Merlin would really, really wants a day off
Yes, there will be mistakes, grammar or others, Sorry for that :)
Also I do not own Merlin or any of the characters there, this amazing piece of art belongs to BBC ;)
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"Arthur plea..." Merlin whined while folding the prince's clothes on the bed
"No Merlin" Arthur said without looking up from his papers
"But all the..." Merlin began
"I do not care about what the other servants do Merlin, they are not my menservants are they? You are, and I am saying no" The prince replied calmly
Merlin mumbled something with a cute frown on his face.
"But they..." Merlin was not giving up
"Merlin" Arthur silenced him still more focused on the papers in front of him
"Everyone has a day off you know..." Merlin mumbled
"I don't" the prince said
"Well... you don't need it... but us... servants definitely do alright?" Merlin replied and went to Arthur desk with his arms crossed, determined to get his day off
"Go finish the laundry Merlin" Arthur said without looking up from his work
"No" Merlin said firmly
"I... I am protesting" he added
"Be my guest, protest all you want, but do it while finishing up the laundry" Arthur mumbled and wrote another sentence on the paper in front of him
"No, this is not how... I am on strike" Merlin said with "I wonder how you gonna handle this?" expression which Arthur didn't see of course
Arthur had to bite his cheek to prevent laughter.
"Very well, but please go and strike over there" Arthur said and blindly pointed at the other side of the room
"W-where?" Merlin asked and looked around
"Over the bed... and while you will be there finish the laundry" Arthur finish and again had to suppress the laughter
"Arthur!" Merlin almost shouted
"This is serious... and... and... look at me when I am on strike, it's rude not to you know" Merlin said
Arthur finally looked up from his papers and looked at Merlin with royal serious expression that he somehow managed to keep even after he saw Merlin's expression, the prince couldn't decide if it was more cute or funny expression.
"Alright then" he nodded
Merlin took a deep breath. He counted this as a success and a good start.
"I want a..." Merlin began with what he believed to be a serious business expression, Arthur had a hard time not to laugh because of how cute Merlin's expression was.
"A day off... I've heard you" Arthur finished Merlin's sentence
"Yes!" Merlin exclaimed
"Not gonna happened" Arthur said calmly and got back to his papers, leaving Merlin with a perfect imitation of a kicked puppy look on his face.
"But why?" Merlin whined and Arthur chuckled
"Is this really how you gonna lead your strike Merlin? With whining?" Arthur asked and started to write something on the paper again.
Merlin stopped to think about what the prince said
"Yes" Merlin mumbled eventually and Arthur shook his head with amusement
"Arthur" Merlin whined again more pitifully this time.
"Yes Merlin?" Arthur asked as if he didn't know what Merlin's problem is
"Come on... please" Merlin used his best puppy eyes, which was little bit useless because Arthur was still looking at the paper on his desk
"What would you do with a day off anyway Merlin?" Arthur asked while writing
"I would... you know... just... enjoy it?" Merlin replied clearly unsure about what he would do
"See? You don't even know, you would probably end up in my chambers when you would grow bored with it before lunch and begged me for some chores to do" Arthur pointed out
"I would not! I could sleep longer then usual and..."
"You already sleep longer then the other servants and yet manage to be late in my chambers in the morning" Arthur reminded him
"And then I would just go for a walk..."
"You do that while taking my dogs for a walk"
"After that I could go to the... ehm..."
"The Tavern? The only place in Camelot that one can possibly go?"
"I don't like the tavern" Merlin mumbled. He doesn't, people are being loud and rude there, and he doesn't see what is so great about going there. Arthur took him there once when Merlin was curious about why so many people think it's such a great thing to go there almost every night of the week. So Arthur said it might be better if he went with Merlin, just to keep him out of troubles. Merlin didn't stay there very long before he decided (to Arthur's delight) that he didn't like it there... tavern is not really a place Merlin would want to spend his day off in to be honest.
