"And I want you to also pack my newest cross bow...make sure I ride Blase as well, I don't want to ride that crazy headstrong stallion." Arthur said crossing the room and picking up an apple and sitting in his favorite fur covered chair.
Merlin smirked, "But he suits you so well, you are two of a kind after all."
"Just for that you can have the great pleasure of riding him. Good luck getting up off your arse when he bucks you off." Arthur said smirking into his apple.
Merlin rolled his eyes, "Which tunic do you want, red or red? I swear all you see in your wardrobe is red. It looks like some lady menstruated all over it."
Arthur nearly choked on his apple, "Keep your perverted thoughts to yourself!"
"More like kinky." Merlin said dead facing.
"Merlin shut-up!" Arthur said rolling his eyes and putting his feet up on the nearest table.
Merlin shot him a glare, "Don't do that I just cleaned that you dollop head!"
Arthur grinned like a cat stalking it's pray, "Now you can clean it again."
Their conversation was interrupted by a knocking on the old chestnut door.
"You may enter!" Arthur announced shooting Merlin a toothy smiled as he rubbed his dirty boots all over the newly cleaned table.
A soldier entered, "The King request your presence sire."
Arthur rolled his eyes and muttered under his breath, "Of course he does." sighing heavily he got up and pulled on his jacket. "Merlin, make sure you pack the cross bow I don't want to be facing down a bear and have nothing but a few carrots to defend myself with."
Merlin shot him a crocked smile, "Carrots...right."
Arthur sighed and rubbed his hand on his face, "Scratch that I'll just feed you to the bear."
"In that case I'll pack the crossbow." Merlin said.
Arthur sighed again, "You always have to go the round about way don't you?"
Merlin shot him a smile, "Of course, that's what being different is all about."
"Sire, the King would like you to come with me." The knight said effectively ending the conversation.
"Right." Arthur said nodding his head and following the guard out of the room.
Merlin ran through his list of things to do; Pack clothes, Pack weapons, Pack some snacks, and get the horse ready. Mentally organized he set about the first task, packing Arthur's clothes. They were going on a hunt and would be gone for a good week hoping to track down a massive bear that seemed intent to evade them every year. merlin was not looking forward to being in the wilderness as he was allergic to almost everything in it. But Arthur had been stubborn as always and had refused to let someone other than Merlin accompany him. So here Merlin was going through Arthur's massive wardrobe trying to find some acceptable clothes. But Arthur's wardrobe rivaled even Morgana's so he was having quite a hard time trying to find what he was looking for.
Half an hour later Arthur's clothes were neatly packed away and Merlin stared at it feeling rather proud of himself. But the feeling was short lived as he realized that he still had a lot more to do. Sighing heavily to himself he set off to accomplice his second task; packing the weapons. He headed down to the armory to gather the newest crossbow as well as another for himself, not that he'd know how to use it but just incase he got trapped facing the bear while everyone was looking at him and he couldn't use magic. Ok, the scenario seemed highly unlikely but it was a possibility and Arthur would look at him funny if he told him he hand't packed himself a weapon. Crossbows check. Merlin thought to himself as he packed them away. Next was the swords, this time he didn't pack one for himself, last time he did he's ended up with a rather nasty gash on his left arm as he had been trying to swing it around like Arthur did and had nicked himself in the process. Arthur had seen the whole thing and burst out laughing while Merlin was trying to stop himself from bleeding out.
With the weapons packed away for the journey he headed to his favorite place in the entire castle, the kitchen. Arthur always commented on how much Merlin ate compared to his actual weight and always commented that when Merlin one day gained all that weight back he would 'not be pushing your fat ass around'. Merlin smiled to himself remembering that mental picture. He packed them a few muffins, some apples as well as at least a dozen cookies, a loaf of bred, and just to piss Arthur off, a few carrots. Merlin figured if he had time he could put them in with the crossbows just to see the look on Arthur's face.
With everything else done Merlin moved on to his final and least favorite chore; getting the horses ready. Normally Merlin loved working with the horses, Morgana always commented that if Merlin was such an awful manservant Arthur could always just send him to the stables. She was particularly enjoyed the abashed look on Arthur's face and the idea of losing his manservant. Merlin really did like the stables it was just he really didn't get along with the asshole who ran them; Marcus. He was the only real ass in the stables in Merlin's opinion he'd often make fun of his ears or taunt him about being the Prince's lap dog and no matter what Merlin said or did he did not shut-up. Merlin had even considered using magic to teach the fool a lesson but then he remembered how dangerous it was and what would happen if he was caught.
"Look who it is Merlin the elephant! I thought i told you already that the stables were for horses and not for elephants. Or are you just so stupid that you can't seem to get that through your head?" Marcus said smirking.
"I don't have time for your bullshit Marcus I'm here to get the horses ready for the hunt-prince's orders." Merlin said walking over to his favorite Diablo's stall.
Diablo was a beautiful dark brown arabian with a long mane and a sweet heart. He was very gentle and often got over excited for visitors. He never bit or bucked, ever even kicked his stall when he got angry at the other horses. Like Merlin he also hated Marcus and would snort and flatten his ears whenever the man came around him.
"Oh, that's right your the Prince's little lap dog, tell me you get on your knees for him often? When there's not a prostitute around to satisfy his urges?" Marcus said, his mouth twisting up in an evil grin.
Suddenly, a flash of familiar blonde hair rushed past him and Marcus found himself pinned by his throat up against Diablo's stall.
"Nobody talks to him like that you hear me! Nobody!" Arthur hissed into Marcus's ear.
"Yes...sire." Marcus managed to choke out.
Arthur released him and marcus fell to the ground.
"Get up." Arthur commanded drawing his sword.
Marcus barely moved, so Arthur kicked him.
"I said GET UP!" Arthur commanded again, and this time Marcus managed to struggle to his feet.
"Get your sword!" Arthur said, blue eyes blazing.
Marcus managed to locate his quickly under a pile of straw.
"Follow me." Arthur said, still fuming.
Merlin was shocked eyes still wide and clinging onto Diablo's muzzle. He couldn't believe Arthur had just done that. Nobody had ever stood up for him before. Nobody, not even Will had ever dared to. He didn't know what Arthur had in mind but he hoped it involved some sort of humiliation.
Arthur led Marcus outside into Camelot's main square where everyone was bustling around getting water, talking with friends.
"Attention everyone!" Arthur commanded.
Everyone stopped mid conversation or chore and gave the crown prince their full attention.
"This man has just insulted not only my honor but my friend's as well so I thought we would be honorable and duel. If I win he leaves Camelot and never returns, if I loose he keeps his job."
He was applauded with hoots and hollers, nothing quite like a mid day swords dual.
Merlin looked on arms crossed and every brows raised at being called his friend.
Marcus, obviously enraged at the previous attack ran straight at Arthur sword pointed at him.
Arthur easily jumped out of the way, laughing and taunting the man, "That all you've got?"
Marcus knitted his brows together and raced at him again.
This time however Arthur stayed put easily swinging his sword up and knocked the man's out of his hand.
He then proceeded to knock the man over the head with the butt of his sword while simultaneously sweeping his leg to knock he feet out form under him. The man fell to the ground with a loud thump.
The people started to cheer and chant "Arthur! Arthur!" Guards rushed in grabbing the man and hauling him up to drag him away.
"Oh and you're fired." Arthur smirked. The crowd cheered even louder hooting and hollering as the Prince smiled and waved.
Merlin grinned to himself and returned to the stables, trying to get the persistent smile to go away. Marcus was humiliated and fired, not to mention Arthur, the bloody prince of Camelot, had defended his honor.