Lazy Daisy (Arthur)

[em]

Merlin sighed as Arthur told him he was to do EVERYTHING he said. Even if it meant jumping off of a cliff, Merlin HAD to do it. “Yes sire” he mumbled.
Why on earth did he not speak up and say that he didn’t want a reward, this was the worst reward ever! In fact, it wasn’t even a reward – it was torture! “Do I have to use a sword though? Can’t I just jump around a little bit, wave my arms in the air and avoid you from killing me?” he asked, although he was sure that the plan for Arthur was to kill his servant anyway. At least that way Merlin could work on his reflexes.

On the subject of Gwen, Merlin nodded at Arthur’s next words

"Good. Then you will know what she looks like and thus, who you should relay all messages pertaining to Morgana through."

“Do you?” he asked – the prince (who obviously didn’t care for servants) should know, but Merlin decided he wanted to test him a little, just to see how much notice he took to others rather than himself.

They passed a room that Arthur mentioned as the throne room. "That is throne room. You will usually only be in there when I am in there."
Merlin frowned, “What do I have to do when im in there?” he asked. Would he have to tap dance? Entertain. He hoped not. Arthur soon answered this question, "It is where the council will meet, and where audiences with the king take place."

“Oooooh I see” Merlin understood and nodded again, “I think im getting the hang of this servant malarkey already.” All Merlin would have to do in there was stand and listen. Why? Well he had no idea. He decided to ask Arthur, “So why do I need to be there? Im a servant, I don’t exactly have an opinion?”

[Arthur Pendragon]

He once again said Yes Sire, and that was the kind of verbal obedience Arthur preferred hearing. Of course, who knew if he was going to stick to it. Time would only tell, but so far, Arthur had his doubts. He was already thinking that Merlin would need to be replaced in the very near future. He then turned to look at him, unamused with that mental image that entered his mind with Merlin's description: jump around a little and wave his arms in the air. His look did not rest on Merlin for too long as he turned his head back forward. "You'll probably be doing that anyway," he told him. Acting like an idiot that is. "You'll just be doing it with a sword in one of your hands as you flail your arms about." Imbecile. If Arthur was going to kill Merlin, he was sure as hell not going to make it so public. He'd rather push him off a cliff. Of course, this was only a thought. Arthur would never do such a things . . . but now Merlin didn't know that for certain as the two were still strangers to one another.

"And if I kill you in the process, then oh well," he added very nonchalantly, implying that Arthur cared very little about Merlin dying. On the subject of Guinevère, Merlin's question made the prince lack even more faith in his servant. "Do you?" This time, Arthur made a face that showed how stupid he thought Merlin was. "You really are a complete idiot Merlin," he insulted. "Of course I know what she looks like. She's been here as long as Morgana has." Sir Leon had recommended her as her mother had worked in the Griffith estate. Morgana got along well with her which was good. She wasn't as stupid as Merlin here. She was far more compliant, which was why her and Arthur never really had a problem in the past . . . well, except for that frog incident.

"What do I have to do when I'm in there?" . . . "So why do I need to be there? I'm a servant, I don't exactly have an opinion?" He talked too much and asked too many questions for Arthur's liking. They were relevant questions, but Arthur had not shown him an ounce of kindness since meeting him, he was not going to start now. Oh, well he sort of did! When he didn't have the moron arrested when they fought a bit in the market . . . or 'fought' rather. To Arthur, that did not constitute as combat. It was more dancing around."You won't be doing anything. You'll be standing in there with your mouth shut. Which in itself, seems like a chore of great difficulty for you." Yes, another insult. Merlin would have to get to them though if he was going to be working for the Prince. Arthur did not tend to ease the insults he threw at his servants -- or those he felt deserved them anyway. It mostly fell on his personal servants, and the main one right now happened to be Merlin.

[em]

Merlin gave an inward groan at the fact that he still had to be Arthur’s attack dummy. It would be just like the fight in the marketplace again, only this time with weapons on both sides. "And if I kill you in the process, then oh well,"

“Please…do – im sure it would have it advantages for both of us” Merlin muttered in reply to this. Right now he would rather be six feet under than have to scrub the Prince’s socks everyday.

