It began one evening as Merlin was helping Arthur prepare for bed in the prince's chambers. Training had been particularly grueling that day – there were rumors of increased bandit activity to the east, and the prince had pushed his knights hard, wanting to be ready for any possibility. As completely prattish as he could be sometimes, Arthur really did care for his people.
At least, that's what Prince Arthur's manservant was thinking as he built up the fire while his friend crawled into bed. Merlin smiled to himself as behind him Arthur moaned and groaned dramatically, and he just couldn't resist. "Have you overtaxed your precious royal muscles, your highness?" he called lightly over his shoulder, "Or have you got a toad stuck in your throat?" Merlin thought he timed his duck perfectly... And he would have, too, only the object thrown was slightly larger than the warlock originally anticipated. The huge down pillow caught him full in the face, knocking him from his crouch to fall on his rump with a muffled "Mmph!"
The look on his servant's good-natured face, blinking and wide-eyed as the pillow fell away, was too much for the exhausted Crown Prince of Camelot. From where he kneeled on the royal four-poster, Arthur doubled over laughing, letting the stress of the day dissolve in the easy company of his servant - his best friend. Said friend was making a valiant effort to look offended, but his manservant's ridiculously petulant pout only served to make the prince laugh harder, tilting over on his side amongst the pillows. Merlin couldn't contain his grin any longer, and soon found himself giggling uncontrollably along with his master.
"I'm sorry, were you trying to get my attention, sire?" He blinked innocently, a wide smile plastered all over his face. "I suppose it must be difficult to talk with a toad in your throat..." "Merlin," his prince wheezed, "Don't you ever shut up?" Arthur was trying for his usual royal condescension, but the breathless after shocks of his laughing fit rather spoiled the effect. Merlin grinned. "Never, sire. Wouldn't want you getting bored. We all know how grouchy you get when you're bored." Arthur moaned theatrically. "As if I have time to get bored these days, even without my idiot manservant and his ridiculous antics. Ever since those marvelous events a few days ago, I've been run ragged! If it's not a council, it's a meeting, if there's not a meeting, there's extra training, if we're done with training, there's a patrol to meet or a report to listen to, and I have to deal with your utterly incompetent serving ability." He flopped back onto his pillows, arms outstretched. "It's a wonder if I have a few moments peace at all!" "You got to relax in the bath yesterday," Merlin replied helpfully. Arthur raised his head - just his head - from the mattress.
"The bath, Merlin?" Arthur lifted the right side of his upper lip in what Merlin thought was a classic 'Pratly Arthur' look. "The bath?" He let his head fall back, thrusting up his arm to point imperiously at the ceiling. "That does NOT count." Merlin had a hard time suppressing his laughter. "Whatever you say, sire." He was still chuckling fondly as Arthur dismissed him from his chambers. "Whatever you say."