Wrap Your Arms Around Me (merdred)

11. Change of Plans

MERLIN DROPPED THE KING'S dinner onto his table and filled his cup with water from a pitcher.

"For once, Merlin, you're actually on time with my dinner," Arthur glared at him and took a seat at the table. He lifted his goblet to his lips and drank. "And what's this? You remembered to get fresh water for once rather than using the same pitcher from this morning."

Merlin rolled his eyes and picked up a lonesome shirt off the floor. "I do try, you prat," he huffed and shot the shirt he was holding at Arthur's face.

Arthur sighed and peeled the shirt off his face. He glared at Merlin and sent him a vexed smile. "Come here, Merlin."

The servant cautiously walked over to Arthur, step by step until he was standing by his side. Arthur snatched his goblet off the table and poured it all over the top of Merlin's head. The servant held back the urge to shriek and pulled his lips into a thin line, deadpanning at Arthur. He sighed and tore his soaked scarf off. He glared at Arthur as he wrung out his hair, which was now even darker than before.

"And that, Merlin," Arthur began with a bright smile, "is why you don't throw shirts at kings."

Where was Gwen? She would have slapped him right then and gotten away with it.

Merlin mumbled something under his breath and refilled Arthur's goblet. "Where's Gwen? I haven't seen her in your chambers in months."

Arthur sighed and looked down at the table. "She's sleeping in her own room. I don't think she's comfortable being in here yet. She was a servant for so long, I think she feels like she doesn't belong."

Merlin frowned and nodded. He didn't have anything to say to that but he would try to talk to Gwen a little later. It was times like those, when Arthur talked to him, that Merlin really admired his life in Camelot. Sure, it wasn't always perfect; magic was still outlawed, he had to deal with Arthur's abuse from time to time, but these talks reminded him that Arthur wasn't his father. He cared about Merlin and his people like Uther never had. He only hoped that one day, his views on magic, and a few other things, would change.

Merlin finished tidying up a few more things on the ground before being dismissed for the evening. When the warlock walked into Gaius' chambers, he was capping a few bottles... Gwaine's hangover remedy was most likely one of them.

"Gaius, is my potion ready?" Merlin asked, taking a seat at the table the physician was working at.

Gaius extended a hand with a bottle in it. "Yes, Merlin. But I still don't understand why you need such a specific potion. What scheme are you planning this time?"

Merlin frowned sadly and took the potion from Gaius' hand. "I'm going to help that woman escape. And I know what you're going to say. It's stupid and dangerous and I'm going to get myself into trouble. But this is something I have to do. I'm pretty sure she was born with magic just like me. It's my responsibility to help her, and if I don't, I'll never forgive myself."

Gaius sighed and shook his head. "My boy, you've always had a big heart and I'm glad you follow it. But one of these days you will be caught, or worse, Arthur will find out."

"I'll be careful, Gaius. And Mordred is helping me, he'll look out for me," Merlin told him with a small blush that he tried so very hard to hide.

Gaius raised an eyebrow at his ward and Merlin quickly looked away. He hopped out of his stool with the potion in his hands and began to walk to his room.

"Merlin," Gaius halted him. "Exactly what spell will you be using?"

"The one where I turn into Arthur, embarrass him a little and then help the sorceress escape," Merlin smirked before darting up his stairs. He heard Gaius call after him but he already had his door shut.