The day had started out for Merlin as normally as any other. Things had been rather quiet for Camelot in terms of magical attacks and trouble from Morgana. So it was with a spring in his step that he traversed the corridors (on time for once) to the King's chambers.

Striding in without knocking he went straight for the curtains and yanking them apart, cried out in a loud chipper voice "Let's have you lazy daisy!"

There was a squeal followed by Merlin's very contrite "Sorry Gwen!"

"That's quite all right Merlin, you merely startled me is all." She gasped as her breathing began to return to normal.

Arthur was not quite so forgiving. "You IDIOT!" he cried launching himself into a sitting position, "Would it kill you to knock? What sort of time do you call this anyway?"

"I call this time 'on time' and I've never knocked before so why should I start now? Your breakfast is on the table and you have a round table meeting due to start in a half hour. Don't forget. Would you like me to get you dressed now or after breakfast? Or will Gwen be taking care of that this morning?"

As Merlin paused his high speed babbling to draw a breath Gwen couldn't help but giggle. Arthur just continued to stare stonily in his direction. Eventually he let out a groan and flopped back onto the pillows. Oh well Merlin thought, at least one of them appreciates my efforts.

"You go on ahead Merlin." Gwen said taking pity on him, "I can manage Arthur this morning."

"All right Gwen." Merlin replied grinning, "I'll see you at the round table meeting, just send word if he's too much of a prat and I'll come and sort him out." He ducked a flying goblet on his way out with a final "See you!" staying just long enough to hear Gwen cry an indignant "Arthur!" before letting the doors swing shut behind him.

"What?"

"Why on earth do you constantly feel the need to throw things at him? He's only doing his job!"

"Have you heard the way he speaks to me? I'm his KING!"

Merlin stood laughing silently outside the door, yes he was right to hang back and listen to this. As far as morning entertainment went it didn't get much better.

Gwaine chose that moment to sidle past, somewhat hung-over. "Merlin! What's so funny?"

"Arthur" Merlin replied in a smug tone that implied this response ought to explain everything.

Gwaine stared at him in confusion. Merlin sighed. The amount of time Gwaine spent in the tavern made it impossible to tell if he, in reality, was or wasn't a morning person.

"Gwen's giving him a chewing out" he explained "Arthur saw fit to start throwing things at me because he didn't appreciate my methods of waking him up. Gwen begged to differ, hence the chewing out." He smiled his trademark lopsided grin.

Gwaine returned it with one of his own. "Shall we make for the council chambers together my friend? Round table meetings truly are a horrid way to start the morning! Fortunately I've brought something to keep me occupied…" His words trailed off as he held up a water skin with a sheepish expression.

"That's full of mead, isn't it?" Merlin accused.

"Best cure for a hangover! Not that you'd ever need to know." Gwaine eyed him with a calculating look.

Merlin sighed. It would seem that Gwaine was yet to give up on his lifelong dream of getting Merlin drunk in a tavern. He shuddered at the thought of what could potentially happen were he ever to get drunk. Of what could happen if he were to lose all control over his magic as would undoubtedly be the case in that situation. "It's never going to happen, Gwaine" he eventually responded, "so you may as well stop dreaming about it."

"You. Are. No. Fun."

It was at that moment that they arrived at the doors to the council chambers. Gwaine pushed them open with a little effort, revealing in the process that they were the first two to arrive. Plopping down into his usual seat, he opened his water skin of mead and took a large swig before replacing the cap.

Merlin went to lean on the back of Arthur's chair while he waited for the rest of the round table members to arrive. Being a servant he was not permitted to sit. He tried not to dwell on how unfair that was. Leon and Percival were the next to arrive, discussing the merits of various types of crossbows as they entered. Gwaine promptly joined in the conversation and Merlin left them to it, he had other things on his mind.

His thoughts drifted to Aithusa. Where was she? What was she doing? Was Kilgarrah with her? He had not seen either Dragon in almost two months and he missed them terribly. Just as he was trying to decide whether or not he could risk sneaking out tonight to see them, Gaius entered the council chambers deep in conversation with Geoffrey of Monmouth about some topic that was just too boring to acknowledge. Elyan followed shortly after and immediately joined in the Knights' animated conversation which had moved on from crossbows to an upcoming tournament. The excitement was even higher than usual as Arthur now being King (not to mention a King without an heir) was unable to compete. This cleared the way for the crowning of a new champion.

With only Arthur and Gwen left to arrive, Merlin thought this an opportune moment to move the customary three paces back from Arthur's chair. The last thing he wanted to hear that morning was a ribbing from Arthur about an apparent attempt to rise above his station.

Two hours later Arthur was in deep in discussion with the rest of the council about the various routes the knights were to take to collect this year's taxes. Merlin really had nothing to say on the topic and found himself wishing for something, anything, to occur to relieve the tedium.

It was at that moment that a guard opened the doors of the council chambers and moving a few paces inside, stopped, stood to attention and cleared his throat. "Yes, what is it!" Arthur snapped.

"Forgive me Sire, but there is a diplomat from another Kingdom outside requesting an audience."

"Which Kingdom?" he returned still sounding somewhat impatient.

"He will not say."

Sighing, Arthur replied "Very well, show him in, he may address me before the council."

The guard merely bowed once to Arthur and once to Gwen before leaving.

Merlin couldn't believe his luck! If this was what came of wishing, he would do it more often!

Moments after the diplomat entered the room he was wholeheartedly withdrawing that statement.


My very first Fanfiction. Please review!