Streets of Camelot, Monday Afternoon

[bigdamndestiny]

It was the same thing they did every Monday, collecting pots from Gaius' various patient's all over the city and within the keep proper. Which made for a terribly exciting time all around!

Okay, more like boring and Merlin left feeling a bit like a pack mule as he lugged the pots and Gaius carried on like he was on a carefree little walk.

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[ccedontheemail]

A ragged, worn-down, slightly sweaty man launched himself at Merlin out of the blue, hands grasping for his arm with pin-point precision. His clothes reeked of dung and his eyes were small and beady, and he was balding.

"Please," he hissed. "We seek Uther Pendragon."

[bigdamndestiny]

The initial reaction of 'OHGOD' and jerking away like a little girl was thankfully stifled before it could embarrass him terribly.

"Er--pardon?" he asked, glancing over to Gaius for help with the creepy man.

Why did this always happen to him?!

[ccedontheemail]

The man pressed a large wooden object into Merlin's hand. "Please," he said, his voice still a creepy low hiss, "It is urgent; business with the King."

[camelotfolk]

"If you have any business with the King, you can take it through the proper channels," Gaius interjected, reaching for the object before Merlin startled enough and dropped something.

... What. It happened.

He paused, then, and stared down at the object. "...This is the Seal of the House of Tragal."

[bitch_prince]

It wasn't that Arthur wasn't sympathetic to Lady Catrina's plight, far from it; the death of her family and the destruction of the House of Tragal was no laughing matter. However, if he were to be entirely honest, it wasn't strictly necessary for the Lady to swoon all over his father.

Or perhaps she was genuinely distraught - the thought of which made him feel guilty for his kneejerk annoyance. He couldn't tell. But Father had swiftly offered her a bed for the night, and for as long as she would wish to stay, and he could find no trouble with that.

Even so, something about her...

Nevermind.

His eyes sought out Merlin's expression as the audience came to an end, as he sat back uneasily on the smaller throne beside his Father's.

[bigdamndestiny]

Merlin offered him a hopeful little grin from his spot by Gaius. A frowny, frowny Gaius.

But that hardly stopped Merlin from giving the lady starry-eyed little looks.

[bitch_prince]

... That, on the other hand, could stop any minute now. Any moment.

He barely repressed the annoyed look he desperately wanted to send Lady Catrina's way. Certainly, she had comely features, but... well, she wouldn't be the first woman to try her wiles on Arthur's Father in order to get a piece of his power, and...

And, well, Merlin could stop staring at her like that.

As soon as his Father called the whole thing to an end, Arthur was coming up and off of his throne, stalking across the room. "Merlin."

[bigdamndestiny]

"Yes, Ar--your highness?" Merlin asked, still smiling like a loon.