Attempt #2

Merlin had never been so confused before.

As he was (for once in his life) obediently carrying out his King's orders, sharpening Arthur's sword - even polishing it! - with extra care and doing the laundry more thoroughly than usual, he couldn't help but wonder what in the name of all things Holy just happened.

Years. He had spent years worrying about his King's reaction to his magic, and when Merlin finally mustered the courage to confess... Arthur just... gave him chores?

What was he thinking?

Had Arthur known? Was that it? Did he just know already and didn't react beside a risen eyebrow because the news were so old, they didn't even warrant a better response? Merlin felt a bit offended. One would have thought a friend (and Merlin knew they were friends, two people didn't just risk their lives for each other on daily basis, no matter what Arthur claimed about the hardships of finding a suitable manservant) confessing to a decade-long deception and breaking the law punishable by death would have made a bigger impact. But nooo, Arthur just kept ordering him around, as usual. Unbelievable!

Just then, as he was finishing mucking the stables, the epiphany hit Merlin with the strength of a horse.

Arthur hadn't believed him.

Merlin cursed so viciously surely even Gwaine would have blushed.

"Goodness! Are you alright?" the stable-boy asked with shock mixed with concern.

"Excuse me, sorry, yes, I'm fine," Merlin rambled, smiling awkwardly in the most fake way possible as his thoughts reached the inevitable conclusion... that Arthur, without a doubt...

...was an absolute prat!

He hadn't believed him when Merlin said he had magic! He'd thought his manservant was making a joke!

As soon as the stable-boy turned around, Merlin hit his forehead. And Arthur called him the idiot!

How the King could be this oblivious was beyond Merlin. Not noticing him occasionally using magic in battle, sure, maybe that wasn't too obvious, considering no one in Camelot had ever caught on except Lancelot - who'd seen Merlin cast a spell on his spear with his own eyes. But how could a man not see the truth when it was being stated to his face?

Then again, perhaps this shouldn't be so surprising, Merlin thought to himself sardonically. After all Arthur was an utter clotpole.

Hell, Merlin once confessed to sorcery in front of Uther and his whole council, and Arthur dismissed his claim without a second thought.

"Merlin is a wonder but the wonder is, he's such an idiot! There's no way he's a sorcerer."

Merlin groaned miserably to himself. How could he have forgotten that? Arthur believed him too stupid to be magic. Of course when Merlin just declared himself a sorcerer out of nowhere, he'd brush it off as a joke.

He needed to be more convincing.

With strengthened resolve, he directed his steps back to the King's chamber.

"Arthur!" he exclaimed, opening the door.

But it wasn't Arthur who greeted him. It was Gwen.

"Oh, hello Merlin," she smiled kindly, as always. But Merlin wasn't there to chat.

"Where's Arthur?" he asked urgently.

"You just missed him. He was-"

"Where did he go?"

"The reception hall... Is everything-?"

"I have to go, see you later!"

Merlin ran off, leaving a bewildered Queen behind.

"Arthur!" he called out, seeing the figure ahead of him.

The King turned around, his distracted glaze passing Merlin for a second before focusing on him, then turning to confusion.

"Merlin?"

"Listen, Arthur, I-"

"God, you stink!" Arthur covered his nose in disgust.

"Well, that's what happens when you much the stables," Merlin stated impatiently, wanting to get to the point. "Anyway-"

"You just mucked the stables?"

"Yes, dollop head, now pay attention-"

"Did you sharpen my sword too?"

"Yes, I even polished it, but-"

"And you finished my laundry?"

"Yes, for God's sake, I finished all my chores, you prat! Now, can we please focus on the fact that I'm a bloody sorcerer?!"

Arthur stared at him with a baffled expression, and Merlin thought he finally got it.

But then... he started laughing.

"Arthur!"

For some reason, Merlin's indignant exclamation only made the King laugh harder.

"Your Highness, the guests are waiting for you in the reception hall," Sir Leon suddenly showed up, looking between the King and the servant curiously. "Am I interrupting something?"

"It's nothing," Arthur replied, trying to mask his mirth with coughs, and utterly failing. "Merlin just made a silly joke."

"I wasn't-!"

"Merlin, for the sake of everyone, go take a bath, your smell is going to scare everyone out of the castle."

"The King makes a valid point, Merlin," Sir Leon added solemnly. "You smell most terrible."

"But I-"

"Merlin," Arthur interrupted yet again. "I need to attend to our guests now. We'll talk later."

Merlin left extremely disgruntled, muttering complaints about idiotic Kings under his breath.

Author's Note:

Here's more! I hope you like it? ;) I'm trying very hard to keep both Arthur and Merlin in character - if you have some tips, let me know.

Please review, follow and favorite if you can, but most importantly - read on and enjoy!