One of those days. (open)

[youngwarlock]

Merlin let out a heavy sigh as he wheeled the last barrow of horse manure from the stables and emptied it onto the awaiting pile of dung nearby. Mucking out Arthur's horses was a task he'd definitely grown accustomed to, though obviously there were other things he would much rather be doing at this particular moment in time, such as sitting down!

He'd been on his feet since the minute he'd woken up, missing breakfast to run several important errands for Gaius only to then run straight into Arthur who had instantly set him to work on various tasks. It wasn't even lunchtime yet and merlin was determined to finish his first set of chores beforehand so that he could get back to Gaius' chambers for something to eat.

His stomach grumbling, he grabbed the first haynet in sight and carried it back to the stables, untying it and setting it down in the last stall.

A relieved grin spread across his features as he stood to rest for a moment, folding his arms to observe the stables, feeling glad that the job was finally done. Exhaustion had claimed him however, after all the running around he'd been doing, and since no one else was around he was determined to take this chance to relax.

Seating himself down on an overturned bucket, he let out a yawn, stretching his arms above his head as he did so, and immediately having to steady himself as the bucket lifted on one side, almost toppling over beneath him. A horse watching from one of the stalls let out a high pitched whinny as though it were laughing at Merlin's actions.

Merlin, too tired to respond, shifted his position until his back met the stone wall behind him, and closed his heavy eyelids, letting his head slowly fall forwards as the weight of the world lifted from him. Just for a minute he told himself wearily, relaxing deeper and deeper until gradually he began to drift into a light slumber...

Timeline: During season 2

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur's day had been filled with performing his usual princely duties. He started the day with a lengthy training session with his men, before going on patrol to make sure all was well, and then after that, a series of meetings with the council. Not exactly his favorite pastime but of course it was important. For one day he would be king -- as his father constantly reminded him of -- and Arthur wished to be one that Camelot deserved. One that the people would be proud to call their king. And in order to do so . . . he needed to be as well versed in politics as he could be. After the meetings, he even went to see Morgana in her chambers, though in actuality, he wasn't looking for her at all. He only hoped to catch a glimpse of Guinevère, even share a few casual words with her . . . though nothing felt casual about their relationship. The more he was around her, the stronger he felt for her. And he knew he couldn't. He exchanged only a few words, knowing it wasn't appropriate to keep . . . pretending. Even if he couldn't help it. When he finally left, his mind desperately needed a distraction. Something to keep him from dwelling on the impossible.

And . . . he knew the absolute perfect distraction: Merlin. From what had started out as a horrid arrangement, turned into one of the strongest friendships Arthur could have imagined. Of course he bullied Merlin and tormented him to no end . . . but deep down, he truly considered Merlin a friend. Perhaps even a brother. Deciding that he would give him hell -- which was nothing new -- Arthur made his way around the castle, first checking his chambers, then Gaius' -- to make sure Merlin wasn't slacking of course. He was informed that Merlin as in the stables . . . mucking it out no doubt. Now this Arthur just had to see! He made his way there, dressed in causal attire which consisted of a shirt, a jacket on top, trousers, boots that he would make Merlin polish later, and of course his sword around his waist on his sword belt -- which he would also make Merlin polish. Once Arthur arrived at the stables, he didn't see or hear any movement. It wasn't until he looked around that there he saw Merlin . . . quite literally sleeping on the job.

Hmm. Well this was interesting indeed. Arthur walked toward him, but he did not open his eyes. So Arthur folded his arms across his chest and just stared at him. And stared. And stared. As if somehow, his staring would wake Merlin up. It didn't. And Arthur's patience was wearing thin. He shook his head, even if Merlin couldn't see him and decided to take a more drastic measure of waking him up. And he knew the perfect way. He moved his foot back a bit and then with all his might, kicked the bucket that Merlin was resting on well out from underneath Merlin, sending it to the other side of the stable and being as loud as he could as the his boot hit the metal, which also caused his servant to lose his balance. "Oh, I'm sorry. Did I wake you?" Arthur's voice was bitterly sarcastic as it lacked any sympathy . . . for he of course, was not actually sorry.

[youngwarlock]

Merlin awoke with a start as he crash landed unexpectedly upon the cold hard ground, banging his elbow in the process. "Ahh!" Came the pained noise that instantly followed as he lay there helplessly, grasping his arm. What on earth had just happened? His initial thought was that this wasn't his chambers, as he found himself staring down at stone and dirt and bits of straw. An overturned bucket suddenly rolled past his head and his eyes followed its trail, pausing as they fell upon a pair of boots. Oh no...

"Oh, I'm sorry. Did I wake you?"

Realisation hit him all at once as he clambered to his feet in a speedy yet awkward manner and stood staring, dazed and shocked, at the prince. "Arthur! ...I was just...." Merlin paused and raised his hand, pointing his finger in a random direction. What had he been doing? Rubbing his sore elbow with his free hand, he glanced at his surroundings. The horses! That was it! A feeling of relief washed over him as he remembered completing the task.

"I finished mucking out the horses!" he stated proudly with a bemused grin, trying to ignore the look Arthur always gave him when he'd done something wrong.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur watched Merlin scramble to his feet, injuring his elbow in the process. Which really came as no surprise. Merlin was far from graceful and was extremely clumsy. But of course, Arthur completely disregarded the fact that it was his abrupt method of awakening that had caused Merlin to react in such a way. Because in the young prince's mind . . . Merlin deserved it. He just stared at him, a look of disbelief and pure unamusement on his face as he stuttered out his words, as if beginning to explain what he'd been doing before finishing with the words of his completed task. Was Arthur going to congratulate him for it? Absolutely not. He was just going to focus on what Merlin shouldn't be doing, rather than what he achieved.