He couldn’t help but smirk slightly at the prince’s reaction to his earlier question about Gwen. “Oh right, I just thought being a prat and all, you didn’t care for anyone lower down in rank than you” he mused. This was partially referring to Arthur’s old servant Morris. Oh how he would give anything to give him back his old job. How had he even stuck with it?! Surely the words ‘Arthur’ and ‘fun’ didn’t even exist in the same sentence.

Ah yes, the throne room. He would have to stand there. Well he could do that. easy peasy. Oh well, at least he wouldn’t have to talk to Arthur. Arthur didn’t like Merlin talk and Merlin didn’t like asking all these questions. “Purely because you’re a chore for me yourself” Merlin muttered to himself.
He didn’t care if Arthur heard – he was a piece of work, and Merlin knew it would be a while before he managed to master the art of serving him where both parties were happy with the arrangement.

[Arthur Pendragon]

It most certainly would. If Merlin was dead, Arthur would not have to listen to his wise ass remarks and insults. But of course, Arthur would never wish anyone's death upon them. Whether he knew them or not; whether he could tolerate them or not. Merlin was someone he was finding intolerable, and yet, he kept things interesting with his unpredictability. "Not really," he said nonchalantly, when Merlin spoke of advantages. He was not saying it to sound like he cared about the man's life. "It just means that I would have to find another servant. It probably wouldn't be difficult finding someone more capable than you though." He could stand on the street and the first person he saw would be more capable than the city's idiot. "It can be quite time consuming you know," he added just to further show why it would be an inconvenience to him if Merlin died.

When he called him a prat, Arthur stopped walking. He could deal with this one of two ways. He could lash out at him, yell at him, telling him that he was not permitted to call him such a thing. Or . . . he could take his revenge out more subtly. Well, perhaps subtle was the wrong word for it would be very obvious in how he did it. Just not immediately. Arthur decided on the latter. He continued to walk forward, a smirk on his face. "You really don't learn, do you Merlin," he asked rhetorically. Since Merlin was such a dog person -- not -- maybe he could soon introduce him to his two canine companions. While the two dogs were technically harmless, rottweilers did not exactly possess that reputation. They were only obedient to their master and if he wanted them to look menacing -- to scare the hell out of Merlin -- then that could be easily arranged. OR, he could start target practice early; throwing daggers at Merlin and pretending to be uncertain as to where the dagger would land. He wouldn't yet tell Merlin to muck out the stables; he would wait another day so that there was more to clean up. Oh . . . all the possibilities.

"You know nothing about chores. Not yet," Arthur said, his tone almost holding a threat to it. As if he was about to make his life a living hell. "You have no idea," he added in a lower voice, just shaking his head a bit. He was going to fully enjoy every tormenting moment Merlin would endure as his servant. It was going to be more amusing than bullying anyone he had ever bullied in the past! Arthur could hardly wait. When they reached the dining hall, he paused near the door, pushing it open so that Merlin could see inside. "If I am not eating in my chambers, this is where I join the king for meals." His father. "You will be expected to serve and make sure my cup never runs dry." Easy enough? Not with how Arthur was going to make him serve him food and drink. He was going to make it as painfully annoying as possible.

[em]

"It just means that I would have to find another servant. It probably wouldn't be difficult finding someone more capable than you though."

Merlin shrugged at this. “No – I suppose it wouldn’t, then again I wouldn’t put it past you to just do that now”. It was true, but then again if the prat was desperate for a servant right now then of course he’d have to put up with him, which meant that Merlin could annoy him more until he would finally be free of Arthur.

Arthur stopped walking so suddenly that Merlin almost walked into him himself! What was that about not learning? Oh yeah, no he didn’t. Merlin gave a small grin. “Im a fast learner” he told Arthur, “but if it comes down to the art of making up nicknames then no…I suppose im not” he raised his brows. That would annoy Arthur, yes he would end up in the stocks yet again, or just set his dogs on him.

It seemed to be the latter, as they carried on walking again. The prince a little way in front of Merlin who was trailing behind, trying to keep up and trying to remember all the things that Arthur was going to put him through. "You know nothing about chores. Not yet," Arthur was blabbering on.

