Part 2
With the arrival of Morgana, Merlin had simply lost track of when he was supposed to meet Arthur. And of course Arthur was upset that his servant was late. And not only late, but hadn’t been there to dress him or give him his breakfast. So before arriving in his room, he had stopped by the kitchens to grab the tray with Arthur’s breakfast, glad that it was still hot and practically ran to his room, not bothering to knock. Once inside though he almost laughed at the image before him. Arthur was trying to dress himself, clearly not used to it and currently had one leg in and one leg out of his trousers. Merlin couldn’t help it, he burst out laughing at the sight before him.
“What are you laughing at, Merlin?” Instead of a response from his servant, he just got more laughter. Glaring at the boy he called servant, he shook his head and attempted to put his other leg in his trousers, managing somehow to miss and tumble over which just made Merlin laugh harder. “If you’re just going to be standing there you might as well go stand in the stocks. Unless you prefer to help me up.”
Realizing that Arthur was serious, Merlin ran over to him, placing the tray on the bed and helping his master up. “S-Sorry, Sir,” he managed to get out, trying hard not to make noise. No way did he want to end up in the stocks today. He had been there way too many times this month. “Here…let me help you with this.”
After helping him into his outfit for the day, he sat him down and handed over his tray of food. The air around them after the dressing incident was stifling Merlin. He wasn’t sure what to say to Arthur and knew that anything could set him off after everything that had happened. Thankfully though he hadn’t been too upset because he hadn’t mentioned punishing him to the stocks again. Something that he was trying to avoid all together.
“Did you shine my boots?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“And my armor?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Very well then. I have to meet with Morgana and my father this morning so I will expect you to be there and please, Merlin stay quiet and don’t make yourself known.”
Merlin simply nodded knowing that last time hadn’t ended so well. Uther was already annoyed with him for what he had been caught doing all those months ago which was how he became Arthur’s servant. But last time…last time was something that he did not want to relive again.
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Merlin was not impressed with what the King had to say. Why was he so against magic that he had to do daily rounds now to make sure that no one was using it? How many innocent people had they already arrested for witchcraft? How many more would suffer? And without thinking Merlin stepped forward and spoke up for everyone there. “How could you do such a thing? You have arrested innocent people and all for nothing. All for something that you have no knowledge of.”
Everyone in the court room stopped. Someone could probably drop a needle in the place and everyone would be able to hear it.
“Servants have no voice in this room. Silence immediately.”
Merlin had to get Arthur to give him a look just to shut up. It wasn’t until after the meeting did Uther really lay it on Arthur for a mistake that he had made. Arthur in turn took his anger out on Merlin, banishing him to the stocks for a whole day. Next time he would learn to keep his mouth shut.
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Snapping out of the reminisce of that dreadful day, he picked up Arthur’s tray and dropped it outside the door for Gwen to take down to the kitchens. Morgana usually let Gwen go about her day after breakfast unless she needed her, but none the less, she always made her way to the kitchens to drop off her lady’s tray. One less thing that he had to worry about.
After dropping it outside the door, he went back to Arthur and, waited for him to get up and lead him to the court room so that they could get this meeting over with.
Realizing that he had eyes watching him, Arthur looked up and regarded his servant for a good long minute. “Is there something I can help you with, Merlin?”
“Just waiting for you so we can go to the meeting.”
“That’s not for another few minutes, yet, Merlin. Go…make yourself comfortable or something. Just don’t go too far and try not to make any noise or cause any trouble.”
“Yes, Sir.” Merlin sat down on the bed, finding that to have already been made, actually shocked that Arthur was able to make a bed. He couldn’t get dressed by himself, but he could make a bed. Interesting. He would have to remember that.
“Let’s go, Merlin, don’t want to be late.”
Arthur hadn’t even bothered to wait for Merlin, instead pushed his chair back and started making his own way to the royal court room, wondering what it was this time that his father needed.
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“Something needs to be done about the attacks in the forests around Camelot.”
So this was what was going on with the king today. Merlin was sure it was about someone having found a witch or a wizard and that would not have sat well with him. Not today.
“How many citizens have been attacked?”
“Around ten, Your Highness.”
“Goodness, that is more then what was recorded only a week ago.”
“Things have been getting out of hand, Your Highness.”
“What can we do to help this problem?”
“I suggest that we set up somewhere in the forest and keep an eye on things, Your Highness.”
Arthur had stepped up to announce what should be done. After all he wanted to be a big part of finding this beast or…thing that was attacking good citizens. Even people passing through had gotten attacked by something but no one could remember what it looked like. This had to be stopped.
“Very well then. Starting tomorrow you shall take five others with you and camp out for a week.”
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Merlin of course had to be dragged along to find this creature that was attacking innocents. Arthur just couldn’t do anything by himself. Even if he did have five other knights, he had to rely on Merlin to do everything. Currently he was collecting firewood and mumbling to himself. “Merlin get firewood. Merlin, don’t forget to bring my hunting gear. Merlin don’t forget how much of a bloody imbecile you are. I am done with him.”
