"Arthur, when you are King, there will be no excuse for being late." King Uther said watching his son race over to the breakfast room with obvious nerves.
"It was Dagonet…" Arthur replied spitefully as he sat down, referring to Dagonet, the latest servant arranged until they found someone else. "He didn't draw my curtains nor prepared my bath."
Uther ignored it as he beckoned Gwen to bring over Arthurs meal. Without a glance, Gwen placed a plate of smoked salmon, cheese, white bread and sop and wine. The aroma put Arthur at ease as he looked up at Gwen to thank her, only to be ignored. Even after a month, Gwen had been giving Arthur the silent treatment ever since she learned Arthur kicked Merlin out for using magic.
"Where is that Dagonet now?" Uther asked annoyed putting down his goblet of ale and glaring at Arthur.
Feeling annoyed himself, Arthur tried hard not to voice out his annoyance with Dagonet. Although he hated having to depend on Dagonet for a plentitude of things that were once taken care of by Merlin, he knew Dagonet wouldn't betray him in anyway. In fact, the sole reason Dagonet was still Arthurs servant was because outsiders were hard to trust in this time of war.
"He's... cleaning my armor." Arthur lied, looking down at the salmon. The reality was Arthur left Dagonet struggling to get up from his own sleep.
"Arthur," Uther announced sticking a fork in his fish. "I've spoken to a former knight, Brandis if you remember, and he has spoken to me about his daughter, Luned, serving Lady Laudine for five years. Lady Laudine is an old friend of mine and I know her taste very well- she is quiet particular about having the finest in life. For that reason, I have asked Lady Laudine to part with Luned so that she may be your servant."
A simeountaneous clang of a tray dropped from Gwen's hands to the floor and choke from Arthur sounded in the hall. Coughing on his roll, Arthur clutched his goblet and sipped his ale. "His daughter!" Arthur replied in appall, putting his globlet down as Gwen rushed to gather the tray and it's contents. "Father, I need a servant to replace what Merlin used to do! Not some girl!"
"And what did he do?" Uther said as he watched Gwen under scrutiny. "Clean your armor, wake you up, and wince at your blows and strikes at practice? Surely you can expect the same from her. I believe she will be a fine servant, as her father was a fine knight."
"Father, if you don't remember, Lady Laudine has very gaudy taste, so that doesn't tell us much about her choice in servants. I still remember visiting her manor when I was 8. I was hauled with kissesand hugs and a mind numbling show of her old brooches and rings. I shudder to think of what her servant is like! Can't we find a man servant?
"Not ones I can trust. It is final, Arthur, I am exhausted when watching that Dagonet crawling over the place. I know very well he isn't up to par of a servant."
Arthur clenched on his jaw as Gwen escaped the room.
"Now where has that servant left...?" Uther complained looking around holding his empty goblet.
Sorry.. I know this was a short chapter. Next chapter will be interesting though :)