IMPORTANT: I've failed to say this in nearly all of my chapters thus far, even though it is explicitly stated on my Profile page, that I DO NOT OWN MERLIN or ITS CHARACTERS!...Just the Anderson family and associated friends in 2012+—Oh, and Sir Saer and his son Aidan (Alexandra's best buddy!) Just putting it out there. :P
A/N: To answer Lady Proemess' question, I've given Aggravaine a new alliance (co-conspirator) since he could not have aligned himself with Morgana. They killed her in one of my Past Judgement chapters, if you recall. Aggravaine wants to see Camelot driven to the ground to avenge his sister's death (which he wholly blamed on Uther Pendragon, hence he doesn't want to see another Pendragon on the throne), and King Odin has a bit of a grudge against Arthur already (sorry, spoiler for Season 5, Episode 4..), so….There you have it. :D Aggravaine was trying desperately to set Arthur up to fail as King (following Uther's death). I just have to tweak the storyline a bit to accommodate the absence of Morgana, if I choose to follow PJO Chapter 27 further. If you want it continued, please let me know. Also, if you have other arcs you'd like me to try, I'd love to hear suggestions.
Enjoy!
And….On to another random scene! Something a bit lighter!
Chapter 28
"The cell phone gag, I could live with that," ranted the King. "I could even handle the water balloon fiasco." King Arthur strode purposely from the Council Chambers, his manservant in tow and hurrying to keep up with the monarch's angry stride. "But I shall hang the idiot who thought it funny to coat my goblet with finger paint!" He lifted his right hand to show his servant the smear of electric blue paint all across his bare hand. Similar streaks adorned his face, where (without thinking) he had run his hand along his jaw in thought while listening to the morning report. "This is—utterly humiliating, Merlin!"
It took everything Merlin had not to break out into a fit of laughter at the sight. "Sire, I do know who is responsible, and…I don't think it's wise to remove the heiress to your kingdom." He held his hands behind his back in a respectful pose, unable to erase the threat of a smile from his face.
Arthur turned on his heel in the long corridor and visibly took deep breaths, his lips pursed in irritation. After a long, tense moment, he asked in a tone of disbelief, "Alexandra did this?"
Merlin nodded, allowing his grin to surface. "You have to admit, it was a streak of brilliance-to pull this off in front of the entire Council. The look on their faces—and yours—was priceless!" He allowed himself a chuckle.
Arthur turned and continued on toward his chambers. "That child is entirely too much like her mother," he muttered, his anger dissipating.
Merlin patted the King's shoulder in consolation. "Oh, Arthur, you know better than to expect easy days with your family. Just wait until Marissa learns a thing or two about pranking!" He gave his King an exaggerated grin, goading the man just a little.
"I just can't wait…" Arthur released a deep sigh. "You'd think that as King of this land, I'd get a measure of respect." He was aware that he sounded like a pouty child, but he couldn't help feeling picked on.
Merlin gave his friend a sympathetic smile. "Arthur, pranks like this serve to remind you that you're just like the rest of us—accepted, loved, and no less a target."
Arthur narrowed his eyes at his servant. "Was that supposed to make me feel better?"
"No." Merlin ignored the anger that flared in his King's eyes. "I just wanted to drag you back to reality." He gently pushed his friend to continue walking. "Come on, let's get that paint washed off, Prat. I'll help you think of a way to return the favor..."