"And see to it that the rooms are all ready. I want fresh pitchers of water in each room as well" Arthur said as he hurried along the corridor with Merlin in tow. Today was of course, the day King Bellmore arrived to talk over the treaty between their two lands, and Arthur was in one of his more prattish moods. Still, Merlin was willing to let it go, just this once. After all this treaty would mean the World to Camelot by opening up trade between the two kingdoms.

"I've already got some of the other servant's to help" Merlin assured him. Arthur looked over at him.

"good, then once your finished there I want you washed up and ready to meet Bellmore with me" he said. Merlin nodded, then bowed as Arthur dismissed him. Arthur watched his manservant move quickly down the hall, before turning towards the large doors of the throne room and entering.

Merlin moved as quickly through the castle as he could, checking all the guest rooms, as well as the two that were being set out for Bellmore and his Daughter, the princess Thelma. He smiled at the servant's who had agreed to help him, aiding where he could. The servant's seemed to be confused by his behaviour and attitude, after all, he was the king and Queens personal servant so therefore it would follow he would be head of the servant's in the castle. Merlin had scoffed the idea away until Gwen had taken him aside and explained the way it worked. Apparently, the current personal servant of the king was always moved to the head of the household's servants, and with the death of Uther, that meant his servant was relegated back to his original post, and Merlin was now in charge, which he actually hated as it added a whole slew of work into his already busy day. Still, he wasn't complaining – epically on days like today when it meant he had extra help. Still, it took him nearly two hours before he was finally satisfied everything was as right as it could be, before he made his way to the pharmacy, Gaius looking up even as Merlin walked past him pulling his tunic over his head and heading for the room.

"Gaius!" he called out poking his head around the door of his room. "Could I possibly use the bath?" he asked. Gaius rolled his eyes and stood to get the large wooden tub. He had gone a foot when it rose into the air, through the door to Merlin's room and settled on the floor.

"What have I told you about doing stuff like that!" Gaius demanded. As he sat back down.

"Sorry Gaius, in a rush" Merlin called back. Gaius rolled his eyes.

"that's the problem with youth these days, always hurrying" he grumbled, but it was no use, Merlin had already closed the door.

He emerged half an hour later, hair neatly combed, a new set of clothing on, and a smile on his face.

"Do I look okay?" he asked.

"Merlin, you look fine, but I don't know what all the fuss is about, after all, all you'll be doing is standing behind Arthur in case he want's something" Gaius said.

"I know, but Arthur asked, and there's no denying this is important for the kingdom" Merlin replied. Gaius rolled his eyes, but smiled.

"And I'm sure the king will appreciate the effort you've put in" he said. Merlin smiled, then left the room, Gaius chuckling.

The Audience chamber was empty with the exception of Arthur, Gwen, Merlin and the knights. Behind Arthur, Merlin was smiling proudly, having actually been complimented by Arthur. Well at least you made an attempt. Okay maybe not total compliment, but it was better than a what the hell are you wearing? comment. But then, it might also be due to the fact that Merlin had once said if he got a comment like that again, he'd turn up to a meeting stark naked, even under pain of death. Arthur had been generous in his comments since that day. He chuckled softly to himself, without realising, only shutting up when Arthur turned and glared at him. Next to Arthur Gwen shook her head, before she and Arthur both stood as the doors to the audience chamber opened. A Paige boy entered the room, bowing to Arthur and Gwen.

"May I present His Royal Highness King Bellmore and his Daughter Princess Thelma" he announced, as a large man walked in, he was bearded, but he wore a smile, and his eyes were kind in their way, if a little small. He held his daughter's hand gently, and she, unlike her father was a vision of beauty. She walked with her head held high, her lips were a deep ruby red, and her hair was tied back into a gentle bun, revealing the fine porcelain outlines of her features. Bellmore bowed regally when he reached Arthur, a gesture Arthur returned.

"King Bellmore, on behalf of myself and my Kingdom, I welcome you to Camelot" he greeted.

"My thanks, young King" Bellmore said, he turned and indicated his daughter. "My Daughter, the Lady Thelma" he introduced. Arthur bowed to her.

