I don't know why, but for some reason this chapter was giving me the hardest time! Anyways, I hope you like it! I love reading your reviews, especially the ones where you kind of guess what's going to happen and I get to cackle like a maniac because I know things you don't. Be sure to follow me on tumblr if you have one! I love talking to you guys on there! I've actually had some good conversations with a few of you (; Enjoy!
Chapter 10
"Well, what kind of chores are they?" Gaius asked, bewildered.
"Essential ones, apparently." Merlin had just returned from Morgana's room after their night together.
"I just can't imagine Arthur making you do this."
"He has his reasons, I'm sure." Merlin was explaining the source behind his future absences. Gaius raised an unconvinced eyebrow.
"Is there something wrong, Merlin? You don't normally defend Arthur in such a way… Especially not with your chores."
"Nope, everything's fine. Just fine."
"Well, just make sure you get some sleep."
"Oh, I will," Merlin mumbled.
He went to his room, gather what he needed, and made for the kitchens to bring Arthur his breakfast. As he neared his master's quarters, he didn't bother to knock, only to open the door without pausing. He shut the door behind him rather loudly and set the silver tray he had been holding on the wooden table in the center of the room. Merlin walked over to the window and yanked apart the thick curtains, allowing vibrant sunlight to fill the room.
"Rise and shine, my lord!" he said cheerily. Arthur groaned and put his hand over his face to block out the blinding sun.
"Shut those curtains, Merlin, if you know what's good for you." Merlin walked over to the bed, but knew by now not to stand within Arthur's reach.
"You have the knighting ceremony in a few hours and then the banquet tonight for the consul." Arthur groaned again and pushed back the covers. He stood and stretched, then walked over to the silver tray in a sleeplike trance. He picked up an apple and bit into it as he plopped down in his chair. Merlin was going through Arthur's wardrobe, pulling out the assorted clothing for a ceremony.
"How did you sleep?" Merlin decided Arthur was awake enough now to hold a conversation.
"Not well," he said with a mouth full of apple. "I kept hearing a banging noise all night. See to it that it stops, would you, Merlin?"
"Yes, sire." He held up two belts to Arthur. "Black one or brown one?"
Merlin had made sure that Arthur was fed, properly dressed, and was on his way to the knighting ceremony in the throne room. Merlin always attended these types of ceremonies, but stood in the back of the crowd with Gaius or Gwen. He was actually hoping to avoid Gwen for a while, because Morgana had told him that she was going to tell her their "secret," and he didn't want awkward conversations any time soon. But alas, the servants all tended to stand together in these ordeals, and Merlin found himself standing directly next to Gwen along the wall. He prayed that she wouldn't bring it up, and she didn't. Not once. She had even said a polite "goodbye" as she followed Morgana out. He exhaled a sigh of relief then jogged over to Arthur, who was shaking hands with a new knight on his way out.
"I told them that they could use you for setting up, so just make sure you're in my chambers to get me ready for the banquet," Arthur said to Merlin when they had entered the wide corridor leading from the throne room.
"Yes, sire."
Merlin moved tables around, set out tableware, organized decorations, and many other tasks in preparation for the party. A consulman and his family from King Odin's court was traveling to Camelot to discuss business such as land ownership, taxes, and many other boring things that Arthur had explained to Merlin. The banquet tonight was a gesture of good faith upon their arrival. Merlin wasn't big on banquets, so he told Arthur that he was feeling rather ill in order to get out of it. He knew that a banquet held for important people meant Arthur using him as the butts of his jokes to impress whatever higher man he was talking to at the moment.
"Alright, just don't you dare cough on me," Arthur said in slight disgust as Merlin held out his red leather jacket to be put on. Merlin patted down the leather, making sure there were no creases or hairs or anything of the sort.
"Anything else, my lord?" Merlin asked as he stepped back.
"No. You can go. You'd better be well by tomorrow, because my room needs a good scrub."
