Arthur looked at his friends, all gathered around the table. They were all probably wondering why he had called this emergency meeting at two in the morning. The thing is, he would happily fight a hundred bandits than tell his knights the horrible news he carried with him, but the sight of his beautiful wife encouraged him to speak. Deep breath.
"It's Merlin's birthday in ten days, and I think we should all do... something".
Arthur was about to continue when Gwain, very politely, raised his hand. How odd. The shock must be affecting his brain. Arthur gave him a nod, anticipating a thoughtful, helpful suggestion from Merlin's best friend.
"And you woke us up in the middle of the night because...?"
"Because Merlin has this weird habit of following me around. He does it all day! If I called a meeting then he would know and somebody would have to tell him that he can't come. Do you want to say that to Merlin, Gwain? DO YOU?"
Gwain thinks about this for a bit and Arthur becomes decidedly nervous. First manners, now thinking! Somebody had better get Gwain a drink soon.
"But why don't you just give him a job on the other side of the castle? Or get him to take a message to someone who lives a day's ride from here? Or wait till he goes out to collect herbs?"
"Well.. don't blame me, it was Gwen's idea. She MADE me do it. I don't even like Merlin"
"Don't you put this on me, Arthur Pendragon..."
"Yeah, lay off my sister!"
"Elyan! You cannot talk to Arthur like that, he's the king"
"Um, Percival can you move a little to the left, you're kinda blocking the view"