Chapter Text
After ten years of living in Camelot Merlin had gotten used to not having holidays off. Or any days of in fact. So when Arthur yet again gave him a never-ending list of chores on the winer solstice he really shouldn’t be surprised, but that didn’t mean he was happy about it.
“Rise and shine Sire!” The young warlock sang as he ripped open the curtains.
To which the king responded with what Merlin presumed was “Go away Merin”. But thanks to the pillow in his face it came out sounding more like “uhhg..gho ovah Murvin.”.
“No can do I’m afraid. This morning you have training with your knights, then you have a meeting with the steward about the staff fire wood, then you have all evening to prepare and host the winter solstice feast.” He finished listing of as he walked around the chambers picking up the laundry of the floor as he went. God does this guy never pick up after himself? One would think a king would be able to locate the laundry basket. Honestly, it’s a miracle that he can find his own backside half the time.
From the other side of the room came a light “ish mot fhe vimther shoshdance”
“Huh? I’m sorry, want to repeat that for me sire?”
“Uhg.. Its not the winter solstice, its Yule” The king responded while he stretched and finally, finally got out of bed.
“Same thing” Merlin muttered. Turning around and walking over to the closet to begin folding the fresh laundry. He didn’t see why it mattered, Merlin had always called it the winter solstice so winter solstice it was.
A lot of things had changed for the young warlock since moving from Ealdor. For one everyone had to eat with cutlery, he had to learn that the hard way when Gaius had slapped his hand when he picked up the chicken leg with his hands. Then there was the amount of clothes they owned, even Gwen had at least five dresses! Not to mention Arthur. It had been quite a culture shock and many difficult adjustments when he had first moved, but he liked to think he had gotten the hang of it.
But to Merlin it had been the winter solstice that he had looked forward to. And that was one thing that was not going to change. No mater what stupid royal a…
“Merlin!”
“What!” He shouts back. Turning around to face Arthur only to find him standing just in front of him.
“Have you been listening to anything I’ve just said?” Arthur asks in that entitled `Merlin you really are an idiot´ voice. Merlin shrinks back a little sheepishly, not only for not listening but because he had realised just how close Arthur was.
“Uhhh...yes?”
“Oh really? Then what did I just say?” The smug look on his face somehow amplifies.
“Well of course sire, you said my name.”
“Ha ha, you know what I’ve said about you trying to act funny.” He says as he spins around and struts back to his desk. “Besides you’re lucky I won’t have to repeat after myself.”
Arthur reaches over to grab a peace of rolled parchment on his desk and examen it for a second. Just as Merlin was going to ask what he meant he was hit in the face with that said parchment.
“Oi! What was that for!” He yelps out of surprise. Bending over to pick up the paper.
“Mmmh… your catching skills need improvement..” He hums seemingly uncensored but also in the way that Merlin, who knows him better than anyone, can tell that he is holding back a smile. As Merlin unwraps the scroll he freezes.
“Arthur what is this?”
“Your list of chores of course.” Now he’s barely even trying not to sound smug. With a full smile on his lips he turns to walk behind the changing screen.
“Arthur there is like 15 different chores on this? How on earth am I meant to finish this??”
Just before Arthur disappears behind the screen he turns his head to talk to merlin.
“You’re right Merlin, that is a lot of chores. So you better start on them fast” Arthur whirls back to the changing screen and leaves Merlin to ponder on just how he was going to fit so many tasks in one day.
“ Oh and don’t forget you have to serve me at the feast tonight as well as well!”
Merlin opens his mouth as if to say something. Then decides to close it. Ending up in the stocks on top of the endless pile of chores would not be his ideal way to celebrate today.