The lost Prince

2

Arthur's hand lazily rises in his sleep, his fist loosely clenched as though he's holding a sword. He swings his hand over the edge of the bed, grumbling something about bad form. I can't help the grin that seeps onto my face as the prat dreams about swinging a sword around. All he thinks about is protecting everyone, even when he's asleep.

I can't blame him, after all, I tried to go back to save my kingdom. Had it not been for my father calling for the dragons, I'd have made it, yet, I would also have risked the last heir of Elemania.

Elemania had been named by my ancestors, a few hundred years before I had been born. So named because magic is only powerful because of the elements, and the kingdom was formed using the strongest of magic. And the magic that still stands strong around the towering walls is the very thing that led to our downfall.

Having grown up in a place were magic was feared, Belepor had not taken kindly to the idea that people could thrive off the power. So he tried to take it from us, and the kingdom had taken the fire.

But what was it that had driven him over the edge? The heart of Elemania, the force that kept the forests breathing, that kept the sun shining. The egg shaped stone that shone blue all year round had always been our most protected possession.

When Belepor had asked to hold it, in what he had said were his hopes of gaining some sort of power, my father had told him no, as he would have done with anyone, not even me.

And we had been lucky for my fathers ways.

Had my father let people do such things with the stone, then Belepor would have taken it in the hopes that our kingdom would fall to dust. Instead, the sacrifices made by my ancestors won't be a waste, and the castle will stand tall, whether the ruler is fair of heart or not.

All I could ask for was that my kingdom and the people within it would live and that the heart of Elemania would remain hidden from Belepor. Whilst the image of his smug face as he sat upon a throne that he had snatch unlawfully caused my throat to burn with bile, I was grateful for still standing (even if they had to be reinforced) walls that protected the people from invaders.

"So sloppy," Arthur muttered, frowning and shaking his head.

"Alright, Arthur, that's enough of a sleep in." I yanked the sheets from his loose grasp.

"Merlin, I'm cold, give me back my blanket." He mumbled.

"Not until you have your breakfast." Arthur peered up at his table where his sausages, bacon, eggs and bread were waiting.

"Fine." He muttered, sitting up and almost tripping as he stood up.

After finishing his meal I prepared him for the day. First was training some newcomer knights who would no doubt regret their occupational choice within the hour. Second would be a simple meeting to discuss taxes and food rationing. Finally, Camelot would greet a king to form an alliance.

The only problem was that no one from Camelot knew which kingdom that was, only that they hated and feared magic.

But I hoped to foil any alliance at every turn.

"Sire, I'm sorry to bother you, but Gaius requests Merlin's help immediately to help with a sickness in the town!" A gaurd called as he ran down the hall.

"Arthur, I can stay and -"

"Merlin, Gaius will need your help." My heart sunk to my stomach. If I couldn't start stopping the alliance from the beginning, then it would become much harder later.

No matter how much I wanted to argue, it would seem suspicious it I asked to stay, only for the alliance to be ruined.

"Oh course." I kept my head down as I walked down the hall to Gaius' chambers where he was collecting the last of his herbs.

"Ah, Merlin. Sorry about this, but I need your help, a a childs parents have gotten awfully sick. The poor thing won't stop crying or stop clinging to them. She'll get sick, too." Gaius finished getting the required herbs and motioned for me to lead the way.

∆•∆•∆•∆

All I could hear were the loud and excited screams of the villagers as the kingdom arrived. The screams were so loud that I couldn't hear the yelling girl that I had been tasked to hold back.
The whole time I was more focused on how to stop the alliance, but nothing came to mind. I wondered which kingdom had come. Did it matter? No, not really. But curiosity outweighed logic.

~~~

It was well past sun down by the time Gaius and I returned. The opening feast would be over. I went straight to bed, my moral low.

~~~

"So, what kingdom is it?" I asked.
"You will have to ask Arthur, Merlin." Gaius mumbled, his tone low.
"I just thought that maybe you'd asked one of the Knights." I rushed around the room, collecting what I needed for the day.
"I am not a mind reader, Merlin." Gaius paused and looked outside. "You'd better go wake Arthur."
I nodded and rushed to the door.
"Merlin, give this to him will you, it may help with the head ache." And with that, I rushed out the door, to the kitchens then to Arthur's chambers.
"Alright, time to get --" Arthur was sitting at his desk, papers surrounding him.
"Is that breakfast?" I nodded and places the silver plater in front of him. He licked his lips before taking a bite.
"So..." I said awkwardly.
"What is it Merlin?"
"I was just wondering, what is the kingdoms name?"
"Elemania."