A Prince's best friend
Chapter 8: In which Gareth makes his first move (or maybe second - or really, it might be the third if we take everything into account)
Merlin looked up from work when there was a knock on the door. He kept, just in case, a neckerchief on to hide his ears like Arthur had suggested, but it was so uncomfortable to hide both them and the tail, beneath his tunic, all the time. Once behind closed doors he released the tail again, subconsciously it twitched a little as he worked. Startled at the sound of knuckles rapping against wood, he turned around still holding the bedding he was about to change.
"Lady Morgana!"
She stepped inside, smiling kindly. She wore a very beautiful, silvery dress and matching earrings. It was strange seeing her from this angle when he had spent over two days just being a little over a foot tall and looking up at everyone. Beside her was Gwen, whom he hadn't seen in days, she smiled widely at seeing him.
"Merlin! How are you? Are you all right? Gaius said you've just recovered…I was really worried about you, I'm so glad to see you again," Gwen babbled. "Of course I'm sure prince Arthur has worried more, I mean, you are rather close. Not close, close, but—you understand what I mean right?"
"Hi, Gwen," he smiled. "I'm fine. It's good to see you too."
"Hello, Merlin. I see that you are well again."
"Uhmm, yeah. I'm feeling … a lot better." He couldn't mention any magic now that Gwen was here; he wasn't sure if Morgana had told the maid about the cat-thing. He tried his best to keep his tail still, so the two women couldn't see it.
"We just came to check on you. Where's Arthur, by the way?"
"Seeing Uth- the king. He called for a meeting I think, with some of the councilors and knights. I'm not sure when he'll be back."
"I see. Well, maybe we shouldn't bother you any longer. Good luck!" Morgana said with a secretive smile.
Gwen also said her goodbyes, then the two women left, leaving him frowning. Good luck with what?
He shrugged. There was no event coming up involving him, nothing to need 'good luck'. (Sudden magical threats, guaranteed to arise when they least needed it, didn't really count as no one else but him and Gaius would know he helped to get rid of said threats: nobody ever wished him good luck when he needed it!)
Everyone was acting so strange…
()()()
He wanted to dig a hole in the earth and hide forever, still embarrassed about the whole being-a-cat-and-playing-with-the-knights thing, but Arthur was stubbornly insisting on him serving him during training. The prat wouldn't listen to his protests (he even offered to muck out the stables instead!), only told him to stop whining like a girl. So, very reluctantly, Merlin helped the still off-character prince into his chainmail. While doing this Arthur had looked about to say something several times, but when Merlin noticed his expression, raised an eyebrow and asked, Arthur said it was nothing.
"You're acting strange, you know…" Merlin said. "If there's something you want to tell me, it's all right to go ahead. Or are you just attempting to annoy me? Because I'll have you know it doesn't work."
Arthur ignored him. On the way out, he said over his shoulder, "Remember to hide the tail and the ears."
Like he needed to be reminded. Nothing else was added. Merlin frowned, wondering what was going on (besides him still having some traits of a cat), but since all his earlier attempts at finding out by question had failed, he had to use some other method. Keeping silent and hope Arthur mentioned it himself. Had it do with the kidnapping? Merlin had assured Arthur again and again that he wasn't hurt, that he was fine, though his memory was wobbly…Was it about the kidnappers? Arthur had at some point hinted that they'd been caught, but the warlock had no idea who they could be. The prince refused to tell him.
Also, the guard following him around was quite disturbing. Merlin had, after seeing the man standing just outside Arthur's usually unguarded chambers when Merlin leaving with the laundry, hesitantly approached and asked what he was doing there. The guard replied that "Prince Arthur requires me to keep an eye on you." It wasn't much of helpful information. Then the man proceeded to follow him when he went about his duties. Being stalked was making him uncomfortable. If the prat was so worried about him, why wouldn't he just say so?
Said guard (whose name Merlin yet didn't know) had stayed nearby all day and now followed to the training fields. He remained like a shadow in the corner of the servant's eye. Creepy, yes. The tall, loomy man reminded him of some kind of huge intimidating dog which could pounce at any moment with that massive muscular, armoured bulk.
"Ummm…Arthur? Can I ask something?" he said just before the prince ignored him completely by the edge of the field. "Just why is that guard following me around?"
"Just a precaution."
"I thought you'd caught the kidnappers…is that what's bothering you? I've told you I'm okay. Or is it that deal? Can't you tell me what it's about?"
"Merlin, hand me my sword."
Another very helpful, informative conversation (his day so far had been full of those). He wished he knew some kind of truth spell or could read Arthur's mind. He looked at the prince's temple with great concentration, but couldn't get anything out of it but a strange look from the prince.
