Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin.
Warnings: Not really any, but if you are sensitive for any reason don't read.
Enjoy
Merlin was a very sophisticated person believe it or not. He had so many secrets that no one even considered to think about. That being the one thing Camelot heavily discriminated. Magic. He had hidden talents and strengths too. Despite being scrawny and constantly teased for his lack of strength, he had amazing endurance. As a servant he is constantly moving. Never once does he really get a chance to relax, and maybe that was when it started.
In order to get everything done at a satisfactory time, he had to come up with creative ways to find extra time. That included filling in his lunch "break" with running errands or doing laundry. It didn't really do much harm though. He would eat extra for dinner and make up the calories he missed out on. Well, that worked for a while anyway. Many times did his job require working late at night, even after his master has gone to bed. In order to get a decent nights sleep, it requires skipping unnecessary breaks such as dinner to complete his tasks.
Although Merlin isn't afraid of Arthur, he does know how angry the man can get sometimes. Not because he forgot to polish his boots or clean his favorite shirt. But when he's already angry, these things severely add to the king's mad mood. His face becomes red and he yells, like really yells. It is not often that the King will truly be angered by his servant's actions, more annoyed more times than not. He didn't mean any harm, but that doesn't mean it wasn't done.
Balancing the act of friend and servant was a hard one sometimes. He wanted to be better than that know it all George. He knew Arthur already thought so, but sometimes it was nice to hear it every once in a while. So, he tried extra hard to get everything done. He pushed himself too hard, that became clear as the rest of his day unfolded.
" Merlin!" came the unforgettable voice of the King of Camelot.
" Coming Sire." Merlin's voice returned with such fake cheerfulness it surprised even himself.
As he entered Arthur's chambers, he was met with a disaster of a room.
" What happened!?"
" What happened? You happened Merlin!"
" Me?!"
" Yes you, you weren't here to clean it, now hurry up!"
With a huff Merlin ignored the growing in his stomach and bent over to start picking up the array of dirty clothes on the floor.
Mumbling to himself Merlin complained about the hunger in his stomach. He missed last night's dinner, slept in and missed breakfast, and now was missing lunch. To say he was hungry was an understatement. The hunger itself didn't really affect him, it was when the nausea came into play that he really wanted to quit and give in. His stomach was so empty it was like it had a mind of it's own. It seemed to growl and flop whenever the smell of the king's food came wafting in. Speaking of which, why was he smelling food?
" Afternoon sire, your food was ready and I took the liberty of bring it up to you myself," Said the only man the Merlin disliked in the entire castle. George.
With a hesitant smile, Arthur thanked the young man.
" Ah, see Merlin. Someone here know's how to treat a king,"
Personally disgusted, Merlin turned a blind eye, just trying to ignore the food worthy of a king, asking to be consumed. Oh, how he would have loved to have done it himself.
" Oh come on Merlin, don't be such a girl," Arthur said when no sarcastic comment met his ears.
" So much for you to say, you need another man to get you your own meal," Merlin said. This comment was different from most others, it was lacking the usual light hardheartedness.
" Okay Merlin, since you seem to have an attitude tonight, who don't you stay late tonight to cool off. Now isn't that a good idea?"
" Oh yes, a great one sire," Merlin replied with thick sarcasm.
His mood only continued to get sour as the hours passed. Dozens of boots later the sun was starting to set indicating he had already missed dinner too. With a sigh of discouragement, Merlin continued his work and went to the armory to polish the severely used metal items residing inside. So many battles have scratched the bright silver, so many bad and good memories were made with them in the picture. Merlin fell this rhythm of scrubbing and thinking and tried to ignore his overgrowing exhaustion until he couldn't keep his eyes open any longer.
That's where Arthur found him in the morning. Cloth in one hand, helmet in the other. His servant's form was slumped, and the sound of heavy breathing echoed softly in the room. It seemed so peaceful the king almost didn't want to disrupt it. But, what the hell, he was the king.
" MERlin, what do you think you are doing?"
With a start the dark haired man jumped in his seat and tried to find the voice that had awoken him.
" Honestly Merlin, is it that hard to bring up a tray of food every once in a while? I'm starved."
' oh yes, poor thing,' Merlin though to himself.
" Sorry sire, just tired," Merlin rubbed his eyes and stood up. His footing slightly faltered when the entirety of his vision was blacked out, he stood his ground and tried his best to listen to his master speak.
