NOTE: Arthur and Gwen are not together.

It all started like every catastrophe starts in camelot.

In a feast.

King Arthur stood in the castle's courtyard, with his knights wrapped around him in a semi-circle from both sides. Today marked a remarkable achievement in his regin--The successful negotiations of a trade deal with the neighboring kingdoms of Mercia and Nemeth.

After months of careful diplomacy , strategic discussions, humoring rulers with fake laughs and listening to the unending complaints of his uncle and the council, the agreement had been sealed,promising prosperity and growth for all parts involved.

Today was the first day in his three day's celebration feast. In honor of Camelot and the other respected kingdoms long awaited success, Arthur wanted to express his gratitude for the warm welcome he received from Queen Annis and the stern but not maliceful guidance from King Bayard.

As his manservant finished preparing him for attending the feast , He tuned off Merlin's chatter a bit to organize his thoughts and recite his speech for the umpteenth time, He wouldn't say it out loud if his life depended on it but he was nervous.

He fought tooth and nail to secure this trade and worked his butt off for many weeks just so Camelot's people would reap the benefits of this deal for as long as Camelot and the other kingdoms stood.

Arthur liked to think that he did well this time and mostly handled the rising issues with a calm head and a professional manner suited to a King, Although in the back of his mind he was aware that if it weren't for Merlin soothing his tantrums and grumblings, listening to him swear up and down that he would kick that one specific old fool noble that existed from his father's days from the council and generally handling any problems that would distract Arthur from this trade, he probably would have blown this deal eons ago only because he would have been overwhelmed.

This was half Merlin's success as it was his. His manservant admirably lead the insides of the Castle and took hold well of all the duties that should have been left for the Queen to take, He never once complained or left a job unfinished, never spoke to Arthur about any of the castle's affairs-except for the ones needing a direct permission from the King.

He was unmistakably Arthur's righthand but only lacked the title for it.

Arthur knew he should promote Merlin and give him a title, maybe make him his advisor..

But he selfishly wanted to keep him hidden by his side a bit more.

He was cut out of his thoughts with the voice of Merlin grunting quietly over something in his hands and had his back bent facing Arthur.

Arthur was immediately suspicious.

"Merlin?"

"Yes?" Did his voice just waver?

"What are you doing?"

"Nothing!- I mean - err ... I'm just holding your belt?"

"Holding my belt?"

"Yes!"

"Will you perhaps keep holding it till the feast ends or just come finish dressing me already!"

"Just a second! err...please?"

Arthur headed over to where Merlin was sitting on the ground and peeked over his shoulder to find him... adding another hole to his belt!

"Are you suggesting that I'm fat now?"

Merlin jumped to stand infront of him and hid the belt behind his back, "What? No! of course not , my lord." The snort he let out after meant that he did in fact believe that Arthur is fat.

"Merlin there is no use lying, I already saw it. And stop pressing your mouth like that, it makes you look more stupid than usual."

"Stop being a prat! I was just enhancing it, for comfort and ease of use."

"So you are saying I got fat and now I need to add new holes to all my belts."

"I have no idea what you are talking about ,sire"

Arthur sighed ,"Just hand me the damn belt Merlin."

A few embarrassing moments passed where Arthur attempted prove to Merlin that he is still fighting fit and tried to put his belt using the old hole but it left him wheezing and breathless instead , he begrudgingly conceded and made Merlin use the new hole glaring at him in warning to not utter any smart comment.

Merlin patted his chest two times for good measure and stepped back , grinning mischievously "All right! You are all set, your majesty!"

Arthur turned to look at his attire, since he became king he ceased wearing anything but his chainmail in special occasions such as this one. Merlin and Gwen always noted that the metal armor gave him a sense of regal authority, although Merlin always ended the praise by saying "Don't let it get into your head prat!". Draped over his shoulders was Camelot crimson cloak, the cloak is fastened at the front with a golden brooch, emblazoned with the emblem of Camelot. It felt safe to be in his armor and to have his sword fastened to his side.

