Thanks to everyone who reviewed, reviews right now or will review in the future! You all rock my socks! :D
I've always wanted to write this! Let's see how I do :) Since 4x06 I felt we needed George's part of the tale.
SPOILERS from season 4 episode 6, a Servant with Two Masters through this whole chapter! :D
Rejection.
I'd always wanted to be an exemplary servant, even since my father and mother were commemorated by their respective masters by their skill and tactic. That's why, when Lady Guinevere strode purposely towards me one fine morning and told me I was to be King Arthur's manservant, I nodded politely and said, "It will be a high honor, My Lady."
And I could barely contain my enthusiasm. There was no highest honor in the extension of the five kingdoms than to serve King Arthur. All my life I'd striven for exceptionality in my service and now it looked like if my effort and sweat was bearing its fruits.
"I've known you for years, George." said Lady Guinevere. "That's why I know you'll do a fine job and that I can trust you with this. I'm afraid Arthur won't be happy to see a new manservant. He won't be happy at all."
"Is that so, My Lady?" I asked while I watched her frown. "Why?"
Lady Guinevere's face darkened a bit. "Is Merlin. You do know who he is, don't you George?"
And with those words my mind was jumbled up with images of a lanky lad with a mop of dark hair and bright eyes that had asked me, once or twice, how my day was going as we crossed paths. I knew he was the prince's and later King's manservant and more than once I'd been tempted to ask him how he did it but I'd never really had the opportunity. Besides, from the few glimpses I'd caught as I went through the castle doing my duties and some other rumors, I knew that this lad was more than a world of trouble. He was known for answering back and making witty remarks, even calling the King names. Just thinking about it had me shuddering inwardly and since from what I'd seen of Merlin he was a good man, I blamed it all on the poor lad's lack of experience with nobility.
It wasn't surprising, then, that King Arthur had sacked him. He needed a competent manservant now that he was King.
"He's been sacked, then?" I asked.
Lady Guinevere looked at me with something less than horror in her eyes and then amusement, as if I had said a joke.
"Sacked him?" she repeated in disbelief. "Oh, George. Sometimes I do wonder if you live for something more than your job. Arthur would not sack Merlin for half his kingdom, not that he'd ever admit it. Merlin is his friend."
I stared at her.
"Yes, George. Friends." repeated Lady Guinevere firmly. "It is not that unusual. And I cannot believe you haven't noticed!"
"How can that be?" I wondered out loud. "He's so disrespectful…"
Lady Guinevere regarded me with a sad smile. "You shouldn't think that. They would die for each other... I've seen it with my own eyes."
"Then what…?"
"Happened? They were ambushed yesterday. And from what Sir Leon told me…Merlin got hit."
Her eyes closed and her mouth formed a line. From my little experience with women I knew this was not good. I nervously shifted as I interlaced both hands behind my back.
"He got hit…" Lady Guinevere said tearfully. "And they've already looked everywhere but there's no sign of him. I hope he's alright, wherever he is, but… Arthur's not taking it well."
I waited for her to continue. I knew well that silence is always the key to information.
And that she did, after another moment of silence. "He's desperate. And I must ask of you George, to don't bring the subject of Merlin in any way. He needs a diligent servant that can help him cope and I think you are discreet enough for the job."
The tears in her eyes told me that she was also worried about the boy and I wondered what it was about him that placed him in a rank above than other, more capable, servants.
But I stood straighter as I said. "Rest assured, Guinevere, that I'll do my best to serve King Arthur as he deserves."
Lady Guinevere smiled. "I know you will. But it is not what he deserves George, it's what he needs. And I am afraid to say that he needs Merlin."
.
I was up at six the next morning, ready for my first day as the King's manservant. I could barely contain my excitement as I made my way to the kitchens. Mary was already up, starting to gather apples in front of her but stopped short when she saw me.
"None of that." I said with a dismissive hand. "I want everything the King likes to eat today. I'll have some venison and roasted chicken…oh, is that fresh bread?" I walked towards the soft scent and glanced down at the golden loafs. "I'll have two of these too."
