Author's Note:
Hi :)
So, here comes the next chapter (why do I always state the obvious xD?). Not much action here, little bit relaxing after that scary prophecy, but you get a bit of Arthur/Merlin and Arthur's view on magic. This chapter is a bit short too, but well... this or you would have to wait for another long time, so I decided to post ;D.
In Arthur's talk, there's one reference to something another character once said to Merlin, don't think you find it, but try if you want...
Thanks to all my wonderful reviewers, as to those who alerted or favourited! :D
Enjoy and please R&R :)
Disclaimer: Sadly, Merlin doesn't belong to me... yet... xD Lets see how much I achieve in blackmailing carreer ;D.
Chapter 2: The Prat and the Idiot
In any other world
You could tell the difference
And let it all unfurl
Into broken remnants.
Smile, like you mean it
And let yourself let go.
Any other world by Mika
Something was different this morning.
Prince Arthur Pendragon frowned at his reports, the words dancing and mingling before his eyes until they were nothing more than gibberish. Which they were anyway at least in his eyes, with all their 'my Lord' and 'Sire' and empty promises of loyalty. Just another few bootlickers, trying to ensnare and blind him with their words, to try his ability as a leader and use him.
His father never had to fight for their acceptance like this. No one would have dared to annoy him. Uther was a born leader and King, his every word and action radiating power.
That was, until Morgana's betrayal.
Arthur glared at the reports as if they were the key to his misery- which, of course, they weren't. It wasn't the fault of those arrogant nobles. Neither of him, or his father, or Camelot, the Prince told himself. Magic had corrupted Morgana turned her from a loving lady into an evil witch. His sister.
Another point, almost as hard to accept as the former.
Magic. It's all magic's fault.
And because of this, Arthur hated it with hot fury.
There had been times, in the past, when he had doubted his father's words. It was hard to believe that there could exist something purely evil. And once magic had even saved his life- that day in the cave where he had sought the Morteaus flower, when suddenly an orb of light had appeared to lead him out. Strangely, the unknown sorcerer had never come to take credit for his actions.
Maybe it was the blond witch, Morgause, trying to turn me against my father and lure me into false believes. Yes, it was her for sure.
There was still something wrong with this explanation, but Arthur ignored the uncomfortable feeling. Magic had killed his mother, taken away Morgana and nearly destroyed Camelot, killing hundreds of people in the progress. In some way it had also killed the King, leaving him as a wreck of his former self. Magic must be evil.
It had destroyed Arthur's life, forced him to become the unofficial King far too soon. He wasn't ready, and his people would suffer for this.
Arthur sighed and rubbed his bleary eyes. It wasn't even midday yet, and already he felt like falling asleep any moment. The Prince didn't sleep well since they had reclaimed Camelot- or rather, since Morgana had shown her true colours and conquered it- and the storm last night hadn't helped either. It sounded more like the world was being destroyed than a simple storm, leaving various damage all over Camelot.
Sighing again, Arthur closed his eyes and sank back into the chair, listening to the soft shuffling around him.
There it was again. Something definitely was wrong.
The Prince's eyes snapped open to stare at his servant bustling around busily.
"Merlin! What are you doing?"
Merlin stopped, a bucket with dirty water in one hand the other hidden behind his back, and gave Athur a puzzled look.
"Just like you said. I have ordered your clothes and cleaned the stables, now I'm cleaning your room, before I'll get the lunch, polish your armor, sharpen your sw-"
"I can see what you're doing!" Athur interrupted him annoyed. "I just wanted to know what you are doing."
Merlin furrowed his brows and gave his master a strangely doubting look. "What I am doing, Sire?"
Arthur nodded almost enthusiastically. "That's it!" he exclaimed, jumping up and pacing through his chambers. Merlin only frowned on, clearly not sharing the enthusiasm. "... right."
How can one put so much sarcasm in such a small word?
The Prince stopped right before Merlin and gazed at the servant, who looked way uncomfortably. "Merlin, look at me!"
Reluctantly, the boy obeyed, and Arthur almost startled as he really examined Merlin, his suspicions all confirmed.
The usually pale skin had taken a deadly white, only broken by deep black circles under his eyes and a trail of red above them, like he had cried recently. His face was thinner than ever, the bones standing out sharp and clothes dangling around the whole meager frame, as if Merlin had lost more weight overnight than others in weeks without food. But the worst were the eyes.
They reminded so much of Uther's that Arthur nearly flinched back, all life gone to leave them hollow and dead. Merlin tried his trademark grin, but without the twinkling eyes it looked lost, false.
