Arthur stood on top of the battlements, Merlin next to him, as they watched the many horses carrying men and luggage alike, heading into the city. King Alined was fast approaching, along with his many good Knights, that Arthur planned on beating, in the next days tournament. Merlin, however, was looking less than impressed, frowning and turning his nose up at the company arriving. Arthur knew he was not fond of tournaments, he was complete rubbish at helping Arthur prepare for it the pervious year. That might have been because Merlin, at that point, was new to being a servant, but Arthur also thought it was because he had a complete lack of interest in sword fighting.

Merlin sighed, deeply, as if depressed and Arthur look over at him again, with a raised eyebrow. "It just never ends," said Merlin then, Arthur wondered if he had actually prompted this or not, and if he really wanted to hear it or not. "I never get a break...you know what I would really like?" asked Merlin but then didn't wait for Arthur to answer this. "Sleep...I would really like to sleep. I never get to sleep..."

"Why do you complain so much? asked Arthur then, in return and Merlin didn't look over, he didn't even react to it. So, Arthur went on. "A tournament is a great time, there's plenty to see, you can watch me win again this year..."

"I'd rather not," retorted Merlin. "Why do I need to sit there and watch you fight off other sweaty, dumb men with something to prove?"

"Well...you just don't get it it all," said Arthur, feeling rather offended. "And I don't have anything to prove...I do it for the sport."

"Please..." said Merlin then, and Arthur had not had the urge to slap him in a very long time, but it was there now, dancing at his fingertips. "You just love proving you're the best, and in front of a big crowd, too...you'll be unbearable for weeks."

Arthur sighed, "I will not be unbearable..."

"You were last year, it's like you get a stick up your-"

"Shut up!" Arthur retorted quickly. "I understand if you don't like it...then don't watch."

"Oh, so then I can have someone else come tell me you've died from your injuries, from being the World's Biggest Cabbage-head?"

Arthur raised an eyebrow at this. "So, that's why you don't like these events, because you think I will get hurt?"

"No...yes, because you're a Cabbage-head, like I just said," Merlin muttered, looking a little rosey cheeked for a second or two. "But I also don't like it because it's stupid, why start fighting with each other for no reason? And then eat like pigs...it's disgusting."

Arthur rolled his eyes then and smirked. "If that is how you feel, Merlin, I better not see you having any fun this next week."

"Oh, trust me, you won't."

The arrival of King Alined, was quickly followed by the arrival of King Olaf and his daughter, Lady Vivian. Vivian was a few years younger than Arthur, maybe even a year or two younger than Merlin, and from what Arthur had heard from other Knights, not very friendly. Nor was her Father, if you got too close to her. It was not entirely confirmed, but the talks a few years ago were that Olaf had an older daughter, Carleine, who held the title Princess, but also happened to fall pregnant outside of wedlock, and thus turned Olaf into a raging buffoon, when it came to Vivian and upholding the family name.

Both Arthur and Morgana had to be present upon both King's arrivals, and standing there looking interested was rather hared work, Arthur was hungry, and as Uther continued to embrace Olaf, as if he actually cared about him, Arthur had thoughts of sneaking away and finding something to eat before the feast tonight. But then Uther turned to him, looking cheerfully and a little red in the face. Maybe he was already drunk, well before the feast started.

"Arthur, take our young guest up to her chambers," he said, then his eyes widened, looking timidly, over to Olaf. "As long as that is alright with you, Olaf?"

Olaf, a rather pump-ish man, laughed heartedly. "Not a problem at all...just don't go alone."

"I won't be alone, I'll get Merlin to go with me," said Arthur, Uther nodded in approval and Arthur had went to walk away, but then Olaf spoke again.

"Ah, good, a woman. It is always smart for woman to travel in pairs," said Olaf. Arthur froze and stare at him, Uther just openly started laughing, and then Arthur did too. And now Olaf just stare at them confused and maybe a little annoyed at not being in on the joke.

"Merlin is Arthur's..." Uther searched for a word for a moment before he landed on his proper term. "Manservant."

