A/N: Hello there! I'm actually writing this Fanfiction for my NaNoWriMo this year, so there should be a new chapter daily (if all goes to plan). This is set sometime after Series 5 Episode 4, in a world where Gwen and Lancelot left to be together years previously.
Recently I've started to like the idea of a Merlin/Mordred relationship, so there will be some of that ship through this fic, but the main pairing will end up being Merlin/Arthur.
Merlin knocked on the doors of Arthur's chambers, while he balanced Arthur's dinner in one hand. They had returned from an unsuccessful hunting trip a few hours earlier. Since returning, Merlin had set to work with his chores right away as he knew that Arthur would already be in a bad mood from not catching anything while hunting.
"Enter". Arthur's voice bellowed through the door.
As Merlin opened the door he let a smile spread across his face. He was determined to not let Arthur's bad mood bring him down. When he walked in he found Arthur sat at his table, ready and waiting for his meal.
"You're late, Merlin". Arthur said half-heartedly as Merlin entered the room.
"I am sorry for that, sire, but I was cleaning your armour after the hunting trip". Merlin replied calmly.
Merlin placed the meal in front of Arthur, as Arthur looked up at Merlin, glaring. Merlin answered the glare with an apologetic smile. Arthur sighed but let the subject drop. He was used to Merlin being late and he realised that he shouldn't take his foul mood out on his faithful manservant.
As Arthur tucked into his meal Merlin walked over to the fireplace to start a fire. Camelot had been experiencing quite cold weather in the past few weeks, which Arthur had not been enjoying. Arthur dreaded waking up in the morning to a cold room. It made it that much harder for him to actually get out of bed.
"Will you be requiring a bath this evening?" Merlin asked Arthur, as he prodded the small fire that he had just created.
"Not tonight, Merlin. I will be retiring early this evening as I have early training with the knights tomorrow morning". Arthur replied as he finished his meal.
Arthur set his cutlery down and stood up. He walked behind his screen to change into his bedclothes. While he was changing behind the screen Merlin began to clear the table. Arthur finished changing and came out from behind the screen.
"That will be all for tonight, Merlin. You are dismissed". He said, sighing. Merlin could clearly see that the failed hunting trip was getting to him. Merlin nodded at him and headed towards the door, carrying the dishes from Arthur's dinner.
"Oh and Merlin, make sure you aren't late waking me tomorrow morning". Arthur said, light-heartedly. Merlin nodded again and left the room.
Merlin awoke the next day to the sound of rain pounding against the window in his room. He sighed and wished to himself that he could just go back to sleep. For a second, he lost all concept of time. But he quickly realised that if he didn't hurry up he would be late awaking the King. Rushing to get dressed and up to Arthur's chambers in time, Merlin was unaware that he had infact put his shirt on backwards when he was getting ready. As he hastily moved through the kitchens to collect Arthur's breakfast, he noticed he received a few peculiar looks from kitchen staff. Merlin made the assumption that they had realised he was running late.
Merlin gave a light knock on Arthur's door. When no reply came, Merlin realised that the king must still be asleep, so he entered the room. Unsurprisingly, Merlin found Arthur sound asleep in bed. Merlin noticed how calm and relaxed Arthur looked while he slept. When awake, although he tried to hide it, Arthur always looked like he had something on his mind and stressed. Merlin felt like he could spend all day just watching the king peacefully sleep, but he came to his senses when he realised how angry Arthur would be if he was late for training. Merlin placed the breakfast on the table and then walked to the windows. As he opened the curtains in one swift motion, he greeted Arthur with "Rise and shine!".
Arthur groaned, "Do you really have to be so annoying, Merlin?".
Merlin ignored the comment and began tidying the King's chamber. Arthur slowly began to wake and get out of bed.
"You actually managed to wake me up on time today. It's a miracle!" He said, mockingly.
"Har har". Merlin replied sarcastically, rolling his eyes.
Arthur sat down at the table to eat his breakfast. He felt much more relaxed about the hunting trip after having a night to calm down. He was thinking about his plans for the day when he noticed how Merlin was dressed.
Arthur let out a snort of laughter and said, "You really are an idiot". He shook his head laughing, while he began his breakfast.
Merlin looked up from the closet that he had been placing Arthur's clothes in.
"What?" He asked, confused.
