Daily Interference Chapter 1

Disclaimer: llLethell must be credited for this story's idea, not me.

Guilty Resolutions

Arthur knew he had been hard on Merlin yesterday night. As he lay in bed that morning, he regretted telling Merlin to have the day off. Not so he could say sorry, Prince's don't say sorry. There was a knock on his door and he glanced towards it.

"Enter." He commanded. The door opened to find a servant walking in, not Merlin. The Crowned Prince of Camelot watched the servant go about some chores that he even asked him to do. Why couldn't Merlin be like him? As in not getting told what to do, but doing it automatically.

That was a lie, and Arthur knew it. Merlin tidied his room up without even asking, Merlin brought his breakfast, dinner and supper, even if it was late. His bath was already ready after a day of training. So why was he complaining?

Not that he would mention it, but he was worried. He had given his manservant a day off for a reason. The Visiting Prince of the North East was coming, Prince Stephen. That Visiting Prince was not a lot a Prince to pester, and knowing Merlin, if he was ordered by Prince Stephen, Merlin would possibly not shut up. Damn it! Why didn't he tell him that the Prince was coming? Arthur thought. He could have at least warned him, but instead shouted at him like some crazy fool. Arthur would admit it. He was a fool. He shouted at his servant. His Merlin, and Merlin didn't deserve that.

There was only one way to settle this. He had to go and tell Merlin, to warn him of the Visiting Prince of the North East.

"Your breakfast is ready, sire." The servant bowed, as he crossed the room to open the black-out curtains. Light shone through, and the Prince got out of bed and crossed towards his table. "Will there be anything else, sire?"

"Yes, get out some clothes for me to go under my armour. Then help me to put my armour on." Arthur gave out the tasks. Then he hurried out of bed to quickly demolish his plate of food. He got ready into his armour and then turned back to the servant.

"Clean my room and sort out my laundry and then you are free for the rest of the day. But lay out my night clothes, I will be dining with my father tonight." Arthur nodded to the servant before heading towards Gaius' chambers.

He knocked on Gaius' door three times, before he walked in. The room was in the same organised mess that it had been since the last time he was in here. Books were scattered everywhere, on shelves, on desks, even some strewn on the floor. Herbs were scattered on his desks as well as other ingredients for the remedies the physician made.

"Prince Arthur?" A rough old voice called out. Arthur turned his gaze to the old man standing at the other side of the room, in a cupboard.

"Gaius." Arthur started, and his gaze moved towards Merlin's door. Was he even in there?

"Merlin isn't able to see anyone if that's what you're after." Gaius told him sternly. Arthur was quite taken back by Gaius' mood.

"Why?" Arthur asked, taking a step towards the room.

"He is ill sire, after last night."

"Ill? What happened?" Arthur asked, trying to hide his concern.

"Not ill sire, but emotionally. Will take him some time to pull out of it. I haven't seen him like this before. Do you think you have any idea about what might have caused it?" Gaius asked, giving him the most dreaded eyebrow. Deep down, Arthur did know, but he shook his head.

"Well he came home in such a state last night. He wouldn't talk to me, or eat. He just came in and went straight to his room. I'm sure I saw tears." Gaius told. The old man had to give him the hard way, didn't he.

It was at that moment Merlin decided to walk out of his room. His eyes were red-rimmed. He didn't even look up.

"Merlin, my boy," Gaius started, "Where are you going?" The serving boy shrugged, not even acknowledging that the Prince was there. "At least have something to eat." Merlin shook his head and headed out of the door. Then Gaius turned to the shocked Prince.

"Are you sure you don't know a thing?" Gaius asked, giving him the look that said 'it better be the truth this time'.

The Prince winced and looked at Gaius. "I might have shouted at him and said something bad last night." Gaius rolled his eyes. "He might have took it to heart this time."

"I hope you're trying to build back up your relationship. I think it's a bit broken." Gaius said, going back to work.

"What relationship?" The Prince asked absentmindedly.

"What do you mean 'what relationship?'. Even though you wont admit it, you two are best friends. Of course he's going to take it to heart, he looks up to you Arthur. What you said… broke him. You're one of the only ones he has left Arthur." Gaius said in a harshly soft tone. The Prince nodded and walked out of the door. Gaius was right, he had done wrong, and again he wouldn't admit it, he regretted saying the things he said.

Arthur managed to catch up to Merlin, who was surprisingly quick. His head was hung low as he walked the corridor near the courtyard.

"Merlin!" The Prince shouted. Merlin didn't stop, he just kept walking. Arthur rolled his eyes and ran to catch up. "Merlin." He said again once he was in line with Merlin.

"Yes, sire?" The servant replied. Arthur had no words to say, but he needed to say something.

"I've come to…damn it Merlin, I came to apologize. There was no need for me to go on like that, like I said." Arthur sighed.

"What's the point of apologizing if only your going to do it again?" Merlin said.

"What do you mean, you're supposed to forgive me, not make things harder than what they already are." Arthur said, his brow furrowing in confusion.

"I mean, once you have apologized you will go back to normal…" The servant started but was interrupted.

"Merlin…" Arthur warned.

"Arthur don't you know it's true! By tonight you will have forgotten this conversation and everything will go back to normal, me being this clumsy, stupid idiotic servant that can't get anything right, and will back chat to everything you say." Merlin cried out loud. Tears formed in his eyes and the servant ran. Arthur could only watch as the serving boy ran out of the castle.

Little did he notice the Visiting Prince had already arrived, and had watched the whole conversation.