Merlin's POV
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"Merlin, will you get up already. You are going to be late." Groaning and burying my head under my pillow, I attempted to block out my uncle's nagging to no avail. I yelped in shock as the ice-cold water hit my skin from the bucket Gaius just tossed on me.
"Uncle..." I whined pitifully, grumpily crawling out of my soaking blankets.
"Maybe next time you will get up the first time I call." He snapped marching from the room as I pulled out the simple dark and light brown, A line dress that Gwen had given me, (Since i only had one dress.), and swiftly yanked it on. Grateful that I didn't need a corset with it. Smoothing its own and arranging my hair to fall lightly down my back I made my way to the kitchens for Arthur’s breakfast.
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"Rise and shine Arthur." I cheerfully sang throwing open the curtains after setting his breakfast on the table. Groaning and burying his head under his pillow, I sighed as he attempted to fall back to sleep.
"No way dollop head. You have way too much to do today for that." When no response seemed forth coming, I smirked mischievously grabbing one of the jugs of water on his tray and swiftly emptying it on his head. Much like Gaius did to me this morning. Yelping and falling off the bed in a heap he glared up at me. Grabbing the nearest object and chucking it at me. Which I dodged as i pulled out his clothes for the day. I was seriously grateful for Gwen’s lessons the day before on what to expect. Really made things easier.
"Now that his pratness has decided to grace the day with his presence you should hurry and eat. The King is expecting you in the council rooms in 15 minutes for the council meeting. He will not be happy if you arrive late. Then the knights will need to be trained, and then..." Grumbling and getting groggily to his feet he grumpily sat down at the table listening to my ramblings about the schedule. After a moment he sighed glancing over at me with an annoyed expression.
"Do you ever shut up." I paused my cleaning, frowning in agitation as I glared at him.
"Honestly why are you even still here? It’s obvious you don't find it an honor to serve me, nor do I find it a pleasure having some annoying little girl as a servant. So just do us both a favor and quit already." Mouth hanging open, I stared at him in shock. The shirt I had been holding fluttering uselessly to the ground as I balled my hands into fists. It took everything I had not to give him donkey ears. Though because I don't prefer being burned alive, I restrained myself. Instead, I swiftly gathered up his laundry and turned to leave. Gritting my teeth together to keep from snapping at him.
"If you will excuse me prince prat." He frowned at that but nodded as I made for the door.
"Oh, and Merlin." I paused in my escape peeking tiredly over my shoulder, one hand resting on the door handle as I waited for his orders.
"Don't forget to polish my Armor, walk my dogs, polish my shoes, wash my clothes, clean my room, muck out the stables, groom my prized horse, and be back here to serve me lunch. I will tell you about the rest after lunch."
"Don't you have stables boys to care for the horses?"
"Yeah, but I want you to do it. Oh, and after lunch I want a bath so you will have to prepare it while I am eating. If I see you asking even one other person for help with your chores, you will be placed in the stocks every day for the next week." He laughed smirking at my growing irritation.
"Yes, your highness." I spat smoke pouring angrily from my ears as I left before I did something to get me arrested.
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Tiredly dragging my feet up to the prince's room, dinner in hand, I yawned exhausted. It had taken me the entire time to even get half of the chores Arthur wanted done, done and I still am not finished even after serving Arthur his lunch and preparing his bath. Not to mention I still must clean the leech tank and gather herbs for Gaius. After all that, the dollop head had me participate in his training as the target. With nothing but a flimsy shield to protect me from the arrows and maces flying at me. My whole-body aches in places I didn't even know could ache. Not to mention all the mud now covering my dress from the number of times Arthur pushed me into the mud. At least now the day is over. I just need to serve him dinner and I can finally go home.
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"Here is your dinner sire. Is there anything else you need me to do before I leave for the night?" I tiredly enquired setting the tray down on the table and turning to face him. I frowned as I saw him inspecting his armor, a scowl on his face.
"Merlin what is this?" He asked irritation clear in his voice.
"Your armor?"
"Yes Merlin, but why is there still dents in it."
"Arthur you just got done training an hour ago I haven't had a chance..."
"Haven't had a chance!? That is no excuse. What have you been doing for the last hour? No doubt being lazy. I don't know why my dad hired you. Your nothing but a useless little gi...." He froze mid word, noticing the angry tears building in my eyes.
"Merlin I..."
"You....you great big pigheaded selfish, clot pole. “I cried cutting him off as tears slid freely down my cheeks. My baby blue eyes flaming with both anger and pain.
"Excuse me." He sputtered forgetting his guilt for the moment.
"You have to be the most arrogant person I have ever met. I am sorry I am only human. I can't be everywhere at once. For your information I was delivering medicine for Gaius, gathering herbs, finishing the other chores from this morning. I haven’t even had time to eat yet. You know it’s only because everyone keeps telling me how much of a good person you are. That I didn’t run the moment I met you. Its only because Gwen begged me the night before to give you a chance that I didn't quit immediately. Yet so far you have done nothing but prove that you care nothing about those under you. If this is the type of king, you will be than I fear for your people." With that I turned on my heel and fled the room sobbing.
I was so busy cursing Arthur that I didn't see the knight coming around the corner until it was too late. Falling to the ground, wincing in pain I glanced up at the person I had run into. I paled as I realized sir kay was standing over me glaring.
"Sir kay! I'm so sorry I... I didn't see you." I stammered wiping away my tears and beginning to get to my feet. Only to hit the ground once more as Kay kicked me.
"How dare you disrespect me this way. What you think because you serve the prince that you can go around hitting knights." He sneered bending down and grabbing me by the throat. Pulling me to my feet he slammed me angrily against the wall. His hand just barely loose enough to allow air in.
"It...it was an a... accident." I gasped struggling to breathe as he applied more pressure to my airways. Wrapping my hands around his arms I attempted to pry them away from my throat to no avail. He was just too strong, and I couldn't use magic without risk of a worse punishment bating down on my head. There was nothing I could do. I was going to die.
Black spots were just beginning to appear in my sight when suddenly the pressure on my throat vanished. Crumbling to the ground I gasped in air. Glancing up in shock to see Arthur standing protectively in front of me glaring down at a cowering Kay.
"Sir Kay is this really how a knight of Camelot is supposed to act? Killing the people, we've sworn to protect?"
"Sire I... I "
"Get out of my sight. The only reason I'm not running you through where you stand is because the king wouldn't like that. If I ever catch you harming one of my people again, I don't care if I end up in the dungeons for a month, I will kill you. Now scram." Scrambling hastily to his feet Kay made quick work of escaping the furious prince. The moment he disappeared Arthur turned to me a concerned look on his face.
"Are you ok?" He asked kneeling down and gently wiping a tear off my cheek.
"How did you know I was in trouble." I asked ignoring his question. His cheeks blazed a lovely shade of red as he awkwardly ran his fingers through his golden blond hair.
"Um well I was just in the area and.."
"You followed me? You were worried about me weren't you." I accused, smirking at his squirming.
"What! Of course not. Don't be such a girl. I just wanted to make sure you weren't lazing around while my armor still needed polished." I smiled knowingly as he frantically tried to hide the real reason he came after me.
"Besides a half decent servant is hard to come by." He coughed awkwardly getting to his feet and turning away from me.
"Don't worry Arthur, I forgive you."
"You forgive me ha. I did nothing wrong. Now come along merlin you still need to polish my Armor. " He huffed walking away, head held high to hide his embarrassment.
"Prat." I fondly whispered, shaking my head, and following him.