This was written for the 'A Beautiful Character' drabble challenge on the Heart of Camelot website: Choose the character you love the most, then write a drabble that captures the essence of why they appeal to you so much.

My favourite character is Merlin. I love how he could bring out the best in Arthur through example and kindness, and by always trying to do the right thing.

Summary: Merlin teaches Arthur a lesson fit for a Prince. Set during the famine caused by killing the unicorn (1x11: Labyrinth of Gedref)

A/N Beta'd by LyricalSinger

A Lesson

"Merlin, slow down! Where are you going with that?" Arthur called, pointing at the pot of leftover rat stew that Morgana had sent back in disgust.

"I'm bringing it to one of Gauis' patients," Merlin explained as the Prince caught up.

Arthur wrinkled his nose. "Merlin, you can't be serious. Surely nobody could be hungry enough to eat that."

Merlin turned solemn eyes to his Prince, "You may be surprised. Some in this city already have very little, and this famine will have pushed them past their limits."

Against his better judgement, Arthur followed his servant, and they soon arrived at a very run-down hovel.

Merlin lifted the latch and opened the door a crack when nobody answered his knock. "Mary, it's Merlin – Gaius' apprentice," he called through the opening. "I've brought you something to eat."

"Merlin?...Really? Johnny is so hungry and he won't stop crying, and nobody had anything to spare, and I didn't know what to do...," came a despairing young voice.

As the two men entered the dark room, Arthur could make out a young girl cradling a sobbing toddler in her arms, her own face tear-streaked.

"Yes, although I'm afraid it's just rat stew," Merlin explained, setting it down and spooning out two bowls. As he used the spoon to mash down the lumps of grey meat until they were suitable for a toddler, the servant gestured to his master and said, "It's from Prince Arthur. He bid me to share it."

The girl's eyes widened in astonishment at having such a distinguished guest, but she quickly looked back at the food which to her, on that day, was much more exciting. "Thank you, Sire. Thank you so much," she whispered, without taking her eyes off the bowls Merlin was now carrying over to her.

Arthur watched the young girl feed her child and marveled that she could be so grateful for something he had refused to eat only a few hours earlier.

With a new understanding of what life was like for his poorest subjects, the Prince helped Merlin collect the pot, and the two headed back to the castle.