Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin.

This fic contains missing scenes from my story Trust and Love and I would recommend to read it before (at least to the specific chapter). I will publish unbetaed chapters and then replace them with beta read ones.

I hope it satisfies those wanting details :)

Enjoy!

To have a servant Part 1

This takes place just after chapter 11 of Trust and Love.

Merlin really enjoyed the feast but made sure not to drink too much, not wanting to lose control over his magic. He especially bewared everything Gwaine moved his way, knowing very well the rogue knight had made it his goal to see the warlock drunk.

The new First Advisor was a little apprehensive about other servants, whether they wouldn't feel betrayed or hold a grudge against him. Fears however were dispelled when the servants smiled at him whenever they got close to fill someone's goblet or clear the dishes.

Merlin excused himself quite early, but only when most of the attendants were already intoxicated and wouldn't get offended by the leave of the guest of honour. At first he had headed to the where he had slept for years before coming to a stop. The warlock remembered he now lived somewhere else when he was about to enter the Physician Chambers and proceeded to the right rooms.

The next day Merlin woke up with the sun already high. and panicked thinking that Arthur would surely put him in the stocks for it, but then looked around and noticed where he was. The warlock exhaled and proceeded to dress himself up in his new chambers.

He and the king argued about the advisor's wardrobe, working out a compromise: for casual duties Merlin would wear subdued colours and loose-fitting style of peasant's clothing, but made of finer material and with minimalistic ornaments, however for the more formal occasions he had to use truly adequate robes for his station.

After dressing up, Merlin wanted to go down to the kitchens for breakfast, but someone had already brought it to his room. Thanking whoever had done it, the warlock marvelled at the delicious food, which was far above what he was used to.

It was still morning and Merlin wondered what he should do with his time. Finally, he decided to go and check on Ninianne, get a hangover tonic from Gaius, irritate Arthur for a bit and see what the prat thought to be the most urgent matter for the warlock to attend to.

Neither Gaius nor the Druid girl were in the Physician's Chambers, so Merlin prepared the tonic himself and went straight to Arthur's room. Carefully opening the door, Merlin noticed that the king was still sound asleep, George letting his master sleep in after the feast, while Gwen was already up and out. The warlock smirked and silently crept up to the widow, and with one quick move he yanked the curtains wide open and exclaimed.

"RISE AND SHINE!"

This time the only reaction was Arthur's groan and a pillow pulled over his head. Merlin knew the king had drunk much more than his advisor yesterday and didn't even have it in him to throw anything at his former servant.

"Go away!" Arthur mumbled.

Merlin shrugged even though the king couldn't see him. "Then I guess you don't want Gaius's hangover remedy," he suggested mischievously.

The statement abruptly raised Arthur, who even quicker lied down again and covered his head at the increase of light. He held out his hand and waved it a little indicating that the king wanted the tonic handled to him.

Merlin pretended not to understand, until Arthur got up, this time much slower and demanded. "Just give me this damn tonic!"

"As you wish!" the warlock answered more cheerfully and loudly than usual while obeying.

The king quickly drunk the remedy and sighed when he felt the difference after barely a minute.

"Much better." Then he looked properly at his advisor. "How can you be so cheerful?"

Merlin shrugged. "I didn't drink as much as you did." Then he proceeded to help dress his friend, despite it not being his job anymore. George entered with breakfast tray in the exact moment the warlock finished.

"My Lords," he greeted politely, bowed and put the tray on the table. "Should I bring one for Lord Merlin too?" George asked. If the servant was sore about his former peer's promotion, he didn't show it.

Merlin groaned and answered. "No, thank you. But I have one request." George straightened ready to help. "Stop calling me 'my Lord'. My name is Merlin and you know it very well."

The servant looked shocked but he quickly composed himself. "That would have been unseemly, my Lord."

The warlock rolled his eyes while the king snickered. Merlin glared at him. "I came to talk to you but it seems I have chosen the wrong moment. You can find me later." With this he stormed out of the chambers.

Merlin wasn't looking where he was going and bumped into a young maid, Claire, making her drop the laundry bin.

"I'm sorry, my Lord. Please forgive me my clumsiness." She apologized and quickly started to pick up the clothes. Merlin sighed, kneeled and helped her. Claire looked at him questioningly.

"I'm the same Merlin I was yesterday." He smiled and gave her the last piece of clothing. "And it's me that should apologize. I wasn't looking where I was going. As usual." The admission got a shy smile from the servant. "You helped me very much when I first got here. I think that the least you deserve is to call me by name. Don't you agree?"

The smile truly appeared on Claire's face when she answered. "I agree... Merlin."

When they went separate ways, Merlin was smiling like a fool, glad that not everything had changed.

Gwen as usual woke up before her husband and quietly walked to her chambers. Her maidservant Sefa was already waiting for her.

"Good morning, Gwen," she said. After some initial resistance the queen managed to persuade the girl to use her name not title.

While Sefa was helping Gwen to dress, the latter asked. "Tell me, who did Lord Barris assign to Merlin?"

The maid looked abashed. "What is it?" asked the queen.

"He didn't assign anybody," Sefa answered shyly.

