Warriors of Camelot

Chapter 1: Merlin

It seemed like any ordinary day to Merlin.

As usual, the young warlock had risen at dawn to a breakfast of porridge. Having downed his last mouthful, the young warlock reached eagerly for a large tankard of water that was lying nearby. 

A groan from Gaius stopped him in his tracks. 

Hardly daring to breathe, Merlin slowly recoiled his hand. His heart sank, although the young warlock successfully concealed his guilt. While Merlin did his  best to please Gaius, sometimes Merlin's best just wasn't good enough. It must be said that Merlin didn't get much pleasure about displeasing Gaius, especially after everything that the wise physician had done for Merlin. That and the fact that he knew from past experiences NEVER to mess with Gaius when he was angry. 

So what was it that he'd done this time? Or rather had FORGOTTEN to do, as it was so often the  case with Merlin! At the moment, it was difficult to tell, for Gaius giving his full to one of his many shelves, one that was littered with shining, empty tumblers; mixtures of dry herbs and various  pieces of medical equipment. 

Merlin rose cautiously from his seat. "Was is it?"

Gaius heaved a deep sigh before finally grumbling to himself: " I forgot  to gather some fresh rosemary when I went herb-hunting yesterday."

Guilt stabbed Merlin's heart in a instant. Usually, that was his job, but it's not easy to carry out when you've got to balance working for the court physician on top of carrying out chores for a selfish prince! That was precisely why Gaius, being the good-natured creature that he was, had offered to gather the herbs himself only the day before. However, both of them knew that Gaius, despite his great wisdom, was getting on in his years and that his memory could therefore deceive him at the best of times. 

Gaius seemed to sense Merlin's despair. 

"It's all right, Merlin," he whispered not unkindly, but rather  in understanding. "I know by now that it's not easy serving Arthur."

Merlin could only smile in reply, though the true extent of how grateful he really was to Gaius for  going out of his way in attempt to ease his heavy workload would always remain undetermined. For a moment, there was silence

"It's fine," Merlin replied hastily at last. "I should have taken up the task myself without protesting the way I did. After all, that's what you would expect me to do. Why don't I gather the herbs now? I can see that you're busy," he added hastily. 

Gaius returned Merlin's appreciative smile as he handed the young apprentice a wicker basket.  "We also need some more basil,  fennel, sorrel and camomile," he instructed Merlin. "Oh- and why don't you see if you can find some more wild mushrooms. I was thinking about doing a mushroom soup for tonight." 

"Sounds good!" Merlin approved. (His tummy gurgled simply from the thought of it!) Seconds later, a frown crossed his face. There was just one problem with going out on herb-hunting now and he WISHED that he'd thought of this before he'd offered to gather the herbs.

"What about Arthur? You know that I can't let him down!"

"Arthur will be out with his knights this morning as he often is at this time of day," Gaius replied reassuringly, gathering up various canters and dry ingredients as he spoke. "If he happens to come here and ask where you, I will tell him that you were doing a job for me." 

With a grateful smile, Merlin prepared to leave, but a final call from Gaius made him stop short. 

"Merlin?" 

He turned around. "Yes?"

Gaius thrust the young warlock a meaningful look. 

"Be careful." 

Merlin knew all too well what Gaius was talking about.