Chapter Two: Servant

He knows nothing, this boy from Ealdor (from beyond Camelot). How could the King have given him a servant who knows nothing about anything (least of all how to act like a servant)? Arthur gives him tasks no manservant should ever have to do (too much, he knows) to drive him away. Let him quit and leave Camelot (why should Arthur care?). The more tasks Merlin has, the less he can actually complete them. Then, if nothing else, Arthur can fire him in good conscience (more or less). But the more Arthur gives, the quicker Merlin learns ("I'm a fast learner," he said with a half shrug and a small smile and Arthur has to admit he was right). From polishing his armor, to putting it on, to keeping it up between uses. From cleaning his chambers, doing the laundry, mending the clothes, fixing the weapons, making the meals, taking care of the horses, and of course mucking out the stables (Arthur's favorite pastime for his new servant). And on and on it went.

And yet, Merlin does it all to satisfaction (though not without complaint), but he did it and he did it well (almost all of the time). Arthur (against his better judgment and with Merlin's voice offering good luck echoing behind him) finds himself impressed. Merlin is proving to be loyal if still naïve.

Merlin bursts through the door and accuses visiting nobility (nobility!) of treason (of trying to kill Arthur himself). He doesn't want to believe it but he sees (again) that the servant does. A part of Arthur thinks, "What does Merlin know, he's just a servant who's learned nothing, after all. Let him die, by poison or by the King's hand. What does it matter, after all, he's only a servant?" But there's another part of him that respects his servant's bravery, the part that remembers Merlin's calloused hands pushing him roughly to the ground, saving his life (on that day so long ago it seems now) and he knows that Merlin's life (though only a servant) matters after all.

So when Uther declares that Merlin will drink from the cup, he argues, desperate, knowing that either way Merlin will suffer for this. Why didn't Merlin go through the proper channels (to Arthur himself, at the very least) but not in this very public fashion. His death would now have to be public (for an example to others).

But Merlin (who is terrified on simple hunting trips but so brave now) assures Arthur (staring into his eyes with a look that says, "It's an honor to die for my Prince") that it's all right. Merlin will drink from the cup and he will die.

The goblet is drained and for one short moment Arthur believes it to be free of poison (perhaps, perhaps he can rescue this situation after all). Then Merlin is choking and within a minute falls to the ground, his life leaving him. The chalice rolls innocently away.

"Arthur, you are my only son and heir," Uther declares without looking at him. "I can't risk losing you for the sake of some serving boy."

"Because his life's worthless?" The words burn coming out of his mouth and he doesn't believe them for a second (not just about his servant, but about anyone).

"No," his father stops and looks over at him with an unreadable expression, "because it's worth less than yours."

Arthur remembers Merlin holding his throat with a pained expression, the way he collapsed onto the ground, remembers him burning with fever and shaking from the poison that should have claimed Arthur's life and he cannot accept that. "I can save him." (It's a promise).

His father doesn't listen.

"Please, Father," he begs (Merlin is dying and Arthur counts each second of wasted time). "He saved my life." (Again!) "I can't stand by and watch him die."

"Then don't look." The King is resolved.

But so is Arthur Pendragon.

Arthur walks into Gaius' chambers hesitantly, uncertain of what he should say. He can see the back of Merlin, huddled at the table in a blanket, eating slowly with shaking hands.

"Still alive then?" he says in greeting (for lack of any other words).

Merlin turns to him with a smile (it's small but it's real). "Oh, yes. Just about." (Arthur comes closer to him, feeling a bit more at ease.) "I understand I have you to thank for that."

And Arthur doesn't know what to say because Merlin had only needed saving because he took it upon himself to drink Arthur's poison, so wasn't the blame partly on the prince? How could he take the credit for anything? "Yeah, well, it was nothing," he finally responds, not quite looking at him. "A half decent servant is hard to come by." It's Merlin's turn to look away but his smile is bigger than it had been.

"I was only dropping by to make sure you're all right." (Merlin looks tiny and young all huddled up, and he is pale as can be, and he looks like he's about to drop at any moment, but he's alive and that's what matters.) "I expect you'll be back to work tomorrow," he adds as he turns to leave (even though if Merlin tries to fulfill that order, Arthur will throw him in the dungeons to make sure he gets some rest).

"Oh, yeah, yeah, of course," Merlin agrees good-naturedly. "Uh, bright and early." (As if that would ever happen).

Arthur is at the door, ready to leave, already thinking of his warm and comfortable bed, when Merlin calls him back. "Arthur. Thank you."

Arthur can barely respond as he looks at this man who was so willing to die for him (he can still see him drink from the cup, still see the thrashing of his fever-induced delirium, still see him dying for Arthur, a man he barely knows) "You too," he finally gets out and it's not enough but it is all he has to give. "Get some rest."

Author's Note: Any recognizable dialogue is taken from the episodes, 'Valiant', and 'The Poisoned Chalice'.