Merlin rolled over and saw sunlight streaming in from his window. Yawning, he realised that he just couldn't be bothered to get up. It was another half an hour before he could bear to drag himself from the comfort and warmth. Running a hand through the tangle of hair on his head, several raven coloured locks fell in front of his eyes. He pursed his lips, grimacing. Maybe Alice was right when she said it needed cutting. He yawned again, and shrugged on his jacket, before sleepily meandering down the stairs.
Gaius looked up as Merlin appeared, and his face split into a huge smile.
"Good afternoon Merlin. I hope you are feeling better?"
"Yeah… Feeling just fine."
"No problems with the magic?"
"Surprisingly, it doesn't feel… too different…"
"So you will be perfectly capable of collecting herbs for me?"
"…" Merlin realised that he had walked himself into that one. "Well… I should probably head over to…" Something else Gaius had said came to the front of his mind. "Wait, Afternoon?"
"Why yes Merlin. It's mid-afternoon…"
"I slept for nearly a whole day?"
"Yes… I'm guessing you're hungry?"
"Starved…"
Alice appeared in time to hear the last comment and a stern expression came over her face as she prodded Merlin on the shoulder.
"Yes. Ive just been talking to Rosa, the head of the kitchens. She says you barely eat anything…"
"Well… She force feeds me when I go down to the kitchens…"
"And I don't blame her. Look at you. You're skinny as a broomstick. What would your mother say?"

Whilst she sat him at a chair, ladling stew into a bowl and talking non-stop at how much of a stubborn lad he was, Merlin tried, in vain, to get Gaius to help him out of his predicament, but the old man simply shrugged, gesturing he was not going to get in her way.
Merlin's ears were still ringing as Gwaine walked in.
"Merlin! Bout time you woke up. Cripes, you sleep like Tristan."
Tristan was someone who could sleep through a battle if he wanted to, and was intensely grumpy if someone woke him up without good reason. Merlin scowled.
"You could have woken me…"
"Yeah, right. We all know how grouchy you are when your sleep is interrupted. "
"I am not!"
"As you say, Oh great and powerful magic man…"
"Gwaine…" Merlins voice held a sliver of irritation, which Gwaine seemed to pick up on. Holding his hand up in surrender, he sunk onto the bench next to Merlin, sighing.
"Ah well, at least some people get a day off. Arthur has had us running round like crazy…" Gwaine stalled, face falling guiltily. Merlin raised an eyebrow.
"Why?"
"Ah, nothing important… I just came up to say that Arthur wanted to see you in his chambers a soon as you woke up. Seeing as that's the case now, I'll walk down with you if you like?"
"… Okay… And nice attempt to change the subject." Merlin wasn't letting him off that easily. "Now why have you been running around like crazy? Something I need to know of?"
"Nah… just extra drills... and stuff like that…"
"Oh really?" Merlin had got to his feet, pulling his jacket back on and heading for the door, hoping to escape before Alice could force feed him another bowl of stew. Gwaine got to his feet to follow.
"Yeah… Unlike some people, we don't get days off… At least, not days that we spend sleeping…"
"Hey! I was tired… I never meant to sleep that long anyway… I've hardly ever done it before."
"I bet you wish that you could though…?"
"… Maybe a little." Merlin grinned, then it turned to a smirk.
"So… extra drills huh?"
"Yeah…?"
"Any reason why…?"
"Err… Well, that is to say…" At Merlin's arched eyebrows, Gwaine stumbled. "I have no clue. Absolutely no clue. That is weird…"
"What? That this is the first time you are stumped for a decent excuse or cover up?"
"Look… Arthur will tell you. It's not my place to…"
"Wait… Now you're keeping secrets from me? From me Gwaine?" Merlins eyes widened, his gaze innocent and so puppy like that Gwaine cursed.
"Damn it… That ain't gonna work this time…"
"I'm surprised it did before to be perfectly honest…" Merlin grinned, "Ah well, I guess I can wait for a few more seconds…"
"Seconds? It'll take a bit longer to reach Arthurs quarters than that…"
Gwaine's face fell, visibly, at the evil grin on Merlin's face.
"Oh really?" Merlin grabbed Gwaine's arm, and felt for a familiar pattern in the fabric of his magic. Willing himself there, he was surprised, no, down-right shocked, when he didn't have to cast a spell to let his magic free. A few seconds later, they were in front of the doors of Arthur's chambers.
Merlin grinned as Gwaine stumbled into the wall, dizzy. He would contemplate this new ability of his later. Right now, the green shade on Gwaine' face was just too amusing to ignore.

