Disclaimer: Thanks to everyone who followed the story; feel free to review it :) As usual, I do not own anything concerning Merlin, or the characters or any of the songs and references that the OC makes.

The next morning, Merlin woke up Arthur and set him up for the day before going to wake up Laya. He had a few chores that he had to do but she wanted to help; he was grateful for that. Every so often Arthur did not realize that he had given Merlin too many chores and then would scold him when they were not done on time. Arthur still did not know that Merlin had magic; he wish that he did know because of the fact it would just make the chores do themselves. At least with Laya helping him, he would have company and it would get done quicker.

They ate and got dressed quickly before heading down to the river to do Arthur's laundry. Laya was telling him about the time that she came from and how there was a box that would do this for you. He wished he would live to see it and then see the look on Arthur's face. When they were done the laundry, they hung it to dry and went about picking herbs for Gaius. They were about half way through when they heard Arthur.

"Mer-lin!"

"Why does he say your name like that?" she asked, brushing her hands onto her pants.

"No idea, I think its because he thinks I forget it." he replied with a smirk.

"Well, did you ever do it back to him?" she asked, tilting her head to the side.

"No. Too busy calling him a 'prat' or a 'clotpole'" Merlin said, smirking.

"Mer-lin!"

"Coming sire." he picked up the basket of herbs. "Come on, Laya."

She linked her arm through his and they headed towards the blond man. "Sire." she said, with a slight bow.

"Ah, the cousin." Arthur said, looking smug. "Helping out I see, better than standing around all day."

"Laya!" she said. "Seriously, it's not a hard name."

"I'm the prince, I have no need for remembering names." he said, turning towards Merlin. "Have you polished my armor yet for the tournament?"

"It's not for a few days." Merlin said, fiddling with the basket. "I'll do it later once I finish all the other chores you gave me."

"Hop to it." Arthur said, shooing Merlin away.

Merlin sighed and told Laya that he would see her back at their rooms, leaving her alone with Arthur.

"You know, Arthur, you might be the prince, but part of that means you have to know what your people go through. When was the last time that you went out dressed in commoners clothing and just observed?"

"I do not believe that I have ever done that." he said, not really paying attention to her.

"Well, maybe you should." she said. "I mean, I'm not saying this because he is my family, but you're over working Merlin. One day, if he does not get the proper rest, you're gonna work him till he's sick."

"That's not possible." Arthur said, "He stays with Gaius, whom as you know, is one of the best healers."

"True, Uncle Gaius is amazing, however, I know from experience that it is possible." she said. "It happened to me."

"What are you saying?" he asked, eyes narrowing.

She sighed and pulled her hair back from behind her head, showing him a long scar that worked it's way from the base of her skull down her neck. "I was working for a long time without a lot of sleep and I got dizzy. I fell and cut myself on a sharp blade." She let her hair fall back into place and looked into his eyes. "My brother was so worried. I had not woken up in days. He thought that I would never wake up again."

Arthur stared at her, watching her closely. "So you're saying Merlin could get hurt if he works too hard. But that is part of his job as my manservent."

"I know. Tell you what, change into something without the Pendragon crest on them and let's follow Merlin around for awhile." she said, taking hold of his wrist.

"I am not sure that's a good idea." he said, softly. "My father."

"I will handle Uther." she said, "You just have to go along with what I'm going to be telling him. Alright?"

He nodded but still looked unsure. "It'll be fine. Fathers love me."

They headed into the castle and Arthur led her to Uther's chambers, where he was most likely working. "Enter," he said after they knocked. He sounded busy.

Arthur opened the door for Laya and then led her inside. "Ah, Arthur. Laya. What can I do for you?"

"Laya had a request, Father." Arthur said, shifting slightly. He really thought that this wasn't going to work.

"Oh?" he asked. "And what is this request?" He laid his quill to the side, giving them his full attention.

"Well, sire. My cousin, Merlin..."

"Arthur's manservent?"

"Yes, him." she said, resisting the urge to roll her eyes. She now knew where Arthur had gotten his ability to not remember names.

"Well, he promised to show me Camelot today. But he had too much work today." She put a disappointed look on her face. "But then, Prince Arthur, here, came up with an idea."

"I did?!" Arthur asked, eyes snapping to hers. She gave him a pointed look. "I did." He said, turning back to his father.

"I was against it, of course, but the Prince wouldn't hear of it." she said, lacing her fingers together.

