The next day Arthur awoke afreshed. The heatwave was still going on and the sun was shinning brilliantly through his window. In the distance the noise of birds could be heard and the gentle rustle of the trees in the darkling woods and slight hot breeze rustled their branched and caused many more leaves to fall to the ground causing the floor to be littered with many leaves.

"Rise and Shine!" called Merlin in a singsong voice as he flung open the heavy curtains to welcome the day into Arthur's chambers.

"Merlin!" he grumbled pulling a pillow over his head. Arthur was not a morning person.

"I brought breakfast!" Arthur sat up and brought the pillow down, his golden hair sticking up in all directions like unruly straw. He launched out of bed and sat at the table, not even stopping to put on a shirt, tucking into the fruit and bread that Merlin had brought, as the other man sat beside him and did the same.

"We need to speak about how to do our best to help Isabella" He said around a mouthful of apple and Merlin help up a hand to protect himself from the tiny missles of flying apple bit.

"We go with all the nights and beat the chimera" Merlin sated. Arthur paused in hos chewing in thought.

"I need to speak with my father. come Merlin dress me we need to go present to the king" Merlin's eyes roved over Arthur's halm naked form scanning his body with dark eyes that burned Aurthur's skin with their passionate gaze. Merlin's eye's were caught on the light dusting of dark hairs scattered on Arthurs chest so differently from the silky golden strands that grew from his head, a darkness hidden under Arthur's clothes that so few had the privilege to know, the hairs that had captivated Merlin from the start, drifting down his firm stomach to the secret world below.

"I rather preffer you like that" he said leeringly. Arthur raised a challenging eyebrow and laid down his breakfast.

"O really? Your mouth shouldn't start what it can't finish Merlin" he roughly pushed the plates off the table and as they crashed to the ground Merlins didn't even have the time to lament the cleaning up that would take before Arthur grabbed his neckercheif and towards his expectant mouth.

There was a knock at the door. Arthur sighed hard and let go of Merlin, staring at him with a lustfully predatory gaze.

"Well finish this later" he promised.

Merlin could only splutter and nodded; dazed.

"Enter." He vaunted loudly and the door opened.

"Sire your father commends your present immediately" announced Sir Leon from the dor. Arthur sighed again.

"I'll be there momentarily" He let go of Merlins neckercheirf. Merlin looked at Sir Leons puzzled expression.

"I accidentally threw the plates on the floor. Arthur wasn't happy." he explainted. Sire Leons face cleared and he left the room with a nod to Arthur. Aurthur sighed again and stood.

"Geet a move on then Merlin" and a shirt hit Merlin in the face.

------

"Father" Arthur said as he stood before his father Mrrlin over to the side behind the pillars where servent stand.

"Arthur, how can I help" Said Uther looking up from the scroll he was reading sitting regally on his throne.

"Father we are oging to Haepsfleet to aid Isabella in her task to defeat the Chimeara" Arthur told his father the king in a loud voice.

"And we are going alone" He finished not looking at Merlin because he knew his eyes would glisten with betrayal.

"That will be very dangerous Arthur are you sure that is wise?" Uther asked, taken a back by his son's toughness to do what is right.

"Yes father I must prove my honou" Arthur proclaimed his chin held high and jaw set in a determined line.

"Okay then you will leave immediatly. I am proud of you Arthur" Uther smiled at the man his son become.

"Thank you father" replied Arthur with a quick bow not looking back he swept out of the room to prepare for the journey.

As soon as the door to the throne room was shut behind them Merlin attacked Arthur with his words. Merlin exploded in the heat of anger which burned hotter than the sun that was sorching the kindgom in the heatwave.

"What ar you thinking Arthur! We can't go alone! We Need help! We need the knights!" Merlin said ernestly gesticulating wildy.

"We aren't going alone Merlin you're not coming" Merlin stopped dead in front of Arthur which forced him to stop. He stared at him blakly. Their faces were just inches aprat and Merlin gripped his long bony fingers around Arthurs strong wrists.

"What do you mena I am not going? Of course I'm going!" Merlin hissed in an angry whisper upset at the thought of abandoning Arthur now.

"I will be fine with Isabelle, she is a feirce fighter. She slayed the wildoren. It is too dangerous for your to go." Arthur answered reasonably, twisting his wrist until they were holding hands and pulling Merlin closer still to him.

"Oh come on, the wilderon don't count. They're blind and women don't smell like men." Sulked Merlin pulling away.

"Merlin, wildoren are still vicious beasts. I will be safe with her." Said Arhtur, sound like a petualent teenager. He bodily lifted Merlin up and moved him to the side and out of the way and stalked down the stony corridor, his footprints echoing as he went.

"I'm coming with you." Merlin shouted after him shaking his head smally in proud determination as Arthur spun on his heel to face the other man.

"I'm trying to protect you you idiot." Barked Arthur.

"And I'm trying to protect you too coltpole!" said Merlin back as he approached Arthur until they were standing together closely again.

"But... y-you're too... precious" objected Arthur embarrassed at the strength of the emotions that boiled within his chest.

"No. Youre precious to all of Camelot... and to... to me." Merlin smiled and stroked Arthur's jawbone, coaxing it into a little smile. Merlin knew he had won.