This was written for the 'Sunshine and Rainbows' drabble challenge on the Heart of Camelot website:

Write something cheerful! No drama, no angst, no character conflict or frightening situations. Choose a sweet moment, a pleasant scenario or a happy ending and put a smile on all of our faces.

A/N This story was inspired by a gorgeous graphic by Wil1969, (check out post 397 on Wil1969's Merlin Manip Wallpaper thread at Heart of Camelot), and was helped along by some brainstorming with Moon Fox. Beta'd by LyricalSinger

This is a scene from my 'Harmony' universe. You don't have to have read that story, but you do need to know that Merlin was discovered to have a talent for music – the viol in particular, and that much of the Court is aware of this.

A Perfect Day

Merlin could not believe his ears.

Had the King really just told him to perform at Morgana's birthday feast? He must have, since Uther was standing there, waiting for an acknowledgement.

"Ye-yes, My Lord, I'd be honoured!" Merlin stammered, as the King nodded his confirmation and swept out of Arthur's chambers.

"You know she asked for you specifically?" Arthur said to his servant, grinning when Merlin shook his head, too dumbfounded to speak.

"Yes, so my birthday present to her is my promise to give you the next two days off, so you can practice," the Prince added, taking Merlin by the shoulders and practically pushing him out the door. "So, go away and get busy!"

Merlin adjusted his grip on his viol as he headed towards the small clearing in the forest just beyond the city walls. It was his favourite place to escape to when he had some spare time, and now he had TWO WHOLE DAYS OFF to look forward to, with no stable-mucking, no sock washing and not a single thrown goblet!

On reaching the rock that had been his destination, he sat and took a deep breath of crisp autumn air, raising his face towards the sunshine in pleasure.

With a contented sigh, he settled himself more comfortably and began to play one of the pieces he'd picked for the feast. He got so wrapped up in his music that he did not even notice that a returning patrol of knights had stopped on the other side of the clearing and now listened in awe.

He certainly noticed when they began clapping after he finished the song, though. He almost dropped his bow in shock, before recovering himself and smiling sheepishly at Sir Leon.

"They didn't believe me when I told them it was you playing, Merlin," he chuckled.

"No we certainly did not," admitted one knight. Merlin was happy to see that he and the other knights were smiling rather than giving him the derisive glares he'd come to expect from most of Uther's nobles.

Not only that, but they even asked to stay and listen to Merlin play for a while longer.

Long after the knights had left, Merlin carefully packed up his viol and got ready to head back home.

All in all, it had been a perfect day!