Disclaimer: If I owned anything to do with BBC Merlin, Arthur and Merlin would have gotten together after episode 1. :)
"...and my boots, of course." Arthur ticked off the assignment with a swish of his finger, directing his gaze at Merlin, pointedly.
"Will that be all, Sire?"
"No," Arthur said after a breath. He catapulted himself out of his chair and to the window, talking fast to match his brisk walk. "King Adamarr and his son are coming, this afternoon, and I promised father to make sure their stay is adequate. However, as no servants have volunteered for the job, it's down to you."
He paused, making sure Merlin was up-to-speed, so far. The dark-haired boy only rolled his eyes. "Of course it is..." Arthur's head whipped around at the insolence, but Merlin wiped his face to innocence before being spotted. Suddenly his fey features became troubled, however, and he asked, "Why did no one else want to help out?"
"Prince Devon has a reputation... somewhat along the lines of the Lady Vivian, as far as maintenance goes."
"Oh, great! Another royal disaster comes to Camelot, and who gets to take care of it? Merlin."
"I'm sure I don't know what you mean," Arthur said snidely as he passed him on the way out the door, grabbing his gloves on the table. "At any rate, you need to be there with me to greet him, and take care of any needs he may have upon his arrival. Think you can manage?" He said, teasingly adding the condescension.
"I'm sure I'll make do," Merlin replied, eyes narrowed in retaliation. With that, the door to Arthur's chambers swung closed behind the Prince, and Merlin was left to the morning chores. He set about Arthur's bedsheets, pulling them off and into a basket. Under the bed were a few tunics and even a washcloth. How does he do it? he wondered, throwing it all in the wash pile. He heard a slight clatter as he pulled a white undershirt across the stone floor. Merlin bent forward and felt for the item, fingers suddenly clasping around cool metal. He sat up and realized it was Arthur's ring, and wondered how the Prince had parted with it.
Pocketing the trinket, he stuffed the washing firmly into the basket and set off, hoping to get as much done before the visiting party's arrival.
Author's Note: Based on *ObsidianSerpent's piece "The Voice of Reason" on deviantart. ^^