Ok, so i am terrible at updating other stories ect. but recently really jumped on the bandwagon that is this fandom and some of you guys are so talented it's almost like i'm stepping onto sacred ground! Seriously, if you write Merlin fics you're like amazing in my eyes :) this is a new one from me, been bouncing around my head for a bit, plot is a bit lighter than my others are planned to be (i think) but i've never tried humour before so its more sarcasm and wit i feel- i hope characters are not too OOC, Gwen is not married to Arthur, this isnt beta'd so may have mistakes- if you want to point them out feel free to. Rating is likely to change to an M in future but i really hope you enjoy and will have more chapters soon x

It was Merlin's day off. Arthur wanted to run a few ideas that had popped up in the council meeting. I mean sure when he was there Merlin didn't do anything but attempt to sleep standing up, though at times a least he shot the king ridiculous eyebrow motions or whispered ideas and sarcastic comments when needed. Merlin hadn't requested the day off, he never did, but even the king needed a break and, though Arthur hated to admit it, sometimes he relied on the serving boy far too much- Merlin barley slept, or so it appeared- though when he did it was always late in the mornings. Arthur walked the lower town, people pointing at him, not really knowing where he was going in the hopes of finding his manservant. He looked at the stalls, almost appalled at the poor quality of the wares but knowing he could not do anything for an individual but had to work for the good of all the kingdom- though he would most certainly ask for Merlin's input in some things- it was he after all that had properly shown Arthur around the lower town, insisted on him getting to know his people instead of staying in his castle.

"Oi mister- spare us a coin will ya, can you give us some food?" a scrap of a boy called, he was thinner than Merlin and that was a hard task in in itself. The others sitting round him quickly hushed the little boy, realising exactly who their friend was yelling at- Arthur wasn't wearing his crown after all- though his obvious finery was a tip off. He put a few gold pieces in a woman's hand and grabbed an assortment of objects, coming to not even a third of what he had paid but still more than he could carry properly, bread, a little cooked meat, some vegetables that Merlin said could be eaten raw.

"Thanks mister. You ever need anything you come to us right?" another boy said, with shockingly pale skin, scrapes all over. Arthur crouched, careful to make sure nothing was lifted from his person.

"Actually I'm looking for Merlin." That sent a flurry of noise from the boys. "You know him?"

"Of course we do mister, Merlin's wicked!"

"He got me this scarf when I was 8." They all clambered to speak, and it was then that Arthur noticed that they all had neckerchiefs, in colours from green, to purple to brown. He noticed none of them wore blue or red, feeling oddly proud as they were Merlin's colours.

"Mister, you ain't gonna to punish him are you? He spends all his free time down 'ere and we don't see him much an… an he always gives us food when we're hungry…"

"An' he buys us food, pays for us to bathe sometimes." The boys all nodded in agreement. Arthur was shocked, Merlin's pay was good in comparison to some but certainly not good enough for to look after the fleet of boys that seemed to be huddled together despite the warm air.

"No, Merlin's not in trouble. It's his time and money; he can do what he wishes. Do you know where he is now?" A smaller boy, of around 7 stood.

"He's telling stories. They're always the best, about you mister and adventures- half of them sound made up but we love it. It's full today, that's why we're 'ere but Merlin said he'd pop through on his way back up to the castle." Arthur followed the boy, after flicking a gold coin at the oldest boy, who he assumed would use it sensibly. For regular street kids they seemed somewhat decent and they were clearly nice enough for Merlin to help them. Though Merlin would help anyone if he thought they needed it- sometimes the servant was just too morally correct.

They walked through many passages and pathways until Arthur saw a meeting area, outside, with a roaring fire even in this weather. It was packed with children, old people, anyone from any age. He even thought he may have seen the red of a Camelot knight but wasn't certain and he was quickly pulled near the front of the throng as the small boy weaved through the masses. Merlin was sitting on a log, hands gesturing widely as he told a story Arthur recognised- of when they had been hunting and come across some creature.

