Chapter 4 [Arthur's Chamber]
Daylight glinted through a small gap between drawn in curtains. Documents lay askew on a nearby oak desk. A quill waited by its gall jar for the next use. A rumpled shirt lay by the bed where half asleep hand had thrown it.
Arthur dozed under the covers. His dreams focused on Gwen. Desire and Amor lightened his step and warmed his heart. He shared a delightful four course picnic lunch. His heart skipped beats from her eyes' sparkle. Her laugh impaired his own breathing.
Bliss relaxed him. Best of all, neither Merlin or Uther were anywhere close….
Then a loud clang rattled the dreamscape. Everything shimmered around himself.
[Five Minutes Earlier]
Merlin eased the door open. His mind swam with details. He evaded Audrey in the kitchen. He assembled a few slices of ham, cheese and grapes for Arthur's palate. He's got that fair judging today. Oh he's so going to love that! He rolled his eyes at the forthcoming jibes and attitude.
Snoring…loud obnoxious snoring…grated its way through the dimly lit chamber.
Merlin frowned. No wonder the passage is empty! They must think a monster's loose in here. He crept across the floor. He wanted to balance the breakfast plate in his hand.
His foot bumped the brass chamber pot.
Wonderful! Merlin grimaced. He glanced toward the stirring Arthur. Then he looked down at the mess around the metal container. His eyes glinted.
The waste jumped back into the chamber pot.
Fortunately the pillows obscured Arthur's eyes at that particular point. He started to crack his eyes open.
Merlin edged his way around the offending chamber pot. He picked up Arthur's top and stretched it over a chair. He set the plate down on the desk.
"Mmm….Merlin, can you be any…oh I don't know…LOUDER? YOU ARE SO CLUMSY!" Arthur fumed. "You strike the chamber pot! You trip over your own fat feet! What else can you do? Wait. Don't answer that! I really don't want to know!" He blinked his eyes back into focus. "You better have a great breakfast for me!"
Merlin raised an eyebrow. "The chamber pot's here by the bed as it always is, Sire. I was about to empty it as soon as I gave you your breakfast."
"Merlin, I heard your idiot foot knock it over again. I believe I know that sound well." Arthur hissed out a heavy sigh. He saw the upright pot. "It can't be!"
"It…can't be what, Sire?" Merlin flung open the drapes. He grinned at the light pouring into the chamber.
"MERLIN!" Arthur put his hands over his eyes. "I wasn't fully awake yet! Can't you ever get that through that thick skull of yours?"
Merlin poured a half goblet of wine. "I'm sorry but you have a full day ahead of you. The King wants to meet with you soon. You have the new squires to look in on. There's a patrol this afternoon. And well…"
"Thank you, Merlin, for reminding me." Arthur grimaced at the looming politics and red tape. His eyes had adjusted to the streaming daylight by the window. He sat on the edge of the bed. Impatience practically puffed smoke signals through his ears.
"I brought ham, cheese and grapes for you. I know it's your favorite." Merlin smiled at his Prince. He held up the shirt. "I smoothed and prepared it for you."
"Merlin, I've had ham the last three days." Arthur stomped across the granite stones. "Surely there is something else you might give me?" Sarcasm raised an eyebrow at him.
Merlin shook his head. "I am terribly sorry. I am worrying about your schedule. I am thinking about you being seen in the best possible way. I just want you to be on time for the King…."
"Let me worry about those things, Merlin. You just give me some variety!" Arthur snapped. He threw his hands up. He heard a sharp knocking at the door. "Now what?"
George stepped inside. "I am terribly sorry to disturb you, Prince Arthur." He managed a bow while keeping his own serving plate balanced on his left hand. "Perhaps you might like some roast chicken as a change of pace? If you can allow me?" He smirked at Merlin. "Excuse me." He pushed the rejected platter to the side. He set his own down to reveal a leg and a slice of chicken breast with two more pieces of cheese, five grapes and two apple slices. He set a napkin and a clean fork beside it. "And there we are!"
Arthur nodded. He raised his eyebrows. His own grin seemed to say, 'See? This is how it's done!' "This is magnificent, George. I appreciate your service especially since Merlin has forgotten how to select my food. Still, shouldn't you be in the main part of the castle?"
"Actually, Sire. The King has assigned me to you! I am your new valet and personal chamber servant!" George nudged Arthur toward his waiting breakfast. "Let's start the day with a bit of polish. Shall we?"
