"Ready to head back to the castle?" Arthur asked her as they were packing up their latest camp sight after they had breakfast. Merlin nodded.

"I'll change back now, give me a moment," Arthur nodded, continuing to pack up. Leon didn't even glance over. After a few moments, they were all ready to go. Merlin frowned when he got onto his mare. His bottom was bonier as a male and it hurt more. That was one perk of being female when riding. He had cushion. "When we get back, we'll report back to father."

Merlin nodded as they set off. It would only be a few more hours. When they got to the castle, they did indeed head to the throne room, Merlin following behind the other two. Uther looked up when the doors opened.

"Ah! Arthur! Leon," he gave a small but tight smile. "How'd patrol go?"

"Very well, sire," Leon commented, bowing a bit. Arthur nodded.

"Nothing to report, not even bandits," he said. "Everyone is too busy enjoying the nicer weather, I hope."

"Well no news is good news," Uther nodded. "Have you a plan for dealing with Pellinn by the way? I heard several of my guards complain about his attitude."

"Yes, I had heard about that," Arthur nodded. "Tomorrow during training, I think. I'll think of something suitable by then. Maybe I'll ask some of your guards to fight some of the newer recruits as a small test, Pellinn included. An example of what Camelot expects from their knights."

"Excellent idea!" Uther gave a more genuine smile this time as he nodded his head. I shall let them know and send some of them over for training."

Arthur nodded. "Did you need us for anything else, Father? I'd like to relax for the afternoon, take a bath and then work on some reports I've missed. I'm sure Leon would enjoy the same."

"Yes, yes, of course," Uther waved his hand as his attention moved to his own paperwork in front of him. "I'll have the servants produce a bath for you both in your respective quarters. Gauis was asking if he could borrow your manservant for the afternoon for some help, anyways."

Merlin nodded with a small bow, knowing the King would expect it. Even if he appeared to be looking elsewhere.

"Thank you, your highness," Leon said with a slight bow.

"Thank you, father. We'll let you get back to work," Arthur said before they all turned around. Merlin could've sworn he felt Uther's piercing eyes on him as he walked away, but he didn't want to turn to check. The three parted ways as Merlin headed to his own quarters to see what Gauis needed help with.

"Ah, good. You're back!" Gauis gave him a welcoming smile as he glanced up from the most recent medicene he was working on. "How'd patrols go?"

"Very well," Merlin grinned as he sat at the table for a moment. It was only slightly better than sitting on the horse. "No bandits, and the weather was very nice."

"Good," Gauis dropped a herb into the pot he was stirring. "Would you mind going down to the field just outside the walls to get me more herbs? With the changing of the seasons, a mild cold seems to be going around."

Merlin nodded as he stood up. "Of course. I'll be back soon, then,"

He picked up one of the bigger baskets from near the door and set off towards the fields. He nodded at the knights standing by the gates.

"Collecting more herbs for Gauis?" one of them grinned down at Merlin. Merlin was tall, but this knight seemed to tower over him.

"Of course," Merlin gave a small laugh. "Seems a small cold is going around so Gauis will be busy for a few weeks, I expect. And so will I, collecting herbs and such."

"Well, good luck to you lad," the other knight chuckled. "Fields have been mostly clear except for a doe and her fawn running around near the tree line earlier this morning."

Merlin nodded and continued on his way. He knew exactly where to go for each herb Gauis needed. Along his way back, he collected some wild strawberries for him and Gauis to enjoy in the morning at breakfast. Bring some life to the boring porridge.

~O~

The next morning saw Merlin waking Arthur up by opening up the curtains. "Up and at 'em, lazy daisy!"

Arthur groaned. "I'd hoped you'd grown out of that phrase by now."

"Never," Merlin chuckled as he went about dusting off some of the shelves and furniture. He was sure the other servants had already done it before they got back, but Merlin liked doing it just to be sure. He heard Arthur getting up from his bed and stumble his way to the table to eat. He raised his eyebrow at the extra fruit on the platter.

"Why so much fruit?" he asked, looking up at Merlin. The servant shrugged.