It took several moments for Gwaine to get his balance back, and when he did, he glared at the grinning, raven haired warlock standing in front of him.
"That was… Just… Don't ever, ever, ever do that again. Ever…"
"Ah, you get used to it after a while…"
"Not for me thanks…" As he realised where they were, he shook his head, bemused.
"You just moved us halfway across the bloody castle… You not even the slightest bit tired?" Immediately, he knew he has said the wrong thing. Merlin's face fell as he thought that over.
"No…" he was almost talking to himself, "But it should have…"
Before Gwaine could comment, the doors behind them opened, and Arthur was looking between them with first annoyance, then concern as he saw Merlins face. Gwaine realised that it was time to leave.
"Ah, forget it Merlin. It'll come in much more handy now…" he clasped the man on the shoulder, then walked off, wishing there was more he could do at times like this.
Merlin had nodded to Gwaine, and, at the sight of Arthurs concern, masked his own fears and confusion, before plastering a smile on his face. He was pretty sure Arthur wasn't fooled, but the king let it slide, gesturing Merlin inside.
"It's about time you woke up, Merlin. I wasn't about to wake you. We all know what you are like when you get woken up…"
"Hey! Gwaine said that too. I'm not that bad…"
"If you say so…" Arthur sat himself on the chair, behind his desk, and Merlin perched on the edge of the table, avoiding the stacks of papers.
"So… what was so important that you had to see me whilst I was still in a sleep befuddled state?"
"Well… I figured that it would be easier to get what I'm about to say into your thick skull… Without you retorting with several, of what I'm sure will be, damn good arguments."
Merlin was completely confused.
"Arguments? Against what?"
"Against the fact that I'm firing you…"
_

Merlin was speechless for a good while, before he managed to splutter,
"What… You're… firing me?"
"Yes Merlin. I'm glad you seem to have the ability to coherently grasp that fact first time. Here, let me tell you why. You are, honestly, the worst servant I have ever had; you are constantly late, disrespectful and downright irritating most of the time. As well as that, you are constantly getting yourself into trouble protecting me, when it is, most definitely not the role of a servant to do such a thing."
"I… But you… Arthur… What?"
"I now see that my fears of you arguing were rather ungrounded. Indeed, this is the quietest you have been in quite some time Merlin. And I have never seen you this stumped for words."
"… Firing me?"
"Really Merlin, I thought you grasped that first time."
Merlin had got to his feet and was looking completely shocked, and his eyes were filled with hurt.
"So… What? You don't want me here? Is that it? I don't… Why?"
Arthur rolled his eyes, gesturing for Merlin to it back down. When he didn't do so, Arthur got to his feet and pushed him into the chair.
"I just gave you a long list of reasons Merlin. As for wanting you to leave, What on Earth gave you that idea? You really are an idiot, aren't you?"
"But you… But what…?"
"If you will let me finish, I have another reason. As I said, it is not the place of a servant to protect a king. It is also not the place of a king to leave his best friend in a menial position such as this."
Merlin's eyes widened at those words, his normally speedy brain racing to catch up. He hadn't quite managed it before Arthur spoke again, taking Merlins place leaning against the desk.
"So, I will no longer have you as a servant. Instead, I want you to fill a position that has remained empty for far too long in Camelot. Namely that of Court Sorcerer. What do you think?"

