Just can't stop writing these.
Salt
Merlin brought the prince his dinner, slumping in a chair on the other side of the table from him after he finished serving his master.
"Why you so tired? I gave you the after noon off." Arthur asked his manservant before sniffing at his food in delight. Digging in not waiting for an answer.
"Gaius had me do chores all after noon." Merlin complained in exhaustion. "He always…" The prince blocked out the rest of what he was saying. He'd grown quite good at being able to pretend it was quiet with his friend around even though it never was.
Arthur observed his manservant as he complained. The prince slowed his chewing and then completely stopped when he noticed something. Turning his head squinting to get a better view to figure out what it was. Swallowing before speaking. "Did Gaius have you clean his leech tank again?"
"Yah, how'd you know? I haven't even got to that part yet." Merlin inquired. Making a disgusted face thinking back on the experience.
"Because there's one still on you neck." Arthur pointed out using his fork.
Merlin immediately stood up clawing at his neck, knocking the chair over. "Get it off, get it off!"
"Hold on you idiot, you can't just pull it off like that!" Arthur berated as he threw down his eating utensils standing up from his own seat to help his friend before he hurt himself.
The prince grabbed his manservant's neck to hold it still as he snatched the saltshaker off the table that came with his evening meal. Emptying some of its contents onto the creature causing it to swivel up and let go of it's prey.
Merlin looked at the leech that had fallen to the ground in disgust that the creature was just on him and Arthur examined the wound the thing left behind.
"You know, it kinda looks like you have a hicky on your neck."
