It was never supposed to be like this. Arthur was supposed to be the once and future king. He was supposed to bring magic back to Camelot. He was supposed to unite all of Albion. He was supposed to be the greatest king that ever lived. He was supposed to Merlin's destiny, but it never handed. Merlin had failed in his part in that destiny, and he would suffer for it for all of eternity.
"Rise and shine!" Merlin said, throwing the curtains open. The early morning light flowed into the room the room, directly into the sleeping prince's face. He grinned as he walked back to the table to unload the breakfast tray before the fur covered chair.
An irritated groan came from the bed. Merlin let a smile stretch across his face. As always his prince was not a morning person.
"Come on now Prat, your father wants you up to welcome Lady Erin this morning." He waggled his eye brows at the scowling blonde before turning back to the cupboard to retrieve the prince's clothes. He side stepped on instinct in time to miss the pillow aimed at his head. It hit the cupboard door hard. "Now now Sire, no need to take your anger out on the furniture." This time the projectile found its mark with force. Merlin's face smashed into the wooden cupboard.
"Looks like my training has paid off," he snorted, "atleast a little. Looks like we should do it more often." Arthur's voice dripped smug triumph. He was now moving to sit down before his breakfast. He sank into the chair and picked up a piece of bread.
"Yes Sire." Arthur's hand automatically caught the pillow flying at his head.
"Really Merlin, you ought to know better, you're a hundredTHWACK!" Merlin smacked him in the face as he grabbed the other from Arthur's hand.
"My deepest apologies your highness, of course a mere servant like myself could never hit the great prince of Camelot with a lesser object like a pillow." Merlin didn't even break stride in his attack as he continued to the bed, both pillows in hand. He felt Arthur's shocked gaze and Merlin peeked out the corner of his eye to see Arthur's mouth hanging open in a very unprincely manner. He set about his chore of straightening the bed once more.
"Merlin…"
He turned, giving the most innocent expression he could manage. "Yes Sire?"
"You hit me…" Arthur's statement was nearly a question as he blinked in confusion.
"What are you talking about your majesty? You yourself just said that an inept servant such as myself would take a hundred years to gain the skills enough to hit you! And no pillow would dare defy you enough to hit you in the face like some buffoon. It would be unthinkable!" he gave a calm smile to his master before turning back to his task.
Merlin was caught off guard as an arm looped around his neck, limiting his ability to breath. A large hand violently ruffled his hair as he tried to get the vice grip off himself.
"Oh yes, it would be unthinkable!" Arthur said in a superior but teasing voice. Merlin fought between laughter and indignation as he still fought for freedom. He didn't need to see Arthur's face to know he was grinning, it was moments like these where he knew without a doubt that he was not only a manservant to the prince, but a friend. Of course that is when Uther decided to walk in.
"Arthur! While I can agree that your servant needs punishment for his ineptitude, you shall conduct yourself in a way that is worthy of your position!" Arthur immediately released Merlin at his father's reprimand. Merlin into a bow before returning to the task that was making Arthur's obnoxiously large bed. Honestly, how much room does 1 person need to sleep?
"Father," Arthur bowed. Ever since the betrayal of Morgana, everyone walked on eggshells infront of Uther, including the crown prince. While all Uther needed to rekindle the fire in his soul was a witch hunt, which of course came mere weeks after Camelot had been thrown into chaos by the armies of the undead. The group of 7 had attempted to take Camelot by surprise in its weakness. What they hadn't counted on was Arthur and his brand new knights… and a little help that Merlin was refraining from informing Arthur on. After the first attack Uther awoke from his stupor and it was nearly the great purge all over again. A semi permanent pyre had been set up near the steps to the castle. Merlin felt sick every time he walked past it. However, the disgusted look Arthur sent toward it everyday on the way to the training grounds was enough to re ignite the fire that was Merlin's hope for the future. While Arthur still held hatred for magic, his chivalry and care for human life made him uncomfortable with the mass slaughter that was taking place outside his window.
"Arthur, Princess Erin arrives this afternoon. I expect you to escort her appropriately. There are few that match her in grace and beauty and you shall treat her as a lady." Uther's voice was stern as if he expected Arthur to act anything but courteous to the visiting nobles.
"Yes Father," Merlin watched as Arthur's jaw twitched at the shot directed at his pride.
"Very well. It would please me greatly if you two took a liking to each other. A marriage between you two would be strategic. After all the last time royalty of Mercia visited us, things went astray. A firm alliance between our countries would make us an unstoppable force."
