Author's Note:
Sorry for the late update! I was having "issues" with the story. I was sort of stuck in a maze trying to get out of "current" time and back to "the story". After duking it out with my muse, we came to an agreement. She would lead me out of the maze with this chapter, and we would get back to Horatius' story next chapter (which is mostly written and will be up in a day or two).

ALSO...Important Historical (?) divergence... As we all know, BBC wrote the book on "How I know nothing of Arthurian Legend but am still making a TV show about it" So I am scribbling a few notes in the back of their book. They have made Gwen the daughter of a blacksmith. This sort of leaves King Leodegrance out of the picture. Also, poor Sir Leon's parents are never known. THEREFORE (and my Muse wholeheartedly agrees!) the new history is that Leon is the youngest son of Leodegrance. In making their final alliance after Uther became King of Camelot, Leodegrance had pledged the infant Leon's service and fealty to Uther and Camelot when he grew up. (TA DA! Now everyone is happy...hopefully)

Arthur saw Horatius to his room then stopped by his father's room only to find the king asleep. He pulled Uther's blanket up as it was askew, then left. He then made his way to his own chambers.

After changing into his night clothes, he poured himself a glass of wine and opened the box where he had stashed the jewelry that Horatius had given him. He pulled out the little cloth pouch that he had placed the dragon ring. He took the ring out and looked at it again in the firelight. It truly was a piece of art. It must have taken Horatius a long time to make it.

He wondered what Merlin would think of such a ring. Merlin had probably never owned a piece of jewelry in his life. As Arthur took a sip of his wine, he tried to imagine Merlin wearing such a ring. At first, he had thought that it would seem wrong for the man of such a meager lifestyle to wear something so ornate. But the more he thought about it, the more it seemed that the ring and Merlin belonged together. He could visualize Merlin wearing it. Well, maybe not while mucking the stables, but he could envision him wearing it on other occasions.

Arthur put the ring back in the pouch and placed it back in the box. He finished the rest of his wine then stowed the box away and blew out the candles. He had a busy day tomorrow. He groaned at the thought of sitting through hours of council meetings.

Arthur woke abruptly to the sound of the curtain being flung open, bright light hitting his eyes, and a cheery "Rise and Shine". He grumbled and covered his head with a pillow.

He heard Merlin walk over and begin setting out his breakfast and decided to get up before the idiot tried to pull him out of bed. He stretched and threw a shirt over his head, then walked over to the table.

"Wow, up on the first call, I'm impressed" His manservant said with a grin.

"I have a busy day, might as well get it started" he said with a yawn. Then added "How are your ribs?"

"They're fine." Came the automatic response.

Arthur looked up to see his manservant moving slowly around the other side of the table. "They are fine? The last I heard, they were cracked. Cracked ribs are not 'fine' after only one day."

Merlin stopped and looked at him, then smirked. "Well, if you had rather, Sire, I could go around whining and grumbling all day about how much pain I am in…would you prefer that?"

"No." The prince huffed. "But you could say something like 'They still hurt, but I'm getting by' that way you wouldn't be lying."

Arthur couldn't help but notice how Merlin's eyes diverted from him to the floor. After a moment, Merlin spoke softly "I could do that, but then you'd just tell me to 'stop being such a girl'. So I really can't win either which way, can I Arthur?"

Arthur opened his mouth to disagree, then closed it again. Merlin was right, that sounded exactly like something he would say, and probably had in the past.

Merlin broke the awkward moment by picking up a scroll and started listing off the days' itinerary "You have early training this morning. Only for an hour since you have council meetings today. Gwaine, Lancelot, Percival, and Elyan will train with you. Leon was supposed to lead the training on the other knights, who would you like to take over?"

Arthur scratched the back of his head for a moment as he thought. "I would say Bedivere, but I believe he has patrol this morning. I could have Lancelot and Gwaine train them, but that wouldn't go over well with some of the knights." Arthur paused for a moment, he really was irritated that the many of other knights seemed to look down on his new knights. "Have Bors train them. But have Gwaine and Lancelot do demonstrations. Have them fight against each other, or against Bors, not against the other knights. I don't need any incidents occurring."

Merlin scratched out a note then continued with itinerary. "You will have about 30 minutes after your training before the council meeting starts. The meeting will go until noon with a break for lunch. Anything not covered in the morning session will resume after lunch.

"Luckily, I went over the agenda, and it doesn't look too bad. The first issue up is the grain reserve. I looked over the report last night and added some notes for you."