Mary shifted behind me before coming into my plain of sight, her hands on her hips. "Are you sure, dear? Merlin told me that the King's been putting a bit of weight…"
"The King needs some cheering up," I cut her, turning the loaf of bread in my hands. "And I believe this is the best way to do it."
She nodded her head sadly. "Those horrible bandits…I really cannot phantom that poor boy in the hands of those monsters. And Arthur…." She shook her head. "Poor thing, I've seen how much they rely on each other. It certainly won't be easy…" she stopped and narrowed her eyes at me. "On second thought... "She said as she snatched some pork from another plate. "Take all you want, dear. He will need some sausages too."
That's how I got out of the kitchen with my arms full of different meats and bread, jugs of wine and loads of bacon. Mary had added some fruits too, for the King to vary his diet, though I suspected she was still trying to keep whatever Merlin had said about the King not being fit in mind.
King Arthur woke up after I had finished polishing the table and setting all the food in it, arranging it as if it was truly a banquet. He looked at me for a moment and I could see he did not understand what was happening.
I wished I would not be forced to go back on my promise to Guinevere.
King Arthur narrowed his eyes at me. "Who are you?"
I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding but feigned indifference. A good servant is invisible. An exceptional servant is immutable. "I am your new manservant, sire." I said, and my chest seemed to puff a little. Truly, those words were like polishing brass on a summer morning.
He looked around and I tried to keep my face serene as I diverted the conversation from the topic of his newly lost servant. "I have polished your armor, sharpened your sword, selected your clothes; there is a slight chill in the air today, sir…and now, if you will allow me…" the most important part of the day for a King, and my job: to make sure he was well nourished. "I would like to serve you…breakfast."
He glanced at the table (quite impressive if I myself say so,) and then at me.
"What's your name?"
"George, sire." I answered as I unrolled a napkin. "At your service."
I tucked the napkin under his chin and prepared him so that he could eat when I heard words that were like music to my ears. "Listen George, this is all very impressive…very impressive indeed…"
It meant I was doing my job right. If the King himself was impressed…I smiled to myself as I gathered the cup and plate in my hands.
"But…" King Arthur continued, and I could feel the smile on my face slipping. "I already have a manservant."
The stench of failure invaded me. I could not stop the King from returning to the issue of his lost manservant, no matter how hard I tried. But I forced my face to remain calm – impassible- as I placed the cup in his hand.
"He's very shabby looking…" King Arthur continued, apparently not even caring about the delicious food I had gathered for him. "Has appalling manners, he's extremely forgetful, he seems to spend most of his time in the tavern…"I placed a plate on his hands, wanting him to start seeing the roasted venison he was about to eat but with no luck. He didn't even glance at the food.
I knew my battle was lost when his face clouded as I offered him a fork.
"But he is…my manservant." He said, and I couldn't retain a small gasp of surprise as he pushed the plate and cup into my hands. "And I quite like it that way."
The next thing I noticed was that I had received a sheet in the middle of my face. And they weren't even washed properly!
.
I decided to ignore King Arthur's words for the rest of the day and spent my time tiding around his room. There were quite a lot of goblets in the most hidden corners of his chambers and some marks in the walls which I suspected were the receivers of the goblets and other small artifacts.
My morning went on quietly as I scrubbed every little inch of the wooden table until a sudden bang made me look up. It was King Arthur, followed by Lord Agravaine. I could see the King was not happy at all about something, and the Lord even less so. King Arthur reached for the wall as he placed his forehead on it, while closing his eyes tightly.
I stayed on my spot, not even moving a muscle. It was in times like these were my occupation required me to be invisible. And so, I was.
"Arthur, you must be reasonable…" Lord Agravaine said "The boy is a lost cause! He is a servant, nothing more. No bandits would ever hold him for a ransom, he's most likely dead!"
I was startled when King Arthur punched the wall with his fist, cutting Lord Agravaine's words as he turned towards him.
"Don't say that, Uncle." King Arthur said tensely. "I know Merlin. He's strong. He's…"
"A servant." Lord Agravaine finished for him, and I could see one corner of his mouth twitch downwards in disgust. I'd never seen him under a positive light but now I liked him even less. "And as one easily replaceable…"
"You and I don't share the same views about Merlin, Uncle." The King said. "You look him as a servant, expendable. But not to me."
