A / N: This story is based on the tv-series, but doesn't follow the exact same plot. Hopefully I have managed to do all characters justice in this Merlin story :)

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"God. I am so bored. So bored," Arthur mumbled for the eleventh time while wandering through the aisles and corridors of Buckingham palace. He was finally alone, but very much aware that his guards could find him any second. Still, he enjoyed these quiet moments. If there was anything he hated in this world then it was when he was being forced to do something. And his dad had a tendency to want to decide everything that went on in Arthur's life. That was the worst part of being the son of England's current king - and heir to the throne for that matter. After recent events, Arthur was forbidden to go anywhere on his own and was to stay inside the palace walls at all times. It was positively the most annoying thing Arthur had ever gone through. It was as his grandfather would have put it like being in 'constant agony'. Only when his cousin, Stuart, joined him in mischievous jokes would the boredom seize to exist - for a while. Arthur was glad to have at least one good friend inside the walls.

Just then a smirking face appeared.
"Arthur, quick! In here!" Stuart waved Arthur into his rooms, checking no one had seen him enter.

"Thank God," Arthur said, when Stuart locked the door. "I need a breather."

Stuart smiled and mock-bowed to his cousin. "Anytime. So what did your father ask of you this time? I imagine you're still on lockdown," he said whilst handing Arthur something to drink. He knew very well how the king could be.

Arthur shrugged, chugging the cold liquid down. "He wants me - well, us - to attend the annual dinner party as he calls it. He wanted to discuss my security detail for the evening and then the usual report of my activities for the day. I can barely go to the bathroom on my own. It's driving me absolutely mad."

Stuart raised an eyebrow, trying not to smile. "Of course it is. Our father has also put extra security on Elly and I. But at least I can still go out for a drink now and then." He made a few dance moves.

"My father is always right," Arthur said mockingly. "Sometimes I just wish I was normal."

"You, normal?" Stuart repeated. "What a laugh. Do you even know how to cook an egg?"

Arthur raised an eyebrow. "Do you?" He retorted.

"Certainly not."

The two young men chuckled and took another slurp of their drinks. For a moment, they simply enjoyed the quiet of the place, which was strangely comforting. Every wall of the palace held paintings a plenty, showing the history of the great British monarchy. A family who had witnessed and played a part in England's entire history.

However, history wasn't something which interested Arthur and Stuart very much. The two of them had been friends always and shared a habit of trying their parents' patience. As kids, they had several times left the palace grounds unguarded for an entire day until they had been found and scolded. To this day, they liked to attempt little escapes from their security details. The king certainly didn't approve of this kind of behavior. It wasn't suitable for young noblemen, he said. But who cared? Getting away from duties and traditions was nice once in a while. Arthur much preferred sport and horse riding over fancy dinners and receptions.

"Any leads on whatever happened to you both that day?" Stuart asked, drowning some more of his drink.

Arthur shook his head. "Nothing. And even if there was I doubt my father would tell me. The only thing I needed to do was to answer his questions. Otherwise I'm just a prisoner."

"Which is a terrible shame. I'd have liked to take you to this new club I've just discovered. It's a new concept thing, and the waiting list is ridiculous - meaning of course that only people who are someone can get in - and the ladies in there look lovely too, my friend," Stuart said, grinning.

"I'd love to see that. Except we can't," Arthur responded.

Stuart shrugged. "Sure we can. It's all about perfect planning."

Arthur chuckled. "No. McGwaine would find us instantly," he agreed.

"Then we'll simply invite him to come along," Stuart suggested with a grin.

There was a knock on the door. "Mr. Stuart?" It was Agent Thomas, the first and most annoying of Arthur's bodyguards. I must ask you to open the door please, sir."

Arthur and Stuart jumped up from their chairs and Arthur was shoved underneath the bed and Stuart went to open the door once Arthur was out of sight.

"Agent Thomas," Stuart greeted. "Looking for Arthur again?"

The agent didn't seem to find that very funny. "You'll do well not to make jokes with me. Your father would not approve of your drinking and neither would the King. Tell Arthur to show himself, please."