“I know enough to know that you’re lazy and will probably send me to fetch a jacket when you’re sat just a few feet away from it”. Merlin replied. “And Gauis has me doing chores too, ive grown up doing them for my mother, so I don’t think that your ones will be a challenge” . Arthur had now opened a door to a room where he said that he dined with his father, when not pigging out in his chambers himself.

“You will be expected to serve and make sure my cup never runs dry."

Merlin snorted at this, then saw Arthur’s face and regained some composure, “Yes sire…but what if I run out of…well…drink?” he asked. “I wouldn’t want to delay any more drinking time for you, especially if you do like it” He smirked slightly. Arthur the alcoholic? It seemed likely.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Had the king not publicly anointed Merlin as Arthur's personal man servant, then the prince was rather certain he would have found a new one by now. The insufferable blabbering of this man; the constant whining; the idiotic questions . . . Arthur had punished men for far less. He had no idea as to how he was going to endure this man's presence. It only went back to his initial assumption: that Merlin wasn't going to last long at all. Especially with a mouth like that that had no idea when it shut up. "You won't get off that easy," he told him, wanting him to know that this was going to be more of a hell for him, than it would be for Arthur. Despite his ramblings, Arthur was prince! He had authority over him, and he was going to take advantage of that fact as much as possible: he was going to torture Merlin with chores and teach him a lesson as to why he never should have crossed him in the first place. A fast learner? Arthur did not believe that. It seemed he learned nothing from his experience in the dungeon and stocks.

"I highly doubt that," he said, speaking his mind. "Or it could be that you just loved your time in the dungeon and stocks so much," he added, implying that that was where he was going to end up if he kept being a smart ass. "But again, you will not have it that easy." Meaning of course, that if he thought the dungeon or stocks was bad . . . his role as servant was going to be a million times worse. Even after everything he had the audacity to call him lazy? Him?! LAZY?! Arthur controlled his rage upon hearing this comment. Instead of pausing out of anger, he smirked out of amusement. "Well we'll just see how lazy I am on the training field." Oh how he was going to use Merlin as so much target practice. Give him those horrible tasks of running around the perimeter of the field while Arthur threw daggers at him. Although the Prince would never do it, he grew entertained over the idea of 'accidentally' faltering his aim, and hitting not the target, but the imbecile holding it. His chores wouldn't be a challenge?

"See now that's your first mistake Merlin. You should never think. It is never good when idiots think." He was an idiot. An utter and complete idiot! He didn't think this was going to be a challenge?! Well to hell with that thought for Arthur planned to within the first day, push such assumptions out of Merlin's mind. And there it came again . . . his stupidity. The more he spoke, the more Arthur was inclined to believe that his new servant had no semblance of common sense. Was he really insinuating that he was an alcoholic?! Bloody fool. "I don't expect you to understand the refinement of a proper meal." Because he was a lower class servant, and an idiot. "But you will not run out of drink." They had wine with every meal yes, but obviously he did not drink the whole damn pitcher on his own. Arthur closed the door to the dining hall and without waiting for Merlin, continued on forward. He wanted to be done with this tour so that he could get to the real fun of today: giving Merlin hell.

[em]

He hadn’t even been working for the prince for half an hour and already he couldn’t stand him! What on earth had possessed the King to give him of all people this job?! Wait…of course – he’d stupidly saved Arthur from being knifed by Lady Helen! Why the hell did he listen to the dragon go on about destiny and all that rubbish?! He made a mental note to himself, never to go down and speak with that dragon again. Even in his mind that sentence had sounded weird.

He hadn’t been listening to a word that Arthur had been saying and was completely oblivious to any isults that may have been hurled his way. He’d have to get used to them, as it seemed that Arthur was the type of person to just tell him what he really thought.

“Well we'll just see how lazy I am on the training field."

Merlin shrugged. “Well – I can always bring a pillow down if you suddenly feel ‘tired’”

"See now that's your first mistake Merlin. You should never think. It is never good when idiots think."

