Don't call him that

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Merlin

As I lifted the wheelbarrow filled with dung one last time, every muscle and bone in my body hurt.

Arthur and I had worked on the fields for the whole day, and after cleaning the pig stables for the last hour, I had finally finished. Farm work was much harder than I imagined it to be.

Very tired, I stepped out of the stables and made my way over the courtyard, to take a shower in the house. I was so distracted that I didn't even notice the guy approaching from the side. I bumped right into him.

"Woah kid, slow down!", he said in a serious tone. But as soon as he looked at my scared face, he started grinning.

"Who are you? I've never seen you 'round here.", he asked me in a now friendly tone.

"I'm Merlin. I'm helping out on the farm for a few weeks. 'N you?"

"My name is Gwaine, nice to meet you. I'm one of Arthur's mates, and spend most of my time training the horses. And annoying Arthur of course.", he grinned and looked to the side, "well speaking of the devil".

Arthur was strolling towards where we were standing, greeting Gwaine with a warm-hearted handshake and giving me a short nod. His eyes were nearly piercing through my skin.

"Gwaine, why are you keeping Merlin from finishing his work?", he asked in an amusing tone, eyeing the both of us sceptically.

"Well well sire, I was just about to invite my new friend Merlin to tonights party. What d'you think about that?"

Sire?! Was that prince thing a common joke around here? And what was that party he was talking about?

I noticed Arthur's brows furrow at Gwaine's question. It seemed like he didn't really want me to come. I felt my chest tighten a little, and when Arthur didn't answer, I started to stutter:

"Uhm y'know parties aren't really my thing. I don't know a lot of people and I would probably just sit in a corner and be bored so, uhm thanks for the invitation Gwaine but-"

Surprisingly, I was interrupted by Arthur's voice:
"No. You'll come to the party." He sounded dead serious.

Quickly he then added: "Gwen could need your help with the preparations and with the cleaning up after. And it's good for you to meet some new folks."

I simply shrugged and nodded. Gwaine was clearly more excited than me, as he nearly yelled: "Excellent! I'm sure as hell getting you two drunk!"

I smiled a little, while shaking my head: "But what are we actually celebrating?"

That's when Gwaine grabbed my shoulder, stared deep into my eyes and said in the most epic voice: "We celebrate the greatest thing god has given us: Country music. You'll be learning how to move your tiny legs, Merlin."

A loud slapping noise was heard over the whole farm. It was Arthur's hand hitting against his face.

"Actually we are celebrating Morgana's birthday. She's like my sister.", he explained giving Gwaine an annoyed look.

Oh okay. That made a little more sense than the whole country thing.

"So, no dancing?", I asked.
"YES, dancing", Gwaine replied grinning like an idiot. Arthur just sighed.

"Well there's gonna be dancing. But you don't have to-"
"YES HE HAS TO." A small smile formed itself on Gwaine's lips: "Actually, you two should dance."

I felt my face turn red and looked over to Arthur who was staring at his feet. Quickly, I picked up the wheelbarrow again and mumbled an excuse:
"Well uhm I should get going, I need to finish here and then I'll go see Gwen to help her."
Arthur nodded and Gwaine waved me goodbye: "Bye Merl, see ya."

I thought I heard Arthur's voice say: "Don't call him that", as I turned my back on them.

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