Sighing, the warlock handed the blonde the weapon. Before he could ask anything more, the prince had stalked across the field, barking some orders. His mood seemed…worse than usual. Must be since he'd had no banter to ease his tension that morning, Merlin figured. Usually he and Arthur bantered and bickered a bit, sometimes a lot, and it helped to get Arthur in a better less angry mood for training later in the day. Now however the knights would have to take the full brunt of his aggravation, something they hadn't done for months (i.e. since Merlin became the prince's servant).
Merlin settled to watch, pretending to polish a shield to look at least useful (not that it would stop Arthur from giving him orders).
The prince seemed extra hard on Gwaine, his brother and Bors today. For some reason they were hunched over a bit like their backs were aching, and had trouble parrying blows against other opponents. He was a bit worried, as was his nature, wondering if they were wounded or anything. But they wouldn't be allowed to training if they were seriously injured, right?
The three men seemed distracted… Gareth and Gwaine kept sending him odd glances all the time. Once Gwaine paused after slashing down his sword and winked at him, but Gareth, who fought with him, forcefully hit the man's side with the flat of his sword making him groan in pain. The knight appeared to say something (Gwaine seemed to deflate) but Merlin couldn't hear what. Next, Gareth turned to Merlin's direction…smiling. It was strange, his eyes were fixed upon him and he was smiling and dipping his head like in greeting or something, quite proudly, like saying Watch me!, before turning back to his opponent. It was so confusing; Merlin had no idea why he acted like that.
The warlock glanced to his side when he felt the presence of that guard. He smiled politely and asked, "Hi, what's your name?"
The guard seemed taken off guard. "Sir Percival."
"You're a knight?" Merlin said, surprised. "But then why are you acting like a guard? I mean, I've never seen any knights around before who didn't…act as knights."
"The Prince appointed this duty to me."
He didn't say anything else for awhile. Maybe he wasn't very talkative.
"Oh. Umm. Can I ask you something…sir?" he added the last bit mentally kicking himself, remembering he was talking to a knight.
"Of course."
"Why exactly has Arthur appointed you to, well, guard me? It's obvious, the way you've kept following me, it's starting to worry me to be honest…no offence but I do mind being followed around, it's a bit…disturbing…and no one has told me any reason why."
The knight-come-guard looked amused at the servant's familiarity when speaking about the prince, and his lacking of respect. It didn't bother Percival somehow though he was used to propriety, it must be the boy's easy smile and the way he simply could start conversation like that; he was likable and he had an open honest face which betrayed much of his emotions. Right now one of them was slight distress.
"Well, the prince expressed he wanted some extra measurements taken to ensure your safety, though why, I am not sure."
"Oh." The boy's face dropped in disappointment. He'd hoped to find out more. "Do you know how long you're going to stay … guarding me?"
"At least three days."
Three days?
He had to find a way to make Arthur spill it. Three days with those watchful dog eyes and he'd freak out for sure. Plus, he sometimes used his magic for chores (not that he told Gaius, the physician would have his head) and outside them…he'd have to be extra careful about that. Wait! Was that knight supposed to follow him always, including when he ate, slept and bathed?
"Err, are you going to watch me all the time during the next three days?" he stuttered awkwardly.
Thankfully, Percival sensed his embarrassment and why. "I'm here to keep an eye on you, not take away your privacy."
"Oh. Uhm, thanks. I guess."
Arthur so would have to explain what on earth was going on.
()()()
"Sire, I wondered, I mean - I need to ask something…"
With a sigh, Arthur tore his gaze away from the table where the servant was seated (…I need to keep an eye on him…). He turned to the young knight. "Yes? What is it?"
()()()
"Hello, Merlin."
"Err…hello. Uhm, sir."
"You don't need to sir me, it makes me feel old."
"Ah, all right."
Gareth leaned against the table where Merlin was sitting absently polishing an armguard. Arthur had called for a break – the knights were exhausted and steaming under the heavy sun. The exercise had been long and harsh, and no ending seemed to be in sight. The knight rested both palms on the wood, leaning in a bit closer than Merlin was used to, into his personal space.
Percival lingered nearby, probably listening very, very intensely. He didn't move from his spot, forward or backward.
"I see you're better. That's good. How are you feeling?"
Merlin felt terribly awkward, but the man either didn't notice or ignored it. "It's fine," he said, "it's…uhm, good to be back to normal again."
"I was quite worried."
Why was he looking at him like that? His eyes were green with a brown tint in them, the gaze intense. It reminded him a bit of how Arthur had stared at him this morning, and the thought made his neck heat up, and he looked away. "Uhm…that's…" 'That's nice to hear' wasn't exactly the right thing to say. "Well, I'm okay now. The enchantment or whatever it was has broken now."
