Fic: The Musings of a Prince About his Hapless Manservant
Title: The Musings of a Prince About His Hapless Manservant
Pairing: Merlin/Arthur. Pre-slash.
Rating: PG
Spoilers: Well, it is a tag to Moment of Truth, so...
Beta: thisissirius Thank you, honey.
Summary: Merlin and Arthur talk on the journey back from Ealdor.
Note: This was something I wrote before I started my reel_merlin. It feels only right to post it before reel_merlin gets going.
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Arthur busied himself making the fire while Morgana and Gwen organised their food, Merlin sitting on a convenient log, close to Arthur, staring off into the distance.
Merlin had appeared fine as they had left Ealdor, but Arthur had quickly realised that Merlin just hadn’t wanted Hunith to be worried about him. The death of his friend, Will, had obviously affected him more than he had let on back in Ealdor. The further they had travelled from the village, the quieter Merlin had become. Morgana and Gwen were also shooting him concerned glances, but they seemed to be waiting for Arthur to do something. Why they waited until now to follow his lead, Arthur didn’t know, but he had to think of something quickly. If he didn’t, Morgana would start glaring at him and that would distract him, leaving Merlin alone with his thoughts.
Arthur still couldn’t understand why Will had saved his life after being so dismissive of him, but even as he puzzled over it, he couldn’t help but think the guy had been a bit of an arse. He couldn’t see what Merlin had seen in him, but the fact that Merlin had seen anything at all in him meant that Will had to have some redeeming features - apart from throwing himself selflessly in front of an arrow meant for a prince he hated.
Arthur blamed himself for Will’s death and part of him feared that Merlin did as well, especially after what Arthur had said to him as they watched Will’s pyre burn. After seeing the magical whirlwind, he had allowed his emotions to get the better of him. He had acted as he imagined his father would have done. He should have kept his mind on the battle, but instead he’d been determined to find out the origin of the sorcery. Not only had he nearly died because of his carelessness, the village would have paid for his mistake as well. Despite his father’s rantings about the evil of magic, Arthur liked to think that he was more even-handed and reasonable than his father, but perhaps that wasn’t the case. His brain tried to push forth another reason for Arthur’s anger, but Arthur ruthlessly pushed it down, refusing to think about it at the moment.
He was also angry because in allowing his attention to be diverted he had committed a rookie mistake; one that he severely punished his own knights for making. Instead of ensuring that Kanen was dead, he had immediately turned to Will and Merlin, had allowed a personal matter to interfere with what he knew to be proper battlefield procedure. If he had checked Kanen, Will would probably still be alive.
‘It wasn’t your fault, you know,’ said Merlin quietly.
Giving his heart a moment to settle back into a more usual rhythm, Arthur glanced at his friend. ‘What wasn’t?’
‘Will’s death.’
‘It feels like it was,’ said Arthur, quietly, his head bowed.
‘Well, it wasn’t.’ Merlin sounded very certain.
‘I allowed my emotions to interfere. I...I shouldn’t have done that. If I’d checked on Kanen like I should have done...’ He jumped when he felt Merlin’s hand on his shoulder. Thankfully Merlin realised it was surprise and not Arthur shrugging his hand off. He squeezed Arthur’s shoulder gently and then left it resting there.
‘It wasn’t your fault. Will knew what he was doing, that I promise you. I don’t blame you, and neither should you.’
‘That’s somewhat easier said than done,’ he muttered, glaring at the sticks that were refusing to light.
‘I thought you once told me that on the battlefield, death is something you have to accept happens and that some of those who go out with you won’t be returning.’
‘Yes, well...’ He pretended to be engrossed with lighting the fire, not wanting to talk.
Merlin sighed. ‘Let me guess, that’s just something you tell your knights to help them deal. You ignore your own advice and blame yourself for every death, regardless of the fact that you would have done your best - because you are incapable of doing anything other than your best - and sometimes people just die, no matter what you do.’
He turned to look at Merlin, careful not to dislodge his hand. ‘Am I that obvious?’
Merlin shook his head. ‘Only to me.’
‘Well, that’s alright then,’ he said gruffly.
‘It’s not a weakness to care,’ Merlin practically whispered. ‘It just makes you a better prince or king.’
‘I believe that slightly more every time you tell me.’
‘Then I’d better keep saying it,’ said Merlin. He wasn’t smiling, but he did seem more content and Arthur couldn’t quite believe that he was the one able to reassure Merlin when Merlin had been the one reassuring him.
