'Follow him' Arthur decided. He paused for a moment. He wasn't sure if he could handle any more surprises tonight. 'No,' he thought. 'I can handle a couple more things from the idiot – and I need to know the truth.'
Sadly, with Merlin's newfound adeptness with the concept of stealth, tacking his trail was very hard, In fact, much to Arthurs humiliation, he lost the trail after a mere five minutes.
Arthur scowled.
Another reason to put Merlin in the stocks. Apart from the lying sorcerer possible traitor thing.
Feeling thoroughly discontented and very wet from his trek through the forest; he sullenly trudged through the gates. The visibly surprised guards took one look at his face and shut their gaping mouths.
Arthur stormed up to his chambers, shouting at a startled servant to have a bath prepared. He did not feel the slightest bit guilty as the servants terror stricken face. Obviously. He was so deep in thought he almost fell down a flight of stairs and tripped on a Pendragon red curtain left lying in the corridor. All of the maids and other staff jumped out of his path like kangaroos. He threw open the heavy oak doors relishing the bang they made as they were flung open.
Slouching in a chair, awaiting the bath, Arthur contemplated the events of his evening.
His conclusions:
Conclusion one: Merlin was a sorcerer. Magic was evil. The Merlin Arthur knew wasn't evil. Thus, either Merlin was a much better liar than anyone thought or his Father was wrong. Very, very wrong.
Conclusion two: Merlin was powerful – as indicated by the many, apparently well respected, titles. Including the words Lord. And King. Yet another thing to talk to Merlin about – who the hell would make that idiot King?
Conclusion three: Merlin was well-known. The druid (Iseldir?) was said that. Was this due to his apparent power?
Conclusion four: Merlin had a lover of some kind – his wife? Girlfriend? Who she was, why Arthur had never met her (or ever heard about her) and what she had to do with a lake were questions Arthur wanted answered. Soon.
Conclusion five: Merlin had been a lot more involved in things that had happened whilst he'd been here than he ever could've guessed.
Conclusion six: ... Well there wasn't one.
Final conclusion: Arthur didn't know much for definite aside from the fact that Merlin was not all that he seemed and that he was a liar. Point one was expected. Arthur was surprised to find how much the second one hurt.
Result: He had to talk to Merlin. Arthur knew the problem wouldn't be getting him to talk but getting him to say something meaningful. Or getting him to shut up again.
As it was late evening, and as Merlin had already dressed Arthur for bed (despite him being fully clothed when he followed Merlin. Proof he could dress himself. If he could work out what these ties were for) he would go to his chambers and come to wake Arthur in the morning. Probably late.
Well, now Arthur knew what Merlin did with his evenings, he supposed he understood the constant lateness of his servant. Or would if Merlin turned out not to be an evil, manipulative, treacherous sorcerer. Knowing Merlin's talent for surprising Arthur at the most inconvenient times, he wouldn't be surprised if it was true.
With thoughts of what he would ask Merlin in the morning, he changed back into his night clothes (so that was where the tie went) and settled down into bed.