“Neither is it when Prats talk” Merlin muttered
Ouch. That would hit Arthur right where it hurt – pride and ego all in one. Round 2 please?

"I don't expect you to understand the refinement of a proper meal."

“I suppose you can't help stuffing your face" Merlin replied innocently, “I guess I should keep an eye on your portions then” he carried on, “don’t want you getting chubby now do we?” he poked Arthur’s side and allowed himself to walk on ahead.
He really didn’t care if he was going to be fired, or end up in the stocks again – anything to get out of this job!

[Arthur Pendragon]

Bring a pillow?! Clearly the idiot didn't have the slightest clue as to all the rigorous training knights underwent. He had probably been too distracted trying to stick up for Morris. He didn't even dignify Merlin's offer with a response. He just let it be. His servant was certainly pushing it though. Especially when he called him a prat again. Arthur was doing all that he could to keep his cool. To stay composed. To assure himself that he would have his revenge . . . that he would make Merlin suffer for everyone second he was his servant. For every second he was here in Camelot. He would prove that he was the most incompetent servant and then his father would be all too supportive in dismissing Merlin from his duties. Yes! That was the goal. Now time to execute this plan. He needed to stay calm until -----

Did he just call him fat?!

Arthur froze, staring at Merlin. Who the hell had the audacity to call him fat?! Was he completely insane?! First off, Arthur was NOT fat! He was . . . fit. Yes! Muscle added weight, isn't that what they said? What would Merlin know about muscle anyway?! He looked like a chicken bone! Imbecile! If Arthur had something heavy nearby, he would have launched it at him. He could always throw his sword at him and if it happened to go right through him, then oh well. What a shame. [Not!] How dare he call him fat?!

. . . Did he just poke him?!

It was a very good thing that the shock of the moment made Arthur just stand there while Merlin had the opportunity to walk a few steps ahead. There was a great deal wrong with this picture. First, his servant didn't have a brain. He called him fat. He poked him. And now he was walking ahead of him, when servants should be walking alongside or BEHIND those of a higher class! Arthur just stared at him. Really? Really?! Before Merlin got too far ahead, Arthur swiftly pulled out his sword, the point just reaching Merlin's back as he slowly poked him with it. Since Merlin poked, Arthur decided to poke him back . . . with a weapon! It was obviously not going into his skin, it was against his back enough for Merlin to know exactly what it was. "Don't move." Arthur's voice held a dead seriousness in it, a very threatening and warning tone. "Take one step and I will run you through," he added in that same tone that did not show any semblance of jest and no ounce of hesitation. Sounding as if he would really run him through, right here and now. One thing was for sure though . . . the tour was over.

[em]

Merlin didn’t wait to see Arthur’s expression. Technically he hadn’t called him fat, but it had been implied. He wondered whether this would be enough to let Arthur not require his non-existent services anymore.

He felt a small prod in his lower back. Arthur’s words of "Don't move." Seemed serious enough. Merlin knew he was about to go to town on him for bringing up an issue that was most likely a sensitive one. He bit his lip to stop laughing at the thought of a very round Arthur rolling down the hallways, yelling at Merlin to bring him some chicken. “Take one step and I will run you through,"

No he wouldn’t – although it would save them both the trouble of having to put up with one another. Someone was clearly having a bad day if this was all because Merlin had poked him. It wasn’t even hard! “Let me guess…you’re gonna throw me in the stocks again because I poked you” he sighed and almost gave an eye roll, but managed to resist that.
It was the stocks or being made to do something awful – which Merlin wouldn’t put past Arthur in the slightest. He imagined the letter that he’d send home to his mother.

Dear Mother

Today I called the Prince of Camelot fat and as a result I was rewarded with even more fruit and a dinner for the dogs – me being the dinner.

Hope to see you soon if im still alive! I now have to go back to rolling in horse dung for his enjoyment.

Merlin

Perhaps then his mother would think it a bad idea to send him away. Then again Camelot was growing more interesting by the day. For a start it didn’t have too many cows and other than already gaining an adoring fan base from the flogging he’d received, he found that part of him liked it there.

“Im in trouble aren’t I?”

he really shouldn’t have bothered to ask this, because not only did he have a sword to his back, but on the end of it was a furious looking Arthur.