"See? Just admit that a day off would be a waste of time for you in Camelot" Arthur said and looked up from the paper he was writing and looked at Merlin who was pouting while looking at the floor
"The Eimdale on the other hand. There are really nice places to spend time in when you have the free afternoon... or even better the whole day. Did you know that near that town are waterfalls with cavern behind it? It looks gorgeous... also an animal keeper is near that city and for a price you can see some very exotic and interesting animals..." Arthur told him
"Sounds nice" Merlin mumbled kinda wishing to live there and not in Camelot where the only fun apparently is the tavern where even without the paying up you can get in some fight.
Arthur was watching Merlin with a small smile on his face for a moment then he stood and with the paper he was writing the whole time in hand went over to Merlin who was still pouting and looking at the floor.
Arthur gave Merlin the paper
"What's that?" Merlin asked still grumpy but curious
"Why don't you read it?" Arthur chuckled
Merlin looked at the paper and started to read.
"What? There was a report from a Kroving of a... ehm... lake creature resembling a horse? When? I didn't hear anything..." Merlin looked at the Prince who smirked at his manservant/friend
"There was not" he said
"So... why? What's this then?" Merlin asked and pointed at the report in his hand
"This, Merlin is something I will show my father. He will almost certainly send me to investigate if it's true and if it is then deal with the threat." Arthur replied
"B-but... you will go almost on the other side of the Kingdom for nothing Arthur. There is no creature in the lake in Kroving" Merlin didn't understand why the Prince looks so happy to travel such a long distance for nothing
"No there is not. And I will not be there eider" Arthur nodded
"What? Arthur, just tell me what is going on please" Merlin asked him when he was more and more confused
"I will be in Eimdale... we will be in Eimdale to be more specific" Arthur said with "do you get in now?" look on his face while looking at Merlin. It took Merlin few seconds to finally understand what is going on
"Arthur... am I getting this right? Are you? Am I? Really?" Merlin didn't know how to formulate his question
"Yes Merlin, you're finally getting your day off... with some extra bonuses I would say" Arthur smiled at Merlin who happily smiled at his Prince made a little happy jump on the spot and then hugged the Prince who just was expecting it. Since Merlin became his manservant Arthur had to get used to more physical affections than he was used to before, because Merlin often let his emotions took over his actions, but the prince didn't really mind it to be honest
"Thank you, Arthur" Merlin said happily still hugging the Prince
"Don't thank me yet. My father have to fall for it first" Arthur said and then unhugged Merlin
"Don't worry, he's an idio... I mean this is a really good and convincing report so it will work for sure" Merlin assured him
"For the sake of us both Merlin be quiet when we will be in the throne hall alright?" Arthur asked him and Merlin quickly nodded
Arthur chuckled and took the report from Merlin.
They entered the throne room. Uther was as always sitting on his throne reading some paper
"Father" Arthur started when he got to the throne. Merlin was silently following the prince and went to stand by the wall as usual.
"Yes Arthur?" Uther said without looking up
Arthur made another step closer to the king and handed him the report
"A report from the Kroving my lord"
Uther took the report and began to read. Merlin unknowingly hold his breath while hoping that everything will go according to their/Arthur's plan
"A lake creature?" Uther read aloud and looked at his son
"Yes" Arthur nodded
"What creature... a horse looking like? That sounds unlikely don't you think Arthur?" Uther continued when he read more from the report
Merlin honestly didn't expect the king to poke into this that much, usually all you have to say is a "magic creature" and the king pretty much sends all the knights there without thinking about it.
"We've seen more unlikely my lord" Arthur said seriously
"Sure we did... but this... what is this creature, it sounds almost made up to me" Uther mumbled
"My lord I..." Arthur began
"You, boy" Uther interrupted him and pointed at Merlin
"I think it's real my lord, totally. I mean why would they send a report about a none existing creature that would not make a sense, so it has to be real.... definitely... I actually..." Merlin immediately confirmed the existence of the "lake horse" fully prepared to say that he saw this creature just last week himself in the local waters to convince the king
"Shut up, I do not want an opinion of a servant boy in this matter" Uther silenced him and Merlin fell silent. Of course the king didn't want to know what Merlin thinks about it, that would be more unlikely than the horse lake creature Merlin realized.
