Curtains crawled lazily back. Light streamed in. Someone tripped.
MERLIN.
Arthur prince of Camelot, the bravest and toughest of all knights, shuddered at the intrusion of bright white glare and threw the covers over his face. Hiding from the responsibilities of the world by a layer of silk and excess of expensive fluffy pillows was how he planned to spend the day.
A pale hand however protested the idea. It reached over his hair and grabbed the edge of the sheet, yanking it back with force and very little courtesy.
''What do you think you're doing?!'' Arthur cried out, fighting them back over. Muffled by the layers; just audible enough to have the existing twang of annoyance. Merlin cringed, hands fluttering lightly to his head and back down to his side limply.
''Serving a dollophead Sire. If you have to know," he pulled at the sheets again, struggling against kicking legs and stifled curses.
''Leave me alone, Merlin. Go muck the stables!''
''Sire your council meeting…?"
Silence. The royal became motionless. For a moment it was if he were one of the dead, respectively covered so as to avoid prying eyes. Merlin, head beating and wary, slowly moved the layers. Arthur stared blankly beneath.
''Council meeting?'' he muttered. Merlin nodded, regretting the move of his head instantly. He grimaced.
''Yep. Your father issued it yesterday.''
''WELL WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME?"
''I did. But you obviously didn't listen…''
Arthur laughed and swung his legs abruptly out of the bed. Merlin sidestepped quickly and rested his hand against a wall.
''Well maybe if you weren't such an idiot I'd have paid attention.''
Arthur waited for the retort. The wisecrack, the whip of gentle bantering words. It never came. Slightly surprised he glanced at his manservant. Merlin was sweating and pale and his curved lips weren't curving the right way.
''Did you run here Merlin? Sleeping in? Should I make you polish my armour more?"
Merlin pointed to a pile sitting on his table. ''Your clothes.''
Arthur shook his head and begun to change.
Thanks for those reviews! You are lovely people! :)