Lazy Daisy (Arthur)

[em]

The first day –the dreaded first day of having to suffer Prince Prat! Merlin didn’t know how he would survive it. Why had he gone and allowed himself to push the prince out of the firing line! Why didn’t he just let him get knifed? Well, it was all because he was the one side of a coin! And Arthur was the other! Of all people!
Another reason was because Merlin was too nice to actually allow the prince to die whilst he just stood there with his hands over his ears (to muffle out the shrieking of the newly deceased Lady Helen of course). In the dragon's words, it was his ‘destiny’. If this was destiny then Merlin didn’t know why he’d struck the worst end of the deal. There hadn't even been a deal come to think of it!

Managing to drag himself from his bed he dressed and headed into where he’d expect to find Gauis tattling over books and whatnot at that time of the morning. Instead he was met with an empty room and vial of some disgusting looking green liquid that had a smell to match. Merlin decided to ask Gauis later about that, but made sure to move it away to a safer place, where it couldn’t be mistaken for some sort of drink. Then again, with a smell like that, how could you mistake it for anything?

“Gauis?” Merlin called out, just incase his guardian was swinging from a ladder up the bookshelf somewhere, like he’d been doing when he’d first arrived.

No answer. He was out then.

Merlin didn’t even have time to eat, as he was late enough already. Not a good start. Then again would Arthur even be awake at this time? Didn’t the word prat also define other words such as lazy, arrogant, rude, cantbebotheredtogetupuntilmidday? He hurried down the steps and through the hallways. He was sure that the excuse that he ‘got lost’ wouldn’t be taken to lightly in Arthur’s book, and would result in another spell in the stocks.

Yum.

Aha. Arthur’s room. Merlin threw the door open and hurried in, also flinging the curtains open in the same manner as he had done the door.

“Morning Sire!” he called cheerfully. That would get him up in no time.

Tagged: Arthur Pendragon
Timeline: Beginning of S1
Setting: Arthur's Chambers

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur was exhausted. With everything that had occurred last night, he had not gotten to sleep until very late and knew he would only have a couple hours rest before he had to wake up and begin the duties that occupied his time. Training his men was often the first thing he had to do. But he knew that he may have to shift the time for one of the more important things was to house break his newest victim servant. Merlin. Really. REALLY?! Arthur was not happy about the arrangement at all. Of all the men that could be his servants . . . his father had assigned the town's idiot. Arthur wasn't sure who had looked more disturbed in that moment that his father made the announcement: him, or Merlin. Granted, he did save the Prince's life, but Arthur's pride stood in the way of accepting him. Especially after he had called him a prat, and an ass. Arthur was not willing to forgive him that easily, and this was going to be apparent in which tasks he was going to make him do. He had to give him a tour of the castle, or well, the necessary places. He was going to give him hell! As if throwing him in the dungeon and fighting him with a mace was not enough.

No. He was going to make him regret the day he insulted him. Oh how this was going to be so exciting! It was morning, and the Prince did not even realize the time. He heard someone entering his chambers, and it only made him slightly groan. He expected it to be his general servant Morris, or someone else who had come to awake him which, quite frankly, wasn't the most pleasant task. It wasn't until the curtains were pulled back, and the sun rays landed directly on Arthur's closed eyes, that forced him to squint them open. He quietly groaned at the disturbance and saw the most horrific sight, that almost made him wonder if he was in the middle of a nightmare: Merlin. So it wasn't Morris, but rather, an even bigger idiot. Amongst his sleepy eyes, Arthur managed to get out a glare at his overly chipper latest servant. Well, he should how long this man would last for with the revenge Arthur was planning, his guess would be that he was not going to be able to endure it for very long.

He wanted to throw something at the idiot, but was still in the process of waking up from Merlin's abrupt awakening. Arthur tried to sit up a bit, stretching his arms and just staring with an unimpressed look. This would be the man who served him now? The one who had been stupid enough to challenge him to a fight, and insult him during the process? Good god, Arthur would be doomed with a servant like this. Yet, that nagging thought of how he had saved his life had not completely exited the prince's mind. It was perhaps the only redeeming quality about Merlin. Unfortunately. "Pour me some water," he ordered him, his voice still a bit groggy. It would be Merlin's first of many orders that he would be given . . . and this one would probably be the easiest task to perform out of them all. Even though the pitcher of water was right at Arthur's bedside, he told Merlin to do it because . . . well, because he could!

[em]

Arthur sounded groggy, of course Merlin hadn’t expected any less. After all he’d almost been killed the previous evening by a lunatic with a voice who could take even the toughest of men down.
“Did you sleep well?” Merlin asked, trying to make conversation. He knew the prince wouldn’t even answer this but it was worth trying to be polite and getting through the long day that he knew was ahead.

