Merlin's POV
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"Remember Merlin you are free to work. Though I wish you wouldn't, but if you are determined to leave keep it light. Nothing too strenuous. You may no longer be at deaths door but that doesn't mean you are fully healed yet." Gaius warned as I excitedly bounced on the cot I perched on. It had been 2 days since I had been poisoned and Gaius finally deemed me well enough to work.
Let me tell you after 2 days locked in bed, I was desperate to escape. Especially since Arthur has been avoiding me. I was eager to get out and confront him.
"So can I go?" I all but begged already off the cot and inching toward the door. Gaius gave me one more disapproving look before sighing in defeat. The moment his yes left those lips I was out the door and sprinting toward Arthur's chambers. I knew I was getting curious looks from the passing guards, but I didn't care. Arthur has been avoiding me and I want to know why. Bursting through his chamber doors, panting from the exertion. I stare like a predator on a hunt at my prey. Who sat like a stunned deer at his desk? Where he had been filling out paperwork.
I was just opening my mouth to demand answers when he suddenly cut me off.
"Ah Merlin. I take it Gaius has finally released you. That’s wonderful because the stables are in need of a good scrubbing today. Make sure to get up all the stains before laying fresh hay. After that my hunting dogs will need to be walked, and don't even think to baby them. They are hunting dogs not puppies. They don't need any of that messing with their training. Then I need you to clean my room while also washing my clothes. I seemed to have spilled wine on my fabric shirt. I will need you to get that out so I can wear it to the upcoming feast. A foreign Princess will be visiting so I aim to impress. Going off that note I will also need you to help prepare her a room in the east wing. She will be arriving sometime this afternoon."
I stared at him my mouth gaping open as he donned on and on with his list of chores. There was no way I could handle all that. Gaius would have my head if he knew I was doing so much. Yet before I could say as much. Arthur was pushing me out the door locking it swiftly behind me. Leaving me standing there stunned. Shaking myself from my stupor I accepted my fate, and slowly headed toward the stables. Might as well get the worst done first.
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I groaned. Slowly shuffling my sore feet as I stood in the courtyard. It had taken me most of the day, but I finally got everything done. Just in time too as the princess was due to arrive any moment now. So here I am beside the prat. Watching as a knight helps the princess from her carriage. Just looking at her narrow green eyes, and smooth expressionless face i knew I already hated her. Not necessarily for her looks. For if I was honest with myself, she is actually quite lovely. With her flowing brown hair, and gorgeous purple dress.
No, she definitely wasn't hard on the eyes. Rather it’s the fact that she gave out such a harsh aura about her. Ever since I was a child, I have been able to sense a person’s character just by looking at them. It might be because of my magic I'm not sure. Though the feeling I got from this girl was not something I ever want to feel again. She was not evil per say just giving off an aura of arrogance and anger.
"Ahh princess Audrey. It’s so lovely to see you again." Uther sweetly greeted. Stepping forward to place a gentle kiss on the back of her hand. I could tell by the flash of her eyes that she was not impressed. Raising an eyebrow and staring Uther down. Yet instead of voicing her displeasure. Audrey merely withdrew her hand. Forcing a smile on her face as she curtsied to the king.
"It’s a pleasure to be back your highness. My father sends his apologies that he couldn't come as well, but he is currently held up dealing with some druids who dared trespass in our lands." At the mention of the peaceful magic group. Uther’s face instantly darkened. His smile turning down into a scowl as he waved away her apologies.
"I completely understand my dear. Ridding the world of such vile vermin of course takes precedence. Anyway, please come in I will have a servant tend to your bags while my son shows you around. Arthur." Uther called turning to his son who swiftly stepped forward to greet the princess.
"Of course. I will also have my personal maid at your disposal if you should have need of her. She will also be delighted to handle your bags for you." Arthur smiled placing a kiss on her hand as well before straightening and gesturing me forward. I struggled not to frown at that. Its seems Arthur has already forgotten that I only got back from being poisoned today. Gaius will kill me if he sees me lugging such heavy bags up the stairs, but I can't very well refuse in front of the king. So, fighting back my complaints. I quickly curtsied to the princess.
"Of course, your highness. It would be an honor to serve you. My name is...."
"I care not what your name is just see to my bags." She snapped cutting me off. I seriously was about to bite my tongue off holding back a retort at her rudeness.
"Of course. Right away my lady." I sweetly replied bowing my head in deferment as they swept past me. Not even sparing me a glance as I was left to my task. Turning to the carriage I cringed at the mountain of bags quickly being pulled out of the carriage by the knights and placed on the ground. I knew without even asking to that Arthur wouldn't have asked anyone else to help me. I was on my own. Rolling up my sleeves I got to work. Carting bag after bag up the many, many stairs to Audrey’s room in the east wing.
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By the time I had gotten the last bag unpacked and in her room I was exhausted. My head was pounding like a drum as I desperately clutched the door frame in an attempt to keep myself from falling over. Once I had my bearings and wasn't as shaky. I slowly trudged my slow way back to Gaius. Demanding answers from Arthur all but forgotten. I just wanted my bed and maybe an apple. As I missed lunch and dinner as Arthur had kept me hopping all day long.