"Go get Gaius, I want an opinion from someone who possess a brain" Uther told Merlin and pointed at the door. Merlin blushed little bit but nodded and ran out of the room to get the physician. He was sure that Gaius will help them, but he wasn't so sure if there is such a creature Arthur described in the report so Merlin was little bit worried how this whole thing will turn out yet.
"Honestly Arthur... why don't you get a proper servant" Uther didn't understand when Merlin left the room
"He's learning my lord" Arthur said not sure if he's trying to convince himself or the king at this moment.
"Is he?" Uther chuckled when he started to read the report again
"George doesn't need to learn Arthur, why don't you make him your personal servant and get rig of this Marvin?" Uther asked still looking in the report
"Because I would die of boredom" Arthur mumbled horrified just by that idea of spending his every day in George's company. Uther was right of course, George was without question the best servant in the whole Camelot, but he also took his job very seriously and was not wiling to joke while he was working, not even little bit so Arthur really couldn't think that he would survive George's company for more than few days. George's current master was lord Wymond, one of the oldest people in the castle, so he was happy with a servant like George, but Arthur needs someone to joke around with, someone full of energy and more importantly someone who doesn't make jokes about brass.
"What did you say?" Uther asked and looked up from the paper
"I said that he would be missed by lord Wymond" Arthur said quickly
"Yes... you are probably right" Uther admitted and went back to the report
--
Meanwhile Merlin run into the his and Gaius's room
"Gaius!" He shouted when he bursted in the room and scared the old man little bit
"Merlin... you almost gave me a heart attack my boy" Gaius scold him
"Sorry Gaius I didn't mean to" Merlin apologized and when Gaius smiled at him he returned the smile to his tutor
"What is wrong Merlin?" Gaius asked more seriously about why Merlin seems that he ran all the way here... and he actually did by the way.
"Gaius please tell me that there is something... like... something horse looking like that lives in the water" Merlin asked him slightly desperately and sat down on a chair
"What?" Gaius risen one eyebrow
"Me and Arthur..." Merlin told Gaius everything about the fake report and about their little trip he and the prince might be able to have
"So... please tell me that there is something like that actually existing, because otherwise me and Arthur are... doomed" Merlin finished his speech and looked at Gaius with a puppy look on his face
Gaius smiled and patted Merlin on the shoulder
"I believe that you and Arthur are lucky" he said and went for one of his books
"We are?" Merlin perked up and stood up
"Yes. Arthur, though unknowingly described Keplie. It's most likely not real or at least long extinct creature but that's not something Uther should know... here take a look Merlin" Gaius said and when he found the right book and the right page he showed it to Merlin. Merlin saw a picture of a horse looking like think in the lake
"It's amazing... this is perfect. Now Uther will have to believe that the report is true" Merlin mumbled and then smiled at Gaius who nodded
-
"Arthur if I would go to get Gaius myself I would be back already... where is that useless boy?" Uther said slightly annoyed when Merlin was taking too long to return with the physician.
"I am sure that they'll be back soon" Arthur said little bit nervous. He correctly presumed that Merlin was delayed when he was telling Gaius about what is going on. He didn't doubt that Gaius will help them if he will able to, so he hoped that in one of the books that the old man owns will be at least one thing that would look like the creature from his report.
The door opened and Merlin ran in the room
"I am back my lord" He announced with a smiled. Uther looked even more annoyed. He waited a few second if Gaius will enter the room as well, but he didn't.
