Chapter Nine
"Oi! Merlin! I need you to bring this load up to the castle. They're having some sort of big to-do up there tonight and asked for an extra large shipment."
"Can't someone else do it?" Merlin complained. "You know I hate going to the castle."
The supervisor didn't even spare Merlin a glance as he replied "You live in the castle! Besides, I gave you this job and I can just as easily take it away if you don't do what I say."
Mumbling some sort of agreement, Merlin grabbed the sack of vegetables and grains and turned towards the castle he could see in the distance. It was quite a walk from the farm where Merlin now worked, so he set a moderate pace.
It had been a few weeks since Merlin had been forced to leave his post at Arthur's side. He left every morning before the sun rose and worked until long after it had set. The work was hard, and Merlin's pale skin had darkened from spending the days under the hot sun. His muscles were more defined from the physical labor, and the soreness had almost completely gone.
The sun was just sinking below the walls when Merlin reached the castle. He hoped he wasn't late as he heard the crazed frenzy of preparation from the kitchen. He stood, for a moment, in the middle of the chaos, completely ignored by the people around him. Eventually, he was told where to put the large sack he was carrying, and, having been paid, he walked out into the cool evening.
Figuring he was done for the evening, Merlin walked a winding path of alleys to the chambers he shared with Gaius. It would have been much quicker to take the main path, but it was such a pleasant night. He also didn't want to chance running into anyone he knew from the castle.
He didn't notice the haggard figure leaning against the wall ahead of him.
"Merlin?"