Merlin was silent for a moment before he sighed. ‘You’re doing that wrong, you know,’ he told Arthur, gesturing towards the fire that wasn’t lighting.
‘I am, am I?’ asked Arthur, a bit of a challenge in his voice.
Like he had hoped, Merlin rolled his eyes, slipped off the log and knelt next to Arthur. He pulled the sticks from Arthur’s hands. ‘You’re hopeless, sire.’
‘No I’m not,’ disagreed Arthur, leaning back against the log and stretching out his legs. ‘I just wouldn’t want you to feel redundant.‘
‘I think Merlin is safe in his job until you learn how to dress yourself,’ Morgana informed him as she walked up to them. ‘So he’ll be stuck with you for at least the next one thousand years.’
‘You’re hilarious,’ said Arthur, glaring at her, willing her to go away. True, she and Gwen were only on the other side of the campsite, but it felt far away.
‘Well, you are an easy mark, Arthur.’ Before he could retort, Morgana turned her attention to Merlin. ‘Any idea how long the fire will be, Merlin?’
‘Not long,’ said Merlin as the wood finally took and a flame began to dance mockingly at Arthur.
‘Definitely got plenty of job security,’ decreed Morgana before walking back over to Gwen, telling her they could start cooking in a moment.
Arthur threw a few sticks after her, but missed. Instead of trying again, he returned to his thoughts of Merlin and their time in Ealdor.
Of course, if Will were still alive it would have left Arthur in a bit of a quandary. Will’s death, if nothing else, still gave Arthur plausible deniability concerning the talents of his manservant. Had Will lived then Arthur would have been duty bound to determine which of them - Merlin or Will - was the sorcerer. Ealdor was in another kingdom, meaning that his father’s edicts were technically void, Uther could do nothing to anyone living there, but he could do anything he liked to a person from Ealdor coming to Camelot to live. For Arthur to have knowledge of a sorcerer and not bring it to his father’s attention would be considered a betrayal of the greatest kind.
On the ride back Arthur had played over, again and again, what he had seen, but from where he’d been standing, combined with the wind and the dust it had been impossible to see who was doing what. All that had been clear was that it had to be either Merlin or Will because there had been no-one else near them.
Truth be told Arthur knew, deep down, that Merlin was special, that the wind had been caused by him, but as long as he could keep deceiving himself then Arthur could persuasively convince others that any suspicions they had about Merlin were ridiculous. If Arthur believed it then others would too. Not that he couldn’t lie convincingly whenever he needed to, but this was too important to leave to chance.
When he had first worked out that Merlin had certain gifts (even thinking the word ‘magic’ seemed too dangerous) he had been hurt that he hadn’t trusted Arthur with his secret. But then they had both had to suffer through one of his father’s speeches about magic and Arthur had bothered to consider how it would sound from Merlin’s point of view. He could only imagine how scared he was of being found out and after that Arthur couldn’t gather enough energy to be angry with Merlin for wanting to stay alive.
Arthur knew two things about Merlin that no-one else could really understand.
He didn’t have an evil bone in his body. Merlin was constantly thinking about others and that level of concern couldn’t be faked. If anyone suggested to Merlin that he used his abilities for personal gain; that he hurt others in the pursuit of his own desires, Merlin would be appalled that anyone could think to use such gifts (because when in the hands of Merlin that was what they were) in such a manner.
More than that (and this was the second thing Arthur knew) Merlin would never do anything to hurt Arthur, and attacking Camelot would hurt Arthur. He loved his kingdom - would die for his kingdom. Merlin knew this and as far as Arthur had been able to tell, Merlin used his magic to ensure that Arthur didn’t die defending the kingdom he loved. The loyalty Merlin had afforded him went far and beyond any he had experienced, seen or heard of before. He didn’t think about it, and he certainly didn’t acknowledge it, but he was well aware that Merlin would die for him if necessary. It was equal parts terrifying and gratifying.
He also knew that the loyalty Merlin felt towards Arthur, Arthur also felt towards Merlin. He knew he would do anything for Merlin, whether it was asked for, or not. Merlin hadn’t asked Arthur to go with him to Ealdor, but Arthur had been unable to do anything but follow. He knew all he needed to, to know that Merlin wasn’t a threat to Camelot, that in fact he could be their greatest ally, but he knew his father would never listen to any of it. Any talk of bonds and loyalty would be dismissed in the face of sorcery.
Merlin sat back against the log, his shoulder bumping against Arthur’s as he settled.
