Chapter One

"What exactly are we doing here?" Leon asked unsure of how he and Gwaine had managed to get roped into Merlin and Arthur's drama.

Gwaine shook his head swiping an apple from the banquet table taking a bite from it. "Blame the king he is the one who decided to grow that squirrel on his face."

"That makes no sense."

"Ah but it does my friend. You would know if you went to the tavern with us last week."

"Beth would have my head."

"Yes, well that's your fault for allowing yourself to be tied down."

"One day Gwaine you will meet a women that will pale in comparison to all the rest, one that you just can't live without and then you will understand that there is much more than just having ale and trysts with women at the tavern."

"Bla bla bla. If that day ever cometh I'll have Merlin strike me with a lightning bolt."

Leon sighed in disapproval before turning to see people file into the banquet hall.

"So, tell me what happened last week that led to this?"

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Gwaine's POV One week earlier.

We were all at the tavern. Percy, Eylan, and I were drinking in our usual table near the back while the King and Merlin where playing a game of dice.

"Five." Merlin said then he blew on his dice and watched as the dice fell and landed with a three and two facing up. Merlin smirked and turned to the king making sure to give him a wink as he took the coins from the table.

"I think that's the eighth time in a row?" said Eylan who had been keeping score.

Arthur growled before picking up the dice and shaking them in his hand. "Twelve."

The dice turned and landed with a five and a six facing up. Merlin laughed.

"So close, Sire."

"That's it! You're cheating. You must be."

"I'm not."

"You're using magic again aren't you."

"I swear I'm not."

"Yeah right. This game is over."

"One more game."

"No. And I forbid you from playing dice."

"You can't forbid me to do anything!"

"I am the King of Camelot, so yes I can."

"Hasn't stopped me before."

"I think you need a trip to the stocks."

"You'd have to catch me first."

By this point I started zoning out of their conversation, but I assume this is were the insults and threats started. Having finished my drink, I called for the barmaid for another round. Anyways as I could tell Arthur was challenging Merlin to a sword fight without magic saying that the only way Merlin could win at anything was with magic.

Merlin told him that he wasn't going to fight. He could hold his own with a sword, but even he couldn't beat our king in one to one combat.

"Fine then joust."

"Jousting is stupid as I have told you millions of times. Besides I am not getting on a horse and attempt to try to throw you off with a stick."

"There must be a way to settle this."

"We could play one more time and I could let you win."

"Shut up Merlin."

"It was just a suggestion."

Arthur sighed and made his way to our table taking a seat and picking up his drink. Merlin of course followed sitting across from the king beside me.

By the time Merlin sat the barmaid Lucille returned with our next round of drinks paying special attention to our court sorcerer then left.

"Way to go." I told Merlin with a laugh punching him on the shoulder. "You should ask her when she gets off her shift. Maybe walk the lady home eh."

Merlin rolled his eyes, "I'd rather not."

Arthur laughed, "Merlin with a woman. Yeah right he probably wouldn't know what to do with them."

"I have been with women before."

"Were they blind?"

Now by this point I have no idea how many drinks Merlin had had, but he was obviously a long way past tipsy when he said, "I'll have you know many women find me attractive. Just ask your wife."

Arthur and Eylan glared and Percy and I just managed to restrain each of them before they leapt across the table to knock the lights out of him.

"If you were anyone else…" Arthur let the threat hang before finishing his drink.

"Just wait till I tell Gwen." Eylan said shaking his head.

"I'm not scared of Gwen." Merlin lied gulping down the rest of his drink. "Don't tell her that though."

"What could women possibly find attractive in a twig like you?"

"Alright. Watch." Merlin said getting up and glaring at Arthur before he made his way to the front of the bar where Lucille was at.

Finally, he was taking my advice. Lucil- I'm gonna call her Lucy what a mouthful. Lucy was unsurprisingly taken with our mate and started laughing at something he said before smiling and saying something. This went on for a bit before Merlin nodded towards us. Said his goodbye and gave a kiss to the lady's hand.

"She invited me to dinner tomorrow.", Merlin said as he took a seat smirking at the king.

"Oh, and apparently one of the features that she found most appealing was my smile. She was really sweet."

Arthur shook his head annoyed at his former servant.

"I would have said the cheek bones." I muttered and took a sip of my drink ignoring the looks sent my way.

"What?" I questioned and they all turned away not willing to get into that conversation.

Eylan however nodded before adding, "His eyes."

I raised an eyebrow at that like our favorite court physician and watched as Merlin blushed before clearing his throat and muttering a 'thank you'.