AN: Honestly I have about half a dozen stories on the go but this idea began screaming at me to be written. I suppose it is December, it is almost Christmas and I did buy a black Santa hat with 'Bah Humbug' written on it so why not. Here is 'A Christmas Carol'- Merlin style. Yes it's anachronistic but so is the series!

December had arrived in Camelot, bringing with it shorter days, colder temperatures, the tempting and elusive promise of snow and the nearing Yuletide and Christmas celebrations. Almost everyone in the kingdom was looking forward to the festivities. Families spent time together, there were warm fires, food to eat, presents exchanged, homes were decorated and so much more. It was a time for love, a time for family. In its own unique way there was something almost magical about this time of year and not in the sorcery way. However there was one person who never got into the Yuletide spirit and instead viewed the whole thing as almost a pestilence. What was so special about the Twenty Fifth of December? He didn't see the point in the need to celebrate and instead was planning on having all of his staff working through the holiday.

Yes, Uther Pendragon was a right old scrooge when it came to Christmas and everyone knew it. Whenever they started getting excited, he was getting grumpier than usual and they all knew to tone down the excitement and discussions concerning gifts and celebrations whenever the king was in earshot and god help the poor fool who was caught singing carols in the corridors.

Merlin opened the door and headed straight for the bucket of warm water Gaius had prepared for him. As he scrubbed his face clean Merlin looked at Gaius who was trying and failing to hide his amusement.

"Please don't say 'I told you so'. I've suffered enough." Merlin pleaded.

"I wasn't going to. But I did warn you," Gaius replied as Merlin stuck his head back into the bucket to scrub the rotten fruit out of his hair. All he had done was calmly hum' Away In A Manger' while walking down the corridor. The next thing he knew Merlin had been in the stocks for four hours. He was cold, wet, stinking and just wanted to be clean, warm and dry. In Merlin's defence he had been too busy last year dealing with a series of threats to notice how grumpier than usual Uther was in December and everyone else believed he knew that Uther hated Christmas and didn't bother to remind him.

When Merlin was clean, dry and changed into a new set of clothes he hurried towards the kitchens to fetch Arthur's dinner. In the kitchens he found Gwen who was collecting a clean load of linens and the friends walked back together.

"What will you be doing this Christmas?" Merlin asked.

"I've been offered the day off but I'll probably work it anyway. Last Christmas was quite lonely and this one probably will be too." Gwen replied, last Christmas had been the first one she'd experienced since her father had died and now Morgana had disappeared. The usual excitement caused for them by Christmas had also been marred by Morgana's disappearance. They still had heard or seen nothing of her since the day Morgause took her away. All they could do was pray she'd be alright.

"You could spend it with me and Gaius if you want," Merlin offered but Gwen shook her head.

"It's alright really. If I do take it off, I'd rather just rest and be by myself." Gwen replied and Merlin nodded knowingly. He was worried about Morgana, where she was, if her powers were growing, what was Morgause doing. Merlin wanted her home but also dreaded what that could possibly mean.

"If you're sure." Merlin replied as they reached the corridor where they went their separate ways and he walked back to Arthur's chamber and pushed open the door. Arthur was sitting at his desk muttering to himself as he scrawled on a piece of parchment. Merlin cleared his throat and Arthur looked at him frowning slightly.

"Where have you been?" Arthur demanded.

"In the stocks thanks to your father." Merlin replied and Arthur grinned knowingly.

"What did you do this time?" Arthur asked, Uther tended to put people into the dungeons and only used the stocks when he had irritated or annoyed severely. Somehow that applied to Merlin more than anyone else.

"I hummed 'Away In A Manger'." Merlin replied. "Thanks for letting me know the king hates Christmas."

"Anytime," Arthur joked before getting serious as Merlin served him his dinner. "It's nothing personal Merlin. Ever since I was a boy he's hated Christmas and he takes it out on everyone. Nobody even knows why he hates it so much, I've asked Gaius numerous times but even he doesn't know. It's just best to stay out of his way until the holiday's over."

Merlin nodded and glanced at the parchment Arthur had been scribbling on when he had come into the room. It was a list of various items but as Merlin looked, Arthur scrunched up the parchment and clutched it in his hand.

"What's that?" Merlin asked.

"Nothing." Arthur replied defensively.

"It is my present?" Merlin joked. Like he would get a Christmas present from Arthur. Correction like anyone would get a Christmas present from Arthur.

"No it's not. Anyway you have work to do, work that should have been done hours ago." Arthur instructed and Merlin, accepting defeat went to complete his chores. As he reached the doorway he turned and looked at Arthur.

"I'm going but just so you know Gwen hates the colour green." Merlin said before he left the room. Arthur looked back at his list of present ideas and tossed it into the fire before returning to his meal.

As December progressed and Christmas became more and more of a dominant topic, Uther was getting into a worse and worse mood. He didn't understand just what was so great about this time of year. It was cold, dark and yet everyone was so cheerful and excited. He didn't see what was so fantastic about Christmas, surely it was no different to any other time of year. Not to mention Morgana was still missing, he could only hope his daughter would find her way home somehow. Inside the castle everyone was careful not to show just how deeply they had been affected by the Christmas spirit but at the same time little things could be seen. Little sprigs of holly and ivy had found their way into the castle, the kitchens were preparing more turkey meals than usual, some present swapping was being performed and every so often there were a few bars of carols to be heard. All of which was done when Uther was out of earshot and eyesight.

When Christmas Eve arrived, the excitement regarding Christmas could no longer be contained. The majority of people were planning to spend it with their families and only a few of the palace staff such as the cooks and a few guards were planning on working on Christmas day. Children all over the kingdom were excited at the prospect of presents, warm fires and spending time with their parents who were just grateful for all they had. To add to the excitement, in the early afternoon after weeks of iron grey clouds and freezing temperatures, some snow finally began to fall and dust the grounds and town with fluffy white flakes over the afternoon. By nightfall there was a few inches of snow on the ground, marked by footsteps and the aftermath of a brief but fierce snowball fight between Arthur, Merlin and Gwen.

"Is there anything else Sire?" Uther's servant asked as he folded the king's sheets back and gathered the king's laundry.

"No, that shall be all. Go." Uther dismissed and the servant bowed before leaving the room. Uther looked around his bedchamber and shook his head. Christmas. He had just two words that would sum up that day.

Bah, humbug.

Uther climbed into his bed and looked over to the window and at the darkening night. As far as he was concerned, Christmas was of no great importance and he highly doubted that anyone would change his mind. Little did he know…