How To Train Your Dragonlord

The day in Camelot

Merlin P.O.V:
Once my mother had been sufficiently caught up by Gaius, one of her oldest friends, we walked the grounds and I gave her a tour of the castle. We managed to miss lunch but we didn't mind. As I explained to mum, when Arthur shares dinner with guests, there is more than enough food. We'd spent the entire day doing nothing in particular and I felt rejuvenated by it.
As we approached the time of our evening meal with Arthur, mum decided that she wanted to wear a nicer dress. Somehow, after discovering that my mother was here, Gwen had guessed that she might want a nice dress and had used her measurements from when she had armour made, when we defended Ealdor. Gwen saw as we returned to the castle from our tour.
"Hunith!" she called. "I heard that you have an audience with the king tonight," she added, as she reached us. "I thought you'd like an elegant dress to wear." She handed over a parcel - the dress, wrapped up - and said: "I hope you both have a wonderful evening!" Then, as quickly as she had spotted us, she had disappeared, presumably back to her house.

We continued walking and, once we reached my quarters, she pulled the dress out of the wrapping and held it up against herself. It was beautiful. I could see why my father had fallen in love with her. I left the main chamber, to allow her to change, taking the opportunity to also change my own clothes.
I went for a set essentially matching what I usually wore, but in purple and blue. Once we had finished changing, George arrived to escort us to where the meal was taking place.
"Ah, George," I said with a slight smile playing on my lips, "may I introduce my mother?"
As soon as he saw my mother, he bowed very deeply to her. "My Lady, it is an honour," he added, as he removed himself from the bow.
As we started to walk, I asked George a question. "So, George, are we going to hear any of your famous jests tonight?"
"What jests would these be, your majesty?" he asked, being more formal, as my mum was there.
"You know, the jokes about brass?" I supplied, glad that neither he nor my mother could see my smile.
"Regrettably, my Lord, I am here merely to escort you, tonight."
"A shame indeed," I almost couldn't contain my laughter. "Maybe another time?"
"If Sire wishes," he replied, his voice quiet. For the remainder of our journey to the main dining hall, we walked in silence, my mother taking this opportunity to properly look at the castle. The last time she had been here, she had been in a hurry, as the village had been under attack, in essence.
Once we arrived at the hall, George knocked, then led us in. Where usually there was a grand long table, a smaller table, with only the closer seats set, stood. Arthur was - unusually - not sat at the head of the table, but on one of the sides. When he saw us enter, he stood from his chair and walked to meet us halfway.
He dismissed George and told him to tell the kitchen staff to start bringing the food in. Then, the three of us walked to the table.
Arthur insisted that I sat at the head of the table, saying: "it's your birthday, Merlin! Take it as a birthday gesture." I was sure that I heard him add, under his breath: "And as practice, because one day, that's yours."
Neither of us said anything about that, though, as it stood a chance of detracting from the mood of the evening. Unwilling to start the evening the wrong way, I took the seat at the head, as requested, and the three of us sat.
After we'd sat, the food started to arrive. My mother was clearly surprised at the amount of food served. I could see her mouth water and, despite having lived with this much food for a while, I felt mine water just as much as my first Royal feast. Arthur looked between the two of us and laughed. "Don't worry," he said as we both saw my mother look ashamed at indulging with all of this food, "I will ensure that any leftovers are sent either to the village with you, or handed out to the poorest of Camelot. I don't want anyone to have to go hungry because of our celebration."
Having been reassured of this, the three of us were ready to start eating. Course after course we ate, with breaks exclusively for alcohol and talking. For hours we ate and talked and drank and celebrated. On and on, well into the night. In the end, my mother turned in first, tired from journeying, and aware that we would be on the move once again, the next day.
Arthur asked servants to clear the hall and prepare it for a meeting the next day, which would occur immediately before my departure. Then, the two of us retired to his quarters, to talk some more.