked. "Mum told me about him before."

Another sigh from Arthur. "Alright, get on your horse, and let's hope to any higher beings there are, that Gaius has a remedy for this."

Grumpily, Merlin went to get back on the tall chestnut horse that he had suddenly been on. It had been quite a shock. Then there was a man in a strange cloak running away, and this man in armour checking to see if Merlin was okay. The man who he now knew to be Arthur had seemed quite distraught about Merlin being hit by that spell.

Merlin remembered going to bed, and then he woke up in a different position, place, and apparently, time. Merlin knew this could all just be a ruse to get him to Camelot, but what else could he do? Maybe what 'his boss' said was the truth. He couldn't use magic around this man if that was true.

By the looks of it, Arthur was a noble, or a knight. If that was true, that would make Merlin a servant. In Camelot. Times must have been really dire for that to have happened.

"So how did we meet?" Merlin asked. If they had a two day trip, then he may as well pry some information out of Arthur.

Arthur glared at Merlin, before starting, "If you must know, the first time we met, you were being an idiot, and you stood up for a servant that I was teasing. Then you threatened, and attempted to punch me, for which you got put in jail. Gaius got you out though."

"I lay low unless there's an injustice being done around me. You were obviously doing more than just teasing."

"Lay low? Please Merlin. You do pretty much the opposite! You're always doing something strange, and everyone notices you!" Arthur shouted in frustration.

This kid was a younger version of his manservant, except with even more of an attitude, a lost memory of their time together, and fourteen year old Merlin saw himself very different than Arthur saw the older Merlin. Maybe Merlin had changed a lot over the years?

There was also something about almost being in your mid teens. It's usually the time people begin rebelling and changing. It's the time people begin thinking for themselves, and move away from parental figures. Of course there's exceptions. Like some people getting this phase early, or late. What they rebel against depends on the person and the circumstances they're in.

Arthur heard Merlin grumble something under his breath, and he chose to ignore it. Whatever it was, was probably better left unsaid.

Not even twenty minutes later, Merlin began asking for a break.

.........

When they finally set up camp, Arthur was prepared to murder Merlin. The idiot had needed four breaks. Along with that, the complaining, did... not... stop!

"Merlin can you please make the fire?"

"Why can't you do it? I've already set up the rest of the camp, while you set out the bed rolls. I think it's your turn to do something."

Arthur glared harshly. "Merlin. Do it. Now," his voice may have been quiet, but there was a stern undertone.

Not knowing this man very well yet, Merlin decided not to test his limits. Yet. Although, he still mumbled another complaint before leaving. When he was walking away, he heard Arthur sigh loudly. A smile fell on Merlin's face.

Soon the fire was made, and after a while of arguing about who would make the food, the food was made. In the end, they decided to do it together. Although, Arthur was truly horrid at cooking, and Merlin hurriedly shooed him away before Arthur broke the tools.

"Why can't you do such a basic thing as cooking?" At Merlin's words, Arthur blushed slightly while trying not to show his embarrassment. "Are you seriously that dense to think you can always rely on other people? News flash, you can't! People turn their backs on you, and suddenly treat you like trash for no reason. You need to have as many skills as possible so that if you had to be independent, you could!"

Arthur had not expected this. A thirteen year old scolding him about topics he shouldn't even know about.

Merlin's eyes widened once he realized he scolded a man with a sword, and then he went over what he had said. He should not have said that.

This strange man he knew almost nothing about could be violent, or easily angered like the men in Ealdor. All Merlin really knew about him was that his name was Arthur, he was bringing them to Camelot, and that he seemed to be a knight. To Merlin this was bad news.

He had to get out of there.

Sprinting suddenly, Merlin raced away. He had experience in running away. Darting through trees, and around corners. The goal was to lose Arthur. If he couldn't, he'd use magic to hide, or escape.

Arthur was definitely fast, but Merlin was faster. He also seemed to have more endurance. Which didn't surprise Merlin. The amount of running he did back in Ealdor was obviously more than the running Arthur did.

Soon Merlin found he couldn't see Arthur, but he found an incredible place to hide. Inside a hollowed out old tree. So he curled in on himself, and allowed his heart to slow down. His breathing calmed, and soon Merlin was asleep. That prat was tiring.

A couple hours later Merlin woke up. It seemed to be mid afternoon. Climbing out, Merlin checked the forest around him thoroughly, and began in the direction he knew Ealdor to be. Earlier Arthur had mentioned they were on the outskirts of Cendred's kingdom, and to get away from it they had to move west. So now he went east.

Wanting to get home, and back with his mother, Merlin walked through the night. When the sun hit the horizon, he reached familiar grounds. Merlin's excitement brought him to run.

The sunrise was astounding. The many colours, the light, the shadows, the wildlife, and most of all the village. It had never looked so inviting to Merlin. Skipping, his hope an happiness reached new levels.