I saw Lord Agravaine's mouth set into a thin line as he crossed his arms across his chest. "Even so, sire, your servant was gravely injured. There is even less chance that he'll survive. And the bandits are yet to leave the forest. "
King Arthur turned away from him and placed his head between his hands. I watched from my spot against the table how King Arthur's eyes became…haunted.
Lord Agravaine took a step forward and in my experience as a servant to nobles, I knew he was feeling confident that King Arthur would take his advice. I was right, of course. He placed a gloved hand in King Arthur's shoulder.
"Surely you can see now…why you mustn't go after him?"
King Arthur looked upwards, towards his Uncle, and I saw only sheer determination in his face.
"No." he said coldly. "You've just made up my mind. I'll be leaving this instant. And I'll bring Merlin home."
I don't think I'll ever forget Lord Agravaine's face in that moment while I live. He turned towards King Arthur with such fury that I felt compelled to jump in my King's defense for a moment but thankfully I decided to remain shrouded by my invisibility.
"Your father would not approve of this!" Lord Agravaine exclaimed.
King Arthur turned towards him, twisting his arm out of Lord Agravaine's grasp as he pointed a finger to his uncle's face.
"Hold your tongue, Uncle." he hissed. "I am not my father, as you still fail to realize. As a sovereign I am a servant to my people and I owe it to them my every act as King. And…" he closed his eyes for a moment. "God help me, but I owe Merlin even more. He's my manservant and he needs me. It is my duty as his King to go in his aid." I was staring at him with my mouth hanging open, and so was Agravaine. "Don't you dare stop me, Uncle. I will find him, and he'll be alright."
With a flutter of his red cloak King Arthur left his Uncle speechless on his chambers while I played my conversation with Lady Guinevere over and over in my mind.
Truly, I couldn't help wonder… what made Merlin such an essential part of King Arthur's life?
.
As the day went by I finished polishing King Arthur's other armor, all the goblets scattered around the room and the various decorative swords that were held in his walls. I knew from the sound of hooves against the courtyard and Lord Agravaine's gloomy posture that King Arthur was searching for the lad. After witnessing the stormy conversation with Lord Agravaine, though, I wasn't expecting any less.
I still felt uneasiness creep in whenever I thought of the way I wasn't able to keep King Arthur's mind out of his manservant. Mary had to take all the food down as she glared at me disapprovingly because King Arthur hadn't even touched it.
Naturally, I tried to avoid Lady Guinevere during the day but my duties forced me to be present at a rather…uncomfortable time, to be honest.
I was carrying King Arthur's hunting gear towards the armory when, as I doubled a corner, I heard Lady Guinevere's voice. Then, she came into view, looking as if she was all but crying with Sir Leon pacing around the corridor.
"He went after Merlin?" Sir Leon asked, worry palpable in his voice. "Gwen, we searched the entire forest two times and found nothing but a bloodied piece of his jacket! And the bandits are still in there!"
"I know!" Lady Guinevere said, burying her face in her hands. "I could do nothing to stop him, Leon. He's just too stubborn."
"We cannot lose our King over Merlin, no matter how good of a friend he is." Sir Leon said softly, shaking his head and wringing his hands. Lady Guinevere raised her eyes to meet his.
"Leon, Arthur will not rest until he is sure there is no hope. You know how they depend on each other."
Sir Leon passed a hand through his hair. "I know, Gwen. But Arthur is still the King and he's still needed by his people. He cannot leave the kingdom without a sovereign if something, and I really hope that's not the case, happens to him."
Lady Guinevere looked down and I saw her swallow. "But Arthur also needs Merlin, Leon. You knew him before, as did I. He was an arrogant man, full of pride and wrong idealisms. Merlin turned the tide, I'm sure you noticed. Do you really think that after everything they've been through together Arthur will just leave Merlin to die?"
I couldn't help but listen as Sir Leon let out a long sigh. "I know, Gwen. That's why I asked Agravaine to keep the piece of jacket to himself…but he didn't listen to me. I was sure Arthur would go beside himself if he saw it…Gwaine almost went out of his mind in the forest!" his tone acquired a twinkle of admiration and pride. "But he controlled himself. I was quite impressed by the way he handled Agravaine."