[Arthur Pendragon]

"Let me guess . . . you're gonna throw me in the stocks again because I poked you." The stocks? Oh he would love that wouldn't he. But no. That territory was too familiar for him. He had already been in the stocks. Where was the threat in that when it was something already done? "Your time in the stocks will feel like a vacation," he said, implying that his punishment for the man was going to be far worse. That he was going to literally make his life a living hell. Not only for a few hours -- which is what the stocks was. A few hours with people throwing fruit and vegetables in his face. But no. Arthur was going to make it worse for more than just a few hours . . . for days, for months! And not beyond that for he highly doubted Merlin would last that long. Arthur was fairly certain that the point would come where he would see his complete uselessness and incapability to do anything. Though, he already saw that now, but it would just become more obvious . . . more importantly, to his father the king than himself.

Arthur kept the sword point at his back, as he took a few steps to the side, a bit closer to Merlin. "I'm in trouble aren't I?" How could someone be so stupid. "Really, what was your first clue," he told him, in a taunting tone, to make Merlin feel like an idiot . . . though he doubted the imbecile needed any help with that. He didn't know he was in trouble with the dungeon, or stocks, or glares, or threats . . . none of that made him realize it! He just kept talking and talking and talking, until it came to this: a sword pointed in his back. And recalling all of these things that his moron servant had said and done made the prince feel more and more tempted to just run him through. No one was in the hall way. There would be no witnesses! And he was the prince! He could well get away with murder!

But of course, these were just thoughts. Never to be acted on. Arthur knew he had to show more honor than that. But of course, Merlin was not aware of this fact. "You really do ask the most stupid questions," he continued. "You best learn your place Merlin," he said, speaking with grave seriousness. "Or you will not last long at all." He was not giving him advice in any way shape or form. It was more of a threat than anything. Implying, that if he did not learn his place . . . if he did not start showing the Prince and future King of Camelot some respect, then Arthur would kill him. Not really but he may as well entertain that idea . . . as he was doing right now with the tip of his blade firmly against Merlin's back.

[em]

Merlin looked at the Prince blankly – not having a clue as to what the hell he was going on about. “Vacation? What’s a vacation?” he asked a little clueless as to what exactly it meant. The word was indeed a new one but Merlin figured that it was some kind of leisurely activity. One that the Prince wasn’t about to let him be a part of!

Arthur was going to kill him. He could see that look in his eyes now. Or at least he would have if the tip of the sword weren’t prodding him slightly in the back. Merlin scrunched up his face a little. “Err…” he began… “The sword?” the answer was a hopeful sounding one, but Merlin was filled with anything but that right now. The again, maybe it was helpful that he would be murdered in cold blood by a snooty prince who was clearly bonkers. A blessing in disguise for both. “Im wrong aren’t I” Merlin finished on hearing nothing but silence between the pair.

The blade of the sword was still pressed firm against his back. “Er…can I move now?” he asked. The answer would most likely be no, followed by a string of orders. "You really do ask the most stupid questions," Arthur was now ranting on, “And you make the most ridiculous comments but then again, I suppose im not really surprised” Merlin shrugged and crossed his arms.

“You best learn your place Merlin, or you will not last long at all."

“Exactly what I’m aiming for” Merlin muttered and turned around, facing Arthur who’s sword was still drawn. “So” he clapped his hands together, “Nice knowing you, hope you find a new servant to throw rotten tomatoes at, see you around” and with that he went to walk past Arthur back in the direction that they’d come from. If Arthur hated him that much then he’d be more than happy to let him go freely.

[Arthur Pendragon]

If Arthur thought that his fist punching into Merlin's jaw wouldn't cause his head to pop off . . . he would have done it. It was not even that Merlin was just being a smart ass. He was being completely disrespectful! Had he no manners what so ever? Working in the castle -- leaving out the specification of working for the prince -- was a privilege! For the pay was excellent, and it was an honor to obtain such a job. Especially since it was not done without difficulty. Not just anyone could randomly have a job in the royal household; they had to earn it or be recommended by someone. Morgana's handmaiden being a perfect example since it was Sir Leon who had recommended her and thus, she was granted such a high position. But Merlin was clearly an idiot, not realizing how hard it was to get such a job. Not realizing that there were people out on the street who would give anything to have this job. And he was just abusing this opportunity; taking it totally for granted. When he began to walk away, Arthur motioned for the two guards up ahead to seize him.

