"Breakfast in Bed" (Rose)
"Thank you, Merlin," I smile as he hands me a bowl of what looks like oatmeal.
"You're quite welcome," he returns a smile and sits back on the ground beside the bed.
"Oh, no," I motion for him to get up, "Don't do that." I sit up all the way and scoot back to lean against the wall, pulling my knees to my chest. "Come on," I pat the vacant space in front of me, "There's room enough for two."
He lets out a laugh and smiles, sitting down and tucking his legs up onto the bed, turning to face me. "You didn't have to do that you know."
"Well, yes," I nod, "But you've already done so much for me. It's really not a big deal. I'm certainly not going to perch on this bed while you sit on the hard ground. It's bad enough that you sleep on the floor every night since my unexpected arrival... That can't be comfortable."
"Actually," he cocks his head, keeping his smile, "I grew up sleeping on the floor back home."
"Really?" I ask. He nods. "And where is home?"
"Ealdor," he perks up a bit more.
"Huh," I think about this, "I've never been there before. What's it like?"
"Em," he pauses, then proceeds, "It is a lovely place. Life is... simple there. You eat the food you grow, and apparently, the people in Ealdor don't believe in the luxury of having a bed."
I snicker, "Apparently." I take a spoonful of oatmeal to my mouth. He does the same.
He swallows. "Gaius told me that you and your people lived in the woods outside of Camelot. Did you always live there?"
"Yes," I nod, "At least, we did while I was alive. There was a time when my kind was more widely spread throughout the five kingdoms, but that was before..." I trail off and look away.
"The Purge," he says knowingly, nodding slowly. We exchange glances; neither of us really appears to want to push that conversation, so we resume eating. Suddenly Merlin lets out an "Oh!"
"What is it?" I ask, thinking something is wrong.
"I'm going to be late for work," he hops to his feet, and is sure to take my empty bowl from me, "And Arthur's going to kill me..."
"I'm sorry. I feel responsible for keeping you," I truly feel guilty, and for that my smile dims, "Blame me, if you will."
"Oh, no," he shakes his head, still smiling that goofy grin, "Never! He's always nagging me about everything anyways, so it won't make much of a difference if he does get upset. And plus, it was worth it. I like talking to you."
"I like talking to you too, Merlin," my smile returns, and he's just standing there, looking at me in a kind of funny way. "You should probably get going," I laugh.
"Oh, yes!" he breaks out of his moment of being spacey. "We'll talk more later then, yeah?"
"Sure," I tilt my head to the side, "I look forward to it." He smiles brightly and leaves the room. I hear the front door open, then shut. The room feels far emptier without him in it. He has the kind of presence that fills a room because of his bouncy personality. I admire him greatly for it.
Gaius ventures into the room where I remain sitting there in the same position as before. "You're looking well, my lady," he smiles.
"Gaius," I shake my head slightly, "I do wish you wouldn't call me that. I am not your superior."
He nods with an understanding look on his face, "Maybe not here, but you are of noble blood. I am not."
"Nevertheless," I rebut, "You are my friend. I do not want you to look at me as being better than you are. I owe you my life. You, next to my father, are the greatest of men I have ever been privileged to know. If anyone deserves so high a title, it is you, sir."
He walks over to the bed and sits down before me, legs hanging over the side, feet touching the floor. He lays a fatherly hand on my knee, "I thank you for your kind words. You and Merlin mean the world to me. I promise to look after you as if you were my own."
"I am not worried of this, Gaius," I assure him, "You have always done so."
He simply smiles and rises back to his feet, "I must make my morning rounds, and also, I am in need of some herbs, so I will be gone a majority of the day. You rest, and the girl, Gwen, will be in to check on you soon." I grin, nodding, and lay down. I would say that sleeping for a week sounds fantastic, but I don't want to be tired, let alone asleep, when Merlin returns home in the evening.
"Arthur's Suspicion" (Merlin)
The whole day I have run around like mad. I would love to finish early today, but I am unsure that Arthur will let that happen. It is a few hours past lunchtime, and I have completed all my chores. I quickly turn and head for his chamber door in hopes that I won't run into him. That way, he can't keep me here needlessly.
My hope is short lived as he comes through the door, just as I reach for the handle. I take a giant, fast step backward so the thing doesn't hit me and send me flying.
"Oh, there you are, Merlin," he says dryly, then peers at me, "You're looking strange ... more so than usual."
"I can assure you, I don't know what you're talking about," I play innocent.
"Alright, Merlin," he eyes me, "What are you up to?"
"Nothing!"
"Well, there's your problem," he crosses over to his bed, beginning to remove his armor, "Aren't you here to work?"
"Something like that, Sire," I answer, continuing to play him.
"Then why aren't you doing so?" he turns and raises a brow at me.
"I have finished all my daily chores, my lord," I bow a little.
"You're joking," he points.
"See for yourself," I extend my arm and move it to the side, urging him to look about the room. He does.
When his inspection is over, he faces me once more, "I must say, I am impressed, Merlin."
I smile and am pleased at him saying so, "Thank you, Sire."
"You've done well," he says, "Too well."
"I beg your pardon?"
"Come off it, Merlin. We both know you're the worst servant in history. Why the sudden change in work ethic?"
"No reason," I shake my head from side to side, pursing my lips.
"You are horrible at many things, Merlin- one of those things being lying. Out with it," he sticks out his hand and gestures for me to speak by swiftly bringing his fingers in toward his palms a few times.
"It's nothing really," I hold my hands out to the sides, signaling that I have not a thing to hide.
"I'm not buying it, but since I have better things to do than stand here arguing with you for the rest of the day, I'm going to pretend like I do," he returns to removing his armor, "You may go."
"Thank you, Arthur," I start to leave.
"Wait," he says just as I get to the door, "One more thing."
I spin back around on my heel, "Yes, Sire?" I try to look as compliant as possible.
"If you're late again tomorrow, have no doubt, I will see to it personally that you spend the day in the stocks."
"But if you did that, who would you have to yell at all day?" I mutter, almost to myself, but I know he heard.
"Excuse me?" he challenges me.
"I was just concerned about your social wellbeing if that were to happen. I wouldn't want you to be lonely."
"I'm sure," he says sarcastically. "Now, leave, before I change my mind and make you muck out the stalls again," he swats the air in my direction, shooing me.
"See you tomorrow," I respond happily, glad to be heading home after what felt like a terribly long day.