Merlin stood looking more then a little puzzled for a long while. He's not? Not what? Planning on still having Merlin around to argue with? No more talk about his being a king, just that -- He couldn't be afraid that Merlin would leave...right? However, when the prince turned his gaze elsewhere, Merlin was more then a little shocked. The sorcerer did sometimes worry that Arthur would just replace him one of these days. He never imagined that the prince would be thinking something similar.
"I'm not going to leave, Arthur." He said softly. "You're stuck with me for good." They had their arguments, but they couldn't stay angry at each other for very long. Merlin had every intention of staying at Arthur's side for good, as a friend, an adviser, and to protect him.