"Yes, sire," Merlin said tersely and left the room.
Merlin had been sitting in front of the small fireplace in Gaius's chambers for hours, not thinking about anything in particular. All he did was make different shapes appear in the fire when he wanted. He was just waiting until it was the right time to head for Morgana's chambers for the night.
Merlin was still indifferent about his feelings towards Morgana. When he thought of her, he didn't think about them having a relationship outside of the one they had now. The nights that they had spent together unnerved him some, but as long as they were helping Morgana, he wanted to stay. He would do absolutely anything for her because his care for her was deep and true.
He didn't bother to turn around when he heard Gaius come in.
"Ah, I've found you! I wondered why you weren't at the banquet." It was in fact not Gaius's voice, but Morgana's.
"Morgana!" he said as he stood. "What are you doing here?"
"Looking for you, obviously." She strode over to him and smiled.
"Shouldn't you be at the party?"
She shrugged. "I was becoming extremely annoyed with the amount of boasting from both parties, so I excused myself." Merlin grinned. "I was hoping to find you alone, actually, because I wanted to ask if you'd accompany me to my room. Their conversations wore me out."
"Oh, so you're using me now?"
"Well, what else are you good for?" Merlin chuckled and he held out his arm and Morgana smiled as she looped hers around it.
They walked slowly, arm in arm, to Morgana's chamber.
"So I was thinking," Morgana said.
"About what?"
"Well, since you'll be staying with me from now on, I think we could start studying in there. And more often, if you want." He smiled wide.
"Yeah, that's perfect."
They continued down the corridor in silence until Merlin asked, "So how did Gwen take your news?"
Morgana sighed, "Good. She didn't seem troubled by it." Merlin nodded, relieved.
"So I'll be staying later in the mornings then? I mean, I won't have to leave early, since she'd be expecting to find me there?" Merlin was growing increasingly vexed by having to wake up a good hour earlier to avoid meeting Gwen on accident again.
She smiled. "Yes, you can stay later." Merlin grinned back and they came around a corner. They caught sight of a figure that perked up when it saw them and started their way.
"Oh, great," groaned Morgana.
"Who is it?"
"The consulman's son, Madric. He's been after me this whole night!" Morgana leaned in to speak softer to Merlin, "He's the most dreadful man. All he talks about is how much money he has, or how many women want him to marry them." Madric was coming closer. "Arthur was having a hard time keeping his wits about him."
"What do you mean?" he whispered.
Morgana smirked. "He looked as if he wanted to strangle him the entire night. Believe me, I would strangle him just to escape another conversation." Madric had approached them now and stared at Morgana, ignoring Merlin altogether.
"My lady," he bowed slightly, "I had wondered where you'd run off to. I was missing your company." The man turned to Merlin now, superiority on his face. "You may go. I can take over from here." Merlin hadn't known him for more than a minute, and his irritation level was already climbing steadily.
"I'm afraid I can't do that, my lord."
"Excuse me?" he asked, taken aback. Morgana eyed him with a queer expression.
"The lady Morgana is unwell, and I'm taking her to her chambers to rest."
"Unwell? How so?"
Merlin sighed impatiently. "Drunk."
"Drunk?"
"Yes. I found her talking to a tapestry. It was a lovely conversation, really, but I didn't want anyone else to find her in such a state."
"Right…" he said slowly as Morgana smiled innocently at him. "Well, carry on then." Merlin nodded and guided Morgana around the confused man, and down the corridor.
"Drunk?" Morgana asked indignantly as soon as they were in the safety of her chambers. "Of all the excuses, you chose to tell him that I was drunk?" Merlin shrugged.
"It worked, didn't it?" She scowled and walked over to the wooden table, muttering as she went.
"Gwen won't be coming in tonight, I gave her the night off."