"And then the king stabbed it with Excalibur, his sword, but it didn't do much. Her almost got bitten by the creature's large teeth as it lunged for the kings shoulder," gasps were heard in the enthralled audience. "Then a quick motion left a quick stab right, dodging and weaving before the final blow was delivered. Arthur stood there- other knights were around but we'd all been pretty useless, and it was dead." Arthur snorted at the 'useless comment'. "Don't tell the king," Merlin gestured for everyone to move closer, "but he looked pretty damn powerful then. Of course I then fell over." The serious tone was gone and the company laughed. "Yeah," Merlin scratched his head. "And the king called me a dollophead- which as we all know is..."

"Your insult- the clotpole" the group returned, making it clear to Arthur that such tales and gatherings were commonplace here. Merlin laughed at their response.

"Yes, but none of you call the king that. He doesn't like it." That Arthur mused was true, he'd given Gwaine extra training for it, Elyan had been whacked extra hard when Arthur trained with him. Yet it was only his servant who would ever consider insulting him- even at the most inappropriate opportunities like in front of visiting dignitaries. He could still remember the duke of somewhere or other's insistence on corporal punishment to which Merlin had, digging himself deeper, replied 'it may get the king here off but I don't fancy it at present- too sore from last time' and then proceeded to wink at Gwaine who stated 'Merlin was playing up and he knows he's got to shut his pretty little mouth at times or else we'll do it for him", having quickly caught on to the 'who can make the dignitary most angry/frustrated/confused at a servant's antics' game that seemed to be a reoccurring theme. They, Arthur had heard, rated it on either the blush on someone's face, stuttering or even fainting (once) at the insubordinate force of nature that was his manservant. In honesty it stopped Arthur from getting bored with their long winded speeches at the sorrow of Uther's death and how the hoped he would be a good king. Before they launched into ludicrous proposals that had the majority of the knights, those who were not lords, hiding laughter. Merlin was notoriously good at leaning over him as he poured wine and whispering the rumours of the castle, trying to make him laugh, then when catching a lord gaze winking at them- causing much laughter from the knights who knew of the game.

"Unless it's from you", the voice sounded suspiciously like Gwaine and Merlin flushed as a little girl broke from her mother and sat on his lap, he adjusted her slightly and moved her blonde locks out of her face and away from the fire.

"Only because he can put me in the stocks at any point and I always make a fool out of myself." A chuckle went round- it seemed it was not only in the castle that Merlin was notoriously clumsy.

"No, you spec'al" the little girl stated proudly, giving him a hug as she grinned a gap filled smile.

"Why thank you Nellie, you're pretty special to." He tickled her, pressing a kiss to the crown of her head and Arthur found himself grinning at how Merlin just drew people in.

"More story? Pwease" she asked and Merlin shook his head.

"Sorry guys, I've got to get back to work his royal highness will want to give me some jobs to do." He stood, returning Nellie and brushed himself down. "Anyone want to guess what the first task will be?" he asked, cheerily.

"Mucking out the stables"

"Cleaning clothes, laundry"

"Food"

Arthur stood straight and Merlin caught sight of him as the king spoke, looking startled.

"I think Merlin should share more stories" he said as people began to bow- he waved them up. "It's fine, please carry on." Merlin winced at his employer, expecting some kind of punishment.

"How much did you hear?"

"From the slaying bit." A sheepish expression crossed Merlin's face and he wrung his hands. He looked so naïve standing there that Arthur couldn't help but smirk. Merlin could literally charm anyone if he tried- though his mischievous antics must have been Gwaine's influence and still only seemed to endear people to him.

"Ahh… so you heard the…"

"The insulting bit- yes. That's no different from a daily basis. And you are the only one who can get away with it because you are the king of clotpoles- which puts us on somewhat equal footing- at least until you fall over." The king smiled slightly as a tinkering set of laughter rang out from his people.

"Royal prat" Merlin muttered but raised an innocent act as soon as he thought the king had heard. Arthur walked to Merlin and sat on the log, pulling the thin man down with him and watching Merlin smile as he realised this wasn't a joke.

"Go on then storyteller. Spin me a tale." He nudged the dark haired man who rubbed his hands together as people settled in for another story.

"I can insult you right?" Arthur raised an eyebrow and Merlin grinned and then began, all attention focused on him. "So there was a dollophead, who was supposedly important, and he was served by a simply amazing servant whose name was Merlin… and who was always on time…"

Hey again, hope you enjoyed :) have a nice day x