"I shall keep that in mind Father. However you will have to excuse me, I must prepare to meet this prestigious princess." Arthur kept his tone neutral although Merlin could see his fingers twitching, a habit Merlin had noticed happened whenever he was angry or annoyed.
Uther gave a curt nod to his son before turning on his heel. "Oh and Arthur," he paused at the door, "Make use of the stocks if the need to punish that useless manservant comes again." With that he was gone, the door smacked closed and footsteps faded away. Merlin stiffly continued his work, he picked gathered Arthur's clothing for the day in his arms from where he had left it when he had been interrupted by a pillow to the back of the head.
A larger crash broke the silence in the room. Arthur let out a frustrated yell as he stood shaking in anger. He collapsed into his chair and let out a sigh. His head fell onto folded arms with a thwack.
Merlin spared him a pitying glance on his way to place the folded clothes behind the changing screen. Arthur didn't move as he approached the table and retrieved the empty breakfast tray. He left him to brood as he kneeled down on the floor to gather the remnants of Arthur's breakfast from where it had hit the wall near the door. Silence stretched on, broken only by Arthur's harsh breathing and the quiet clinks as Merlin placed the pieces of the broken plate on the tray. He mentally noted that he had gotten lucky. Breakfast this morning consisted of sausage, a few pieces of fruit, bread and cheese. Thus, Merlin was spared from having to clean up something messy like oatmeal. He'd have to thank the kitchen staff later, though they wouldn't understand.
"Damn it Merlin! Of all times for you to shut up you pick now?" the manservant jumped at the sudden outcry, causing the piece of plate to slip in his fingers, slicing his thumb.
He hissed in pain, dropping the last piece onto the tray. With a glare he stuck his thumb in his mouth to stem the light flow of blood. I turned to look accusingly at the prince. Arthur's face was still pillowed in his arms, Merlin guessed that he hadn't even raised his head to reprimand him for his silence.
The black haired boy snorted, examining his thumb to have found that he had stopped bleeding. "I didn't think that you would appreciate my 'incessant babbling' sire."
"Would you stop that!" the blonde growled, Merlin barely heard it. Arthur turned his face to glare.
He let out a light laugh. "You've been so insistent on me addressing you formally, but now that I do you get grumpy." Arthur's scowl darkened but kept silent. Merlin laughed standing. "Prat, if you keep scowling your face will get stuck!" Arthur's shoulders visibly relaxed and the lines in his forehead eased. "Merlin turned away again, retrieving Arthur's sword from a rack on the far wall and placed it on the table. "So what's she like?"
The prince flinched but answered, "You should know already that our relationship with Mercia hasn't been the greatest in some time. The war between our countries since before I was born, so we've never met. Rumors is all I know about her." He sighed as if the weight of the world was on his shoulders.
"Is the king coming as well for this visit?" He picked up a basket from a corner and balanced it on a hip. With practiced ease he began gathering dirty clothes from the floor. Silence was the only answer he received, "Arthur?" he looked back over his shoulder to find Arthur watching him with an odd expression, "What is it?"
The prince shook his head with a small smile as he sat up, "Not that it is saying much, but you're getting better at that," Arthur indicated vaguely in Merlin's general direction.
Merlin furrowed his eyebrows in confusion before breaking into a grin, "Thank you Arthur." The prince returned the grin with a small one of his own for a moment.
"But your still the worst manservant that I've ever had." He sent a smirk Merlin's way before pushing himself and the chair away from the table. He stood, joints popping into place as he stretched out the kinks in his tense back and shoulders. Merlin rolled his eyes as the compliment disappeared. His eyes followed Arthur until he disappeared behind the screen. "No, Lord Bayard is not making this journey. His middle son however is coming as an escort for his daughter. You do realize this was all discussed in the meeting last week, are you really too much of an idiot to pay attention."
"Dollop head," Merlin shot back, bending over to pick up the tray from the ground and not dump the clothes. "If you'll royal pratness will excuse me, I shall return with a new breakfast since you fed this one to the floor." Merlin ducked out the door before Arthur could find a heavy enough object to throw. Sure enough a few seconds after his escape a crash sounded against the door. Merlin shook his head, another mess for him to clean up later.
Merlin stood straight behind Arthur's left shoulder as the caravan approached. Armed guards in brilliant blue surrounded a carriage all lead by a regal, dark haired boy that was a few years younger than Arthur and Merlin themselves. The leader, the prince if Merlin's instinct was anything to go by, dismounted with a flourish.
