He woke up with a start, his heart racing in his chest, as the citadel's warning bell rang in his head and across the city of Camelot. Gaius burst into his room as fast as an elderly physician could saying," Merlin! Get up, the King sends for you."
Merlin grabbed a shirt off his bedside table, a roughhewn red, and pulled it over his head while stuffing his feet into his boots. Quickly he cleaned his teeth and dumped a pitcher of cold water over his head to tame his black hair. Rubbing a towel over his head to dry most of the heavier droplets, he dropped it on the table and left his quarters with his leather jacket in hand.
What could be wrong? Arthur wasn't one to overreact, not like his father, Uther was. So, it had to be something serious for the bells to be tolling as they still were. Maybe an army at the city's gates was attacking them? But, who would be doing that? He would most likely be able to tell if Morgana was behind an attack, his powers did react to her presence. He was baffled as he entered the throne room.
A group of knights awaited him. In their chainmail and flowing red capes. And Arthur with Gwen at his side. And there was Gaius. How'd he get here before him?
Arthur exclaimed as Merlin entered the room, "Three cheers for Merlin!"
"Huzzah! Huzzah! Huzzah!" The knight's yelled, and clapped Merlin on his back as he made his way through the throng.
"What's this all about?" Merlin smiled, as he was pushed around by his friends, he heard the bells quiet even as they echoed through the walls of the castle.
"It's your birthday isn't it? Gaius told me yesterday. We are going to have a small feast in your honor." Arthur said.
"For me? A servant?" Merlin's blue eyes were wide.
Gwen said, "For a friend."
Merlin's only response was a blush because he couldn't find any words. because he couldn't find any words./p