Arthur's POV

"Arthur," I say to the boy, Merlin. I contemplated telling him my last name as well but I didn't want him to shy away from me because I'm royalty. I have to admit he's fun to be with.

"Arthur, huh. Well then Arthur, I would like to inform you your head is bleeding quite profusely into the lake."

"Wait what?"

I feel a warm liquid drip down the side of my face. It felt different compared to the water. I lift a hand up and pat around my head. I pull it back and look at my fingers. A red sticky substance coats them. Blood.

"Oh..." I say before I begin to feel lightheaded. I feel myself fall back into the lake before blacking out.

-----

I open my eyes only to be blinded by the sun. I squint, bringing a hand up to cover my eyes.

"You're awake," I hear a voice say.

I look over and see Merlin sitting against a tree beside me, clothes drenched in water. His neckerchief is missing as well.

"Um... what happened?" I ask groggily.

"You almost drowned in the lake. I had to pull you out. You almost turned the whole pool red with blood." I hear him chuckle slightly.

I groan. "No wonder I feel like death."

"Don't worry. I managed to patch it up."

"Thank you."

I sit up steadily. My head spins slightly when I lean up against the tree. I bring a hand up to my head. I feel a cloth tied around my temple. We sit in silence for awhile. Merlin enjoys the view while I try my best to get my head to stop spinning.

When I finally feel good enough to stand I notice the sun is already beginning to set in the distance, casting an orange glow over the trees.

Merlin gets to his feet and stretches his arms over his head. "Well I best be going. My father is going to wonder where I am soon. Do you need help getting home?" He exclaims.

"No, I'll be fine. Thank you." I give him a smile.

He smiles back brightly. "Well... Perhaps I'll see you again sometime?"

"Yes... perhaps."

Merlin turns to leave. He walks to the edge of the clearing before I call back out to him. "Merlin!"

He turns around.

"Um..." I look away shyly, a blush creeping up on my cheeks. "If... if its just you... I don't mind sharing this place."

If it were possible Merlin's smile seems to grow even brighter then before. "Thank you. I don't mind sharing with you either."

I smile back at him and watch his silhouette disappear into the trees.

------

Merlin's POV

I make my way back to the village with a small skip in my step and a large smile spread across my face. The village people all give me sideways glances when I pass. I arrive in at the large castle and head inside, whistling a happy tune through the halls.

"Well you seem quite happy Merlin."

I turn to the voice. Morgana is walking towards me. A small smile on her face.

"Ah, the lady Morgana. How are you this fine evening," I say with a bow.

"I'm doing well tonight though it seems not as well as you. So tell me, did you meet up with a girl or something?" Morgana giggles.

I blush brightly. "No no no. Nothing of the sort." I wave my hands around frantically. "I simply found a comforting place is all."

"Aw no need to be so embarrassed Merlin. We're friends right?"

I blush again. "Like I said. Nothing happened."

Morgana laughs. "Well I'll find out soon enough. I have my ways you know."

I roll my eyes.

"By the way... what happened to your neckerchief? You always wear that thing around."

"Oh... it must have um... blew away in the wind."

"Mmm hmm." Morgana smirks at me. "Blew away huh."

"Yes that's right. Blew away. It was really windy today."

"Whatever you say Merlin. Oh, I have to go. Balinor wishes to speak with me."

"About Camelot?" I ask, eyes hardening at the word. They stole everything from my people. They have killed countless of our kin and I will seek vengeance wherever possible.

"Yes, about Camelot," Morgana practically spits the word out.

"Well I best leave you to it then."

"I'll see you around then Merlin." Morgana smiles and waves. She turns and heads down the hall, her heels clicking against the stone as she walks away.

I wave goodbye before turning to head back to my chambers. I enter my room and immediately collapse onto the bed. It seems today was a good day after all.

-----

Arthur's POV

The second I pass the gates into Camelot my Knights come charging at me.

"Sire! Where have you been?! Your father's been searching for you everywhere!" Leon asks in a panic already scanning me for injuries.

"I went out," I answer simply, pushing past them.

The follow behind me, flanking both my sides as I make my way through the lower town. "Um... my lord, is your head alright?" Elyan asks, pointing at my temple.

"It's nothing. I just tripped is all."

"Sire, your father wishes to speak with you in the council chambers," Percival says, coming up to my left.

I sigh. I miss Merlin already. "Fine. Tell him I'll be there in a few."

"Yes, sire." Percival bows and rushes off.

"Now the rest of you get back to your posts. I'll be fine by myself," I hiss at them.

They all nod and head off in different directions. I let out a breath. Finally, alone. I walk up to my chambers to change. I open the door and am greeted immediately by George.

"Good evening sire. I have prepared your clothes for you," he says, already grabbing a fresh pair of trousers.

"Oh wait-" I try to stop him but he's already taken off my tunic.

He stops to look at the bandage around my temple. He unwraps it and takes it off, holding it in his hand. He fiddles with it for awhile.

I pull on a new tunic and peer over at the cloth. I'm startled to see the entire piece of fabric is red. Did I bleed that much? I'm about to panic when, upon closer inspection, I notice that it's Merlin's neckerchief.