"Your shirt…". Arthur replied, nodding in the direction of Merlin's clothing.
Merlin looked down to discover that his shirt was infact on backwards. Merlin let out a sigh.
"Sorry sire, I was in a bit of a rush this morning". Merlin responded.
"It's fine. Just get it sorted. I can't be seen with a servant that can't even dress himself properly". Arthur replied, while taking another bite into his breakfast.
"Oh… uh… do you mind if I just step behind the screen and change it?" Merlin asked awkwardly. Arthur was surprised at how awkward his manservant was being.
"Go ahead". He replied, nodding. As Merlin stepped behind the screen, Arthur began to wonder what Merlin looked like shirtless. Merlin had seen Arthur without a shirt on countless time since they had known each other, but it had never seemed to be the other way around. Arthur wondered if the other man really was as skinny as he seemed to be. As Arthur continued to think about how Merlin's body looked without clothing, Merlin finished changing and stepped outside of the screen. Arthur blushed when he realised that he probably shouldn't have been thinking about it, and tried to let the thought disappear from his mind.
Merlin noticed the blush and wondered if he had put the shirt wrong again. He looked down at himself and asked Arthur, "is it okay now?".
Arthur looked at the raven-haired man quickly, and then looked down. He replied quietly and said, "Yes". He continued to avoid eye contact with Merlin as he stood up to get dressed.
"Clear the table and get my armour ready". He instructed tetchily. Merlin was a little taken a-back by the sudden temper-change of the King.
"Yes, sire". He replied, nodding.
Throughout training, Merlin watched as Arthur and the knights trained furiously. Merlin could tell that Arthur was trying to let out some steam after the events of the hunting trip. It saddened Merlin seeing Arthur unhappy.
When the training session was over, Merlin began to help Arthur remove his armour.
"How did the knights go today with the training?" Merlin asked, attempting to start a conversation.
"They were fine. They are all skilled fighters". Arthur replied. Merlin tried to read Arthur's expression to see what kind of mood he was in, but was unable to tell, as Arthur was keeping a straight face.
Merlin was still removing the armour, when he suddenly accidently dropped Arthur's breastplate. It shattered to the ground with a loud bang. Arthur had been miles away in his thoughts. The loud noise brought him back to reality with a start.
"MERLIN. CAN YOU NOT DO ANYTHING RIGHT?" He growled angrily. Merlin looked surprised by the outburst but bent down to pick up the dropped armour.
"If that is dented it will be coming out of your pay for the next month, understand?" Arthur continued to say angrily.
Merlin looked annoyed and replied, "Yes, sire". He knew better then to try and talk back to the king when he was in this sort of mood. Merlin walked back over to Arthur to continue removing the remainder of armour, when Arthur sighed and said,
"Just go will you. I can finish up myself". He was now calm as he spoke, although there was an edge to his voice.
Merlin looked surprised and slightly hurt.
"It's no problem, sire, I can finish up". He replied to the king.
"I said you're dismissed, now leave". Arthur looked him straight in the eye; with such authority that Merlin knew that he needed to just leave Arthur to it.
After Merlin had left Arthur realised he may have been a little harsh. "Oh well, he'll get over it", Arthur thought to himself. Arthur had just finished removing his armour when started to think about Gwen. He sometimes wondered how his life would have been different now, if she hadn't left to be with Lancelot. Sometimes he felt like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders, and he needed someone to share it with. If Gwen had stayed, he would have. Arthur felt so alone sometimes. But he knew that it would not be long before he would find a Queen to rule with him. He wouldn't be alone forever. He put away his armour and headed up to his room. He hoped that his lunch would be served by the time he arrived, but knowing the time management of his manservant, the chances of that seemed pretty slim.
Meanwhile, Merlin was in the kitchens preparing Arthur's lunch. He felt that it was unfair how Arthur had reacted. Merlin had dedicated his life to serving Arthur. He was saving Arthur's life countless times, all the while keeping his true self a secret. Sometimes Merlin found it hard serving Arthur with such little recognition. Merlin would give anything to be able to have Arthur accept him for who he is and be thankful for what he does. Merlin sighed to himself. He had known Arthur for years and nothing had ever changed. Merlin sometimes began to fear that nothing ever would change. He let the thought go and headed up to Arthur's chambers with a plate full of food, as he put on a smile.