The Hidden Prince

Chapter 2

Merlin was just about finished polishing "His Majesty's" armor when the blonde prat himself stormed through the doors of the armory. Arthur was clearly angry, while to others, he might seem completely composed, Merlin can see through his facade. His eyes were hard, his jaw was clenched and his form was stiff. Yes, he was very upset indeed. Arthur released a short huff of air in an effort to rein himself in.

Setting down the chest plate, Merlin turned to Arthur, "So, what is it this time, the councilors pushing you about marriage again?" He asked knowingly, he remembered all too well how much his own councilors encouraged him to "take an interest in one of the many fine noble ladies." In the name of the Goddess, he was only twelve, what did he need to worry about girls for?

"Among other things." Arthur grumbled in reply as he settled himself on the bench, next to Merlin.

Merlin turned curious eyes towards him. Arthur had been in private meetings (without Merlin) with the council for a fortnight now and refused to tell Merlin a single detail about it. Merlin would take any chance he got to root out some details.

Merlin cleared his throat, "What exactly are they giving you grief over sire? Anything I can help with?"

Arthur turned away from the wall that he had been glaring at fixedly. "Those old men are so stuck in the past, they're so close-minded and arrogant that they refuse to see any other side but their own. They are making it unnecessarily difficult in legalizing m-"

Arthur froze, remembering himself quickly. Merlin huffed, disgruntled, he was so close! "Arthur!"

The prat had the audacity to smirk at him, "Nice try Merlin, but that's not going to work. I'm rather insulted that you would take advantage of your King in his vulnerable state..."

Merlin sniffed and crossed his arms, "Well it's ok because I took advantage of a clotpole in his vulnerable state."

"Do you not trust me enough to tell me? Is that it?" Merlin pouted, although he'd deny it if anyone asked.

"Don't be ridiculous Merlin, it's just a surprise." then softening, he says, "You know there is no one that I would trust more than you."

Merlin's lips pulled into his first smile this dreadful day. But, just as quickly as it came, his smile disappeared. When Merlin had organized his schedule today, he'd come across a letter. A foreign King and Queen are on their way to seek aid and Merlin knew he had to tell Arthur before they got here. Arthur trusted him with everything and it is only fair that Merlin do the same in return.

"Merlin? Is everything alright?" Arthur's voice broke him out of his reverie.

Before Merlin could chicken out, he spoke up, "Yeah, I - I'm okay. Can I stay for dinner? There's something I need to tell you."

Merlin wrung his hands in his lap, he didn't know how Arthur would take this revelation, but he hoped Arthur wouldn't avoid him like he did the first week after finding out about his magic.

"Alright, but I want you to know, whatever it is, I won't push you away, not this time. I promise."

Merlin looked at him a little disbelievingly, "Don't make promises you can't keep."

Arthur smirked, crossing his arms, leaning his back on the table with a haughty tilt to his chin, "I never do."

Merlin shoved him, accidentally making the king tumble off the bench unceremoniously with a startled yelp.

"Merlin!" an indignant shout.

"Ooops?" came Merlin's sheepish reply.

"Oh, you're gonna get it..."