Alaia Skyhawk: (Is chuckling all the way through this)

Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin.

Music: The Forged Seal (Merlin OST)

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Chapter 5: Settling In ~Part 2~

Once again the sound of the local cockerel split the early morning air, and a nudge followed by a sigh heralded Merlin losing his blanket.

At his ward's groan, Gaius simply turned and went back into the main room.

"You'll get used to getting up early at the right time on your own. But until you do, I'm not going to let you sleep in and be late."

Merlin sat up and got dressed, glancing at the nearby book on etiquette before going to get his breakfast. It had been as boring a read as he'd expected, made a touch less tedious by deliberately skimming over all the parts he didn't need to know. There was one section that had greatly interested him though, and that was the different degrees of courtesy that a servant could use when alone with their master... Arthur should know them as well as he now did, which meant the prince was likely going to regret giving him the whole book to read.

The young warlock sat down at the table, a bit more cheerful for those thoughts, listening to Gaius telling him to be on his best behaviour and nodding to him once his food was eaten. He then set off for the kitchens, smiling slightly in anticipation.

He got a few strange looks when he entered and went to where the trays, bowls, plates, and other things were kept on a set of shelves to one side. Some were curious about this newcomer, some were glaring, and some just didn't seem to be interested at all. He could hear some of them muttering, barely audible among the general noise and clatter within the kitchens, but there was no point in paying attention to them. If some were going to try get at him, they were going to do it whether he listened to them muttering or not.

His tray now set with a bowl, small plate, spoon, mug, and a small folded square of cloth he was sure Arthur would be surprised to know he knew was called a napkin, Merlin now headed to where a pot of porridge was set by one of the half a dozen hearths that lined one side of the room. Bern had put three ladles into the bowl yesterday, far more than was needed for a decent and hearty breakfast, so he put two and a half. The difference was too small for the prince to notice unless he really looked, and he was probably going to be too distracted by the other changes to the contents of the tray.

Merlin didn't even pause at the table where a stack of slices of honeyed bread waited on a plate, so he certainly couldn't pick out the biggest one for Arthur like Bern had done, instead grabbing two small slices of fresh, ordinary bread and putting a thin layer of butter on them. He set them on the small plate, along with a small wedge of cheese, and finished that display off with a nice crisp apple. Last, but not least, he ignored the wine barrels at the back of the room and asked one of the kitchen staff where the pot with the morning brew of herbal tea was, and was hesitantly pointed to the smallest hearth. There were three kettles set there, again close to the flames to keep their contents hot. After a quick lift of lids and a sniff to decide which one to pick, Merlin chose the one with elderflower and red clover. He'd drunk infusions with those back home often enough to know it was nice without being sweetened, although he did relent and stir one spoonful of honey into the contents of the now filled mug before he left.

He paused when he started towards the exit, eyes widening at the increase in people he'd not noticed while he set the tray. Bern had been in and out in less than a minute, and had been early enough to miss this mayhem, but Merlin wasn't so lucky. He began to edge his way around people and get to the doors, having to dodge around other servants and practically guard his tray to make sure no one jostled it. It wasn't much better once he reached the main hallways, and followed the route Bern had shown him to reach the prince's chambers. This was going to take some practice, because while he'd set off early enough to have made it on time, the fact that Arthur was awake in his bed and watching him when he entered said he was late.

Resisting the urge to cringe under that stare, Merlin pointedly didn't even look at him before heading to the table to set down the tray. He just pulled a chair back far enough to allow Arthur to sit on it without knocking the table, and then went to the fireplace to stir up the fire. He could hear Arthur starting to fidget, but knew the prince knew that servants weren't expected to speak when they enter a room to start their chores. They were, however, expected to greet their master and ask what was required as soon as certain things were done... Like setting out breakfast, and preparing the fire.

Arthur was less amused by this than Merlin was, irritated by the blatant change from Bern's routine and yet unable to complain because the new servant hadn't done anything outside of protocol yet. Maybe he hadn't read the book, and was just being lucky so far, but that thought was stopped the instant Merlin turned and came over to stand beside the bed.

He offered a polite incline of the head and slightly lowered eyes, not the full bow Bern would have used, and he did it to the exact degree that was permissible for a servant when alone with their master or mistress... He had read the book...

"I have your breakfast, Sire. I'll sort your clothing while you eat. Are you doing anything in particular today?"

Merlin was being polite in voice and words, but he had a tiny smile on his face like he was daring Arthur to comment that he hadn't been bowing and scraping. The prince didn't, instead getting out of bed and rattling off what he wanted laid out, walking over to the table to sit down.

