The knowledge about Arthur's true identy calmed Merlin immensely. Not being in the dark anymore about the familiarity that he felt around him and with the claim on his soul made, there was not much he could do for now. If he wanted the prince to accompany him to the lake, to travel with him, then he had to gain his trust, his friendship even. Merlin knew he had to become an invaluable part of the prince's life. And so he set his mind on doing so starting the next morning by waking Arthur in a delighted tone. He dressed him and only got the pieces wrong two times and then he even put the collar around his own neck to be fastened while offering to get breakfast, completely ignoring the stunned look on Arthur's face. When he returned they ate in silence for a few minutes, Merlin watching his master with a tingling feeling in his gut. Little did he know that it was not from the satisfaction of his plan working out well but growing happiness caused by a small smile on the prince's lips.
Arthur did notice the change in Merlin's behaviour. There was no abrupt lack of back-talk or stopping of naive questions – that would've probably been too much to ask for – but his servant became easier to handle. He became in fact more obedient. Not always questioning each and every of Arthur's decisions or orders, not complaining about chores or tasks asigned to him.
And Merlin was intelligent. A fast learner who was able to help him through the day's work .Arthur couldn't understand where it all came from, maybe the siren-boy finally understood that stubborness and defiance wouldn't get him anywhere. Maybe he was just bored and tried to fill his days in more productive ways than staring out of windows. In that case, Arthur thought, he'd definitely find additional distractions for him so he wouldn't get his head around any foolish ideas. But he stayed wary, not letting his attention slip on the boy's daily activities for even a moment.
Like this the weeks dragged on, prince and servant falling into a comfortable rhythm of work and talk, which let Arthur take Merlin more and more out of his chambers, around the castle and even into the city. Camelot's people may have been excited at first but the presence of their crown-prince and his guards kept their behaviour in check. Soon the mute siren became a sight they were accustomed to and was not longer worth to be bracked about.
The relief that the sight of Merlin had become boring to even the last child of the outer villages gained him a new kind of freedom. Usually at Arthur's side and only alone with a certain task to complete in the shortest amount of time, the prince assigned him to the old physician who was in need of an assistant. He had been seeking the boy's help quite often, saying that he was talented. So it came about that when Arthur was stuck in one of the king's endless council meetings that Merlin didn' t understand the point of, or when he had gone on patrol, he gave Gaius a hand. He helped him to prepare pastures and potions, he cut and hung herbs and even ran errands to deliver medication to the castle's inhabitants.
It was on one of these afternoons, when the prince had been gone for hours to check on a robbery-incident in the lower town and he didn't want Merlin to be with him, when he ran into her.
Being kept for weeks behind locked doors by Arthur and then as close to him as possible, unable to speak to anybody and especially as a creature not accostumed to communicating with mortals it was only natural that he hadn't made any friends in the castle. Except for Gaius but the old man was not really a friend. Sirens didn't make friends, not in the way humans made them. But on that day someone made friends with him.
"Oh, I'm sorry! I didn't think someone would be standing just behind that corner!", she'd yelped and then laughed as the pile of dresses she'd held in her arms had fallen to the ground around them.
Merlin was lucky enough to grab at the small glass bottle that he'd been holding fast enough. After the shock had worn off he began helping her to gather everything back into her arms.
"Thanks. And sorry again. You really surprised me." She beamed at him, standing there with expectant eyes. Merlin nearly choked because only now he realised that she thought he should say anything.
He looked at her more closely and noticed that he had seen her quite a few times working about the castle, always with a smile on her face. And with those curls and a fair dark skin that he had never seen on any other human, she was not easy to forget. Only when the silence between them started to become awkward and the girl still didn't want to leave he dared to lift his neckerchief and show her the reason for his taciturnity. At the sight of it her already big pupils got even rounder, nearly popping out of her head as her jaw dropped in silent understanding.
"Ohhh, that's- oh my- of course," she stammered, shame showing in her features, "I mean, I know who you are – everybody does – I just didn't think of that thing right now – I – I'm so sorry. I'm such an idiot." Babbling on she lost eye contact with Merlin, red blotches appearing on her cheeks. She seemed truly embarrassed and he felt an urge to comfort her, to tell her that it was fine.