He shifted his gaze and saw Merlin's sparkling blue eyes full of pride and fondness looking back at him, Arthur held his hand so that Merlin would grab his forearm and they both clasped each other, A sign of mutual respect and camaraderie between them.

"You will be there should i need you?" Arthur asked.

"Of course ,Arthur." Merlin replied.

--

"This is not what i meant when i said i need you to be there, you idiot!" Arthur huffed as he dragged Merlin's limp body back towards the servants passage to reach his chambers.

He was so busy humoring his guests and making small talks with all kinds of people that he lost track of the amount of wine his servant drank sneakily behind him. He wanted Merlin to have a little fun and loosen a bit seeing as it was rare that he did that these days, but as he was hauling the stumbling form that was Merlin back to his chambers ,he was regretting ever having that thought.

Arthur knew that Merlin was lost to them the moment he started standing infront of him and began to spout some nonsense about protecting him from hidden evil whenever his Uncle approached him for a word--all the while glaring heatedly at the man. if looks could burn,his uncle would have been scorched right where he stood.

Merlin mostly seemed that he was the happy drunk type. All lopsided grins, childlike glee and uncoordinated motions.

And the most surprising thing of all ; was the easy affection. Merlin was a sentimental man. He always had a reassuring smile and a word of praise ready on his mouth. His touch came freely without expecting anything in return.

Although somewhere in the middle he stopped showing that side of him just as openly as before.

That particular side however, made an appearance again tonight.

Merlin was latched to Arthur's body, his arms circled around Arthur's waist and head on his chest, the man was currently tilting his head and his droppy eyelids was staring at Arthur with a thoughtful expression on his face.

"Stop frownin...Arthur."

That remark made Arthur frown even more.

"Huh? Why'd it.. not go 'way?"

Merlin placed his finger on Arthur's frown, easing it away. "There, tha's better."

Arthur shooed his hands away and cursed. "Merlin,you need to use your legs."

"Legs?" Merlin slurred.

"Yes, your legs. You know those two sticks you have that are touching the ground, Can you try to move them perhaps?"

"Dun wanna."

"I will drop you."

"Nah. you won't." He snorted and tightened his hold on Arthur even more.

Arthur sighed because he knew that dropping the man wasn't an option. He looked around him, the halls leading to his chambers seemed to have been deserted. Everyone was still busy at the feast drinking and dancing.Even the guards who usually roamed the corridors were nowhere to be seen.

Arthur detached himself from Merlin -not easily- then held Merlin's wrists to keep him steady as he kneeled on the ground with his back facing the other man, he tugged on his hands. "Merlin, if you don't remember this in the morning, it will be the stocks for you."

"Whaaa... y'doin'?"

"We don't have all night, come on,hop on."

"Y'will... carry me?"

"Yes Merlin, i don't know what i will do without your observation skills."

Arthur heard the sound of Merlin's laugh before the man all but jumped on him. If it weren't for his training in withstanding sudden blows, Arthur was afraid he might have fell nose first on the floors.

"Careful!" he hissed.

"Sorry." He heard the slurred voice near his ears.a

Arthur sighed for the hundred time today and stood with Merlin on his back , He secured him by holding both legs and Merlin had his arms wrapped around Arthur's neck, his head leaning on his shoulder.

"Hey! Don't sleep on me."

"M'not."

Finally arriving at Arthur's chambers, he dismissed the guards standing infront of his door offering to help him in carrying Merlin and entered the room with the man drooling all over his shoulder.

Arthur disentangled Merlin's lanky arms from his neck then placed him carefully on the chair infront of the hearth.

He poked his cheek, "Merlin ,wake up."

Merlin mumbled something incomprehensible but otherwise he didn't move.

"What was that?" Arthur asked.

"M'mouth's... so dry..."

Arthur went for the pitcher that was on his table and poured a goblet of water , going back to where Merlin was sprawled on the chair, he graped Merlin's neck tilting his head and put the goblet infront of his mouth, He couldn't help but complain.

"I can't believe you are making the king serve you Merlin that's too much insolence, even for you."

