Hello! Sorry, short chapter. It's more of a filler. Next chapter the story will get a bit more plot line!
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(Something I forgot for the previous chapters) DISCLAIMER: Merlin is NOT mine. All rights to BBC.
"I said no Merlin." Gaius said sternly, peering over at the boy who was sitting restlessly on a stool.
"But I'm bored." Merlin whined, scuffing his shoes on the stone floor. Gaius sighed.
"Fine, but please be careful. And be back in a couple of hours, this should be ready by then." Gaius indicated the smoking vile before him. Merlin grinned and jumped up and promptly knocked his shin against the bench in front of him. Merlin edged slowly towards the door, his arms slightly extended. Gaius watched him sadly as he felt his way out the room, the bandage still tied securely around his eyes, then returned to studying the leather bound book on the table in front of him.
Merlin wandered down the hallway, his hand trailing along the wall. He was determined to act like everything was normal, so he was planning on finding Arthur and asking the Prince if he needed anything. The next left…up the stairs…left again…or was it right? Merlin stood in the hallway, one hand still on the wall, completely lost. Maybe if I just keep walking I'll find someone.
"Merlin!" Merlin nearly jumped out of his skin at the sound of a very familiar voice.
"Arthur?"
"What are you doing?"
"Just…trying to find you…" Muttered Merlin, his head angled so his gaze was fixed on the floor as opposed to appearing stupid and trying to look like he was looking at Arthur. He didn't want to make this anymore uncomfortable than it already was. "I was wondering if you had any work for me."
Arthur hesitated before saying slowly, "Merlin…"
"Okay, no worries, I get it. I mean, it's not like I can see what I'm doing." Merlin forced a weak laugh out and turned on his heel to walk quickly away. He felt a hand on his arm, stopping him.
"My armour needs polishing and my boots are embarrassingly scuffed." Arthur reeled off in his usual brisk arrogance, pulling Merlin to his chambers by his sleeve. He was grateful for the help, he wouldn't have known how to get to Arthur's chambers on his own.
Fifteen minutes later saw Merlin sitting crossed legged on Arthur's floor, a boot in one hand, polishing it thoroughly. Arthur watched as he placed the left boot down and felt around for the right one. He had decided, quite determinedly, not to get a new manservant. Just because Merlin had lost his sight, did not mean he had lost his ability to do the simple chores he usually did.
There was a knock on the door. Arthur called for whoever it was to enter.
"Sire." It was a servant. "The King wishes to speak with you, in his chambers."
"Thank you, I'll be there right away." The girl bowed her head and exited the room.
"I'll be right back Merlin. Remember, I want to see my face in that armour." Arthur put his hand briefly on Merlin's shoulder before hurrying to his father's room.
"Father." Arthur greeted solemnly, upon entering. He was still a little sour with his father about the previous day.
"Arthur."
"Has anything happened?"
"Not at all, I just wondered when you were going to make arrangements for a new manservant." The King sat down in his chair and started sorting through some scrolls.
"What?" Arthur's eyes narrowed. He had a feeling he knew where this conversation was heading.
"Or I could get find one if you wish…although I am rather busy at the moment." He did not look up at his son as he continued to fiddle with a piece of parchment.
"I don't need a new manservant." Stated Arthur curtly. Uther looked up at him, chuckling.
"I assume that is a joke."
"No."
The smile faded from Uther's face. "Arthur." His tone quavered with warning. "You can't possibly be seriously considering keeping this boy. For goodness sake Arthur! He's blind!" Arthur flinched at the last word. Neither Merlin nor himself had said that word since returning from that unforgettable outing.
"Merlin is perfectly capable of continuing with his job." Needless to say, Arthur found himself in another loud argument with his father. This one also ended in him storming from the room.
Arthur pushed his door open with considerable force, the loud bang causing Merlin to jerk his head up suddenly from where he was sitting on the floor, armour in hand.
"Arthur?" He asked a bit uncertainly.
"Ugh." Arthur flopped down onto his bed with an "Oof".
"I just made that!" Protested Merlin, as Arthur flung a pillow at the dark haired boy's head.
"My father wants me to get a new manservant." Mumbled Arthur, his head buried in his bedclothes. Merlin's movements as he polished Arthur's armour became noticeably stiffer, and his eyebrows furrowed slightly into a small frown.
"Oh?" Merlin hoped he didn't sound too strangled.
"I'm trying to dissuade him. No one's getting rid of my servant." Grumbled Arthur. Merlin couldn't help but grin.
"Chair."
"What?"
"Chair!"
"What are you-argh!"
"Merlin?"
"Why didn't you tell me there was a chair there?"
"I did!"
"Why was there a chair there anyway? There's never a chair there!"
"Sorry…"
"Pardon?"
"I said I'm sorry!" Arthur scowled grumpily into his breakfast while Merlin felt strangely triumphant. The Prince had actually apologised. A rare occurrence in Merlin's book.
It had only been about a week since…the incident, but already they seemed to have fallen into a similar pattern. Merlin would get up early to get Arthur's breakfast, making his way back slowly and cautiously back to the Prince's chambers. When Arthur travelled round the castle, he would either maintain a constant one-sided conversation so Merlin could hear where the Prince was and easily follow, or he would grip Merlin's sleeve gently and tug him around after him.
Merlin could still manage simple chores he previously did, although Arthur now had to maintain a tidy room and not move any of the furniture without prior warning. It was a suitable arrangement and, others had noticed, the two spent a lot more time together. The simple reason was because Arthur didn't trust Merlin on his own to get lost or break something. The more complicated reason was because Arthur liked being in Merlin's company, he seriously considered the young man a friend. Not that he would ever admit this to anyone. Ever.