Of Chores and Crowns (A Merlin Fanfiction) ✔

Chapter Twelve

"MERLIN!" Arthur bellowed again, his voice echoing through the halls.

I giggled, turning to give Merlin a look over the pile of laundry. He was looking down the hallway towards the sound of Arthur's voice.

"I did tell you." I laughed.

He gave me a dirty look and I couldn't help but giggle again. I shifted the laundry in my arms, moving to lean against the wall. Merlin gave me a concerned look but I only shrugged.

"Ah, there you are, Merlin!" Arthur exclaimed, rounding the corner, "Where in the bloody hell have you been? I've been loo--"

Arthur came to a halt when he noticed me against the wall. His cheeks turned a light pink in embarrassment, and I couldn't help but smirk.

"Dawn!" He looked down at me in surprise, "It's good to see you!"

"You just saw me earlier, sire." I replied, giggling slightly.

He cleared his throat, "Right, of course."

Merlin's eyes flickered in between the two of us slowly, as if he were trying to figure out something. I cleared my throat and looked down at the pile of laundry in my arms to avoid both of them.

"What is that?"

I looked up involuntarily at the sound of Arthur's voice and followed his eyes to the laundry.

"It is the Princess's laundry, sire. I'm to clean it." I responded.

"Does she not know of your injury?"

"It would only stress her out, sire."

"It's putting strain on your leg."

"My leg will heal quickly."

"Dawn--"

"I will be fine, sire." I interrupted, putting an edge to my voice.

Both men seemed taken aback by my tone, and I immediately began to regret it. I blushed red, and looked away.

I shifted the laundry in my arms, causing Merlin to jolt forward as if he were going to take the load out of my arms. I shifted out of his way, and narrowed my eyes at him playfully.

"Now, if you excuse me, I need to get back to work." I said, bowing as much as I could with my arms full.

I turned to leave, but Arthur reached out and grabbed my arm, pulling me to a stop. I froze, my breath catching in my throat. His large hand was warm on my skin, and goosebumps rose. I didn't turn around, and I heard Arthur dismiss Merlin. When he was gone, Arthur released me.

I turned to face him.

"Sire?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

He stared at me, concerned. I could only watch him, unable to say anything.

"I don't want you working until your leg is healed, Dawn." He finally said, looking away from me.

"I'm not going to leave the Princess to herself." I told him, shaking my head.

"Princess Fayelinn will not benefit if you collapse on her, when she needs you the most." He retorted, crossing his arms over his muscular chest.

I ripped my eyes away from his chest, blushing red. I searched for a response, but couldn't find any. He made a good point, and it was hard to refute it.

"I need to work."

I turned away again to leave, but he grabbed my arm and spun me back around. I tripped forward, dropped the laundry, and fell against his chest. He wrapped his arm around me to steady the two of us.

I looked up at him, only to see him already watching me. His blue eyes seemed to look straight into my soul, and the sun from the window turned his hair into a halo of gold.

He never looked more handsome.

I jolted out of his arms, looking away from him. I bent slightly to pick up the laundry again. Arthur seemed frozen, only watching me pick everything up. Finally I was on my feet again.

"I'm not going to just relax. I can't do that right now." I said, avoiding his gaze.

I turned away again, and this time Arthur didn't grab my arm. I relaxed a little, but tensed again when Arthur spoke up again.

"I order you to take the rest of the week off."

I turned to stare at him. He was watching after me with an unreadable expression.

Without saying anything, I whirled around and continued on my way. People couldn't ignore an order from the Prince.

I found myself angry with him.

Who did he think he was, keeping me from my work? He probably hasn't ever worked a day in his life. To think I had ever been attracted to him.

I swore under my breath, storming into the laundry room. Steam billowed up in the air out of the basins and I huffed, angrily. I marched to an empty wash tub and threw the clothes into the hot water.

"I order you to take the rest of the week off." I mocked, lowering my voice to mimic Arthur's. "Stupid, arrogant prince."

I plopped down on a stool and began angrily scrubbing the first dress. My thigh throbbed after being so long on my feet. I stretched it out in front of my body, relaxing.

I decided to listen to Arthur's order after I finished the laundry. I wasn't going to make someone else do it when I was easily capable right now.

I plunged my hands in the water, causing some bubbles to overflow onto the floor. I cursed loudly, causing some other servents nearby to gasp or giggle.

"Stupid Prince." I grumbled again.

It was right there and then that I vowed to stay away from Prince Arthur.

But, even then, I knew I would break that vow.