Another prompt XD This one by sarajm.

Merlin stood just behind Arthur at the small dinner as usual. Two nobles and a new born baby came to visit Camelot at the invite of Uther. They were celebrating the birth of their first child, a son. They named him Hunter.

Merlin resisted the urge to cover his ears as the baby screams at the top of his lungs yet again. A young serving girl attempts hush the boy. Arthur, Uther, and the parents grit their teeth at the nails on chalkboard sound.

The girl passes the baby off to another servant who rocks him, but it only makes Hunter wail loader. The adults try as they might to carry on with their dinner. Merlin glances over to see little arm and legs waving about as the shrieking slowly gets louder and higher pitched. The nobles look at the servant holding Hunter with utter disgust.

The warlock can't take it any longer, Merlin inches over to servant holding the baby. Arthur sees him making his way slowly and gives him a look asking what he's doing. Merlin returns the look, telling him to trust him. Arthur does so with grim set lips and fingers plugging his ears.

When Merlin gets to the baby he motions to accept the baby. The serving boy happily gives up the yelling child. Uther and the nobles scoff but will try anything to stop the howling.

Merlin shifts Hunter to one arm and waves a finger at the child, Hunter grabs Merlin's finger and grips tight but doesn't stop bawling. Merlin coos the child and it lessens in volume slightly.

Merlin smiles, forgetting the rest of the room totally, his bright blue eyes meeting and locking with Hunters deep green ones. Merlin rocks slightly, and bounces the child gently as he takes a deep breath. Then he starts to hum the tune to a lullaby his mother sung to him as a child.

Merlin pulls the baby close to him and bows his head, grinning at the adorable child.

The humming forms into words as he sees the music start to take into affect.

Hush-a-bye
Don't you cry

Merlin's deep rich voice fills the room, the attendants at the dinner are utterly shocked at the beautiful voice that flows from this manservants mouth.

Go to sleep my little baby
When you wake
You shall have
All the pretty little ponies

In your bed
Momma said
Baby's riding off to dreamland
One by one
They've begun
Dance and prance for little baby
Blacks and bays, dapples and greys
Running in the night
When you wake
You shall have
All the pretty little ponies

Can you see the little ponies
Dance before your eyes
All the pretty little ponies
Will be there when you arise

Hush-a-bye
Don't you cry
Go to sleep my little baby
When you wake
You shall have
All the little ponies...
All the prettly little ponies...

(Song by Catherine Raney. How she sings it is how I imagine Merlin singing only deeper)

Merlin coos at the sleeping child and pulls his finger from the loosening grip. He shifts Hunter to both arms and smiles affectionately at the baby. Merlin places the sleeping angel in the servant boy's shocked arms and moves to go back to his station behind Arthur when he senses something different about the room and freezes.

Every person in the room was staring at him in shock, every jaw to the floor.

Merlin shifts uncomfortably and Arthur breaks the silence, "Merlin, I didn't know you could sing like that."

Merlin drops his eyes and fidgets, itching for everything to go back the way they were. He didn't mean for them to hear but when he gets singing he gets a bit carried away. "No one did, Sire." Merlin replies.

Uther looks astonished, "why would you not share such a gift?"

Merlin hesitates and says, "my mother was afraid someone would find out about my talents and take me from her. I guess it just became a habit to hide them, my Lord." Uther nods understanding.

Arthur's eye brows scrunch, "talents? Them? You have more?"

Merlin's eyes widen slightly and he nods.

"And here I thought you were useless," mutters Arthur.

"Well," Uther sits back in his chair and surveys his son's servant, "what are they?"

Merlin sighs unnoticeably and clasps his hands behind his back, "well, among other things I can play the lute."

Four sets of eyebrows shoot up, Hunter's father asks, "and how would you know how to play the Lute?"

"My father left before he knew my mother was pregnant," Merlin avoids looking Uther in the eye, "but before he left he gave it to her, he had taught her to play it. She taught me."

Uther smiles and nods, "it is to bad we do not know who your father was, I would have liked to meet him."

"Me too, My Lord, me too." Merlin bows his head and strides quickly to his spot behind Arthur.

Arthur took his hint and started chatting with the nobles again, but the mother interrupted, "Merlin, is that your name?" At his nod she continues, "I would like you to come with us to take care of Hunter, you seem to be the only one able to calm him. If, that is, its alright with your master." She nods her head to Arthur.

Merlin's eyes widen slightly, "no disrespect intended, m'Lady, but I am very happy where I am."

"We will raise your salary," she says quickly, almost desperately.

"Now hang on!" Arthur exclaims, butting into the conversation much to the relief of Merlin. "Merlin is my servant and he will stay that way." Merlin relaxes, knowing Arthur won't let anything happen.

Uther frowns, "but Arthur, I thought you would be happy to get another servant, you are always complaining about your servant." Merlin frowns unnoticed.

"Now father, I'm just saying that because I have to have something to complain about and Merlin gives the perfect opportunity," Arthur hates having to put his foot in his mouth, but if it means he keeps Merlin he would do it gladly.

Uther presses his lips but gives a sharp nod.

The two nobles are scowling as much as they can without being disrespectful.

Before anyone can say something he can not weasel out of Arthur blurts, "Well I think its time for me to retire," Arthur gets up before anyone can protest, "Merlin." Merlin follows quickly and as close as he can.

Only when they were half way to Arthur's chambers did they relax. Arthur mutters, "that was close." Merlin chuckles at the understatement.

Of couse like Arthur, he continues, "I can not believe you kept that from me. Do you know how many times that would have been useful?"

Merlin snorts, "and you wonder why I didn't tell you."

"You'll have to sing and play the Lute for me sometime." Arthur says.

Merlin sighs knowing this will come up next time Arthur is bored or is confined to his chambers again, "not on your life..." Merlin says dryly.

Arthur just laughs, "we'll see."

Hope you liked it! I'm not sure if I should continue this story or keep it as a one shot. What do you guys think?