A/N: Hey all, this is my first posting so If I do anything horribly, horribly wrong just trust that I am trying to learn. Mostly I was a little bored and decided I wanted to write a bit about the struggles of Merlin, floundering around after Arthur. I apologise if it isn't any good. If you do find it amusing feel free to request me to continue and I promise to do my best. *salutes*
Disclaimer: Merlin and all characters do not belong to me, they are the puppets of the BBC.
"Gaius, Gaius, this is important! If I can't sleep then I can't perform my duties." Merlin announced, rounding one of the wooden workbenches to meet his guardian's stare. The older man snorted, his eyes twinkling in amusement.
"Oh, and I suppose the kingdom would surely fail if you didn't get enough sleep to perform important tasks like mucking out the stables." Merlin sighed. The older man just didn't understand, couldn't understand. He was not a child trying to hide from his nightmares, no, his dreams were far worse than a few monsters hiding under his bed.
"What harm could a simple tonic do? I will even collect the ingredients. I already know you've been making them for Morgana for years." It was a pitiful last attempt to change Gaius' mind but Merlin already knew it wouldn't work. The older physician was far too stubborn, no matter how much he cared for the son of his old friend.
"Life is not so simple, Merlin, not everything should be so easily solved by tonics... or even magic. Now, if you would just tell me about the nature of these dreams I'm sure I could decide the appropriate mode of action." Gaius hadn't even finished speaking when Merlin began shaking his head furiously. He would tell no one, not even his most trusted friend.
The dreams in question had begun only a couple of weeks previously. He had been standing drinking with Gwen while they celebrated the knighting of the, then, Sir Lancelot. Lancelot and Arthur had stood drinking near the centre of the room and a more handsome pair no one had ever seen. At first he had just been teasing Gwen; trying to get her to laugh. It was he who brought up the question of whether Arthur was more handsome than Lancelot.
Then the dreams had begun. At first they were normal except for the inclusion of a strange feeling of burning heat and excitement at the appearance of one or both of the men in question. But they grew worse to the point where last night he had dreamt of kissing the disbanded knight, only to be pulled away and ravished by Arthur.
"Royal prat." Merlin whispered under his breath, earning a questioning glance from Gaius. The wise physician may have asked for an explanation if they were not interrupted by the echo of footsteps running up the stairwell to the door. The knock on the door caused Merlin to glance back at his guardian nervously.
"Merlin, hurry up! I swear my father could not have found a more incompetent servant if he had the time to search all of Camelot." The blonde swore whilst stepping passed the door eagerly. Merlin bit his tongue to keep from lashing back that it was all Arthur's fault if he was tired to the point of incompetence.
"I apologise, I didn't realise you were in need of my services today." Merlin replied with as much fake sincerity as he could offer. Not that Arthur would buy it. The royal prince always required his manservant on hand, whether it was to fill up his royal wineglass or to assist in putting on his royal breeches. If nothing else Merlin's job was just to stay by his side and be miserable and, in doing so, brighten up the prince's day just a little bit.
"Right. Well I have given the rest of my guards the day off today so that we might go hunting." Merlin rolled his eyes. Arthur enjoyed hunting far too much, if precedent was anything to go by he would spend all day exploring the forests that bordered Camelot. Leaving his humble slave to trudge along after him, carrying all his gear and being growled at every time he tripped on some loose tree root or rock.
With one last pleading look to Gaius, he stood ready to follow at the heels of the prince. The day seemed already to be promising bucket loads of disaster but at least he would walk right into it bravely.