Which they dd easily enough, as each one grabbed one of Merlin's arms. Arthur then approached him, now standing right in front of him. "You have been given so many opportunities, and yet you keep abusing them." How many times had he been arrested? How many times had Gaius talked him out of it? Arthur had a very strong respect for Gaius, and he actually felt bad for the physician to have to deal with such a selfish, rude, insolent child. "Clearly, you have no respect for Gaius who vouches for you, and convinced both the king and myself to release you from the dungeon." They had done it for Gaius; not for Merlin. "For it seems you'll be needing to spend some more time in there." Because, well, what else was Arthur going to do? He could easily explain to his father, and Gaius would not be able to talk him out of this one . . . for Merlin still continued to be utterly disrespectful. With that, Arthur began to walk down the hall, the guards 'escorting' Merlin to said destination.

[em]

THUD!

Merlin found himself being once again launched into the dungeon. This could be his new home now by the looks of things, and it seemed as though he wouldn’t be going anywhere for a while. As IF it was his destiny to protect this prat! There were many words to sum up Prince Arthur right now and none of them were nice at all. At least he’d finally have some peace now that his position would be filled by someone else.

Merlin leant back against the cool stone and pondered. He should’ve let Lady Helen impale Arthur when she had the chance. He would’ve gladly helped her, but no. merlin being merlin was too nice for that and had ended up with a burden rather than a ‘reward’. He wondered what it was the dragon could see. Right now his prophesy was way above wrong. Merlin knew he clearly wasn’t the right person to be keeping the Prince from harm.

“Not again!” came a voice from the bars, Gauis. Merlin gave him a small wave from where he sat. Obviously Arthur had gone straight to him to tell him about what happened. “I really don’t know what to do with you Merlin” he sighed, “first you pick a fight with Arthur – TWICE! and then you try your luck again – what is wrong with you!”
Merlin bit his lip. “Well they do say third time lucky?” Merlin tried to make a joke of it but Gauis wasn’t impressed.

“Well come on!” Gauis snapped, “Out with it!”

He got up and walked to the bars leaning in so that the guards couldn’t hear him. “There is no way that my destiny is to protect Arthur. It can’t be, I didn’t ask to take the job as his servant” he explained
“No but you took it all the same” Gauis replied and sighed, “I can’t get you out of this one Merlin, not this time. When Uther hears about this he won’t be happy”

“I don’t care” Merlin answered stubbornly, “if I have to have rotten fruit and vegetables thrown at me for a year it is better than running around after Arthur.”

Gauis gave him a look, “I don’t think it will be as simple as that Merlin”. With that he turned and left the dungeon and for Merlin to ponder on his words .

Settling himself back in his previous position, Merlin knew that he could be in his cell for a loooooooooooooooong time – especially if Arthur had anything to do with it. His head connected with the wall with a thud. Now all he could do was sit and wait to see what Arthur had in store for him. And the word ‘tourment’ didn’t even cut it this time.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur was annoyed beyond belief by his new pathetic excuse for a servant. He had to explain to his father why he threw him in the dungeon. He knew his father would not mind if he got another personal manservant, for in the king's eyes -- and probably Arthur's too -- servants were disposable and easily replaced. Just look at what happened with Morris! But Arthur did not want that. Not because he had a good feeling about Merlin. Not because there was something different about him. Not even because the idiot had saved his life. It was because Arthur did not want to seem like he could not control his servant. He did not want others to think that he was anything less than an authority figure. How could he expect to one day rule the kingdom, when he could not even keep his idiotic servant under control?!