"Pour me some water,"

Merlin looked around for the pitcher, performing a 360 degree turn of scanning the room before realising it was…by Arthur’s bed?! He nodded and headed over and poured the water out, before holding out his hand for the prince to take the cup. If this had been the infamous first meeting between them again, Merlin would have gladly enjoyed dumping the water over Arthur’s head. Now that was out of the question.

“Anything else…sire?” he asked. Silly question really, of course there would be. He half expected Arthur to have a full of duties that he was expected to undertake. Most of them being unpleasant – a bit like Arthur then. Merlin was going to be having words with the dragon. He had to protect and serve this idiot? All at the same time? Talk about multitasking – Merlin knew he couldn’t even pat his head and rub his stomach at the same time, let alone having to take on something as tough as serving Arthur.

If he didn’t survive the day then oh well – he wasn’t sure who would be more pleased. Him or Arthur.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Merlin was trying to make small talk and Arthur hadn't quite reached the level of civility with him yet to want to engage conversation first thing in the morning. It was almost a shame for Arthur was just waiting for that reason to throw him back in the stocks. It would come sure enough . . . wouldn't it? In the meantime he would have to deal with his incompetence. Of course this was prejudgment on Arthur's part but he didn't care. Merlin had already annoyed him numerous times and that was before he was forced to see him. Now, he would have the 'pleasure' of seeing him every day . . . or well, for as long as he lasted as Arthur's servant. So no. Arthur did not answer his question. He just waited for his water, almost rolling his eyes when Merlin spun around to look for it.

Arthur took the cup, without so much as a please or thank you. Why should he. It was now his job to wait on him hand and foot and pleasantries were unnecessary. Arthur drank the entire cup in a few gulps. It was a good thing he had finished swallowing the beverage, otherwise he would choked on it or spit it out all over Merlin's face after hearing what he asked him. The latter was a more amusing image. "Anything else . . . sire?" Is there anything else? Is there anything else?!? What an idiot! Of course there was something else! There were several somethings else! Really though. How was Arthur expected to accomplish anything when he had a moron serving him.

Arthur just shot him a look of disbelief, wondering if he was kidding when he asked the question. To be honest, it was a fair and polite question to ask. But Arthur was finding any fault he could in the man rather than focusing on his redeeming quality. The only one he could think of was . . . the fact that he saved his life. Damn him. After a few moments of Arthur just staring at him like he was an idiot, he finally spoke. "You mean apart from setting out my clothes, preparing my breakfast, polishing my chain mail and armor, cleaning my room, doing my laundry, sweeping the fireplace . . . " The list could go on and on and and on. And it would! "Noooo, of course there's nothing else. What would have made you think such a thing?" Yes. The last couple of statements were reeking with bitter sarcasm.

[em]

Well. That was the reaction he’d expected. What would Arthur have done anyway? Congratulated him on asking the world’s most civil question? Of course not. Oh boy – was today going to be an unpleasant one!

“Of course” Merlin made a face trying to remember what Arthur had said out of the huge list of jobs that he’d been instructed to do. Not all at once he hoped, then again he was talking about Prince Arthur here. It wouldn’t surprise Merlin if he were asked to do a handstand and dress the prince at the same time!

“Err…what was the first one again?”

Yes, of course. What COULD have made him think of that. Merlin just rolled his eyes and headed over to the cupboard where he assumed that Arthur’s clothes were kept. After a fight with a jacket, a tunic and a pair of trousers he hung the clothes over the top of the dresser screen, so that when the lazy prat would finally decide to shift himself, then he could make the bed and lay them out properly.

“I’ll, erm – go and get your breakfast then” Merlin finally declared once he knew that this all would conclude to him wanting to jump out of the window. If he could stay away from Arthur until he had to bring his breakfast back up, then the better!

[Arthur Pendragon]

What was the first one?! The first one would be to get himself to Gaius because Arthur was going to throw him out the window! Incompetence, utter incompetence! "Hmm, well let's see," Arthur said in exaggerated kindness, as if he was actually thinking. It was just more sarcasm. He finally stood from his bed, stretching a big in the process. "Now, what would be the first thing we do when we wake up . . . " But before Arthur said anything further or answered his own sarcastic question with . . . well, with more sarcasm, Merlin had already made his way to his cupboard to take out his clothing. Oh well look at that! The imbecile did have a brain after after all. Arthur watched his every move. In an expectant way for the prince was fairly certain Merlin was going to screw up at some point. And that would be when Arthur taught him the consequences of not following orders properly.

