No one spoke.

No one moved, no one even dared to breathe loudly in the few seconds that followed.

Sorcery was still a tricky issue in Camelot, even during King Arthurs reign, as so many people had suffered under Morgana's malicious hand. However, there was an unspoken rule in the court that if a sorcerer presented himself to the King and swore an oath of peace, such as Arthur's beloved manservant had done, they were allowed to reside in the Kingdom with no threat upon their life. But to accuse a man of sorcery, of using his power to belittle and beguile another, well, that makes things complicated.

'A sorcerer? Really? That's the best you can come up with? Please…' Boast sneered.

Still no one spoke.

Gwaine struggled to his feet, throwing an elbow heavily around Elyans neck and glared fiercely at his opponent, his own sword forgotten at his feet. John shifted his feet nervously, but said nothing.

Boast glanced around, one eyebrow raised in disbelief; 'Oh come on! You can't seriously believe him, I mean…' he squared up to Gwaine challengingly 'Never had you down as a sore loser, Sir Gwaine. A drunken, squalid daddy's boy, maybe, but a liar? Tut tut tut, King Arthur won't be happy' he finished with a practised leer, cocking his head to one side dangerously.

There was a beat.

'So' Gaius said later that day, 'what on earth could've made Gwaine attack you so, Sire? He's usually quite placid when sober…'

'Placid? Placid? He nearly tore him apart!' cried a furious John, pacing angrily past the physician before slamming his hands down on the wooden bench in front of a bruised and bleeding Boast; 'why couldn't you just leave him alone! You always do this! You always have to show off; always have to shout the loudest, don't you? I just…how many times do I have to tell you? Stop with the wit and the wise cracks, the obnoxious deductions! Just…stop. I'm tired of this. Of the fighting and the…and this. Falling asleep in either a prison cell or a physician's chambers, outside your bars or next to your bed…But do you care?' 'John…' 'You know, you are brilliant and amazing and I am in awe of pretty much everything you do…but it would be nice, just for once, not to end up running away in disgrace'.

Gaius stepped back silently as Boast rose carefully from the bench and said coolly 'Then don't bother. If working for me is too much for you…'

'I never said that. I just said that…'

'I intend to stay in Camelot for as long as it takes. You are welcome to leave any time, as, may I remind you, it is I that Moriarty hunts, not you.'

The servant stared determinedly down at the wooden table, white knuckled hands gripping the edge tightly. He spoke stiffly, begrudging eyes rising to his friends; 'I'm not going anywhere'.

In all his years in Camelot, Gaius had witnessed many painful disputes in his chambers, and panicked aggression was nothing new to him, having been introduced to the emotions personified in the King and his ward, so he knew he must pick his next words carefully. 'John…' Both men snapped their heads towards him, the setting sun illuminating Boasts colourful wounds, as if only just remembering he was there; 'John, Boast's going to be here for a little while longer. Perhaps it would be best to wait in his chambers until I've finished? Give you both a chance to…cool off?'

Fists clenched tightly at his side, John marched through the castle corridors, eyes tired and heavily with dispelled anger, twisting his way through the corridors until 'Ah Johnny boy. Just the man I wanted to see' Sir Gwaine called with a grin.

'Not now, Sire.' The Knight skipped in front of him and stumbled backwards as John walked saying 'Listen, I know I pushed it a bit far on Boast, but…' he threw his arm out, stopping the servant from rounding another corner; 'is he alright?'

At Johns snort he continued 'Hey, I may handle a sword like a Lord but my fists aren't so classy, and they tend to get carried away.'

Folding his arms sternly across his chest, his companion replied dryly 'he'll be fine. Take more than a couple of punches to take him down…unfortunately'. Seemingly satisfied, Gwaine trotted into step alongside him, hands clasped pleasantly behind his back as he spoke; 'So go on then…' 'What?' 'Tell me about the dragon. You know, the one your Boast slayed the other day…'

There was a rough sigh as the servant muttered 'Oh good, he told you!'

'Oh he told me alright. Wingspan of twenty men, fangs glistening in the moonlight, great scaled tale pointed and deadly…only found in the 'Hidden' Forrest, obviously…'

'Look, it wasn't like that. I mean, there was a dragon! And it was pretty big, but he didn't slay it…' 'Aha!' '…all by himself!' finished John loudly, fists curling tightly. 'I was there too! I did help a bit, you know!'

'Ok…' interrupted the Knight coyly, 'so the Griffin?' There was a pause. John said nothing, but appeared to biting his tongue awkwardly in his mouth. '…the bear?'

'…'

The two men paused outside Boast's chambers, John's hand hovering nervously over the cool metal of the handle.

'…and I'm guessing he didn't cross five kingdoms in one month, just to catch a man who'd done him wrong?'

Although the dark eyes fiercely avoiding his shone with panic and humiliation, they revealed no trace of recognition, no defence, and no hope. Fighting back a mischievous smile, Gwaine gave a curt nod and bade goodnight to the crushed servant, practically skipping all the way home.

'Merlin…' Arthur gently shook the sleeping boy before calling him again 'Merlin, wake up…'

Nothing.

Giving a short smirk to the tousle haired servant, he strode quickly across the room and with a loud bellow of 'Shake a leg, lazy daisy!' he whipped the curtains back, forcing sunlight to filter in the room, and successfully blind his companion.

Screwing up his face with a groan, Merlin gave a sleepy cry of 'Arthur!' and tried to hide his face under the pillow.

'Come on, Merlin, we've got work to do! It's a new day! Oh, and Gwaine wanted a word before breakfast so unless you want him to suffer your terrible morning breath, I'd get dressed' the King beamed at the affronted servant.

'Arthuuuurrr…'

'Merlinnnnnn' Arthur whined back, throwing himself into a chair at the table and tucking into the already served breakfast laid out for him.

It took him nearly half an hour of grumbling and cursing, but eventually Merlin crawled out of the large bed and dragged some clothes on, before gulping down the last of Arthurs breakfast and heading off to a quick ruffle of hair and a coy nudge, the King and Servant separated once more, and Arthur was determined to maintain his cheerful mood for the rest of the day.

Until; 'We need a word about Boast', and with that...his day was ruined.