Twin Brothers

2

"Merlin. Late as usual." The prince said as I walked through his chamber doors. Surprisingly, he was already dressed and eating breakfast.

"I'm sorry, sire, but I over slept." I said not making eye contact with him.

"It's alright," He said in a strange tone. "Just be on time tomorrow. As for now, I need you to tidy up my chambers, polish my armor, sharpen my sword, and... muck out the stables."

"Yes, sire." I said beginning my work. I wouldn't look at Arthur even though I knew he was staring at me from his desk. I was almost finished making his bed when sir Leon walked in.

"Good morning, prince Arthur. Your father demands for your presence in his chambers." Leon said in a formal tone.

"Very well. Do you know what it's about?" He asked standing up. I started tucking in his covers between the mattress and bed frame.

"Something about two men arguing last night in the woods." I took my hand out, but accidentally scraped my finger against something rough and sharp. I quickly pulled my hand up and muttered an ow. I looked at my fingers and found it to be bleeding.

"You alright, Merlin?" Arthur asked me. For the first time today, I looked him in the eyes. I saw the worry and confusion in his eyes, but I had to ignore it.

"Yes, sire." I said looking down. I could sense the tension in the room.

"You better be finished with my armor by the time I get back." Arthur said as he walked out the door, Leon trailing behind him. Once he was gone, I checked my finger. I put pressure on it and set off to work again.

The armory was empty as usual when I came in. I found the princes equipment and started cleaning it. I didn't see the point. It was just going to get dirty again by tonight. His sword was already sharp enough, so why was he making me sharpen it again? I sighed and put it down.

I began to get lost in my own thoughts. Should I listen to Marcus or should I stay to support Arthur become king? Why has Marcus come all the way here to ask me to join his army if he hated me? Nothing made sense. I didn't know what to do. If I stayed with Arthur, I would be betraying my own brother again, but if I choose to go with Marcus, I would be betraying Arthur and my friends and my destiny. I care for my brother deeply, but these people have become my friends, my family. Then again, Marcus is family too. Maybe I should... no. I can't betray them. Marcus was right about them killing our kind, yes, but Arthur will change that law. I have faith in him. I can't go with Marcus, but then again, I can't let him get killed, not even after he hurt our family years ago. This is just so frustrating. With Arthur's sword held tightly in my grasp, I threw it at a dummy in the corner. It pierced right through the chest. Just then some knights walked in. I recognize them as Sir Kay and Sir Breunor. They were laughing when they walked in, but stopped when the saw the sword swaying in the dummy. They looked around until they found me.

"Who do you think you are?" Sir Kay asked me with confusion in his voice. His voice was deep and a little bit intimidating.

"I'm Merlin."

"I know who you are," he stated. "But what are you doing in here?"

"Well, if you knew who I am, you would know that I'm prince Arthur's manservant and he asked me to clean his armor and sharpen his sword." I explained with a little bit of harshness.

"So, how come the sword is in the practice dummy?" He asked.

"Ummm," What was I supposed to say? "I was seeing if it was still in good shape. Good day now." I stated before trying to walk out of the room. They blocked my way.