"I see," said Olaf, looking a bit put off now, but still nodded. "Ether way, still not alone...always good. Now, Uther, tell me, I heard talks that you got married, where is this Queen of yours?"

"Oh," said Uther now, as Arthur was walking away. "She...died."

In hopes of offloading Lady Vivian as quickly as he could, Arthur looked around for Merlin, who was not in the courtyard, he walked back into the castle and screamed Merlin's name so loud, that possibly the windows shook. Arthur knew he was around here somewhere, because they had walked downstairs together.

"Next time..." shot Morgana, as she walked in, passing Arthur to go up the stairs. She offered him a dirty look as she did this. "Why not tie a bell around his neck instead of screaming?"

"I like that idea...MERLIN!"

She rolled her eyes and went up the stairs, and right as she got to the top, Merlin came around the corner, nearly slamming into her, she only smiled at him though, and sent another dirty look Arthur's way, before disappearing around the same corner Merlin had just came.

"You beckoned...Sire?" retorted Merlin, as he walk down the stairs. "Did you ever think I was doing something important?"

"No," said Arthur, prattishly, and he knew it, and had done so on purpose. "What is more important than my needs?"

"A lot of things..."

"Shut up," offered Arthur then. "I am tasked with bringing the Lady Vivian to her chambers, but I am not allowed to go with her alone."

"Why...?"

"Well, King Olaf is very protective, and I am a man...-"

"Oh," Merlin laughed richly, and very openly, as they began to walk outside together. "He doesn't have to worry about that..."

"Excuse me?" Arthur glared at him, offended suddenly. "What does that mean?"

Merlin continued to laugh. "You're rubbish with girls," said Merlin then, and Arthur knew he was right, but still chose to feel offended about it. "You haven't a clue how to woo someone...and the only time I've ever seen you look with desire at anything it was a chicken."

"I'm not sure that's true..."

"Oh, it is!" retorted Merlin, happily, as he jogged down the stairs and met Olaf's servants to take Vivian's things. Arthur stood back for a moment, glaring at the back of Merlin's head. The idiot, Arthur has definitely looked at him with desire before, he was just too stupid to notice it...

Arthur rolled his eyes then, and walked over to where Lady Vivian stood, shouting at one her horse handlers. "Lady Vivian," he offered his hand to her, she stopped what she was doing and glare over at Arthur. "It is a pleasure to meet you, My Lady."

"No..." she retorted and then said nothing else, nor gave him her hand. Arthur didn't exactly know what to do about that, so he just stood straight and waited for Merlin to walk over. When he finally did, it had been several long moments of silence between them. Arthur was just happy they would be rid of her soon. Vivian looked less than impressed with Merlin as well. "Do not dare drop anything, my dresses are worth more than your life."

"Yes, My Lady," muttered Merlin, but looked over at Arthur with a look that said he had some fine, choice words to add to that. Arthur turned away from him at this and headed up the stairs. He walked in front of both of them, Vivian walked in the middle and Merlin behind her, trying not to drop any of her luggage. Which looked a bit hard or him, as he was a clumsy fool. Arthur took her to the chambers most near Morgana, as he thought Olaf would like that, her being away from both Arthur, King Alined and his men.

"I hope you like your room." Arthur tried again, at conversation. "Everyone who stays here says they are very comfortable."

"Well, I am not everyone..." she retorted back, lips turned up in dislike, as she looked around the room. Arthur just stare at her, almost confused by her rudeness. Was there a need for it? Probably not.

"No, you certainly are not..." Arthur said then, at a loss for anything else to say. She looked up at him, in judgment. Arthur wasn't sure what to say at this, did she think he was insulting her? He had been...but more importantly, did she think it? There was a sound of the door opening and in walked Gwen, thank God, because Merlin was only smirking in a corner now, watching Arthur nearly catch on fire, just from her look alone. At least Gwen was a distraction. "May I introduce you to Guinevere, she will be looking after you while you are staying in Camelot," said Arthur then, Vivian's judgmental eyes landed on Gwen then. "She is a wonderful servant, she will take very good care of you."

