Merlin

No Maids

Avelines POV
Im quietly eating my food in the feast Arthur has thrown in our honor. I cant help look at Merlin sometimes. He was so kind and understanding about who I was. He immediately agreed to helping me keep my magic a secret and even offered to teach me how to control it. He truly is the great Emrys. The truth is that Im quite excited to be staying at Camelot. Everyone is so nice and respectful. (And there are tons of new places to have an adventure in)
My father and Arthur are speaking of some battle things, that I couldnt care much about, but Gwenevere seems some-what interested. I turn to my brother Edmond. He mouths "You bored?" I nod. So he turns to my father and whispers something. My father thinks and then nods approvingly. Whats Edmond up to? He stands up and stands far off where everyone can see him He clears his throat and everyone quiets down.
Edmond gives me a mischievous smile and brings out his sling shot. I immediatly know what hes doing. I stand up and put a cup full of grapes on my head. Making sure the cup doesnt fall off, I beggin to dance. Everyone watches me dance closely as my brother grabbs a small rock, once ready he shoots at me, the cup falling clean off my head. Everyone claps, we clap and I go to pick up the mess we made with the scattered grapes. One of the maids and Merlin are already on their knees picking up the grapes. I kneel down next to Merlin and hand him one of the stray grapes.
He smiles at me "You dance very well."
I blushed "Thank you."
"I was afraid your brother was going to hit your eye."
I giggled "No. My grandma taught me how to dance and have balance doing that. It was raining heavily one day and well Edmond was a bit disapionted that he couldnt practiced and I thought he would enjoy a moving target to practice on indoors."
"Werent you afraid hed hit you?"
I shrugged  "A bit. But I wanted to share time with him...he is my brother after all, and before I became a princess we didnt know each other."

Once all the grapes were cleaned up I returned to my seat. My father gave me a strange look before returning to his conversation. I played with my food for a while until I heard my name being mentioned. I looked up.
"Are all the arangements for Avelines stay ready?" asked my father
"Indeed. We have everything ready. Her new maid will be arriving tomorow."
"No." I blurted out. They both turned to me. "I dont need a maid, I can manage for myself."
"Ah yes I forgot, my daughter likes doing things on her own, she doesnt like having maids."
"Are you sure? We have fine maids who will take good care of you." offered Arthur.
I shook my head "I feel like having maids is like owning a slave. Having someone do things that one can easily do anytime. I gues it remindes me of when I lived with my grandmother...she taught me everything I know...that includes doing things on your own."
Both of them were silent for a moment until Arthur finally agreed. I knew he was thinking that maids and slaves are different, number one because they get paid. But Ive seen people be so mean to their maids and servants. I dont want to be like that, EVER.
"Very well if thats what you wish. But just in case if there is anything you need, please feel free to ask Merlin. He isnt the best of servants, but he will not fail you."
I smiled. This was perfect, that could give me more of an excuse to hang around Merlin. "Thank you my Lord."
Merlin winked at me and I felt my cheeks grow hot.