I walk round the quarters till I see Merlin and Gauiss room. I was about to open the door but it was already open. Then I heard the yelling. "Where is Merlin?!" Arthur tells. I scoff. "Will you shut up. You already woke up the entire kingdom." I say stepping in.
I see Gaius and Guinevere, Gwen was sitting at the table and Gaius was standing up lookin at me and Arthur. "And what are you doing here at this hour?" He asks. I sit down next to Guinevere. "They invited me for dinner, so I came to eat. What exactly are you doing that involves you yelling your lungs out?" I say my eyes traveling to behind the door. I see Merlin pushing himself against the wall and I crack a smile at the sight.
I look back at Arthur so he doesn't get suspicious. "I came here for my manservant, but it seems he's not here. Sorry for the interruption Gaius." He says and walks out. He closes the door behind him and Merlin steps away getting to the table. The second he sat down the door flung open. My eyes turned turquoise and Merlin was no where to be seem. I rubbed my eyes so no one would see the color.
"Where is he." Arthur demands. 'Hide under the table.' I think. I remove my hands, my eyes back to normal. "As we told you before not here. He's probably out with some girl. Leave the boy alone. Now can we eat our dinner without you interrupting us?" I ask. He bites his lip and nods. He walks back to the door, taking one more look around them shutting it. I sigh and Merlin returns from under the table. Both Gwen and Gaius jump at the sight of him.
"Oh I thought you disappeared!" Exclaims Gwen. Merlin chuckles looking at me. 'Thank you.' He thinks and I nod giving him a smile. "Yes so did I." Says Gaius glaring at Merlin. Merlin smiles sheepishly at him and fixes himself to sit down. We finish dinner with a nice chat, then put the dishes in the sink. I stand up and begin to wash. "I will be right back, I must give the King his medication for the night." Gaius says grabbing his bag and closing the door. "I should be going as well, the lady Morgana can't sleep without somebody with her." Gwen says putting her dish in the sink and leaving. There was a comfortable silence between me and Merlin, I was washing the dishes and Merlin was cleaning around the room.
"Do you think anybody has any interest in Gwen." I ask Merlin continuing to wash. 'Me.' Merlin thinks and my eyes widen. "Well Arthur seems to have an interest in her. I think they'd go well together as she is queen material." He says putting the last thing away. I stayed at him my mouth agape. "You are such a liar." I say giving him a smile. "Haha what do you mean." He says sitting down at the table looking at me. "You like her too, don't you." I say teasingly. I finish washing the last dish and put it to dry and go to the table, sitting across from him. He blushes looking away. "Well maybe but they go together." He says giving me a sullen look. There was a small noise but I ignored it. "Hey you never know, so what if they go good together. Both of you can be even better." I say clearing my throat. "Well why don't you tell me about her? Say what you like most. Romance is an amazing thing to hear about." I say both my elbows on the table my face in both my hands, looking at expectantly. "Well she-" "So it was a girl." I hear from the door. On instinct I grab my sword pointing it in the direction of the voice.
"You can't seem to stop almost killing me, can you?" Arthur mocks, once again moving it away from his neck. "No, the temptation is too irresistible." I say sarcastically. "But who knew Merlin could get himself someone who could return his feelings of love? What a miracle." He says tauntingly. "At least he's beats you in that. Your love life is far from his." I say looking at Merlin and giving him a smile. He returns it but it fades when he looks at Arthur.
Arthur sits down next to me staring at Merlin his elbows on the table. "So while you were with your girlfriend, I, had to dress myself bathe myself and ask someone else to refill my cup. Do you know how much of a hassle that is." He says and I slide my arm under his elbows removing them from the table. "Yes I do because I do it to myself, then must do it for you every day." Merlin says sassily and I smile, proud of him. Arthur scoffs. "Well that's your job as a servant." Arthur retorts and my smile fades immediately. "Do you think it was his choice to me your manservant? That it's such a pleasure doing everything for a grown ass man everyday, and still have to do their own tasks? Your father got him unwillingly to do it, because it should be an honor. But what's so great about it?" I snapped at him. "Well who wouldn't want to do it? I'm the crown prince." He says glaring at me. It was my turn to scoff. "What makes you so important just because you are the crown prince? It's not our fault we weren't born with golden spoons in our mouths." I say returning his glare. "Umm I'll go to bed." Merlin says going to his room. 'Sorry But I can sense a sword fight and I don't want to get hit.' Merlin thinks and I snort withholding a laugh. I look at Merlin giving him a smile. He nods and closes the door to his room. I was pulled back to reality when Arthur tugged on my collar bringing my brown eyes to his fiery ones. "Do you know how much responsibility we have, making sure the people of this kingdom don't die? We have servants to help us not worry about excess things." He protests against my accusations.