"Apparently, Cook thought I looked much too skinny this morning after our week of patrol so told me to steal it off your plate."

"Really?" Arthur looked stunned for a moment. "Is she okay?"

"Seemed to be," Merlin shrugged. "Didn't look too much into it."

Arthur observed Merlin as the man sat down in the chair next to him and stole a piece of fruit from the platter. "You do seem to be too thin. Does your already small appetite shrink to nothing when you're a girl?"

Merlin's cheeks warmed a bit in embarrassment as he shrugged once more. "Suppose so."

Arthur rolled his eyes and threw half of his bread at the man. Merlin scowled but started eating it so it didn't go to waste. "Well we have training soon. Father said he had something to tell us after, so we'll be going to the throne room after."

Merlin nodded as he stole one more piece of fruit off the plate. He knew the King couldn't care less if he was actually there or not, but he never corrected Arthur on it anymore. He pulled out clothes for Arthur's day and laid it on the bed. "You're armour must be in the weapons room."

"Probably. George insisted he clean and polish it before the day was out."

Merlin shook his head. George still tried to help Arthur. He suspected George thought he couldn't be a proper servant. He knew he could be clumsy at times, but he had gotten fairly well at helping Arthur. Instead of mucking stables and taking care of his hunting dogs, Merlin helped Arthur write speeches and reports when the Prince was too busy. He did like to visit the dogs at least once a week though, he'd grown a soft spot for them.

Once Arthur was dressed, he headed to the door. "Ready? We do have to go down to get the armour first before heading to the field."

"Yes, sire," Merlin nodded and followed the man through the halls, weaving in and around other servants so they didn't disturb them. A lot of them greeted the duo with waves or large smiles. Arthur always gave a small smile back and Merlin usually gave a cheerful greeting.

When they made it to the weapons room, Leon was already there getting amoured up. He gave a small smile. "Good morning, Arthur, Merlin."

"Good morning, Leon," Arthur replied as he waited for Merlin to find his armour and pull it on him. Merlin grinned back as he moved around the room collecting what needed.

"Good morning! Did you have a nice, relaxing afternoon yesterday?"

"I did," Leon smiled. "What did Gauis have you do?"

"Oh, I just went to the fields to collect herbs for him. A small cold is going around with Spring being here. I helped him deliver some of the medicine he was making, too."

"Doesn't sound too bad," Leon laughed, knowing Merlin had sometimes had to do a lot worse for the older man. Merlin only grinned as he pulled the armour onto Arthur, tightened it up and made sure it sat properly. Finally, he clipped the sword to Arthur's belt and all three of them headed to the training grounds. All of the recruits and knights under Arthur's training were already waiting for them. The senior knights weren't there yet, though.

"Alright!" Arthur called, getting their attention. Merlin watched from the side, settling himself at the picnic table that sat near the group. Part of the reason Arthur had him stick around was if any of the knights or recruits got hurt during training. Arthur knew Merlin was also Gauis' assistant and apprentice. "We'll start with our usual warmups so we don't pull any muscles or anything."

Training was going like it always was until a little while later, the senior knights from the King's personal guard came up to them. Merlin grinned as they started a mock competition. Recruits against the senior knights. Pellinn was the first to go. Merlin tried very hard not to laugh when Sir Bertrand put Pellinn on his arse with his sword up against his throat within the first minute of the fight. Arthur had grinned at the face Pellinn had made.

Training went on like that until the sun reached midday. The knights all left for baths and lunch while Arthur and Merlin made their way to the throne room to meet up with Uther. The king looked up when they entered.

"Ah, Arthur. How'd it go with Pellinn?"

"Sir Bertrand put him on his arse in less than a minute," Arthur chuckled. "It was quite amusing to see his face."

"I imagine," Uther gave a small chuckle himself. "Hopefully it will teach the boy some humility."

"What did you have need of me for, father?" Arthur asked curiously. Merlin was standing just behind Arthur's shoulder but was just as curious.

"Lady Mithian is arriving tomorrow to spend some time with us. I'm hoping you would get along with her for marriage, so do try to keep that in mind," Uther raised an eyebrow at Arthur. Then he glanced at Merlin for a moment. "I don't want any trouble while she's here."