"I need my training clothes laid out, and a good shirt and jacket for this afternoon. I'm to attend a council meeting, in preparation of the final details for the sword tournament in two days." He paused to look at the breakfast selection, which was identical to what Bern brought yesterday except for there was no honey bread and or wine. "Where's my usual drink, and why did you bring an apple? I thought what Bern showed you to bring would have sunk into that thick skull of yours."

Merlin glanced over from where he was searching the closets and drawers for the clothing, unrepentant even as he inwardly marvelled at Bern's jumbled way of organising the things.

"My mother always said that 'men who greet the morn in a tavern, are men you don't trust with your time'."

Arthur turned and stared at him.

"Excuse me? How is me having a cup of wine on a morning, got anything to do with that."

Merlin faced him, letting slip his servant-master courtesies before answering in amusement.

"It's a proverb, Sire, that she learnt during her time as a maid. It means don't put your faith in someone who likes to get drunk early in the day. A warrior who's had a drink or two might think he's a better fighter for it, but it's all in his head. Alcohol and swords don't tend to mix that well, if you want win a fight or avoid losing anything important... like an arm... or a leg... or, you get the idea." He turned back to the cupboard, lifting out a shirt and deciding it looked smart enough to be worn for a meeting. "I guessed you would be training your men this morning, so thought you could set a good example, My Lord."

Arthur was still staring at him with a mixture of disbelief and surprise, because in hindsight when he thought about it, there was nothing Merlin had come out with that didn't make sense even if it had been impertinent of him to say it.

He frowned, folding his arms across his chest. The servant was 'winning' this conversation, and he didn't like it.

"And what about changing the honey bread for the apple?"

Merlin gave him an innocent smile.

"Fruit is good for you, too many sweets aren't. Don't you know what happens to rich nobles who eat too many sweets and luxuries?"

"And what would that be?"

Merlin tilted his head again.

"When you get the chance, I suggest you ask Gaius about something called 'gout'."

The mention of Gaius seemed to startle Arthur, who was set back enough by it to sit down and eat what had been offered to him... With the prince's back now to him, Merlin grinned. The proverb wasn't actually a proverb, he'd just made it up on the spot.

As soon as Arthur had finished eating and had gotten dressed and left, Merlin took the tray back to the kitchens before returning to take the basket of dirty clothing to the laundry. That done, he went back again and proceeded to tidy the bed, then going in search of a broom and dust-pan so he could sweep the room for good measure. He was just starting to feel satisfied that he was doing a good job, when a guard stopped by and opened the door.

"The prince wishes to tell you that he wants his stables mucking out, and he wants it done before noon.

The door closed, Merlin staring at it before setting the broom down in annoyance. Fine, so Arthur wanted to get back at him for the breakfast thing. Let's just see who could get one up over the other, right now it was still two-to-one in his own favour.

Merlin went as did as he was told, grudgingly clearing the manure out of Arthur's personal stable while trying to ignore the fact that some of the stablehands were watching him with amusement. He got more amused glances when he went to clean up at the servants' bathing rooms, that turning into a resolution that from now on he was going to see about bathing in Gaius' chambers from now on. Lugging water up the stairs and heating it would be worth it for the privacy.

A passing visit to those chambers revealed that the physician was out on his rounds, but soup had been left in a pot by the fire and a chunk of bread on the table. Merlin helped himself, eating quickly before racing off to sort out his royal highness' food. Setting that tray, he once again deliberately changed one of the luxuries for an equally good but plainer alternative. This is psychological warfare; the stubborn sorcerer versus the prattish prince.

The result this time was that Arthur did eat the food, after directing a few more choice glares at his servant, before then forcing Merlin to stand in abject boredom outside the council chambers all afternoon. Yes, this was war.

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This was becoming annoying very, very quickly.

Arthur picked at his breakfast, finding he was already missing not having the honey bread and the wine, but unwilling to let Merlin think he was going to act like some drunkard in a tavern. But at the same time he was wondering if that comment about gout was lie, a made up remark to trick him. If it was, then he was going to make sure that Merlin's 'probation period' was hell.

Sighing, he finished off the food and went to the dressing screen, where at least his new servant had grasped the concept of what clothing was suitable for which activity. This morning he didn't have any duties, the knights had the morning to check their gear over for damage of flaws, and he was going for a walk around the castle before perhaps going to the room where nobles gathered to play games. Thrashing someone at Fox and Geese seemed quite fun right about now.