I roll my eyes at him. "And even with your so called 'help' thousands of people are going without family, their blood in your hands. Even with your 'help' people are starving, homeless, and trying their best to make a life. You being rude and arrogant to your servants who have their own problems, isn't helping. Have you checked to see how Merlin was feeling? He's here alone with people he doesn't know missing his mother and trying to satisfy your endless needs on a daily basis, and he still manages to be an amazing friend to all that know him. How many times has he helped you on a personal matter? Or Morgana, or Guinevere or even people he didn't know like that kid from the druids. I get that you have a lot on your shoulders but so do other people. Think about them as well." I say taking in a breath after my rant.
His grip loosens and he looks at me sincerely. I could tell he was taking in my words and was thinking about how many times Merlins helped him and others but still manages to do his job. "A-Ah I'm sorry then." He stutters our closing his eyes. He opens them again as I stood up going to the door. "Don't apologize time me. Be nicer to the people that try helping you their best. Then you might actually be an amazing king." I say shutting the door.
As I walk to my chambers I hear a different voice. It was Morganas. 'Anika, can you come to take Guinevere. She fell asleep on the chair and I don't believe it's that comfortable.' Morgana thinks. At first I was slightly shocked but recovered and headed to Morgana. I knock on the door and she opens it soon after. "She's over there. I didn't want to wake her." Morgana says pointing to a chair next to her bed where Guinevere sat, her head to the side, eyes closed. I walk over to her and lift her up my arms under her knees and begging her back. I walk to the door with Gwen. "Thank you so much Anika. See you tomorrow." She says and I smile at her as she closes the door.
Then it hits me. 'I don't know where she lives.' I internally groan. An idea pops in my head. I head to my chambers once arriving I close the door behind me. I lay her on my bed and she drifts into the sheets fixing herself. I cover her with the blanket and look around the room. 'Where to sleep. Where to sleep.' I think. Ah I can get blankets from the sewing room. I say hopping to the door. I arrive shortly and get a blanket and pillow. When I arrived in my room once more, Guinevere was still asleep. I look around. Then I see my window. It had a large sitting space, large enough for me to sleep. I walk over placing my pillow then sitting down. I remove my boots after closing the curtain. I lay down facing the outside after covering myself with the blanket. I look around the billiard that started at the end of the gates. Few people were still walking around aside from the guards. They looks like ants but not in groups as you would see them most of the time. My overthinking eventually lulled me into a dreamless sleep for the first time.
I wake up when I turn over and the sun hits my closed eyes. They open and I look around. I recall Guinevere sleeping in my bed and I was in the window. I sit up rubbing my eyes and putting on my boots. "But Ar-" someone says then is cut off by something. My head lifts up confused. 'Is Gwen sleep talking? Or who is she talking to?' I think standing up my boots on. I open the curtains and almost throw up last nights dinner.
"Ew. Come on guys in my room?!" I exclaim. I was bent over holding my mouth. "Oh I'm so sorry Anika! I thought you had slept somewhere else as you let me sleep here. Why would you sleep in the window?" Guinevere asks rushing over to me. I stand up straight my composure returned. The image of them kissing ran through my head again and the food went up my throat again. I shut my eyes. "I'll just act like I never saw that. But it doesn't remove the image from my head." I say rubbing my temples. I look over at Arthur. "When I told you to be nicer to them I didn't mean to kiss them!" I exclaim at him and he starts laughing. I glare at him. "Oh you find suffering funny? Imma give you something real good to laugh about." I threaten making my way to him but Gwen steps in front of me. "Now that I think about it the king had requested both of you at breakfast." Gwen says nervously. I sigh looking away from her. "Well then his request to me is denied. I lost my appetite." I say turning back to where I slept and begin folding the blanket. "But father has been looking forward to speaking with you about the knights." Arthur intervenes. I clench my jaw.
