Merlin you've poo on your face
Chapter 1
The weather was what most in Camelot would consider perfect spring weather. Not too cold, not too hot, a light breeze carrying the fragrant smell of new blossoms.
"Merlin will you please stop day dreaming and finish cleaning?" Arthur said. He had caught Merlin staring out of the window instead of fluffing the pillows.
"Oh! Forgive me your majesty; it's just so nice out there." Was his unusual reply with a smile attached.
"Are you alright?"
"Yes. Why do you ask?"
"N, nothing, just get finished…"
"Um, hum" Merlin hummed.
"Going to wash the Princess' filthy under garment? " Gawain asked jogging up to Merlin.
"Now Gawain you know how much Arthur hates you referring to him in that manner."
"I know, that's exactly why I do it." Gawain said with a wide grin on his face.
"You really ought to be nicer to him; he is our king after all."
"Merlin you alright?"
"Yes. Why do you ask?"
"Well, you of all people don't respect Arthur! Besides it's just a bit of friendly fun!"
"Not true I have the utmost respect for him."
"Alright who are you? Did Arthur hit you too hard with his cup this morning?"
"No, he was well tempered and a joy to serve." A genuine smile was on his face.
"Now if you will excuse me Sir Gawain I must be about the rest of my chores." He said walking off leaving Gawain standing in the corridor a thoughtful look on his face.
Percival was in the armory picking out a mace to exercise with when Merlin came clattering and clanking in with Arthur's amour.
"Hay Merlin you need any help with that?"
"No, no, no, Sir Percival, I've got it, but I dare say you couldn't handle it, what with those impressive muscles of yours. He replied looking Percy over. Then he went to put the amour away. When he came back Percival seemed to have picked a mace.
"What do you think of this beauty? It's one of the new ones; it's made for a more controlled swing!"
Merlin approached him and looked the mace over and then fallowed it to his hand then the rest of his arm, and when he got to his bicep…
"A beauty in deed." He said reaching out to touch.
"Merlin?"
"Yes?" He stopped.
"Are you alright?
"Yes. Why do you ask?"
"You just seem a bit different today."
"Well I apologize for seeming different, but really I assure you sir Percival I feel absolutely fantastic! Must be on my way to muck out the stables now, you know how the king loves a clean stable." And with that he was gone.
While Merlin was mucking out the stables with a smile on his face humming a merry tune he hadn't noticed he was being watched.
"What's the secret, why are you smiling?"
"Oh your majesty; forgive me for not noticing you!"
"Don't worry about it Merlin, besides you know you don't have to be so formal."
"No, it really is unacceptable, one as beautiful as you should be noticed!"
"Merlin you flatter me!" Gwen mocked. "But really what is the secret?"
"There is no secret, I am just happy to be doing my job, my duty in servitude to the great king Arthur."
"Arthur?"
"Well yes, it is my greatest joy" He answered with a serious look.
"Are you alright?"
"Yes. Why do you ask?"
Well, it's just that you seem very serious and happy about mucking out the stables and you're not usually like that."
"Then I must have been a fool before"
"Merlin… you've got poo on your face."
"Gaius lunch smells absolutely wonderful" Merlin exclaimed while closing the door"
"Ah Merlin for once you aren't late for lunch! Finished your chores early?"
"Most of them, I decided it was time for a brief respite and I know you always try your best to take care of me by having lunch ready. So here I am to enjoy the food you so graciously prepared!"
"Merlin what did you do?"
"Do? I have done nothing out of the ordinary, what do you mean?"
"Well you've come in here spouting nonsense so you must have done something wrong!"
"Gaius what I have said is by no means nonsense! You have done more for me than any in Camelot I have failed to show you my gratitude! I want to say thank you for all you do." Again Merlin had a most serious expression on his face; one that Gaius could tell was genuine.
"You're welcome" The older man mumbled. "But you are alright?"
"Yes. Why do you ask?"
"No nothing just eat up"
"ummmm, this is going to be great." Merlin said staring in on his stew with a side of bread.
Gaius eyed him suspiciously; something was defiantly "off".