No. Arthur decided he would make his life torturous and Merlin would just have to endure. The more he spoke out, the worse his life would be. That was the price it would come at. Hell, Arthur planned to make it so bad that Merlin would beg to return to the dungeon or stocks. For the time being, the prince continued on with his daily duties. He trained the men, practiced for the tournament a bit, helped with council matters . . . and his servant spent the day in the dungeon. Arthur did not even think of him until night. And that was when he decided to pay him a little visit. After a busy day, he had managed to calm down some . . . and maybe even gloat in Merlin's presence. Arthur made his way to the dungeons, briefly conversing with the guards there. "Open the door," he commanded, and one of the guards immediately did so.

Arthur stepped inside, looking at the state of his servant. Everything about him was pitiful. He truly gave justice to the new found nickname Arthur appointed to him: chicken bone. "Had a pleasant day then Merlin?" He asked mockingly and rhetorically. He did not care how his day had been; he did not care about the man's feelings. He didn't even care if Merlin had gotten a meal! What he did care about was that he learned his lesson, for if not . . . it would be a test of Arthur's patience which was already practically at its end. His servant would do better to learn his rightful place, and that being so outspoken, rude and disrespectful would only get him in more trouble. Not even just with Arthur. In fact, Arthur found himself compassionate compared to his father. For if Merlin had dared say such words to the king . . . he surely would have been killed for it.

[em]

Merlin was currently stewing from the conversation that he and Gauis had earlier. He was still sat in his corner with a numb back and behind, if he ever got out of this one alive then he wouldn’t be walking for a week. Prince Prat was most likely staking about the castle and moaning to everyone about how much he hated Merlin – Merlin didn’t care, the feeling was mutual.

The sound of the door opening was enough to make him look up from his spot on the floor. He was expecting Gauis, but instead got the bad end of the deal. Arthur. Coming to gloat obviously – the look on his face said it all.

"Had a pleasant day then Merlin?"

“Yeah...Fantastic” Merlin replied with a sarcastic drawl, “The bread and water they sent down was…well it was delicious” he gave Arthur a dorky thumbs up and leant back against the wall. If Arthur wanted another showdown then he’d happily give it to him. Gauis had practically told him that this time would be very different so what was the point.

“and how was your day sire? Full of girls and glory as always?” he asked, Judging by Arthur’s expression – it was certainly a day in the life…

[Arthur Pendragon]

Clearly, Merlin had learned nothing from his experience. He was still a wise ass. Still disrespectful. Still annoyingly sarcastic. And still just as infuriating as before. But Arthur remained calm, cool, and collected. Completely composed. For he would just keep Merlin in here for as long as he wanted to. "I am glad to hear that," he said in response to Merlin's praise -- undoubtedly a sarcastic praise -- of the food. "For you will be eating it for the next while." Best he get used to it. Until he decided to totally adjust his attitude. Which was quite poor and rather horrendous. "And how was your day sire? Full of girls and glory as always?" Arthur gave a bit of a smirk at Merlin's question. He doubted he was asking because he cared. It was probably yet another rude remark. But Arthur decided to answer it anyway.

"Well, aren't we a bit jealous." Jealous because Arthur had the glory and the girls. Two things that Merlin would be doing without. Unless of course there happened to be a woman out there, insane enough to fall with such a great idiot. Either way, his words were obviously mocking towards Merlin. Ah yes. Arthur was immensely enjoying this period of gloating. Where Merlin was behind bars, locked up in a grim dungeon . . . while Arthur had the power to keep him there as long as he liked. He literally held Merlin's freedom in the palm of his hand. And so, he would find a way to discipline his man servant, no matter what that entailed. Even if it took unleashing his two dogs, Cabal and Bhors, on the twig of a man; he already looked like a chicken bone, they could easily mistaken him for one.

[em]

Arthur needed to wake up and smell the daisies; clearly he needed to learn that he wouldn’t always get what he wanted – even if he was the prince. “Oh goodie” Merlin droned at Arthur’s comment. Of course he’d be living on scraps for a while, this wasn’t an inn. He was surprised that Gauis’ words hadn’t yet come true – about a worse outcome this time. He’d already been in the dungeons once for trying to punch Arthur, Merlin knew that he could win a fight with him standing on his head with the help of his friend ‘magic’ of course, but he wasn’t about to turn Arthur into a toad and step on him – no matter how desirable that sounded. No he’d let the Prince stew for a while
.
Merlin actually laughed out loud at Arthur’s next comment. “Ha! Jealous? Of you? “ he asked. That was laughable, “why would I be jealous of a spoil prince who likes nothing better than to push others around?” it was true. Merlin would never swap places with Arthur if his life depended on it – for a start he wasn’t a prat and secondly – he was better looking.