"Okay," he said as he came further into the room. And then realized what it also meant. "Oh. Uh, I'll just stand over here until you're finished," he made a gesture towards her with his hands, "you know, changing." Morgana couldn't help but smile to herself at the awkward air that Merlin always seems to bring. Merlin walked over to the corner near the door and faced the wall, fumbling with the end of his shirt. Morgana couldn't think of anything to say, so she opened her wardrobe, selected a nightgown and stood behind the divider.
"Um…Merlin?" she called out. He swallowed. "I—er, hate to ask this of you, but I can't quite reach the knot on my back…" her voice sounded strained as if she was trying to reach it as she was speaking. Merlin slowly walked over to her and looked up at the ceiling as he untied the small knot at the top of her dress. "Thank you." He walked away quickly, feeling thoroughly embarrassed. He decided to lie down, so, after removing his boots, he threw aside the excess pillows and rolled onto what he knew as his side of the bed. He lay there until Morgana mirrored his actions and buried herself under the sheets with a sigh. She looked over at Merlin who had been quiet the whole time. "Have you fallen asleep, Merlin?" He didn't answer, because he had in fact, fallen asleep. Morgana smiled and snuggled up against his back. It didn't take long for the excitement of the day to toll on her as well.
"Good morning, my—Oh my God!" Gwen looked at the sleeping pair with the look of complete and utter shock. "Merlin?" They were both staring wide eyed at Gwen, awoken suddenly from their sleep.
"Oh, uh, hi Gwen." Merlin said with a small smile.
"Hi?" Merlin frowned in confusion.
"What are you doing here?"
"Gwen," Morgana said hastily. Gwen looked at her as if she had not noticed her until then.
"My lady! I'm so very sorry, I shouldn't speak about things that don't concern me."
"It's okay."
"I thought you told her," Merlin whispered as he scooted away. Morgana didn't answer.
"Told me what?" asked Gwen, raising an eyebrow.
Merlin slid off the bed and pulled on his boots. "I'll uh, see you later," and made hastily for the exit.
"Merlin!" Morgana called after him. He cursed to himself and faced her. "Come back," she said rather sternly.
"But you said I didn't have to be here for it!" he said desperately.
"I changed my mind." He sighed loudly and unnecessarily as he stomped back over to her.
"My lady, what's going on?" Morgana looked to Merlin for help, but he avoided her gaze.
"Um, you might want to sit, Gwen." Gwen gave her a troubled look, but reluctantly sat in the wooden chair that she had set the silver tray in front of. Merlin leaned against the bed post and stared at his shoes. "Well, you see…" Merlin could tell that Morgana obviously hadn't planned on what she was going to say to Gwen yet.
"We're seeing each other," Merlin finished the sentence, trying to save Morgana. Both girls stared at him.
"Is that true, my lady?" Gwen seemed rather calm. Morgana nodded. "Well, I'm glad you told me, at least," she said standing and smoothed down the front of her dress.
Morgana stood and took Gwen's hands, "I didn't want to lie to you, Gwen, but you must understand that no one can know about this." Gwen glanced at Merlin, thinking the same thing that he was: her relationship with Arthur.
"Of course not, my lady." Gwen turned to Merlin. "Merlin? I need to speak with you." Merlin straightened and stole a worried look at Morgana.
"Oh, I've really got to get to Arthur—"
"I'm sure he's not awake yet." She grabbed him by the wrist roughly and led him out of the room.
"Ow," he complained.
"Okay Merlin, how long has that," she gestured to Morgana's door, "been going on?"
"Not long." Gwen scowled at him.
"I've known Morgana for a long time, and if you do anything to her, Merlin—"
Merlin threw up his arms. He wasn't even in a real relationship with Morgana!
"I just don't want to see her hurt, Merlin," she said quietly. Merlin considered her. She was one of Morgana's only friends, and a true friend at that.
"Neither do I."
Deeming his response adequate enough, she sighed and left him standing alone in the hallway. He blew out a breath of air, glad to be relieved from the whole confrontation. He collected his thoughts and walked as slowly as possible to Arthur's room.