One Prison is much like another - part 31
Author: 
archaeologist_d
Title: One Prison is much like another - part 31
Rating: PG-13
Pairing/s: none
Character/s: Merlin, Arthur
Summary: Dragons are a handful, whether they be days old or centuries.
Warnings: none
Word Count:
Camelot Drabble Prompt #605: stylish
Author’s notes: Arthur is regent in all but name. AU and all. Got this one under the wire as I came back from my trip sick. Sigh.
---------------
Things were going too well. Merlin should have been suspicious but still exhausted from all the chores and the short trips with Arthur to tour nearby villages to show that Arthur was the calm regent that the kingdom needed as well as tourneys and visitors and daily training-never mind that Merlin still was having trouble with Arthur’s muddy armour, and taking care of five young and increasingly curious dragons, he didn’t pay as much attention as he might have.
It was another feast day. Merlin thought that Arthur maybe should have postponed it or just have a market day with a few bits of entertainment, but the prat insisted on going full bore.
“No, I am not changing it, Merlin, we need to show that Camelot is as safe and secure as ever. My father has been quieter the last several days and Gaius feels that the worst of it may have passed. But I doubt my father will do more than show up, drink a few goblets of wine, and retire to his chambers.” Arthur sounded like he was trying to convince himself more than Merlin.
But when Merlin just grunted, Arthur said, “I’ll be wearing my red velvet jacket tonight. Be sure and make the buttons shine. I wouldn’t want to be thought shabby. After all, I do set the style for the court.”
“You do set something, you arse,” Merlin mumbled. “Mostly of how much of a prat you are.”
“And what was that, idiot? A comment on the latest fashions? Or are we going for Ealdor chic?” Arthur smirked, then threw his jacket at Merlin. “You certainly know how to wow your friends with your grotty neckerchief style. It’s a wonder there hasn’t been a run on them, everyone with frills around their throats.”
“My mother made them,” Merlin snapped. “Useful for tying up wounds and gagging supercilious annoying princes. I’d show you but your head is too big, and I doubt I could tie it tight enough.”
Arthur just looked at him a moment as if he couldn’t believe his ears, his eyes turning speculative, then smirked. “Do you often think about gagging princes?”
Blinking, trying to parse just what they’d both said, Merlin’s face flamed. “Only to shut them up.” With that, Merlin headed for the door, jacket in hand. “I’ll have the jacket done by supper. Lots to do before then.”
“You have been absent quite a bit of late. Disappearing, supposedly gathering herbs when Gaius says he didn’t know where you were. No one saw you at the tavern, either. Even the knights noticed.” Arthur frowned a little, looking a bit put off. “I hope you are not slacking off because of an assignation. Jollying up a girl when you should be attending to my needs.”
That cabbagehead was unbelievable. As if Merlin had time for girls or boys for that matter. Running himself off his feet chasing after baby dragons, he barely had time to breathe.
“What?! What? No, no girls. Who has time for that when you and Gaius run me off my feet,” Merlin protested.
“Good to know,” Arthur said, looking relieved and a little perplexed. “So where do you go? It’s certainly not to clean my armour which is still caked in mud, by the way, or write that speech you were supposed to finish-which I ended up doing myself and a fine job, too.” When Merlin started to sputter, Arthur shook his head. “No, no, no need to make excuses. Just do your job. And stop disappearing.”
With a glare sent Arthur’s way which the toad seemed to enjoy, Merlin muttered, “No life of my own then.” Then he scampered out the door before Arthur could question him further.
How in all the gods’ names was he supposed to find the time to placate Arthur and everyone else. He wasn’t getting enough sleep as it was.
What a mess.
archaeologist_d
Title: One Prison is much like another - part 31
Rating: PG-13
Pairing/s: none
Character/s: Merlin, Arthur
Summary: Dragons are a handful, whether they be days old or centuries.
Warnings: none
Word Count:
Camelot Drabble Prompt #605: stylish
Author’s notes: Arthur is regent in all but name. AU and all. Got this one under the wire as I came back from my trip sick. Sigh.
---------------
Things were going too well. Merlin should have been suspicious but still exhausted from all the chores and the short trips with Arthur to tour nearby villages to show that Arthur was the calm regent that the kingdom needed as well as tourneys and visitors and daily training-never mind that Merlin still was having trouble with Arthur’s muddy armour, and taking care of five young and increasingly curious dragons, he didn’t pay as much attention as he might have.
It was another feast day. Merlin thought that Arthur maybe should have postponed it or just have a market day with a few bits of entertainment, but the prat insisted on going full bore.
“No, I am not changing it, Merlin, we need to show that Camelot is as safe and secure as ever. My father has been quieter the last several days and Gaius feels that the worst of it may have passed. But I doubt my father will do more than show up, drink a few goblets of wine, and retire to his chambers.” Arthur sounded like he was trying to convince himself more than Merlin.
But when Merlin just grunted, Arthur said, “I’ll be wearing my red velvet jacket tonight. Be sure and make the buttons shine. I wouldn’t want to be thought shabby. After all, I do set the style for the court.”
“You do set something, you arse,” Merlin mumbled. “Mostly of how much of a prat you are.”
“And what was that, idiot? A comment on the latest fashions? Or are we going for Ealdor chic?” Arthur smirked, then threw his jacket at Merlin. “You certainly know how to wow your friends with your grotty neckerchief style. It’s a wonder there hasn’t been a run on them, everyone with frills around their throats.”
“My mother made them,” Merlin snapped. “Useful for tying up wounds and gagging supercilious annoying princes. I’d show you but your head is too big, and I doubt I could tie it tight enough.”
Arthur just looked at him a moment as if he couldn’t believe his ears, his eyes turning speculative, then smirked. “Do you often think about gagging princes?”
Blinking, trying to parse just what they’d both said, Merlin’s face flamed. “Only to shut them up.” With that, Merlin headed for the door, jacket in hand. “I’ll have the jacket done by supper. Lots to do before then.”
“You have been absent quite a bit of late. Disappearing, supposedly gathering herbs when Gaius says he didn’t know where you were. No one saw you at the tavern, either. Even the knights noticed.” Arthur frowned a little, looking a bit put off. “I hope you are not slacking off because of an assignation. Jollying up a girl when you should be attending to my needs.”
That cabbagehead was unbelievable. As if Merlin had time for girls or boys for that matter. Running himself off his feet chasing after baby dragons, he barely had time to breathe.
“What?! What? No, no girls. Who has time for that when you and Gaius run me off my feet,” Merlin protested.
“Good to know,” Arthur said, looking relieved and a little perplexed. “So where do you go? It’s certainly not to clean my armour which is still caked in mud, by the way, or write that speech you were supposed to finish-which I ended up doing myself and a fine job, too.” When Merlin started to sputter, Arthur shook his head. “No, no, no need to make excuses. Just do your job. And stop disappearing.”
With a glare sent Arthur’s way which the toad seemed to enjoy, Merlin muttered, “No life of my own then.” Then he scampered out the door before Arthur could question him further.
How in all the gods’ names was he supposed to find the time to placate Arthur and everyone else. He wasn’t getting enough sleep as it was.
What a mess.