Chapter 1 [A Fortnight Following the Series Premiere—Camelot]

First Light floated just over Horizon's eastern edge. Breeze gently swayed tree branches and billowed leaves. Inhabitants rushed to their posts. Tom fired up his forge for Day's work. Traders set up their wares for market day. Routine pushed servants and other castellans toward their tasks.

Insecurity, however, dogged a certain newcomer in some regards….

[Royal Apartments, Citadel]

Merlin eased his way through the packed passages and up the granite stairs. His hands struggled to balance a covered platter and bottle. Despite being only at the beginning, Day already seared at his nerves. Michael's assistant cook, Audrey, berated him for no reason. Judgmental looks and head shakes littered his way. Gaius' herbal stores needed replenishment. Knights' training sessions (with him as DTD –Designated Training Dummy) ached at his arms, legs and back. A certain chambermaid spurred on warm feelings and Anxiety's butterflies. And then, the Princely Prat awaited him….

…Aye that Prat…Arthur….

His eyes rolled. His mouth twisted into a frown. He gets me thrown in the dungeon and stocks. I try and do the right thing. Then I end up having to be his servant? Really? His brain twisted over Arthur's routine. I know Prince Arthur was talking about some meeting or other this morning. Maybe I can just work on serving breakfast and getting him dressed? Memoria conjured up images of previous days' shortcomings. Brim-filled goblets, Undercooked Meals (as if that was Merlin's fault?), Less than Ideal Meal Choices and Ill-Placed Chamber Pots haunted his initial efforts.

And oh…Reactions came…with a vengeance (to say the least). Arthur's scowls remained constant. Bellowed "STUPID!" and "IDIOT!" shook the chamber and passage beyond. Uther's eyes rolled at him during meal services. Sympathy and Pity found a place in Morgana's heart and outlook at least. Advice came from Gwen at least.

Gwen….

What is it about her? Merlin mused about his fellow servant. Sparkle danced in her eyes. Warmth shone from her smile. A dreamy sigh escaped his lips. His heart skipped a beat. Her presence eased Irritation's gauntlet to say the least. He shook himself out of Daydream's bliss. Can't let myself get distracted! I wish that she and I could both wait on Arthur. Anything to please him. Sarcasm rolled his eyes yet again. He eased into the darkened bedchamber.

All lay still within. Dawn pushed past drawn curtains. Sol's light streaked the oak floors. Dust waltzed from Wardrobe's top across his path. Chamber Pot's telltale gleam warned him of Hazard's looming trap. Snoring ground against his ears.

Does he really have to sound like a mating cow? Homesickness and Hunith's presence called to him. He pushed those thoughts down. She wants you to have a better life. I wonder if she knew about the Prince? Somehow, he kept a straight face on that note. He gave the offending pot a wide berth. At least that's not full. He set the covered dish down on the table. Maybe I have time to deal with this? He picked the pot up and eased back toward the door. (The previous day's spill and Arthur's reaction remained very much on his mind.) Wish I could just use magic to get rid of it. Temptation whispered of Ease and Efficiency.

Gaius' lectures and Uther's laws quashed those ideas in short order.

Magic is not something to be abused, Merlin! It is a tool. Do not let it control you! Gaius' Eyebrow shoved his hairline up a half inch. Purpose and Scolding sparked in his eyes. Disapproval elicited a headshake from the elderly physician at that point.

Too bad Arthur abuses his place. Well, you wanted a job in the *big town*. Right? Merlin cleared his throat. He walked into the Privy area. He opened the trap door in the floor and dumped the contents down there. That's taken care of! Back to breakfast before Arthur's food gets cold. He hustled out the door and into the hall.

"Merlin! Good morning!" Gwen steadied Morgana's chamber pot. "You're in a hurry. Everything all right?"

Merlin nodded. Even Prattishness' impending episode couldn't measure up to Giddiness' lightening of his spirits at that point. "Oh yeah. Sppt! No problem! Just dumping the pot before…I do it again." A shrug attempted to deflect that point.

