The Hidden Kingdom

Chapter Two

Merlin stepped into the Prince's chambers and noticed Arthur standing silently by the window looking deep in thought. Deciding not to disturb him Merlin quietly started his chores; he began picking up the Prince's clothes from the floor when he heard Arthur sigh deeply.

"Arthur? Are you alright?" Merlin asked carefully.

Arthur turned to look at him seriously, "No, Merlin I'm not. We're going to be stepping into a Kingdom possibly full of magic with nothing to defend ourselves but our swords." He shook his head, "If they are truly a threat, then I could be leading my men into a trap."

Merlin listened to the Prince's worries with a frown. "The rumours could be wrong Sire." He added half-heartedly.

Arthur leaned against the window and crossed his arms over his chest, "I hope you're right Merlin, for all our sakes." Merlin nodded in agreement and went back to tidying the room when Arthur's voice once again stopped him. "What do you think about magic Merlin?" Arthur asked quietly without looking at him.

Merlin froze, it was the question he dreaded most of all. He had answered it before in roundabout ways or had distracted or annoyed the Prince enough to forget the question, but as the Prince turned to look him in the eye, he knew there was avoiding it. "Why are you asking me this?" Merlin asked looking down at his hands.

Arthur moved towards him with an understanding look. "You won't get in trouble for speaking your mind here Merlin, nothing will leave this room. I give you my word." Merlin felt his heart wanting to beat out of his chest, the Prince's word had proved to be steel in the time he had known him and yet looking at Arthur's curious look, he couldn't bring himself to tell him his secret.

"I think that magic can be dangerous, but I believe that it depends who uses it. I think it's much like a fire, if controlled and maintained it can be useful, to make food and provide warmth but out of control it can be a danger." Merlin answered looking straight at the Prince.

Arthur tilted his head to the side with an intrigued look. "That is the most diplomatic thing I have heard you say before. I have to admit, there are moments when you baffle me Merlin." He said shaking his head.

Merlin shrugged with a grin, "If that will be all." He said ready to turn around and leave the conversation. He walked to the door with the basket of laundry when he felt a hand on his shoulder turn him around. With one hand on Merlin's shoulder Arthur looked at him with a determined gaze.

"It did'nt escape my notice Mer-lin, that you did'nt really answer my question." Arthur said seriously. Merlin gulped; his hands shook as he held tighter to the basket in his hands. "So, let me ask this more plainly, how afraid are you of magic?"

Merlin's eyes widened in surprise, out of all the things he had expected Arthur to ask, he had not expected that question. Arthur took a step back with a nod, "Of course you're afraid, I mean you would be a fool not to but I-"

"-No." Merlin quickly interrupted him.

"No what?" Arthur asked with a confused look.

"I'm not scared of magic, not in the way you think. And if this is about going to the Kingdom of Ilaria then-"

"-Merlin I'm not going you to order you to come with us on this. I won't blame you if you would prefer to stay here." Arthur added quickly with a reassuring look.

"Oh, I'm coming." Merlin said stubbornly. "Do you really think you or the knights could survive out there without me for a whole week?" He scoffed.

"Now, hang on a minute-" Arthur complained loudly.

"I mean, can you really see them collecting firewood? Or making something to eat that doesn't taste like the forest floor?" Merlin asked disbelievingly.

Arthur shook his head with a small smile, "Fine!" He said putting his hands in the air. "You can come, don't say I did'nt warn you."

Merlin smiled, "I know." He said innocently, his big blue eyes looked at Arthur gratefully. Arthur waved his hand dismissingly at him and walked off towards his wardrobe. Merlin stood still at the door still reeling from the conversation.

"That laundry isn't going to do itself Merlin." Arthur complained loudly, rolling his eyes.

Merlin quickly nodded, "Right, I'll go do that then." He said almost dropping the basket as he tried to open the door. He glanced back to see Arthur shaking his head at him as he stepped out of the room.

"Merlin!" Arthur shouted.

Rushing back into the room Merlin raised his eyebrows at him, "Yes?"

"You forgot something." Arthur said grinning as he threw a balled up white tunic at his head. The clothing hit Merlin in the face and dropped right into the basket in his arms.

"Prat." Merlin mumbled as he glared at the Prince.

"I heard that." Arthur said smugly as he went to sit in his chair.

"Good." Merlin replied as he quickly left the room, slamming the door behind him. Arthur's faint chuckles followed him down the hall.