"Yes, father," Arthur nodded with a slow breath.

"Also, we'll be having a family dinner tonight. Merlin, no need to fetch him anything."

"Yes, your highness," Merlin nodded. He had suspected Uther would request one given that Arthur had been on a patrol for the last week.

"I'll see you for dinner, father," Arthur gave a polite nod before pushing Merlin out of the room and letting the doors close gently behind them. "My chambers."

They made it without issue to Arthur's chambers. Merlin tilted his head. "Would you like a bath, sire?"

Arthur sighed. "Might as well. I did train for half the morning."

Merlin nodded and with a flash of gold, the tub started filling with steaming water. He took the armour off of Arthur and set it aside to polish while undressing Arthur most of the way. He left his underpants on, as he usually let Arthur change those himself whether he was a male or a female. When Arthur was in his bath, Merlin started polishing his armour on the floor in front of the desk. "What do you think of Lady Mithian?"

"She has always been a wonderful woman, so sweet. Even to the servants. I do like that about her," Arthus grinned, though he had his head relaxed against the side of the tub and his eyes closed as he spoke.

"What about Gwen?" Merlin asked. Arthur sighed, opening his eyes but keeping them trained on the ceiling.

"She likes Lancelot, doesn't she?" He glanced at his manservant for confirmation.

"She does, as he likes her just as much. He's not allowed back in the walls as per your father at the moment," Merlin sighed as he put one piece of armour aside to start on the next one. "But I know she also likes you, too.""

"Hm, I could," Arthur sighed. "A servant is against the code of Camelot. Besides, if Gwen loves another, I don't want to keep them apart."

"That's very mature of you, Arthur," Merlin let a small smile on his face as he continued cleaning and polishing the last of Arthur's armour.

"So, you think I should given Lady Mithian a chance?"

"You have no reason not to," Merlin shrugged. "Do you need to give your father a response right away on the marriage?"

"He would definitely prefer it sooner than later," Arthur groaned. Merlin frowned in thought for a moment.

"Could you court her?" he asked. "Like a trial period to see if it would work for the two of you?"

Arthur stared at Merlin for a moment with wide eyes. Merlin was about to ask what was wrong when Arthur spoke. "That's genius!"

"I do have some good ideas from time to time," Merlin commented, amused at Arthur's reaction.

"Do you plan on changing anytime this week?" Arthur asked with a slight frown. Merlin tilted his head.

"Probably not while the Lady is here," he shrugged. "I might change to serve dinner tonight. Before Lady Mithian arrives tomorrow."

Arthur nodded. "Will you wear the servant's dress I bought you?"

"I have to," Merlin laughed. "I have to look the part, too. Will Uther notice, do you think?"

"I don't think he should," Arthur frowned. "At least he shouldn't recognize it's you. What name will you go by? You can't go by Merlin. It will be your first time serving as a woman servant outside of my quarters or outside the castle."

"I don't know, I didn't think about it," Merlin sighed. "What about a play on my Druid name?"

"Emrys?" Arthur thought about it as he got out of the bath. "It would work, though my father will likely know that name. Maybe Emma? Or something similar?"

"I like Emma," Merlin gave a soft smile that reminded Arthur of the smiles he tended to give while he was a woman. While he was Emma.

"I'll have to get used to it. Hopefully, I don't slip up," Arthur grimaced as got dressed on his own this time. Nothing complicated, Merlin would dress him properly before they left for dinner. "Do you have to go get dressed?"

"No, I do keep one or two outfits in the servants quarters off your room for when I change," Merlin shrugged. "I'll change in that room before we go down."

Arthur nodded as he made his way to his desk. "Well, there are some paperwork I have to finish that I didn't get to yesterday for Father. Including the knight training report."

Merlin simply nodded, putting the finished armour aside and standing to find other things to do around the room. Making Arthur's bed that he had forgotten to do that morning, folding laundry that another servant had brought up during the morning training, cleaning the fireplace to be able to start it soon. He hummed under his breath quietly as he went.

~O~