"When last night? You with me last night" the prince wanted to know.

Merlin looked a bit sheepish "I had problems sleeping, I woke up in the middle of the night and couldn't get back to sleep so I went over a copy of the grain report that Gaius had been given."

"Yes, because all young men who wake up in the middle of the night have a burning desire to do math" the prince deadpanned.

Merlin smirked "Even if I had a burning desire for something else my cracked ribs would forestall any such activity. Besides, I was alone."

"Aren't you usually?" came the amused retort.

Merlin opened his mouth to comment when the realization of what Arthur was implying struck. He started sputtering, his face getting redder as the moments passed. "I don't…I….I…" His jaw worked as he tried to think of something to say. Finally, he sighed "I walked right into that, didn't I?"

"Yes, you most assuredly did" the prince burst into laughter.

Merlin huffed. He tried to regain his dignity by ignoring the laughter and continued with the agenda. "After that, the council will hear the report on repairs that need to be made to the north tower. Lastly, Geoffrey will give a report on how the cataloging of the archives is going. I am sure it will be…riveting."

Arthur groaned.

"On a bright note," the manservant continued "the rest of your day appears to be free. You were meant to tour the repairs on the gate, however they are still waiting on something to arrive, so it is pretty much the same as it was last time you toured."

"As long as they can still get it open and closed" The prince sighed. He glanced up at Merlin, amused that the man's ears were still fairly red. "Anything else?"

"No, that is about it. Of course you will want to take time to meet with Horatius" The manservant smiled brightly.

The prince huffed out a laugh. "Now who is enamored with Horatius?"

"I wouldn't say 'enamored', but you were right, he is quite interesting." Merlin conceded.

Merlin accompanied Arthur down to the training field, as usual. After they arrived, Arthur sent Merlin off to find Bors to deliver the message about training. A short time later, the manservant returned and gave the prince a quick nod to let him know he had delivered the message. By the time Arthur needed to leave, Bors was standing at the edge of the field. Arthur called him over as well as Gwaine and Lancelot and went over what he wanted done during training. Afterwards, he and Merlin headed back to get ready for the council meeting.

Arthur didn't need to go over the figures that Merlin had written on grain reserve report. He had long ago found out that his manservant was quite good at math and solving math problems. He was particularly glad that Merlin had gone over the report with a fine tooth comb when several of the lords advised to increase the price of grain to the peasantry. His father had always agreed with whatever price they suggested without going over the report. When Arthur looked at the notes in the margin, he noted that the price Merlin had figured was considerably less than what the lords were suggesting.

As the lord who held the floor continued with his speech, Arthur held up his goblet to indicate he needed drink and Merlin came to his side. "Do you have the figures that show how you came to this price?" The prince asked very quietly so that no one could overhear.

Merlin set down the pitcher and rummaged through the top few sheets of the papers that sat before the prince then placed one on the top without comment. He picked back up the pitcher and backed into the shadows once more.

Arthur looked at the page, it was completely covered with math computations, neatly labeled as to what each was being used for. The 'price' figures factored in many things, including a very generous profit for the lords. Arthur also glanced again at the report. He had noted before that Merlin and written in large letters at the bottom that the reserve/surplus that the report suggested was not enough to feed the populace in the event of an emergency. His eyes flicked back over to the page with Merlin's figures. He was so engrossed with going over it that he failed to notice when the lord stopped talking.

Arthur looked up when he heard Gaius clear his throat loudly. "Oh, yes. Sorry Lord Dingus. I was just going over the reports here. The price and the reserve that you are suggesting do not agree with the numbers I am coming up with. Perhaps if you have something that shows how you came by your figures so that I can compare them?"

The lord looked stunned. "My Lord, I can assure you that the figures are correct. We use a scientific formula to determine the price and the reserves.

"Who are 'we'?" The prince inquired politely.

"Myself, Lord Risling, Lord Bendal, and Lord Evertis." The lord said haughtily, while looking rather smug.

"I can understand your confusion sire, but it is a complex matter, it isn't simple math." Lord Risling added with a condescending smile that bordered on a smirk.

Arthur considered the men. Each of the four lords were on the list that Horatius had given him previously. He looked at Risling and gave him a placating smile. "I am sure that is the case, Lord Risling. Perhaps you can show me how it is determined. Surely you have your computations with you to back up the report."

Anger flashed across Lord Risling's face "We have never been required to previously. You Father would not insult his trusted advisors in such a way."