"Welcome to Camelot my lady" he said. Thelma looked at him, then at her father, frowning slightly. Arthur glanced at Gwen, who gave a quick shake of her head, when without warning, Merlin stepped forwards, and started making gestures with his hands. Thelma watched, then turned to Arthur and bowed before stepping back. Arthur glanced at Merlin, but remained silent.

"You have never signed?" asked Bellmore.

"I'm sorry, I meant no disrespect" Arthur said. Bellmore smiled. "You would not be the first person to make such a claim, but at least your servant here sorted it out, which is more than I can say for some people" Bellmore said, then smiled. "Thank you for having him present, because of her disability my daughter is often overlooked, yet to me she is the world" Bellmore said. Arthur smiled at him.

"It was no bother, I assure you. I just wish to make your stay, and these negotiations as smooth and pleasant as possible" Arthur said. Bellmore smiled again and nodded. Arthur turned to his right. "May I present Guinevere, my wife and Queen of Camelot" he introduced. Bellmore bowed and kissed her hand, as next to Arthur, Merlin translated for Thelma. Thelma stepped forwards and bowed, Gwen returning the gesture. "And my most loyal knights, Sir Leon, Sir Percival, Sir Gwaine, and Sir Elyan" Arthur said. Bellmore nodded to each of them, and they all bowed in return, Merlin introducing them a moment later. Thelma nodding to them in greeting.

"Now, I'm sure you've both had a long trip, so if you like I will have one of my servant's show you to your rooms?" Arthur asked, then stopped as Thelma began to sign. Merlin smiled and signed as he spoke.

"I am Merlin" he said to her. Thelma nodded to him and he bowed. Beside her Bellmore smiled.

"You have no idea how rare it is to find someone whom my daughter can speak to" whispered Bellmore. Arthur smiled at him.

"Now, back to business, perhaps we can meet again later, for dinner?" asked Bellmore. Arthur nodded.

"I look forwards to it" he agreed. Bellmore nodded and took Thelma's hand, then turning the pair left the room, as soon as the door closed, everyone let out a sigh.

"Wow, a king that's not obnoxious" muttered Gwaine, pausing when everyone looked at him. "What?" he asked.

"Sorry I didn't mean to overstep your bounds sire" Merlin said. Arthur looked at him. "I just thought, with how important this was to you, I might try to help" Merlin said. Arthur continued looking at him, then smiled.

"Merlin, you have no idea how indebted I am right now" Arthur stated. "I'd completely forgotten Thelma is deaf and mute" Arthur said.

"Well, you've been busy, with Morgana mostly, and part of working with Gaius means I need to know this stuff" Merlin said. "When you paused I kinda figured out you'd forgotten" he said.

"So, Merlin saves the day again" said Gwaine with a chuckle.

"So what did you make of Bellmore?" asked Gwen. Arthur looked at her and shrugged.

"He seems friendly enough" Arthur admitted. "Time will tell though, it all depends on how the negotiations pan out" he admitted. "Bellmore is known to have a sharp mind when it comes to negotiations, if he does sign it will only be when he's totally satisfied" Arthur said. Slowly Arthur stood. "Well, I guess we'll get to know him a little better tonight" Arthur said. Gwen stood with him, then whispered something into his ear. Arthur frowned, then looked at Gwen, as if she was mad.

"It might help" Gwen said. Arthur rolled his eyes, then turned to Merlin.

"My wife, infinite in her wisdom has suggested you take the night off from your duties as manservant" said Arthur. Merlin frowned, but Arthur held up his hand. "Instead, she suggests you…. Join us for dinner so as Lady Thelma will feel more comfortable" he said.

"But, eat with the king?" asked Merlin. "I've only ever done that where we're in the middle of the forest or-"

"Merlin?"

"Yes?"

"Shut up" Arthur told him. Merlin rolled his eyes, then sighed.

"Fine, I'll be there" he said. Arthur nodded and looked at the knights who were all chuckling at the man servant's discomfort, they immediately stopped upon seeing his gaze.

