MERLIN

I despise mucking out the stables. It is one of those tasks that do not get better with experience. I have enough experience to last a lifetime. The strong odor always makes my stomach turn; maybe it is a good thing that I didn't have time to eat breakfast. After I helped the other servants unpack Morgana's belongings, I was sent to the head servant, to be assigned my duties while I am here.

Unfortunately, one of the stable boys had an accident and broke his leg earlier this morning. The spot needed to be filled; I was the unlucky person to fill it. Besides, mucking out the stables I also watered, feed and groomed my share of the horses. I just finished a few moments ago. I'm heading towards the servants' quarters to clean up before I have to help serve dinner, which is in less than an hour.

"Excuse me." a flawlessly dressed servant addresses me "Have you seen the Crown Prince recently?" His voice is composed but I can detect a hint of anxiety.

"No I'm sorry…"

"I have." A voice interrupts me.

A man steps out of the shadows.

"Sir Gwaine" the other servant nods his head respectfully. He appears hopeful.

"He was headed in the direction of the armory."

"Thank you Sir." The servant bows before almost running towards the armory.

Sir Gwaine turns and opens a door "You can come out now."

Prince Arthur steps out into the hall. "Thanks Gwaine."

"Are you hiding from your servant?" I question before I can stop myself. "

Arthur looks as if he had just noticed that I am here.

"What business is it to you?" His tone is a combination of disbelief, most likely from a servant questioning him, and haughtiness.

"No need to be hard on the boy Princess. He cannot be more than fifteen. Just look how lanky, he is." Gwaine says "It's not his fault that you're hiding from your manservant."

I can feel my face heat up. I've always been tall, thin, and clumsy. When I'm using magic I can be almost graceful, but the rest of the time I'm a disaster waiting to happen. Having a stranger point that out is embarrassing.

"I am not hiding."

"What else could you call it? Unless you're playing a game of hide and seek? " Gwiane taunts.

"Shut up Gwaine."

"Sure princess." Gwaine says before heading down the hall.

Arthur scowls at the retreating man.

"Do not speak a word of this to anyone boy."

"I'm not a child." I am an adult after all.

"I cannot believe I'm agreeing with Gwaine but you're maybe sixteen?" He looks smug

"No, I'm nineteen summers."

"I find that hard to believe. You're ganglier than a newborn colt."

"Just because you do not believe it does not make it any less true and if you will excuse me Sire I need to go.

I leave before he has time to reply. He is undeniably still a prat.

ARTHUR

I've been able to avoid my manservant for most of the day. Greg (?) has been searching all over for me and has almost found me several times. Gwaine and I are now taking the long route to my chambers.

"This is ridiculous. He cannot be that bad Arthur." Gwaine states

"You wouldn't say that if you had to be in the same room with him longer than a few minutes. The man is the definition of dull."

I hear footsteps and look around the corner. Greg (?) is hurrying down the hall looking around. I quickly duck into a room. Gwaine is chuckling softly. I'm in one of the smaller guest's chambers. It is in perfect condition even though it is not being used at the moment. I hear Gwaine's voice but cannot make out what he is saying. I hear footsteps and quickly move away from the door.

"You can come out now." Gwaine is trying to cover a laugh.

"Thanks Gwaine." I mutter

"Are you hiding from your servant?"

I snapped my head up in surprise. I cannot believe that I did not realize someone else was in the hall. I've been trained all my life to be aware of my surroundings. That someone is a boy wearing raggedy clothes looking at me in confusion.

"What business is it to you?" I'm still angry at myself for not noticing the boy earlier.

"No need to be hard on the boy Princess. He cannot be more than fifteen. Just look how lanky, he is." Gwaine says "It's not his fault that you're hiding from your manservant."

I notice the boy's face turns red at the lanky comment.

"I am not hiding." I denied

"What else could you call it? Unless you're playing a game of hide and seek? " Gwiane mocks

"Shut up Gwaine." I glare at him.

"Sure princess." Gwaine says before heading down the hall.

I can help but scowl at Gwaine. I turn my attention to the boy.

"Do not speak a word of this to anyone boy." The last thing I need is for everyone to find out that I'm avoiding a servant. If my father found out….

"I'm not a child." The boy replies, sounding annoyed.

"I cannot believe I'm agreeing with Gwaine, but you're maybe sixteen?"

"No, I'm nineteen summers." He sounds embarrassed yet angry

"I find that hard to believe. You're ganglier than a newborn colt." He is tall and ridiculously thin.

"Just because you do not believe it does not make it any less true and if you will excuse me Sire, I need to go." He makes Sire sound like an insult. He quickly turns and leaves.