Hey, I'm finally deciding to give something other than one-shots a go ;P

Please point out any mistakes, this is unbeta'd so I'd love to improve :o)

I hope you enjoy :D

Haliii x

A bedraggled, downtrodden man walked heavily through the castle, escorted by guards. They were taking him to the great hall, where Uther and Arthur Pendragon were. The man was being granted his request.

To see the ruler of Camelot.

Both royals looked up expectantly upon the opening of the grand doors.

The anonymous man stepped forward, walking towards Camelot's rulers before solemnly kneeling, head bowed.

"My lords."

"Rise," commanded Uther. "What is your name?"

"My name is Trystan, sire."

"Trystan, welcome to Camelot. What is it you wish to speak of with me?"

Arthur scrutinised the peculiar figure in front of him. He appeared a young man, and was lean, dark and tall. His shaggy, shoulder-length dark hair and stern pale face making his piercing grey eyes look as if they glowed in the dark. The man was tired, dirt and grime clung to his clothes. He had obviously had a hard journey to get to Camelot.

"My – my village… it was burnt to the ground, sire. People – my people… screaming..."

His silver eyes were haunted.

It was night, my lords, everyone was unprepared. I – It was sorcery, my lords. The fire started and spread so quickly and it was so vast… the sorcerer locked everyone in their houses, too. It claimed the lives of a–all my people. I…I am the only survivor. I have nowhere to go… I have lost everything," Trystan finished quietly.

Then his eyes turned desperate.

"Please, I beg of you, would you allow me to stay in Camelot for a few nights? I was highly regarded in my village, I have money – "

"Of course you may stay," granted Uther kindly. "We will prepare the guest chambers for you."

The man's expression was grateful beyond relief. "Thank you. Thank you, sire," he stuttered.

"And you will have the use of Prince Arthur's manservant, if you should wish," added Uther.

Trystan's eyes widened, surprised he was being offered such treatment. "You have my eternal gratitude, my lords."

Uther smiled. "You shall be treated as a guest in our castle. Prince Arthur will show you to your chambers."

After dinner, Arthur found Merlin in his chambers, cleaning his armour. The warlock had not yet been told the news.

"Merlin."

"Yes, Arthur?" Merlin paused in his work.

"Just to let you know, we have a guest called Trystan staying in Camelot for a few days. He is to be treated as a guest in the castle, and, thanks to my father, his wish is your command," Arthur explained with a smile.

Merlin sighed and put a hand over his face. "Two prats at once? I can barely keep up with one!"

Arthur just laughed, while Merlin groaned.

"Don't worry, Merlin, it shouldn't be too bad. The man has just had his village burnt to the ground!"

Merlin gave Arthur a sarcastic look before shaking his head and sighing.

"He's probably not even used to having a servant. It'll be all right."

He hoped Arthur was right.

"Just make sure you didn't save all your clumsiness for him. It might not go down to well."

Merlin couldn't believe it.

Arthur was right.

Well, not about the whole clumsiness part. But the other stuff was right.

Merlin was probably the best treated servant in the whole of Camelot!

Trystan was very generous and humble, every inch aware of the fact he had come from a small village to being a guest of the king in Camelot. Not used to such luxury, Trystan treated Merlin equally, glad he had someone to share the king's gift with.

Merlin also found he had less work to do, discovering Trystan liked to do many chores himself and his chambers were often spotless whenever Merlin showed up for work.

As you could imagine, Merlin didn't mind.

The two had quickly become friends, forgetting one was meant to do the other's bidding.

Merlin entered Trystan's chambers, seeing how much needed done. Looking around, the room was neat and tidy, as Merlin expected.

"Trystan?"

No answer.

Then Merlin heard a noise from the adjoining room to the guest chambers.

"Trystan?" Merlin called cautiously. The young warlock began to walk towards the door the noise came from.

Then it happened.

Merlin jumped as he suddenly felt two hands wrap around his throat, squeezing gently but firmly, as they began to cut off his air supply.

The warlock sighed and shook his head as much as he was able with a smile.

"Okay, you win. Now let go."

Trystan withdrew his hands and turned to face Merlin, laughing.

Merlin looked at him with annoyed amusement. "At least I didn't scream this time!"

"No, but you just about collapsed with fright!" Trystan grinned.

"Shut up."

Trystan just laughed.

"I'll get my revenge… just you wait!" Merlin tried to threaten.

"I'll be waiting," Trystan chuckled.

Merlin lightly cuffed him over the head and grumbled under his breath.

Arthur sighed as he entered his chambers. They were spotless. The prince couldn't remember the last time they'd been so clean.

It was wrong.

With Merlin as his servant, Arthur's chambers were never as clean as they could have been. There was always some mess Merlin had forgotten to take care of, or he'd left the job unfinished.

But Arthur didn't mind.

He thought it brought some character to the room. And it reminded him of Merlin.

Only now it was different.

Arthur moved to a chair and sat down heavily, unconsciously leaning an arm on the chair and resting his head on his hand.

Merlin had started to work for Trystan as well as Arthur, but unable to cope with all the work, he'd persuaded Arthur to hire another manservant for himself while Trystan was here. Arthur had no reason to disagree.

Well.

Not one he would admit to.

Arthur saw increasingly less and less of Merlin. He hadn't liked the sudden change of servant at first, but the prince had expected that and told himself he merely needed a short time to adjust.

But as time passed, Arthur found he simply couldn't.

Arthur realised that for the first time, he missed Merlin. Missed the hopelessness of his servant, missed the banter, missed the fun.

Missed his friend.

As Arthur thought about it, he started to become jealous.

How could Merlin forget about him, just like that?

How had he and Trystan got along so well already?

Arthur always saw them, laughing and joking together as they strolled around Camelot.

Arthur missed having someone to laugh with.

It seemed Merlin was his light, Merlin was what kept him positive. Everyone else seemed to be concerned with some mortal peril or apocalyptic doom all the time. But the young warlock would always cheer him up instantly.

And now he was gone.

Because for as long as Trystan stayed, Merlin chose him over Arthur.

Please review and let me know if I should continue, x