RENT BOY

Morning had broken and Merlin had left their chamber to collect Arthur's breakfast. When he returned he saw that his Lord, Master and Lover was still abed.

Placing the platters of food on the table, Merlin walked to the bedside, "Come on, Lazy Bones, get up!"

"I can't, I'm no longer in this world, I haven't come back to earth yet."

"Arthur, stop being silly, I know I'm talented but surely not that much."

"Merlin, you have no realisation of the extent of your talents."

"Well then, maybe I should try hiring myself out to make some money. The wages you pay me are a pittance in comparison to what some of the ladies of the night make, if I am to believe what Gawaine tells me."

"Well, forget that, I wouldn't let you…anyway you should stop listening to Gawaine."

"But, Arthur, he has travelled the world; he is a veritable fount of information."

"Why do you believe everything he tells you? He's probably been as far as Hull which I can assure is not the end of the world. Enough about it! If you have any free time I can use you here."

"Arthur, that's not fair. You always encourage me to take the initiative. Honestly, I don't mean to prowl the streets of Camelot; I could do just as well in the corridors of the castle."

Arthur raised his eyebrows and shook his head at him.

"Please, Arthur, I could have a discrete little sign which reads, 'Man Available'. I'd pin it on our chamber door, I'd put out a small table with a little sheet of parchment, quill and ink. People who were interested, would be welcome to sign in and if you had no need for me, I could give them a few hours. It would all be above board. I'd even pay tax…or on the other hand, give you a cut of the profits if you insist."

Arthur grabbed him and showed him in no uncertain terms that he would always have need of him and told him that the idea of renting himself out was not only ludicrous but also unattainable. "I'd kill any knight who wrote his name on that list."

"Well then, Your Majesty," said Merlin cheekily, "You'd better start investing more knights…!" Which remark earned him a session of tickling which left him squirming and begging for mercy. Arthur finally did show him compassion which left him legless.

"Come on, Merlin, get up."

"I can't, I'm no longer in this world, I haven't come back to earth yet."

"Merlin, stop being silly, I know I'm talented but surely not that much."

"Arthur, you have no realisation of the extent of your talents."

They looked at each other and grinned. If Arthur had his way, Merlin would never have any free time…