"Dismissed" Arthur said, walking away from the throne. As soon as he and Gwen were gone, Merlin looked at the knights who all suddenly started laughing again.

"Dinner with the King eh?" asked Gwaine. "better get Gaius to show you what a knife and fork are!" Gwaine teased.

"Oh shut up" Merlin snapped walking out.

Gaius looked up as Merlin stormed into the pharmacy.

"What's today's dilemma?" Gaius called as Merlin moved past him. Merlin stopped and sat down.

"I have to go to dinner tonight" Merlin said.

"How many people are you expected to serve?"

"None, I'm joining Arthur and Gwen for dinner with Bellmore and his daughter" Merlin said. Gaius frowned at him.

"Have you hit your head?" he asked. Merlin rolled his eyes.

"No I have not"

"Then forgive me for asking, because I know what stimulating dinner conversations you usually have, but what has possessed Arthur to ask you to dine with them tonight?"

"Lady Thelma" replied Merlin.

"And she is?"

"Bellmore's daughter, who happens to be deaf, so without being asked, I signed for her, and now I'm a dinner guest" Merlin replied. Gaius nodded then in understanding.

"I see" he said, "So why are you so annoyed?" he asked.

"Gaius, she's a princess! What do I have in common with her! What could we possibly talk about?" he asked.

"Your interests for a start" Gaius told him.

"Yeah, Oh you like paintings and flowers? Me? Oh I'm actually a kick ass Warlock but no one knows!" Merlin said. Gaius blinked.

"I see your point" he agreed, he thought for a moment. "We'll there's your childhoods" he suggested.

"Yeah, I was fine until I started levitating things at age 0.1!" Merlin said, his head slumping forwards to the table.

"Merlin" Gaius said.

"whaf?" came the muffled response.

"You could of course let her lead the conversation" he suggested. Merlin looked up and blinked.

"I'm going to die" he said.

"I wouldn't go that far" Gaius told him.

About three hours later Merlin slowly stepped out of his room, Gaius, Gwen and Arthur looking up as he appeared. Gwen had managed to find some old clothes in Arthur's wardrobe which she'd had adjusted to fit Merlin.

"Oh my…" Gaius said with a smile.

"I look stupid" Merlin grumbled. The clothes we're nothing like he'd ever worn before, the trousers were a beep blue in colour, while the shirt was red, he also had a belt, his own one that he'd cleaned until it looked newish, and his boots we're a present from Elyan, who thankfully had the same size feet as him.

"Actually, you look almost-" Gwen began.

"Like a noble" Arthur admitted. Merlin sighed and moved down the steps.

"Can we please just get this over with?" Merlin said. Arthur grinned, and nodded, he moved forwards a couple of spaces, then paused.

"Merlin?"

"Arthur?"

"You do know how to use a knife and fork right?" Arthur teased, relishing in his manservants discomfort. Slowly Merlin looked at him, and for a moment Gaius was seriously worried that the King would be turned into a toad. Arthur laughed, and Merlin sighed, then moved out of the door. Arthur grinned at Gaius.

"Do go easy on him sire, he's not looking forwards to this" Gaius said. "In fact if it had been anyone but you he'd have outright refused" Arthur smiled and nodded.

"I will" he said, leading Gwen out.

"Just keep him away from the gin!" Gaius called.

"So what exactly am I meant to be doing?" asked Merlin as he walked along with Arthur and Gwen.

"Just making sure Lady Thelma is kept occupied and happy" Arthur said as he walked into the banquet hall. Beside Merlin Gwen smiled.

"Merlin, you'll do fine, believe it or not Arthur has a lot of faith in you" she said.

"Sometimes I wish he'd show it" Merlin grumbled. Gwen chuckled and patted his hand.

"You're here aren't you" she said as she moved past Merlin.

"Yeah, that's what I'm afraid of" Merlin muttered as he followed Gwen in. Arthur was already seated, Gwen sitting to his left, and Merlin next to her. Two servant's were on duty, holding pitchers of wine and water. Merlin approached his seat and sat down, Gwen giving him an encouraging smile. After few moment's the doors opened again and Bellmore entered with Thelma, Arthur, Gwen and Merlin all rose, bowing to the king and his daughter. Bellmore returning it as the servant's pulled out two seats to Arthur's right. The king and his daughter sat, followed by Arthur and his group.