"And, what? You decided to take a little nap after a job well done?" He asked, his tone still thick with sarcasm. "You know what Merlin, you really do deserve that." Arthur's words were no longer sarcastic, but still heavy with mockery. He took a step toward him, casually draping his arm over his shoulder. "Why don't you relax, take the rest of the day off to catch up on your rest since you worked so hard today." It was one of those moment's where Arthur sounded completely serious . . . but deep down, he was anything but. He was just humoring Merlin, since his servant seemed so pleased with himself for mucking out the stables.

[youngwarlock]

Merlin was desperately trying to think up another excuse. Yes, he had decided to 'take a little nap after a job well done' and with good reason, but he could hardly explain that to Arthur who would probably have him running around doing all manner of chores if he knew. Before Merlin could speak however, the prince had surprised him by saying something completely unexpected. He deserved it? Deserved what? A rest? Well, yes, but...really? Merlin was confused. Surely Arthur wasn't serious. His brow lifted when Arthur spoke again, this time the heavy arm resting upon his shoulder in a somewhat friendly manner made him all the more inclined to believe the prince's words.

Take the rest of the day off? That would be wonderful Merlin thought, completely falling for Arthur's rotten trick. It hadn't been the first time and it certainly wouldn't be the last. The poor servant was already planning what he could do for the rest of the day in his somewhat naive mind. The first thing would be to get something to eat! His stomach had already resumed its constant rumbling, perhaps he could get something from the kitchens and then spend some time relaxing in his chambers with that magic book. Oh yes, this would be very nice indeed!

"Oh, thankyou very much, that would be great! I'm exhausted, not to mention starving! I'm so hungry I could eat one of these horses!" he exclaimed, beaming widely as he glanced sideways at Arthur and then doing a double take as he suddenly noticed how the prince was looking at him. Why was he looking at him like that? ...Oh.

Merlin's smile faded rather quickly as realisation kicked in. He glanced down at the floor and pressed his lips together, giving a slight shake of his head before forcing himself to look at Arthur once more.

"You're joking." he said quickly, staring at the prince. It was a definite statement. Certainly not a question. Suddenly he began to feel rather uncomfortable about that arm being there...

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur went back to just starting at Merlin -- a slightly similar expression that he had when he saw him sleeping. Though this time, Merlin was awake, yet apparently was dreaming if he thought Arthur was actually being serious in permitting his servant to take the rest of the day off. Now the question was . . . how long would it take Merlin to realize that Arthur was not serious. For he seemed to be lost in his own wishful thinking, speaking of how he was tired -- which Arthur didn't care about -- and how hungry he was -- which Arthur cared even less about. It wasn't until he could see the expression change in Merlin's face, and his words of realization come out, that Arthur's own expression finally changed. "Well look at that, apparently you're not as much of an idiot as I thought." Not. "You are a far bigger one!" He added, giving Merlin a heavy push to the side.

"Of course I'm joking Merlin," he said as further confirmation. Now, the scolding could really begin. "Why the hell would I ever reward you for falling asleep on the job?!" It was times like these that Arthur wished Cedric wasn't a thief and possessed by the spirit of a dead sorcerer. Though Arthur considered Merlin a good friend of his, and in that way, was completely irreplaceable. But that didn't mean Arthur was going to say it, nor make Merlin's life any easier. "You may have mucked out the stables, but what about all the other things you have to get done? Like polishing my armor, doing my laundry, mopping my floors, sweeping the fireplace . . . shall I go on?!" Really, it was just bad luck for Merlin that Arthur happened to walk in on it . . . for he knew Merlin wasn't actually lazy. But where was the fun in life if he didn't give his man servant a hard time? Tormenting Merlin after all, was Arthur's favorite passtime.

[youngwarlock]

Merlin found his footing quickly after being shoved sideways, a gesture he was beginning to grow accustomed to since it happened quite frequently. Why did Arthur have to catch him sleeping? This was so typical. He rolled his eyes skywards as the prince listed further duties as usual, making Merlin feel even more exhausted than he already was. Still, he couldn't really complain and in usual circumstances he wouldn't, but this particular morning had been a very busy one.

Folding his arms and ignoring his sore elbow which had since started to go numb, he stood watching the prince with a look of slight apprehension and yet somehow still managing a smile as he then attempted to make light of the situation.

"Perhaps you'd like me to test your food!" he replied in a mocking tone despite how seriously hungry he was. "Oh and then maybe I could make sure your bed is comfy enough..." He then leaned in sideways towards Arthur, though not close enough to recieve a slap round the head, as he added, lowering his voice "Those sheets can get a bit lumpy after they've just been washed...might need to press them for you..."

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur gave Merlin a rather unamused look as he offered to test his food, and then press his sheets. Or he knew exactly what Merlin meant by that. And there was no way that he was going to let him have the luxury of food or sleep. Where would the fun be in having a servant like Merlin if Arthur couldn't torment him? "How stupid do you think I am Merlin?" After a brief pause, Arthur continued, raising his index finger in front of Merlin as he stepped closer toward him, in a warning manner. "And you best choose your words carefully in your answer. Or better yet, don't answer at all if you value your life." Yes. A threat. Though Arthur of course wouldn't actually kill Merlin.

Never the less . . . it was fun threatening him. For he may not kill him, but he could make his life hell on earth. Not that he wasn't already doing a rather good job of that. "You've had a long enough break for today. So don't expect to get another one for the rest of the day." Now this was a 'threat' that Arthur could actually make good on. "Maybe next time you'll think twice before falling asleep on the job," he added. Oh how fortunate it was indeed for the young prince to have caught his man servant slacking off. Now he could just blame Merlin for bringing it on himself . . . not that he didn't do that already. It was just more fun when he had something to throw in his face. Figuratively and literally.