From Merlin's head to Camelot for this chapter.
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Duties
Merlin started by getting changed from the clothes he had on last night.
Agravaine had told him what he had to do by day and would explain more at nights.
At the moment, Merlin knew that he was the manservant of the King of Camelot. The one person that stood between his mistress and the throne.
Agravaine had told him to try and forget that.
Apparently he always smiled and had a jolly personality, but Merlin couldn't think of anything that would make himself jolly.
Agravaine said... Wait how did he know what Agravaine had told him was true?
Merlin was now more confused. He wished that he could go to his mistress to ask him all his questions.
With his mind on overdrive, he decided that it must be time to leave, to serve the king.
"Merlin! You are up early?" an old man said.
Merlin gave him the biggest smile he could muster. "I thought I better be early for once. I couldn't sleep."
"Well you better get going my boy. Wouldn't want to keep you from the king?"
Merlin flashed the old man another smile. Another question added to his already long list.
Did everyone flirt with me?
Merlin had just got out of the kitchens where about ten of the handmaids had shown an interest in him.
If they did, I know why I dismissed their advances?
Agravaine was walking down the other side of the corridor that Merlin was.
"Merlin, how are you this morning?"
Merlin looked up at the man, not knowing whether to answer him truthfully or lie like he did the old man.
"I'm fine, milord and how are you?"
Even in answering his question, Merlin believed that it was weird that he was asking him that question.
Agravaine smiled. After last night Agravaine was worried that the younger man would slip up but now he knew that he wasn't going.
"I'm good. Now you ought to get the King his breakfast."
Merlin smiled at the older man before leaving.
Merlin paused slightly, holding onto the curtains a bit tighter.
What did Agravaine say that I said when I got the king up? I hope that what he told me was right. How does he know what I say? Is he everywhere?
"RISE AND SHINE!" Merlin said in his cheeriest tune.
"Merlin!" The king shouted back at him.
"Yes sire." Merlin turned to the king after picking up a few of his clothes.
"It's too early." Arthur said rolling back over.
"No it isn't sire, you have a council meeting this morning. You wouldn't want to be late for that."
Arthur groaned.
"Breakfast milord?"
Arthur raised his head from his pillow. Merlin stood there with a smile on his face, holding an arrangement of meats and fruits.
"Merlin, are you feeling alright?"
Merlin looked at Arthur in confusion. "I am perfectly fine." Merlin gave him a big smile. "Come on dollop head, get up."
Arthur smiled at the use of dollop head. He knew that Merlin was alright now.
Merlin turned back to his chores. Why did I call him dollop head?
Merlin watched the king eat then helped him change.
Merlin now wished he had got more sleep last night. He didn't understand why he had to be in the council meeting but Arthur had stressed that he must attend. However it could be a good thing as he could get information for his mistress.
Merlin stated to rock back and forth on the balls of his feet trying to stay awake.
He wished he could ask Agravaine some questions, like who was the old man this morning and who is he friendly to.
Merlin started to close his eyes as they were getting heavier. The rocking motion making him even more tried.
"Are you alright Merlin?"
Merlin turned to see a dark skinned woman standing next to him, smiling.
Merlin stopped the rocking motion and quickly moved his eyes to Agravaine, who gave a small nod.
"I'm fine and you?" Merlin whispered back. What is it with everyone asking him if he was alright?
"I'm fine too. You look like you are about to fall asleep. Is Arthur working you to hard?"
Merlin smiled. "Something along those lines. Up until dawn till dusk."
"He does respect you."
"He had a weird way of saying it." Merlin said looking towards the king.
The woman laughed silently. "He missed you when you were taken from Morgana. He sent out patrol after patrol out for you. You may just be his servant to others but you do mean more to him."
Merlin just nodded his head. Getting on to the subject of his mistress and Merlin could ruin everything.
"Right I think that is everything." Arthur said standing up and walking out of the hall.
The rest of the room went to move out as Merlin slumped against the wall.
"Merlin!" Arthur shouted.
"Sorry got to go and see what he wants." Merlin smiled at the women, noting that he would have to ask Agravaine who she was later.
The woman smiled back as he ran out of the doors that Arthur just had left through.
Gwen knew something was up with Merlin. She saw his tense when she said about Morgana, but it wasn't as if he tensed out of being scared of her, it was if he was keeping something from her. She knew that Merlin wasn't scared of Morgana. Arthur may say that he is a coward but Gwen knew otherwise. Merlin when out with Arthur on quests without any armour and usually came back unscratched.
Gwen made a note to ask Gaius later.
Merlin was just finishing his chores when Agravaine approached him.
"Meet in my room at midnight." Agravaine whispered to him.
"Yes milord." Merlin said back.
Agravaine quickly left after that.
Merlin still had no idea whether he could trust Agravaine or not but had no one else to ask.
Merlin looked at the washing he had.
He wondered why he kept doing this for a man that doesn't show him any respect. The woman may have said that he does respect him but Merlin just didn't see it.
The rest of the day flew by and Merlin quickly fell into a routine, probably his usually routine.
The dark skinned girl seemed to keep an eye on him, always studying him.
Arthur started to talk to him about a traitor in Camelot but Merlin just nodded along, knowing who the traitor was.
Arthur had noticed how silent Merlin was. "Merlin, have I said something to upset you?"
"No milord." Merlin said as he refilled.
Arthur turned to Merlin. "Just you would usually say something about the traitor being my uncle yet you haven't said a word. Come to think about it, you haven't said a word all afternoon."
"Sorry milord, I am just tired." Merlin said smiling at him.
Arthur just looked up at him. "You know Merlin, I enjoyed it when you just called me Arthur."
The young king returned to his meal.
What have I done to upset him? I thought this was what I was meant to do. I have been nothing but polite to him and he has asked if I am upset with him. I don't understand this at all.
Merlin was so tired when he walked through the servant corridor towards Agravaine's chamber. He didn't know whether he would be able to stay awake for it all.
He knocked on Agravaine's door and entered afterwards.
"Merlin, come sit down." Agravaine said from his place at the fire.
Merlin went and joined him, flopping down into the seat.
"How has your day been?"
Merlin turned to the Lord. "Good, I think." Merlin thought over what Arthur had said to him and couldn't help but think that he was missing something important. "Why does everyone ask me am I okay?"
"Remember you were taken by your now mistress. They believe she did horrible things to you. They believe they know what is best for everyone."
"Who can I trust?" Merlin asked.
Agravaine looked at the man for a moment.
"Me."
Merlin left Agravaine's room feeling slightly better.
The old man from this morning was Gaius, his guardian. He now knew that he helped him out a few times.
The woman from the council meeting was Gwen. They were friends as they were both servants. Gwen was the maidservant to Morgana before she betrayed her.
Merlin just felt more and more sorry for Morgana.
Agraviane had told him that she was forced to flee her home due to her guardian's, Uther who was Arthur's father, hatred for magic.
This had sparked some memories. Merlin now could remember that Uther died and on the mention of father, he could remember the chat that he had with his.
Merlin returned to the physician's quarters to find all that candles were out.
Merlin just walked to his room and collapsed on the bed.
Tomorrow was going to be another long day.