Merlin heard Arthur suppress a snort and only an extreme amount of self control and over exposure to Arthur's supercilious attitude kept him from laughing. A year ago it would have been impossible for him not to laugh as the prince exuded exaggerated elegance. He even flicked his cape so that it swirled around him as he landed on the ground. With a haughty look at the waiting party the boy strolled to the carriage and opened the door with a flourish. At his offered hand a delicate hand reached out to grasp his. A girl with fire red hair stepped out of the carriage. She looked around her before letting out a slight squeal, "Its so pretty!" she gushed. She nearly jumped the rest of the way out and did a twirl. Merlin blinked, well that was different.
"Now now sister, you can admire later. Right now we have duties." the reprimand was teasing in words but the aloof tone that the prince used made it hard to tell whether or not he was truly trying to scold her.
"Oh yes," she returned to his side as if she never left, looping a delicate hand over his arm. Satisfied the prince turned to face the waiting king and prince.
"King Uther," he greeted with a low bow once again flicking his cape into action, "it is an honor to finally meet you. My father speaks of you often." The boy's voice lifted dramatically as he spoke, as if he were a ringleader for a traveling fair instead of a dignified prince.
"Prince Bricen, welcome to Camelot. And this must be the lovely Princess Erin." Uther gave a proper nod dictated by rank. "May I present my son Arthur." Arthur gave a bow toward the two royals, but remained silent. "Come you must be tired after your long journey. A feast has been prepared for you."
"Yes, a meal would be appreciated; however, our servants are in need of assistance in finding our rooms."
Uther gave a low snort, "Arthur, I'm sure your manservant can atleast do that much." The king didn't even turn as he gave the off handed order. "Let's go."
Merlin sighed, lowering his head. Why did this always happen to him? The royals passed him as they entered the castle. Arthur spared him a mocking look over his shoulder as he followed his father and the two guests. Merlin gave a final defeated sigh before stepping forward.
"Leon!" he called toward the familiar knight that was passing through the courtyard.
"Merlin," he nodded back in greeting, approaching the castle steps. His eyes examined the newly arrived group, "what can I do for you."
"Can you show the knights and soldiers where they can stay?" Merlin gave the knight a grin. Leon paused for a moment before giving Merlin a curt nod and approaching the apparent leader among the knights. Merlin's grin spread before he turned to the servants to assist them in gathering the royal's belongings.
"Hello," Merlin greeted, "may I take that?" he offered to the small manservant. The boy couldn't be more than 12 and was trying to lift a trunk as tall as he was. The boy jumped and spun to face Merlin, a yelp coming out of his mouth. "Easy!" Merlin responded on instinct and caught the bags the boy dropped.
"I'm sorry sir!" the boy squeaked.
"Derek!" a female voice reprimanded. Merlin turned slightly to find a girl maybe of maybe 16 watching the boy with a look of absolute horror.
"I'm sorry sis! I didn't mean to!" the small brunette boy was close to hysterics.
"Hey, its fine." Merlin tried to appease them. He pulled the pack he had caught into a more comfortable position on his shoulder before bending to lift the trunk. "I'm here to lead you to the guest chambers. If you have any questions, you can come to me." He placed the trunk he already had and placed it on another, lifting them both. He grimaced slightly at the weight before sending them a grin of reassurance.
"Thank you. I'm sorry for my brother. He isn't accustomed to the work yet." The girl put a hand on the boy's head and made him bow as well. Merlin examined them for am moment. One could definitely see their resemblance. From their light brown hair to their small builds they were completely alike.
"Its no problem, really. You should have seen the disaster I made my first week as a manservant. It was pathetic." Merlin snorted at the memory. Although he hadn't improved too much in some aspects, he had learned some grace… he thought. It seemed like so long ago he walked through the courtyard for the first time. He grinned, "In fact I picked a fight with the prince the first time I met him." It was strange for Merlin to remember a time when Arthur and Merlin hated each other. "Anyway, let's get this stuff inside before your masters miss you." Merlin spun on his heel and began the walk back toward the castle. "You coming?" He looked over his shoulder. The siblings jumped into action, quickly gathering the remaining luggage.
"I'm Mara, and this is my brother, Derek." The girl introduced once she caught up. "I'm Lady Erin's personal maidservant, or one of them atleast. And Derik is Prince Bricen's."
"I'm Merlin, Prince Arthur's manservant." It felt strange introducing himself as Arthur's manservant he was so used to people either knowing or not being interested.
"Really, what's he like? There were some pretty awful rumors when our king returned from his last visit." The boy, Derek asked, his eyes wide and arms full.
"Derek!" Mara reprimanded once again, but her eyes too were curios as she sent a sideways glance at Merlin through her lashes.
