Five

Despite the casual breakfast setting Uther was in Questioning Mode while talking to Arthur and Morgana. "The tailor's account says that this girl was authorised by you," he gave Arthur a stern look. "Why would you send one of Morgana's servants on an errand for yourself?" The king continued munching a piece of apple just as fiercely as he was holding this discussion.

Both the king's son and ward looked a fraction nervous, trying to think of ways to validate Lily's position.

"Because…. My own servant," Arthur began, taking a glimpse at Merlin who standing by on one side with his hands clasped behind him, "is often inefficient at carrying out errands that I give him. No offence, Merlin."

Merlin raised his brows briefly and gave a quick smile, as if to say 'none taken'. Though considering in this case he did know the cause behind Arthur's insult, no offence was indeed taken.

Uther continued in his somewhat severe manner and commented how they should consider cutting down jobs, implying sacking people like Lily.

Morgana decided to use her sweet-daughter-figure appeal just then to handle the situation. "I only hired the girl temporarily so that Gwen isn't overworked, with the extra sewing orders she has to take on from some of the other ladies of the court. Besides," Morgana smiled radiantly at Uther, "Lily is such an enthusiastic and sweet girl; she's been such a good company to us."

"It's not a 'first date'," Arthur made sure to emphasise each word, attempting to convey annoyance.

It was Merlin who had suggested that Arthur's planned outing with the visiting princess Sophia meant a lot because the prince didn't usually deviate from his schedule and take girls out. He was being sympathetic and was cheering the prince on in his courting of Sophia. Arthur, however, took it as an insult. Well, there was a hint of a taunt from Merlin, but for the most part that comment meant well.

"Aww, it's your first date," Lily had sympathised.

The two young men looked at her, clueless. She explained what she meant and had promptly received Arthur's denial.

"I have had outings with ladies before," Arthur continued, like the contrary to what he said was most ridiculous. He made no eye contact however as he fidgeted with some parchments on his table.

"You mean how every time a noble young lady visits Camelot and the king gives you the duty of giving her a tour of the castle?" Merlin looked up innocently.

"Well I…" Arthur said the rest in a bit of a confused mutter, "talk to girls at feasts." That was true, he was quite charming at making acquaintances with ladies of the court and the visiting ones alike and in asking how they enjoyed the feast or something or other.

"Yeah," Merlin agreed then added, "but then you're too scared to ask them out outside of the feasts."

"Merlin," Arthur looked just a tiny bit incensed with slightly bulging eyes.

But Merlin was right. Arthur spent most of the feasts jesting about with his knights; the conversations with the ladies were brief.

Arthur returned to a more calm expression, "anymore talk of matters of the heart and I will start snoring where I stand."

Wiping the near-giggle from her face, Lily got to work and started pairing jackets with tunics for Arthur to wear. "Now, we should also think about accessorising. For example," Lily pulled out a wide leather belt with a crouching golden dragon painted on it "try this belt. I had one of the artisans create the dragon. He did an excellent job."

Arthur picked it up and agreed in a half nod.

"And it represents the coat of arms too," Lily continued. "Though I must add, that ring of yours was a great choice-"

Arthur stiffened. "That's not 'accessorising'" he cut her off.

Lily looked up at the prince, wondering what was wrong.

A dark look came over Arthur's face. Merlin paused what he was doing and looked up also.

The prince remained quiet and looked across the floor. "It's my mother's ring," he finally said.

Lily nodded understandingly.

Arthur lightened a little as he continued, fingering the ring on his left hand "my father doesn't like talking about her much. I guess I have to have other ways to remember her by." He turned around afterwards and was looking out of the window while the other two resumed their work.

Lily had finalised her selection of clothes for the outing and got up to take it up to Arthur. She noticed his lips were in a smile now. Curious, she followed his gaze down to the courtyard. It was the lady Sophia. "Oh I love that cloak of hers," Lily chimed, "it's like it's made of fairy dust."

Arthur parted his lips slightly, he was about to say it's like all of her is made of fairy dust. He stopped himself though. Since 'fairy' was an umbrella term for a number of different magical creatures, whom he was not supposed to speak about let alone speak about admiringly. Also he would have sounded like an utter idiot. He gave a small cough and assumed a formal expression and turned to Lily for her to present whatever she came to him to present.

Lily tried a cough but the prince and his manservant still hadn't noticed her at the door and continued conversing.

"…where did you say you stopped me?"

"Ah…" Merlin thought for a while, as if he was making up certain parts as he went. "You and Sophia were mounting your horses. Oh and her father too."

"Right." Arthur had a distracted air as he extracted his hand from his glove.

Last week was rather eventful and -Lily was pretty sure she wasn't the only one to think- quite amusing. Merlin certainly looked amused. What started as Arthur somewhat secretly courting Sophia quickly turned into him asking for the king's permission to marry the lady in front of the entire court. Uther had also declined to give his blessings. In front of the entire court. The following day Sophia and her father left, but there were some blurred lines about what really happened –by the sound of the conversation that was taking place presently.

Lily waited for the two to finish. This was taking her mind off the worry that she felt a moment ago when Arthur had summoned her. After all, Uther was still investigating the findings from the census.

"And I was in…?" Arthur was saying.

Merlin raised his eyebrows, trying to figure out what the other meant. "You were in…?"

"Was I in a tunic, in chainmail?" Arthur's voice bore annoyance.

"Oh. Chainmail."

Arthur gave a nod. "Makes me quite confounded to think how you took me out with a lump of wood while I was in armour and all," he looked up in curiosity.

"I'm stronger than I look?"

"I don't know why but those few days while Sophia was here just seem to be somewhat blurry," Arthur narrowed his eyes. "I just remember…" he turned to Merlin, giving in to just a slight amount of sheepishness, "some foolish flirting, I suppose."

"Yeah, flirting. That's probably all you two were doing." Merlin nodded a little too vigorously, as if faking it.

Arthur froze and looked at him, his eyes slightly fearful.

Lily decided to try a knock at that moment, saving the two from awkward silence in the process.

"Ah, Lily," Arthur looked cheery, as if grateful for being interrupted. "I have good news."

And good news it was. Uther had decided to draw a conclusion to the findings during the census and said no more about Lily's employment which meant she could breathe a sigh of relief and keep her job and accommodation at Camelot.