He made his way over to the bowl where he would wash up, and noticed there was no water in there. Now, Arthur could have just as easily gotten some water and poured it in there himself, but where was the fun in that?! "Aren't you forgetting something?" He asked him before he left to get his breakfast, which was something else Arthur was going to harass him about. He was really going to have to have a discussion with his father about the arrangements that he set up, for neither Arthur nor Merlin would be pleased with them. But who cared what Merlin wanted. It was all about what Arthur wanted!

He just stood there, impatiently staring at Merlin, without saying anything further . . . and waiting for him to clue in to what he meant. That the bowl was empty, and that he fully expected the pathetic excuse of a man to pour some water in there. Perhaps Arthur gave him too much credit when he said that it would be easy to housebreak him . . . clearly, Merlin needed to be told things for he lacked common sense. Maybe he had some sort of mental affliction; he did after all call Arthur an ass, when no one had the audacity to ever do such a thing!

[em]

Merlin was trying to block out Arthur’s sarcastic remarks – which he obviously thought were smart, when taking the clothes out of the cupboard. Somehow it was hard to ignore a royal idiot in the making.

"Now, what could be the first thing we do when we wake up . . . " the prince was adding.

“I don’t know…open your eyes?” Merlin muttered to himself sarcastically.

Finally! Arthur was actually going to get out of bed! At least he could make it now and lay the clothes out properly.
Now the prince was complaining about him forgetting something and standing next to a bowl. Yes? It was a bowl? Merlin had no clue as to what should be in it whatsoever.

He looked to the bowl and then to Arthur, whose face didn’t look impressed right now. Then again – Merlin hadn’t expected to impress him at all on the first day. “It’s a bowl?” Merlin frowned. So what was it meant for? Fruit? Laundry? The bones of the small children that Merlin expected Arthur ate? (Well he had the expression that kind of backed that up)

Finally, after the cogs had been ticking in his mind – as to what it could be used for finally fell into place. “Oh!” he sighed and clamped the palm of his hand to his head. “Water!” he quickly picked up the bowl and literally ran for the door.

“Back in a minute sire!” he called, already halfway out and down the hall, almost crashing into a few other servants along the way.

Well…so far so good!

[Arthur Pendragon]

His sarcasm was not appreciated. Only Arthur was allowed to be the sarcastic one; Merlin was not. Yes. He decided that just now, and while he would not say it, he would certainly make it known that Merlin's 'humor' and sarcasm was completely unappreciated. "It's a bowl?". . . . . "Really?!" Arthur exclaimed in exaggerated shock. Clearly he could not see it was a bowl! It was the content within that was missing. Yet something else that Merlin failed to recognize. That was starting to not surprise Arthur. It seemed that most things would have to spelled out for Merlin, but seeing as how the prince's patience was already wearing thin, it could be difficult indeed. He just waited . . . and waited . . . and waited . . . and . . . FINALLY! Merlin reached his moment of epiphany. He grabbed the bowl and scurried out the door as Arthur just rolled his eyes.

While he was waiting for him to return, he decided to get dressed. Moving behind the dressing board, he put on his shirt and pants, then moving over his bed to put on his boots. What the hell was taking him. Alright, so he wasn't actually taking so long. Arthur was just already annoyed with him, that he was being easily agitated by anything and everything Merlin did. Would he honestly have to get used to this? Or was there hope that he would have to deal with him, or that he would at least improve? HA! Improve. Right. That was a good one. Arthur shook his head to himself at the improbability of this. Once his boots were on, he just sat there, still waiting for his servant to return with water and breakfast.

There was a long day ahead of them. Perhaps more so for Merlin. Just from looking at him he did not seem like the most physically fit person. Training should be interesting. Maybe he would get in shape with all the running around he was going to make him do. Could he even lift a piece of armor? Or even his chainmail? He would find out soon enough as all those things needed polishing and he expected Merlin to get it all done by . . . tomorrow maybe. Depends how lenient Arthur was feeling. Right now, he wasn't feeling merciful at all. Right now, he wanted to torture him so that he learned that the stocks and time in the dungeon was not the worst thing that could happen to him when he decided to be bold and call the Prince names again, or even try to throw a punch at him.

[em]

"Really?!"

Err…yeah?

“Well it’s…round? So obviously it…is?” Merlin frowned a little as he trailed off on seeing Arthur’s face. “I’ll, er – just go and get that breakfast”

He was glad to escape the prince, even if it did mean knocking down a few servants along the way. Well – almost. He called out his apologies to them and sprinted down to the kitchens to get Arthur’s breakfast.

Merlin had managed to fill the bowl full of water without anything going wrong whatsoever. He had it balanced on one arm and the plate of the food on the other. He’d only been at least 10 minutes? Ok, maybe 15 but that didn’t matter. It was all done right if you took your time anyway.

