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Gaius rose an inquisitive brow but didn’t say anything off it. Arthur useually wanted Merlin up and early and in his chambers before reasonable hour - though this didn’t make the old man worry anyless that the gifted magician wasn’t getting much sleep these days. Maybe he’d have a quiet word with his highness when Merlin wasn’t around to witness it.
“You’re late…! Arthur grunted. Already half dressed and sitting at his desk. “Yes you can close your mouth now…” He snapped, eyeing up his servant whose mouth was gaping open. “Did you just roll out of bed this morning or is that a new look you a for? Arthur teased. Refearing to the boy’s deshelleved bed hair. “And While you are standing there I’m waiting for my apology. It isn’t often I’m out of bed before you, but when I am i expect you to be around when I call you. Do you know how many time’s i called you this morning?! He sighed as Merlin shook his head.
“Thirty! THIRTY! thats a new record, even for YOU!
Merlin awoke groggily as the sun beat down on him in his chambers
He awoke, turning over in his bed and wanting desperately to go back to sleep, but knew he couldn’t. He reluctantly got up, pulled on his socks and shoes, pulled off his night shirt, and put on a fresh clean shirt. Merlin was pulling his scarf around his neck and his jacket on when he ran past Gaias. “Sorry Gaias, Arthur wants me up early today.” Merlin gave Gaias a meanginful look and shrugged his shoulders.
“I’m sorry, sire” Merlin said rushing to the table and putting down the King’s fanastica, huge breakfast. He silently replied to Arthur in his mind with all the things he wished he could say. Merlin went to the laundry basket, picked up a white sheet, examined it, while the King ate, and muttered “Clotpole” under his breath. “I’ll get going with the laundry” he replied, running around the room for all the dirty clothing, tearing off the bed sheets.
“Don’t be all day, we have to go out later…”Arthur said, scoffing his food quickly. He was hungry this morning. Well…he had been waiting long enough. Merlin turned on his heel suddenly as he picked up the last of the laundry on the floor, giving Arthur that look which said ‘We are? Where…? Arthur’s lashes fluttered into his cheeks as he looked up quickly, caught Merlin’s gaze, held it, and returned back down again in answer.
“We’re just going on a hunt, you and me…..” He stated. Not caring at all to go into detail.Merlin rolled his eyes. “Am I to assume that theres going to be danger? How many days will we be gone?” Merlin asked, still holding onto the basket full of laundry.
“Why do you always need details. I’m the king, I give the orders, You just listen to me and do as I say…Okay?
Merlin seemed to be shaking his head. Arthur sighed.
“Look, we arn’t going to be much more than a week..theres something I need to do…”“We’re not still going after Morgana are we? You know what she’ll do to you. She’s tried to do it before!” Merlin sighed, staring at the laundry in his hands, lost in thought from past memories. “I’ll go get the supplies ready and the guard..” He said as he opened the bedroom chamber doors.
“No..Merlin..” Arthur called after his servant. Giving him a warm smile that warned him not to worry. “That’s not what we’re doing…there’s somthing I need to find, just…trust me…okay?! He said carefully. Watching as Merlin nodded and closed the door on him.
He stared at the back of the door for a long moment before turning to gaze out of his large windows, watching the people below but not really taking in there action with how lost in thought he had fallen.
“If only he could find someone, someone with..” He put the thought out of his mind. It was stupid. But, he didn’t have much choice. In the end the only way to defeat Morgana was to play her by her own game….even if that game, was magic!
