"This won't work."

"Oh, shush, Lancelot. What's the worst that could happen?"

Merlin looked up, worried, at Gwaine, who looked like Arthur.

"Try avoiding actual work. It's just a few hours."

"Avoiding work is my specialty."

After sending Gwaine into the throne room, Merlin returned to Arthur.

"It's a bad idea, Merlin."

"Leave it to Gwaine and Lancelot." He sat in front of Arthur and put a hand on his shoulder.

"Go on."

Arthur sighed and hung his head, releasing a sob.

Merlin let him cry. He knew how it felt to have no time to grieve a lost father.