A Land of Myth and Magic

The Morning After

Dazzling sunlight flickered across Merlin's half-open eyes, rousing him. He tried to sit up, only to find a weight pressing down on his chest.

"Arthur?"

"Mmm?"

"I need to get up."

"Why?" He pulled Merlin closer to him. Merlin laughed and pushed Arthur off him.

"Because if I'm not in my own bed by the time Gaius gets up, he's going to wonder where I've been all night."

"Just tell him you were teaching me poetry. It's what you normally say."

Merlin laughed again and kissed the top of his head.

"I'll be back soon. Just try not to do anything stupid."

"Me? Stupid? I've never heard such nonsense." Arthur called as Merlin stumbled out of bed and out into the corridor.

***A few minutes later***

Merlin had managed to slip back to his room unnoticed and was comfortably seated at the table when Gaius emerged.

"You're up unseasonably early. Is there something I'm missing?" Gaius asked.

"No. Nothing!" Merlin replied quickly.

"Hmmmm."

Merlin wolfed down the rest of his breakfast, anxious to escape before Gaius decided to push the issue. He finished eating and tried not to walk too quickly back to Arthur's quarters.

He found his king already up and waiting for him. Arthur glanced round before taking Merlin into his arms and kissing him swiftly. He released him and pointed over to the pile of clothes by the window.

"Merlin, my laundry needs doing."

"I'm still your servant then?"

"Of course. What were you expecting? A knighthood?"

"A day off wouldn't go amiss."

"You'll have more luck going for the knighthood." Merlin sighed in exasperation and scooped up the crumpled garments.

***An hour later***

Merlin stacked the last of Arthur's shirts, taking a second to breath in their scent.

He walked back to the washroom, happily smiling at one of the young serving girls as he passed the broom cupboard. A moment later, he was back outside the same broom cupboard, holding the scrubbing board he'd collected from the washroom. From the corner of his eye, he saw the girl fixing her hair using the reflection in the window.

His mind still on Arthur, he swung open the cupboard door, leapingback in surprise.

Gwaine and Percival stood hurriedly, straightening their clothes.

"Merlin."

"Gwaine."

"Merlin."

"Percival. What were you doing in there?"

Gwaine and Percival looked at each other, panicked.

"We were..."

"Looking for rats!" Exclaimed Gwaine.

"Yes, that was it. We heard there were rats in there so we thought we'd check it out." Continued Percival, relieved.

"Together?"

"They were big rats." Percival suggested.

"With the door closed?"

"We didn't want them to escape." Gwaine countered.

"Okay, well I hope you caught them all..."

"Me too, although we'll have to check again sometime. Just to make sure they don't come back." Gwaine explained.

Merlin nodded.

"I'll see you later then."

"Yes. Goodbye Merlin." The Knights headed down the corridor, the serving girl following as they passed her.

"Rats..." Murmured Merlin sceptically as he closed the cupboard door. "I'll believe that when I start teaching Arthur poetry."