"Oh...I doubt that," said Vivian then, looking repulsed all of a sudden. "She can't even take care of herself. Look at the state of her hair!"

Gwen's mouth fell open, from a happy smile to that of utter shock and confusion, and maybe a little hurt too. But she covered it quickly, with a fake smile. "Is there anything I can get for you, My Lady?"

"A horse, so I can return home."

"Well, I ought to be going," said Arthur then, turning around, as quickly as humanly possible, he noted Merlin then, laughing in a corner. "Come on, Merlin...let us leave Lady Vivian to settle into her room."

Gwen watched them go unhappily, and Arthur did not miss Merlin whispering good luck to her, as they left. as soon as they were out of the chambers and the door was shut behind them, Merlin started laughing, openly now and loudly. He was laughing so hard, in fact, that he had to cover his mouth, to stop it from echoing.

"What a bitch..."

"I know," retorted Arthur, in a quiet tone, as if afraid someone might hear him. "I have never seen anyone more rude."

"Well...I have, but-"

"If you dare say me, I will-"

"What are you going to do to me if I was?"

"...end your life."

"Ooh, I'm so scared," said Merlin then, in a mocking tone and Arthur chose to ignore this, and walked ahead. Soon, he was walking into his own chambers. He tried to shut the door on Merlin, but he easily slipped through, like a worm. Arthur glare at him. "Clotpole..."

"Idiot!" Merlin stuck his tongue out at Arthur then, and Arthur sighed, giving up and going over to his window instead, to look out at the courtyard. He saw King Alined talking to his servant, or more so shouting at him and threating him with a hand. "You know I could treat you terrible again, would you like that?"

"You don't now...?" offered Merlin, with a smirk, still painted on his stupid lips, and Arthur turned back to glare at him, yet again. "Oh, I know why...because half of Camelot would tell you off if you did."

"I am glad you think you are so popular."

"No, I don't," retorted Merlin. "Just most of Camelot thinks we're in love, so...it would look bad."

Arthur chose to ignore these words entirely, and turned to look back outside again. He didn't want to talk about this anymore. "Did you see some of the Knights with Alined?" he asked then, but didn't give Merlin time to answer, because he had not been outside to greet them, so he probably had not. "There are some very big men, I will take great pleasure in beating most of them tomorrow."

"And if you don't beat them?" offered Merlin, Arthur didn't look back to glare this time, he just glared at the window instead.

"It does not do to be that tall and thick in a fight, yes...you are strong and can deal a heavy blow, but you are slower, not as agile," Arthur explained. "My Knights are strong, fast and agile, I have no doubt, that if I do not win myself, we will still have a Camelot victory nonetheless."

After awhile Merlin started ignoring Arthur's talks of his Knights and his own skills, so Arthur got annoyed. Thinking it was probably too late for food now, as it would only be a few hours until the feast, Arthur just left his chambers. He found his Father in the council chambers, after awhile of just walking. Uther was going over plans he planned on showing King Olaf and Alined. He planned on having them sign a peace treaty between them, that way Camelot could be well protected, since Cenred, the King of Essetir really didn't seem to want to play nice. Uther had even sent word, not too long ago, and heard nothing back.

"Ah, Arthur," said Uther, as Arthur walked in. "I trust nothing happened with Lady Vivian?" he offered, as he looked up, with a smirk. Arthur chose to ignore all that, as he came and sat down instead. "We must all be on our best behavior these next days, I want these treaties signed, Camelot will surely be in better standing after."

"After how I fight tomorrow, they would be foolish not to sign," said Arthur, Uther looked over at him, pleased.

"Good," he said, with a smile. "I look forward to being impressed."

"Perhaps you'd like to enter a match yourself?" said Arthur then, with a knowing smirk, Uther rolled his eyes.

"Against you?" he asked. "I think I shall pass...I wouldn't want to embarrass you," Uther grinned. "Getting beaten by an old man would not do well for your image, Arthur."

