"...where is he?!" Arthur threw his arms up in exasperation and stamped his foot onto the hard cold floor.
"He's late...again! His incompetence to bring up a simple tray of food is astonishing. Each morning it's the same thing! Always the same thing!"
"And each morning you get yourself worked up to hysterics about it" Gwen smiled softly, "Arthur just relax." She reached up and kissed the king's cheek, turning his head to look into her dark eyes. "The more time for us anyway." Gwen went to touch his lips with hers...
"Do you think he's growing the vegetables?"
...Gwen stopped and frowned, "what?"
"Do you think he's growing the vegetables? Maybe that's why he takes so long! Maybe he's gone out to hunt for the meat and plant the seeds and..."
"Merlin doesn't like to hunt."
"Well it's the only excuse for why he's taking a lifetime!"
"Arthur are you going to do this every single day?" Gwen looked around their bed chambers.
The richly furnished room was soaked in the golden morning light, the curtains having been pulled back moments earlier by the queen. Now she stood in its warmth, radiant in the precious glow. Arthur smiled and stroked Gwen's hair.
"Of course not."
Gwen nodded feeling pleased and went to kiss Arthur again. However before she could he pulled back and looked to the door.
"Do you think he does it to spite me?"
Gwen sighed.
"Look I'm sorry Gwen. But I'm going out there to teach that idiot a lesson."
And with that the king walked out the door with the heavy steps of a growing temper tantrum. Once outside Arthur searched the corridors with no luck. He found his way to Gaius's chambers, the castles kitchen, the high reaching staircases and the stables (though he doubted Merlin would willingly go there) but there was no trace of the raven haired man. Feeling more frustrated, Arthur finally came to a conclusion. There was only one explanation for this problem.
It was something only a fool would do so early. But Merlin was a fool. So it only made sense.
Arthur headed towards the Tavern.
He was nearly there when he heard him. Merlin was to his right somewhere, mingled further along in the crowd. So he wasn't in the tavern...what was he up to then?
Curiosity starting to override his irritation Arthur walked towards the voice.
"...thank you. It's too much, and it's too nice..."
A woman's voice spoke.
"...don't worry. There's plenty of food to go around." That was Merlin again. Arthur stood higher and caught a glimpse of his servant helping an old peasant lady with a brown worn bag.
"My grandchildren are healthier now because of you" she said, "if it wasn't for you they'd still be ill...possibly even... "The woman's aged face crumpled slightly.
"Don't thank me. It's the king's food and he'll have my head because of it."
The woman laughed and Arthur could imagine how she must have looked when she was younger, all teeth and shining eyes.
"Each day you do this for us. I'd make this easier and go to the king myself but...my past...that..."
"I understand. And it's no problem. It's only a little food and they don't even notice it's missing."
The woman held out her arm and kissed Merlin on the cheek in a motherly way. "I don't know what we would do without you Merlin. You are a blessing to us."
Arthur stood frozen as his manservant gave food to the helpless. Then he walked all the way back to his chambers in a daze.
Gwen was arranging flowers on the large table when he came in.
"Did you punish poor Merlin?" she asked, "please tell me you were nice to him. I'm sure he doesn't mean to be late."
"You know what" Arthur said in a glazed way, "I think I'll sleep in from now on. Better to run a kingdom after a good night's rest. And anyway, I'm sure Merlin sleeping in wouldn't hurt anyone either."