"I am not wearing this!" I exclaim. "But the king asked for you to." Gwen protests fixing the back. "But I can't breath. I much rather wear a blouse." I say crossing my arms. The dress was navy blue and long sleeved. I went below my toes and it squeezed my neck. The tightness showed every curve of muscle I had in my stomach and arms. "That means it fits." She say stepping back and looking at me. Her eyes widen. "With you wearing blouses and pants all the time I never knew you had this much muscle! And who knew you actually had a waist!" She says laughing and touching the abs on my stomach. "Can't I wear something else? It'll be a dress I promise." I say pleadingly. She shakes her head. "You wear it just this once and next time you'll get to chose." She reassures patting my back.
I sigh stepping to the door but stumble in the heels. I catch myself on Arthur who stepped in to check on Gwen. "Well would you look at that. Your really a woman!" He taunts and I glare at him. "But I can still beat you in heels." I retort regaining my balance. He scoffs looking at Gwen. I could tell the we're going to do something so I quickly tried walking outside.
I close the door sighing. I hear a laugh. "Woah you actually have a body under all that clothes you wear." Merlin mocks. I smile at him. " I can't breath." I let out taking in air. He laughs again and I begin but then start seeing dots. "They want me to eat in this! How?" I question and Merlin shrugs his shoulders. He walks me to the dining room and we have small talk. "We'll see you later Anika!" He exclaims waving and leaving. I nod giving him a smile.
I take in a deep breath before knocking on the door. It opens and the king is sitting in a chair. "Good morning Anika. Please have a seat. "He says pointing to a seat in the middle. I nod and go to sit down. Shortly after Arthur comes in. He snickers at the sight of me and sits down across from his father. "I see you wore the dress I recommended. Don't you think she looks nice Arthur?" Uther says looking at his son. I try to hold in my laughter. He's going to be forced to say yes, he wouldn't say anything to disappoint his father.
Arthur takes in a breath. "Y-Yes I would say so." He says and I couldn't help it. I burst out laughing. "You are such a horrible liar!" I exclaim resuming to laugh. I calm down and both men look at me. Uther confused, and Arthur scared of what his father would say. "What do you mean, Anika?" Uther asks. I shake my hand at him dismissively. "Didn't we come to discuss about the knights?" I ask. Uther nods. "Well yes but-" "then let's not waste anytime and speak about the knights." I say bringing my drink to my mouth.
Uther looks confused then smiles. "Now that I think about it. You would make an excellent queen Anika." Uther says and I choke on my drink. "Father!" Arthur says. "It's true. She's straight forward, determined, stubborn and stands up for herself and others. I would see her a great role model for the kingdom." Uther states like if it was super obvious.
"But that would mean I'd have to marry Arthur." I say cleaning myself. "You are a smart one. Yes, it would mean you'd have to marry Arthur." He clarifies. "But theres bound to be someone else more capable of being a queen and they'd actually be willing to marry Arthur." I say chuckling. "But why wouldn't you want to marry my son?" Uther asks bewildered. "It's simple. I don't find him attractive nor charming." I state matter of factly. "Hey!" They both exclaim. I shrug my shoulders. "If we won't speak of what we'll be doing with the knights, then I'll be leaving."I say standing up. "If you will not agree then I'll make you!" He says. "How?" I say turning around. "Well I can have you do it by force with the guards." He says. I scoff. "And what are they gonna do? If you forgot I can beat all your men including your amazing fighter of a son. And as you said. I'm stubborn and stand up for myself. I won't let you marry me to some golden spoon prince just cause you want me to." I say slamming the door shut. I go to my chambers and struggle to remove the dress. Merlin steps in looking worried. "Great timing! Can you unclip the dress from the back. I could rip it off but it looks more expensive then my liver." I say jokingly and we both laugh. He begins removing my clips when Arthur steps in. "Ever heard of knocking?" I retort and he ignores me and looks around the room then his eyes land on Merlin. "Where's Gwen? And why is he doing that? What if one of the servants saw you two? Do you know what they would say about their future queen?" He says worriedly. "Geez relax he's just helping me. I haven't seen Gwen though.- wait what about a queen?" I ask and Merlin finishes. Arthur sighs frustratedly.
"Your going to be the future queen if we don't leave!"