“Im back!” he called, kicking the door open with his foot and heading inside, the water sloshing around the bowl, some even tipping onto the floor.

Merlin literally let the plate slide down his arm and onto the table but managed to lose balance of the bowl sending it crashing to the floor and the water flooding out over the floor.

“Oops” he looked to Arthur then almost did a double take, “You’re dressed?!” he said in surprise. What? He’d wanted a bowl of water to wash or whatever – wasn’t he going to dress after that? Obviously not now that he had his clothes on and the continents of the bowl were on the floor.

“I’ll get a mop” he suggested and hunted around, the only thought coming to his mind moments later that the Prince of Camelot wouldn’t keep a mop on standby in his chambers.

[Arthur Pendragon]

When he finally heard footsteps quickly approaching his chambers, he knew that Merlin was coming back. Even before he threw open the door with a handful of things: his breakfast and a bowl of water. Arthur made no attempt to help him with either. When he saw a few drops spill, he made a mental note that Merlin could clean that up later, and he would tell him as such. In fact, he could mop up all of Arthur's room as it was in need of a good thorough cleaning. So instead of helping the idiot in any way, he just began to roll up his sleeves so that he could freshen up, and then enjoy a nice peaceful ---- IDIOT! MORON! Arthur quickly rose to his feet when he saw the bowl of water spill all over the ground. He stared at it, and then intensely glared at Merlin who was now fumbling around for a mop. Right. As if Arthur would have one in his chambers. That was what was kept in the storage rooms where -- as a servant -- Merlin should know where they are! The logic of Merlin being new to Camelot and the castle did not fail to enter the Prince's mind; he just failed to acknowledge this and use it as justification for Merlin's idiocy.

Oops . . . you're dressed. THAT was all he had to say. Arthur tried to remember the last time he had been this annoyed . . . oh right! When Merlin had stared at him dumbly not realizing he needed to fill the bowl with water, which was now all over the ground! Arthur made his way over to the empty dish and turned it upside down, slamming it on Merlin's head so that he could not longer see without moving it off. But Arthur kept it in place for a moment, having his hand over it, pushing it down so that Merlin's vision was still impaired. It was at least an improvement in appearance for now Arthur would not have to look at his ridiculous face. "You really are a complete, clumsy idiot!" He snapped, his tone expressing as much annoyance as he felt. "Does it look like I would have a mop in here?!" He added just so he could lash out at him some more.

But wait, Arthur was not yet finished. "Now stop wasting time and go get a mop from the storage room!" He did not specify where that room was, and if Merlin was gone too long . . . well, it would just give Arthur yet another reason to yell at him. With those words, he hit the bowl still covering Merlin's head one more time, and pushed him a bit towards the door. Alright, so it was more like, towards the pile of water that he had spilled. Arthur had done it with the hopes that Merlin would slip on it and fall for that would really teach him what happened when he was so damn clumsy! But of course, Arthur could not guarantee this would be how the events unfolded. He would just wait to see how much balance Merlin truly had.

[em]

Merlin fumbled around for the mop, of course it wouldn’t be in there so where on earth did they keep them? The castle was a maze itself – I could take forever to find where the mops were kept!

SLAM!

Ouch.

Now the dish was over his head and he couldn’t see a foot in front of him. Curtsey of Arthur. Merlin just stood there with his eyes shut while Arthur yelled at him for being a complete idiot. On his next question Merlin lifted up the bowl from his head so as he could finally see again.

“Well, by the state of the room I guess not” he mumbled, “I’ll just go and get that mop”

At least the bowl hadn’t had the water in it, he wouldn’t have had any time to go and change his clothes anyway. Not if Arthur had anything to do with it. He finally found the mop and returned with it, starting to mop up the mess that had been made. He decided against making small talk with Arthur again. The prince was already miffed at him enough as it was and Merlin knew that he’d have a fair share of other insults to throw his way – and more jobs to be loaded with.

Now that floor was all cleaned (Merlin had taken it upon himself to clean the whole of it for good measure) he propped the mop up against the wall by the door, ready for returning to the storage room later.

“Can I get you anything else sire?” he asked.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Well at least he came back quickly . . . ish. While Merlin mopped the floor, Arthur sat down at his table and began to eat his breakfast. At least he was taking some initiative by cleaning the whole floor and not just the portion he had spilled water on. That was something. Though it did not re-instill his faith in Merlin. He still thought he was an idiot. How could it be. . . that this man had saved his life? How had his reflexes been so quick that he had managed to push Arthur out of the way before the tagger hit him right between the eyes? It had been such a shock that Merlin, someone who did not even know how to throw a punch, was so quick to push him out of harms way. And had even . . . risked his life in the processed of Merlin could have easily been in the line of the knife. These thoughts helped alleviate his anger, though he was still frustrated by Merlin . . . perhaps even more so that he was acknowledging what he had done for him. Arthur stuck by the words he said when meeting Merlin for the second time: there was something about him, something that Arthur couldn't quite define.

