Thank you to all those who have been reviewing! This is a follow up to the previous tavern adventure.
Enjoy!
For rmatri540:
"So do you care to explain yourselves?" He glanced back and forth between the two knights. "Maybe enlighten the king why you decided to get his manservant so drunk that he couldn't walk and needed to be dragged back to the castle?"
Both were looking at the ground. At least it was only in front of the King, Gwen, Percival, Eylan and Leon. Being in front of a big crowd would be too much of an embarrassment.
"Well someone better same something!"
Lance looked at Gwaine who was trying to hide his laughter. This wasn't going to be good. He was never going to do anything with that man ever again. Never. Clearing his throat he made eye contact with Arthur, "Gwaine wanted to have some fun and invited Merlin and I along. I'm sorry Sire I tried to keep an eye on him."
"Really? He did now?"
If looks could slap someone silly, Gwaine would have quite the sore jaw due to the glare he was receiving from the king.
"Next time I'll try to watch him better."
"Next time? There will never be another time that Merlin is at the tavern! I will make a decree so he's never allowed back!"
"That seems a bit of an overreaction don't you think sire?" Gwen tried to calm him down.
"I'm sorry but I don't want my knights or my manservant to be known for spending long nights in the tavern." Focused on the men before him he asked, "What kind of kingdom will citizens think I'm running?"
Lance covered Gwaine's mouth. The man had yet to learn when to keep his comments to himself. It was obviously a rhetorical question.
Arthur continued ranting about the knights dashing the magnificent image he had created. The reputation was of upmost importance as he was still new to his role.
"What say you, Leon, as the most fit punishment for these fine, respectable men?"
…
Gwaine was a little deterred from dragging out Merlin again three lectures. Each said exactly the same thing. "What were you thinking?" Well I just wanted the poor guy to have some fun!
Arthur's reaction was quite humorous. He was absolutely furious. He did not want the whole town of Camelot to know about their outing and the state in which his manservant returned. Some concern for Merlin had shown the night before. And Lance had warned him about Arthur. It had become Gaius' go to excuse when Merlin was out doing some magical thwarting. Being caught in this manner wouldn't go over very well. Though this display probably put doubt in the King's mind about the manservant's actual whereabouts.
Great. It got in his hair. He growled at Lacelot's laugh. He ignored the need to respond and continued his musings.
He thought back to Lance cornering him. The knight became the overly protective brother. Merlin must have told Lance that he had found out the secret. First the man had asked, "Do you understand what having this knowledge means?"
I had easily replied, "Yes. Merlin told me."
His friend scoffed. "One thing you've got to realize is that he will never really tell you everything."
I must have been surprised because he chuckled, "You do realize how dangerous it is that he possesses it in Camelot right under Arthur's nose?"
I nodded. "Gwaine. You must help me protect him from himself. Just ask Gaius. He never says how hurt he really is. Mentally or physically. He has been through so much at Camelot. I can only piece together so much".
"Yes, of course he needs someone to confide in."
"It wears Gaius out- he already has a ton on his plate and I don't know how to handle it all. Merlin is perceptive. He can tell when I'm a bit weary. I'm always there for him. You never know though. Things happen."
"Just spit it out Lance."
"He keeps too much to himself. Too much is bottled up. I can't believe he's been handling this for so long and keeping it together. No one has really noticed, have they?"
"No."
"Right. We need to make sure it stays that way."
"I'm glad to help."
"It's great to have you on board!" Lance gave him a relieved grip on the shoulder and started walking away.
This is what made Gwaine come to the conclusion that the poor man needed a night off and he was the perfect person to give it to him.
Gwaine sighed. It was actually the punishment that made the knight rethink about taking his friend out again. He never ever wanted to be caught mucking out the stables. Or shucking the horses' hooves this was servant work.
Well I guess Merlin can get one less chore today. "At least we're not in the stocks," he gave his co-conspirator a grin.
The comment didn't go over well the knight thought as he received multiple death glares from Lancelot.
…
"You best be ready Merlin, the king was in quite the state after catching Gwaine and Lancelot taking you back from the tavern last night."
His ward slowly walked out from the doorway to his room. "Fantastic," he mumbled holding his head and plopping down on the workbench. Putting his head on the table seemed like the best solution. He really didn't want to move or think.
"Merlin." Gaius received a grunt in response and sighed. This was going to be a long day. "Here take this. It may taste terrible but it will dull your hangover."
The warlock grimaced as the thick sickly liquid slid down his throat, causing him to cough. Gaius pat his back. "Come on. The quicker the better."
Dropping the empty medicine container on the counter, Merlin hurriedly downed the water handed to him. He croaked out, "Arthur is going to kill me."
"Yes. And before that happens I need my workplace organized and all the vials cleaned."
"Gai-us!"
"Merlin, you better start moving before he comes in. I can at least try to say you were helping me. Maybe he won't yell at you for being an idiot too much!"
"Thanks," came the sarcastic mumble. Merlin got up slowly. He finally took a good look around the physician's chambers. That old man!
"Gaius!"
Said man was perched on the bench reading a parchment. He lowered the paper slightly and peered over at his frustrated ward. "Yes?"
"What happened? This wasn't nearly this bad yesterday!"
"Well I couldn't find something this morning so I searched through everything and accidentally made a mess." Merlin scoffed. "And you need to clean it."
The young man saw no way out and begrudgingly began to sift through the papers. After he had started on the many misplaced vials, there was a loud knock on the door.
"Come in!" invited Gaius.
"Gaius. Merlin." Arthur greeted and walked straight in, ignoring formalities.
His servant put his hands up in surrender.
"You are coming with me." Grabbing him by the scruff the king left with an extremely confused Merlin.
There were no words exchanged as the duo traveled through the castle and out into the town. Arthur did let go of his grip on the neckerchief and replaced it on the arm.
Approaching the tavern, the king turned to his silent and nervous manservant. "Let me do the talking."
Merlin nodded and followed him. He really didn't like where this was going.
"Mariel."
"Sire."
"You see this man here?"
"Yes."
"He is not to have another sip of mead until a give my word. Understood?"
"Yes sire."
"Let me know if you do see him in here again."
"Of course sire."
"That'll be all!" He turned and left grinning from ear to ear.
"Now that that is settled please attend to my laundry, clean my armor, …" Merlin groaned as they walked back to the castle. The list never seemed to end.
A/N: Please review!