A Life in Camelot (New Version)

Chapter Three: The Meeting

I follow him to Arthur's chambers and take the cloth he gives me once we're inside.

I look around the room. "It's not as extravagant as I thought it would be."

"Yeah, Arthur's not like that. He's a prince and a complete clotpoled cabbage head, but he's a good guy, once you get to know him."

"You know you sound like a girl describing her crush, right?" I ask, holding back laughter.

He glares at me with the utmost amount of disdain humanly possible. "Watch it, or my opinion may change, m'lady. Just grab a boot and shine it, will you?"

He said that just to spite me. Wow. Rude much?

As we shine Arthur's boots, I let Merlin rant to me about how Arthur treats him like dirt and how he doesn't think Merlin amounts to anything. He tells me the story of how they first met, and I smile uncontrollably as he tells it, word for word, "'Sorry...., how long have you been training to be a prat..., my lord?'"

He tells me about how Arthur being king could make Camelot turn around and become even better and stronger. About how Arthur is a strong leader and compassionate as well, but Uther doesn't pay any heed to him.

How the Druids are a peaceful people, but Uther can't see past his hatred.

How magic can do a lot of harm, but just as much, possibly even more so good.

How much he thinks Gwen and Arthur just need to get together already and stop looking at each other "wistfully", as he says (which made me laugh).

I ask him after his long winded talk about Gwen and Arthur, "Is there someone you fancy?"

He blushes and shakes his head.

"Liar liar pants on fire. Who is she? Is it Morgana?? Because you guys would totally be good together."

"Ha!" Nervous laughter. "I'm a servant and she's the king's ward. No."

"Well Gwen is a servant and Arthur is the king's son so.... I think you'd be fine."

He doesn't respond and instead, changes the subject. "How'd you get here?"

"Magic," I say raising an eyebrow.

He looks at me shocked. "Don't say that!! You could be killed!"

"All right, all right! Science. A little thing called timelord science brought me here, okay?

"I didn't even want to be here. I fell and woke up here. I don't know where my friend is, or when or what even happened to him."

I reach over Merlin and grab one of the two final boots. He takes the other, and we shine until our fingers are in pain, but at least we're having fun. He says something that makes us both to erupt in laughter, causing me to lean against his shoulder trying to catch my breath.

The door slams open, banging against the wall. Arthur stops in the middle of the doorway, staring at us, probably thinking we're mad.

He sees the boot and cloth in my hand and shouts at Merlin. "Are you really that incapable of doing a simple task, that you had to enlist the help of our guest, someone who should not be working as hard as she has?!"

Merlin just smirks and says, "Well if she's been working hard and doing what I do on a regular basis, I guess I work pretty hard too, yes?"

I can't hold back my smile. Go Merlin!!

Arthur just looks at him, shock written on his face. "Get out, Merlin."

Merlin smiles as he gets up and walks out the door.

Arthur says to me, "You know you don't have to work while you're here right?"

"I was dying of boredom, bumped into Merlin, and asked him if I could help. So if anyone should get in trouble, it should be me. He didn't make me do anything."

"You're right. He's too weak for that. Well, I'll ensure you aren't bored until you leave." He smiles. "I'll ask Morgana if she can spend some time with you tomorrow."

"Thank you," I say.

I walk to the door, but then turn around and ask: "What do I call you? Your highness, m'lord, what?"

"Arthur works fine," he says, smiling that billion dollar smile.

"Okay, well, thank you, Arthur. I'll be seeing you around."

As I exit Arthur's room, I see Merlin walk in front of an open window. A flash of golden sunlight crosses his blue eyes, making them look completely gold.

********

Wahey guess who finally wrote this chapter!!! Yay! XD

I've know what I wanted to do with it, but it's all a matter of doing it, yes?

So yeah, thanks for reading, I hope you liked it.

And the previous chapter has actually been done for a while, I've just wanted to update these two at the same time. :) <3