It was barely more than an hour that Merlin returned to Arthur's chambers to find it empty. The serving boy huffed, angrily. He had hurried about preparing, and finding all of their companions, and Arthur wasn't even ready? Not to mention the room had been torn apart in Arthur's own preparations. Clean shirts scattered the floor, and the bed which had been made earlier was tossed about in disarray. Half of the room was in madness, papers scattering the floor instead of neatly sitting on the wooden desk. What the king could possibly be doing in here evaded Merlin, but he set about cleaning up the mess never the less.
It wasn't long later that Merlin heard a set of footsteps echoing down the hall. There were muffled voices that Merlin could barely make out, but he distinctly heard Arthur's voice. "…I will try to be back in a week..." Then Merlin heard the king's companion, Agravaine. The slippery man said something in return Merlin couldn't quite make out. "I cannot simply do whatever I want Uncle. I need the lords' support, I must listen to them as well." The heavy oak door to Arthur's room slid open, and Arthur entered, Agravaine stood alone in the doorway looking in. His face was unhappy, his dark eyes glaring at Merlin, but he addressed Arthur, "Of course, but I hope you do realize not everything is about the lords of the council. You must start to make your own decisions Arthur."
Merlin smirked, Agravaine was scolding Arthur with his decisions, and his handlings at court. Knowing the blonde as well as he did, Merlin knew Arthur did not take criticism easily. Arthur nodded, "of course uncle. I will see you when I return." Agravaine left briskly, his footsteps disappearing quickly back down the hall.
Arthur started changing his nice court outfit to his traveling clothes. In aggravation with his armor he hissed at Merlin, "please help me buckle my damn chest plate!" With experience, Merlin quickly latched the heavy pieces of armor together, "Shall we get going?"
Merlin hadn't noticed that Arthur had been riding in silence. He had been catching up with Gwaine and Lancelot, who he hadn't seen in a few weeks. Lancelot was having more and more trouble covering his affections for Gwen, and had been keeping his distance. Merlin wasn't sure if Arthur realized the two's relationship quickly growing, but he knew Lancelot would never betray Arthur. The knight was noble, and he would never do such a slight against Arthur. Merlin wasn't sure about how Gwen felt toward the knight, but he hoped she would be mindful of Arthur. His friend would be heartbroken, and with the loss of his father…
Merlin glanced at the blonde just ahead of him, he was distraught about something. Even Gwaine couldn't coax Arthur into a conversation; the king barely even acknowledged the taunting Gwaine started by calling him a "princess." Merlin truly wanted to help Arthur, but he didn't know what to do. Leon rode at the back of the column, perhaps Arthur's oldest friend could help him get Arthur in a better mood.