I said at the beginning of this fic that I might add another chapter and I did end up doing that, so not much happens in this chapter but up next is the council meeting.
Arthur
1:45 Wash up after the stables
2:00 Retrieve dry laundry and fold it
2:45 Ready Merlin for council meeting
Returning to the physician's chambers was not a successful endeavor. There was not a bucket of water waiting for Arthur and though Gaius apologized for his lack of foresight to have someone bring one, he didn't seem too put out as he asked Arthur to bring a second bucket of water back with him for one of the tinctures Gaius was preparing.
Arthur practically ran to the well pump so he wouldn't be any later than he already was. He filled both buckets and dropped the water off for Gaius, spending barely a minute to wipe a wet rag over his face and arms. He felt no cleaner afterwards than before he had done it but he didn't have time to dwell on it as he made his way back across the castle to the laundry rooms.
Thankfully the laundry was fully dry. It was warm due to hanging in the direct sunlight. Arthur hastily pulled the pins off of each item, letting them drop into his basket. He didn't have time to fold them since he needed to dress Merlin for the council meeting and he was close to being late. Arthur hastily picked up the basket, holding it awkwardly against his stomach, as he once again rushed across the castle to get back to his own chambers.
Merlin was there waiting for him as he barged through the door without knocking. His manservant bit his lip to stop from laughing at Arthur's breathless state.
Arthur scowled. "I was supposed to have Harold helping me all day today and yet somehow he's disappeared." He dropped the basket of unfolded laundry by the bed, moving to grab the change of clothes Merlin needed for the council meeting.
"Well I guess you'll have to make do on your own like the rest of us." Merlin laughed.
"You have both Leon and Guinevere!" Not only was Merlin not alone, but he also had two of the most competent people in the kingdom.
It seemed as if exasperation was Merlin's default facial expression with how often he expressed it. "Yes, but they're not there to help me. You have them there to make sure I don't do anything stupid. Leon didn't help run training this morning, I led training; and Gwen did no more than fill her regular role during the town hall."
"Harold didn't do any of the work! He was supposed to be there to tell me how to do certain things and where in the world I could find an oil rag, but he couldn't even do that!"
"Really? I'd have thought he would have caved and helped you at least a little." Merlin had honestly expected him to help Arthur with some of the more skill based chores.
Arthur's complaints pulled Merlin from his musings. "No, he didn't even carry any of the buckets of water back from the well pump."
Merlin hummed in amusement. He ducked behind the changing screen and began to pull off the jacket from earlier in preparation for the chainmail and cape he would have to wear for the council meeting. There was no way to help Arthur now, so he quickly changed the subject in the hopes that Arthur would forget that he was supposed to have Harold's help for the rest of the day.
"I still don't understand why you feel the need to change clothes four times a day. This outfit would have been perfectly fine for a council meeting and changing into the chainmail is a waste of time."
"Merlin. I have to present myself as a warrior and a leader in front of the council. Being dressed in just my normal finery isn't appropriate."
The younger man rolled his eyes, unseen by Arthur. "Whatever you say, Arthur." After a moment Merlin commented, "I feel like I weigh twice as much with all this stuff I'm wearing."
"You probably do. It's a miracle that you can even stand with how scrawny you are." Arthur joked as he helped Merlin into the gear. It was a bit slower with their roles reversed than it took them normally, but the two managed to outfit Merlin with everything he needed and were soon ready to go to the council meeting.
Merlin wordlessly reminded Arthur about everything he needed to bring by gesturing towards the desk and after another moment Arthur's hands were piled high with the parchment pieces containing all the vital information for this council meeting. As they left the room, he half expected to drop it all over the floor like Merlin had done so many times before, but it was easier to balance the stack than his friend always made it seem. Maybe it was his clumsiness that made it hard.
The council members already lined both sides of the table. General council meetings were held with the old rectangular table instead of the round table; as much as Arthur liked the symbolism of the round table, there were too many council members to fit alongside the knights. The council Merlin would lead was a fair mix of knights and advisors from Uther's reign.
As the two entered the room, Arthur felt a seed of worry. None of these men particularly liked Merlin; he had become sort of a symbol of how much Arthur was different than his father. Despite Uther giving Merlin his position originally, Merlin had never been the typical servant and his friendship with Arthur, though unspoken, had become even more apparent after the death of the previous king.
Arthur didn't think the councilmen would do anything as he stood there serving—and watching—but he wasn't sure whether or not they would give Merlin a harder time as soon as he left to prepare for the feast.
Despite Merlin's current position as king, the men looked at Arthur as the two entered the room. Arthur didn't meet any of their eyes, hoping that they would play along and give Merlin the same respect they would afford Arthur himself. Anxiety spiked in Arthur and for the first time all day he felt that this challenge had been a bad idea.