Arthur had never seen the stables so clean before, it was very impressive. Hay was littered neatly on the floor, and in a pile, in a trough, for the horses to eat. There was no dirt, no nothing. It didn't even smell. How had he gotten rid of the smell...? It was amazing, very impressive, indeed. Merlin, however, standing next to Arthur, did not look so impressed. Arthur couldn't pass up the opportunity either. "Take notes, Merlin," he chided, into Merlin's ear, who looked now, possibly, even more annoyed than before, He crossed his arms over his chest and huffed. Arthur grinned at this, and looked forward once more. At the greasy man before him, who had done all the work. "Very good," Arthur told him. The man basically threw himself onto the clean ground now, in a bow.

"Thank you, Sire," he said, with a silky sort of voice. "I only wish to serve..."

That wasn't true, he only wished for money, Arthur knew this, but still, good work was good work. "I am sure there are other things around the castle you can help with. As servant, tonight, for the Lady Catrina's birthday feast." the greasy man's eyes lit up and he nodded. "Great...I will have Gwen find you, the Lady Morgana's Maidservant, she will show you where the Kitchens are."

"Thank you, My Liege," said the man. "Your Majesty..."

Arthur made a bit of a disgusted face at this and nodded, all the same, before he all but had to drag Merlin out, from standing there, glaring at him. He decided to focus on this, which was funny, rather than the man's slime. They headed from the stables, back toward the castle. "I don't like him..." Merlin was saying, as they headed through the courtyard, Arthur grinned over at him. "He is disgusting..."

"Yes, he is," agreed Arthur. "But I've never seen the stables so clean, you have to admit."

"It's very strange," said Merlin, with a thoughtful sort of look on his face and Arthur rolled his eyes. "I don't trust him, how did he get it so clean?"

"I don't know, Merlin..." Arthur retorted. "Hard work, possibly?"

"No," Merlin shook his head. "I don't think so."

"What are you suggesting?" offered Arthur then, before they entered the castle. "That he's used magic to clean the stables...?"

"No, I wasn't suggesting magic," said Merlin now, as he looked over both of his shoulders, and then Arthur's, before stopping and standing in front of Arthur, making him nearly run into him. "But...there's something, just something about him I don't trust."

"You're being stupid," said Arthur, plainly. "He's a peddler looking for quick work, nothing more. Relax, and...maybe take a few pointers from him. It couldn't hurt. And find Gwen for me, will you? I have to go see my Father."

"It could hurt you..." Arthur heard Merlin say, as Arthur walked off, leaving Merlin there, to be annoyed, alone. Arthur smirked at this, as he took two stairs at a time, heading to go see his Father. They had a council today, where what they would be discussing, Arthur was told, could be very interesting. Arthur did doubt that, if he were being honest. Nothing his Father had to say anymore, interested him very much.

"Why do you look so happy?" asked someone, next to Arthur, suddenly. And whatever smile he had on his lips, fell, at the sight of her. Not only, was she annoying, but the state of her was none too great. Morgana looked terrible. She smirked anyway, like everything was fine, and her eyebrows said she was judging Arthur, just for being there, in her presence. "Where were you before? With Merlin...?"

"Why do you care?" he retorted. He didn't feel cross with her, by any means, but he was not going to play her games either, or at least this time, not be the loser of said games. "Jealous?"

"Of what?" she retorted, obviously thinking he meant of Merlin, but oh no...he did not at all. He grinned at her.

"You know, I did always think you liked him," he said, and he felt quite proud of himself, playing her game back at her. And she clearly did not like it at all, with how her mouth fell open and her eyes went a little wide. He did feel slightly guilty, as she did look very tired, but only slightly. "Just admit it...you fancied him, and now you're upset because you can't have him. That's why you're always going on about it..." He grinned suddenly, and widely. "I should have known!"

Morgana stare at him, for a long time, and then started laughing. "Please...I would never be interested in Merlin," she spoke, quite plainly. "He is a great person, but I'm afraid I am not his type...and I would just soon as kiss Gwen than him!"

Arthur nodded, not sure how he still, yet again...ended the butt in this conversation, but as it had been twelve or so years of this, at this point, he should be used to it by now. But he didn't want to give up that easily. "Sure...whatever you say, Morgana," he said, as he urged himself forward, and pushed the door open her for, to the council chamber. They both walked in. Uther sat there, next to him was the Lady Catrina. Arthur sighed now, because why exactly was she there? She had no business in the matter of state. You could argue the same with Morgana, as she was the Ward, but Morgana at least lived here...