Lady Guinevere smiled softly before she bit her lip. "That's because you didn't follow him after Leon…he was practically pulling his hair out when I found him…"
I decided that was enough and I kept walking, quite horrified with myself for staying so long. A good servant does not eavesdrop, not even in the direst of circumstances. Was I really failing as an exemplary servant because of all this new information I was gathering on Merlin? Were my curiousness and desire to learn more about this man that had acquired loyalty from everyone in Camelot hindering my performance?
I shook my head as I continued my way towards the armory and tried to piece together the mystery of Merlin. I'd seen the man once or twice but, even if he was tallest than most servants and sometimes rather terrible with things that required balance, he was as normal as it was expected of him. There was nothing that I knew of that made him someone worth dying for.
I ate my meal in silence and to my surprise, I was not immune to the mindless and work-unethical chatter around me once I caught the name of 'Merlin' coming from one of the serving boy's lips.
Contrary to my every day routine, I asked him to sit with me. He was a young boy with a freckled face and big innocent eyes.
"What is that you were saying about Merlin?" I asked him.
The boy sniffled as he passed a dirty sleeve through his nose. I gave him a napkin, careful to touch it only with the tip of my fingers. Who knows how many unnecessary diseases dirt like that carried?
"Merlin saved my life once." He said between hiccups, his eyes red from crying. "I am in charge of the stables, you see, and once Picket was not being his usual self. He tried to kick me, right here." He pointed a finger to his chest while my eyes opened at his next words. "But Merlin got me out of the way. He took a hit in his arm, said it was nothing. Then King Arthur came to have Picket checked over, said I was brave."
I titled my head to the side while I tried to understand. Merlin had saved this child's life on no guarantee for his own safety. I started to understand one of Merlin's outstanding qualities. Bravery.
"Merlin is my friend." The child continued between sniffles. "I don't want him to be dead. I want him to come home."
Suddenly, I wasn't hungry anymore. I took to leave after I told the stable boy that I thought Merlin would be alright, I've always been uncomfortable around children crying. He nodded and went sniffling in the other direction.
That added a bit to my knowledge of Merlin. He was brave, of course. But it did not explain my main concern, King Arthur preferring Merlin as a manservant even when I was clearly more capable than him at the job. Was I doing something wrong? I didn't think so, it was very unlikely. I've always received high praise for my work. Then why was King Arthur rejecting the, possibly, best servant on the castle?
It made no sense.
As I went through my duties that evening my mind was ashamedly absorbed by the question of Merlin. Until a trumpet resounded through the castle.
I really cannot say the utter joy that invaded everyone in the palace when King Arthur returned with…had it really happened? Merlin. Yes, the boy was safe and sound, surrounded by hugs from almost every single person working in the castle. I could barely believe my eyes. I saw the stable boy jumping excitedly up and down as King Arthur conducted Merlin to the physician's chambers, a wide grin on his face, so big that I thought it would split in half his face.
During the faintest of moments, as King Arthur looked at his manservant, at the lad, Merlin, I saw what I was looking for. It was not contempt for the boy's service, nor was it his skills at doing fairly good speeches. It was something else entirely. There was a light in King Arthur's eyes that had been dulled while he spoke to me that same morning; lightness in his steps…He was radiating joy.
And then, as sudden as it came, the revelation was closed to me. I just saw a King and the back of Merlin's black haired head walk, side by side, towards the physician's chambers.
There are still questions with impossible answers that plague my mind. I still cannot understand entirely the strange fondness King Arthur has for the boy but…
Some things are not meant to be understood, I guess…just proved true. As the fact that, for all my skill as a perfect servant, I was nowhere near Merlin's worth to King Arthur. And the fact that, after a few minutes, King Arthur entered his chambers whistling and I almost fainted at the state he was leaving the room in.
How on earth did he manage to get his chain mail and face so completely covered with filthy mud?
He wouldn't say.
So, how did I do? I'm trying to improve my First Person P.O.V :D
Any requests or observations are welcomed with open arms. One chapter featuring Leon for the lovely Sarajm is in progress ^^