Even though he spoke those words, Arthur continued to coax Merlin into opening his mouth. When Merlin finally did, Arthur only let him take a few sips of water, just enough to prevent him from choking or vomiting on the floor.

"Arthur?"

"Finally coming back to the land of living,Merlin?"

"Yeah." He shook his head then looked like he instantly regretted the action. "More or less. I'm a bit queasy though."

"That's what you get for trying to keep up with Gwaine! you fell straight into his trap like an idiot."

Merlin groaned as an answer.

Rolling his eyes at Merlin in exasperation , He said "Just sit still for a moment. I will be back."

Arthur found his night wear on the bed and got behind the dresser to change his clothes, he was tired and weary after long days of doing the same routine. He longed for the days when he was only responsible for training the knights and maybe participating in the council with an idea or two just to avoid his father's disapproving scowl.

However, his days as the Crown Prince of Camelot were far behind him. Now, his only wish was to be a just King, ensuring that none of his people went hungry or lacked shelter and maybe abandoning a few of Uther's unnecessarily strict strategies.

The last one was the most challenging to achieve.

But Merlin and Guineveres' constant presence made it feel less daunting. Having their steady flow of support and advice would give him enough strength to tackle yet another hard meeting.

Speaking of his manservant..

"Merlin?"

No answer.

The man sat collapsed in the chair with his mouth slightly ajar , his breath steady and slow. the sounds of soft snoring echoed faintly in the chambers. Merlin looked peaceful sleeping like this, the usual lines of concern and tension melting away,leaving his face looking much younger.

Arthur hated to disturb him. He understood the immense effort Merlin had put in, but they still had two days of celebrations left, and they both needed their rest. Reluctantly,he began to lift him again for the second time that day.

Arthur layed Merlin on his bed then removed his boots and secured him under the bed covers, He made to stand up when a hand held his wrist, looking down he found Merlin's heavy-lidded eyes staring back at him.

"Arthur? Why am I in your bed?"

"Because you were being such a dollophead."

"That's my word."

"And it suits you perfectly. Go back to sleep."

"Arthur." Merlin tightened his grip on Arthur's wrist, silently waiting for him to meet his gaze. When Arthur finally did, Merlin spoke softly, "You know I'm proud of you, right?"

Arthur froze, taken aback by the sincerity in Merlin's voice, devoid of its usual teasing tone. He was well aware of Merlin's unwavering loyalty, but they both had a habit of masking their true feelings with jest. After such a long day, hearing Merlin voice those words so earnestly outloud, Arthur was horrified to feel his eyes beginning to well up.

"Merlin,you are clearly still tipsy." He tried to ignore how his voice quivered.

"Maybe I am. I think it's the only thing helping me saying this right now."

"Well , you've said plenty. Now it's time to rest."

"No. no just-- just hear me out for a minute?"

Arthur sighed then nodded his head, allowing Merlin to continue.

"I've seen how you struggled since Uther's death. how heavy Morgana's betrayal weighed on you.

You were such an insufferable prat most of those days ,taking out your frustration on the knights and making me muck out the stables dozens of times just to keep me out of your hair."

Arthur opened his mouth to clarify those exact behaviors, but Merlin squeezed his hand in reassurance that there was no need to.

"But I've also seen you painstakingly read every one of those mind-numbing grain reports that never seem to end,I've seen you reprimand some of the nobles for how they were treating their servants,I've seen you guide the young knights with patience and I've seen you give your everything to help your people in every way possible.

For all your mistakes, you are undeniably a great king, one who will soon be able to unit Albion.

I wanted you to know that i believe in you, and so do the guests that attended the feast."

"Merlin.." Arthur's carefully constructed walls was about to crumble, feeling a gentle warmth enveloping him,warming him from the inside and filling him with a sense of peace.

the impact of Merlin's words was like a cloak shielding him from all the wavering and uncertainty.

Merlin's voice gradually softened into a whisper as he gave in to his growing drowsiness,

"As your subject, " he said, "I'm contented by having you as our king, As your..."

"As your friend, I'm proud of you."