"What?!" exclaimed Gwen, making the other girl flinch.

"My Lady, please calm down." The maid used title only in public and when stressed out.

The queen breathed in and out. She ate, not wanting to waste anything and then went straight to Lord Barris's office.

When Gwen barged into the Head of Castle Servant's room, Lord Barris got up and greeted her with evident reluctance.

"My Lady," it seemed as if it was said through clenched teeth. "What can I do to you?"

"Who did you assign to Lord Merlin?" she asked.

"Lord Merlin?" Barris was apparently on a mission to test Gwen's patience.

"Yes, Lord Merlin, who was appointed my husband's First Advisor."

"Ah, this Lord Merlin," he seemed as if he remembered something. "I must have forgotten to assign someone to him after the excitement of the proclamation and the feast. Please forgive me."

Lord Barris didn't seem to be repentant in the least, but the queen decided to let it slide. "I expect you to rectify your mistake soon, because lack of a servant is an offence towards First Advisor and neither me, nor my husband will take it lightly. Is that understood?" Gwen asked looking at him sternly.

"Of course, my Lady," he didn't even pretend obedience but she knew her order would be followed.

"Good," and with that Gwen left the room.

Barris was furious. He, a son of long standing noble family, was forced to listen to some peasant born wench. The ideas of the new king were absurd, during the reign of Uther never anything like this would have taken place. Knighting and marrying commoners, and now making one a Magic Advisor. This kingdom was going to the dogs.

There was a knock on the door and Barris snapped. "Enter!"

"Forgive the intrusion, my Lord," it was Errick, Barris's servant. "but this boy," he motioned to a lad about eighteen years old dressed like a peasant "was adamant to talk to you."

Barris looked him up and down, already formulating a low opinion about the peasant.

"What do you want?" he asked.

"I want to work, my Lord" the boy answered.

"Take him away to the kitchens and don't waste my time." Barris waved his hand irritated.

"No, no, no," the peasant was resisting Erricks attempts "I want to work for Lord Merlin!"

"Wait," interest of the Head of Castle Servants piqued. "You say you want to work for Lord Merlin?" the boy eagerly nodded. "Do you have any experience working as a servant." He shook his head sadly. Good thought Barris but loudly said "Never mind, I'm sure Lord Merlin will be understanding. You will be his manservant and are to turn up in his room tomorrow at dawn. Now go."

"Thank you, thank you, my Lord!" the lad couldn't contain his excitement. Lord Barris only smirked. Merlin, as First Advisor, should have had one of the best servants, just after the royals', but in Barris's opinion he didn't deserve any, so even totally inexperienced one was too good for him.

After waking up Arthur, Merlin went back to the Physician's Quarters, this time finding both Ninianne and Gaius there.

"Merlin!" the Druid smiled seeing him but continued to rearrange bottles with some ingredients.

"Hello Ninianne, hello Gaius. Can I help you?" he inquired the girl.

"It's nice of you to ask, but I got it," she answered with even wider smile.

Gaius cleared his throat. "I'm glad to see you didn't forget an old man," the last part was accompanied with a pointed look towards Ninianne. "But what brings you here?"

Merlin looked offended. "So I can't even visit my mentor without a reason?" Gaius raised his eyebrow. "Fine! I wanted to see how you were doing."

"By 'you' you mean Ninianne, right?" The physician relented seeing his ward embarrassment. "It is as well as expected. I took Ninianne to do my rounds both to learn and make people accustomed to her." The warlock's expression urged him to continue. "Some were happy, some angry, but most reacted with different degrees of wariness. Thankfully it went without accidents."

"How can I help?" Merlin asked looking from one to another.

"You could be seen with her. Perhaps you can spend an afternoon together?" The warlock blushed making his mentor laugh. The Druid was red as well.

Merlin came closer to Ninianne and asked. "What do you think? Would you like to spend an afternoon with me?"

Her cheeks became even more redder when she answered. "With pleasure." Merlin held out his arm, which she took with a smile and they proceeded out of the chambers.

They spent wonderful time together walking through the market in the Lower Town. Merlin wanted to buy something for Ninianne, who tried to protest but he was adamant. They stopped by the stall of a middle-aged woman named Wera who specialized in woman ornaments, mainly in beautifully decorated scarfs, shawls and headscarfs. Merlin knew her quite well from his visits, firstly with Gwen for her former mistress, and then ordered by Arthur to find something for his wife.

Seeing the things displayed on the stall, Ninianne gasped.

"Some shawl for a lovely lady, my Lord?" asked Wera turning to Merlin. If she was uncomfortable with the Druid, she didn't show it under her professionalism.

The warlock sighed. "Wera, I'm the same Merlin and you have always called me by name. You don't have to stop now."

The vendor smiled and complied. "All right. But the question stays the same: some shawl for a lovely lady, Merlin?" The advisor laughed and then helped Ninianne find a suitable piece of clothing. Finally, they have chose a green one with gold design depicting leaves. It reminded the Druid of forest and her home.

They got back to the castle in the evening. Merlin walked Ninianne to the Physician's Quarters and then proceeded to his rooms and bed.

It's the longest chapter I have ever written. How do you like it?