"Thank you but I have a servant…already." Arthur winced. Memoria stung with George's polishing jokes, overflowing goblets and brown nosing.
"Well! I shall make sure you have the best service! The King agrees!" George motioned toward the door in Merlin's direction.
"Now wait just a….!" Merlin started to protest.
Arthur sighed. "Merlin…" He really wanted to thank George and send him on his way. Still the King has ordered a change in servants. "My father feels this is for the best. I shall see what I can do but he is still our King."
Merlin grumbled. Temptation pushed him to spell George. Still he knew that would backfire more than likely. "Fine. I'll go and pick herbs for Gaius."
"You do that, Merlin. Make yourself useful. Anything but the tavern." Arthur bit into the chicken leg. "See, Merlin? Mmmm….." He chewed in exaggerated fashion. "It definitely tastes different. George gets it."
"Indeed, Sire. Thank you so much!" George picked up the ham platter. He marched it across the room and shoved it into Merlin's midsection. Satisfaction glinted in his eyes. "Take this away!"
Merlin parroted the pompous jerk's words behind back his back to himself. He rolled his eyes. "Fine! Sire!" He bowed to Arthur. Then he hustled from the chamber.
George shut the door shoving Merlin out into the chamber.
Outrage stiffened Merlin's back. Somehow he kept from spilling the meat and cheese all over the stones underfoot. His mouth twisted into a deeper frown. "Whatever was that for?" He composed himself. What did I do? Uther knows I'm loyal to Camelot and Arthur. He determined to get to the bottom of the situation. He started toward the stairs and the kitchens below.
Morgana waited for him by the staircase. Wickedness sparked in her eyes and the wide smile. "I'd say good morning, Merlin, but you seem to be having a bad time of it."
Merlin suppressed his frown. He managed a bow. "Lady Morgana." Suspicion suggested her role in these events. "Prince Arthur appreciated a change in the menu. I was going to bring this back."
She coughed. "Aye. I'm sure he'd appreciate the change. Uther appreciated George's service just now. He's wanted to replace you for a while now. Apparently he thinks Prince Arthur needs to act more like a traditional Prince. I just left him. He wants to get rid of anything and anyone that would tempt him away from that. That means Gwen and you."
Merlin fumed. His eyes narrowed.
"Oh I am so sorry! I had to bring in a new chambermaid this morning. George will make sure Arthur receives no unsolicited advice. And you will leave Camelot, Merlin." She chuckled.
"And if I don't?" Merlin set his jaw.
"If you don't? Well, Merlin, I am trying to make this easy for both of us." She sighed and shrugged. "Perhaps you will go to Ealdor? I am sure your mother could use your help in that village. Perhaps you could find that fool, Gawain, in whatever tavern he's in?" She shook her head. "The King would be willing to let you go for that reason. If you do not, Gwen could meet an unfortunate fate. I could tell Uther how you tried to poison me before." She brought out the wooden cup. "I believe this is yours. Oh I found it in Gwen's things. I cannot believe, Merlin, that you and she would try to hurt the King!" She threw it at him.
He grabbed it. "How'd you get this?" He looked the cup over.
"Gaius should be more careful. So should you, Merlin." She grinned at him. "Just pack up and leave by midday. There's a change at court. Merlin. Arthur will be finding out there's no place for Gwen or you."
"What about Gwen? What have you done to her?" He clenched his fists.
She pursed her lips. "Calm down, Merlin. She is sleeping. I haven't done anything to her yet. I will meet you at sunset in the clearing where Morgause and I caught you before. You do remember where that is?"
"Yeah I remember." He shook his head. "How do I know it isn't a trap?"
She shrugged again. An eyebrow flicked at him. "You don't. But then again, if you don't come, Gwen wakes up in the dungeon and the noose waiting for her neck. You and she are servants. I'm the King's ward. Who do you think Uther will believe?" She sniggered. "I'll take that plate. You have packing to do." She took the plate from him. Then she pranced down the stairs.
He shook his head. What is she up to now? Despite Uther's pardon, he knew the King still suspected Arthur and Gwen. He knew Morgana wanted to get rid of him. Instinct pushed him to save Gwen and get to the bottom of things. Still, with Gwen in Morgana's clutches, he had no choice. He had to play along for the time being.
He descended the stairs toward Gaius' chambers. He could smell Conspiracy brewing all around himself….
…yet Morgana held all of the cards…
Merlin for once felt completely helpless….