"Oh good the two of you are back. You were gone for quite some time and I see that you have quite the catch." Gwen greeted us at the gate with a wide smile, causing me to smile back.

"Merlin as the most. He fished by himself while I hunted."

"Anything else happen?"

"No." I lied, but I didn't know what else to say considering she is so joyful.

"Well, that's good. Come, look at the decorations! Even some of the visiting servants helped."

We followed her into the lower town and there were torches alongside the pillars and houses with a string if different colored flags. Just outside of every other home there was a stall for food, wares, and other things. "Arthur this seems a bit much for a feast...on your father's would have been birthday..."

I looked at Merlin and normally he would actually be right, but I didn't want to be a depressed king on my father's would've been birthday. I wanted the people in my kingdom to be happy, and the decorations were very beautiful. "Isn't it interesting..."

"What, Gwen?" Merlin asked as he still looked at all the colorful decorations.

"Well, that today would've been Uther's birthday as well as the anniversary of Camelot." With that comment I instantly felt like an idiot. No wonder why she was letting it go all out...I had forgotten that.

"Really? I had no idea!" He answered with a strange bout of excitemnt that I found annoying.

"Merlin, it's nearly time for the servants to gather together come on."

Merlin followed me into the throne room along with the nobles and all of the other servants. I went to the throne and stood in front of it with Merlin off to the side. "On this special occasion, My wife and I have decided that a special opportunity shall be granted to those who have served us loyally and without complaint. This is an opportunity for the servants and others in their positions. We have had the seamstress and her team working for a full two months on this..."

Gwen smiled and continued where I had purposefully left off. "Will all of the servants please move to the right side of the room and all of the noblemen behind my throne." Once everyone did as she asked I couldn't help but smile. All of the servants looked so intrigued and confused. "Alright, you should all know that the seamstress and her team have made each and everyone of you an outfit for the festivities tonight. You all also get your own masks at the masquerade. You will be treated as equals tonight, that is...unless you wish to simply serve the nobles tonight in which you will be paid triple your usual wages that you would normally get in a weeks time...for tonight. That way no matter what you choose you gain something out of it and will not be treated lesser for it. Will those who wish to attend the festivities please move to the left side of the room!"

Most of the servants, not only from my kingdom but from the other kingdoms as well hurried to the left side of the room as they buzzed and chattered with excitement, but to my surprise there still remained at least fifteen servants from all kingdoms but only one from mine. "Merlin, do you not wish to enjoy the festivities tonight?" I asked carefully.

"Oh, you know me, Sire. I'm happy to serve you." He gave me a smile that we commonly shared when we held a silent understanding with each other.

"Thank you, Merlin. Now, for the servants who do not wish to attend you will still be dressed as royalty and treated as such until you are called upon by your rightful kings or queens. Those who will be serving will have a small symbol of their kingdom's crest embedded onto their masks." The servants behind Merlin had dropped their jaws and smiled from ear to ear and then began chatting amongst themselves. "Sarah, you may come in now."

"Thank you, Sire." She bowed and smiled at all of the servants. "The women and young girls come with me, The men and boys go with my husband. We'll see that not even you will be able to recognize yourselves. That means you too Merlin. The queen gave us special instructions on you."

"WHAT!?"

"Come on then." She grinned and gave a bow to me and my wife before walking away.

"Wait I thought I'm supposed to go with the other men."

"Like I said, the queen told me to do this. Come on."

I laughed as I watched Sarah drag Merlin away but then a question occurred to me. "Guenivere...what did you ask her to do?"

"I asked her to make him look like a disguised prince."

I chuckled lightly as I looked up at her, "Why?"

"Why not? He has prince like qualities. He may be clumsy and loud sometimes, but he's also kind hearted, brave, patient, and is never afraid to treat you like he is your equal. Besides I think it'll be amusing to see how many women will ask him for a dance."

"Merlin dancing...yup that will be amusing."

"He's actually rather good you know."

"No, I don't know. How would you know?" I questioned with a risen brow.

"It was some down time and he helped me learn how to dance before we were together."

"Hmm..."

"Oh stop that!"

"Stop what?"

"That look!" She furrowed her brows at me and I furrowed mine right back when I suddenly realizrealized they were already there.

"Oh...but still...he taught you how to dance?"

"Yes, and you should be grateful for it. I kept stepping on his toes. I know a lot about being a black smith but Merlin knows how to dance. I guess it was a way to repay me for helping him in his first few weeks as your servant."

"I seem to remember him getting so much better over night."

"Here he is my lady." Sarah walked in next to a man I didn't recognize, dressed in fine clothing. The mask was silver mixed with hints of blue, the coat was blue lined with intricate golden embroidery, the shirt was a long sleeved black shirt with a blue and golden vest that buttoned up at the middle, the pants were black like the shirt with black embroidery hidden on the sides, and finally black boots that had Silver rims at the top. "Does this look like what you wanted My lady?"

"It looks perfect Sarah. How do you feel, Merlin?"

"Wait, that can't be Merlin!"

The man grinned mischievously and took his mask off to reveal it was indeed Merlin, and I was left dumbfounded as his smile grew wider. He turned his gaze to my wife and began to answer her question. "It's comfortable but I feel slightly out of place wearing this. Why do you want me to look like a prince?"

"Do you not like it?"

"No, I like it, it's just...I'm Arthur's Servant...not a prince or a king or even a knight."

"Well, tonight you are. Tonight is a chance for everyone to be equals, you included. Have some fun Merlin. I feel Arthur has over worked you."

"I'm right here you know..." I tried to remind her.

"Hmm, oh yes. I know. Anyway, Merlin, enjoy yourself while you serve Arthur. I know that's why you stayed on the right side of the room. Honestly, you never take a day off do you?"

"No, I'd get bored." He smiled and bowed at us just before placing his mask back on his face. "King Arthur, Queen Guenevier, shall we go enjoy the festivities?"

'Wow, that really was almost like royalty.' I nod my head and take Gwen's hand as we leave the throne room and make our way to the court yard.

Once we made it to the courtyard I looked around at the marvel of it all. There were flags of neighboring kingdoms, torches lit perfectly along the edges, there was beautiful music with many people dancing, and large tables of food. Looking further, you really couldn't tell who was a servant or a noble. It looked interesting and compelling. "Shouldn't the two of you be wearing masks as well...and a costume?" Merlin questioned as he walked behind us.

I looked at Gwen curiously, "Should we?"

"I have masks for us. Here let me put yours on for you." She briefly showed me a red mask with intricate gold markings, and then she put hers on that was purple with gold markings that matched mine. "We will be the ones noticed, but that's okay."

"You knew I wouldn't want to dress up didn't you?"

"Of course, come...let's enjoy the feast and music."