Chapter Text
The morning in Camelot was sunny, quiet, and the first signs of spring were beginning to fight off the coldness of winter. Merlin was soaking in the hints of sunshine as he made his way back to Gaius’ chambers, bag filled with herbs slung over his shoulder as he walked.
The town was bustling, even in the sleepy atmosphere, preparing for the welcoming festivities of the visiting nobles. Merlin had forgotten exactly who Uther was bringing to sign treaties this time, but he didn’t mind, same as the rest of the city, more excited to celebrate the new buds of life than the men far richer than he who would be joining them.
Music had begun to play just beyond the palace gates as Merlin stepped into the courtyard, and if it weren’t for the extra work the visiting nobles brought, Merlin would have stopped and listened for a while.
He took his time after a small conversation with Gaius, helping him bottle a few remedies before he could no longer put off attending to the prince. He chatted all the way between the laundry room and kitchens, balancing a tray in one hand and a basket in the other. He swung the serving door open with his foot, unsurprised to find Arthur already awake and looking out the window, his calm expression darkening when he whirled to face his less than punctual servant.
“Good morning, sire!” He greeted brightly before the prince could get a word out, his eyebrows furrowed as Merlin came further in, throwing the tray onto his desk and continuing towards the bed, intending to strip and remake it.
Arthur moved towards the table, picking up an apple slice before watching Merlin again, a scowl in place. “You know, Merlin, you’d think that my manservant would be a bit quicker to, oh, I don’t know, serve me ?” He looked expectantly at said servant, who didn’t take the time to face him, merely humming noncommittally. “Merlin,” He drawled, and the boy finally turned to him, amused, with his hands on his hips.
“Yes, sire? It seems to me that you’ve been fed and your bed is being freshly made. Would you prefer me to serve you in some other way? Do you need a neck massage, maybe?” He waited for a split second, eyebrows raised, then turned back to the sheets, ignoring the exasperated look Arthur was giving him, quickly overtaken by amusement.
“You’re lucky that I’m in a good mood,” He tried again, watching Merlin move to the other side of the bed, bringing half of the sheet with him. He gave up, throwing his hands in the air and turning back to his breakfast, popping a few more slices into his mouth. “We’re having a feast tonight, I think all of Camelot is preparing for the fun,”
Merlin huffed, finally meeting his eyes, making sure he was looking directly at him as he sat down on the barely made bed, looking unimpressed. “The feast will be fun for you , my lord,”
Arthur grinned, finally getting attention from his friend. “Oh, come on, Merlin,” Arthur chided, striding towards him with a fondness clouding his eyes. “You’ve got to admit, the festivities are bringing the castle to life! Listen,” They both stopped, holding their breaths, as flute and lyre poured in through the cracks of the windows. Merlin leaned forward, sinking into it, and it only made Arthur look more pleased. He turned his chin away, not willing to give up his pretend annoyance. Arthur didn’t seem to like that, approaching and grabbing his hand, crouching before him. “Come on, then,” He tugged. “Dance with me, it’ll give me good practice for the women I will flatter tonight,”
Merlin tried to look offended by this, fighting his smile with all the will he had in him. “Why am I the lady in this situation?”
Arthur rolled his eyes. “Because you’re such a girl , Merlin, why else?”
He attempted to feel more irritated at the comparison, but the prince moved swiftly, pressing his lips to Merlin’s bony knuckles. Heat creeped its way up his neck, and he knew his ears must’ve resembled cherries, but he didn’t care, watching Arthur lift his head to the melody of his rapid heartbeat.
Why did someone who was such a prat have to be so attractive?
“Well, alright,” Merlin grumbled, relishing in the way he had successfully managed to sound opposed to the idea.
Arthur seemed to be in a good mood, regardless, so Merlin allowed himself to be dragged away from the slightly rumpled sheets, laughing as they passed the desk and changing screen as they half-walked, half-danced towards the center of the room. The music dragged its way along with them, keeping Arthur’s smile in place, and Merlin’s uncoordinated feet with a rhythm to ignore.
“You’re an awful dancer,” The prince commented, dryly, as his servant stepped on his foot again.
Merlin grinned at him, all teeth and crinkled eyes. “Never have to be a good one, do I?”
Arthur laughed, stopping the dance entirely and he leaned against the table, giddy. Merlin felt himself join in, tilting his head to watch as the other man tried to compose himself, eyes sparkling as he looked back at him.
“Merlin, sometimes you really—”
His thought was interrupted when the door to his chambers opened, a guard stepping politely into the doorway, a parchment in hand. “Sire,” He said, looking between the two of them curiously. Merlin felt himself look down, face flushed but still soaring with the sound of Arthur’s laugh ringing in his head. “The King requests your presence in the courtyard, to welcome our guests,”
“Right, yes,” Arthur stepped away from the table, away from Merlin. “Thank you, I will be right there,” The guard nodded, pulling the door shut behind him with a resounding thud. “Well, as much fun as this has been,” He began, awkwardly.
Merlin felt himself smile, his surprise at the interruption fading away as he walked back toward the closet, grabbing a vest. “I hope you got enough practice,” He teased, Arthur welcoming the new task as he turned to let Merlin slip the cloth through his arms.
“I did,” He turned back, facing Merlin with his lips upturned. Merlin’s hands found the strings of his shirt easily, smoothing wrinkles and straightening his collar. “Now I know exactly how to behave if someone stomps my feet,”
“Glad I could help, sire,” They locked eyes, and Merlin smiled, softer then, and fixed his hair. He felt like he would get lost in the moment, in the blue of his eyes, but the prince pulled away, hitting his shoulder good-naturedly and heading towards the door.
What a wonderful festival it would be, Merlin promised himself as he watched him go.