Request by Elise.v: Merlin and Arthur engage in some sport when a trader's shipment of turkeys is released in the courtyard.
Certainly one of the more unusual requests I've gotten. I did what I could; sorry if it's a bit boring.
Merlin and Arthur looked on in shock at the chaos before them.
Turkeys. Everywhere.
A merchant had brought a large wagon of the animals into the courtyard, intending to talk the king into purchasing them "to improve the population of his gaming lands". Uther had sent his son to inspect the birds and that was how he came to be staring as a horde of large feather-balls raced about in all directions.
"Sire!" Leon came to attention in front of his prince, red-faced and out of breath with a violently struggling turkey in his arms. "I've got men guarding the exits, but we're having trouble getting them back into their cage."
Merlin snickered as a guard fell over after missing a grab for the bird in front of him.
"You know, it's a good thing the owner clipped their wings- they'd all be gone by now, else."
"And I suppose you could do better?" Arthur challenged off-hand, directing Leon to man the cage door.
"Only one of us has done farm work, Sire," Merlin retorted, clearly not foreseeing the consequences of such an announcement.
"Then you wouldn't mind a friendly competition," the royal stated, pulling the gloves from his belt and slipping them on.
"I don't see how that would have any benefits for me."
"Well, if you're so sure you'll lose..." the blond trailed off, quirking an eyebrow at his friend in challenge.
Merlin sighed. "Fine, but if I win I want the evening off."
"Ha! Done!" Arthur crowed, clearly confident in his own victory. What he didn't know was that Merlin had no intention of playing fair.
With everyone's attention on the overgrown fowl, the warlock had no problem casting a few small spells to attract and contain the birds, Sir Leon keeping a count of each man's captures.
The turkeys were wily, but with nowhere to go it wasn't too long before they got them all rounded up, Arthur sauntering confidently to put the last bird with his fellows.
"The count, Sir Leon."
The knight's eyes flicked between master and servant, only hesitating a moment before answering.
"12 to 23, Sire."
"Hear that, Merlin? I almost doubled your catch!"
The servant smirked. "You think so?"
Arthur faltered at this display of cockiness, looking back to his knight commander, who seemed to be suppressing a smile.
"Leon?"
"Ah... Merlin had the 23, My Lord."
The prince rounded on his manservant, glaring. "You cheated."
Merlin spread his arms wide, "And how did I do that, exactly?"
As one's grin grew, the other's scowl deepened.
Arthur spun on his heel, shooting back over one shoulder, "First thing tomorrow morning, Merlin, you're mucking the stables- and pack for a hunting trip!"