"-can clean that too, are you even listening to me Merlin?"
" Ah yes," Merlin rubbed his eyes and put back the supplies he had used last night,
" Good, and don't forget, you need to attend me at the meeting with the Knights of the Round Table," Arthur said as his attention had drifted to the paper containing his key points of conversation. Most of which Merlin already knew involved taxes he was trying to reduce and the small famine that that was affecting the lower town. If there was one thing Merlin admired about Arthur it was his ability to deeply care for others. Even after he was raised by a cold-hearted man, his heart still remained warm. Sometimes anyway, he could be blind too.
So, with great difficulty, Merlin forced himself to move forward through the suddenly cold corridors and into the kitchens to grab the King his daily breakfast. His stomach was so empty, he didn't even feel hungry anymore. He knew it was bad, but if it got him through the day then so be it.
" Today we have many things to discuss. My father was a noble man, but within his reign, he has made several decisions that I do not agree with," Most of the knights themselves gave a knowing look or nodded their heads in agreement. We all knew Uther was, in some ways, a deranged man. That was something they could all agree on.
" One of those things being the harsh taxes he employed on the people of Camelot. Many are unable to keep up with the taxes brought upon them. Though necessary for the future development of the kingdom, these taxes will soon be reduced in order to conserves the social status of everyone. Starting next week, everyone will only be required to pay forth half of the regular tax amount previously asked."
With this revealed plan, many happy murmurs spoke out in agreement. This was just and fair.
" If there's anyone who does not think this is a fair idea, please speak up now or forever hold your tongue on the matter," Arthur looked around for any defiant knights or disagreeing councilmen.
" Very well, now on to the next topic, famine,"
Merlin stood in the back, droning out the continuous talk of important matters; He was really starting to not feel good. He could feel his body involuntarily sway every now and then. His head swam and tilted when he tried to pay attention or stay upright. His knees felt weak and body heavy. The nausea was back too and in full force. Why did this have to happen now? His only thoughts were if he could sit through this meeting, he would take a rest and eat a filling meal. He owed it to himself to do so.
" The lower town has been having a small reduction in crop development in the past month. Due to this, we will be distributing packages of food to each household affected until the crops start to grow at a faster rate."
Several knights acknowledged this idea and for the most part agreed. There was some questions to address, but other than that, everyone agreed to help distribute products.
" So, with the help of you all, I think this pro-"
THUMP!
The sudden sound silenced the king and caused everyone in the room to look at the source. And there, on the floor was the king's own personal man servant lying on the floor out cold.
" Merlin?!" Gwaine said as he was the first to stand from his seat and attend the fallen man.
He shook the servant's shoulders but he did not stir. As one of the most respected people in the castle, Gaius was already sitting in on the conversation and had leapt from his seat as fast as his old body could handle.
" Gaius, is he alright?" Arthur asked, more annoyed than concerned. His servant was so dramatic sometimes, it was not of great concern that he felt when the younger man fell to the ground. He probably saw a shadow and fainted like the girl he was.
" Is he ill?" Asked Leon who obviously had more concern.
" I'm not sure Sir Leon. He is pale, and his skin is clammy. I need to take him to my chambers sire," Gaius said as his eyes pleaded with the king in front of him. The old man looked desperate, scared even. This is what jarred the mask he wore, and Arthur started to feel the nerves in his stomach tremble.
" Yes of course, let me know of his wellness when you have evaluated him,"
" Yes, my lord," The old man said. Several of the the other knights stepped forward to help bring the boy down to the physician's chambers. They all loved the servant. He was someone they could call their own despite the stereotypes of rank. He was held dear to them, and seeing him appear so ill impacted them more than they would have thought.
Nearly an hour passed and the court physician was able to come up with a diagnosis.
" Anemia. That would explain his falling spell." Gauis said confidently.
" Anemia? Like he hasn't been eating?" Leon asked as he starred down at the gaunt face of his friend. Merlin looked dead, well, all except for the slow and steady breath under his nose.
" That would appear so. Now why that is, I don't know why I'm afraid,"
Arthur's face paled a shade or two. The immediate guilt put a lump in the King's throat. He couldn't help but feel it was his fault. Not once has he seen the servant eat something, he was always too busy cleaning or running unnecessary errands.
"I-I think this is my fault," Arthur said quietly. As much as he hated being wrong, admitting his faults, his pride didn't seem to matter all that much now.
