My Guardian Angel

Chapter 3

After a while of working in silence Merlin spoke up, "So... a wife?"

"Apparently the kingdoms are growing restless because I do not have a wife. Father says that I have to find someone to marry by the end of the celebrations," Arthur explained with a heavy sigh.

"But that's ridiculous," Merlin sputtered indignantly. "You should marry out of love not because a bunch of kings don't like the thought of you as a bachelor."

Arthur laughed at Merlin's choice of words, "Trust me Merlin I like it less than you do. Alas my father is too stubborn to see reason."

"Sounds like someone else I know," Merlin chuckled but luckily Arthur was too immersed in his thoughts to hear him.

"What did you say Merlin," Arthur asked looking up from his work.

"Nothing Sire," Merlin grinned. Merlin turned back to the last of the dough as he slid it into a freezer to use for tomorrow night. Suddenly Arthur got an idea.

"Oh Merlin," Arthur said grinning.

"Yes Arthur," Merlin asked spinning around. Arthur quickly moved to smush a pile of flour in Merlin's hair. The white flour contrasting with his dark hair. Arthur rubbed the flour further into Merlin's hair making Merlin cry out in surprise.

"What the-" Merlin exclaimed face contorted into one of shock. Arthur laughed heartily at Merlin's expression.

"Your face," Arthur laughed pointing a figure at Merlin. "Ah, priceless."

"Arthur you utter prick," Merlin exclaimed.

"Oí, you two," The chef Arthur found out was named Millicent shouted at them. "Learn to behave before I kick you both out."

"My apologies," Arthur apologized bowing respectfully.

"Sorry," Merlin said bowing his head as well.

Arthur couldn't be sure but he could have sworn he heard her mutter a low 'boys, more trouble than they're worth' but he couldn't be sure.

"Come on," Merlin nudged Arthur, "Let's clean this up."

The two worked silently cleaning up their station. When they were finished Arthur gathered up his things before giving a wave to Millicent and heading towards the entrance of the kitchens. Merlin tried to follow as well but was stopped before he even passed the counter.

"Not you," Millicent said. "I need you to help clean up the ballroom upstairs." Merlin sighed already exhausted from work.

"Yes ma'am," Merlin answered before following Arthur out of the kitchens and up the stairs. Merlin stopped at the top of the steps where Arthur was waiting for him. Arthur's room was left and down the hall while the ballroom was the other direction.

"I guess you're in for a longer night than you expected, huh Merlin?" Arthur joked but his voice still held a level of pity for his manservant.

"You could always join me," Merlin quipped with a tired smile.

Arthur snorted, "Yeah right. Just because I helped you in the kitchens does not mean I'm comfortable being seen working as a servant. I am royalty you remember."

"Yeah a royal Prat," Merlin sniggered making Arthur open his mouth wide in mock offense.

"Merlin," Arthur cried out.

"Right of course, my apologies Sire," Merlin bowed lowly. He looked up from his bow with a slight smirk. Merlin then stood back up.

Arthur knew that Merlin's jibes we're becoming more frequent lately due to Arthur's lack of resistance. However, he couldn't help but feel a sort of comfort knowing that though the rest of his life had gone askew, his witty banter with Merlin remained the same. Still, Merlin should be taught that his disrespect for his future king was not to be tolerated.