A Manservant's Loyalty (Merlin BBC OneShots)

Exception

Uthur #1

Uthur wasn't impressed nor did he accept the friendship in anyway, but he also knew that there wasn't much he could do in stopping it. His son has created a strong bond with his manservant, so much so Arthur regularly goes against his word to protect the boy.

Over the years, Uthur couldn't deny that the boy has and continues to show an undying amount of loyalty to Arthur. Which was the only reason he grudgingly doesn't interfere to much and it seems that his word becomes obsolete when the said servant is in any type of danger.

Uthur is beginning to think that the word of a servant has become of higher regard then his own when it comes to his son. The king wasn't impressed at the slightest, specially when his son looked for praise from the servant before himself. That was a big kick in the gut.

Uthur has to much pride to admit he is in fact jealous of the bond between his son and the servant. The king will never admit that it was his own doing, pushing his son away, it was his fault and no one else's but pride gets in the way of that confession so the finger will still point to the easiest to blame.

Uthur has figured out that the servant is the reason of a lot of things, the servant is a large factor in Arthur's emotion. If they had a serious fight Arthur will be moping and agitated; if the servant is in trouble Arthur will fight tooth and nail to save him. In social situations the servant is usually the reason behind Arthur's smiles, having small conversations while pouring wine.

Uthur, although unwillingly has accepted the fact that there wasn't much he could do. The servant had Arthur wrapped around his pinky (and visa versa) separating the two wasn't an option.

Uthur started to understand why his son liked the strange boy. As much as people showing respect was paramount, the king couldn't deny it was a little bit refreshing to not have a bootlicker around. The servant isn't one to kiss peoples feet because of status, he tells how it is damned the consequences (usually a slap on the wrist and the stocks)

Uthur decided to go on a hunt with his son, and a few knights, hoping to salvage some relationship between them. He wasn't particularly impressed that the servant was coming along, he really didn't know why since it was a hunting trip and servants don't go beyond Camelot borders.

"Why is he coming?" Uthur asked, raising an eyebrow, glancing behind him to the servant who was talking with a knight happily. "He wants to, though he makes it's quiet clear that he hates hunting"  Arthur answered shrugging amusement flashing through his eyes.

Uthur raised an eyebrow at how agitated and restless Arthur was becoming as they rode silently through the forest. The knights were snickering softly as they strained to listen to what the servant was saying.

"Merlin!" Arthur snapped, Uthur watched the servant ride up beside his son, a lopsided grin on his face. "Yes sire"  he responded getting loud snickers from the knights and a look from Arthur.  "You are the only person that can make formalities sound insulting" Arthur huffed shaking his head.

"There is no pleasing you sometimes is their prat?" The servant replied the grin not faulting, Uthur wanted to speak up but kept his mouth quiet, watching his son completely relax, which recently never happens around him. 

Uthur glanced at the knights who all had amused expressions on their faces, watching the interaction with smirks and grins. Uthur stayed quiet seeing as the hunting party seemed to forget his presence. The servant didn't skip a beat when returning an insult, unfazed at who it was aimed at.

By night fall they court enough for dinner, the servant set out on making food while the rest set up the camp and tended to their own horses. Uthur huffed getting one of the knights to do it and sitting by the now lit fire.