"I'll dispose of this for you sire," George exclaims, heading towards the hearth.

"Wait!" I say, ripping the cloth from his hands. "It's uh... it's mine and I still need it."

"As you say sire." George bows. He waits patiently by the wall.

"You are dismissed George." I wave him towards the door.

My manservant bows again and exits my chambers. I let out a breath of relief. I turn my attention back to the cloth. I unravel it to examine more closely. It is indeed, Merlin's. No wonder his neckerchief was missing.

I pull on a new pair of trousers and head down to the kitchen. I open the door and see Guinevere, Elyan's sister, washing a basket of clothes in the sink. I stride over and wait patiently on the side. She eventually gives notice and gives a small yelp of surprise.

"Oh! My lord! What brings you here today?" She asks, straightening her clothes.

"I need something cleaned," I tell her.

"What is it?" She raises an eyebrow.

"This." I pull out the neckerchief. She takes it into her hands.

"I never knew you had a neckerchief."

"Oh, it's not mine. It's... a friends."

"A friends?" She looks at me questioningly. I can even hear a hint of... was that jealousy?

"Yes, a friends."

"Is it a girls?"

"What? No it's just a friends and I got it dirty so I figured I should clean it before giving it back."

She doesn't look convinced but doesn't say more. She takes the cloth and places it on the pile of unwashed laundry. "I'll deliver it to you when it's done."

I smile and make my way to the council chambers to meet my father. I cringe at the thought. He must be furious.

I knock once on the door and wait. I hear his voice shout, "Enter."

I push open the door and stride in. A blank mask descends upon my face, hiding all emotions. My father sits in his throne. Food is laid out on the table in front of him. A goblet of wine sits beside his plate.

"Where were you this afternoon Arthur?" He asks. Anger clear in his tone.

"I was out," I respond.

"Out where?"

"Searching for Morgana," I lie, saying the first thing that pops into my head.

That seems to perk his interests. My father's eyes widen. He leans forward so his elbows rest upon the table. "you went by yourself?"

"Bringing more Knights would only slow me down."

"And the result?"

"Nothing."

He sighs and leans back on his throne. He massage his forehead with his hands, as if trying to rid himself of a migraine. "Morgana..." he mutters to himself, worry practically oozing from his voice. "That cursed Balinor!" He yells, slamming his fists into the table. "How dare he kidnap my ward!"

I stand motionless at the other end of the table. I don't dare say anything. Morgana had always been a hard topic to speak to him about openly.

My father takes in a deep breath to calm himself down. He waves a hand at me. "You're dismissed. Just... please inform me when you go out by yourself next time alright?"

"Yes, father." I bow and leave the room.

-----

Merlin's POV

I happily stroll through the forest, heading in the direction of the waterfall. It was late afternoon, around the same time I had went the previous day. I secretly hope to myself that Arthur would be there.

I arrive at the falls. My smile fades when I notice no one else is present. I sigh, dejected. I slump down against a tree when suddenly I feel a soft breeze blow by my ear. I let out a small shriek in surprise, even leaping forward a couple feet. I turn around to see Arthur, smiling widely at me and trying to hide his amusement.

"Arthur!" I yell, slightly embarrassed at my reaction.

He chuckles. "Sorry. You were looking all glum so I decided to help."

"How does blowing into my ear help?"

He shrugs and sits down against the tree, cross legged.

I pout. "Prat," I mutter under my breath.

"I've been meaning to ask, what is a prat anyways?"

"In one word?"

"Yes."

"Arthur."

This time it's his turn to frown. "That's mean."

"And you're not?"

"Of course I'm not. I have impeccable manners."

I chuckle, rolling my eyes at him. "Apparently your definition of 'manners' are different then mine."

He laughs. "This is why I like you Merlin. You're... different from most people."

"How so?"

He thinks for a moment. "You speak honestly."

I give a small smile. I feel guilt settle in for lying to him. He doesn't know that I'm a warlock but what if he hates me because of it? He's a fun person to be around and it's nice to get away from the people in the Rebellion. I can't tell him. It'll be a danger to us both.

"Oh!" Arthur says suddenly, giving me a fright. He rummages around in his satchel. I stare in confusion until he pulls my neckerchief from his bag. "Here." He hands it to me.

I smile. "I almost forgot about it. Thank you," I say.

"No worries. I should be thanking you for helping me with my injury."

"It was no problem. I know a few basic medical procedures."

"Are you an apprentice to a physician?"

"No but one of my teachers is a physician. I like to read his books."

"You enjoy reading?" His tone is a little mocking.

I cross my arms over my chest in offence. "Yes, and I think you should learn to as well. It will do you some good."

Arthur gives me a fake pout. I laugh at his expression. I see a small smile spread across his face from the corner of my eye.

He soon stands and stretches. "Do you want to go for a walk? It's a nice day out today."

"Alright. I have nothing better to do." I grin and stand as well.

We head off into the forest, no real destination in mind.

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A/N - I am so sorry guys for the major lack of updates for this story. =( I had planned on writing this when I finished my previous story but it ended up being a lot longer then anticipated. But now it's done so I'll be working on this story! Look forward to more updates soon.