"Honestly Gauis! Why must you keep telling Arthur I'm in the tavern?" the raven-haired warlock exasperatedly questioned.
"I've only ever actually been to the tavern twice, maybe, and now Arthur wants to sign me up for Alcoholics Anonymous with Sir Gwaine!"
Merlin started pacing as he continued to rant about his guardian's habit.
"Why couldn't you tell him something pleasant, like "Merlin's in the library, improving his knowledge of other kingdoms"? Or "He's helping poor farming families' with their land?" Or how about, "Merlin is out in the woods somewhere saving you from some sort of magical threat you know nothing about until it's too late and you take credit for defeating it?'" Merlin started shouting towards the end.
"Hush boy," Whispered the old physician. "Someone could hear you yelling about that."
"Well, it would be easier if everyone knew! Ugh, the next time Arthur asks where I am, say anywhere BUT the tavern." The young sorcerer sighed.
He started walking around the various tables of potions and out the door.
"Anyway, I have to talk to Kilgharrah. Just remember, do NOT tell Arthur I'm at the tavern."
The sandy-haired prince knocked on Gauis's door.
"Gauis? Where is that clumsy servant? I need to get ready for training," Arthur asked.
Gauis turned around and immediately replied,
"The tavern."
BTW- This is a new version of the story. I rewrote it maybe a month or two ago, and I never said that I had rewrote it. Just the wording is different.
Disclaimer: I do not, never have, and never will own Merlin.
Also, Alchoholics Anonymous did not exist back then, Merlin-universe or not. It actually started in the 1930s.