Merlin discovered that there were many subjects in which Arthur liked to argue; just like he discovered that it was wise for him to remain silent about something and allow the king of Camelot to think he was right. The latest argument that Merlin found himself in was the difference between celebrations and anniversaries.
He didn't quite understand how it came to be such a heated discussion, though if Merlin had something to say about it, he would lay the blame on Arthur's daily ritual of being in a bad mood during the early morning hours; it could also have been the fact that Arthur was just nervous about the anniversary of his marriage to Guinevere.
Nonetheless, Merlin had discovered that waking up Arthur with the usual good morning cheer and then adding something about celebrations was a big mistake. He had discovered that when Arthur threw a pillow at him and glowered menacingly from his spot on the bed, and when he had voiced his discontent at having something thrown at him, the king had thrown another pillow.
"You're in a good mood today," said Merlin as he gave up in trying to get an explanation out of Arthur. "All I said was good morning and you..."
"You said that there is a celebration today." Arthur glowered at him when he had risen to his feet and held another pillow, which warned Merlin not to say anything out of term because he knew that when the king was in that mood, whatever was in his hand would become flying arsenals.
"Didn't you and Guinevere get married on this day last year?" Merlin asked in surprise, perhaps he had the day wrong and that the reason for Arthur's temper was because he had to go to a meeting with the council. "Aren't you supposed to celebrate these kind of days?"
"There is a difference between celebrations and anniversaries, Merlin." Arthur set down the pillow and moved round the bed to where Merlin was standing near the chest of drawers. Upon Merlin's confused and questioning look, Arthur continued speaking. "A celebration is to mark an occasion..."
"And anniversaries don't do that?" Merlin couldn't contain himself, to him celebrations and anniversaries were the same thing and he was getting more and more confused by Arthur who seemed to think that there was a difference between the two.
Arthur's face slightly reddened. "No, Merlin. An anniversary is to mark an annual observation of the past. Guinevere and I got married last year, we are not getting married today."
Amused but deciding it was better not to show it, Merlin fought back the urge to smile and laugh. When he found it safe to do so, he looked Arthur in the eyes, noticed that Arthur was giving him the same challenging look that he gave to those on the battlefield and decided it was best not to come up with a sarcastic reply.
"Out with it, Merlin," said Arthur with crossed arms and a stern expression on his face. "I have known you long enough to recognise that look on your face, it usually means you have something witty to say."
After a few moments silence, in which Merlin and Arthur were in an intense staring competition with one another, one that the king won when Merlin looked away.
"Aren't you supposed to celebrate your anniversaries, Arthur?"
For once, the king of Camelot said nothing.
