This is a tiny scene set after Arthur has come to terms with Merlin's magic. Merlin is the oblivious one for once =)
Disclaimer: Merlin = not mine
Merlin was leaning over a magical work in progress when Arthur slammed open his door.
"Merlin? What makes you think you can just ignore summons to a council meeting?" Arthur demanded, crossing his arms.
Merlin looked up into the eyes of his king.
"Forgive me, Sire. I was too busy brewing up the sweating sickness cure you asked for to go sit in a stuffy room and listen to stuffy old men drone on about the height of crops and whether the army has enough cheese." He turned back to his concoction.
"It's not up to you to decide what you are and are not too busy to do, Merlin!"
"I can't see why you even bother having council meetings. It's not like you take any of the advice your councillors give you. You just pretend to listen, then go ask someone else. I don't know why you don't just replace them or at the very least incorporate people you actually listen to onto the council."
Arthur looked stunned for a moment, then shook his head almost pityingly.
"Sometimes your stupidity astounds me, Merlin."
Thanks for reading, hope you enjoyed =)