Worthless, Worth Less or is it So Much More

Chapter 1

Arthur Pendragon liked to go on hunting trips. He always had. It helped him deal with the heavy destiny weighing on his shoulders. He could partially forget about who he really was and how his father's kingdom would one day be his responsibility. It was inevitable. Sometimes, Arthur could feel his future crushing him and so he went hunting.

The peace that the forest hummed swept over him with a soft whisper in his ear and a simple ruffle to his hair. In this forest he was just Arthur.

Not Prince Arthur.

Just Arthur.

There were days when he wondered of a world where there was nothing to him other than his personality and his self-worth. But in this world it looked as if fate had other plans for him.

Again, the swish of the wind eradicated his thoughts of 'what if?'. He was content and he liked it. The forest never judged him. The forest was the only thing that treated him like an equal.

That was until a boy called Merlin turned up.

*

**

As usual, like every other Monday, King Arthur and his knights were on a hunting trip. The day had been uneventful so far, and Arthur could feel the growl of his stomach beg for food.

"Come on Merlin, we're starving!" Arthur moaned to his half-wit of a servant. He was starving, and taunting Merlin seemed to dissipate his boredom.

"Well, maybe if you had taught your royal ass to cook, then you would know that it doesn't take seconds to make your dinner." Merlin's retorted, with a roll of his eyes. Arthur's eyebrows raised and failed at suppressing a laugh. He would berate himself later for that.

"Actually, if your idiotic head had noticed, you'll find that I am perfectly capable of cooking one of your measly dinners." Arthur argued, sounding not very truthful and rather pompous, as Merlin would've put it.

"I really don't doubt you can, sire." Merlin deadpanned.

"Exact-" Arthur paused and his face turned to a grimace. "You're joking, aren't you."

Merlin smiled a large grin and nodded his head. The absolute cheek that this man had.

"I bet you could make lovely rat stew if you got off of that pompous ass you sit on everyday." Merlin replied. Arthur scoffed.

"Being a manservant doesn't mean you can question the way I run the kingdom, Merlin." bickered Arthur.

"It might be my concern if everyone hates you." Merlin shrugged, but he'd hit a vulnerable topic for Arthur. Joke or not, Arthur couldn't help but take the words seriously.

"And do they?" Arthur managed to firmly ask, sounding too concerned for his own liking.

"My answer stands for the whole of Camelot." Merlin replied. What did that mean?

"Does it now?" Maybe if he was sarcastic he could fare off signs of self-doubt.

"Of course, sire."

"So, Merlin, what is your answer?" questioned Arthur, secretly wanting to know Merlin's opinion of him.

"You're a dollophead."