Merlin: The Challenges of being Emrys

Chapter Three: Brother

A/N:
Short Chapter, if I have motivation than I'll write chapter 4 tonight. We will see :)
(Feedback would be nice thx)

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Merlin stood outside of the door to his king, his master, his best friend, but most importantly, his brother. Sure, they may have hated each other at first, but the more these two young men spent with each other, the more they became more than just Servant and Master. They became... friends.
Soon their friendship was tested. Merlin showed his loyalty and his willingness to die for Arthur and Arthur showed to same to Merlin a few times. They may never really admit it to each other, but they do care a great deal for one another. With the loyalty, the friendship, and the constant need to have that person in their lives forever, is what makes these two have a special bond. It was no coincidence that they met, it had been written for generations...
Which is why Merlin is right outside the door of Arthur Pendragon's room. To say goodbye to a brother.

Merlin put his palm to the door, staring straight at the caramel colored wood. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes.

You can do this.

The young warlock pushed the door open and saw a happy looking...
"Arthur?"

"Oh! Merlin! There you are!" Arthur said with a big smile. He made his way over to his friend and put a hand on his shoulder.
"I've never seen you clean this much in my life, I mean, wow, look at this place!" Arthur looked around his own room, with his hand still on Merlin. When he turned back around the face Merlin again his smile was even bigger. "It's spotless!"

Yes, well I was in a hurry this morning since you were in the council meeting so I had to use magic, and I wanted to do something special for you since I'm leaving you.

Merlin just stared at Arthur.

"So, tell me." Arthur said, finally taking his hand off Merlin. "What did I deserve for you to do all this? I mean, it's so clean that it bothers me but hey, it's the first time you have ever cleaned my room to perfection and-"

"I'm leaving."

Arthur paused and his smile fell from his face. "Okay, as long as you don't leave to go practice with Gwaine."

"No, I mean, I am leaving... Camelot."

Arthur's eyebrows furrowed together. "Leaving? To go where?"

"I-" Merlin paused. He didn't know where he was going. He couldn't go to Ealdor because that was too far away from the castle, so he had to live somewhere close, maybe an outlying village? "I, don't know."

"You don't know?" Arthur said with one eyebrow raised. He crossed his arms over his chest and stood there tapping one of his feet on the ground. "Your telling me, that you did all this," he gestured to everything in his room, "simply because you are leaving Camelot, and you don't know where your going?"

Merlin just nodded.

"Can you at least tell me how long your going to be gone?" Arthur asked worriedly.

Merlin scratched the back of his head, "That's the thing... I'm leaving for good."

Arthur's arms dropped to his sides. "What?" His voice was quiet and hurt. It made Merlin feel even worse about himself. "For good?"

"Yes." Merlin said in a whisper, not daring to make eye contact. If he spoke any louder, Arthur could probably hear how he was almost about to cry.

Arthur was on the verge of tears. His eyes started to water, so he bit his bottom lip and looked up, trying to keep his tears in place. "I don't get it Merlin, why are you leaving?"

Merlin just shrugged.

"Is it something I said? Something I did? I can give you less chores if that's what you want... Is it because of the way I acted today? Fine, you can go spar with Gwaine. You know when I make fun of you that I don't really mean the things I say."

Merlin looked down and wiped a tear that had escaped. "I know."

"Then tell me, what did I do to deserve this? Did someone threaten you?"

"Yes!" Merlin wanted to say, but he couldn't.

"Merlin..." Arthur said as he put his hand on the young man's upper arm.

"Stop," Merlin said as he turned around, causing Arthur to drop his grip. "Your making this harder than it needs to be."

"Your scaring me Merlin."

"That's the last thing I ever wanted to do to you." Merlin stated... And it was true.

"Why? Please, tell me why your leaving."

"I can't."

Even though Merlin couldn't see him he just nodded. Arthur grabbed an apple from a bowl of fruit and chucked it at the wall beside Merlin. Causing juice from the apple to splatter on the wall.
"Tell me!" Arthur screamed.

One tear led to the next and soon Merlin was sobbing. "I-I'm sorry."

"That's not good enough Merlin, I need an explanation."

"I'm sorry."

Arthur grabbed Merlin and turned him around to face him. "Stop saying your sorry!" He yelled.

More tears started to fall so Arthur pulled Merlin in close and embraced him. This is the second hug they've shared.

"Shhh." Arthur said as he stroked the back of Merlin's head. His face was buried in Arthur's shoulder. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have yelled at you like that."

Merlin rarely cried. But at this moment, even though he was still going to remain here, he couldn't be Merlin. He had to be someone else. His and Arthur's friendship would end here. All their adventures, teasing, and caring moments would end here. For Arthur and Merlin, would end here. Maybe