"Arthur...Morgana," said Uther, looking a bit serious, as they walked forward, and took up their chairs. Well, not Arthur, he liked to sit to the King's left, but that seat was currently taken by Lady Catrina, so instead, Arthur sat next to Morgana, on the right. "I have called you here to talk about something very much important..." the King trailed off, and looked over at the Lady, before back at the two of them, and smiled. And Arthur waited for it, he had an idea of what was coming, and he didn't like it at all. "I have hired a team of Miners to start digging under the castle."

"What?" said Arthur, suddenly, that had not been what he was expecting to hear at all. He thought the King was going to announce an engagement, he really had. And he was honestly, rather pleased he didn't. At least the King still had some sense left in him.

"Catrina and I were looking over the maps, of the castle," Uther went on. "There are many untouched areas, much to be explored. She talked me into it, says there could be wondrous things to unlock below."

"I'm sure there is," commented Morgana. Arthur looked over at her, with a grin, and she rolled her eyes back at him, dramatically. How quickly they could turn from against each other, to being on the same side. Arthur marveled at that, for a second.

"The diggers will start tonight," said Uther, seriously again, like this was a matter of great importance, Arthur couldn't help but think it wasn't. "I trust you will over see the work, Arthur."

"Of course, Sire," said Arthur, in that fake, Noble voice. "I look forward to it."

The council all but broke up after that, that was all Uther wanted to say, and then dismissed them, but not before reminding them of the celebration for Lady Catrina that night. Arthur wouldn't dare forget. He headed back to his chambers after that. He had hoped Merlin would have brought him lunch, though he rarely did, but perhaps if he were just there...that would be alright, too. So Arthur could tell him how foolish and love hearty his Father was being now. digging up treasure under Camelot? Really...what a waste of time. The Royal Family had plenty of gold and treasure, they hardly needed more.

When Arthur walked inside of his rooms, there were already three different plates of food on the table, and Arthur scrunched up his face, looking around to see where Merlin was, or if it was Merlin...it didn't seem likely.

"I have prepared you a meal, Sire," said a silky voice behind him, and Arthur had to admit, he was a little disappointed. He had really wanted it to be Merlin. He turned around and smiled at the man. "This was my first order...from the Kitchens, as...your servant was no where to be found, someone had to feed his Royal Highness."

"Uh...thank you-" Arthur couldn't remember his name, or if he had ever actually said it before, he wasn't sure. He didn't want to be rude, but he was also kind of forgetful sometimes.

"Cedric, Sire."

"Right..." said Arthur, and he walked over and sat down at the table, to start eating. Arthur sort of felt like he might be cheating on Merlin, which was completely ridiculous, Cedric was only doing a job, much better than Merlin was, Arthur had to say, at least at the moment. But it was, in the end, Merlin's job, and perhaps Arthur should refuse Cedric's service? Maybe, but Arthur had a hard time saying no to food. And it wasn't as if Merlin ever, really, brought Arthur lunch anyway. He probably wouldn't even mind. Arthur finished eating before he barely noticed starting, and then Cedric was complementing his taste in food and taking the plates away, swiftly, and Arthur was so full he didn't know how he planned on eating tonight, at the feast.

That was the exact moment Merlin walked into the room. His eyes darkened almost at once, at the sight of Cedric, who only smiled at him. "What is he doing here?" said Merlin, but Arthur did note he had no plate of food, so...Arthur hadn't exactly been wrong. Cedric smiled, a greasy one, and looked back at Arthur.

"I was serving the Prince," he said, and the look Merlin gave him, it was priceless. Arthur would pay gold to see it again. He had to swallow a laugh.

"Oh yeah?" he retorted. "Well, I am here now...his Servant, so leave."

"I will leave, only if the Prince wishes," said Cedric, and he looked back, with a pleasant smile in Arthur's direction. Clearly, he didn't realize a few things.

"You can go," said Arthur, and the pleasant smile fell, almost at once. Cedric took the plates and left, slithering almost, like a snake. Merlin stand there, now, in his wake, and glare at Arthur. "He brought me lunch..."

"It's my job to bring you lunch!"

"Yes, and where is it...?"

"It's-" but Merlin stopped then, and frowned. "I forgot it."

Arthur let out a small huff of laughter and Merlin's frown turned back into a glare. "Relax Merlin,."

"Stop telling me to relax," said Merlin, and he pouted now and Arthur found it a bit cute. But, he had more pressing matters to attend to.

"My Father plans on mining under Camelot," he told Merlin, which he didn't know exactly why, because it really, probably, mattered very little to Merlin. "He plans on looking for treasures."

Merlin, who still looked annoyed, took a long moment, before he allowed his face to soften and he shrugged a shoulder. "Why would he want to do that?"