“Done with who, Merlin?”
“Uh…this beast we are looking for, Sir.”
Arthur simply crossed his arms and nodded, having caught the tail end of what he had been mumbling. He wasn’t going to say anything about it though, he had other important matters to worry about. Merlin was just a sore spot in his behind that he chose to ignore more than half the time. Probably the best thing he has ever done. “Carry on then, Merlin.”
Merlin finished collecting the firewood that they would need for later that day after the sun went down and dropped it carelessly near the fire pit that Sir Leon had made.
“Aye, watch where you drop that stuff, Merlin. You almost got my foot.”
“Sorry,” he mumbled, ignoring the other knight whose name he didn’t know. He was one of the new ones and was a real pain in the arse, something that never sat well with him. It was bad enough that he had to deal with Arthur on a daily basis. Now it seemed like he had two Arthur’s to deal with. Such a scary thought.
“Oliver, did my servant do something to disturb you from sitting on your arse by the empty firepit?”
“Uh, no Sir.”
“Then get to your turn of your watch and tell Sir Leon to meet me in my tent. I have to go over a few things with him.”
“Right away, Sir,” he said before glaring at Merlin and running off to relieve Sir Leon.
Merlin shook his head at the Arthur twin and made the firewood into one pile, stacking it as neatly as possible so he wouldn’t get yelled at for slacking at his duties. Finishing up the pile, he stretched back against the logs and closed his eyes. There was nothing else to do until Arthur talked to Sir Leon so a nap sounded in order. Hopefully nothing would go wrong while he closed his eyes for a little bit.
It was almost like he had just closed his eyes when he was being shaken awake by none other than Arthur. “Merlin, you dolt, get your lazy arse up and get into the tent. Something’s approaching and we believe it’s the monster. Don’t need to get someone like you hurt.”
He was about to say something when Arthur gave him a look, and he thought better of it. As he pushed himself up and ran to the tent, making sure he was able to peek through the flap to see what was happening. Watching as Arthur drew out his sword, followed by his fellow knights, he sat there in anticipation, waiting for this beast to show its hairy snout. What came out of the bushes though was a bunny, which quickly darted away sensing the fear in the air. Merlin couldn’t help but laugh, getting a look from Arthur.
Stepping out of the tent, he gave his master a smile. “I believe we have found the beast that has been causing all the problems.”
“Oh, shut up, Merlin. It was a bloody rabbit. How were we suppose to know that’s what was coming through that bush?”
“It wasn’t making that much noise from what I have seen over there.”
“Get back in the tent. I need to have a word with you.”
Merlin continued laughing as he headed to the tent, not caring that Arthur was probably going to punish him. It was well worth it.
“What are you laughing at, Merlin?” Instead of a response from his servant, he just got more laughter. Glaring at the boy he called servant, he shook his head and attempted to put his other leg in his trousers, managing somehow to miss and tumble over which just made Merlin laugh harder. “If you’re just going to be standing there you might as well go stand in the stocks. Unless you prefer to help me up.”
Realizing that Arthur was serious, Merlin ran over to him, placing the tray on the bed and helping his master up. “S-Sorry, Sir,” he managed to get out, trying hard not to make noise. No way did he want to end up in the stocks today. He had been there way too many times this month. “Here…let me help you with this.”
After helping him into his outfit for the day, he sat him down and handed over his tray of food. The air around them after the dressing incident was stifling Merlin. He wasn’t sure what to say to Arthur and knew that anything could set him off after everything that had happened. Thankfully though he hadn’t been too upset because he hadn’t mentioned punishing him to the stocks again. Something that he was trying to avoid all together.
“Did you shine my boots?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“And my armor?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Very well then. I have to meet with Morgana and my father this morning so I will expect you to be there and please, Merlin stay quiet and don’t make yourself known.”
Merlin simply nodded knowing that last time hadn’t ended so well. Uther was already annoyed with him for what he had been caught doing all those months ago which was how he became Arthur’s servant. But last time…last time was something that he did not want to relive again.
____________________________
Merlin was not impressed with what the King had to say. Why was he so against magic that he had to do daily rounds now to make sure that no one was using it? How many innocent people had they already arrested for witchcraft? How many more would suffer? And without thinking Merlin stepped forward and spoke up for everyone there. “How could you do such a thing? You have arrested innocent people and all for nothing. All for something that you have no knowledge of.”
Everyone in the court room stopped. Someone could probably drop a needle in the place and everyone would be able to hear it.
“Servants have no voice in this room. Silence immediately.”
Merlin had to get Arthur to give him a look just to shut up. It wasn’t until after the meeting did Uther really lay it on Arthur for a mistake that he had made. Arthur in turn took his anger out on Merlin, banishing him to the stocks for a whole day. Next time he would learn to keep his mouth shut.