"And, what was this idea?" Uther said, leaning forward on the desk, mildly interested.

"It was that the Prince, himself, escort me through the town; in disguise." she said. "Even though, I knew it would not work. I mean, someone as...handsome as the Prince would surely be recognized. Perhaps, even be mistaken for his Highness in his younger years."

"It is true," Uther mused. "While Arthur inherited his mother's sandy locks, the rest is entirely me when I was his age." He was obviously pleased with the praise. ""However, it is a good idea. Arthur," he turned his gaze to his son. "You will escort, this lovely lady through the town and take at least two of your so called knights with you.."

"Yes, Father." Arthur bowed, giving Laya the cue to curtsy.

"Thank you, your Highness. And thank you, Prince Arthur." She curtsied to him as well.

Once they had left, Arthur turned to Laya. "How did you manage that?"

"I told you," she said with a smile. "Fathers love me. Now, let's go get you ready."

She led him towards Gaius' chambers, talking idly, when they ran into Merlin, who was carrying Arthur's laundry back to his rooms.

"Laya, what's happening?" He asked, casting a look at Arthur before focusing on her.

Ignoring Arthur's snide comment about how Merlin didn't notice him first, she smiled at him and told him that Arthur was taking her to the village in disguise so that they wouldn't be bothered.

Merlin set down the basket and walked over to the flower arrangement on the sill and took a purple flower and tucked it into her braid. "Well, be careful, the both of you. I cannot protect you while I am not with you." He kissed her head and whispered something in Arthur's ear before hurrying off with the laundry.

"Mer-lin. I need you to find Gwaine and Percival; tell them to meet us at the front gate." He called after his manservent.

"What was that about?" she asked, her hands on her waist.

"Hmm? Oh, nothing." he said, shaking his head. "Shall we?"

After they got him changed into some commoner's clothing and met up with the two knights they were off to the village. Gwaine tried to ask her personal questions but she silenced him when she tripped him 'by accident'.

Arthur smiled at the blatent flirting but kept his mouth shut. As odd as it sounded, dressing as a commoner gave him a sense of freedom. He didn't have to pretend like this, he was simply Arthur. They made their way through Camelot and throughout their time there, Arthur on several occasions saw people who worked in the castle. He watched them go from place to place quicker than he cared too and realized that they were doing their everyday tasks. Things he always asked them to do. They kept going, some of them looking like they were going to faint at any moment. Guilt banged around in his gut. These were people who he told what to do everyday and he never once noticed a bit of fatigue in them. Several times, whilst they were walking he saw Merlin running to different stalls before disappearing and then showing up again, getting something for Gaius. Once while they were stopped at a stall that sold hot drinks; which were a godsend on a cold day, he watched as someone sat down before they fell over.

"Do you see what I mean now?" she asked as they headed back towards the castle.

"I do." he said, hanging his head. "I never meant to do this to my people, let alone those of whom who do what I say."

"Then, you know what to do?" she asked.

"I do. Thank you, Laya, for showing this to me."

"Pendragon, you shock me." She said, linking their arms together. "You remembered my name. That means we can be friends now."

"I'd like to be friends with you." Gwaine chimed in, giving his usual smirk.

"Nice try, hair boy." she smirked, "Maybe at the next ball you can dazzle me with your dance moves."

"I only dance when I drink." Gwaine said, still smirking.

"Which is always." Percival said.

The group laughed as the entered the gates to the castle. Once they reached the entrance they ran into Merlin, whom it seemed had just finished his chores. "There you are." he said, smiling.

"Yes, Merlin, in one piece as I promised." Arthur said, as the cousins embraced. "Speaking of balls, that reminds me, there will be once next week as a visiting King is arriving to discuss plans. Laya, you will be required to sing and as you have no immediate family, Merlin, you will escort her."

"Me? At a ball and not serving you?" Merlin asked, slightly shocked.

"Yes. You will have the night off to make yourself presentable and you will escort her." Arthur said.

"Day off? Sire, are you ill?" He asked, raising his hand to Arthur's forehead.

"Mer-lin!" Arthur snapped. "I happen to be feeling quite well!" He pushed past them and headed inside.

"I will escort her, Merlin, if you feel out of sorts." Gwaine said, shrugging.

"Gwaine?" Merlin asked, draping his arm around Laya's shoulders. "Do you see pigs in the sky?"

Gwaine turned his eyes to the sky. "No."

"Then it is not going to happen." Merlin said with a laugh as he led Laya inside.