Arthur stared him down coolly. "No insult was intended, Lord Risling. I am sorry if you took it as one. However, I have requested your computations to back up these figures. I have been given another set of figures and the computations. I expect you to do the same. I shall give you one week."

Arthur looked around at all the council members and addressed them with a low cold voice. "I would hope that my father's council would not try to take advantage of his illness to line their coffers. I would also hope that they would not try to take advantage of me, thinking I am ill-prepared. Do not make that mistake. Remember that each seat on this council is at the discretion of the crown, and the crown can easily take away that seat."

Arthur paused for a moment to calm himself and forced a pleasant smile on his face. "Now, I believe it is time to go to the next order of business"

The rest of the council meeting went along smoothly and Geoffrey finished up his report in time for them all to be released before lunch. The nobility cleared out quickly. Gaius, however remained to speak to Merlin.

"How are your ribs?" The physician asked.

"They're fine" Merlin said without thinking.

Arthur cleared his throat loudly and stared pointedly at his manservant.

Merlin grimaced then rolled his eyes. "Actually, they still hurt, but I am getting by." He looked back at his prince "happy now?"

The prince crossed his arms with a satisfied smile on his face and nodded.

Gaius looked between the two of them then waved his hand in an 'I don't want to know' gesture. He made Merlin pull up his tunic so he could check the wrapping. "These are still tight enough, but I want them rewrapped this evening" then handed Merlin a couple of vials of pain medicine.

"By the way, is that damnable cat still in your room? I don't want it making a mess." The physician asked irritably.

"No, he left out the window last night. Apparently cats don't like math." Merlin grinned.

Gaius sighed and shook his head. After finishing with Merlin, he turned towards the prince. "He really should not lift anything Sire. It is going to take a while for his ribs to heal. Also, I wanted to tell you that Sir Leon is doing well. I plan to release him later today. However, he won't be able to return to duty for at least a month, possibly two. He will need to do exercises as well to regain use of his arm."

The prince nodded his head. "Very good. Would it be okay for me to visit him now?"

"That would be fine, Sire. Perhaps you can cheer him up. He's unhappy, to say the least, that he won't be able to get back to duty right away." The physician said thoughtfully.

"Merlin," Arthur said turning towards his manservant, "I should be back shortly. Have the kitchen send up my lunch to my quarters." With that, he turned and left with the physician.

After visiting with the injured knight, the prince returned to find his lunch set out on the table, and his manservant tidying up the room.

"How's Leon" Merlin asked as he walked over and poured a goblet of water for Arthur.

"He has a bad headache and can hardly move his arm, but he says he is happy to be alive." The prince answered. "By the way, have the steward assign someone as a servant to him until he recovers".

"What about Timothy?" The manservant inquired.

"Leon sent him back to Cameliard last week to be with his family. Timothy's mother is very ill. Leon isn't sure when he will be back. He gave him leave to take as long as he needed."

"I'm sorry to hear that. Timothy often speaks of his mother. I hope she'll get better." Merlin said sadly. "I'll go to the steward as soon as you finish lunch"

"That's okay, go on and go now. It might takes the steward some time to find someone and I want them there when Gaius releases him." The prince ordered.

Merlin headed straight to the stewards office and put in a request. Upon leaving he stumbled into Gwen and Sabine as they were entering the steward's office. "Sorry, sorry" he said as he grabbed Gwen's arm to keep her from falling.

They all laughed at Merlin's perpetual clumsiness. Gwen spoke up "What are you doing here?"

"Requesting a servant for Leon until he gets better. Timothy has gone back to Cameliard to tend his mother. From what I understand she is rather sick" The manservant responded.

"Oh no! I hope she'll be okay!" Gwen said fretting.

"I don't know how serious it is, but from what I hear he might be gone a little while. So what are you doing here?"

"Oh, Sabine needs a job. We were coming to the steward to see if he had anything." Gwen replied.

Merlin looked at Sabine. She was staring back at him with a star-struck expression. "I hope you find something!" he gave her a big smile. "Well, I have to get back to Prince Dollophead"

"Merlin!" Gwen exclaimed in amused exasperation. Merlin laughed and started walking back towards Arthur's chambers, leaving them with a "See you later!" over his shoulder.

