A Challenge of Logistics
It was late evening and the atmosphere was by now dire as Arthur was desperate. Yet another person had let him down over plans for the damned dance. The most important social event in Camelot's year was threatening to become his most embarrassing moment. If this dance wasn't up to the usual standard, Arthur knew his name would go down like lead. He walked around the royal chambers his hands in his pockets his voice by now both angry but most of all disbelieving.
"How hard can it be to organise a dance?" he fumed to Guinevere.
"There is more to it then you think." Guinevere replied. "There is a lot to plan."
"It hardly takes a genius to organise." Arthur said "It is not like going on a life threatening quest. Where you have to walk up mountains, fight bandits, where you put your very life on the line."
Guinevere made a face into her sewing as her husband continued. The event was proving to be a severe pain in the backside for her. The Lords and Ladies considered this event their most savoured night of the year, therefore everything had to be right. She would of loved to organise it herself but as ever protocol demanded otherwise.
While Guinevere had managed to persuade her husband on other events, this was strictly organised independently. Guinevere herself had met some of the organisers they'd approached, and had to admit some of them were a severe disappointment. It seemed that most took one look at Camelot's mighty hall they then seemed to develop a severe case of perspiration followed by the usual excuse of they'd love to do it, but this would take a long time, and sadly we have prior engagements.
"What you need is someone who has the time to do it properly." Guinevere suggested. "Despite what you think there are a lot logistics that have to be worked out beforehand. Therefore you need someone who is good at planning."
"So who is this person?" Arthur asked springing round impatiently.
"I didn't say I had anyone in mind." Guinevere admitted. "Although."
"No Guinevere I have already said this is one thing you cannot do." Arthur insisted. "Our names would be mud if it was known that you had organised this event."
"I'm sure I could do a really good job." Guinevere said. "No one has to know its me."
"Trust me Guinevere someone would find out, it would cause endless problem."
Suddenly the door was thrown open and amid endless clanging Merlin entered the room.
"Merlin!" Arthur cried. "Where have you been?"
Merlin threw the armour at Arthur's feet, and looked up at him his mouth at a sarcastic angle.
"Well there are some who wouldn't even need to ask the question in the circumstances." Merlin replied looking at the armour and then to Arthur.
"Remember that conversation we had before Merlin about you no longer cleaning my armour?" Arthur asked sarcastically himself.
"Ah well I had a spare hour and Maurice has so much to do at the moment." Merlin attempted to explain.
"Merlin you are the Court Sorcerer, you do not do menial tasks anymore, is that understood?"
"Well." Merlin said. "I was bored what am I suppose to do with my time now?"
"I could always teach you to do some sewing." Guinevere remarked.
"Guinevere." Arthur shot her a warning look.
Guinevere ignored her husband sitting back, an idea suddenly beginning in her head. It seemed as if the answer to their problem had just walked into the room. All she had to do now was work on Arthur.
"You can help me find a solution to this damned dance problem." Arthur said thoughtfully.
"Ah you still haven't found anyone to plan it then?" Merlin asked dumping the armour over by the wardrobe.
"No I haven't and time is fast running out." Arthur pointed out.
"It goes back to what I was saying before." Guinevere said. "You need someone who has the time to plan it."
"Yes my love but as you pointed out you couldn't think of anyone." Arthur replied.
Guinevere grabbed Arthur's hand and pulled him towards the corner.
"Well I can think of someone now." Guinevere whispered.
"You can?" Arthur asked suddenly interested.
"He certainly has the time at the moment, and I think it could be the making of him." Guinevere suggested.
"Who?" Arthur asked
"I'll give you a clue. You work with him every day." Guinevere said a smile on her face.
Arthur tried to wrack his brains thinking of such a person. He couldn't imagine any of his Knights being up for the task, or his new servant Maurice.
Guinevere made a face at Arthur. "Merlin I mean."
Arthur looked at her in disbelief "Merlin!" he shouted.
"What, what have I done now?" Merlin asked looking round at them.
