Hi everyone Merlin faces a new problem only this time it's not coming in the form of giant monsters and creepy labyrinths. But in the form of an untimely replacement. Read on to find out more. :)
"For the love of all abion," Merlin grumbled. "This is becoming a real pain in the arse!" He was trying desperately to get Arthur's horse saddled in preperation for him riding out with the guard. However the horse seemed to have other ideas. It kept still until Merlin had placed the saddle on it's back, wait until he bent down to fasten the straps, and then it would shake off the saddle and move away. This was the third time, that the horse had done this and Merlin was begining to think the horse had inherited Arthur's annoying personality. He sighed and decided to try once more, thinking he could palm off the job to an easy bribed stable boy if it failed again. This time he decided to place the saddle on the horse and move away from it until it came to him. Needless to say, it backfired horribly. The horse didn't fall for it and threw the saddle of and at Merlin, who being as clumsy as he was didn't move out the way in time, and ended up sprawled with a heavy horse saddle on his head. "Argh! This is hopeless," Merlin grumbled and turned suddenly at the sound of heavy laughing, expecting to face Arthur instead he came face to face with a tall, almost bald man about his age. His eyes were deep and calculating and his face was twisted into a cold smile.
"Need help there?" He chuckled, trying to stop laughing but failing.
"Your'e not kidding are you?" Merlin moaned torn between complete relief that it wasn't the prince and embarassment that someone else had seen his incompetence in action.
"You know," The man smiled. "I have an ability with horses and might be able to help with the erm problems,"
"You want to help?" Merlin asked surprised.
"Yeah sure it never did please me to see a poor bugger humiliate himself, I've suffered a lot like that all my life," The man unpadlocked the gate and allowed himself in.
"You know it's usually a good idea to lock this otherwise it defeats the purpose of having a gate to prevent the horse escaping!" He said.
"Yeah... I know that!" Merlin groaned. "I just leave it open in case I need a quick getaway!" The other man smiled again more friendly this time and moved over to take the saddle from Merlin.
"So what's your name then stable boy," He asked whilst stroking the horse to calm it down.
"I'm Merlin, oh and I'm not a stable boy as you probably can see I've no talent with horses!" Merlin laughed at himself despite the circumstances.
"Not a stable boy." The man quizzed. "Then why are you trying to saddle a horse?"
"Part of my duties," Merlin replied. He watched in amazement as the man pulled the horse to face him and placed the saddle on it's back sucessfully.
"You see the trick with the horse, is to keep it calm and always let it see you. If it can't it panicks and moves off!"
"Oh, yeah or course," Merlin muttered. He remembered Arthur telling him something like that but typically he hadn't been listening. He would have to remember this.
"There!" The man said standing back from the horse. "I think that should do it,"
"Er thanks. I owe you for that," Merlin grinned.
"Nah it's nothing, but i think we should go now, leave the horse be for a while." The man gestured to the gate and trying not to look to scared hurried out. The pair of them exited the stables and started walking down the crowded market place.
"So what do you do here then?"
Merlin smiled. "I'm Prince Arthur's manservant, hard work really not as glorious as it sounds."
"Manservant to Prince Arthur isn't a privilege?" The man enquired. It might of been Merlin's imagination but he could of sworn that the man's tone had changed to an icy quality, laced with envy.
"No not really, it's nothing but hard work and no recognition for any of it." Merlin replied. "And if you don't do as your told, you go straight in the stocks."
"But still life must be easier being servant to the Prince of Camelot. I mean living in the castle, getting to go to banquets and hunts!" The man pushed.
"Not really I live with my uncle that's the only reason I live in the castle, and I don't get to enjoy myself at the feasts and don't get me started on hunting," Merlin groaned at the thought. "Why are you here anyway, I can't say I've seen you before,"
"I'm looking for work, somewhere to live and someone to love!" The man brightened his mood at little.
"Huh well take it from me the Lady Morgana is the best looking woman in Camelot but watch out, Arthur doesn't like others flirting with her." Merlin laughed remembering the time Arthur had caught him having an intimate talk with Morgana, he'd practically stalked Merlin for the next week and interrupted every possible conversation that could possibly of taken place with her.
"Hmmm might have to check her out then," The man laughed. Merlin realised that they'd wandered into the courtyard of the castle and was about to make his excuses when a voice rang out.
"Merlin, Merlin where the hell are you!" It was Arthur and he sounded impatient.
"Um I'd better go!" Merlin said to the man and turned away to go to Arthur before he got any more angry. Then stopped and turned. "Hey I forgot to ask what's your name?"
"Cedric, just plain Cedric," The man smiled.
"I'll see you around then Cedric and thanks for helping me out." Merlin called at the disappearing man. Then turned and vanished to see Arthur.
"Oh yes, you'll be seeing plenty more of me Merlin," Cedric's face twisted into a leer as he began to plot.
Well please tell me what you think I promise to update soon, Thank you :)