Royal in Hiding

Chapter 10: A "Normal" Day

Two men walked around the Camelotian training grounds. These men were quite different but we're the best of friends and we're both destined for great things. One was tall, well built, and blond. He wore nicer clothes that were in the Camelot colors and didn't have an ounce of magic in hus veins. The other was lanky but toned well, he had brown hair and wore commoner clothes that bore the Ambrosia royal crest and would become the greatest warlock to ever live.

There was one commonality between the pair that was only recently discovered. They were both kings of mighty kingdoms.

The blonde one, King Arthur Pendragon, was laughing in amusement at his friend, King Merlin Ambrosius, who was beet red with embarrassment. "You are such an idiot! 'Yeah'? Really Merlin, that's all you could muster?" Arthur asked with a loud laugh. Merlin blushed deeply and scratched the back of his head.

"Shut up." He mumbled, his voice holding slight humor. Arthur grinned devilishly as he replied.

"Make me."

With that the two princes went running across the field, reaching the practice swords at the same time. Both of them jumped back and squared off to duel, neither wanting to make the first move until Merlin opened his mouth. "Haven't we been here before sire?" The warlock teased. Arthur blushed bright red and attacked, his anger making his movements large and sloppy. Movements that Merlin easily blocked.

They dueled for a good hour. Merlin always won their little battles but pointed out what Arthur could make better each time, Arthur did the same everytime. Soon enough, the pair were engaged in an intricate dance, blades slamming against each other with clanks and hissing.

Lady Arabella along with Joetta, Gwen, Emelyne, and Imayn were all walking and talking when they beheld the sight of the two kings quick movements. "I swear, they might as well be married to each other with the way they act all the time." Gwen noted, the other girls laughing lightly along.

Joetta was finding herself having an hard time to keep from signing the contract already. On the inside, she was overwhelmed with happiness when Merlin had asked her to sign the contract, but she couldn't let him get off the hook that easily. So, Joetta made the decision to reject him without a second thought, telling him to try harder at a later time. Though the princess stood by her decision, following through with it was proving to be more than a little difficult.

Eventually, Merlin swipped his leg down to kick Arthur's legs out from under him. In his shock, Arthur's sword went flying from his grasps ans soon enough, he had the blade of Merlin's sword pressed against his throat. The two laughed, Merlin casting away his sword so that he could help Arthur up from his position. The two clapped each other's shoulders, talking about the duel and mistakes that were made.

After a couple of moments, the pair arrived at the group of women with smiles on their flushed faces. Both were sweating buckets but they never looked happier. "Hello dear." Arthur greeted Gwen happily as he pressed a kiss against her lips. Gwen happily hummed against his lips as she patted his shoulder. "Dear, I love you, but you stink. Go take a bath." Gwen Mumbled against his lips as she lightly pushed him back and continued talking to the other girls, both boys being left standing there in shock from the event that had just occurred. That was, until Merlin busted out laughing. "You just got denied by your Queen." He laughed hysterically. Arthur glanced at him with a cocked eyebrow before he replied. "Right, and where is your queen?" He teased back. Merlin stopped laughing and began grumbling under his breath as he and Arthur walked through the halls teasing each other on their way to their quarters.

"Hey Merlin!" Some of the servants stated as they passed the pair by, Merlin nodded to them in respect. As soon as they turned the corner, Arthur elbowed him.
"Dude, your a Prince, King technically. Why are you bowing to servants?" He asked in shock. Merlin simply smiled at his old friend.
"I didn't bow, I nodded. There's a difference, and besides, I worked with them for years, they earned my respect and I earned their's. People nod to those they respect." He explained to the King.

Arthur looked thoughtful for a minute before he spoke up again.
"How come you never nod at me?" Merlin laughed before he responded.
"I nod at you sometimes. It depends on the day, sometimes I respect you, sometimes I don't." The warlock replied evenly. Arthur nodded before doing a double take and glaring at his former manservant.
"Merlin..." The King of Camelot trailed off.
"Shut. Up." Merlin finished with a grin. Arthur smiled back and nodded, shooting a wink his way.
"You got it my friend."

"You two are so close. I think you two should marry, it would be a great way to combine the kingdoms." A voice spoke up from the end of the hall that they had already passed. Both Kings wheeled around to look at the voice. Leaning against the wall stood Joetta and Gwen, both of them smiling humorously at the pair.
"I - We- What?" The pair asked at the same time, sputtering in confusion. "You two, marry. Come on, I would have thought that two people of royalty would have better comprehension skills than that." Joetta remarked and Gwen laughed loudly.
"See you later tonight Arthur, unless you are otherwise, uhm, occupied." Gwen stated as she passed them by, patting Arthur's chest as she went. "Otherwise occupied, I'll show her just how occupied I can be in our room tonight." Arthur grumbled as he marched after his queen, leaving Merlin alone.

Merlin was fine with this of course, it gave him time to think until he realized that Joetta hadn't moved.

Arthur had left Merlin all alone, with Joetta.

"Uh, Joetta! Hey, um, how are you?" He asked her nervously shifting from one foot to the other.
"I'm fine... a bit hot actually." She noted with a smile.
"Yeah you are." Merlin muttered under his breath before he spoke up louder, "I can go get you some water if you'd like." Joetta laughed at Merlin, a beautiful smile lighting up her face.
"I think I got this Merlin, thanks though." She stated as she passed him by. Sending him a wink, she patted his shoulder.
"See you around." With that, she disappeared around the corner.

"Joetta! Kitchen is the other way." Merlin called out loudly with a smirk on his fave as she slumped by him with a scowl and turned the corner. "Three, two, one.." He murmured and chuckled softly as she stomped down the other hall, having had turned down the wrong one earlier.
"Stupid big castle!" Joetta cursed loudly, making Merlin laugh louder as he continued to his room.

Merlin reached his room and grabbed for the door when he was saddened by a dark thought. War is coming, the head of it will be upon the king quite soon. He and Arthur were just training for the upcoming battle they are to attempting in one month time.

War was not the thought that brought the king to tears.

Merlin was crying because he knew he was mortal, and he might not live long enough to come back and win Joetta's heart.

-Sorry I took so long, life kinda just tried to kill me but I'm back! Getting Ideas for another chapter, this one was mainly fluffy filler crap but the end brought back the big issue of the book that I need to get back to. The war happening that needs to end. I am not quite sure when that will happen exactly but I was thinking that I might make a second book following a daughter of Merlin, if I can ever get through this one that is...-