"Hey Merlin," the knight interrupted their giggles. "Do you realise what else this means?"
"You aren't actually a commoner knight?"
"No, you're related to Arthur." Merlin's wide eyes said it all.
Two months later.
Merlin was standing next to Arthur as they greeted the ambassador of a foreign Dukedom who was pledging allegiance to Arthur and Camelot. They had greeted him and his party formally on the front steps, but after they were given a short amount of time to clean up, they reconvened in the great hall for a formal presentation of gifts. Arthur and Merlin both agreed that it seemed frivolous to wear all their formal wear just to accept a few gifts of goodwill in a ceremony that took only twenty minutes tops. Gwen thought it was wonderful; which is why Merlin did not include her in the telepathic conversation between himself and Arthur.
As a servant, Arthur relied on Merlin making faces or brief whispered jokes when he needed more wine to keep him awake. With Merlin next to him now, they had settled into a habit of speaking telepathically.
If his nose got any bigger, I think he might fall over when he bows to you.
Maybe, but have you noticed that young squire near the back? He hasn't taken his eyes off of you, Merlin.
Oh that's Peter, he grew up as a Druid. I asked him to meet with me tomorrow morning.
He's looking at you like he wants to worship the ground you walk on. You're going to find him sleeping outside your door tonight.
Oh no. After last time I set up wards to stop that. If you stand outside my door for too long you will suddenly find yourself on the top of the South tower.
Arthur was about to scold him when he noticed the ambassador had now approached with the gifts.
"Your majesty," he said with a deep bow before beckoning a servant forward with a large crate to set on the small table before him. He pulled out an elaborate goblet and held it forward. "I present you with a goblet made from the finest silver and embellished with Jade imported all the way from the the Asias."
"Thank you." Arthur nodded and motioned a page forward to accept the cup. He pulled out a colourful swath of fabric next.
"Also from the Far East, a scarf of the finest silk and woven with the story of Lin and Chang, the star crossed lovers of the Yellow River." Gwen stepped forward and accepted the scarf before passing it off to her maid. Lastly he pulled a small wooden box out and extended it towards Merlin.
Ooh, you get a gift too, Arthur teased.
"On behalf of my lord and the magic users in our lands, I present to you a deck of fortune cards to enhance your third eye."
Goddess save me, Merlin muttered as he stepped forward to accept the box. "Thank you." He slipped it in his pocket. The ambassador said his farewells and Arthur dismissed the room. He left the room through the back door with Merlin at his side.
"What am I going to do with all of these goblets?" Arthur complained as soon as they left the room.
"Maybe they caught wind of my plan to start incinerating all future goblets you throw at my head."
"Maybe their court sorcerer saw that in the cards." Merlin let loose a bark of laughter.
"I can hardly sense the magic in these cards." He tossed the box of cards in the air a few times as they walked back to Arthur's chambers. "These will just get thrown up on a shelf to collect dust."
"You're not going to use them to see if there will be rain next week when we go on our hunting trip?"
"I doubt they would tell me anything as specific as that," Merlin scoffed and pushed open the door. "Besides, you would ignore me and we'll be hunting no matter what the weather." Arthur laughed.
"Wait." He stopped laughing suddenly and narrowed his eyes. "I didn't know your official robes had pockets."
"They don't."
"Then where did you pull the box of cards from?"
"I don't know what you mean." Merlin turned away as he habitually began to tidy up the room. "I had it in my hand."
"No you did not. You pushed open my door with both hands." Arthur lunged towards Merlin. "Did you add pockets to your robes?"
Merlin twisted out of the way. "No I did not!"
"You better not be lying to me. You promised!" Arthur threatened as he chased his friend.
"That's a low blow!" Merlin leapt over the bed to avoid Arthur.
"Not if it's true!" he shot back. Unfortunately for Merlin, he had now been backed into the corner. Arthur took his chance and lunged for Merlin's cloak to pull him closer.
Only his hands met nothing but air and he toppled forwards onto the ground. From the floor, he reached again for Merlin's clothes but his hand passed through with a slight shimmer. The warlock stood there with a sheepish look on his face. After a moment he dropped the illusion and stood above his friend in his comfortable trousers, his neckerchief, and his worn jacket into which he slowly slid the box of cards. He watched Arthur's face contort with anger and took that as a sign to run. He had only made it to the door when he heard Arthur bellow behind him.
"That's not fair!" And so giggling, Merlin ran to his tower and locked the door behind him. He didn't leave until tomorrow evening.
AN: I shall be updating this every Sunday. The way I see it, it is a good compromise between not making you wait too long and me wanting to give you this whole story to enjoy. Cheers.
