What he doesn't know, won't hurt him. – and on that theory Merlin didn't bother walking down to the town to fetch some apples for the prince. He packed the tray with food and headed up to the prince's chambers.
He coughed; he stopped. Looked around and saw nothing happen.
He started wondering if they had messed something up, or was this really how the potion and the enchantment should be working. For all he knew this helped better then the actual coughing tonic, but didn't get him any answers.
He didn't start suffocating out of the blue, he didn't throw up, he hadn't spotted the gray glimmer and the sun was nearly setting.
On some level he was happy about it, and started wondering if it was an entities doing at all. He still wanted to find out as much. It was annoying to not know what was going on, but it was impossible to do research if he didn't have physical time to do it.
.
Arthur focused on his meal, while Merlin went about his chores around the royal chambers. Readying his sword for the next day, making sure his cape wasn't getting creased; and the odd jobs like fishing out the other pair of his boot from under the bed. – How the hell did it get there..?
Looking across under the bed he caught sight of something, but before he could tell what it is, it vanished from his sight. One thing he could tell: it was certainly gray.
He jolted up to see if it's still in the room, slamming the back of his head against the edge of the bed, then swearing so ornately it made Arthur stop eating. He curled on the floor holding his head for a few more curses and seconds then hurried to stand with one hand still on his nape, looking around hastily, trying to find his footing, catching the eye of a very confused prince.
"Rats again, Merlin?"
He opened his mouth to say something, but he broke out in coughing instead and went crashing down again on the ground.
"Merlin?.." – the prince called out again.
The servant than lifted his free hand signaling he will be fine in a minute, and tried to get a hold on his breathing. A bit later he managed to lower it to heavy panting and he just sat with his back against the night stool, trying to ignore the pain grasping his chest.
"You alright?" – Arthur asked from a few feet away. The young warlock didn't notice when he walked up to him.
"Y..Yea..!" – he answered a little startled. – "I think.. might be.. dust.." – he blurted out, wiping his eyes with the sleeve of his shirt.
The prince looked at him with creased brows for a second and held his hand out to pull him to his feet.
"Dust wouldn't bother you if you'd do a better job cleaning my chambers."
Merlin stared at him pursing his lips, and grabbed the young man's hand.
.
So the potion was working. Or it wasn't, or just not how it supposed to.. or…
He desperately needed to figure this thing out; the sooner the better.
.
"Have to hand it to you Merlin, the information you gathered was very helpful. I wouldn't mind finding out even more about Crowholdt Manor." – Arthur said fiddling with the water pitcher.
"Anything to help." – Merlin mumbled, walking up to the table to gather the leftovers of the prince's meal.
"I like it so far." - Arthur turned to face him, then put a cup of water on the edge of it, suggesting for his servant to take it.
Merlin looked at it then at the prince in amazement and heart pumping in his throat.
"You do?"
"Yes, a strategically remarkable place. I'm surprised my father never mentioned it."
"I wonder why.." - Merlin thought aloud, grabbing the cup and emptied it avidly; feeling the cold liquid quenching the pain in his throat somewhat; it felt so wonderfully relieving.
"You know something I don't?"
"No.." – he snapped out of it once feeling the prince's gaze on him – "Just.. many things going on at the moment, you shouldn't neglect your duties."
"Well, Agravaine can take care of it." – Arthur couldn't help but notice he really was looking for a way out of the castle; any way. The meetings and discussions were really getting on his nerves. He felt he wasn't really doing anything but talking. He knew it was something he needed to do, but still preferred being out in the open with his knights.
"You can't just leave. You would still need to know more, before you head out. I could look up more things, if.. I had more time."
"You suggesting a day off? Again?"
"No.. Just suggesting I could find out more things about Crowholdt for you if… I had more free time to research.. The library is quite big you know." – he did his best to look willing.
Arthur glared at him.
"Tell me, why you would want a day off?" – he asked again and sat back in his seat. – "Tell me and I'll grant it." – he was really curious. Merlin would moan about chores but never really asked for a day off. This was interesting.
"I just told you.." – he retorted, but the prince just kept looking. Was Arthur getting better at detecting lies or he was just getting worse at telling them. Merlin shook his head and grabbed the tray.
Arthur looked after him puzzled, then he remembered something that happened at the feast the other evening.
"The lake." – he then said.
"What?" – Merlin turned to look at him.
"The lake we fell in. You coming down with something?"
"What?! No!" – he looked almost offended and stormed out the door.
..
The night before..
.
"Dedicated servant." – Orrick said.
Arthur looked up at the dark haired boy, just as he almost bumped into a maid carrying a tray.
"Clumsier is yet to be born." – he rolled his eyes – "But yes, he is quite devoted."
"Such is hard to come by.. Gifted one too."
"Gifted? Who? Merlin?" – he scoffed, unaware of the man's gaze on him.
Orrick scanned Arthurs expression for a second - so he doesn't know.. - then his attention went back to his dinner.
"It must be hard work to be the princes' manservant. One man undoubtedly needs to be gifted to live up to such task."
Arthur looked at the man, then glanced at his servant.
He never wondered about that. He did weigh Merlin down with chores, sometimes jut to irk him a little, yet he always managed to get them done; well most of the time. Suppose he really was gifted in a way; and those times he's been the barer of wisdom when Arthur needed it. His loyalty for one, humbled Arthur. - At this moment something caught his eye and it made him stop eating. He saw Merlin standing, - no, hiding - behind a pillar and he had a pained expression, pale as well, gasping a few times until regained his posture.
He made a mental note to ask him about that later on. Dough, knowing Merlin, that will be difficult to find out.