(no subject)
Being the crown prince's manservant wasn't all that bad. Sure it was living hell about fifty percent of the time, but there were rare moments between the two of them that made all the chores and constant prattish behavior worth it. Those quiet moments when Merlin managed to perform somewhat to Arthur's standards of what a servant should be. Unfortunately, tonight wasn't one of those nights. Oh it had started off well enough, with Merlin scurrying about Arthur's chamber, preparing a bath for him and making a quick run down to the kitchen to grab some supper. He knew exactly what Arthur would want when he came to his chambers fresh off of the tournament grounds. A hot bath and a hot meal. Yet, try as he might to anticipate those needs, something always seemed to go wrong!
It took Merlin, who at that moment was juggling the various plates, jugs and baskets that held Arthur's supper, only a few moments to realize that Arthur was there in the royal chambers with his arms crossed predictably over his chest. Instinctively, Merlin knew that posture meant something was wrong. "What could I have possibly done now?!" He asked, managing to get everything on the table without dropping or spilling much or even making a huge amount of noise, which he was pretty proud of. "Your bath is ready and I've brought your supper!" Could it possibly be that the bathwater was cold and Merlin hadn't been there to help Arthur out of his armor?
It took Merlin, who at that moment was juggling the various plates, jugs and baskets that held Arthur's supper, only a few moments to realize that Arthur was there in the royal chambers with his arms crossed predictably over his chest. Instinctively, Merlin knew that posture meant something was wrong. "What could I have possibly done now?!" He asked, managing to get everything on the table without dropping or spilling much or even making a huge amount of noise, which he was pretty proud of. "Your bath is ready and I've brought your supper!" Could it possibly be that the bathwater was cold and Merlin hadn't been there to help Arthur out of his armor?