" How could that be?" Elyan asked flabbergasted at the abruptness of the his king's confession.
" I work him too hard. I hardly give him time to rest before asking something else unto him."
Everyone had looked at him expecting some huge confession. What they got was the typical sorry friend blaming themselves.
" It isn't your fault Arthur," Gwen said as she rubbed his arm. Nothing they said would ever change what he felt in this moment peering at the skinny form of the man he constantly asked for everything. It was easy to call the man a girl when he was feeling high himself. But now, as the authority in his earlier speech receded, and his eyes really focused on all that he had missed, he felt ashamed. So very ashamed. He felt like a child let alone the king he was. What had he done?
Gwen could tell what she had said did nothing to persuade her lover. She as well as everyone else in the room thought the same thing. No one was really to blame. Each of them has a huge responsibility and in order to do so took so much time, they didn't think what else may be going on.
The worst part about it all was the fact that this happened surprisingly often within the servant community. How they had missed it until now was a miracle, but, it had to change and it had to change today, Arthur made sure of that,
"A mandatory meal break, since when?" Merlin asked with heavy eyes gazing up at his mentor.
" Yes, Arthur has informed the entire castle staff that this will be enforced. Anyone who denies to follow this rule will be punished." Gaius said, face unreadable. It was already predicted that the curious eyed man had many thoughts about what had happened. Merlin knew in the next day or so he'd get a talk about taking care of the human body and what is needed to do it. For now though, he is contented to just sleep.
Merlin awoke again to the darkness of the room. It was obviously late at night now, and he had been yet to get out of bed. He knew his body needed the rest, but that didn't mean he liked it. Feeling helpless like this was not something he prided himself to do. No one really liked it, the only people that did were hypocrites.
The desire to move plagued his limbs like a sickness, he just had to move. So, quietly Merlin sat up in bed and moved his legs to the side where he started to stand.
" Where do you think you're going?" A deep voice asked in the dark. Merlin gazed the room and landed on a slouched figure sitting in a chair not far from his cot. It took a moment to realize who it was, but when he did, Merlin felt slightly more at ease.
" Sire, what are you doing here?"
" Am I not aloud to sit at my servant's bedside?" Asked Arthur in a half serious and half joking tone.
" No it's not that, I just didn't know you cared," Although he meant it in a light hearted way, he could see the grimace that quickly danced on the other man's face.
" I do care Merlin, not that I'll ever admit saying so if anyone were to ask. Not to mention I'd put you in the stalks if you ever told anyone."
" Oh yes, of course sire," Merlin shot back obediently.
Several moment of silence passed before Arthur decided to speak up.
" I'm sorry for not giving you a break every once in a while. I realize that I can sometime be a-"
" Prat?"
" Yeah. And in all seriousness, I didn't intend for this to happen," Arthur said. His shame was evident in both his bodily position and tone.
" It was not your fault but mine. I know my own needs, and sometimes I ignore them."
Arthur nodded but some of the guilt remained.
" Don't feel at fault Arthur, you are a noble man. You have shown it in your actions by creating new rules and laws to better the kingdom for all of it's people. That has to count for something. I think it does anyhow. But, don't let it get to your head, it's already big enough," Merlin finished with a smirk.
Arthur laughed and lightly punched his friends in the shoulder, " Get some rest, I'll see you in the morning."
No more than a day later did Merlin start back at the strenuous job of his. Already the intense strain was clear. Oh, so much to do and so little time to do it. Half running, Merlin stumbled into the chambers of his king with a tray of food on it. There was enough to feed a horse let alone a single man. Why the cook though it necessary was beyond him. It was no secret the king of Camelot needed a larger belt, but sheesh.
Merlin placed the tray of food at the awaiting man and searched the room for the last of he laundry that needed doing. Within the process, his stomach made an angry protest asking for food.
" Are you going to come sit or what?"
Merlin's head whipped towards the table with an inpatient king and untouched food.
" Sire?"
" You idiot Merlin, did you not hear about the mandatory break? Honestly, how much wax is in your ears?"
" Not nearly as much as in yours!" Merlin shot back and hesitantly looked at the table of food.
" I really don't think I have the tim-"
" Merlin! Come and sit or have fun in the stocks for the next 3 hours. You pick."
" You know what that food does look rather enticing," Merlin sat down and picked up an apple. Once he managed to take a bite, it was was only then that Arthur too picked up a parcel of food.
Plz plz plz review