Lazy Daisy (Arthur)

[em]

Merlin thought about what kind of privilege that Arthur was actually offering him. Respectable – yes his mother had always taught him to respect his elders, but Arthur wasn’t exactly that. Merlin was sure that he’d have a run in with the King sooner or later by the way that he was going. Hopefully nor under the circumstances of magical use. He’d have to be very careful about where he kept his magic book that Gauis had given him.

He was pretty sure that it was an honour, but it was one that he just didn’t want. Surely someone else who was dying for the job would have it. Then again if he didn’t take it, Gauis would be disappoint and would spend weeks on and on at him and making him feel guilty. Merlin didn’t want that and he didn’t want to let Gauis down. After all – Gauis was the one keeping a roof over his head now anyway.

His eyes looked up to Arthur, who seemed to be awaiting a response from him. “I will” he said, “and fine – I’ll be your manservant, as much as you despise the idea” he shrugged slightly, “and I guess I should say I’m sorry for trying to take a swing at you.” Merlin thought it best to start with a clean slate with Arthur. Even if the Prince didn’t want to.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur had to admit, he was not expecting that. With all the defiance Merlin had showed, he'd not been expecting him to demonstrate compliance . . . even when Arthur applied logic and rationality to the situation. Part of him was relieved for it though. It would make this entire arrangement all the more bearable. Maybe Merlin wasn't half as bad as he thought. He gave a nod -- a somewhat appreciative nod -- in response to his apology. "Fresh start then," he told him. That was as close as an apology from Arthur that Merlin was going to get. He did not want to keep arguing with his man servant. It was tedious and Arthur did not enjoy debate -- since most just let him have the final word. He also knew that this was not a choice either of them had. That Merlin was not doing him a favor, and Arthur was not doing him one.

It was something set in place by the king; someone that neither of them could defy. "Come on. Enough time has been wasted here in the dungeon," he said as he turned to exit the cell, leaving the door open so that Merlin would -- and could -- follow. He raised his hand to halt the guards as they stood, expecting to lock the cell back up, with Merlin behind bars. But now, he was going to be granted freedom, and Arthur hoped that he did not do anything to push anyone again. Especially with this idea of them starting over, and putting what happened between them, fully in the past . . . sort of.

[em]

A fresh start – yes, it would have to be, but Merlin wasn’t doing this for Arthur, no he was doing this for Gauis and his mother. If he had to endure the rest of his life in torment then so be it – he would be the best darn servant that Arthur had ever had, that was for sure. Merlin was also feeling pretty sure of himself right now – he’d prove to Arthur that he wasn’t just an idiot and if it took forever to convince him that he wasn’t useless then he was ready for that too.

“As fresh as the air!” he looked to Arthur with a cheerful smile and tone, but by the looks of the Prince’s face – he wasn’t as convinced as Merlin was. Oh well at least he was free from the nice cold and hard floor he’d spent the day on.
Merlin followed Arthur out of the dungeon, stopping suddenly as a guard went to herd him back in – the raise of Arthur’s hand made them think twice, and they stepped aside to let him pass. Merlin nodded smugly to them and continued to follow Arthur.

“So…what now?” he clapped his hands together and rubbed them, “mopping floors? Polishing armour? Washing socks?” he asked with excitement lacing his tone. He was trying to be as cheerful as possible and he knew that would get him through all those long working days that were yet to come.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Huh. Well look at that; Merlin actually seemed to be in a better mood. Less sarcastic. More . . . eager sounding. Which was always a good thing indeed. It gave Arthur some hope that perhaps he wouldn't be too dismal of a servant than he'd initially thought. Maybe he'd even be a bit brighter than Morris. Then again, anyone would be brighter than Morris. He couldn't tell if Merlin's enthusiasm over the tasks was sarcastic or not . . . but he seemed to be genuinely prepared to assist him in whatever way possible. Not that he had a choice, but he was embracing this position rather than fighting against it. They both seemed to be embracing it. And that alone, made Arthur feel slightly less hostile towards his newly appointed servant. Perhaps he should show him some . . . mercy. Dare he? Or should he be tough on him? Then again, the man had already been to the dungeons twice and even the stocks.