‘What will your father say when we return?’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Won’t he be angry that you came after me? After all, he did refuse to send any help to Ealdor.’ Merlin’s bitterness surprised Arthur, until it occurred to him that no-one had really explained to Merlin why Uther couldn’t send help.
‘He wanted to help, Merlin. He really did, but the political ramifications would have been too great. It had the potential to start a war between us and two other nations.’
Merlin frowned. ‘How come?’
He picked up a stick and drew a very crude map. ‘These three kingdoms, Camelot, Estrea and Sedria, have been constantly at war for decades. Five years ago we made peace with Estrea. Even with the peace accords there are still skirmishes on the borders. To get to Ealdor we travel through Estrea. King Julius would probably have a fit if he knew I was part of the party travelling through his land, but, since I’m not here on official Camelot business all he would be able to do would be to sit and stew. If just one solider from Camelot entered, he’d declare war.’
‘Oh. I didn’t know that.’ A look of realisation came over Merlin. ‘Is that why you didn’t bring anything with your crest or Camelot’s crest on it?’
Arthur nodded. ‘That’s precisely why.’
‘You said three nations, though. Camelot and Estrea are only two.’
‘The peace with Sedria was even harder to come by and has only been in place for just over three years. Sendred would probably make a official complaint to Camelot if he knew I was in his kingdom. Also Julius would assume that since we were going to aid Ealdor then Sedria was allying with Camelot. War would likely break out again.’
‘That’s crazy,’ declared Merlin.
Arthur laughed. ‘Politics usually is.’
‘So, although no soldiers or knights could come and help Ealdor the Crown Prince of Camelot could because...’
‘Because he was travelling incognito-‘Arthur stopped talking for a moment as Merlin collapsed into helpless laughter.
‘Arthur, you wouldn’t know incognito if it jumped up and bit you on the arse.’
Arthur wanted to be all insulted by Merlin laughing at him, but it was difficult to do so considering the fact that it was the first time Merlin had laughed since before Will had died. Instead he continued talking. ‘-and, if anyone asked, without the knowledge of his father.’
‘So your father doesn’t know you’re here?’
Arthur rolled his eyes. Apparently he hadn’t been clear enough. ‘Of course he knows I’m here, Merlin. As king, he thinks I’m off hunting. As my father he knows I’m...that I’m helping a friend.’
Arthur watched the grin that broke out across Merlin’s face and, god help him, he couldn’t help but grin back. Merlin shifted minutely so that the small space that had existed between them no longer did. ‘Really, thank you.’
Arthur shrugged. ‘Well, you’ve helped me save my home a few times. It seemed rude not to return the favour.’
Merlin snorted quietly. ‘Of course it did. Although I have to say the palaver of you helping all seems overly complicated to me.’
‘Well, you’re going to have to learn how court works eventually, Merlin,’ Arthur told him.
‘Why?’
‘Because you’re my manservant and you’ll be attending me in conferences and councils once my father sees fit to send me to any. I’ll want your views on what happens as well as my own.’ To Arthur it was perfectly obvious. He needed the opinions of people he trusted and people who wouldn’t tell him what he wanted to hear, just to keep him happy. He couldn’t think of a person he trusted more than Merlin and who was less likely to pander to Arthur just to keep him happy.
‘Really?’
‘Well, on occasion, you do have the odd interesting and possibly wise observation to make.’
‘Wow, Arthur, you really know how to pay someone a compliment, don’t you?’ said Morgana, kneeling down on the other side of the fire.
‘When they merit it, yes.’
‘My god, you really think you’ve said something nice to Merlin, don’t you?’ Morgana sounded truly scandalised and Arthur raised an eyebrow at her in question.
Giving Arthur a surprisingly gentle smile, Morgana nodded towards Merlin.
Merlin’s eyes were closed and he was smiling openly, chuckling to himself.
‘Are you finding Morgana abusing me amusing, Merlin?’
Merlin opened his eyes, grinned even wider, but didn’t answer, which really was an answer in of itself.
‘I can’t believe you, Merlin,’ he said, but he was smiling too.
‘It’s normal,’ said Merlin. ‘I like normal at the moment.’
‘You really are the worst manservant I’ve ever had,’ declared Arthur.
But despite that, he made sure that he and Merlin were sitting right up next to each other and he continued bickering with Morgana, because anything that made Merlin happy at the moment was a good thing. He accepted the food Gwen handed him and cooked it, all the time Merlin pressed up against his side, slowly coming back out of himself.
