The King's Speech
Author: Gilli_ann
Title: The King's Speech
Rating: G
Character/s: Merlin, Arthur
Summary: Merlin becomes Arthur's speech-writer
Word Count: 350
Prompt: 469 'Panic'
Author's Notes: Canon filler
The King's Speech
"What!?" Arthur roared as Merlin entered, balancing a breakfast tray.
The king had dark circles under his eyes. He sat slumped at his desk, his fingers smudged with prominent ink stains.
"Haven't you slept at all?" Merlin asked, worriedly taking in the king's appearance and the poorly concealed panic in Arthur's bleary eyes.
Arthur gritted his teeth and scrubbed a hand through his dishevelled hair, depositing flecks of ink across his forehead. "I take my responsibilities seriously, Merlin. Unlike you, you lazy sod. This is an important speech. I must get it exactly right."
Merlin tiptoed closer, eyeing the parchment in front of Arthur with curiosity. "Are you close to finishing?"
"None of your business! Leave my food on the table and go away!" Arthur snatched the page, hiding it from view, glaring at Merlin.
Merlin had only gotten a glimpse, but that was enough. The lopsided few sentences on that page told him everything he needed to know. No wonder Arthur looked so desperate.
"I can write it for you, if you'd let me," he blurted.
Arthur groaned. "Spare me your stupid jokes, and leave me. I require solitude."
"No, honestly, Arthur. I am ready to write it. I've a way with words. Let me try. What's the worst that could happen?"
Arthur opened his mouth to deliver a scathing reply, but he stopped short. Silence reigned for a moment while Arthur pondered Merlin's suggestion.
Merlin looked at him entreatingly. "Please?"
"Well," Arthur eventually said, "it would obviously be a good lesson for you in the hardships and challenges of kingship, which you so far have completely failed to grasp. I think I shall show you the considerable honour of letting you write the first draft of my speech."
"Thank you, Arthur. You won't regret it."
Arthur yawned, eyeing his bed with longing. "I hope not," he muttered, relief plain on his tired face. "I'll stay right here to observe your progress."
"An excellent idea, Sire."
* * * *
Arthur's important speech was eloquent, witty and earnest in turn, well timed, and expertly written to the steady accompaniment of the king's loud snores.
Title: The King's Speech
Rating: G
Character/s: Merlin, Arthur
Summary: Merlin becomes Arthur's speech-writer
Word Count: 350
Prompt: 469 'Panic'
Author's Notes: Canon filler
The King's Speech
"What!?" Arthur roared as Merlin entered, balancing a breakfast tray.
The king had dark circles under his eyes. He sat slumped at his desk, his fingers smudged with prominent ink stains.
"Haven't you slept at all?" Merlin asked, worriedly taking in the king's appearance and the poorly concealed panic in Arthur's bleary eyes.
Arthur gritted his teeth and scrubbed a hand through his dishevelled hair, depositing flecks of ink across his forehead. "I take my responsibilities seriously, Merlin. Unlike you, you lazy sod. This is an important speech. I must get it exactly right."
Merlin tiptoed closer, eyeing the parchment in front of Arthur with curiosity. "Are you close to finishing?"
"None of your business! Leave my food on the table and go away!" Arthur snatched the page, hiding it from view, glaring at Merlin.
Merlin had only gotten a glimpse, but that was enough. The lopsided few sentences on that page told him everything he needed to know. No wonder Arthur looked so desperate.
"I can write it for you, if you'd let me," he blurted.
Arthur groaned. "Spare me your stupid jokes, and leave me. I require solitude."
"No, honestly, Arthur. I am ready to write it. I've a way with words. Let me try. What's the worst that could happen?"
Arthur opened his mouth to deliver a scathing reply, but he stopped short. Silence reigned for a moment while Arthur pondered Merlin's suggestion.
Merlin looked at him entreatingly. "Please?"
"Well," Arthur eventually said, "it would obviously be a good lesson for you in the hardships and challenges of kingship, which you so far have completely failed to grasp. I think I shall show you the considerable honour of letting you write the first draft of my speech."
"Thank you, Arthur. You won't regret it."
Arthur yawned, eyeing his bed with longing. "I hope not," he muttered, relief plain on his tired face. "I'll stay right here to observe your progress."
"An excellent idea, Sire."
* * * *
Arthur's important speech was eloquent, witty and earnest in turn, well timed, and expertly written to the steady accompaniment of the king's loud snores.