While Merlin continued to clean, and Arthur finished off his food, he rose to his feet. Screw the water in the bowl. Arthur just took over the left over water from his pitcher and poured it into there. He rolled up his sleeves, and washed up a bit. He searched around for a towel, just grabbing a random one before tossing it to the ground. Merlin could pick it up and wash it, along with the rest of his laundry. he then went over to grab his jacket that was still hung over the changing board, putting it on before going to his belt which had his sword attached to it. Arthur seldom went anywhere without his sword at his side. Who knew what dangers could be lurking about and it was always better to be prepared than to find oneself unarmed and thus vulnerable. As he began to tie it around his waste, not quite trusting Merlin to do it for him, he heard his servant ask the question again. Could he get him anything else? He could get him a servant with a brain! But Arthur somehow managed to refrain from this sarcastic retort. Instead, he just adjusted himself, finally ready to go out and face the day.

"Do you know your way around the castle?" Arthur asked him. It may have been the first question he had posed without sarcasm or bitterness in it. It still held a bit of that natural authority, but it was a legitimate question for if Merlin was not familiar with the castle, well, he had better start getting used to it. Arthur could not afford him getting lost somewhere especially since most of his running around would consist with doing errands for him. He knew he had resided with Gaius for a little while before being appointed in this position, but the castle was large and so Arthur was just assuming that Merlin's sense of direction wasn't too good. But of course, he was never one to give the man too much credit. He underestimated him, in many ways, even when he proved otherwise, Arthur was too stubborn to admit that Merlin did well at times . . . such as saving his life.

[em]

No. He didn’t. Well he did but not very well – he’d only just managed to find the kitchens this morning, and that was because he’d followed the smell of cooking.

“Sort of” he replied, “Gauis usually has me running errands to Lady Morgana and all over the castle, but im still getting a bit lost” he admitted. Just the other day he’d ended up in Morgana’s room with her thinking that he was Gwen as she dressed behind the screen! He’d had to put on a ridiculously high-pitched voice and hide himself behind one of her cloaks. Thankfully Gwen came in at the right time and he was able to leave in a hurry.

Merlin cleared away the breakfast things as Arthur finished with them and set about making the bed. It would most likely need stripping and a new set of sheets on them. Not that Merlin was an expert in laundry, but he’d already done his fair share for Gauis. It was a wonder there weren’t any bed bugs living in the prince’s sheets! When was the last time they’d been changed?!
Merlin made a mental note to fetch some clean ones and change it later – in between Arthur yelling at him some more and cleaning out the stables.

“So…” he began slowly, “busy day?” It would be for him, for Arthur it would most likely be:

1. Shout at Merlin
2. Go outside and have girls fall over at feet
3. Yell at Merlin some more
4. Swing a sword around at some poor peasant
5. Yell at Merlin for getting in the way and making him stop his fun
6. Throw Merlin in the stocks
7. Take Merlin out of the stocks because the stables haven’t been mucked out
8. Demand food (and small children as a side order)
9. Make Merlin change the bed sheets
10. Eat more food and look at girls
11. Be a prat
12. Yell at Merlin again before dismissal and falling into bed.

What a hard life that sounded! Merlin couldn’t help but smirk at this thought and waited for Arthur to boss him around some more. Merlin’s life at the moment seemed to be just one big chore in itself.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Ah well that made sense. It would be much easier for Gaius indeed to have someone assisting him for he was a very busy man. Then again, with Merlin's incompetence maybe it would just hinder his work. Either way, it did not matter for Arthur; it only meant that now, Merlin would have twice as much work: chores for Arthur as well as chores for Gaius. The prince almost smirked at this very thought, finding a great deal of amusement in it. Oh just wait until he really made Merlin start doing work. He had listed everything out, and while it still sounded like a lot, he would really feel the impact when he started doing them -- or so Arthur hoped. And as each minute passed, he was thinking of more and more things to add on to that list. "You'll get used to it," he told him. He was not sure how he meant for that to sound. He didn't want to be nice to him by offering encouraging words . . . so maybe it wasn't even a question. Maybe it was just a statement telling him that he had no choice. Who knows. Arthur was not about to dwell on it.