Gareth was so close…It wasn't exactly uncomfortable, the man was nice and not a total stranger, but still not fully welcome. The only person Merlin was used to standing so close was Arthur or sometimes Gwen. "I'm glad," he said, lips turning upwards into a smile. "I wondered maybe if you wanted to join me in the tavern tonight? A simple outing, you and me. You are very…a very nice young man and I'd like getting to know you."
It was a kind genuine offer, and Merlin felt tempted to say yes. However, he was unsure if he could with that guard following him around and with Arthur in that odd mood. "I don't know…"
"If you don't want to, it's all right. We've got time later to get to know each other, I'm sure…"
Merlin felt his coincidence gnawing at him when he saw disappointment and maybe hurt flashing on the man's face as he leaned away slightly. It'd always been his weak point – people being disappointed and hurt, he hated letting them down. If he finished his chores quickly, he could probably make it. Gareth was a likable man; he couldn't see anything wrong with spending some time with him… "All right," Merlin smiled. "I'll make sure not to get some tedious late chores. Arthur's such a prat sometimes, but I'll try my best at pleasing him and not get extra duties. Maybe I could even leave extra early…"
Something strange happened with Gareth's expression, especially his eyes, at the mention of Arthur but it passed quickly and Merlin didn't linger on it.
"Wonderful," Gareth said, returning the smile warmly. He laid a hand on Merlin's shoulder, the touch lingering and warm. "Shall I meet you at the physician's chambers? That is where you reside, do you not?"
"That's okay. So, I'll see you tonight?"
Gareth smiled like that he had earlier when sparring with his brother, only this close it was a lot more intense, and the spark in his eyes made Merlin's neck heat up even as he couldn't understand exactly why. "I shall be looking forward to it, Merlin."
Across the field, quietly observing the scene from the corner of his eye, Gwaine grinned accomplished and rubbed his hands together. It was lucky Bedivere unknowingly had helped out by distracting the prince with lots of questions on sword techniques, for three minutes tearing away Arthur's sharp gaze from the servant.
()()()
"And why might you want to have the rest of the day off?"
"I just want to leave an hour or so early, not by much! I promised to meet him."
Arthur's eyes narrowed considerably, he took a dangerous step forward so quickly that Merlin winced backwards, eyes widening. This close he looked a bit intimidating.
"Who?" the prince muttered lowly. "Meet who?"
"Gareth. Sir Gareth, I mean. He asked if I wanted to go to the tavern with him tonight and I said yes."
The prince was suddenly just a few inches from his face. "What?" And no, Arthur did not just bellow that. It was a considerably low shout without him losing his composure whatsoever. Not that he had any particular reason to be angry or upset or whatever: of course not, but he had to consider his manservant's…dignity.
"Look, it's not a big deal, Arthur…I've already cleaned this room, fixed your armour, fetched your meal and done the laundry. I'll be perfectly on time tomorrow, I promise."
Normally, Arthur would complain he always was late anyway, but now he didn't. He still wore that dark, dangerous look. He looked at the servant for a minute, completely silent, and Merlin bit his lip trying to silence his own breathing, like making a sound would cause the prince to lash out unexpectedly.
Dark thoughts of what exactly that bloody knight could do to his naïve innocent Merlin at the bloody tavern passed through Arthur's mind, making him growl through clenched teeth.
"You're not going."
"But I promised!"
"You're not going."
"Look, if you think they've got something to do with the kidnapping…It won't happen again, I swear: I'm not defenseless! I can do…do stuff! I'm not going to get myself kidnapped or anything, Gareth just wanted to—"
"You are. Not. Going. Period."
Merlin frowned. "I don't have to leave early. I'll be right on time tomorrow, I swear."
"You are not going! How many times do have I say it to get it into your thick scull?"
"You're acting like a pompous, arrogant ass. I'm not some kind of object, you can't tell me what not to do in my spare time!"
"You'll stay here and polish my boots. Every single pair of them. And the floors as well. You're not let out of this room until I can see my reflection in each and every one of them."
A vein in the prince's temple seemed ready to burst. Breath deep and huffing, he drew back slightly, stared at the servant and then stormed out of the room. The door slammed and Merlin heard the scramble of keys.
Great. Just…great. Here he was, the great warlock, locked inside the prince's chambers just because said prince acted an ass and didn't want him to make friends with one of his knights. They probably were too mighty to be friends with a lowly servant like him. Scowling, Merlin glared at the door, but with Percival guarding it from the outside he couldn't blast it open with his magic.
A couple of minutes later, the door opened just enough for Percival to push a bucket of water, a brush and a cloth into the room. The guard flashed him a pitiful look before the door once again was locked.
Arthur was such a dollophead.
A stupid, selfish dollophead.