A Servant's Love/ Merthur

14- Peasants can cook

Arthur could barely here himself think by the time they got to the heart of the camp, joyful shouts and chants of Merlin’s name were coming from every direction. Arthur felt Merlin stop, they were standing outside of an old yellow tent, Merlin smiled as the sheets to the entrance to the tent began to move and a man stepped forward, returning Merlin’s smile. The man raised his hands and the crowd silenced and slowly began to thin out as the druids turned back to their focus and previous activities, occasionally looking back towards them. The man thanked the boy who had lead Merlin and Arthur, sent him away then lifted his hand out to Merlin and spoke “It’s so good to see you once again Emyrs, we have been expecting you.” Merlin took the hand and squeezed it in greeting. “It’s good to be back once again, however the reason for my visit is not as pleasing. As you can see Arthur is injured and we seek accommodation until he is well enough for long distance travel.”

“Both you and Arthur are most certainly welcome to stay as long as is needed,” replied the man with a warm smile and looking to Arthur, “and might I say it is  finally nice to meet the king of Camelot face to face, Merlin has told us much about you and your adventures together when he visits.”

“Nice to meet you, thankyou so much for your hospitality, any friend of Merlin is a friend of mine,” Arthur replied weekly. “Indeed.” Said the man looking back to Merlin with a cheeky grin then turning around, “come, come let me show you to your tent. You must dine with us tonight, I’m sure there are many who can’t wait to see you both.” They followed the man past a large fire in which different shaped logs sat around in a circle for people to sit, not far from the fire area were a line of tents, the man lead them to one. Inside the tent was two single beds that were close to each other, two chairs, a small table and a different variety of wooden boxes stacked to the side, magic or medical equipment Merlin guessed.

“Supper  will be ready within the hour.” The man said, smiling warmly as he left, leaving Arthur and Merlin alone in their tent. Merlin thanked him as he left and helped Arthur onto the bed, and wiped down his head. “How are you feeling?” Merlin asked concerned.

“Like I’m dying,” Arthur replied as he sunk down into the bed welcoming the surprising comfort. Merlin stood up began looking through the boxes, “now, now let’s not over exaggerate.” Merlin said looking over his shoulder and smiling at Arthur who was watching him as he pulled a few jars from the boxes as well as fresh bandage. Satisfied with what he chose, he walked over to the table next to Arthur’s bed and put down the objects in his arm then went to take off Arthur’s shoes, all the while Arthur watched him. Merlin sat on the edge of Arthur’s bed.

“Let’s take a look then, shall we” Merlin said sweetly, Arthur turned slightly so Merlin could get to the wound, he removed the old make-shift bandage and wiped the wound clean. Merlin rubbed different ointments into the wound and the skin around it murmuring apologies when Arthur hissed at him.

“Please tell me you actually know what you’re doing Merlin.” Arthur huffed and Merlin put down the jars.

“Oh no Arthur, not a clue” Merlin teased, reaching for the bandage, “relax Arthur I learnt a lot from Gaius over the years. I normally would also use some magic now that it doesn’t have the sword fragment in it but I’m really tired and low on energy” Merlin explained  and looked down to the bandage in his hands and slowly unravelled it. Arthur didn’t know how to reply so he just stayed silent and watched Merlin, obeying when Merlin told him to sit up so he could wrap the bandage around. Soon Arthur was laying back down and watching Merlin as he packed away his things.

Both men jumped when the older man from before spoke from just outside the tent, “Supper’s ready boys.” Arthur put a hand to his stomach when it growled in response to the announcement of food, he was hungry but as he  tried to move the  pain doubled and he flinched, Merlin saw him and understood, “you stay here and rest, I’ll bring us back some and we can eat in here.” Merlin said and Arthur smiled and thanked Merlin as he walked out the tent. Arthur fell asleep as soon as Merlin had left.

Merlin walked out to the fire area where a small gathering of people were.  Merlin saw bowls of soup laid out on a table and took two as well as a bread roll for them each, he turned to go back to the tent but was once again greeted by the man who had welcomed them. “How goes the young King?” he asked the warlock as he picked up his own bowl of soup. “Both he and I are very tired so we were thinking we could skip the greetings tonight and eat alone. Arthur is not accustomed to these situations and he is still trying to get around the fact that I’m a sorcerer.”

“Very well,” the druid man said nodding his head slightly, “both of you are excused however I hope you will join us tomorrow, I know many of your friends are eager to see you.” He finished, walking over to the large crowd of people and leaving Merlin to get back to his friend.

Arthur began to awaken as Merlin entered, he slowly pushed himself up  into a sitting position and Merlin gave him his food. Arthur looked at the brown goo with bits in it, it wasn’t very appealing to the eye and certainly  different to what he was used to,  it seemed such a small filling and on such an empty stomach. Merlin laughed at his expression and continued to scoff down his, “Just try it, you’ll be surprised.” Reluctantly Arthur ate a small spoonful and braced himself for the gross texture and taste. Instead, the extravagant flavour seemed to burst in his mouth, it was a perfect temperature and the soup seemed to sooth his body and made him feel a bit stronger, he too began to wolf down his supper. The two men had finished the small bowls but both silently agreed that they were incredibly full. “See.” Merlin said, “Us peasants know how to cook.”

“Indeed, that would have anything to do with magic I suppose would it?” Arthur asked smiling, already knowing the answer.

Merlin stood from his spot and walked over to his own small bed, “maybe” was all he said.

A/N:  Alright new part here ya go, sorry for the wait. Enjoy!