As they walked up the stairs, leading out of the lower level of the castle, Arthur finally decided what to do. He stopped walking in the hallway, turning to face Merlin. "Get some rest." The words shocked even him, but he showed no sign of it. His voice was perfectly composed, despite his deep hope that he would not regret actually being nice to a servant. "Since you've had a long day." Hmmm. It didn't seem so hard to be nice to a servant after all. Or well, how Arthur defined as nice. "I shall expect to see you an hour after sunrise tomorrow, on the training field." Where he would be training his men, and showing Merlin what he needed to do during a training session. Morris could help him prepare for bed tonight. Merlin should be well rested for what was going to be a long day tomorrow.

[em]

He followed Arthut up to the hallway. Daylight! It felt so good to see it again, rather than the darkness of the dungeons. He squinted slightly as his eyes became adjusted to the brightness. Arthur's next words almost sent him toppling over with surprise! He wanted him to go and rest?! But shouldnt Arthur be doing that? His change of attitude came as a shock to Merlin the most. Perhaps he wasn't as much of a prat as Merlin had thought. Then again, tomorrow was a new day.
"But...don't you want me to start my duties now sire? I'm not exactly tired" Merlin said, reminding him that he'd spent most of his day sat bored witless on his bottom in the dungeons.

The training field tomorrow? Merlin wondered what he would be doing there. "So..." he began, "do you need me to bring anything with me?" he asked, "like, swords? sheilds? that type of thing" That was what was usually involved in training wasn't it? Merlin had no idea as he hadn't exactly had any experiance in being a servant.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur just looked at him, surprised by his apparent 'eagerness' to get started. "Everything will be there. Tomorrow, after training I will show you the armory and where the weapons and such are to be placed," he told him. It would take too long before training for him to explain everything to Merlin. He would describe the details of where the different kinds of weaponry and shields went. As it was now getting dark and he would let Merlin have the rest of the day to catch up on his rest. Because . . . well, Arthur felt a bit merciful right now. Tonight would be Morris's official last duties. "Until tomorrow," he said dismissively as he went back to the direction of his chambers. He found Morris to be a bit more confident than usual. Perhaps it was because he knew it was his last day.

Arthur decided to take advantage of it and give him hell, even in the last few hours he served him. At the end however, he did tell him he did a good job and then dismissed him. That one compliment seemed to bring a smile to Morris' lips as he happily skipped off. Bloody hell. The man skipped?! It was the next morning and Arthur quickly got ready, with the assistance of another more general servant. He was not wearing all his armor. Only his shoulder plate, and the metal wrist coverings. He was standing on the field with a couple other knights, waiting for Merlin to get here. He watched a few in the distance sparring, practicing with swords. Arthur would get there soon enough. But he was still waiting for his newly appointed servant to get here. So that he could introduce him to, something.

[em]

Merlin woke early the next morning - well, defining 'woke', it was more like Gauis dragging him from his bed and telling him to get up and have some breakfast. That was when Merlin remebered that he had Arthur to attend to! He jumped up, threw on some clothes - almost strangling himself with his scarf as he tied it whilst trying to shovel some breakfast into his mouth.
"Merlin, really?" Gauis winced at the scene unfolding, "You're hardly late". Merlin turned to him. "I am NOT becoming Arthur's target practice because im late, now I need to get down to the training field, although I really have a bad feeling about this." He raced to the door and skidded out, before poking his head back in. "Oh, and if you could get me some warm water ready for all the bruises im going to get then that would be great!".

Merlin raced down the hallways and outside. He could already see some people on the field and quickly hurried towards them. One of then, unfortunatly, was Arthur. "Im...sorry..." he panted as he finally arrvied, "I...the stairs...they..." Oh forget it - Arthur wouldn't believe him if he said that he was dying let alone excuse his lateness this morning. Merlin straightened himself up and clapped his hands together. "Soooooooooooooooo, what's on the agenda for today?"

He really didn't have to ask, because he already knew what Arthur had in store for him. Hell.