Title: It's Like Magic

Author: Kiki1770

Rating: T for Language

Setting: Season 1

Summary: Arthur wondered when it really began, this unorthodox affection he had for his scrawny manservant.

A/N: I want to sincerely apologize. I promised a variety of drabbles and yet you've only seen Freylin, Humor, and Friendship ones so far. I promise the next one will be of a genre I haven't done in a while. Any preferences?


Friendship 8: Simple Words

Arthur wondered when it really began, this unorthodox affection he had for his scrawny manservant.

Maybe it was the first time he met the servant in the small courtyard, and that no-name village idiot had called him an arse to his face. But Merlin hadn't known Arthur was a prince at the time. Maybe it was the second time the met in the lower town and he'd called Arthur a "Prat" knowing full and aware who Arthur was. Maybe it was when Merlin picked up a mace, incorrectly of course, and had tried to fight Arthur with his idiotic bravery.

"There's something about you Merlin…I can't quite put my finger on it," Arthur had told Merlin. But even that didn't seem to be it. Sure Merlin's bravery and lack of respect for nobles had fascinated him, but it wasn't the root of their affection.

He pondered for a moment if it began when Merlin had willingly drunk the poisoned goblet for him. They had barely been with each other for four months, but by that time, Arthur had cared enough about the boy to defy his father and find the cure for Merlin. No, he'd already had this affection for Merlin by then.

What had triggered this affection was something much smaller. If Arthur thought really hard he could remember Merlin's first week of service to him. Arthur had purposely overloaded Merlin with chores in effort to get him to quit. But Merlin – for whatever reason – had stubbornly stuck by Arthur's side. Perhaps it was that Merlin had not abandoned him?

No, no, it was something much simpler than that. Just a few simple words. It was something Arthur had never been told in his life. It was something no servant, maid, or knight had ever thought to say to him. At the end of Merlin's first week with Arthur, after finishing his chores he'd silently paused by the door and whispered:

"Good Night Sire,"


Hehe, I was thinking about how lovely it was that Merlin said: Good Night sire, everyday before Arthur went to bed. Doesn't that just show how much Merlin cares for Arthur? Therefore, I think Arthur needed to appreciate the simple gestures that Merlin made for him.

Review, review, review.

Kiki1770