"The Lady Catrina told him it was a good idea," said Arthur, with an eye roll, right after. Merlin suddenly grinned and made an 'Oh' face. Arthur nodded. "Yes, well...obviously if his darling Catrina thinks it's a good idea."

Merlin made a face, at this. "I don't like her servant much, Jonas...he told me off for trying to go into her chambers, I was only delivering something from Gaius," said Merlin. When Arthur raised his eyebrow at this, he continued. "Apparently she has some sort of ailment that makes it hard for her to walk...or something like that, Gaius didn't really explain. But she didn't want treatment, or at least that's what Jonas said, as he threw me out. Must be annoying, having him breathing down her neck all of the time.."

"I suppose I know how she feels then..."

"I do not breathe down your neck!" retorted Merlin and Arthur smirked.

"Not you, idiot, I was meaning Cedric," retorted Arthur, and then grinned. "But come to think of it...you do seem to always be around, don't you, Merlin?"

"I could not be," he shot back, almost at once. "See how long you last without me."

"If I had Cedric...perhaps I wouldn't notice."

The look Merlin gave him, after that, well...once again, it was priceless.

Soon, before long, Arthur was expected for the Feast for the Lady Catrina. It wouldn't be a big feast, with many people, just Uther, Catrina, and Arthur and Morgana. But Uther still required them to dress up for the occasion. Merlin actually helped Arthur ready this time, unlike all the passed feasts they had had this year so far, and then Arthur was ushering both, himself and Merlin, out of the room. They arrived late, as usual, and much of the servants and food had already arrived. Merlin would be serving tonight, Arthur, of course. And so, as soon as they had arrived Merlin had slipped off, somewhere and Arthur was left once again, to enter the room alone. He noted Lady Catrina in his seat once again, and once again he chose to ignore this, to take his seat next to Morgana, like earlier.

"You look lovely tonight," he spoke to Morgana, who wore a red dress and her hair was done up, in more curls than usual, she glare over at him.

"I always look lovely."

He smiled. "Sure..."

Dinner got underway, before long, before much chatting had started. Well, the King and Catrina whispered to each other, but other than that, there was none. Arthur did note, as things got on, that every other dish served to him, or put in front of him, came from a different servant. Merlin brought him a goblet for his wine, but Cedric filled it. Then Merlin brought him a plate, but Cedric filled it with meets. Merlin, very aggressively, threw some potatoes on top, after a long moment, and Arthur really had to wonder, as Cedric leaned over and with a spoon, and righted the potato on the plate, tutting...

He tried to ignore this though, as the night went on. Within an hour of starting dinner the very obvious sounds of banging started, underneath them. "Ah, yes...the Miners have started," announced Uther, with a big, dumb grin on his face. Catrina laughed. Arthur did notice though, that she had yet to touch her food once this entire evening, and he almost wondered why, until his Father started talking again. "I think it comes to no surprise that the Lady Catrina and I have grown very close." Morgana looked over to Arthur now, and smirked, batting her eyes in one long drawl, expressing her opinion of this news, which was a bit of boredom, if Arthur got that right. "I never thought I would find love again...and yet here I am, at my age, and-"

"Oh, dear sweet, Uther," said Catrina, reaching over, dramatically, and taking his hand in hers. "Nor I, would have never dreamed of such things...how blessed I feel, to be sitting next to you now. And to think...I almost called off my journey here, too heart broken after what happened to my Father..." she took in a sharp, high pitched gasp, and battered her eyes shut, again...rather dramatically. "How happy I am Jonas talked me into coming."

"It is wonderful, indeed," said Uther, as he gazed at Lady Catrina, with a look Arthur wished to never, ever see again, on his Father's face. "That is why," he turned back to the table, suddenly. "I have asked the Lady Catrina to stay...permanently."

Arthur looked over to Morgana, the only person, he truly felt, understood his plight in all this. Merlin, who stood behind Arthur now, along side Cedric, was more than fine with the quickness of their relationship. Even at Uther's age, it did seem rather rushed. Catrina seemed to realize the two were a bit on the fence at the idea and she quickly released the King's hand and shook her head, grinning at them.

"Oh, how you must think we are nothing but old fools," she said, and her voice was rich and kind, but Arthur couldn't say he really trusted it. His Father was rich and powerful, a King, that could woo any woman, much more than his actual personalty. "I know what this must look like, a strange woman barging into your Father's life, but trust me...I mean no harm to your King. I never expected something like this could happen...I am as surprised as you, I can promise you that. I only hope you will welcome me into your hearts, as Uther has his..."

