One of my reviewers, Aaronna, asked if I could write a story using the words "pasty", "feral" and "snuggle". Aaronna, this is for you; I hope you like it!
Patience is a Virtue
Merlin snuggled under the blankets that covered his small bed. Autumn had finally arrived and had brought both bitter cold and brutal winds. The temperature had dropped throughout the night and while it wasn't cold enough that he could see his breath, Merlin's nose felt quite chilly. He hiked the blankets higher up over his head and curled into a small ball, preserving the warmth that was captured under his covers.
He had to get up soon, but a few more moments of leisure wouldn't harm anyone, least of all the minor noble that he had been serving the past few days. Comfortable in his warm bed, Merlin's thoughts travelled back over the past week's events.
Camelot would be hosting with a Northern noble and his retinue, who would be arriving to discuss a new trade agreement, and Arthur had expressly asked that Merlin look after Lord Eldridge.
At first, Merlin had been honoured by the request.
However, standing at Arthur's side almost a week ago, ready to greet the nobleman, Merlin quickly became aware of many looks of pity that were being sent his way by some of the other servants in the castle.
He didn't quite understand, until he actually met the man he would be serving. Lord Eldridge was a short, balding, pasty-faced weasel of a man with a laugh like a donkey and no redeeming characteristics at all. He was rude, inconsiderate, obnoxious and, above all, disrespectful to both Arthur and Camelot. Now, the looks of pity and the whispered comments of "He won't be here long, Merlin" began to make sense!
Merlin had been Arthur's manservant long enough to have learned that not everyone treated their servants with the same consideration as did the Royal Prince, but Lord Eldridge's behaviour was simply unacceptable. Merlin could deal with being treated as part of the furniture or yelled at as incompetent; what he did not appreciate was being dismissed and treated as a lesser human being. He may be a servant, but that didn't mean that he wasn't still a man and entitled to some respect.
But no; it soon became obvious the word "respect" was not in Eldridge's vocabulary.
Instead, Merlin spent the length of his days running after Lord Clotpole (as Merlin referred to him in his head), bowing and scraping and answering to the feral roar of "Boy! Get your lazy arse in here." Honestly, the man was incapable of doing anything for himself. In fact, Merlin was beginning to fear that he'd eventually be required to brush the man's teeth for him … and then get yelled at because he was doing it all wrong!
But, he knew the importance of the meeting, so for Arthur's sake Merlin gritted his teeth, smiled falsely at the annoying prat he was presently serving and did everything he could to ensure that Lord Eldridge had nothing to complain about.
There was one small glimmer of light, however, that kept Merlin going through these frustrating days. Late on the second evening of Lord Eldridge's visit, Arthur had managed to pull Merlin to the side to exchange a few quick words with his servant. Not only had Arthur sympathized with the frazzled young man, he had also promised that once the agreement was signed and Eldridge had departed Camelot, he would make it up to Merlin.
And so, the torment continued and Merlin was convinced by the end of the third day that he'd cracked at least two teeth from the way he was continually clenching his jaw. Still, he knew that Arthur was counting on him, so he vowed to keep his emotions, and his comments, in check.
After almost a week of negotiations, an understanding was reached and the trade agreement was to be signed that morning. Following the signing, there would be a celebratory feast and then, finally (and not soon enough in Merlin's books), Merlin could wave good-bye to Lord Eldridge's backside as he rode though Camelot's main gates.
That thought put a smile on Merlin's face. In fact, it made him cheery enough to hop out of bed, pull on his clothes and head down to the main room where he could hear Gaius puttering about.
"Good morning, Gaius," chirped Merlin as he strode over the cook pot and gave the porridge a stir.
Gaius looked up from the loaf of bread that he was slicing and said, "Merlin, you're in a good mood this morning."
"How could I not be? Today Arthur and Eldridge sign the trade agreement and by dinner time that … louse … will be gone. I tell you Gaius, one more day of kowtowing to that arrogant idiot and I will not be responsible for my actions!"
Gaius chuckled at his ward's comments and said, "It's almost over, Merlin, and you have been most patient with our guest. Besides, you know Arthur truly appreciates all you've done these past few days."
"I know, Gaius; that's the only reason why I decided not to stuff Lord Clotpole's saddlebags with fish heads and watch as all the cats in Camelot chased him and his retinue right out the main gates!"
Gaius laughed aloud at that visual and, with a twinkle in his eyes, said, "Merlin, considering what you've been through this past week, I wouldn't blame you in the least if you actually went through with it!"