How long had he been gone? That didn't matter, he was home now. His mother would be so happy to see him, and he'dbe home. It may not have been a very good home, but it was home.

The houses got closer, and everything became clearer. The bakery, the tavern, the storage bins. Then his home.

Racing in, he slammed the door open and shouted, "Mom! I'm home!"

Except he didn't find Hunith. He found a young couple with a baby.

The frail lady looked terrified of Merlin, while the man had taken an protective stance.

"Wheres my mom?" Merlin asked with fear woven through his voice.

The man spoke up, "she's not here."

"When Will she be back?" Merlin asked fearfully.

"Never! Now leave us alone!"

Merlin started to back up. Where was his mom? Why did the house look so different? He was terrified. Merlin turned around and moved swiftly out of the house.

"Boy, wait!" A sweet, honey like sound came from inside the house. Once Merlin was visible from the doorframe, the lady with the baby spoke, "my name is Emerald, and this is Lincoln." She pointed to her husband. "Maybe we can help you. What's your name, and what's your mom's name?"

Merlin looked around uneasily. "Umm, my name is Merlin, and my mom's name is Hunith. We... live here?" After scratching his ear, he continued, "but I woke up beside a stranger who told me a sorcerer had deaged me. I didn't believe it. Do you know where Hunith is now?"

A sad look crossed the couple's faces. "Sweetheart, I believe what the man said is true. We bought this house eight years ago after the lady who owned it died. Her name was Hunith."

Merlin's eyes became wide, and soon he was away from his old home. He'd raced through the town, and noticed many differences. Many businesses were gone, replaced, or looked bigger and better. All of this indicated that what had been said twice now was the truth.

Perhaps it was all just a set up? The rude boys in town had gotten his mom out of the house, got a couple in to tell him that horrid lie, and they'd gotten a lot of work done on town to make it more realistic?

Unfortunately, there were too many differences. The extensive upgrades, the many differences, the many people he didn't recognize in this small village where everyone knew everyone. It wasn't possible for them to make so many changes in so little time.

While Merlin was thinking, he'd wandered to his favourite place accidentally. His cave. The one he and Will used to hang out in. What happened to Will anyway? Had he found a job? Maybe he'd gotten married. What kind of things had he done in his life so far?

At least he hadn't ended up working for a stuck up knight in Camelot. That much he was sure of. Will was far too opinionated to end up working in Camelot.

The thought of working for that guy Arthur was terrible. How long had he had that job anyway?

By the way he was treated, it sounded terrible. He was probably worked half to death back when he was older.

After a long time in that cave, Merlin fell asleep.

........

M

erlin was frightened awake by a noise.

"Merlin!" Somebody called into the cave. "MERLIN!"

Only two people knew of his cave. Hunith and Will. Considering it was quite a masculine voice, it was not his mother. It didn't sound like Will.

After remembering he was technically in the future, he realized I could be Will. His best friend could be here I grown up version! That would be cool. Despite this, he knew it could also be someone else, so he stayed in his hiding hole.

"Merlin, I know you're there!" That voice was rather familiar.

Then Merlin saw a pair of shoes. Then then person who owned the shoes brought himself down so he could see Merlin.

"Merlin, please come out." It was that jerk Arthur. The one who had forced him to ride a horse for hours, and had attempted to bring him to Camelot.

Merlin's simple reply was, "No."

Sitting down cross legged, Arthur asked, "why not?"

Sighing, Merlin began to pout. "I woke up in a world that I recognize, but nothing is the same. This is the only place that hasn't changed. Plus, you'll probably want to take me to Camelot, and I don't wanna go there."

"I understand this must be hard for you Merlin, but if you come back with me, we can try to get you back go your normal age so you remember. Then everything will be familiar. And what's so bad about Camelot? You have friends there, a job, your uncle Gaius, and me. I'm a friend of yours. So why not?" Arthur asked with a puzzled expression.

"If you were truly a friend of mine, then you would know already." Merlin's statement was a harsh blow to Arthur. Was he not a true friend to Merlin? Arthur thought.

"Well I thought we were pretty good friends. Yeah, sometimes I get caught up in my work, but I try to be there for you. Just like I am now."

Feeling a little guilty, Arthur realized he had been getting caught up in business a whole lot. He'd been ignoring Merlin a lot lately. Every time they saw each other, Merlin got a huge list of chores.

Continuing in a kind voice, Arthur told Merlin,"If you come back to Camelot, I can help you out. Gaius will try his best to help get your memories back, and Gwaine will probably help you do pranks on people around the castle." The last part was said with a smile.

Merlin smiled at the idea. "Fine, I'll come."

Imma make a part two. I've been really busy lately, so sorry for not updating.

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