Where was Merlin?
Arthur stood looking out of the window in his room, one foot resting lightly on the sill and his hand cupping his handsome chin. This was the third time that week that Merlin had failed to turn up to work on time. If he wasn't so effective at doing his jobs (not that Arthur would tell him that), then he would have been long gone. But this constant habit of never turning up on time was really starting to irritate Arthur. He didn't like to admit it to himself, but there was something about Merlin that Arthur couldn't quite figure out. It was like he was hiding something, something big and Arthur felt quite put out by it. Being the crown prince of Camelot, Arthur was used to everyone practically falling over themselves to help him out or tell him something when he asked. Yet with Merlin, it was different.
After waiting another ten minutes for Merlin to turn up, Arthur decided to go and look for his manservant…again. Although 'look' wasn't quite the right way of putting it, for he knew exactly where he would find the dark haired, blue eyed boy. It was more like going to fetch him, giving Arthur the perfect opportunity to annoy him again. With the constant rows between either himself and Morgana or his father, Arthur found winding Merlin up to be a good way to release his pent up frustration. That and the expression on Merlin's face was priceless…
Pounding on Gaius's door with a clenched fist, Arthur heard the crash of something falling before the slow, heavy footsteps of the ageing physician. The door creaked open and Gaius's face appeared in the gap.
"Tell Merlin that he's late again. His jobs are not going to do themselves and I haven't the time to go chasing after servants for the rest of my life." Arthur told him. This wasn't technically true and if he was honest, Arthur didn't mind chasing after Merlin. He hadn't many true friends and although they were always sniping at each other, Arthur knew that a bond stronger than anything before was beginning to be formed. It was just a shame that it wasn't there yet.
Gaius opened the door wider, a clear invitation to the prince to come in. Arthur stepped through the doorway and saw a shattered phial on the floor. That explained the crashing sound. What it didn't explain is why it was dropped in the first place, Gaius was usually so careful with any and all of his belongings. In fact, in the whole of the time Arthur had known Gaius, he couldn't recall seeing him drop anything. Unless, of course it wasn't him who had dropped it. There was someone else living in these chambers, someone whom was slightlymore accidental.
As if Arthur's thoughts had flown out of his head and up the stairs to that certain somebody's room, Merlin came charging out, down the stairs two at a time, slipping on the bottom step and almost falling over himself. He was still pulling on his beaten brown jacket as he ran but when he saw that Arthur had come in, stopped dead.
"Arthur," he said, as if surprised to see the prince, "I'm on my way, honest!"
Arthur raised his eyebrows in his classical way, seeing straight through Merlin. Merlin felt the look and glanced away, not looking the other boy in the eye. Turning on his heel, Arthur walked out of the physician's chambers, only nodding to Gaius as he passed and called over his shoulder to Merlin.
"Tell Gaius that my father wants to see him."
Merlin opened his mouth in confusion. Surely there was no need to repeat something that Gaius had obviously heard himself. Before he could say anything, however, Gaius nodded at him and rolled his eyes towards the doorway, a clear indication that he shouldn't keep Arthur waiting any longer.
The prince was halfway down the corridor by the time Merlin caught up with him. Without saying a word, Arthur led the way back to his chambers. By staying slightly ahead of Merlin, he was able to hide the smile that played across his mouth when he thought about how his servant was going to react when he saw what was in store.
Pushing the door open with one hand, Arthur entered his room and once again took up position by the window, only this time facing the door so he could see Merlin's face. It was definitely worth it.
Merlin looked around the room in horror. All of the draws and cupboards had been emptied and their contents strewn across the floor. At first, Merlin wondered what on earth could have happened to create such a mess. Then he saw the prince's face and the slightly sadistic grin spreading from ear to ear. Typical. Just because he was late again doesn't mean that he had to go to this extent to prove his point.
"Prat." Merlin muttered under his breath, not quite loud enough for Arthur to hear what he said. He crossed the threshold into the room and looked at the prince expectantly. He thought he knew what was coming next and Arthur didn't make him wait long.
"Get it done, Merlin. And I want it done quickly, within the hour. I need some sword practice and I'm free in one hour. Meet me in the training field then." Arthur crossed his room and went to leave but as he reached the door, he turned back and said, "And whatever you do, don't be late." With that, Arthur left the room, shutting the door behind him and then set off, knowing that his father was waiting to discuss the matter of the knights with him.
