The Crow Prince

1

Merlin sighed gently as he stirs his meal slowly. He's lost in thought, deeply so. Arthur barges into the chambers, startling Merlin and Gaius.

"Mer-lin!" He barked the name. "We have guests."

"The tournament," Merlin set down his spoon. "Coming." He soon found himself in front of 3 men in chainmail and dark purple capes. A crow seems to be their kingdom emblem.

--

The boy had pitch-black hair, enticing blue eyes, and peach lips. simply beautiful. but the oldest in the group of foreign knights seemed uneasy. Sir Orian is his name. Sir James was beside him, equally shocked. Sir George was confused, youngest, and true to the king.

"Welcome," the boy smiled softly. "I'll take you to your chambers and bring you dinner. I'm sure you're tired from your travels."

"Yes, thank you," Orian nodded. Merlin led them down the corridors.

"Here you are. Let me know if you need anything," he said.

"Surly one servant doesn't serve the whole castle?" Sir George asked, confused.

"Merlin!" Another knight called as he jogged over. "Gaius said you didn't eat dinner."

"Lance-" the boy, Merlin, cleared his throat. "Thank you for your concern, Sir Lancelot. I had to get the challengers settled."

The knight shook his head, "Arthur is running you into the ground."

"I'll find you later," Merlin said, waving him off. The knight groaned at the avoidance but left all the same.

"So he does have you run around all the time," Sir George frowned.

"I'll be back with the dinner," Merlin excused himself and ran after the friendly knight. They heard their shouting from down the corridor.

"Lance, stop!"

"You're going to get sick!"

"I'm fine!"

"No! I'm going to Arthur!"

"Lance, stop it!"

"Your my friend, Merlin. I refuse to let this slide!"

"Lancelot." The voice was cold, hollow. "Even if Arthur didn't come to get me, I wasn't eating. I'm fine."

The three foreign knights share looks.

"Does this happen often?" Sir Orian asked another servant, a beautiful woman with dark hair, and hazel eyes. She had a sad look on her face as she looked at the shouting.

"Sir Lancelot and Merlin have been friends for a long time. As much as I hate to say it, King Arthur asks Merlin to do everything. He cared for my father when he was sick, and Gaius made the mistake of telling King Arthur he was in the tavern. Now, whenever there is a task, Merlin is the one to do it," she answered, hanging her head. "I'm Gwen. I'll fetch your dinner." She scurried off. 

The knights enter the chambers, still questioning the interaction. There are a few knights who are friends with servants in the castle. Never to the degree of shouting in the corridors, however.

--

Gwen caught up with Merlin, who was balancing 3 plates, goblets, and a pitcher of drink. She took one of the plates, the pitcher, and smiled at him.

"You don't have to help. Arthur will be livid," Merlin mentioned as they walk.

"You saved my father, and that has given you all these duties. It's my pleasure to help you," Gwen said.

"Thank you," Merlin admitted and let her help. They lapse into a calm quiet.

"Merlin!" Arthur ordered as he walked down the hall. "Why haven't the guest been fed?"

"I'm sorry! I dropped one of the plates," Merlin squeaked and cowered slightly.

"It's true, Sire. We have to return to the kitchens and get it remade. The cook was furious," Gwen interjected. "We didn't think it fair that two of three were fed before the other."

"Stop excusing his behavior, Genevieve. It's inexcusable," Arthur snapped. Gwen flinched back as well. "I want the stables mucked tonight, Merlin." He walked off with that. Merlin let out a sigh and kept walking, head high but breath unsteady.

He looked over his shoulder to the frozen Gwen, "Come along, Gwen. I'm sure our guests our hungry." He smiled simply and she caught up with him.

"How do you take that?" She asked, sniffling softly.

"Because no one else will last long with it," he replied honestly as they get to the chambers. He shuffled his hold and knocked. "I've got your dinner."

"Come in," one said, opening the door.

"Thank you," Merlin said as they walk in. They set the items on the table. "Just send for me if you're in need of something."

"I couldn't possibly do that. You have other duties," Sir James replied, nodding his head.

"I ensure you, it's fine," Merlin gives a tight smile. "Good night, sirs."

"Good night," they bid, and Merlin left. He rubbed his face for a second.

"Are you alright, Merlin?" Gwen asked, putting a hand on his shoulder.

"I have to muck the stables. And in the morning, I have to clean all the horses, tack up the knights for a ride, and prepare a picnic for Arthur and them. I'm fine," he snapped before wincing, "Gwen, I'm so so sorry. I didn't mean to snap at you."

"It's alright, Merlin. You and Arthur snapping are two very different things. Get some rest. The others and I can handle the stables."

"No. I can't ask you to do that. I can handle it," Merlin sighed as they walk.

"No, you cant. When did you last get a night's rest?" Gwen asked, noticing the near-black circles under her friend's eyes.

"Two, three days?" Merlin shrugged.

"Merlin..." Gwen shook her head. "And last ate?"

"Yesterday. Don't worry, Lance already chewed me out about it," Merlin mumbled and looked up at the ceiling.

"That's not healthy. At least eat before you do the stables," she whined softly, catching his arm. Merlin nodded and hummed.

"Why aren't you in the stables?" Merlin winces at the voice.

"I'm sorry. I haven't eaten anything today."

"No excuses! I should fire you!" Arthur yelled. Merlin swallowed, shrinking away. "You're useless! All you do is go to the tavern, talk, and do nothing!" Merlin took the screaming. "When I ask you to do something, I mean to do it! God, you are lazy, stupid, and ridiculous! Why can't you get a simple order right?!" He was snarling now.

"I-I I'm sorry. I-I was on my way," Merlin squeaked. What happened surprised even him. His neck twisted as his head was forced to the side. His cheek stung and he could taste metallic liquid in his mouth. He felt tears burn in his eyes. Arthur never hit him in front of others.

"Useless," he spits as he walked away. Merlin raised a hand to touch his cheek, three people swarm to him. Gwen, Gwaine, and Lancelot. The knights from the other kingdom stand farther away.

"Merlin? You alright?" Lancelot asked as Merlin's eyes went foggy and he wobbled. The boy passed out.