Wiggling his hands in front of her face he brought her attention back to him. It was not easy but when he finally got it he smiled as broadly as he could, hoping she'd understand. The girl froze, obviously a bit confused for a few seconds returning the gesture slowly but full-heartedly when it's meaning settled upon her.
"Hi," she said in the end, after she caught her breath, "I'm Guinevere but everybody calls me Gwen". She offered him her hand under her load and he took it without hesitation. It was warm and solid, like Arthur's, but small.
He already liked her.
Upon hearing her name he wanted to respond with his, his eyes darting around the corridor desperately searching for a way to do so. With Gaius he'd settled on writing for more distinct communication. Maybe he could draw the shape of the letters with his finger on the wall. Gwen must've picked up on his discomfort because he suddenly felt a nudge on is upper arm. When he looked down he saw that it came from her shoulder.
"Don't worry about it, I actually know your name. I'm friends with Gaius and he's told me a thing or two about you."
The surprise in his eyes made her laugh again. It was a nice sound, full of warmth and joy.
"So what are you standing around here doing nothing but scaring poor maidservants, Merlin?" Her question made his eyes point to the bottle in his left hand. She had a look at it and read the inscription out loud.
"For Sir Galahad. Do you know where his chambers are?" Merlin pressed his lips tight tilting his head to one side.
"You're lost."
He nodded.
"I see. How about you help me with getting these down to the laundry and I show you the way to Sir Galahad's chambers?"
A deal, a favour for a favour. That was a pretty common thing in the magical world and the conditions sounded fair to his ears. Besides he really didn't know where those stupid knight's chambers lay so Gwen was his best chance to find them. To give his consent he nodded again, shook her hand and found himself trailing behind her with a pile of silken dresses in his arms.
"Do you know about the spring celebration of the three kingdoms?", Gwen asked him almost a week later. They'd met everyday since their first encounter, the maidservant being somehow able to track Merlin down on his missions for either Arthur or Gaius throughout the maze-like corridors. Helping each other out had somehow come to them as a natural agreement and after finishing their chores often earlier than necessary, there was always some time left to chat. Well, Gwen was mostly the one chatting on about life in the castle, the gossip, the people while Merlin just listened and laughed quietly.
This morning she'd given him a hand in the armory with the prince's armor – being the daughter of a blacksmith, as Merlin had learned she was, made her something of an expert in these things – and he'd made beds with her in several guest chambers. While puffing up pillows he shook his head in answer to her question. The circus had never been at special celebrations with him as far as he could recall. Arthur's birthday was the first one he could think of. Wherever they went, it had been them which had been the cause of the ruckus.
Gwen straightened a cobalt-blue blanket over the bedding. Then she tucked one of her curls that had come loose from the bun behind her ear.
"I thought so. The celebration is the reason why the castle is starting to get busy now and why we have to prepare these chambers. In spring Camelot invites their allies into the kingdom for a three day celebration. And it's going to be a whole lot of work for the servants. As always." Her eyes had trailed over to the cushions that were still laid out on the wooden table. With a huff she grabbed all four, arranging them neatly on the bed and putting her hands onto her hips when she was satisfied. Only then did she looked back at Merlin, who's stance had turned weary and uncertain, as if at a loss of what to do or where to go now.
"Oh, don't worry, Merlin. I'm sure Arthur will keep you safe when the real chaos breaks loose. And until then you'll have me to guide you through the mess.", she smiled reassuringly and Merlin returned it.
But the increasing work-load was not his concern and though he was in no doubt the prince would do all in his power to protect him there was one man he couldn't take on without greater consequences. To what extent would Arthur be able to fight the will of his father?
When the first morning of the spring celebration arrived Arthur was busy standing by the king's side in the courtyard to greet royality, guide them into the throne room for a short meal and make polite conversation in between.
King Bayard reached Camelot first. Dashing through the gates on his enormous storm-grey stallion he made quite an impression on the castle-staff, as every year, leaving Uther to groan inwardly. On the outside the king maintained his composed self but Arthur could tell from the tightness in his face. It amused him actually. He liked Bayard, despite the ruler being famous for exaggerations, he had a talent for telling tales from the battlefield as well as wonderous adventures at the feasts as soon as he was filled with a few goblets of sweet wine.