Merlin waited until he heard Arthur's footsteps die away and turned back to face the mess. He smiled softly as he regarded the room, thinking about the state of his own. Double-checking that no one was coming; Merlin took a deep breath and in a second his eyes turned golden. All of the clothes and odds and ends that were littered across the floor rose into the air gracefully and began to put themselves neatly away in the correct cupboards. After only five minutes, Merlin was done and the room far neater than he had ever seen it before. Crossing the room to shut a stray cupboard door, Merlin took up Arthur's previous position by the window, glancing out just in time to see Gwen hurrying across the damp courtyard (it had been raining a little), her red cloak streamed behind her, making it look like she was almost flying. Merlin stood watching her, glad that he had found at least one friend here in Camelot. As she disappeared through the castle doors, another figure was also seen to be leaving. Walking quickly, and with a confidence that Merlin could only marvel at, Arthur crossed the courtyard to join his father on the far side.
Unaware that he had an audience; Arthur bent his head at the cold wind that seemed to be surrounding Camelot. He was anxious about the upcoming meeting. His conversations with his father always seemed to end in some sort of argument – especially the last one. Merlin's interruption at the court during the trouble with Valiant had lead to a massive row. Arthur wasn't quite sure why he was so quick to defend his servant, yet the fact that Merlin had been telling the truth all along made him feel strangely protective. There really was something about him that Arthur couldn't quite put his finger on.
Gathering his nerves, the young prince approached his father. He may be the best swordsman in all of Camelot and fearless in battle but somehow, in the presence of the king, Arthur just felt like a small child again.
Luckily for Arthur, the conversation went like clockwork. For example; who was going to be knighted confirmed and a time and date set. That was it, no heated discussions about why he re-hired Merlin, no arguments about lone trips into the forest. Relieved, Arthur set off to the training field, knowing that he was going to be early, naturally meaning that Merlin was going to be late. Arthur was fully aware that the mess he had created in his room was going slightly over the top and then adding sword training on top of it – he was lucky not to have Merlin quit on himthis time. Yet he knew that he wouldn't be able to apologise to Merlin and within minutes he would find something else to have a go at him about.
Arthur reached his normal corner of the field and went to get comfortable, knowing that he was at least half an hour early and that Merlin was probably going to be half an hour late. To his utmost surprises, however, he found Merlin ready and waiting. Or at least as ready as Merlin could ever look with a sword in his hand…
"How…how are you here already? I thought I told you that I wanted my room cleaned thoroughly?" Arthur couldn't believe his eyes and refused to admit that this was Merlin standing in front of him.
"It's done." Merlin replied, inwardly grinning to himself when he saw the prince's obvious confusion. It was nice to know that he could still make Arthur feel uncomfortable; it meant that Arthur didn't hold all of the strings just yet.
Arthur really didn't know what to say. He found it difficult to believe that Merlin had managed to get the whole room tidy already. But thought that he knew Merlin well enough to be sure that his servant wasn't lying to him.
Trying not to let Merlin see his confusion, Arthur simply shrugged and drew his sword from where it was hanging at his belt. Merlin's face fell when he saw the sword but he was wise enough not to say anything to the eager prince. It would only make matters worse.
Arthur beckoned him forward and the duelling began.
Then stopped.
With one movement, Arthur had disarmed Merlin and sent his rusty old sword flying halfway across the training ground. Merlin's face burned, as he fetched his sword but his bit his tongue, not wanting to provoke Arthur into teasing him.
The pair started up again and within minutes, had stopped. The pattern continued like this for almost half an hour, with the duel only lasting minutes at the most before Arthur spectacularly beat Merlin time after time, emerging victorious from all fights.
Getting frustrated by the fact that this wasn't helping him train at all, Arthur called the practice to a stop early, knowing that he was going to say something that he would regret. He went to turn away from Merlin when the sound of sarcastic clapping sounded. The noise came from directly behind Merlin and thinking that he was making fun, Arthur spun back angrily. His servant should have known not to push his luck that far.
Standing directly behind Merlin, Morgana had watched the whole practice, a mocking smile on her face.