He hesitated, thinking. It was also common for the game room to be stocked with a supply of wines, beers, and mead... If he went there then Merlin would give him some sarcastic knowing smirk, as if he thought the prince had gone there to get drunk.

"Merlin, I want you to tidy this room, change the bedding, wash the floors, sweep out the fireplace, polish the furniture, and after that you can take my horse to be re-shod. It cast a shoe yesterday. If you get all those done, then you are to take my saddle and riding tack to the leather smith to be checked over and repaired if need be. Make sure my meals are brought on time while you deal with those."

He ignored the disgruntled frown Merlin directed at him, striding out of the room. The idea of a servant openly showing what they thought was so irritating... And why did he even care what Merlin thought of him?

Running a hand through his hair in frustration, Arthur stopped in his walking to curse under his breath. He then changed direction, heading for Gaius' chambers. If he couldn't answer those questions, then at least he could ask the physician if 'gout' was a real ailment.

Gaius was still there when he arrived, in the process of mixing a remedy of some kind. He'd raised his eyebrows in surprise at seeing the prince at his door, setting down what he was working on to walk over to him.

"Is anything the matter, Sire? I hope my ward hasn't done something to displease you."

Arthur regarded him, speaking after a long pause considering the answer to that would be 'several things'.

"I heard something mentioned in a conversation yesterday, that supposedly happens to rich nobles who indulge too much in certain things. I'm merely curious to find out if it were true... or if the speaker was making it up to make a fool out of me."

Gaius clasped his hands before him, thoughtful.

"And what would this, affliction I'm assuming, be called?"

"Gout."

Gaius' eyebrows rose again at the flatly delivered word, before he nodded in recognition.

"Ah, gout. Yes, Sire, it is indeed a common ailment for nobles, who overindulge in foods that are overly sweet, or participate in the excessive consumption of red meats. For that reason, only the rich suffer from it, Sire... They are the only ones who can afford the lifestyle that causes it."

He turned to go back to his work table, while Arthur nodded once, slowly.

"And what exactly is gout?"

Gaius picked up his mortal and pestle again.

"It is the painful swelling of certain joints, mainly in the feet and ankles, which can cause extreme pain and lameness. It can also result in disfiguring nodules forming on the ears, and in a few other places on the body."

Arthur remained silent, and it was for more than a few seconds while those words sunk in. Over indulging could do that to him?

"Uh, thank you for your time, Gaius. It was... informative."

He turned to leave, Gaius calling out after him.

"You're welcome, Sire."

Gaius watched him go, frowning a little. Prince Arthur only rarely came up here, he usually sent his servant to get remedies or to ask him to come see him for an injury. He'd never come to query about an ailment before, never.

He resumed working on the remedy, bottling it ready for use before starting to set up the midday meal. Merlin would be arriving soon to grab something quick to eat, before he had to go off and prepare Arthur's.

Sure enough he showed up a short while later, looking a bit winded probably from running up the stairs.

"So what's for dinner today?"

Gaius gave his ward a long look, as the young man seated himself at the only clear table in the room.

"Soup again, I'm afraid. It's the leftovers from yesterday." Merlin didn't look too bothered. Coming from a small village, more meals than not could be termed 'leftovers'. "Could you perhaps tell me why, all of a sudden, Prince Arthur comes to me to confirm if someone were speaking the true about an affliction called 'gout'?"

Merlin broke out into a grin.

"He came and asked you?"

Gaius sat at the table, after sharing the remaining soup in the pot between the two bowls set there.

"Yes, he did."

The young warlock began to chuckle.

"There's no way he's going to complain anymore, about me not bringing all those sweet things Bern did for his meals."

That remark earned a disapproving frown from Gaius.

"What are you planning, Merlin? This better not get you into trouble."

Merlin shook his head, innocently.

"Nothing, I'm just making a few small changes for the benefit of my lord's health... And if it annoys him a bit, all the better."

"Merlin..."

Merlin just continued to grin.

"Look, there's no way I'm going to walk around on eggshells with him. If he'd going to be a prat and bully towards me, then I'm just going to keep annoying him until he realises I won't stop until he stops being such an ass. It'll be good for him to have someone stand up to him for once, instead of letting him whine like a five-year-old."

"Merlin!"

All the reprimand did was make Merlin's grin become a bit less cheeky, but it was still there. If this was what Merlin had been up to all of yesterday and this morning, it was no wonder the prince had been acting strange.

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Alaia Skyhawk: Next chapter it's the CRANKY HORSE! Heheheheheheh!