Chapter Eight
"What do mean you?" Arthur shouted.
"I did what I had to." Uther's gaze lowered. "Maybe when you're older, you'll understand."
"You can't just fire my manservant without my consent!"
"I am the king, and I shall do as I please." Uther rose from the side of Arthur's bed angrily. "This is not up for discussion, and I will not hear another word about it until you are feeling better. Just be thankful Gaius found the antidote and you are still alive." He strode quickly toward the door.
"But Father, I – I need Merlin to be my manservant. He's the best one I've ever had." Arthur said defiantly.
"Is that so?" Uther turned back around to face Arthur. "That's strange because it seems you can't stop complaining about how incompetent he is."
"I was wrong Father. He does have his uses after all."
"Is that the case? Well then it seems I was wrong to fire him. I'll send someone to fetch him immediately." Arthur didn't notice the sarcasm in the king's voice.
Eyes wide, Arthur looked up at his father. "Really? Thank you, Father, I'm glad we could come to this understanding – "
"Of course not. Don't be ridiculous. Your manservant had developed feelings for you that were far beyond what his position allowed. I did what needed to be done." Angrily, Uther left the room.
"I felt for him more than I should have, too," Arthur mumbled. "But that doesn't mean I'm going to give up."