"And so the greatest swordsman beats an inexperienced servant. Wow, how do you do it, Arthur?" Her sarcastic tone was too much for Arthur to take and he stalked away, allowing Merlin to remain behind for a few moments.
Merlin smiled shyly at the beautiful woman behind him, thankful that she had managed to send Arthur on his way (not to mention away from him.) Past experience had taught him that it was best to wait a couple of hours before returning to the prince, his temper was a challenge for even Merlin's best magic.
"Thank you." He said simply, not quite knowing how to address the fiery young woman. She was the one person in Camelot that he didn't know how to act around. With Arthur, it was defensive, Gaius, open, and with Gwen it was almost like being himself, just without the magic bits. But with the king's ward, it was a different matter entirely. She had always been kind to him but Merlin suspected that Gwen might be the reason behind that. And she was also brave enough to defy the King and annoy Arthur (oh, the joy of observing that). There was also something about her that made him feel like she would understand his secret. Yet that particular feeling wasn't strong enough for him to test it.
Morgana waved away his thanks, saying, "Arthur knew full well that he wouldn't get any proper practice. I don't know why he makes you go through it all the time."
Merlin wasn't quite sure whether he should feel pleased by this or not. Before he could think of an answer, however, a voice sounded from across the field.
"Merlin!" It said angrily, "Will you please hurry up?"
Merlin couldn't believe his 'luck' – Arthur wanted him again. Smiling apologetically at Morgana, he hurried away, wondering how much worse this day could get.
Luckily, the rest of the day went remarkably uneventful considering the dreadful morning. By the time Merlin had helped Arthur dress for a feast and got all of his jobs done, it was time to return to Gaius.
Pushing the door open to the physician's chambers, Merlin could just make out Gaius standing on the uppermost shelf on his bookcase, wobbling precariously as he reached for a book that was just beyond his reach. His position bought a smile to Merlin's face; it was almost identical to their first meeting. In fact, it was almost too similar to be comfortable with and as Gaius wobbled worryingly whilst still stretching over, Merlin went into automatic sorcerer mode. Eyes flashing golden, he steadied Gaius, moved the ladder directly under him and made the book he had been stretching for soar into his hand, all within a matter of seconds.
"Wha-"Gaius couldn't believe that he was holding the book he had been desperately trying to reach all of a sudden. Then he heard the sound of Merlin chuckling at his confusion and knew exactly what the young sorcerer had done.
"Merlin!" he cried, "Are you always going to use your magic in broad daylight? You haven't even shut the door!"
Merlin gaped at Gaius like a stunned goldfish. It didn't matter that he had probably just saved his life. No, what mattered was the fact that he had used magic to do it!
Before he could say anything, Gaius had climbed down from the ladder, book in hand, and said, just loud enough for Merlin to hear that he spoke at all, "Thank you".
Smiling once again, Merlin closed the door behind him and headed up the stairs to his room. He only just had enough time to comprehend the state of it when Gaius walked in behind him and stopped in shock. Merlin had thought that Arthur was being his normal arrogant self by messing up his own room just for Merlin to tidy it, but seeing his own room, Merlin felt a sense of disbelief. He knew that his room had been messy but hadn't realised quite how much.
Gaius gazed around the room with unbelieving eyes, and then set his gaze upon the ashamed sorcerer. Raising his eyebrows at Merlin, he said, "I came to tell you that supper was ready. But it looks like you have things to do before that. Let me know when you're ready."
As Gaius left, Merlin realised that he had been telling him to tidy his room. For any normal person, this would have been annoying but Merlin was certainly no ordinary person. The fact that Gaius had been acting as a father figure gave Merlin a most satisfactory feeling of belonging. When he was with the ageing physician he didn't have to hide who, or what, he was – something he had wanted to do since before he could remember.
It was because he didn't have to hide who he was that meant that a few moments later, Merlin walked out of his amazingly tidy room and joined Gaius for supper. Gaius chose to ignore this use of magic for once, using his amazing ability of sensing the young warlock's mood and knowing that he had had a tough enough day. Merlin was still trying to adjust to the responsibility of being a servant to a prince, and an arrogant one at that. Watching Merlin eat, Gaius sighed; another day in Camelot gone.
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