Merlin felt a grin pull at his mouth, "He's a giant prat, a royal one to be exact." He redistributed the weight in his arms to carry it better but didn't slow his stride. He gave courteous nods to familiar servants, but there were few left that had been there as long as he had. If Morgana's slaughter of commoners wasn't enough, Uther's repeat of the Purge had the palace staff fleeing left and right.
Gwen and himself were considered veterans of the palace now. It wasn't that the older servants weren't loyal, but their trust that their king wouldn't find a way for them to be the next ones on the pyre.
Staff weren't the only ones who left the city after Morgana's take over. When Uther had come to his senses long enough, he noticed the misfits among the knights. Merlin could still remember the lecture that had been. How no matter the circumstances, knighting commoners was inexcusable. For their works for Camelot's good their banishment was removed; however, their knighthood was stripped and it was in their best interest to leave the city of Camelot. Merlin missed having them around. Lancelot especially, it was nice having someone who knew about his magic besides Gauis, someone he didn't have to constantly lie to.
A shocked gasp brought him back to the present. "How can you say that about your own prince?" Merlin turned to blink at Mara, but still turned down the proper hallway.
"Because it's the truth…" he turned his head sideways and said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world… which it was wasn't it?
"I can't believe they actually allow a servant to talk so freely here!" Mara's green eyes widened dramatically.
Merlin simply laughed, "Yeah well, allow isn't quite the right word I don't think." With his hip he pushed open the door and proceeded in, "Here's Lady Erin's rooms. Am I right in assuming that the bottom trunk is hers?" before waiting for an answer Merlin put the trunk on the floor at the foot of the bed and gathered the top, lighter trunk back into his arms.
"Yes," Mara answered, but Merlin was already on his way out and next door to Prince Bricen's room.
"How did you know?" Derek asked Merlin in awe.
Merlin grinned, "Women's dresses weigh more than men's clothing the majority of the time." He put the prince's trunk at the foot of that bed made for the door. "If you need anything else ask any of the passing servants, they'll help you out or lead you wherever you need to go." Merlin gave the boy a small wave before going on his way down the hall and down to the dining hall. Merlin examined the room as he slipped in unnoticed. Uther of course sat at the center with Prince Bricen. Princess Erin sat beside her brother with Arthur on her other side.
Prince Bricen, unsurprisingly, seemed to be the center of the attention at the table. If the look on Arthurs face was anything to go by then he was in the middle of a rather lengthy list of duels and hunts he had taken part in. To Merlin he seemed bored out of his mind, but he had a front of being politely interested. The sorcerer bit his lip to keep from laughing as Arthur fought to ignore the flirtatious glances that the princess was shooting him. Merlin actually took the time to examine the princess, and really had to keep from laughing. She wasn't any older than Mara. Thankfully Merlin was still unnoticed by the head table, after all servants weren't supposed to be seen, he gave a mental snort.
Merlin silently stepped up and tapped the servant's elbow that stood behind Arthur. The boy nearly dropped the jug, it was only steadied by Merlin's steadying hand.
"I got it now. Thanks for covering for me Joshua." Merlin whispered to him. Mentally he sighed, since when did he become the reliable one for saving others from being clumsy?
Joshua nodded, placing the jug back into Merlin's awaiting hands. A quick glance told him that Arthur's cup was empty and if the tapping fingers were anything to go by, it had been for a while. A couple quick steps forward had him at the prince's elbow. With practiced ease he lifted the jug and poured in wine.
Arthur's gaze shot to him and he let out a relieved sigh. Merlin knew that look, 'If I have to suffer through this then so do you'. The raven haired boy let out the slightest breath of a laugh, just loud enough for Arthur to hear. Merlin returned his look with one that said 'Yes sire' somehow even the sarcasm transferred to the prince. The blonde gave him a smirk before returning his attentions to the princess. The sorcerer stepped back to his proper place, watching over Arthur.
The door closed behind the prince and manservant late that night. Arthur threw himself onto his bed with a groan, "And here I thought that you talked a lot!" he complained.
Merlin laughed as he began the prince's preparations for bed. "And I thought that you were the biggest prat I'd ever meet." Merlin caught the pillow that flew at his head, turning to look at Arthur.
"When did you get so competent Merlin?" he asked in genuine surprise.
"Me? Competent sire? I thought I was the most incompetent, useless manservant that ever existed!" Merlin grinned at his master.
"Oh shut it!" Arthur stood, pulling off his shirt and walking behind the screen. Merlin pointedly looked away from the half naked prince. "You're dismissed for the night." A hand shot out to wave toward the door.
"Goodnight Arthur." Merlin said as he walked out the door.
TBC