"As much as I was desperate for your return boy... you were suppose to bring someone, or did you managed to forget that on your way to Gaius?" The king asked with sarcasm in his voice
"No sir I didn't forget" Merlin shook his head still smiling
"Where is he then?" Uther asked and it was obvious that Merlin is really testing his patience
"He's just... he's right behind me my lord, I just went ahead to inform you that he's on his way and that he'll be here in no time" Merlin replied
The king took a deep breath to stay calm, luckily Gaius walked in the room
"Good, so you were no laying and actually managed to do what I told you to then" Uther sounded actually surprised
"Why would I..." Merlin began to say something but Arthur gave him the "Be quite Merlin" look, look that Merlin knows very well by now, but rarely follows that silent order. In the presence of the king however he decided that being quiet might be a smart thing to do.
"Gaius a report from a Kroving claims that..." Uther began
"Merlin informed me about it my lord." Gaius interrupted him
"I believe that what people in Kroving saw was a Kelpie" he continued and showed the king the picture in the book
"So it is real then" Uther muttered
"Yes my lord" Gaius nodded
Arthur looked at Merlin with an expression that says "we got very, VERY lucky" and Merlin nodded in agreement
"How can it be killed?" Uther asked
"Regular sword will do my lord" Gaius was making things up now of course
"Very well. Arthur you will go there and take care of it" Uther ordered.
"As you say my lord, I will leave first thing in the morning" Arthur nodded and bowed down little bit mainly to hide that smile on his face
"And bring me a trophy from it. Something like this is not a common beast, so we should have something to show right?" Uther added
Arthur started to panic and Merlin was no better, they both quickly looked at Gaius
"I am afraid that it will not be possible my lord" Gaius said calmly
"Why no?" Uther asked
"When slayed, Kelpie turns into a puddle of water... there for there is no body... or a trophy" Gaius explained with a serious expression
"Oh... of course" Uther nodded as if he just now remembered that this is a common information about Kelpie he as a king of course knows about.
"Will it be all?" Gaius asked and Uther nodded so the physician left the room.
"So as I said, go there and kill it Arthur" Uther repeated and looked at his son
"Of course father, I will try to be back as soon as possible" Arthur nodded and with another quickly bow left the room with Merlin as well of course
-
"I can't believe that we got so lucky" Merlin said happily while walking next to the prince
"Yes Merlin, for ones I have to agree with you" Arthur smiled and nodded
"Alright, go and pack up what you need" he told Merlin
"Sure, you will go and pack up too now?" Merlin asked
"Of course not. Go and pack up what you need and then came pack up my things" Arthur corrected him
"Oh... alright yes, no problem" Merlin nodded
"And then the laundry on my bed... you will finish it Merlin" Arthur looked at his manservant
"What? But we..." Merlin began to protest
"Merlin your little rebellion of a strike ended so you will finish your duty, unless you want to walk all the way to Eimdale and all the way back by foot, your choice" Arthur wasn't willing to bargain now.
"I will do the laundry don't worry" Merlin promised quickly and Arthur nodded and pushed Merlin in the direction of his and Gaius's accommodations.
-
After Merlin packed all the things he might need he walked out of the door of his room
"It's going to be fun, I know it" Merlin said excitedly and smiled at Gaius
"Just try not to do anything stupid and keep yourself out of troubles, promise me that Merlin" Gaius smiled at the young boy
"Totally, you know me" Merlin nodded
"Yes Merlin I do, that's why I said it" Gaius said and Merlin rolled his eyes but was still smiling
"I have to go and pack Arthur stuff now" Merlin said and wanted to exit the room
"Take this to Arthur will you?" Gaius stopped him and gave him a book
"What is it?" Merlin asked
"A bestiary" Gaius told him
"In case you two would want to make another trip" he added and Merlin laughed little bit but thank him anyway
--
Merlin and Arthur both enjoyed the trip to Eimdale very much and when they returned to Camelot three weeks later they informed Uther that the vicious Kelpie will not bother people of Kroving even again.
