Approaching the training knights, Merlin couldn't help but notice Arthur and Gwaine were paired off, their swords clashing together, both skilled with their weapons, Merlin stood off to the side, watching them duel, noticing Arthur's strikes were becoming harsher, as if he was really trying to harm Gwaine.
"Arthur!" The Sorcerer exclaimed, hoping that he could get the king to realize what he was doing, but he didn't seem to hear him. Arthur tripped up Gwaine, unarming him, placing his lade to Gwaine's throat. "Arthur!" Merlin called out again, the king stood there with the tip of his sword against Gwaine's neck before pulling it away and placing it in his sheath, holding out his hand to help Gwaine helping him to his feet. Snapping out of whatever had taken a hold of him.
Without a word, Arthur walked away from his knights, heading back toward the castle, glancing at Gwaine for a minute, Merlin chased after Arthur, catching up to him in the halls of the castle. "What was that?" He demanded, slowing his pace so that he was walking beside the king.
"You have no right questioning Merlin, so I am going to pretend I didn't hear that." Arthur snapped back, without so much as looking at the Sorcerer. Usually Merlin would argue back, but there was something in Arthur's tone that kept him refrained from telling him he was being a prat. When they returned to Arthur's room, Merlin helped him out of the armor. "Be sure to polish it."
"Yes, sire." Merlin responded, carrying it out of the room to begin on the order, leaving Arthur. Gwaine stormed down the hall, giving Merlin a wink as he passed, immediately knocking on Arthur's door. A little curious to know what was going on, Merlin wanted to stay there and over hear the conversation, he made it look like he was leaving, waiting only long enough for Gwaine to be allowed to enter Arthur's chambers.
Doubling back, Merlin walked to the door, pressing his ear against it straining to hear what was happening inside. The door was too thick for him to hear through and even trying t crack the door would draw the attention of the two men inside. Sighing with momentary defeat, the sorcerer walked away from the king's chambers going to the armory.
It was hard getting use to the fact that he could use magic now, sometimes, like this, he caught himself scrubbing the armor with his hands again. Merlin smiled at himself and used his magic to finish off the rest, taking the cleaned and polished armor back to Arthur's room, he didn't bother knocking, simply opened the door walking inside, Gwaine was gone and Arthur sat at his desk writing something down.
"Did you forget how to knock, Merlin?"
"My hands are full." The sorcerer rebounded, placing down the cleaned armor, putting it away piece by piece. Arthur looked up from the paper, giving him a look that Merlin couldn't quiet read.
"It usually take you longer to polish my armor..." Arthur pointed out, changing the subject. "Did you use magic?" Merlin stared him right in the eyes, with no shame in what he did as he nodded his head. "I could consider that using your powers for useless needs and make you do it again..by hand."
"You could, but then you would be a complete prat." Merlin snapped, unable to hold his tongue any longer "Seriously Arthur, what climbed up your arse and died?" After loosing Gwen, Arthur's attitude was getting worse, and he was always acting so strange. The king shook his head, dismissing it, waving his hand.
"Go fetch my dinner." Merlin muttered under his breath about spitting in it, as he turned from Arthur and left the room going to the kitchen to fetch his dinner and bring it to him. When Merlin returned to Arthur's room he put his plate down on the table. "Is that all?" Arthur looked up at him, thinking it over, before he answered.
"Why don't you go muck out the stables, this time without using your magic. After that I suppose I will be ready to go to sleep, so you will come back here when you are finished and help me get ready for bed." Arthur ordered, receiving an astonished look from the sorcerer. "I also think it's best if you stay away from Gwaine for a while."
"And why is that?" Merlin snapped.
"I don't have to tell you why Merlin, just do it." Arthur snapped back, leaning forward. "Now, go and muck the stables." The sorcerer stared at him hard for a minute and shook his head flustered.
"Yes, sire" Merlin breathed out, turning on his heel storming out of the room heading for the stables.
To be continued...