"I am happy for you, really..." said Morgana then, and she smiled, a real smile, for a few seconds, before she reached over and took Catrina's hand in hers. And Arthur realized then, that he had lost his only ally. "It is a bit surprising,," her tone of disdain was back now, as she smirked over at Uther. "I must admit, I have never seen the King so soft."

Uther let out a bark of laughter, and nodded his head. "Love does...do strange things to you. Wouldn't you say, Arthur?" Arthur's eyes widened, a little at being addressed. And if that was a remark about the whole Merlin thing, Arthur was going to have a fit. Well, not here, but he would have a fit...at some point.

"I...can't say I know what it does to you," he said, directly, sitting up a little bit now. Because if he were being attacked he at least wanted to be sitting properly for it. "I am pleased you are making my Father so happy, My Lady," he added, after, with a nod toward Catrina. She beamed at him. And that part were true, Arthur supposed, he was happy his Father was happy, he just thought he was moving a bit too soon. Asking Lady Catrina to stay in Camelot? It sent a message, and not a good one, to the people. Arthur knew his Father had a bit of a romantic streak, he was a bit of a fool about love, if how he had treated Arthur showed any sign at all. He must fall too easy, and much too hard, Arthur was very different in that case. Nothing had come easy. Arthur was not flirtatious, not romantically driven at all, he didn't even want to be. He would be rubbish at wooing a woman, he knew that. He was rubbish at feelings in general, it had taken countless times arguing, the entire Kingdom thinking they were in love, a handfasting ceremony, and one of them nearly dying...again, for it to dawn on him that he had feelings for Merlin, and even now, he only kept them to himself.

So, it was very obvious to Arthur, he and the King had different styles, when it came to love. And Arthur was only grateful it wasn't much worse than the King asking the Lady to stay in Camelot, at least he hadn't asked her to marry him...

"More wine, Sire?" asked Cedric, suddenly, pulling Arthur from his thoughts. He looked up, and just as he was about to shake his head no, he didn't think he needed anymore wine tonight, Merlin was there, pushing Cedric out of his way and pouring wine. Suddenly, and with much dignity, Cedric elbowed Merlin in the ribs and Merlin misjudged his pour and spilled the rest of the wine, all over Arthur, himself. "Oh...my," said Cedric, like he were shocked and surprised Merlin could be so clumsy. "What would you do that for?"

"I didn't do it on purpose!" Merlin shot back, ignoring that Arthur now had a lap full of wine, and instead, handed him the jug, so he could probably shout at Cedric, apparently. "And what are you doing, there are three other people to serve, Arthur is not your responsibility!"

"Well...he certainly isn't yours either," retorted Cedric. "You're too busy in a corner flirting with the fellow help."

"Flirting?" retorted Merlin, and Arthur had to admit, he probably wasn't, he was about as romantically incline as Arthur was. "Gwen was feeling upset over a fight with the Cook, I was comforting her, she's my friend, you-"

"Seems to me, she's a bit more than that..." Cedric rolled his eyes, and looked down at Arthur now, and then the rest of the party, as they were all watching, mostly confused. "I am terribly sorry, how disgraceful...I apologize for both me-self and Merlin."

"I'm not sorry," retorted Merlin, bitterly. Arthur stood up now, thinking it was probably time to go anyway.

"I think I will call it a night," he said, grabbing Merlin by the arm, and started to drag him out of the room. Merlin did not go willingly, he still glare, in a way Arthur had never seen before, at Cedric.

"As you have wine down your trousers, that might be a good idea," said Uther, with a bit of a grin. Arthur rolled his eyes. "Perhaps you might want to take care of that..." said Uther, but his eyes were on Merlin, instead. Arthur nodded, continuing to drag Merlin to the door. Once they were outside the door, and it was shut behind him, Arthur let Merlin go, and Merlin growled...literally growled, but he said nothing and just walked off, toward the opposite direction from Arthur's chambers.

"Where are you going?"

"To hit something..." said Merlin, darkly. "And you better had let me go, or it might be you."

Arthur laughed. "Really, Merlin, I'm not very scared," he said, but Merlin did not stop, he continued walking off, and Arthur sighed. He hadn't seen Merlin like this before, about anything or anyone. He usually didn't care about such things, he wasn't a jealous person. It was odd. Perhaps Merlin did worry for his job, as it was clear Cedric was trying to take it, but Merlin had to know, Arthur would never let that happen...didn't he?

(A/N: Hello again! I am going to be honest, I like seeing Merlin this way. He's not a jealous person, and I don't think it is jealousy he is showing here, it's more like this is Merlin's destiny here, Arthur is his job, way beyond just being his servant, and there's this dude coming in, trying to mess with that and Merlin's PISSED, and I really like it.)