I was just rounding a corner when I stumbled into the princess by accident. Knocking me to the ground in the process.
"Watch where you’re going you useless lump!" She screeched towering over me an angry expression on her face. I groaned attempting yet failing to push myself into a sitting position as my head spun like crazy. Black dots were appearing in my eyes when I felt myself roughly yanked from the floor. I whimpered as her talon like nails dug painfully into my arms as she held me in place. Her hot cinnamon breath wafting over me and making my dizziness increase. I was shaking like a leaf in the wind or maybe that was just because she was harshly shaking me to get my attention.
"Are you even listening to me?! How dare you ignore me. I could have your head for even just stepping on my toe. I..."
"Is there a problem my lady." I nearly fainted in relief at the sound of Leon’s gruff voice coming toward us. I winced in pain as she roughly pushed me away. Causing me to fall flat on my back. Which only made more black dots to appear. I could practically hear Gaius angry I warned you as I pushed myself shakily to my feet. Using the wall as support. Maybe I should of taken another day off like Gaius suggested after all.
"Yes, this twit rammed into me. Nearly knocking me over. Then she had the idea to ignore me. I want her whipped." I felt my blood run cold at that. I was under no delusions of surviving a whipping. Not in the state I am already in. I could barely even stand with how weak I am from everything the prat had me doing. Leon must have seen this too for he quickly distracted the princess. Sweet talking her until she finally agreed to let it go this time. I had never been so grateful to Leon as I was now. I could hear the princess heels clicking on the stone as she left. As well as the muffled voice of Leon as he attempted to speak to me but by this point my body had enough and I felt myself pitching forward into Leon’s waiting arms.
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"I told you she was only supposed to be on light work when I finally released her. Did I not specify that she was not to be doing a few tasks a day for a week after I released her?"
"I.... well.... I...."
"And yet not only did you ignore my orders, but you gave her so many tasks. Plus had her carrying heavy luggage up multiple flights of stairs that when Leon finally found her, she had collapsed. The poor girl didn't even have time to eat."
"Yes, I know but..."
"Let me tell you Arthur if Leon hadn't convinced Audrey not to have her whipped. Well i highly doubt she'd still be breathing."
"What but people don't usually die from whippings."
"In the weakened state she was in? Heck I doubt she would have survived 3 strikes before her body collapsed with the strain you put her under so soon after being poisoned."
"Your right I'm sorry. When do you think she will wake?" I frowned struggling to pry my heavy eyelids open so I could finally place the 2 voices floating above me. After a moment I succeeded. Focusing my gaze on prince Arthur and Gaius standing over top of me. They hadn't yet noticed my awakening as they were too focused on their argument. After listening a few moments more to my guardians scolding the prince I finally found my voice.
"A....Arthur. G... Gaius." I croaked immediately grabbing their attention. Fluttering around like a bunch of chickens with their heads cut off they began spewing questions at me. While Arthur placed a goblet of water to my lips. After a few sips I pushes it away. Giving me room to speak.
"What happened?"
"You my dear are an idiot. You took on too much way too soon and collapsed. It’s a miracle you didn't kill yourself with how much you were doing. You were only just released from being poisoned. Why did you think you could handle so much.”? Gaius gently scolded smoothing the wrinkles from my blanket. I chose not to answer. Setting my sights instead on the extremely uncomfortable prince standing beside me. Gaius seeing this sighed and quickly excused himself. Leaving us alone. It was silent until finally Arthur broke it by clearing his throat and avoiding my gaze.
"Merlin I..."
"Arthur its ok. I understand. " I interrupted cutting him off from what he was about to say.
"Y... you do?" He hesitantly asked confusion marring his pale features. I smiled nodding.
"The kiss I mean. It was the adrenaline. Gaius explained it to me after you left. How a lot of people when they see someone, they know fairly well close to death, or dead. They will say and do random things in their grief of joy. Things that they might not actually mean to do. You thought I was dead. So, seeing me a live again caused you to in your adrenaline produced joy to kiss me. Which after you did it you were of course horrified and embarrassed at what you did. So, you gave me all those chores as a way to avoid facing a potentially awkward situation, but its ok. I understand you didn't mean anything by it you were just happy to see me alive. We don't have to bring it up again if it helps." He smiled at me a look of deep relief crossing his crystal blue eyes as he swiftly nodded.
"Yes, that would probably be best if we never discuss that... well you know." He awkwardly coughed waving his hand in the air as if gesturing to some invisible foe before swiftly moving toward the exit. I rolled my eyes at his childishness. The prat couldn't even say kiss.
"Anyway, rest up. You have the rest of the week off. I asked another servant to see to Audrey well she is here. Oh, and merlin." He said one hand on the door. Head turned to look over his shoulder.
"I'm glad you’re ok. Idiot." With that he left but not before I muttered a fond prat toward his retreating back.