Chapter Text
It all started when Arthur and Merlin stumbled across a village being raided by bandits while on a hunt. After Arthur single-handedly defeated the bandits, sending Merlin off to take care of the villagers because,
“You’re really no good at fighting.”
The pair discovers that the village chief had been badly injured. Though Arthur felt bad, he didn’t know what more he could do for the people - he’d already saved their village. But then Merlin with his stupid sad eyes and his stupid pout convinced Arthur to bring the man back to the castle so he could be treated by Gaius.
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“Good morning!” Merlin announced in a revolting cheery voice as he yanked back the curtains in Arthur’s chamber.
“Why are you here,” Arthur groaned, smothering himself with a pillow as bright morning light flooded his chamber.
“I’m supposed to be here,” Merlin said, striding towards Arthur’s bed, “to wake you.”
“I know that,” Arthur growled, wiggling away from Merlin as his manservant tried to pull the covers from the him. “But, you’re never here on time.”
“Well,” Merlin dropped the blankets he’d been fighting for, flitting off to some other task. “Branore helped me with my morning chores, to thank Gaius and I for allowing him to stay with us, so I’m on time today.”
“What do you mean he’s staying with you?” Arthur asked, sitting up to find his servant standing before the closet, ankle deep in the clothing that had exploded out of it.
“Do you know how to fold laundry?” Merlin asked, plucking a wrinkled shirt from the floor and holding it accusingly at Arthur.
“That’s actually your job, Merlin,” Arthur climbed out of bed and grabbed the shirt from him, wrestling it over his head. “This, Branier, he is staying with you?”
“Branore.” Merlin corrected, lacing a strip of leather through the weary red shirts deep v. “He’s receiving treatment from Gaius so he’s staying with me in my chambers.”
That caught Arthur’s attention, as Merlin finished his business, patting the prince’s chest before wandering away. Why would Merlin allow a stranger they’d met only yesterday stay in his chambers. Surely that wasn’t safe, they didn’t know the character of this man. He could be plotting to kill Merlin as he dozed or he could be a threat to the kingdom; which made more sense for the prince of said kingdom to be worried about.
“What would you like for breakfast? I’ll call it up for you after I make up your bed.”
“I’ll get it myself,” Arthur muttered, tugging on trousers more fitting to wander the castle in.
“You’ve never offered to do that before,” Merlin turned to the prince, looking him over suspiciously. “You haven’t been replaced by a helpful changeling, have you?”
“Of course not!” Arthur snapped, reaching for a goblet to toss at the black-haired man, who laughed, ducking to the side.
Grumbling Arthur slammed the goblet back onto the table and stomped out of the room. Clearly there was no reason for him to be concerned about Merlin, as he was his same infuriating self.
But as Arthur approached the kitchens, giving a fair shock to many of the servants along his way, his pace slowed. He couldn’t seem shake the thought of a strange man sleeping in Merlin’s chambers, it just didn’t sit right with him. The mere concept tied his brain in bothersome knots that would make it very hard for him to conduct his duties.
He came to a stop before the kitchen doors, steeling his resolve as he turned on his heel and set off towards Gaius’s room.