Ch. 2

Getting to know Each other

AN: Really Long wait for a really short chapter... Sorry!


Avelina

Merlin and I walked peacefully into the woods, and I couldn't help but inhale deeply. I'd always loved the smell of the forest; the earthy blend of different herbs and plants, each one with a different use and purpose. The aroma was so calming that I almost forgot that Merlin was with me, until he began to talk, pulling me out of my thoughts.

"So, why did you decide to settle in Camelot?" He asked. I opened my mouth to answer, but he cut me off, "You were living with merchants before, right? Gaius said that you'd trained in all the kingdoms so you must've seen everywhere,"

"Merlin!" I cut off his questioning, already being able to tell that, if I didn't, he would keep going until I did, "Which question would you like me to answer?" I asked with a giggle. My giggle turns into a full laugh when I notice his blush.

"Sorry, I'm not good around new people." Our eyes met for a moment, before we both laughed. I feel that Merlin and I could be good friends, simply because he can laugh at himself. "Arthur never lets an opportunity to remind me of this slide."

"Arthur who?" I asked, generally confused. I only know of one Arthur, although I suppose there could be more than one in Camelot.

"King Arthur." Merlin told me, before bending down to pick a sprig of comphry. The nonchalant way he said this confused me even more.

"You know King Arthur? How?"

"Avelina! Which question would you like me to answer first?" He teased, making me blush and laugh at the joke. "To answer your question, yes, I do. I'm his man-servant" His chest seemed to puff with pride at this, and I had to hold back a giggle.

"You're the Physician's assistant and the King's Man-servant? I'm very impressed." I told him. It wasn't until after I realized what I said, that I realized it could be taken as inappropriate. Merlin didn't seem to take it this way however, instead laughing at the comment.

"Don't be too impressed. I'm not a very good servant, or a very good physician."

"I'm sure that's not true. You would be out of a job if you weren't good at what you did."

"Gaius took me on when I was fifteen because my mother asked him to. I think he keeps me around because I can climb up the stairs so he doesn't have to." He barked a laugh at that, giving one of his knee-weakening smiles, making me giggle.

"Well, seeing as I've only got a job because he didn't want to walk to the lower town anymore, that's a possibility." I joked, making Merlin laugh, "So you're a shoddy physician, but you must be a good servant or the King would fire you. Surely, there are other servants who could take your place?"

"Well, I've been working for Arthur for around ten years. When I first met him, no one, including myself, wanted to work for him. I only got the job because I saved his life at a feast and it is supposedly an honor to serve the prince, no matter how big an ass he is."

"My father has met the King a few times and always speaks highly of him. He can't be that bad." I questioned, urging Merlin to continue with his story. His voice was very soothing. It's soft and clear, with just enough of a lilt to it that I can tell that he isn't originally from the city. (1)

"Well, he isn't now, but before, the term 'Spoiled Prince' didn't even begin to describe him. At first, he kept me around so he could bully me, but after a while we became friends, although he'd never admit it."

"Well, you may not be good at washing floors, but you must be good at something." I told him gently, giving him a small smile, which he returned. His face seemed to always be smiling, which made me happy.

"I think perhaps I'll agree." He told me with a secretive glint in his eyes. We spent the rest of the day searching for the herbs that I needed and that Merlin had been sent to gather, eating some of the berries we found in the woods, and just getting to know each other. I told him about traveling around with my father, wanting to settle down and start a family, and learning some of my healing from druids in Gawant. He told me about growing up in Ealdor, his life in Camelot, and some of the juicer bits of court gossip. Before we knew it, the sun was going down, and Merlin had escorted me back to my door, both of our bags bulging with fresh herbs.

"Thank you so much. I had a lovely time." I told him with a shy smile. He smiled back, which made me blush.

"Me too." We stood in silence for a moment, while he seemed to be struggling with something. "Maybe you would want to come up to the castle tomorrow for lunch?" He was blushing while he asked, but had a hopeful look on his face.

"Really?" I asked, blushing myself.