Pairing: Merlin/Arthur. Pre-slash.
Rating: PG
Spoilers: Well, it is a tag to Moment of Truth, so...
Beta: thisissirius Thank you, honey.
Summary: Merlin and Arthur talk on the journey back from Ealdor.
Note: This was something I wrote before I started my reel_merlin. It feels only right to post it before reel_merlin gets going.
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Arthur busied himself making the fire while Morgana and Gwen organised their food, Merlin sitting on a convenient log, close to Arthur, staring off into the distance.
Merlin had appeared fine as they had left Ealdor, but Arthur had quickly realised that Merlin just hadn’t wanted Hunith to be worried about him. The death of his friend, Will, had obviously affected him more than he had let on back in Ealdor. The further they had travelled from the village, the quieter Merlin had become. Morgana and Gwen were also shooting him concerned glances, but they seemed to be waiting for Arthur to do something. Why they waited until now to follow his lead, Arthur didn’t know, but he had to think of something quickly. If he didn’t, Morgana would start glaring at him and that would distract him, leaving Merlin alone with his thoughts.
Arthur still couldn’t understand why Will had saved his life after being so dismissive of him, but even as he puzzled over it, he couldn’t help but think the guy had been a bit of an arse. He couldn’t see what Merlin had seen in him, but the fact that Merlin had seen anything at all in him meant that Will had to have some redeeming features - apart from throwing himself selflessly in front of an arrow meant for a prince he hated.
Arthur blamed himself for Will’s death and part of him feared that Merlin did as well, especially after what Arthur had said to him as they watched Will’s pyre burn. After seeing the magical whirlwind, he had allowed his emotions to get the better of him. He had acted as he imagined his father would have done. He should have kept his mind on the battle, but instead he’d been determined to find out the origin of the sorcery. Not only had he nearly died because of his carelessness, the village would have paid for his mistake as well. Despite his father’s rantings about the evil of magic, Arthur liked to think that he was more even-handed and reasonable than his father, but perhaps that wasn’t the case. His brain tried to push forth another reason for Arthur’s anger, but Arthur ruthlessly pushed it down, refusing to think about it at the moment.
He was also angry because in allowing his attention to be diverted he had committed a rookie mistake; one that he severely punished his own knights for making. Instead of ensuring that Kanen was dead, he had immediately turned to Will and Merlin, had allowed a personal matter to interfere with what he knew to be proper battlefield procedure. If he had checked Kanen, Will would probably still be alive.
‘It wasn’t your fault, you know,’ said Merlin quietly.
Giving his heart a moment to settle back into a more usual rhythm, Arthur glanced at his friend. ‘What wasn’t?’
‘Will’s death.’
‘It feels like it was,’ said Arthur, quietly, his head bowed.
‘Well, it wasn’t.’ Merlin sounded very certain.
‘I allowed my emotions to interfere. I...I shouldn’t have done that. If I’d checked on Kanen like I should have done...’ He jumped when he felt Merlin’s hand on his shoulder. Thankfully Merlin realised it was surprise and not Arthur shrugging his hand off. He squeezed Arthur’s shoulder gently and then left it resting there.
‘It wasn’t your fault. Will knew what he was doing, that I promise you. I don’t blame you, and neither should you.’
‘That’s somewhat easier said than done,’ he muttered, glaring at the sticks that were refusing to light.
‘I thought you once told me that on the battlefield, death is something you have to accept happens and that some of those who go out with you won’t be returning.’
‘Yes, well...’ He pretended to be engrossed with lighting the fire, not wanting to talk.
Merlin sighed. ‘Let me guess, that’s just something you tell your knights to help them deal. You ignore your own advice and blame yourself for every death, regardless of the fact that you would have done your best - because you are incapable of doing anything other than your best - and sometimes people just die, no matter what you do.’
He turned to look at Merlin, careful not to dislodge his hand. ‘Am I that obvious?’
Merlin shook his head. ‘Only to me.’
‘Well, that’s alright then,’ he said gruffly.
‘It’s not a weakness to care,’ Merlin practically whispered. ‘It just makes you a better prince or king.’
‘I believe that slightly more every time you tell me.’
‘Then I’d better keep saying it,’ said Merlin. He wasn’t smiling, but he did seem more content and Arthur couldn’t quite believe that he was the one able to reassure Merlin when Merlin had been the one reassuring him.
