Only a Shirt

Characters: Merlin, Arthur, Gwen

It had started off on a moment of pique when Merlin had accidentally ruined Arthur's favourite shirt. Arthur had formed a mad attachment to the garment that could only be described by some as, well just "weird". Merlin himself certainly thought so, but knew now was probably not the moment to try that particular opinion out on his master.

As he took the shirt out and looked at it for the hundredth time, he realised that it was not about to change back to its normal red colour. He let it slowly disappear down into the water, and cursed out loud. He was so wrapped up in what excuse he could come up with, that he jumped out of his skin when he heard Gwen's voice behind him.

"Merlin?" she said curious at what was causing him so much annoyance.

Realising that he couldn't hide it he slowly showed her Arthur's favourite shirt red no longer, instead a fetching pink colour.

"Oh!" she replied a little smile planting on her face.

"This is his favourite shirt Gwen, I'm going to be in big trouble here." Merlin mused.

"I should say so." Gwen agreed nodding her head.

Merlin stared at her, not quite sure how to take her comment.

"I have to say he had a rather strange attachment to this garment." Gwen continued. "In fact when I was coming to bed one night he was actually stroking it as he lay there."

Merlin looked at her in horror. "Gwen, I think that is too much information if you don't mind!"

"Oh yes. Sorry." Gwen twittered enjoying the uncomfortable look on Merlin's face. Merlin was well known for his prudish manner, which explained why so many of his friends would tease him from time to time.

"What am I going to do?" Merlin asked her desperate.

"Don't worry I will speak to him. I am sure we'll sort things out." Gwen smiled patting him on the arm.

"Would you?" Merlin asked for the first time relief flooding through him.

"Leave it for about an hour." Gwen suggested. "I'm sure it will be fine then."

Merlin nodded watching her leave the room. As he waited for the time to go, not for the first time he wondered why on earth he was so dreading this. Here he was Merlin the mighty magician and he was afraid of speaking to Arthur as he'd ruined his shirt! He looked at himself in the mirror, and attempted to man himself up. "Come on Merlin pull yourself together what's he going to do to you anyway?" he thought out loud.

He thought about all the power he had in his finger tips, it was crazy the problems he got himself into sometimes. He tried to keep himself busy doing other things, by the time he'd had a quick chat with Gaius he finally decided he needed to get his explanation over with Arthur.

He walked towards the King's Chambers, noticing that all was quiet. He gave a tentative knock on the door.

"Hello?" he called trying to sound as breezy as he could.

"Well hello Merlin." Arthur replied a look on his face that Merlin found hard to read.

"I hope you are all right sire." Merlin said attempting an awkward smile. "Is there anything I can do for you?"

"You know Merlin anyone would think you'd done something wrong, I don't think I have ever known you be so polite and respectful to me."

"I assure you I am always respectful to you." Merlin said picking things up and making sure he kept on the opposite side of the room.

"Ah I see. So this is nothing to do with the fact that you have ruined my favourite shirt then?" Arthur asked raising an eyebrow.

"Oh about that." Merlin began wondering where all the words had gone that he'd previously rehearsed in his mind.

"Yes about that, you good for nothing, useless, total waste of space." Arthur replied a horrible smile on his face.

"Er I thought you said you'd have a word with him." Merlin said looking at Gwen.

"Believe me Merlin he is a lot calmer now, he wanted to roast your nuts before!" Gwen said, leaving the room.

"Gwen!" Merlin said horrified.

As Gwen left Merlin couldn't help but notice Arthur having to turn his face around very quickly, he suspected that in actual fact he probably had calmed down a fair bit. But he still felt Arthur would think about some loathsome job for Merlin to do for his error.

"Yes indeed in fact I was thinking about all sorts of punishments for you." Arthur grinned. "Then suddenly it all came to me."

"What?" Merlin asked trying to remain calm and cheerful despite his predicament.

"What is the one thing that Merlin enjoys about all else?" Arthur asked the terrible smile back on his face.

"I have a horrible feeling you are going to remind me." Merlin smiled awkwardly.

"George!" Arthur called.

Merlin stared at Arthur in horrified silence, his face begging Arthur to not put him through this, anything but this.

"George here is going to give you a lesson in the fine arts of washing clothes. You will shadow him for the next few days until you have learnt not to ruin my clothing!"

"It was only a shirt!" Merlin pointed out.

"No Merlin it was not only a shirt, it was my favourite shirt."

"Yes of course." Merlin nodded realising he would just have to take the punishment.

Arthur nodded at George a big grin on his face.

"Come on now Merlin we have wasted enough of the day already." George prompted speeding out of the room like a jackal.

Merlin stopped by the door, looking at his King searchingly.

"Never mind Merlin." Arthur grinned. "At least you won't have to pick up my stuff like you usually do."

"I never thought I'd say this, but right now that would be so much more pleasurable." Merlin moaned.

Arthur merely smiled as the door closed behind Merlin, and still the King could hear George's voice echo around the walls of the corridor. For a second he almost pitied his friend, but then he remembered what had happened.

"Turning it pink!" he raged. "I should have turned Merlin pink!"