The Dragon Prince

Chapter 9

Arthur followed the guards as they led him through the halls for the first time since the trial. Although, the whole palace looked completely different to him now that he wasn't in chains, fearing for his and his comrades' lives. Arthur could now admire how the morning sunlight shone through the large glass windows, illuminating the dim castle. The openness of the huge hallways and the intricate and unique carvings on each door that, which Arthur guessed, represented what was held behind them.

Finally, they arrived at a pair of double, dark oak doors. Each had a carving of an open book with pages flying out of them and fluttering about. The pages took the forms of animals, people, trees and various other objects and creatures as they flew further away from their books. Arthur never liked reading very much, but that didn't stop him from admiring the the complex artistry of the door's creator.

The guard to Arthur's right pushed the door open and to Arthur's surprise, and regret for not seeing this coming, the dragon boy, Merlin, was sitting at the table closest to the door. He was in his noble robes instead of the commoner clothes he wore to the trial. In all honesty Arthur preferred him in his plain brown jacket and red neckerchief. The simplicity was comforting; made him feel like he was talking to a real and genuine person and not just another noble who just wanted something from him. But he would never admit it out loud.

Merlin looked up from his book when they stepped inside and waved Arthur and his 'escorts' over. When Arthur didn't move, the guard to his left shoved him forward a little too roughly. Arthur wanted to lash out at the guard, but he held his tongue as to not make a scene and put himself, and his knights, in any more danger. Although when Arthur looked around the room he saw no one but him, the guards and the dragon boy, as it was probably still too early in the morning for most people to go to the library.

The guard gave him another shove and Arthur made his way to the boy, Merlin. When they got there Merlin put his book on the top of a tall stack that made Arthur nauseous when he thought about having to reading all of them.

"You can go now," Merlin said. Arthur snapped his attention back to the boy, a confused expression on his face. Merlin looked to be holding back a chuckle which made Arthur annoyed. But like before, he held his tongue. He wasn't in his domain anymore, he was in the sorcerers'.

"I meant the guards," Merlin clarified.

Wait what? Arthur thought.

"I can handle him myself," he went on. "No offense."

"None taken sir," the guard on Arthur's left said in a much more respectful tone than they would've used with him. "But are you sure you will be alright alone with him." She glared at Arthur. He tried to ignore it.

"I'll be fine," he said. "You know I take precautions. And you don't need to call me sir, Sirius. Neither of you do."

He looked at the guards as if they shared a secret Arthur wasn't allowed in on. Which they probably did. With that, the guards turned around and left, quietly shutting the double doors of the library and leaving Arthur and Merlin alone.

————————————————————————

Merlin watched as the guards shut the door without a sound. A spell had been cast on it years ago to make sure that the opening and closing of the doors didn't disturb people while they're reading. But it also made the sound of people's footsteps all the more eerie in the dead silence.

Merlin gestured to the seat across from him. "Take a seat."

The knight hesitated, but after a second he slid into the chair. Merlin rested his head on his hand as he stared at the knight. Merlin didn't have time to properly observe the man before during the trial. He now noticed the knight's tall, muscular figure. The way he carried himself with authority and confidence dispute his situation. His sun kissed hair and how it went beautifully with his blue eyes which mimicked the color of the sky on a clear, summer day. A faint blush painted Merlin's cheeks.