Summary: A contingent of Mercian knights is coming to Camelot to solidify the peace effort between the countries. These knights are Uther era knight however, and they don't quite approve of Merlin….
a/n : I would just like to take a moment to say this story is a collaborative effort. The inspiration comes from a request prompt (in Round 4, 2012-12-08 02:25am) by kriadydragon on 'The Gen Table' at LiveJournal. The plot was laid out by sarajm (smcstrav on LJ), and I've done my best to put that plot into story form. Hopefully it will satisfy all parties involved and readers will enjoy it too .
This is the prologue. It is simply a short introduction to the story. The story will be a few chapters long, first actual chapter coming very soon. :D
"Arthur, you are pacing."
Arthur raised his eyes at the comment.
"Merlin, you are annoying," he replied, and made a show of continuing his pacing.
He had been on edge all morning. He was expecting a small contingent of Mercian knights. They had been sent for the next couple months in the spirit of a friendly exchange.
This had to go well if Arthur wanted to solidify his alliance with King Bayard.
Merlin knew all of this and understood Arthur's stress all too well. He'd been doing what he could to ease it and knew not to take it too hard that Arthur was a little more biting than usual.
There was a knock on the chamber door.
"You may enter," Arthur barked.
"Sire, the knights have arrived. They are waiting in the throne room," the young page announced once he'd come in.
"Let them know I am on my way," Arthur responded and sent the page away with a wave.
Once the door was firmly closed once more, Arthur took a breath to calm himself.
It made Merlin smile that Arthur allowed himself even so small a show of insecurity in front of him.
"What are you smiling at?" Arthur demanded, spotting the curl of Merlin's lips.
"Nothing, sire," Merlin answered, grinning more fully.
"Well stop, it is bothersome," Arthur ordered, just for the sake of ordering.
"Sorry," said Merlin, struggling to contain a smile. He knew that Arthur hadn't really meant it, the fact that Arthur simply rolled his eyes at Merlin's failed attempt at hiding his smirk proved it.
Goodness knew Merlin had grown used to Arthur becoming more snappy than usual when he was under pressure.
"Well, let us not keep them waiting" Arthur announced, a little more dramatically than it merited.
"No, let us not, sire," Merlin parroted. He moved to open the door for Arthur and followed him through it.