The Prince frowned. Yesterday, Merlin had still been the cheerful idiot, thus he knew for sure. Of course, he hadn't been all that happy, but it was normal after Morgana had betrayed them and the loyal idiot had almost died from the Dorocha.
So, when exactly had Merlin changed into a walking skeleton?
A quietly walking skeleton?
A movement caught Arthur's attention and he grabbed Merlin quickly, before the boy could try to vanish unnoticed. As he gripped the thin wrist, the servant flinched back.
Arthur let go like he had burnt himself.
Merlin had actually flinched back, from him, Arthur, his goddamn friend, like he expected being hit or worse.
The Prince bit his lip, hurt, before he encouraged himself to go on. Merlin was upset, that was all. No way he really feared Arthur.
The servant seemed to have noticed his mistake too and froze, one hand unconsciously rubbing the back of his head as he stared at the floor nervously. He looked like a child expecting to be scolded, and Arthur instantly softened.
"How did you wake me this morning?"
The question came so surprising that Merlin looked up again, puzzled. When it became clear that Arthur wouldn't let him go before he received an answer, the boy reluctantly sighed and gave in.
"I opened the curtains."
"How did you do it?"
Merlin frowned. "With my hands. Arthur, I-"
"No, Merlin, what did you say when you opened them?" Arthur interrupted his attempt to get away. Merlin began to look really bewildered. "Nothing. I-"
Arthur stopped him again by clapping hard on his shoulder. "Exactly. Where was the lazy daisy? Or at least a simple 'up and about'?"
Merlin shrugged.
"So, what's the matter?"
The servant freed himself from the strong grip to glare at his master. "Arthur, that I didn't have any funny saying today doesn't mean something's wrong."
Arthur stared back disbelieving, quickly covering the feeling of triumph at Merlin's flashing eyes. "You woke me like any normal person, on time, had my breakfast ready, didn't protest when I told you about the hunting trip or when I gave you your chores for today, began to work immediately and without any half-witty comments and stayed quiet for the whole two hours. All in all, you behaved like any normal, efficient servant. You even called me 'Sire' or 'My Lord' a couple of times. So what's wrong? And don't even think about lying. I know you too well."
Merlin stared at Arthur wide-eyed for a moment, his mouth opening and closing like some stupid fish. The Prince barely bit back a remark, waiting until his servant had recovered himself enough to speak. "I'm not that bad usually."
Arthur only lifted his brows in an attempt to imitate Gaius (seriously, those brows were scary) and Merlin sighed. "Fine. But it's nothing really. I'm just a bit tired."
The Prince quickly hid his disappointment at the clear lie and instead caught his servant in a headlock, rubbing his knuckles over the dark hair. Merlin whined like a girl and tried to wind himself out, inefficiently tugging at Arthur's strong arms. Finally the Prince released him and he stumbled back, glaring at Arthur's smirk.
"What was that for?"
Arthur shrugged nonchalantly. "I was bored. Don't complain so much, Merlin. You sound like a girl."
"Prat!"
"Idiot."
"Clotpole."
"Girl's petticoat."
"Pompous, arrogant dollop head."
"Bumpkin."
"Cabbage head."
"Idiot."
"Ha! You already had that!"
Arthur pretended to thing hard, frowning. "Just suits you well."
His servant only grinned. "Admit it, you don't know any more insults, you... you snail-brain!"
The Prince only snorted. "I am your master, I know way more insults than you, if I need them. And you can't address me like that!"
Merlin lifted an eye brow, grinning cheekily. "I'm so sorry. Admit it, my Lord!"
He couldn't see the grin forming on Arthur's face in response to his own happy face, as the Prince shook his head and returned to the waiting reports. Suddenly, the day seemed to have brightened.
Arthur loved it when his plans worked out.
So, like I said, small chap... hope you still like it :D. And yeah, I had to bring that scene with "..., my Lord" in... xD. It's just too good ;).
Next chapter, you'll get a very scary birthday... Arthur's birthday... guess what? ;) Well, review and you'll see :D.
Review Responses:
Clairepenndragon: Thank you once again for your review... :D xD Well, how could I? I'm the all-mighty author... ;D
No, none of your guesses will happen in this story xD.
Was it fast enough? Hopefully, wouldn't want you to have to use death threats, now would we ;)?
I'm working hard at blackmailing, my great aim is to one day blackmail the owners of Merlin to give it to me... ;D
Moonlight Streak: Thank you for your review! :D I'm glad you like Merlin's feelings. And I'm already looking forward to the 'proper' review ;D.
asdf: Thanks you for your review :). I hope you liked this chapter as well.
Wow, this was the most anonymous reviews I ever got for a chapter... thanks all of you :D!
And please review this one as well ;). I'd be grateful for sure. *puppy-dog eyes* ^^