"Busy day?" Oh he had no idea. "Very," Arthur replied plainly, only leaving the answer laconic so that he could build up to the list of tasks that he was meant to fulfill. "There is a tournament coming up, so you will be helping me train for that." Again, no choice in the matter. And by 'helping him train' he really meant, use Merlin was a practice dummy. Just as he did with Morris. Now that was going to be great fun! "You will also need to polish my armor after training, and do my laundry." And no, that was not it! "Every morning you will also be expected to exercise my dogs." No. Not demeaning at all! Well, maybe for Arthur's two dogs who would be forced to be in the company of Merlin.

Once Merlin was done making the bed -- something that yet again, Arthur did not fail to notice but failed to recognize, he made his way towards the door. "Well hurry up. I haven't got all day," he told him in an annoyed voice, waiting for him to join him when really, the waiting had only been for a couple of seconds. He was about to give him a bit of a tour of the castle, such as where the royal chambers were as well as guest ones were, and where other areas such as the kitchens, armory, throne room, grand hall, etc would be. If he gave him a tour now, it would save him time later for then Merlin would -- hopefully -- not waste time getting lost.

[em]

"You'll get used to it,"

He couldn’t quite tell whether Arthur was being nice or awful. All the same Merlin smiled and carried on fluffing the pillows. “Thanks, im sure I will – I know some of the castle anyway, so I suppose that’s a start”.

Merlin frowned at Arthur’s mention of the words ‘tournament’ and ‘helping’. How exactly was he supposed to do that? Polishing armour wasn’t exactly helping. “What kind of tournament?” he asked out of interest – perhaps if he concentrated on making conversation about Arthur’s interests then the Prince might make some kind of small talk back. “And helping?” he asked a little worriedly. He’d seen the expression on Arthur’s face and it was enough to know that what he mean by ‘helping’ was obviously code for ‘torture Merlin’. “I err…. well, how exactly can I help? I can’t fight or anything – let alone lift up a sword” he shrugged.

"You will also need to polish my armour after training, and do my laundry."

Well obviously, the royal socks didn’t wash themselves after all. Polishing armour? That didn’t sound hard. Gauis had him polishing all the time. Books and tables etc.

"Every morning you will also be expected to exercise my dogs."

Exercising dogs...right, wait...WHAT!

“Great dogs…” he put on a fake cheerful attitude, “I…love, dogs” he had a slight hesitation in his words. If anything Merlin disliked dogs as much as he did Arthur. Now he was ordered to exercise them…EVERY morning?! He couldn’t wait for the slobbering and jumping on him to begin.

He finished pondering and pulled the overthrow over the bed. Now it was done and Arthur was already calling for him. “Yes sire!” he called and literally ran to follow him. Arthur was already out of the door and up the hallway.

“So…where are we going?” Merlin asked – if it was to meet Arthur’s dogs then he’d need a shield of some kind, and he was pretty sure he wouldn’t be able to use the Prince as a human one.

[Arthur Pendragon]

When he asked what kind of tournament, and added that he couldn't fight, Arthur just gave him a look, one of annoyance yet one of expectancy as well. "I figured as much," he mumbled, though made sure it was audible enough for Merlin to hear. The man could barley throw a punch! Arthur was really going to have to put him into shape if he was going to help him practice in any sort of way. This was not the first tournament and it would not be the last, so Arthur needed someone more . . . fit than him. "It is one where knights compete in combat for the title of champion." Arthur left it vague on purpose, but really, that's what it was. The winner would then be Lady Morgana's escort to the feast that would follow. Arthur had confidence that he would do well, but he knew there would be that pressure to win from his father. He often expected nothing less than full success from his son.

"It doesn't surprise me that you've never used a sword," he continued. "But really, you have never even lifted one?" He would have been sarcastic, had Merlin not actually admitted to such a thing. That much surprised him! Well, maybe it shouldn't. He had to just be sure though for the sake of determining whether it would be better to practice with the other knights or to make his idiot servant who couldn't even hold a sword practice with him. Maybe an inanimate target dummy would even be better! Arthur did not miss the comment on dogs . . . his dogs. He shot him a glare before continuing to look forward. "You have better love dogs. Don't you dare insult them either. They are worth more than you will ever be." Arthur loved his canine companions, Cabal and Bohrs. Maybe that would be the best way to get Merlin into some sort of shape: have his dogs train him.

"So . . . where are we going?" Arthur was trying to figure out where the best place to start was and this thought process came to him as he kept walking forward. "You already know where the kitchens are I assume. I will show you the other important areas of the castle." As they walked past certain rooms, Arthur began to explain them. "That is the king's chamber. Never go in there unless you are ordered to do so or summoned." It was too risky to have randoms wandering about in his father's chambers. "That is the Lady Morgana's chamber. Never go in there," he told him bluntly and firmly. That was indisputable. Arthur was protective enough over her to discourage any man from ever entering them. Except for him and his father and sometimes a guard or knight. The only reason he was even telling or showing Merlin where they were was to discourage him from ever entering.

