The Hidden Kingdom

Chapter 1

Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin  :) 

Merlin strode into the Prince's chambers with a sigh, seeing Arthur peacefully sleeping with his face pressed into a pillow and softly snoring, Merlin grinned and let the tray drop loudly on the table with a bang. Arthur grumbled at the noise but didn't stir. Merlin rolled his eyes and quickly opened the curtains letting the morning light stream in.

"Get up!" Merlin shouted walking towards him.

Arthur slowly opened his eyes and glared at him, "Is it my imagination or are you actually on time today Merlin?"

He grinned, "I am, your breakfast is on the table, you have a meeting with the King this morning,  you probably don't want to keep him waiting and then you have training with the knights in the afternoon." Merlin rambled as he moved towards his wardrobe to ready Arthur's clothes.

Arthur sat up in his bed with a frown. "Did you do something? Or hit your head or something?"

Merlin turned to him with a confused frown. "No? Why?"

Arthur raised his eyebrows at him, "It's just you almost sounded like a half-decent servant."

Merlin laid out the Prince's clothes out on the bed with a smirk, "That almost sounded like a compliment." He said quietly,

Arthur scoffed and went to sit at the table, "Oh wipe that grin off your face Merlin, it doesn't suit you." He said yawning as one hand reached for the tray of cheese and fruit. "And you best hurry helping me get dressed, if I keep my father waiting too long, it'll be both our necks."

Merlin sighed and got Arthur presentable enough to see the King, in his usual red tunic, brown trousers and belt Arthur hurried out of the room with Merlin catching up behind him. Arthur  strode into the throne room to see Uther sitting on the throne with a thoughtful look on his face and a scroll clenched in his hand.

"Father? You called for me." Arthur said walking up to the throne.

Uther hummed, "Yes, I did. I have a matter of some urgency to discuss with you Arthur." He said looking his son in the eye. "You see I got a letter from a friend of mine; an ally of Camelot and he seeks to warn me of a rumour that seems to be sweeping the land."

"What kind of rumour?" Arthur asked curiously.

Uther stood up and walked towards one of the windows. "It seems that a kingdom I had believed long dead, is not as long gone as I had hoped. "He sighed. "There is news that it is in the process of rebuilding and has great wealth and a growing army. The rumour is that a new King has taken the throne and takes a vastly different approach."

"Where is this Kingdom?" Arthur asked with a worried look.

"It is up in the north, beyond Cenred's Kingdom. The Kingdom of Ilaria was supposed to have been destroyed by a civil war many years ago, I had heard the stories as a child. Now it seems a King Eldric Arvelle has taken the throne." Uther answered with deep frown.

"Pardon me Father, but what does this have to do with Camelot? Surely, they can't be that much of a threat if they are just now re-building?" Arthur added quickly.

Uther gritted his teeth, "The problem is not how established they are, the problem is that this King Arvelle is permitting magic in his Kingdom, there are rumours that he has sorcerers in his army."

Arthur's eyebrows rose at the news, "I agree this could be cause for concern Father, but surely we cannot just take these rumours at face value. A growing kingdom would be likely to make grand claims to make sure they are not invaded or overthrown at such a vulnerable time." Arthur argued.