Merlin was silent for a moment before he sighed. ‘You’re doing that wrong, you know,’ he told Arthur, gesturing towards the fire that wasn’t lighting.
‘I am, am I?’ asked Arthur, a bit of a challenge in his voice.
Like he had hoped, Merlin rolled his eyes, slipped off the log and knelt next to Arthur. He pulled the sticks from Arthur’s hands. ‘You’re hopeless, sire.’
‘No I’m not,’ disagreed Arthur, leaning back against the log and stretching out his legs. ‘I just wouldn’t want you to feel redundant.‘
‘I think Merlin is safe in his job until you learn how to dress yourself,’ Morgana informed him as she walked up to them. ‘So he’ll be stuck with you for at least the next one thousand years.’
‘You’re hilarious,’ said Arthur, glaring at her, willing her to go away. True, she and Gwen were only on the other side of the campsite, but it felt far away.
‘Well, you are an easy mark, Arthur.’ Before he could retort, Morgana turned her attention to Merlin. ‘Any idea how long the fire will be, Merlin?’
‘Not long,’ said Merlin as the wood finally took and a flame began to dance mockingly at Arthur.
‘Definitely got plenty of job security,’ decreed Morgana before walking back over to Gwen, telling her they could start cooking in a moment.
Arthur threw a few sticks after her, but missed. Instead of trying again, he returned to his thoughts of Merlin and their time in Ealdor.
Of course, if Will were still alive it would have left Arthur in a bit of a quandary. Will’s death, if nothing else, still gave Arthur plausible deniability concerning the talents of his manservant. Had Will lived then Arthur would have been duty bound to determine which of them - Merlin or Will - was the sorcerer. Ealdor was in another kingdom, meaning that his father’s edicts were technically void, Uther could do nothing to anyone living there, but he could do anything he liked to a person from Ealdor coming to Camelot to live. For Arthur to have knowledge of a sorcerer and not bring it to his father’s attention would be considered a betrayal of the greatest kind.
On the ride back Arthur had played over, again and again, what he had seen, but from where he’d been standing, combined with the wind and the dust it had been impossible to see who was doing what. All that had been clear was that it had to be either Merlin or Will because there had been no-one else near them.
Truth be told Arthur knew, deep down, that Merlin was special, that the wind had been caused by him, but as long as he could keep deceiving himself then Arthur could persuasively convince others that any suspicions they had about Merlin were ridiculous. If Arthur believed it then others would too. Not that he couldn’t lie convincingly whenever he needed to, but this was too important to leave to chance.
When he had first worked out that Merlin had certain gifts (even thinking the word ‘magic’ seemed too dangerous) he had been hurt that he hadn’t trusted Arthur with his secret. But then they had both had to suffer through one of his father’s speeches about magic and Arthur had bothered to consider how it would sound from Merlin’s point of view. He could only imagine how scared he was of being found out and after that Arthur couldn’t gather enough energy to be angry with Merlin for wanting to stay alive.
Arthur knew two things about Merlin that no-one else could really understand.
He didn’t have an evil bone in his body. Merlin was constantly thinking about others and that level of concern couldn’t be faked. If anyone suggested to Merlin that he used his abilities for personal gain; that he hurt others in the pursuit of his own desires, Merlin would be appalled that anyone could think to use such gifts (because when in the hands of Merlin that was what they were) in such a manner.
More than that (and this was the second thing Arthur knew) Merlin would never do anything to hurt Arthur, and attacking Camelot would hurt Arthur. He loved his kingdom - would die for his kingdom. Merlin knew this and as far as Arthur had been able to tell, Merlin used his magic to ensure that Arthur didn’t die defending the kingdom he loved. The loyalty Merlin had afforded him went far and beyond any he had experienced, seen or heard of before. He didn’t think about it, and he certainly didn’t acknowledge it, but he was well aware that Merlin would die for him if necessary. It was equal parts terrifying and gratifying.
He also knew that the loyalty Merlin felt towards Arthur, Arthur also felt towards Merlin. He knew he would do anything for Merlin, whether it was asked for, or not. Merlin hadn’t asked Arthur to go with him to Ealdor, but Arthur had been unable to do anything but follow. He knew all he needed to, to know that Merlin wasn’t a threat to Camelot, that in fact he could be their greatest ally, but he knew his father would never listen to any of it. Any talk of bonds and loyalty would be dismissed in the face of sorcery.
Merlin sat back against the log, his shoulder bumping against Arthur’s as he settled.