___________________________________
Snapping out of the reminisce of that dreadful day, he picked up Arthur’s tray and dropped it outside the door for Gwen to take down to the kitchens. Morgana usually let Gwen go about her day after breakfast unless she needed her, but none the less, she always made her way to the kitchens to drop off her lady’s tray. One less thing that he had to worry about.
After dropping it outside the door, he went back to Arthur and, waited for him to get up and lead him to the court room so that they could get this meeting over with.
Realizing that he had eyes watching him, Arthur looked up and regarded his servant for a good long minute. “Is there something I can help you with, Merlin?”
“Just waiting for you so we can go to the meeting.”
“That’s not for another few minutes, yet, Merlin. Go…make yourself comfortable or something. Just don’t go too far and try not to make any noise or cause any trouble.”
“Yes, Sir.” Merlin sat down on the bed, finding that to have already been made, actually shocked that Arthur was able to make a bed. He couldn’t get dressed by himself, but he could make a bed. Interesting. He would have to remember that.
“Let’s go, Merlin, don’t want to be late.”
Arthur hadn’t even bothered to wait for Merlin, instead pushed his chair back and started making his own way to the royal court room, wondering what it was this time that his father needed.
____________________________________________________________________________________
“Something needs to be done about the attacks in the forests around Camelot.”
So this was what was going on with the king today. Merlin was sure it was about someone having found a witch or a wizard and that would not have sat well with him. Not today.
“How many citizens have been attacked?”
“Around ten, Your Highness.”
“Goodness, that is more then what was recorded only a week ago.”
“Things have been getting out of hand, Your Highness.”
“What can we do to help this problem?”
“I suggest that we set up somewhere in the forest and keep an eye on things, Your Highness.”
Arthur had stepped up to announce what should be done. After all he wanted to be a big part of finding this beast or…thing that was attacking good citizens. Even people passing through had gotten attacked by something but no one could remember what it looked like. This had to be stopped.
“Very well then. Starting tomorrow you shall take five others with you and camp out for a week.”
____________________________________________________________________________________
Merlin of course had to be dragged along to find this creature that was attacking innocents. Arthur just couldn’t do anything by himself. Even if he did have five other knights, he had to rely on Merlin to do everything. Currently he was collecting firewood and mumbling to himself. “Merlin get firewood. Merlin, don’t forget to bring my hunting gear. Merlin don’t forget how much of a bloody imbecile you are. I am done with him.”
“Done with who, Merlin?”
“Uh…this beast we are looking for, Sir.”
Arthur simply crossed his arms and nodded, having caught the tail end of what he had been mumbling. He wasn’t going to say anything about it though, he had other important matters to worry about. Merlin was just a sore spot in his behind that he chose to ignore more than half the time. Probably the best thing he has ever done. “Carry on then, Merlin.”
Merlin finished collecting the firewood that they would need for later that day after the sun went down and dropped it carelessly near the fire pit that Sir Leon had made.
“Aye, watch where you drop that stuff, Merlin. You almost got my foot.”
“Sorry,” he mumbled, ignoring the other knight whose name he didn’t know. He was one of the new ones and was a real pain in the arse, something that never sat well with him. It was bad enough that he had to deal with Arthur on a daily basis. Now it seemed like he had two Arthur’s to deal with. Such a scary thought.
“Oliver, did my servant do something to disturb you from sitting on your arse by the empty firepit?”
“Uh, no Sir.”
“Then get to your turn of your watch and tell Sir Leon to meet me in my tent. I have to go over a few things with him.”
“Right away, Sir,” he said before glaring at Merlin and running off to relieve Sir Leon.
Merlin shook his head at the Arthur twin and made the firewood into one pile, stacking it as neatly as possible so he wouldn’t get yelled at for slacking at his duties. Finishing up the pile, he stretched back against the logs and closed his eyes. There was nothing else to do until Arthur talked to Sir Leon so a nap sounded in order. Hopefully nothing would go wrong while he closed his eyes for a little bit.
It was almost like he had just closed his eyes when he was being shaken awake by none other than Arthur. “Merlin, you dolt, get your lazy arse up and get into the tent. Something’s approaching and we believe it’s the monster. Don’t need to get someone like you hurt.”
He was about to say something when Arthur gave him a look, and he thought better of it. As he pushed himself up and ran to the tent, making sure he was able to peek through the flap to see what was happening. Watching as Arthur drew out his sword, followed by his fellow knights, he sat there in anticipation, waiting for this beast to show its hairy snout. What came out of the bushes though was a bunny, which quickly darted away sensing the fear in the air. Merlin couldn’t help but laugh, getting a look from Arthur.
Stepping out of the tent, he gave his master a smile. “I believe we have found the beast that has been causing all the problems.”
“Oh, shut up, Merlin. It was a bloody rabbit. How were we suppose to know that’s what was coming through that bush?”
“It wasn’t making that much noise from what I have seen over there.”
“Get back in the tent. I need to have a word with you.”
Merlin continued laughing as he headed to the tent, not caring that Arthur was probably going to punish him. It was well worth it.