The Sorcerer's Secret (a Merlin story)

7

     "Oh you're up," Merlin said surprised as he placed Arthur's breakfast down on the table.
"Yes Merlin," Arthur spat. "I'm quite capable of dressing myself."
"Well considering you make me a dress you and pick out your clothes every morning I didn't think it was possible." Merlin countered as he picked at Arthur's plate. Arthur shot Merlin a glare.
"I'm sorry," Merlin cut Arthur off.
"Oh that's quite all right but you know you really should apologize more. Say please and thank you, it's just proper etiquette that you think a prince would know by now." Merlin continued to munch on Arthur breakfast. Arthur threw his empty cup at Merlin's head. "I mean honestly Sire, how princely was that?" Arthur picked up a book and chucked it at Merlin at well, Merlin ducked shaking his in disappointment.
"Merlin, I wasn't apologizing." Arthur began, irritating rising in his voice.
"But you really should," Merlin went on. "You know the lady Celeste says sorry and please and thank you quite frequently." Arthur threw and Merlin dodged another book. "You should take a note from her."
"Merlin, why are you here?" Arthur said annoyed.
"I've brought your breakfast Sire." Merlin said gesturing to the plate that was now half eaten. Arthur glance down the plate.
"Oh how appetizing," Arthur said sarcastically. "Merlin, why don't you ready my horse? Be useful." Arthur instructed.
"Are we going on a ride?" Merlin questioned.
"Celeste is going to see her parents grave today and I'm going to see if she'd want me to go with her." Arthur pulled on his royal red jacket. "And she's leaving this morning hence why I am dressed and ready and leaving right now." Arthur plucked a grape off of the plate Merlin was still hold then proceed to march past Merlin with conviction.
"Didn't she just go?"
"Does she need an excuse to visit them?" Arthur snarled back.
"No, of course not." Merlin stammered following suit.
"Oh would you like me to come with you I can ready two horses and I can be ready in about five minutes just yeah maybe make it 10." Merlin was following at Arthur's heal so when Arthur stopped walking Merlin stumbled and tripped them both.
"Merlin!" Arthur declared as he wiped the dirt off himself and merlin heaved Arthur up.
"I'll help you sire," Merlin began.
"Get off of me!" Arthur said swatting Merlin away. "You are not coming with us, you would just get in the way." Arthur made his way to Celeste, he ran down to greet her.
"Well, that was rude." Merlin remarked, watched Arthur from afar.
"You're leaving awfully early," Arthur said stopping her.
"I want to get a head start. I want to spend some time there before the sun went down it also looks like it's going rain. Maybe I just shouldn't go today there's a lot of things that could go wrong." Celeste went on as she groomed her horse.
"Oh don't be silly," Arthur said giving her hand up. "it will be a lovely day and nothing will go wrong and you will have a pleasant time visiting their grave. Would you like me to go with you? Merlin is bringing my horse around now in case if you wanted company."
"No, no that won't be necessary. Thank you though this is something I like to do alone. It is Axel's birthday, I have a present for him." She stuck her hand in her bag and revealed a few sweet from the kitchen. "We never got sweets, it was always something saved for birthdays or Christmas..."

"That's really sweet of you. Are you sure you don't want me to come with you?"

"I will be alright, Arthur. I promise." Arthur dropped his head disappointed. "When I get back though you should tell me all about your plans for the joust and then my party," she said with a smile as she waved to Merlin. "Can you believe it's already been two years since you got me this riding jacket."
"And it's still your favorite." Celeste nodded in agreement.
"Now," she said as she turned to make sure her guards were ready. "Would you so kindly move out of my way?" Arthur took a small bow as he gestured for her to be safe.
"Look out for her," Arthur told one of the guards and they nodded in agreement. "You keep her safe." Arthur called after them Celeste turn back nodding her head Arthur was always trying to look out for her.