[em]

Arthur explained about what the tournament entitled. In a nutshell it was just Knights going around and hitting one another. “So you’re just gonna clobber eachother round the head for a title?” Merlin frowned, “sounds like a pretty boring tournament to me”. Arthur would most likely clobber Merlin round the head at this moment. After all he’d just said his last statement like an insult. Merlin couldn’t understand what the attraction was to it all though.

Merlin shrugged at Arthur next words, “I’ve never needed to” he said, “Ealdor is only a small village – no knights, no castles. Just a few houses, fields and a couple of cows”. All in all Merlin had to admit that Ealdor, in comparison with Camelot, was a pretty boring place.

Geez, Arthur must have more lover for his dogs than himself, as he shot Merlin a look of daggers before saying, "You have better love dogs. Don't you dare insult them either. They are worth more than you will ever be." Merlin carried on following him, “Im more of a cat person” he stated, knowing that it would probably make Arthur glare at him some more.
Merlin knew that walking Arthur’s dogs would result in disastrous consequences, and if Arthur had anything to do with it, every time they saw Merlin they would attack him. “Sooo…how many dogs do you have? If im going to walk them I need to prepare myself – oh and I’ll need to know their names too…” he gave a small chuckle in a joking manner, “don’t want me losing them now do we?”

Now Arthur was saying he was going to show him the castle. Well the places he’d likely be sent to by Arthur anyway.

"That is the king's chamber. Never go in there unless you are ordered to do so or summoned."

Like he ever would. He’d already seen what Arthur’s father was capable of, and if he was caught snooping around in his chambers then he wouldn’t go for another spell in the stocks.

"That is the Lady Morgana's chamber. Never go in there,"

Too late. He’d already been sent there by Gauis, and he’d practically caught her undressing. He knew not to tell Arthur about this encounter as by his tone, the Lady Morgana’s chambers was forbidden territory to any man in the castle – all except the King, Arthur and Gauis of course.

“What if im ordered to do so, or summoned?” Merlin gave Arthur a look, repeating the Prince’s words from earlier on. It was a genuine question though.

[Arthur Pendragon]

The way Merlin minimized the effort and skill it took to combat in such a tournament greatly annoyed the prince. Then again, practically everything that Merlin said annoyed him! "Its more than that," he told him, snapping a bit at the idiot. "It is a test of endurance, skill, strategy . . . you would not like five seconds." He could see Merlin being the one to get clobbered the second the match started. He would give him a bit of taste of what a combat match was like. Then he would see how 'easy' and 'boring' it was. As he listened to him explain Ealdor a bit, Arthur supposed it made sense as to why Merlin never needed a weapon. His and Arthur's upbringing was so radically different. As soon as Arthur could walk, he'd had a sword put in his hand, and the non stop training commenced. He was brought up as a knight, but also a leader.

Though he would never admit it, he often wondered what it would be like to live in a small village and just be something like a farmer. So carefree; not having to rule a kingdom; not having the fate of other people and their lives resting on your shoulders. But of course, such a destiny was not meant for Arthur Pendragon. His path was laid out for him: to be king of Camelot. Not remaining in a pensive silence, he continued to speak. There was no way he was going to get all reflective on Merlin. He barley knew the man and so far, he was just irritating him. "Well you will be learning to use a sword," he informed him. He needed his servant to be well equipped for his duties would extend beyond the kingdom as well. For instance, if Arthur needed to go outside the city for whatever reason, his personal man servant would be expected to go with him . . . and that was Merlin. SO really, there was no choice in the matter. He only hoped the idiot wouldn't topple over at the weight of a sword.

The subject of dogs was a bit more of a sensitive one . . . especially when Merlin suggested the possibility of losing them. He was right: Arthur glared at him more. In fact, he stopped walking and turned to stand right in front of Merlin. "If you ever lose either of them, I will put you in the stocks for a year." That didn't sound so bad, had Arthur's voice not been completely serious when he said it. It could be a bit too early to be making death threats to him, so he would stick with something that was a bit more believable, as Merlin had already spent time in the stocks. It was a place that no one wanted to be in. Only partially satisfied with that threat, Arthur turned back around and continued walking forward. "I have two. Their names are Cabal and Bohrs; you'd be wise to remember them. And treat them with respect." More respect than Arthur treated his servant with obviously. "It will be your responsibility to exercise them, groom them, make sure they are well fed and taken care of." All the demeaning stuff. Oh just wait until he got to the part where Merlin had to muck out the stables!

