Merlin's POV
I drop the pile of dusty clothes onto Arthur's chamber table. I let out a cough as the dust plume wafts through the air. I wave it away with a disgusted look on my face.
"When were these last cleaned?" I ask, unfolding the clothes.
"Last year sometime, before the feast of Beltane," Arthur replies.
"Did it end in a food fight?" I help him into the clothes, surprised that he didn't want me to wash it first.
"Don't all feasts?"
"I wouldn't know. The airs and graces of the court are a mystery to me." I pull the red, studded coat over Arthur's shoulders, trying my best to pat away the lingering dust.
"Not tonight they won't be."
I stop what I'm doing. A small smile tugging at the corner of my lips. "I'm going to be at the banquet?"
"Not quite. You'll be there to make sure my cup doesn't run dry." He starts to take off the coat. "If I have to sit through Bayard's boring speeches I don't see why you should get out of it." He inspects the coat. "Be sure to polish the buttons." He shoves the finery into my arms and heads behind the screen.
I roll my eyes in annoyance and set the clothes down on the table, glaring at the buttons. They look fine to me. "Do you want to see what you'll be wearing tonight?" I hear him ask from behind the screen.
I turn to face the partition. "Won't this do?"
He pops his head out, a wide grin on his face. "No, tonight you'll be wearing the official ceremonial robes of the servants of Camelot."
I raise an eyebrow in suspicion at his mocking smile. They sound appealing. I've never worn anything other then simple peasant clothes, so I'm looking forward to what they'll look like. Arthur ducks back behind the screen and pulls out an outfit. My smile drops immediately.
"You can't be serious."
Arthur's smile grows wider at the look on my face. I can tell he's amused by this. It's moments like these that I wish I had let him rot in that prison cell with the bandits.
"On second though I don' think I can make it to the banquet. Gaius had some... jars... he needed me to get from the lower town," I say, inching closer towards the door.
"Nonsense, Merlin. the jars can wait. I'm sure Gaius won't mind." The grin is still on his face as he moves a step closer.
I look at the large, feathered hat in his hands and shake my head quickly. "Um, those jars are really special. They only sell them when uh... kings come. Anyways, I best get going. Have fun at the feast Arthur!" I turn and bolt out the door.
"Merlin!" I can hear Arthur shouting after me.
I sprint down the halls as quickly as I can, making turns left and right without having a real destination in mind. The sound of Arthur's boots hitting the ground steadily become louder and louder. The next thing I know Arthur, has me by the back of my neckerchief. He smiles triumphantly, the dreaded clothes, somehow, still in his hands. Why couldn't they have accidentally been dropped in a fire pit?
"Come on, Merlin. Don't be such a girl," Arthur says, dragging me back to his chambers.
I cross my arms in annoyance and let my heels drag across the floor. If he's planning on pulling me to his chambers then I'm not going to make it easy for him. "You're not the one who has to wear that." I gesture with my chin to the clothes in his arms.
"They're not that bad."
I scoff. "I think Gaius should check your eyes. Have you seen that hat?!"
I hear him stifle a chuckle under his breath.
"See! You're laughing at me already! I'm not wearing that!" I shout at him, not caring anymore that we're in the middle of the castle corridors.
"Stop your complaining Merlin and get changed." He shoves me into the room and tosses the clothes on top of me. He shuts the door behind him and I can hear him bolt it shut. "You aren't getting out of there until you're done."
"I hope someone poisons your wine."
"Threatening a king is treason, Merlin."
"I didn't say I was going to do it. I said someone."
"Do I have to come in there and force you into those clothes?"
"You can't even dress yourself. How will you dress me?"
"Merlin!"
"Fine, sorry, sorry."
I can hear Arthur sigh behind the door. I chuckle and head behind the screen to change. I don't trust him not to come barging in.
-----
I stand by the pillars in the banquet hall, watching Lord Bayard sign the treaty. My eyes shift around nervously, still embarrassed at the hat atop my head. I hear someone giggle beside me. I turn to see Gwen covering her mouth with a hand. Great! The last person I had wanted to see me like this was Gwen.
"Nice hat," she says with an amused grin.
"Thanks," I reply, turning my face to try and hide the red blossoming on my cheeks.
As I turn my attention back to the center of the room I catch Arthur look over his shoulder. I glare at him, showing my obvious annoyance but he only gives a smile in return. I can tell he's enjoying this. I'm going to kill him later. Treason or not.
I end up looking around the room in boredom. How long does it take to sign a document? My eyes end up catching the serving girl from Bayard's kingdom. She smiles at me when our eyes meet and I quickly take off the hat. I run my fingers through my hair in an attempt to straighten it out. Gwen seems to notice my gaze.
"She's pretty, isn't she? For a handmaiden, I mean," Gwen says.
"She's pretty for a princess let alone a handmaiden," I reply, slightly love-struck.
Gwen hums. Then turns to leave for her post when the two kings shake hands. Bayard soon begins his speech. I stop listening after the first few lines. Arthur was right about his boring speeches. Near, what I hope, was the end of his speech, he brings out two elaborate goblets. They were truly beautiful. Fit for the greatest king.
"Merlin, I need to speak with you," an urgent voice says beside me.
I turn to meet the blue eyes of the serving girl, Kara. "What is it?" I ask.
"Not here. Please. I don't know who else to tell."
I glance back at Bayard who is still presenting the goblets. Hearing her out shouldn't hurt, and this seems urgent. I turn and follow her out of the chambers and into the corridor.
We stop by a window. I catch her look around once or twice before beginning to speak. "It wasn't until I saw him give the goblet to Arthur that I realized," she begins in a rush.