"Yeah, I'm sure I could steal something from the kitchens." He told me, which made me tilt my head in confusion, "Trust me, you do not want to eat Gaius' cooking." This made both of us laugh. "So I'll meet you in Gaius' chambers at the first bell? I have to serve Arthur his lunch." I smiled widely at him, before nodding my head.

"That sounds perfect. I can't wait." I told him, blushing the same bright ginger as my hair. He gave me a smile and my knees went a little bit weak.

"Well then, Good Night Milady." He stated with an exaggerated bow. It was just a silly parody on the courtesans we'd been teasing all day. I decided to play along with his joke and fanned my skirt out in a deep curtsy.

"And to you Milord." I giggled, before opening my door and slipping inside. I could hear his laughter from the other side and it made butterflies dance in my stomach.


Merlin

After dropping off my bag in Gaius' chambers, I sprinted across the castle to get Arthur ready for bed. I couldn't wipe the smile off of my face, despite the fact that I was late again and was sure to get a goblet to the head for it.

Luckily, when I finally arrived, Gwen was still there. She was sitting on the still made-up bed reading a book and hadn't yet gone to her own attached chambers to allow Sefa to help her change into her nightclothes yet, which meant I wasn't too late tonight, but that didn't seem to mean anything to Arthur.

"Merlin, are you unable to be on time, or were you in the tavern?"

"Sorry Sire, I was doing chores for Gaius." I told him, walking over to the wardrobe to pull out his nightshirt, trying to conceal some of my embarrassment. Gwen looked up at the mention of the court physician and gave me a puzzling look.

"Shouldn't Avelina be helping him?" She asked, placing her book in her lap. I smiled at the mention of the new healer and hoped that neither Gwen nor Arthur noticed.

"She was with me. We spent the day in the forest and I showed her where the most common herbs grow." I replied, handing Arthur his nightshirt from behind the changing screen.

"So what's she like?" Gwen asked, "I've been meaning to go down and meet her, but with everything that's going on, I just haven't had the chance." I couldn't help but blush at this, and, once again, hoped that they wouldn't notice. I won't deny that I've struck a fast friendship with Avelina. In fact, I was having feelings similar to what I hadn't felt in years; not since Freya and I spoke of mountains and wildflowers in Camelot's catacombs. However, to avoid suspicion from the two royals, I thought very closely about what I was going to say.

"She's very smart." That's a safe statement, "She's studied herb-lore in every kingdom from Din Eityn to Dumnonia(2). Honestly, she knows more about the uses of pine needles for abrasions then I could ever hope to. (3)"

"Be careful Merlin. Keep talking like that and someone could think that you're in love." Arthur joked, coming from behind the changing screen in his nightclothes. "I'd pity the poor girl who ended up with you as a husband." Gwen sent her husband a disapproving look from across the room. It was a look which said, 'Arthur is in trouble.' (Unfortunately for me, those looks are always followed closely by 'Merlin is beaten black and blue during training.')

"I don't know, I think Merlin would make a wonderful husband." Gwen defended, "He could provide for her and is well established, not to mention good looking, kind, and generous."

"Gwen, I appreciate that, but I don't have time for a wife." At this, both the king and queen looked at me expectantly as I began to edge closer to the door, "I already have Arthur to take care of, and Gods knows that that is a full-time job." I joked, before turning and sprinting out the door. Behind me I could hear Gwen's giggles and the clatter of a goblet hitting the ground.


A/N:

I know it seems like I'm rushing the beginning of their relationship, and I am kinda. How they got together is not the big story. It's an AU of season five, so we have to hurry up to get to season five.

(1)If you listen to Colin when he acts, he does a great English accent, but every once and a while, his Irish accent comes through. I decided that this is just because he's technically not from Camelot, so why would he have the same accent as everyone there?

(2) Din Eityn: About as far north in Britain as one could go in 550, which is when Arthur ruled Anglia. Dumnonia: About as far South in Britain as one could go in 550, which is when Arthur ruled Anglia. Link on Profile.

(3) Just like Merlin, I have no clue if pine needles were ever used for abrasions. It sounds good though.