"I hope you don't mind, but I asked Merlin to join us so Lady Thelma would not feel left out in anyway" Arthur said. Bellmore smiled at Arthur.

"That is more than fine with me" he said. He turned to his daughter and signed something. Thelma nodded and smiled at Arthur, signing back.

"My Daughter thanks you for thinking of her" Bellmore said. Thelma looked at Merlin and signed, and Merlin broke into a smile, signing something back. Thelma grinned, and beside her Bellmore chuckled.

"My daughter asked if Merlin regularly dines with you, Merlin replied only when he's the one doing the cooking" Bellmore told Arthur and Gwen. Gwen laughed, and Arthur smiled, tightly, Gwen must have noticed because she took his hand under the table. The smile became more natural.

The group talked amongst each other, Thelma and Merlin signing, Bellmore and occasionally Merlin telling Arthur what they were saying, but the conversation died off as the food was brought out. Thelma signed something at Merlin who frowned. He signed back, and she smiled as she replied, Merlin grinning.

"Lady Thelma says I lied, there was no way I cooked all this" Merlin said.

"It taste's a lot better than your cooking as well" Arthur put in, Bellmore laughing, and telling Thelma what Arthur had said. Thelma grinned, and looked at Merlin, then signed something back. Merlin laughed again, and signed something else, Bellmore grinning, Arthur and Gwen also grinning, but not really knowing why. Eventually however the group turned to their food and began to eat. Merlin impressing Arthur with his table manners. The other thing that impressed Arthur and Gwen was that when the topic of conversation turned to the treaty, Merlin for once, stayed well out of it. Instead, talking to Thelma.

It turned out that they had a lot in common to talk about, naturally stemming from Merlin's ability to sign, to Merlin explaining where he had learned to do so, going back to some of the adventures he'd had with Arthur. Thelma smiled as Merlin told her of the immortal army, and the questing beast, how he'd been captured by their mortal enemy and nearly turned into an assassin, right back to when he'd been poisoned, all the while, modifying the stories so that Magic was never involved, at least from Merlin's perspective. Thelma then regaled Merlin with some of the adventures she had had over the years. It turned out that her lands were always under threat from King Calador, the ruler of the neighbouring kingdom, she had been kidnapped a few years earlier, and held to ransom, but her father and their knights had come to her rescue, while once she herself had had to rescue her father and his knights. Merlin signed back that he knew how that felt, Thelma smiling. Eventually however, the conversation died down, between Arthur, Gwen and Bellmore, and Merlin and Thelma as well. As the last of the food was taken away, Bellmore stood and bowed to Arthur, then he kissed Gwen's hand and then, surprisingly bowed to Merlin too. Merlin returned the gesture as he stood, Thelma signing to him. Merlin looked at Arthur.

"Lady Thelma asks if she might be given a tour of the castle and grounds tomorrow while you're busy sorting the treaty" said Merlin. Arthur nodded.

"Of course, I'll have Merlin with you just after breakfast, if that meets with your approval?" Arthur said looking at Bellmore. The man smiled.

"Of course" he agreed. Merlin signed back to Thelma who smiled, bowing to Arthur and Gwen, before taking her father's hand and leaving the room. As the doors closed, Arthur and Gwen both looked at Merlin.

"So how'd I do?" he asked quietly.

"Perfect Merlin, you did just perfect" Gwen assured him. Merlin smiled as Arthur walked past slapping him fondly on the shoulder. Merlin grinned as he followed Arthur out, before making his way to the pharmacy.

Gaius looked up as he entered, secretly he's been worried for his ward.

"Well? How was it?" he asked. Merlin looked at him and smiled.

"Perfect" he replied.

"Was it really?" wondered Morgana aloud as she watched the smirk form on the idiot manservant's face. Slowly she turned away from the scrying font.

"So Arthur want's another ally does he?" she mused. Then slowly she began to smile. "Well just have to see about that" she muttered.