‘What will your father say when we return?’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Won’t he be angry that you came after me? After all, he did refuse to send any help to Ealdor.’ Merlin’s bitterness surprised Arthur, until it occurred to him that no-one had really explained to Merlin why Uther couldn’t send help.
‘He wanted to help, Merlin. He really did, but the political ramifications would have been too great. It had the potential to start a war between us and two other nations.’
Merlin frowned. ‘How come?’
He picked up a stick and drew a very crude map. ‘These three kingdoms, Camelot, Estrea and Sedria, have been constantly at war for decades. Five years ago we made peace with Estrea. Even with the peace accords there are still skirmishes on the borders. To get to Ealdor we travel through Estrea. King Julius would probably have a fit if he knew I was part of the party travelling through his land, but, since I’m not here on official Camelot business all he would be able to do would be to sit and stew. If just one solider from Camelot entered, he’d declare war.’
‘Oh. I didn’t know that.’ A look of realisation came over Merlin. ‘Is that why you didn’t bring anything with your crest or Camelot’s crest on it?’
Arthur nodded. ‘That’s precisely why.’
‘You said three nations, though. Camelot and Estrea are only two.’
‘The peace with Sedria was even harder to come by and has only been in place for just over three years. Sendred would probably make a official complaint to Camelot if he knew I was in his kingdom. Also Julius would assume that since we were going to aid Ealdor then Sedria was allying with Camelot. War would likely break out again.’
‘That’s crazy,’ declared Merlin.
Arthur laughed. ‘Politics usually is.’
‘So, although no soldiers or knights could come and help Ealdor the Crown Prince of Camelot could because...’
‘Because he was travelling incognito-‘Arthur stopped talking for a moment as Merlin collapsed into helpless laughter.
‘Arthur, you wouldn’t know incognito if it jumped up and bit you on the arse.’
Arthur wanted to be all insulted by Merlin laughing at him, but it was difficult to do so considering the fact that it was the first time Merlin had laughed since before Will had died. Instead he continued talking. ‘-and, if anyone asked, without the knowledge of his father.’
‘So your father doesn’t know you’re here?’
Arthur rolled his eyes. Apparently he hadn’t been clear enough. ‘Of course he knows I’m here, Merlin. As king, he thinks I’m off hunting. As my father he knows I’m...that I’m helping a friend.’
Arthur watched the grin that broke out across Merlin’s face and, god help him, he couldn’t help but grin back. Merlin shifted minutely so that the small space that had existed between them no longer did. ‘Really, thank you.’
Arthur shrugged. ‘Well, you’ve helped me save my home a few times. It seemed rude not to return the favour.’
Merlin snorted quietly. ‘Of course it did. Although I have to say the palaver of you helping all seems overly complicated to me.’
‘Well, you’re going to have to learn how court works eventually, Merlin,’ Arthur told him.
‘Why?’
‘Because you’re my manservant and you’ll be attending me in conferences and councils once my father sees fit to send me to any. I’ll want your views on what happens as well as my own.’ To Arthur it was perfectly obvious. He needed the opinions of people he trusted and people who wouldn’t tell him what he wanted to hear, just to keep him happy. He couldn’t think of a person he trusted more than Merlin and who was less likely to pander to Arthur just to keep him happy.
‘Really?’
‘Well, on occasion, you do have the odd interesting and possibly wise observation to make.’
‘Wow, Arthur, you really know how to pay someone a compliment, don’t you?’ said Morgana, kneeling down on the other side of the fire.
‘When they merit it, yes.’
‘My god, you really think you’ve said something nice to Merlin, don’t you?’ Morgana sounded truly scandalised and Arthur raised an eyebrow at her in question.
Giving Arthur a surprisingly gentle smile, Morgana nodded towards Merlin.
Merlin’s eyes were closed and he was smiling openly, chuckling to himself.
‘Are you finding Morgana abusing me amusing, Merlin?’
Merlin opened his eyes, grinned even wider, but didn’t answer, which really was an answer in of itself.
‘I can’t believe you, Merlin,’ he said, but he was smiling too.
‘It’s normal,’ said Merlin. ‘I like normal at the moment.’
‘You really are the worst manservant I’ve ever had,’ declared Arthur.
But despite that, he made sure that he and Merlin were sitting right up next to each other and he continued bickering with Morgana, because anything that made Merlin happy at the moment was a good thing. He accepted the food Gwen handed him and cooked it, all the time Merlin pressed up against his side, slowly coming back out of himself.