"Uhm..." Stuart said.

"Prince Arthur, Sir?" Agent Thomas said, entering the room and scanned it quickly. He's eyes fell on the bed in no time. "McGwaine, he's in the west hall... yes, in Mr. Stuart's room under the bed... good." In no less than ten seconds the other bodyguard appeared. He was, compared to the restrictive and obedient Agent Thomas, both cocky and confident. He didn't always follow the rules to perfection and liked to joke around with Arthur. He was also a very skilled fighter and had eyes like a hawk.

"Hello Stuart. I see you've kidnapped Arthur to drink - again." Agent McGwaine raised his eyebrow and Stuart scowled without responding. The agent knocked on the bed'a wooden boardings. "Sir, you can come out now."

And out came a irritated prince who rolled his eyes at a shrugging McGwaine.

"I'm sorry, sir, but it is for your own good," he said.

"Sorry," Stuart mouthed at Arthur as the two agents escorted him out. They brought him straight back to his own rooms, until one of them got told differently. McGwaine whispered something to Agent Thomas who nodded.

"Well," McGwaine said. "Sir, it seems your father is home and got a sniff of your little adventure. He wants to see you straight away in his study."

"Great," Arthur mumbled and was lead to the king's private library. It was used as a study, but mostly as a place to drink scotch. It was in this room the king was seated at mahogany desk. He did not look happy when Arthur entered and the two guards were instructed to wait outside the door. Arthur knew he was in for a lashing. His father wouldn't even look up when he asked him to sit down, which was no good sign. Instead, the king would finish the last pages of an old book.

"Was that really necessary?" he then said, before looking up.

Arthur didn't respond, but his jaw tightened.

The king folded his hands. "Arthur, you must understand how important it is that you are safe. You are the future king. Certain things are expected of you. Do you not understand what kind of kind of responsibility that is?"

"I understand perfectly, but is it really necessary to imprison me like a dog in my rooms? I'm not a toy soldier you can command, father, I have a life."

"Indeed you do!" the king exclaimed. "And that is what I'm trying to ensure for you! But until this criminal who tried to murder you is found, I want you to stay inside these walls, is that clear?"

If there were a time Arthur wish he could disappear now would be it. "Yes, John," he responded and got up from his chair to get escorted back to his rooms. He couldn't stand to look at his father any longer. Arthur knew that in his father's eyes he would never be ready to become king.

...

In another part of London, Merlin was sipping coffee at a tiny café, looking at pictures of his new workplace, Buckingham Palace. It was going to be great to see it for real. The only thing Merlin had seen that just somehow resembled a palace were the ruins of an old castle in the town of Hastings. His mom had taken him once when he was 13. It was a sunny day and Merlin remembered the great view from the castle hilltop. Now, he was going to see the palace museum, which was the richest place in England when it came to history. It housed all the great myths, the symbols and the most important artefact; the Book of Kells. That book told of all the great stories and also of the myths about the sorcerer Merlin. It was a strange name in today's world, but Merlin wasn't ashamed of it. Actually, he thought it was kind of cool. How often did he come across someone with the same name as him? The only he'd ever heard of was a singer with that last name, nothing else.

With a smile, Merlin went through the pages of the newspaper he had just bought. The most interesting story was still the one about the attempted assassination of the crown prince. His name was officially Henry, but he went by his middle name, Arthur. He was very popular, so the attack was a huge shock to everyone. At the reopening of the Library of London, someone had fired an arrow directly at the prince who luckily evaded it just in time. Luckily, no one got hurt, but the attacker still hadn't been found. Therefore, the prince wasn't allowed to leave the palace due to his safety - and rumor had it, he liked to party with his cousin Stuart. Merlin turned to the next page, but he didn't stop thinking about the murder attempt. Being part of the royal family would make Arthur a target by birth, but it was strange that the weapon used against him was a medieval weapon. It was like someone was sending a message. It was giving Merlin a strange feeling inside.