"Morgana and I have been issued royal invitations from Queen Hunith to stay in Avalon." announced Arthur as he strode into the throne room, brandishing the parchment.
"How long will you be gone?" asked Uther, glancing at his son.
"A few weeks."
"And when do you depart?"
"Immediately."
Uther stared at his son for a few seconds, weighing up the options.
It would be good for Camelot to be seen as in alliance with Avalon. Perhaps this was a good idea. Besides, if he rejected a royal invitation, he could cause a war, and all of Albion knew that Avalon was the most powerful kingdom.
But the magic. No, it wasn't a matter of Arthur's safety. He knew his son would be safe with King Balinor.
It was the thought of allying a magical kingdom. By now, his prejudice against magic was slipping, thanks to his hot-headed son and Morgana's opinionated lectures, but he still despised it.
He narrowed his eyes at his son, studying him. The hopeful look in his eyes made him look like a young child again.
"Very well" sighed Uther, hating himself for being a sap. Arthur had to fight to keep the smile off his face.
Arthur strode haughtily out of the meeting, however when he reached a deserted corridor, he began skipping childishly, beaming. He rushed to his chambers, retrieved his already-packed bags, and walked down to the stables.
Leon and Merlin met Arthur, Gwen and Morgana at the stables, and the five of them headed off to Avalon as soon as their horses were able, the knights of Avalon trailing behind them.
X
It was in the afternoon that they finally arrived, King Balinor greeting them with an easy-going grin.
Hunith met them all with hugs, and Arthur, Morgana and Gwen bowed. Hunith looked a little flustered with all the respect, but laughed it off with her son, who was sniggering.
Much to Arthur's delight, King Balinor saw to it that he was situated in the chambers next to Merlin's. The girls were in the next corridor.
However, they weren't in their separate chambers now. They all sat in Merlin's chamber. Arthur, Gwen and Morgana were staring out the window at the stunning view, dumbfounded by the beauty of Avalon. Merlin and Leon were watching them in amusement, betting on how long it would be until they stopped gaping.
X
"I'll give you a month's holiday if they shut their mouths in the next two minutes."
"You're on, sire" said Leon cheekily. "But what if you win?"
"You have to put up with being Arthur's servant until he leaves" replied Merlin, a devious smirk settled on his face.
"Hmm." Leon eyed Arthur, who was still gaping, carefully. "Okay."
They shook hands, and waited.
Morgana was the first to stop gaping, around the thirty second mark. Merlin and Leon were both counting softly to themselves. On the two minute mark, Gwen shut her mouth, and Arthur almost straight after.
"We both won" stated Leon, and Merlin nodded in agreement.
"Which means you either work for me for half a month, or Arthur. Hmm…" Merlin stroked his chin thoughtfully.
Leon recognized his friend's scheming face immediately and panicked.
"You! I'll work for you, Merlin. Arthur will be fine." he said airily, waving a casual hand in the blonde's direction.
Arthur raised an eyebrow, speculating. Then he turned to look at Merlin, his mischievous face mirroring Merlin's.
"Arthur?" asked Merlin.
"I think I'll be fine with Leon."
Merlin grinned at him, and Arthur felt his heartstrings give an involuntary tug.
Leon sat with his mouth wide open. Merlin almost wanted a bug to fly in. He scowled in disappointment when Leon began talking. No chance for a bug, then.
"I'm sure that he doesn't need me!" he whined, looking at Merlin beseechingly.
"Sorry Leon. You'll have to put up with cold sarcasm and utter prattishness for a week at the least."
Arthur cleared his throat. "I'm not THAT bad!" he exclaimed, pouting. Merlin started laughing, and Arthur couldn't hold back a smile.
Leon started the next day. Before that, however, he had talked to Merlin.
"What do servants in Camelot usually act like?" Leon asked nervously.
"Just… stalk him. If he needs something, get it for him. One more thing, Leon; He knows that the kingdom is magic, but I don't think he's entirely comfortable with it yet." said Merlin, shooting Leon a meaningful look.
"Okay. Stalk him." mumbled Leon to himself, and he set off to Arthur's chambers. He opened the door to see Arthur sleeping.
"Sire? It's time to wake up now."
It didn't work. Arthur just lay there, still snoring gently. Leon sighed and instead set about opening the curtains, setting Arthur's breakfast down, and then standing in the corner.
He heard Arthur mumbling, and went over.
"Merlin. My Merlin."
At this, Leon frowned.