"Slow down, start from the beginning," I say in my most calming voice.
"Two days ago, I was bringing Bayard his evening meal, we're supposed to knock, he didn't expect me to walk in-"
"So? What're you trying to say?"
"If he knows I said anything he will kill me!"
"I will not let that happen to you. I promise. Please, tell me what you saw."
"Bayard is no friend of Camelot. He craves the kingdom for himself."
"Kara-" Footsteps sound behind us. I whip my head around nervously only to see a servant pass with a bowl of fruits in his hand. Not a guard. Good. "Tell me, what has Bayard done with the goblet?"
"He believes that if he kills Arthur, Uther's spirit will be broken and Camelot will fall."
"What has he done with the goblet?"
"I saw him putting something in it."
"What?"
"I shouldn't... he'll kill me."
"Please, tell me." I think for a moment. "Was it poison?"
She nods. My eyes widen. I turn and sprint back down the hall. Why do these things always happen? I didn't really mean it when I said I hope someone poisons his wine! Please let me be in time. I can't let him die.
-----
Arthur's POV
I rise, holding my new goblet up to the lights as Bayard begins to make the toast. Boring as usual. At least there will be peace between our kingdoms from now on. I'm about to drink from the goblet when a loud voice rings out across the hall.
"Stop! It's poisoned! Don't drink it!" Merlin. What is he on about now?
He bursts through the doors and grabs the drink out of my hands. He whirls around to meet Bayard eye to eye. Everyone stares at him in confusion.
"Merlin! What are you doing?!" I ask, more then a little irritated.
"Bayard laced Arthur's goblet with poison."
"This is an outrage!" Bayard says, pulling his sword from his belt, prompting all the knights to follow.
My father has his gaze locked sternly on Bayard now. "Order your men to put down their swords, you're outnumbered here," he says as more guards rush in.
Bayard glances around nervously at the waiting knights. "I will not allow this insult to go unchallenged."
"On what grounds do you base this accusation?" My father turns his attention to Merlin.
"I'll handle this," I say, rounding the table. Time to save his stupid behind again. "Merlin, you idiot, have you been at the sloe gin again?" I grab him by the shoulders in a seemingly friendly matter before trying to pull him from the center of the room.
"Unless you want to be strung up you'll tell me why you think it's poisoned. Now." My father says angrily. Curse him.
"He was seen lacing it," Merlin replies without hesitation.
"By whom?"
He hesitates now. "I can't say."
"I won't listen to this anymore," Bayard says.
"Pass me the goblet," Uther orders, taking it from Merlin's hands. "If you're telling the truth." He raises the cup towards the other King.
"I am."
"Then you have nothing to fear, do you?"
Bayard smiles and sheathes his blade. He gestures for my father to pass him the cup.
"No. If it does prove to be poisoned, I want the pleasure of killing you myself." Bayard scoffs. My father turns slowly towards Merlin, goblet still outstretched in his hand. "He'll drink it."
"But if it is poisoned he'll die!" I argue.
"Then we'll know he was telling the truth."
"And what if he lives?" Bayard asks as Merlin grabs the goblet without fear.
"Then you'll have my apologies and you can do with him as you wish," my father says.
"Uther, please, he's just a boy. He doesn't know what he's saying." Gaius interjects.
"Then you should have schooled him better."
"Merlin, apologize. This is a mistake I'll drink it," I say in a desperate attempt to protect the idiot. I reach for the goblet in his hands.
"No, no, no, no, no, it's alright," he says. Eyeing the king of Mercia with determination. Almost like a challenge and there it is again. That bravery he always hides behind his clumsiness. A quality that one would never associate with Merlin unless you knew him well.
I back away from him. Silently hoping that he was wrong. That he made a mistake, because no matter what punishment Bayard gives to him, it will be better then losing my best friend.
He raises the goblet to his lips, hands shaking slightly, almost unnoticeable unless you were up close. He downs the wine inside quickly and removes the goblet from his mouth. He gazes at all of us. Waiting. I hold my breath, expecting him to collapse but nothing happens. I can see the smug grin play across Lord Bayards lips.
"It's fine," Merlin says. I let out the breath I was holding. I have never been more relived to hear those words.
"He's all yours," my father says.
I turn my back on him. Not bothering to object to my father. At least Merlin will live. I'm about to head back to my seat when I hear a strangled cough sound behind me. Almost like someone is choking. Oh no.
I turn to see an anguished look on my manservant's face. He has a hand at his throat. His chest heaves up and down at a frightening pace.
"Merlin...?" I call to him quietly. Please respond. Say something, anything! Just to prove nothing is wrong.
Unfortunately, I'm not that lucky. He gives another ragged cough before he collapses to the floor. The goblet rolls from his hands and I can hear the crowd gasp around us. Swords are pulled from their scabbards and I can faintly hear my father bark out an order but none of it registers. All that matters was getting to Merlin. I run over to his side, dropping down beside him. I bring a finger to his neck, feeling for his pulse. A faint beat thumps against my finger. He's alive... for now.
Gaius comes over next followed by Gwen. "Merlin can you hear me?" Gaius asks frantically.
When there's no response Gaius gets up. "We have to get him back to my chambers." I nod, getting up to grab his arms. "Bring the goblet, we need it to identify the poison."
I hoist the limp boy onto my shoulders and prepare to race from the room. I see Gwen scoop up the goblet from the floor as I leave the banquet hall.
Merlin you idiot. You should have let me drink the poison. You don't deserve to die. Especially, not to save me. I berate myself, over and over again as I rush to Gaius's chambers. I don't deserve to be king if I can't protect the one friend I have.