The party from Caerleon arrived around midday, the sun already high above them, making sweat drip down the prince's neck from where the golden ring sat on his head. His father, though also sweating, showed no weakness, in no way showing his age. King Caerleaon rode side by side with is wife, Queen Annis. She was a magnificent woman, Arthur thought, in the way she held her chin high, her eyes piercing through everything – possibly even a man's soul. Caerleon had made a good choice in her as a queen since she was fit to rule, probably even more than her husband.
"So tell me, Uther," Bayard's voice was swelling with curiosity while he leaned closer towards the king who was seated to his right. "Are the rumors true about your latest acquirement?"
The question made everybody down the table lift their heads, eyes sliding in the king's direction, including Arthur's. Caerleon and Annis had of course also taken an interest. Uther barely twitched and took a large gulp from his goblet without rushing an answer, a small smile playing at the corners of his lips.
After swallowing the last bit of wine, Camelot's king threw a glance down the table, gifting every guest with a little of his attention before returning it back to his old friend.
"Well, I have made quite a few since the snow has melted. You may have to be a bit more specific."
Arthur smirked. This was a powerplay that had been shown so often before, especially in front of company like the one they shared at the present. Though Bayard had left his first born behind to keep an eye on the kingdom, he had brought his second son, Hunter, as well as several Lords and Ladies to enjoy the meal with the king. Their selected knights and guards were taken care of in another part of the castle.
The prince had never liked Prince Hunter even when they had been children. Bayard's son knew how to behave in front of his parents but he had such a threatning air around him. As a child he had enjoyed the act of ripping out small insect's wings to watch them die. Arthur shuddered looking at the boy, no, almost man of nineteen years now, Hunter's icy glare piercing into his with a new grown intensity.
"Don't fool me, old friend. You know exactly what I am talking about. The siren. Where is it? Do you have it chained up in the dungeons?"
"Oh please, don't get all dramatic. There's really no need for that." Uther had just replied, but before Bayard could demand more information Caerleon intervened:
"So it is true, you have a real siren in the castle? How did that come about?"
The air in the room had already become thicker, swelling with anticipation for the obviously most awaited subject. The king only waved his hands dismissingly.
"It was merely a coincidence. Some circus brought it into town for the prince's birthday celebrations and proved itsself unworthy and uncapable of handling it. They actually let it escape that very night."
Disgusted gasps and even a few terrified yelps from the ladies could be heard at the said words.
"My guards, of course, caught it and I kept it here for the safety of my people."
"So, what did you do with it if it's not in the dungeons?" Bayard demanded to know.
"I gave it to Arthur to be trained to obey. I thought it would be a good lesson for him as well."
Arthur hadn't even blinked once through all his father's lies. It was only natural that the King of Camelot couldn't admit in front of other rulers that he'd been convinced by his son to change his decision. It didn't matter, after all. Merlin was his and for now the siren-boy was safe. All eyes on him he just lifted his head slightly to gaze at the king and give him a small nod of admiration.
"And I thank you again for your trust, sire", he said, like a dutiful son.
"But how is this possible? They're dangerous creatures. How do you deal with it?"
Uther suddenly laughed as if Caerleon's fears were nothing but children's nightmares which would only amuse an adult's mind.
"They are nothing without their voice. It wears a collar which keeps it silent. Our physician designed it with a blacksmith's help. As long as we keep it from singing it's no threat to anybody. You can ask Arthur, if you need to be reassured."
When mentioned again the prince cleared his throat. He didn't feel comfortable discussing this particular matter and his father knew it all too well. Suddenly he felt a warm hand covering his wrist. Startled he caught the understanding look of Annis' eyes, her iron features softening for him.
"I'm sure you are a good master, Arthur." She said
"Uhm, I do my best. It was not easy but as my father says, Mer- the siren is very similiar to us if it cannot use its powers. To be honest, it has become quite valuable to me and there is nothing to fear, my Lady."
"I'm sure there isn't when it's in your capable hands. Thank you, Arthur." The queen smiled and Arthur was eager to return it
.
"So, when will we see it? You won't rob us of the experience of an encounter with a real siren?" Bayard butted in, as usual lacking any sense for the emotional value of the moment between the queen and prince.
Uther put a hand on his shoulder bidding him to calm down. "Patience, my friend. The day after tomorrow, at the great feast, my son will present us with a special performance. You'll all be able to hear it's song and observe it afterwards."
"That's a word! Let's drink to that!" Bayard shouted clashing his goblet against Uther's, spilling the wine over dishes and gowns.
Arthur felt sick.