Arthur laughed at this. "Or you, your son."

"Hmm..." joked Uther. "I am not sure you have my skills yet, Son."

"No...I do not yet drink so much I look like a bloated goat."

"Watch your tongue, Boy!" warned Uther, but he did not look too mad, Arthur smirked at him. Everyone seemed to be in high spirits today, everyone but Merlin, but he was always talking complete rubbish to Arthur, so it hardly meant he was in a bad mood. Arthur was just happy Uther seemed so at peace, after the Troll and the vision from Arthur's Mother, he seemed to be doing well. Apart from the drinking. They sat there and spoke of the treaties for a good hour or two, before both King and Prince had to return to their own chambers to ready for the feast. When Arthur returned to his chambers, Merlin was still there.

Merlin was sitting at Arthur's desk, using the quill. Arthur walked in, looking rather suspiciously at him. Merlin didn't notice him at first. "What the hell are you doing?"

Merlin looked up with wide eyes, he stare at Arthur for several seconds, before he collected himself and shook his head. "Nothing."

"What are you writing?" demanded Arthur, Merlin covered the words with his hands quickly, so Arthur couldn't see. "Merlin...?"

"A decree that I should get at least seven days off a month," said Merlin then, and Arthur rolled his eyes.

"Seriously, Merlin, what are you writing?"

Merlin took the parchment off the desk then, and pushed it into his brown jacket. "Nothing, not for you to see..."

"Oh, so it's a love letter then?" offered Arthur, with a smirk. He was just kidding, but he didn't like the way Merlin's eyes widened at these words, and then how quickly he looked away. "Who are you writing to?" he demanded then.

"No one..."

"MERLIN!"

"I was just...I..." said Merlin, looking rather pale then. "I can't tell you."

Arthur didn't like that answer at all. "Why not?"

"Because I don't want to..."

"That is not a good reason, Merlin!" Arthur argued. "I am your Prince, your future King...I demand you tell me!"

"And I demand you mind your own business, you ass!" retorted Merlin, heading for the door. Arthur watched him go, in confusion, because beyond all this, Arthur had to get ready for the feast and it was Merlin's job to help.

"Where the hell do you think you're going?"

"Away from you..."

And then he was gone, slamming the door behind him. What the hell was that? What was Merlin writing? Who was he writing to? Arthur was beyond annoyed at this, and even more so, because he had to dress for the feast by himself. Arthur was so distracted in worry about who Merlin might be sending letters to, that he was really, rather late for the feast. He walked in, in a rush, and Uther looked at him with a raised eyebrow, watching Arthur as he took his seat. Next to the Lady Vivian of all people. Arthur was to entertain her during the feast.

"It is nice you finally decided to join us," snapped Vivian. "Honestly, to be late to your own feast...how rude."

Arthur didn't say anything to this, not sure what to say at all. He started eating, and they didn't speak. He knew he had to say something, Uther wanted everything to be perfect, so the King's would be impressed and sign the treaties. He looked over at her, with a painted on smile. "The beans are a little cold...but the meat is very good."

"Excuse me?" retorted Vivian at this, Arthur sighed, because clearly that was not the right thing to say. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"I was referring to the food..." he trailed off, and she turned her nose up at him and continued eating. Arthur didn't try to talk to her again for the rest of the feast.

(A/N: Let me tell you all something, my internet sucks. I've been trying to get it to work for the last hour so I can update...also I have been watching Unas Annus videos all day, instead of doing any actual school work, you know...like an adult, and I think I've lost my last two good brain cells. ALSO, Arthur says this line; "The beans are a little cold...but the meat is very good." in the show right after destiny and chicken and I feel like it is a very understated line, like it is overshadowed by destiny and chicken for sure, but it had me freaking rolling. I was like I have to add that somewhere, it's funny as hell. I think it was just the way Bradley delivered it that was funny...but this HAS to be a euphemism for something! I hope you enjoyed the chapter, the Vivian storyline will be four chapters long. So much more to come, ENJOY!)