Interesting. He'd questioned entrance to Morgana's chambers but not his fathers. Maybe that was because with Morgana's he had not added the part of being permitted if he was summoned. Why would Morgana ever summon him?! Oh Merlin would just love that wouldn't he?! Well, Arthur was going to put a stop it it before it even started. "If you have orders to there, then you inform her handmaiden of what business or message you have." That was what Guinevère was for. He knew that Morgana and her maid were the closest of friends. Something Arthur didn't quite understand for Guinevère talked almost as much as Merlin did. But, on the other hand, he was glad that his adoptive sister had a friend that she was so close to. It did her good. Except when she was gossiping about him. "If you go there uninvited, then believe me when I tell you that the king will have your head." And Arthur would gladly be the one to cut it off. He continued to move forward, soon nearing the other general areas of the castle, not bothering to inform Merlin of each and every single room. That would take far too much time and he doubted he would remember it all anyway.

[em]

“I wouldn’t even want to be in the arena for a second, let alone not lasting” Merlin rolled his eyes. There was no way he’d ever get his kicks from taking part in a tournament. Not that he ever would, he was just a servant, and apparently now he had to learn to use a sword?! Oh no! Surely not?

“Do I have to?” he almost whined, “Really, you don’t want to let me within a 5 mile radius of one”

As for the dogs, well – Arthur would kill him if he ever lost them. Bad timing for jokes. “Cabel and Bohrs – right” he noted the names knowing that he would most certainly forget them. In private he could always call them ‘that one’ and ‘that one’. Grooming?! Feeding?! There was more?! Didn’t Arthur have some kind of dog trainer? Wait…yes, him! “Yes sire” he replied.

Then came the subject of entering Morgana’s chambers (or not in Merlin’s case).
"If you have orders to there, then you inform her handmaiden of what business or message you have." Arthur had told him.

“Gwen” Merlin confirmed, “I’ve met her already”. Yes. Back when he’d been thrown in the stocks for starting a fight with Arthur. Now he was sick at the sight of vegetables. Gwen however had deemed his actions brave and that everyone thought of him as the hero. Merlin wasn’t about to tell Arthur that Gwen had branded him a bully. It was true though, so others must see the prat that he was too.

“Don’t go into Morgana’s chambers or die – got it” he made a mental note to himself out loud.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Good for Merlin then, he would not be in the arena for that long. It was his next comment that made the Prince pause for a moment. "Do I have to?" Was that whining he detected?! Oh he was going to put a stop to it right this instant! "Do have to?" Arthur began, as if he was allowing Merlin's ridiculous question to fully register in his mind. he wasn't even sure whether to answer with bitter sarcasm or just anger. Such a tough call. "Of course you have to! You are my servant," he began to remind him. "If I tell you to jump, you will say how high. If tell you to run, you will say how fast. If I tell you to shut up, you will stop talking." His voice was not raised to the volume of yelling, but it held a strong seriousness to it, to show that he was not kidding in the slightest. He expected to be obeyed, especially by his servant who's sole purpose was to wait on him hand and foot. "So when I tell you that you will be training with me and learn how to use a sword, you will say 'what time shall I be there'." No choice in the matter whatsoever.

At least the next part about his dogs he seemed to be understanding better as he did not argue about that. He merely complied with a 'yes sire'. There was hope for him after all . . . a very little bit of hope, but it was there. Even more so when he already seemed to know who Morgana's handmaiden was. That didn't surprise him all too much. He may not know Gwen personally, but he knew of her and her strong connection to the townspeople. Maybe she saw him in the stocks, as that would have been the center of the city's attention for some time . . . especially the children who pelted vegetables at him. "Good. Then you will know what she looks like and thus, who you should relay all messages pertaining to Morgana through." Arthur barley talked to the woman . . . not that he even did much talking when they happened to cross paths. His mind only briefly went back to a couple years ago when there was an incident involving frogs with her. That had probably been the longest conversation he ever had with her, and would probably remain the longest in the future for he had no immediate plans to discuss anything at length with her.

Oh look. There was another shimmer of hope as Merlin understood not to go into Morgana's chambers, or he would die. Arthur just gave a short nod. as they passed the throne room, which was conveniently open, Arthur motioned to it, stopping outside the door without actually going inside. "That is throne room. You will usually only be in there when I am in there." As Gwen stood next to Morgana when she was present, Merlin would stand next to Arthur. "It is where the council will meet, and where audiences with the king take place." That was leaving it fairly general but that was all he really needed to know right now. The rest, he would learn through experience.