He slowed after he was out of their eyesight. He liked Sabine, but the way she looked at him made him very uncomfortable. He was used to Arthur getting such looks from ladies, not himself. It wasn't as if the women didn't ever flirt with him. Oh, they did, rather often as a matter of fact. He was known to be somewhat of a flirt himself. Well, when Arthur and the knights weren't around. He learned that lesson early on. It was either being teased by Arthur, or worse yet, being given advice by the knights. Being given advice by Gwaine was something he never, ever, ever want to experience again. And no number of "Yes, Gwaine, amazingly I do indeed know what to do with a woman, AND where everything goes." would stop the knight. It still made him blush thinking about it. Of course it wasn't nearly as awkward as when Gaius had tried to give him 'The Talk'. That had been embarrassing all the way around. He didn't even want to think about the number of stories he had to concoct for his mentor when he was extremely late coming home, or those rare occasions when he didn't show up until after the sun had risen. He had a feeling that Gaius didn't buy them.

Sabine? The way she looked at him was different. It wasn't flirting, or even desire. It was hero worship that he saw in her eyes, and yes, it made him incredibly uncomfortable. Yes, he had stood up for her and fought the bandits, but it was the knights who ended up saving both of them. Well, that wasn't exactly true. He knew he could have taken all the bandits, and would have been forced to do so had the knights not arrived. However, since the knights did arrive, they should get the credit.

Merlin was interrupted from his thoughts by someone calling his name. He looked around twice before he saw the goldsmith coming towards him. He was carrying a variety of items in his arms.

Horatius stopped in front of Merlin, laughing, slightly out of breath. "I've been down to the market. I found some things to take back to my daughter-in-law." He indicated a couple of bolts of silk to the manservant.

Merlin took most of the items from the older man to help him carry them. "When will you be going back?" Merlin inquired as they started walking to Horatius' guest quarters.

"I need to leave by the end of the week. I want to get back before my newest grandson is born." The goldsmith smiled brightly.

"Or granddaughter" Merlin teased.

"She already has one of each, so I will be happy either way." Horatius replied jovially. "This whole baby business can turn hardened warriors into blathering fools. As long as she and the baby are okay, I will be thrilled."

Merlin smiled. Then thought a moment. "The end of the week is day after tomorrow! Will you be able to finish telling us about Balinor?"

The old man smiled kindly at him. "I wouldn't leave you in the middle of a story. I might have to abbreviate it a little bit, but not much. Of course, I have other stories about Balinor, but those will have to wait until another time."

As they entered Horatius' quarters Merlin asked "You knew him rather well, didn't you?"

"When he was young, yes. I had also seen him a few times….after everything. He had become bitter. He was so totally opposite from the young idealistic man that I knew. I can't really say that I blame him though."

Merlin had wanted to ask more, needed to ask more, but he knew that it might raise suspicion. Instead he just commented "You know, Arthur has the rest of the afternoon free."

"I thought he was in a council meeting" the old man responded.

"It let out earlier than we had expected, and his other appointment was canceled." Merlin didn't add that he thought the reason for the early dismissal was because Arthur had come down hard on several of the lords.

Horatius opened the door to his chambers and they both walked in. "Why don't you ask him if he would like to continue now? I promised Gaius that we would meet up tonight after Sir Leon is released" the goldsmith suggested.

"I'll go ask him. I'll come back to get you if he says yes." Merlin said eagerly.

"Why don't we meet here? It is comfortable and you will probably feel less like a servant than you would in Arthur's chambers." The old man reasoned.

The manservant laughed "Yes, it is somewhat strange to sit in one of Arthur's chairs."

"Very good then, here it shall be. That is if the prince approves." Horatius smiled.

Fifteen minutes later Merlin was back with Arthur in tow. Both the young men excited to hear more of the story. No sooner had they sat down, there was a knock at the door. Merlin got up and answered it and allowed a servant to enter carrying a tray of refreshments. The young man set down the tray and left. Merlin smiled when he saw that the pitchers were filled with the berry drink. He filled the three goblets and handed them out before sitting back down.

Horatius laughed "You two are spoiling me! Back home, only the youngest of my grandchildren will listen to my stories. I guess the others are tired of hearing them."

"Where I grew up, in Ealdor, storytelling is valued and considered almost an art" The manservant stated.

"Really?" The prince asked.

"Well, most people there can't read or write. So the oral tradition is very important." The manservant said softly.

"Where did you learn to read and write?" The goldsmith inquired.

"I spent a lot of time at my mother's side. She taught me to read, write and to do math. She also taught me Latin and Greek."

"Your mother must be proud. Most boys would rather be out playing with their friends during their free time." Horatius responded.

Merlin smiled tightly, but his eyes were pained. Arthur remembered what Gaius had said about Merlin's childhood and changed the subject. "So, where did we leave off last night?"