Arthur's Chambers, Citadel, Camelot, Saturday Afternoon

[bitchprince]

The morning had been spent in training, as it always was: it had been a mild day for Arthur, which meant most of the knights had come out of the ordeal relatively unscathed. After that, pouring over the fine print of some old treaty Uther was considering expanding on, and then making certain their grain reserves were still full enough, and then...

Honestly, it was like Francine and Katchoo had never even been here, let alone Katrina.

Arthur had sent Merlin out to get some boots mended. It wouldn't be long now before the boy returned-- in a fit of sentimentality, Arthur had ordered another servant to bring an especially large lunch upstairs with surplus honeycakes. Watching Merlin tear into some food would be a charming enough respite from all the bloody scrolls he was forced to go through right now...

God, but did Arthur hate paperwork.

[[ for that guy! ETA: slightly NWS ]]

Comments

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"How did you even manage to tear these boots," Merlin grumbled, backing his way into the room, arms full of other mended items.

[bitchprince]

"Training, Merlin. Obviously."

Clearly. How could you not see that? Arthur looked up from his scroll (eugh, could this be any more boring?) and gestured at the wardrobe. Helpfully.

"Then take a seat."

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

Kicking the door shut behind him, Merlin also helpfully dumped the pile of things in the cupboard. Because it was the best place for them.

Really.

In a pile.

"Maybe you ought to wear better shoes then," he pointed out, putting things in a vague order.

[bitchprince]

"My boots are already made of the finest leather, that doesn't mean they're impervious to tearing," Arthur retorted, deciding that this was as good a time as any to roll up the scroll (of potential criminals' names and their deeds and honestly, petty theft now?) and put it aside.

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"Uh huh." Merlin finally made his way over to flop back in one of the chairs. "Do you think Francine and Katchoo are doing well at school?"

[bitchprince]

"I wouldn't doubt it, infuriating as they can be."

It was a perfect opportunity for Arthur to lean over and pull off the boots he was wearing for comfort, shooting a glance at the door. The food should surely be here soon...

"Katina's likely frustrating someone right this very moment."

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"Or threatening them!" Oh, Merlin.

[bitchprince]

Arthur pulled a face. "I'm just glad she didn't really try to take anyone's head off down here," he offered. "Would've been a mite bit embarrassing had she succeeded."

Though it would've given him days of material in the 'insulting his knights' sweepstakes.

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"Oh, like you wouldn't have been amused," Merlin replied, possibly knowing him too well. Or possibly underestimating the damage Katchoo could do to the male psyche.

[bitchprince]

"It would reflect rather badly on me if my knights managed to be defeated by a small blonde harridan," he retorted. "Even if they are useless."

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

Merlin just snickered at the thought. "Anyway," he replied, shaking his head. "I ought to get your dinner now."

[bitchprince]

Which was a spectacular kind of cue for the opening of the door and the subsequent appearance of the (rather overburdened) servant muscling its way through.

"No need," Arthur said, idly, and gestured for the man to put the food down on his table.

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"...Are you planning to feed a small army?" Merlin asked, keeping his voice low at least.

[bitchprince]

"A small army? You're thinking fairly highly of yourself, Merlin," Arthur snarked.

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"I don't eat that much!"

...yeah he did.

[bitchprince]

"You eat like a pig, which is surprising for someone of your build. Or perhaps not," Arthur said, waving the other servant off. "Try not to plow through all the honey cakes. This is good food. You may wish to remember to chew."

Prat.

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

Arthur should be glad that Merlin waited for the boy to be out of the room before tossing one of those honeycakes at Arthur's head. Yes, with magic. He was busy grabbing one to eat, damn it!

[bitchprince]

"Oi!"

Arthur Pendragon would not be lowered to a food fight.

...Throwing a pillow, on the other hand...

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"I'm eating here!" Merlin said, clinging to the half finished cake and giving him a foul look.

[bitchprince]

"No, what you are doing is being a nuisance," Arthur said, in a fashion that didn't manage to hit prim in the slightest. "Enjoy your food, don't fling it about."

He was reaching over to get himself an egg.

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"Don't be a prat," Merlin shot back, finishing the cake with no grace at all before grabbing what he hoped was mutton.

[bitchprince]

Arthur sighed long-sufferingly, and began to eat.

"I think we should ride out and turn our phones on in the woods again tomorrow," he said, idly. "It's been some time."

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

And it was mutton! Oh, the simple things in life... "In the morning?"

[bitchprince]

"Before morning practice. There should be a small window of time where my presence isn't required elsewhere," he said, and took some ham next. He was going to be leisurely about this, thank you.

[bigdamndestiny.livejournal.com]

"Do you think we could go to the south? There are some herbs Gaius wanted before the season is over."

And Merlin was a lazy, lazy servant.