"So let me get this straight. You lost a bet with Leon so you now have to do all of Merlin's chores. Is that right?" Arthur asked as he stared down Gwaine who for once seemed to be wearing a no nonsense expression on his face.

"For two weeks, that is correct." Gwaine said looking eager for this conversation to end.

"Okay completely disregarding the fact that this is the stupidest thing you have done since being knighted, and that's saying a lot since the stables incident. I have to point out you have no idea how to do Merlin's job." Arthur said wondering how he could spin this to his advantage.

"Exactly what I was thinking," Gwaine said hoping he could get out of this, "So if you would just explain it to Leon that I can't do this then..."

"Oh no, you're not getting away with that." Arthur said interrupting Gwaine's attempt to get out of his loss. "I meant that much of what Merlin does for me is essential and took a long time for me to trust him with where as you I only trust as far as Merlin could throw you with completion of those duties. But I can let you do his more straightforward tasks." Arthur said wondering how he could make this both most suitable to him and miserable to Gwaine.

"Well, if you feel I can only do some of his tasks the next two weeks, that makes complete sense to me." Gwaine replied happy only to have to do half the work.

"Though two weeks of doing only of a fraction of the work seems unfair to the contract you made with Leon so I'm going to extend this two week period to three. Also since the bet simply said chores of Merlin's that will also include helping Gaius. Plus of course you will have to keep up with all that is required of you as a knight." Arthur said as he watched Gwaine get crushed. 'It will probably do some good to his attitude anyway' Arthur thought.

"But, Sire," Gwaine desperately hung on to the hope Arthur was joking.

"No. You made this bet and lost no matter the circumstances of the bet, which I assume alcohol was a factor. So since you cannot fulfill it completely I hope this will satisfy Leon, but I will talk to him about it and I'm sure he will agree it is for the best." Arthur said fully aware this was torturing Gwaine.

"Yes, Sire," Gwaine said automatically, feeling completely defeated.

"Good in the meantime since it starts now, you can do my laundry, straighten up my room, and then polish my armor, sharpen my sword….." Arthur listed the first chores that came to mind that he felt Gwaine could start with; he'd have a list a mile long by the end of the day just for fun.

Gwaine sighed to himself as Arthur carried on it would be a long three weeks.

He was never inviting Leon to the tavern again.


I might continue this story later but for now I figured it would go well as a one shot.