“So what now?” he asked, “I’m sure you’d love the idea of having me flogged again or even lopping off my head”

[Arthur Pendragon]

This man really was the biggest idiot Arthur had ever met. Even more of one that Morris. Never did Arthur think we would actually miss Morris, but compared to Merlin . . . the other man was a god send. Now of course, he would never actually admit that. Arthur stared at him, waiting for him to finish talking. He seemed to like to flap his mouth a lot. The prince barley paid any attention to what was coming out. He just knew it best to just let Merlin get it all out of his system. Because interrupting him would only make him talk more. Right. So he was jealous. And he called him a spoiled prince. Charming. Arthur kept his expression void of any annoyance. That's what he wanted anyway. He didn't say anything. He just kept yakking. He then asked him what they should do now. Finally. A question. Though he seemed to answer it himself. "No actually," Arthur corrected him, having no intention of throwing him back in the stocks. "In case you have forgotten I did not arrest you the second time." After their pathetic little fight in the market.

It had not been out of sympathy for the man . . . but more courage -- and stupidity -- for thinking his skills could match the prince of Camelot's. "Look," he began to say. He was now going to try to level with him. "I don't like this arrangement any more than you do." Meaning, Arthur didn't like him and he knew that Merlin didn't like him either. But he was trying to be rational, and hopefully Merlin was not beyond rationality and comprehension of the logic of this situation. "But the king has given his order." Of appointing him man servant. "So whether we like it or not, this is how its going to be." His voice was leveled, not angry, not even yelling. But just, composed. "It is best we reach some level of understanding before you end up in the dungeon for the rest of your days here." Not a threat; just a warning. Besides, the king would be far less lenient if he were ever to find out that a servant was disrespecting the prince and calling him names. He could -- and probably would -- do far worse.

[em]

The Prat wanted to reason with him? Merlin wanted to laugh some more. This had to be a complete joke. “The feeling’s mutual” he answered when Arthur said that he didn’t like it any more than Merlin did. Merlin didn’t like it at all – not one bit.
Merlin sighed. Gauis would think better of him should he actually agree with Arthur on something. The old man wasn’t best pleased when he’d visited earlier, more disappointed. How on earth could Merlin’s destiny be entwined with Arthurs? He just didn’t understand it.
He hoped that the dragon had it wrong. That he was supposed to protect someone else. But magic was very powerful and there were times when it would never lie.

“What kind of understanding?” he finally asked.

So this was how it was going to be? Merlin and Arthur, Arthur and Merlin. Two sides of a same coin. What Merlin didn’t know was that this was the start of something far greater than the dragon had anticipated. The start of a hazy and unusual friendship.

[Arthur Pendragon]

"What kind of understanding?" Good god it seemed that Arthur was going to have to spell everything out for this moron. Was he not even going to meet him half way? How the hell did someone as respected as Gaius, agree to take in this little ungrateful chicken bone of a man? "You're going to have to be more respectful." That was the start of it, for Merlin's behavior was appalling. No one else dared say such things to anyone; not nobility and especially not royalty. People lost their heads for such things. "If the king overhears you speak so carelessly, then you will find yourself having a far harsher punishment than the one I give you." He knew that the people feared his father. That his laws were harsh. Mostly pertaining to magic, but still.

He felt the need to remind this idiot that Arthur was the more lenient one. And that he was lucky for that. "Take my words of advice Merlin." Perhaps not overly friendly advice, but it was advice none the less. A fair warning. So much so that this man would be even stupider if he did not heed to it. "Believe it or not, gaining a position in the royal household is a tremendous honor." There were others who would kill for this position, for it paid extremely well. "You should keep that in mind." Because clearly, he was far too unappreciative to do so.