She smiled. "See? I told you! I know you'll do just fine." She bit her lip. Her own heart danced around the court's resident newcomer. "Maybe you should…?" She motioned toward Arthur's door. "I don't want you getting in trouble."

"Thanks." He sucked in a deep breath. "I appreciate that someone's looking out for me." He carried the empty pot back into Arthur's chamber. He eased the door shut…

…Alas, Good Reader! Door's creak cut through the chamber's din….

Great. Can that be any louder? Merlin crept toward Arthur's bed. He set the chamber pot in its former place. At least his snoring is louder. Mother said that there's something good in everything. He aligned the covered platter, the goblet and fork on the table. Candle? Pull the drapes? That conundrum occupied him. Previous lectures over the curtains startled him. He took the candle from the desk and set it by the plate. His eyes glowed. His magic lit the wick. That's done. He edged over toward the slumbering Prince. "Sire?"

"I'm…awake. Can you be…oh I don't know…ANY LOUDER?" Irritation narrowed Arthur's eyes. He rolled over to face Merlin.

I don't know. Maybe you could snore louder? Lady Morgana couldn't quite hear you. Merlin bowed his head. "Sorry. At least I didn't trip over the chamber pot and pull the curtains before you were ready. I even got you some ham rather than chicken today." Arthur's attitude grated on him. Still, Overriding Goal and Destiny kept him composed. Cheeky grin tried to add emphasis to the point.

Arthur looked around the area. "Aye. You did those things at least. I guess you can learn?" Merlin's learning curve ate at him to be honest. Expectations frayed at his patience for his rustic servant. Of all the people for Father to pick, he had to pick this one? I know he saved my life but really? Maybe Oswald could use a stable hand at Rowsbottom Manor? Merlin would be better suited for that. "Nothing was worse than yesterday. Glad you listened."

"Of course, Sire." Merlin cleared his throat. "Guess there's more to this than I thought?" He pointed toward the wardrobe. "I was going to lay out your clothes. Maybe you can show me what you want?"

A smile broke through Arthur's gruff countenance. "Of course. The red top and the dark pants will be fine." He watched Merlin hold up the aforementioned top and pants. "Aye. Better." He lifted the top from the platter. There he found two ham slices and some scrambled eggs. "Much better. There might be hope for you yet, Merlin." He settled into his chair. "Lay the clothes on the bed. I'll get them later." He watched Merlin fill his goblet almost (but not quite) to the brim. His lip curled. He eased a mouthful down.

Merlin rubbed the back of his neck. "Too full?"

"What do you think?" Arthur narrowed his eyes. He shoveled a forkful of eggs into his mouth. "I have a meeting with the King and a patrol later with the knights. I need the bed changed. My laundry needs doing. The stables need mucking out. Gaius said he had some things for you to do as well."

"Yeah. There are the herbs he needs for medicines. That epidemic in the northwest I think he said." Merlin held up another cloth napkin. "Just in case."

Arthur raised an eyebrow. "You're actually preparing for a change. Let's see how you make it through the rest of the day." He turned back toward his breakfast.

Merlin set the napkin down on the table next to Arthur's left hand. "If it's all right, I'll start stripping these sheets from the bed? If you need me, I'm right here."

"And you're learning to be efficient as well? There is hope for you yet." Arthur cut a piece of ham with his fork. He bit into it. "Mmm!"

"Arthur." Morgana cleared her throat from the passage. Her head shook at him. She motioned toward Merlin. "I'll see you in another half turn of the hourglass." She marched on down the passage. Merlin is trying! Can't Arthur manage a compliment? Good grief!

Arthur scoffed. "You see, Merlin? That's why you should never ask a girl anything!" He shook his head and kept eating.

Merlin said nothing. Temptation wanted to spell the chair. Still, he knew such stunts had implications. Consequently, he eased the sheets off of the bed and into a nearby wicker basket. Then he folded the blanket atop the bed.

Satisfaction remained leagues away….