"Arthur." Guinevere scolded her husband. "It is nothing Merlin it is okay." she smiled.
Merlin looked at one to the other suspiciously. But decided to continue making the royal bed.
"I can't believe you think that Merlin of all people could organise this event. Have you any idea how important this is?" Arthur asked in shock.
"Yes of course. Merlin is a multi talented person, surely by now you realise that?" Guinevere said. "He needs a challenge, this is something that would suit him no end."
Arthur thought for a second he would trust his wife's word on most things, but he was still in shock with her suggestion in truth. Merlin of all people he would have been the last person Arthur would have thought have for this. But as he started to think about it, he had to admit it his friend had proved himself on countless occasions, maybe this would be something else he could do. Besides that he was getting desperate for a solution one way or another.
"Well I suppose we could put it to him." Arthur agreed.
Guinevere smiled. "Come on then no time like the present, every minute counts."
"Merlin." Arthur smiled.
"Oh dear." Merlin replied. "What is going on? I have one of those feelings again."
"Well we all know you and your feelings are something never to be ignored." Arthur grinned. "Why don't you take a seat?"
Merlin looked from Arthur to Gwen a look of turmoil on his face.
"It is nothing bad Merlin." Guinevere assured him. "In fact I think it could be really good for you."
"Oh?" he replied barely able to talk by now.
"This event we are having trouble planning. As Guinevere has already pointed out it needs to go to someone who has the time to plan it. There are logistics to take care of and it needs to go to someone with a bit of flair." Arthur smiled.
"I don't disagree but where do I come in?" Merlin asked by now really worried.
"We think this would suit you, just a few minutes ago you were saying how bored you were. This would be really good challenge, I don't see any reason why you couldn't make a great success of this." Guinevere said a smile on her face.
"Me?" Merlin said in horror. "But, but I've not done anything like this before. My name will be mud if I make a mistake. It's the most important night of the year for some"
"Merlin you will have a team of people behind you, it won't be just you I promise you that. You have the flair to bring off something like this, you are naturally creative and this is the chance for you to use the that side of you." Guinevere smiled. "Rather than to go out fighting or hunting which I know you hate."
"Yes but what if I make a mess of it?" Merlin asked miserably. "The Lords and Ladies of the court will be after my head."
"You can turn them into frogs." Guinevere smiled.
"Guinevere!" Arthur exclaimed.
"Magic doesn't work quite like that Gwen." Merlin sighed.
"Are you sure?" Guinevere asked him rising an eyebrow.
"Anyway that was a toad!" Merlin said with a grin.
Arthur looked at the pair of them as if they'd gone mad.
"Oh it's a long story." Merlin smiled.
"Look I will get some excellent volunteers together who can work with you Merlin. I'm sure Sefa will give you a hand I'll even give her a week off to get it off the ground." Guinevere offered.
"Are you trying to tempt me by using Sefa?" Merlin asked narrowing his eyes at Guinevere. "You are more sneaky than I realised."
Arthur laughed. "Have you only just learnt that out about Guinevere?"
After a pause Merlin said, "Okay I will give this a go. I do need something to fill my time with, and it would be nice to be able to use the creative side of me for a change."
"Wonderful." Guinevere smiled. "Go and get some sleep I will get the volunteers together, join us for breakfast and we'll talk it over some more."
"Okay, well I suppose I won't see you for a while Arthur. Try not to get too many withdrawal symptoms." Merlin laughed.
"I don't know how I will survive!" Arthur said rolling his eyes.
"All right boys. I'm off to bed see you both in the morning." Guinevere smiled.
"So Merlin I suppose I should wish you the best of luck. I feel you may need it." Arthur grinned.
"You know all of a sudden I'm happy to have taken this challenge. The chance to prove you wrong, certainly has its attractions." Merlin smiled from the door. "Have a good night."
As the door closed suddenly a cold feeling came over Arthur. "My god if he pulls this off I'll never hear the last of it.!" he muttered to himself.