Hello! New story here. Got the idea when I was trying to sleep. Enjoy!

It was a beautiful day. The perfect type of weather: right in the middle of summer and fall. Not too cold and not too hot. However, Merlin didn't had the chance to spend the time he wanted to enjoy it. No, instead, he had to get up early and get King Arthur's breakfast before King Arthur himself woke up. Easy task? No, especially if you had woken up late. Which, Merlin had. It had been a rough night and Merlin hadn't been able to go to sleep as early as he wanted.

He held back another yawn as he stood there in the kitchen hall, waiting for the plate of food. Usually he would just grab some various fruits and whatever looks edible and get that instead. However, this time, a new cook was substituting the regular cook and had insisted that Merlin and other servants wait for him to prepare a plate. He watched the cook happily gather the food for others. Finally the cook noticed Merlin. The man jumped and started fumbling before he quickly started making a new plate for the king.

Merlin raised an eyebrow, wondering what was his deal. Maybe he was nervous for serving the king for the first time? Finally the cook handed Merlin his plate, still acting nervous. Merlin took it and said his thanks. However, the man refused to meet eye contact and simply turned away, resuming his cooking. This time Merlin raised both of his eyebrows. Was this man afraid of him or something? He shrugged it off before walking upstairs to Arthur's room. There was no doubt that he was awake by now and probably very upset.

Paying close attention to the stairs, Merlin almost tripped when he caught a whiff of something rather foul. He stopped immediately and looked around, wondering if something had crawled in a corner and died. He looked around and saw nothing. He then looked down at the plate, dreading if that was the smell. The man looked as if he was a good cook so surely it couldn't be the food? Merlin had to test Arthur's food many times in the past, some good and some bad. He shrugged, figuring to give it a test. Of course, the horrid smell that seemed to be coming off the chicken made him hesitated for a moment. So, wanting it to be fast in case it did tasted as bad as it smelt, Merlin threw it into his mouth.

It tasted worst then it actually smelt. He gagged before swallowing it. He covered his mouth, willing his stomach to keep it down. Glaring at the offending food, Merlin turned around and walked back into the kitchen. He tossed the breakfast into the trash on his way there. How could that man think he could feed something so foul to the king? Maybe the chicken had just gone bad? Sighing, he shook his head. The man seemed to be horribly nervous, so maybe it was just an honest mistake? He sneaked into the kitchen, not wanting to get caught by the new cook. This time he was going to get the plate himself. By now, there was no doubt he was late and Arthur's going to be mad.

A few minutes later, Merlin barged into Arthur's room and ducked just in time for a goblet to smack against the wall right where Merlin's head had been. "And exactly why are you late this time, Merlin?" Arthur asked, exasperated.

"Hey!" Merlin cried out, pointing his free hand at Arthur. "I actually had a reason!" he defended himself. Of course, he didn't added that there usually was a reason.

Arthur crossed his arms and pressed his lips together. "Really. Do tell," he replied dryly. Merlin sat the plate of food down with a huff.

"There's a substitute cook today and somehow he managed to get your food all messed up. Had to get a new plate."

"Uh-huh."

"I'm serious! It was the foulest thing I have ever taste- I mean smell." Merlin cringed at the slip and hoped the young king missed it. Of course, thanks to his luck, he didn't. Arthur raised an eyebrow, not impressed.

"You tasted my food?"

"Only cause it smelt awful!"

Arthur rolled his eyes, not caring to continue the conversation; he was stressed and hungry and the food was calling him. He ignored Merlin as he sat down in front of his food, happily starting to eat it. Merlin huffed again, under his breath, before he started making the bed. He was awed at how messy the bed could get from one night's worth of sleep. He had half the mind that Arthur did it on purpose. Maybe he wasn't sleeping well? His stomach dropped with concern and he glanced at the king. However, he seemed just fine, so Merlin dispelled that thought.

"Oh, and Merlin?"

"Yes, Sire?" he answered, not completely paying attention to the king but rather at the task at hand.

"The barn needs cleaning."

Merlin groaned. Not again.

Merlin happily finished sweeping the last pen. He sighed heavily, leaning on the rake. His back was protesting from the abuse it had gotten but he ignored it. Aches and bruises were something that Merlin was used to, especially with his career. Who would've thought just how banged up a servant could get! He looked around, observing his work. Now all the horses needed was some water and food and he was done!

He grabbed the sack of grains and was about to pour it into the bucket when he was hit with a wave of nausea. He hesitated before setting the bag down, confused as the sudden nausea. However, much to his displeasure, the nausea was growing worse. His stomach grumbled unhappily and he realized what it was trying to tell him. He only the chance to turn to the corner before he started heaving.

What felt forever, his heaving finally stopped. He stepped back, gasping and hurting. His stomach was still upset and the nausea was still there, but at least it wasn't as threatening. He clench his eyes closed before he took a deep breath. What was that about? Maybe he overworked himself? Merlin put the rake away before he started trekking back up to the castle. The nausea was fading and he was starting to feel better. As more time past, he felt more sure that it was just him overworking himself. Maybe he needed more water or food?

He entered the hall just in time to hear Arthur calling him. Sighing, he changed directions and started walking to his room. When he opened the door, Arthur was standing in the middle of the room. Merlin cringed; did he forgot to do something?

"You forgot my laundry."

Merlin cringed again. Yep, he forgot something. He quickly entered the room and gathered the clothing that was draped across the room. How the pieces of clothing smell worse than Gaius's socks, he'll never know. As he continued gathering the laundry, he became aware of Arthur staring at him. He furrowed his eyebrows and look up to the young king. "What?"

Arthur also furrowed his eyebrows. "Why are your hands shaking?"

He blinked in confusion before looking down at one of his hands, holding it up in the air. True to his words, it was indeed shaking. He watched it tremble, wondering what caused it. Maybe the heaving or overworking?

"Huh. So I am."

"Right," Arthur said slowly. "So, if you're healthy enough to stand there and gawk at your hand, I'm assuming you're well enough to finish your job?" he finished in a questioning tone, but Merlin knew that it wasn't a question at all. The younger male grumbled to himself, muttering 'prat', before he finished his job. Something told him that this was going to be a long day.