Merlin was silent for several minutes, his mouth opening and closing, his face covered in an expression of complete shock and bewilderment. Just as Arthur was getting worried, he managed to whisper faintly.
"Court… Sorcerer? You want me to… Court Sorcerer? Are you serious?"
Arthur rolled his eyes,
"Of course. It's only logical, though the idea was kind of Gwen's to start with. I mean, you have been unofficial court sorcerer for weeks now, so it's about time we made it official, even though we still need to sort things, but we still need to know whether you want to…"
He was cut off as two, surprisingly strong, arms pulled him into a hug. Merlin released him, his eyes sparkling with a barely concealed excitement.
"You want me to be Court Sorcerer?"
"Yes… Honestly, how many times will I have to say it before it gets through to you…?"
Merlin sank into the chair again, his recent panic over Arthur firing him had vanished, replaced by a mixture of excitement, happiness and apprehension.
"But… I have no idea how to do something like that… I'm an idiot, remember?"
"Sometimes… But, to be honest with you Merlin, you are the only person I would trust with the job. In the past, it was always a position that was revered. A position only surpassed by that of the King. It was a position given to one who deserved respect and gratitude and that is something you deserve in greater amounts than I could possibly hope to reward you with. But, it would be a start. Though, of course, the choice is up to you. All I can say is that there is no-one I would rather have at my side. No-one I would rather have as my right-hand man so to speak. What do you say?"
Merlin looked slightly surprised at the speech Arthur had just given, and his mind finally caught up to what was happening. He felt himself smiling, and nodded.
"I'd be honoured Sire."

The two were silent for a few moments until a thought came into Merlin's head. His face split into a grin.
"You do know that this is a promotion right?
Arthur snorted,
"I wouldn't go that far…"
"But it is… You're promoting me. Never thought I'd ever see that happening…"
"Believe me, you aren't the only one…"
"So it is a promotion!"
"I… I wouldn't call it a promotion. More of an upgrade in position and status."
"Promotion."
"No…"
"Promotion."
"Merlin!"
"Admit it's a promotion!"
"Yeah, alright. It's a promotion. But don't let it go to your head…"
"Me? Humble, little me? How dare you suggest such a thing…?"
"Because I know that you will never let this go."
"Arthur! I'm hurt…"
"And laughing inside that huge head of yours…"
"Oh, I have a huge head?"
"Yeah! I hope you aren't implying that I do… It's still not too late for me to throw you in the stocks…"
"I thought that I had a huge head? Wouldn't fit would it?"
"Bigger target…"
"Really? Just opening your mouth gives anyone, who cares, a target that it virtually impossible to miss…"
"Merlin…?"
"Yes Sire?"
"Shut up."
"So I get both a promotion and an admittance of defeat from you in one day? Wow… I think I may be dreaming…"

He yelped as Arthur pulled him into a headlock. Arthur grinned as Merlin tried to squirm out of it.
"Well, does this convince you otherwise?"
"Yes! I'm not dreaming and you really are as big a prat as I've always thought…"
Arthur rubbed his knuckles into Merlins head, causing him to yelp again.
"Okay! Royal Prat!"
His knuckles dug in a bit harder,
"Okay! Okay! I'm sorry!"
Arthur let him go, and Merlin scrambled back, massaging his head, hair even scruffier than before. The warlock scowled, trying to hide his grin.
"That was uncalled for…"
"Oh no, that was perfectly called for. And long overdue…"
"What? The promotion was long overdue? Well, can't argue there…"
"Merlin…" Arthur nearly growled it, and Merlin let his grin show.
"Point taken Sire."
"What point?"
"No point at all."
"Well then, seeing as you haven't officially been promoted yet, you can still clear up the mess."

Merlin looked around at the pies of paper that had been blown off of the desk and sighed. That would have to be sorted by hand…
"Oh, and Merlin? I have to head out and find Gwen. Just wanted you to know that I already have an idea of who I want for a new servant. A friend of yours, Flint I think people call him? I've already asked… He seems perfect. Sharp tongued, quick minded, strong willed... I know he'll be absolutely terrible."
Merlin grinned,
"Perfect. Wouldn't want you to have no-one to put you in your place…"
"With you and Gwen, is there ever going to be a chance for me to get out of it?"
"Nope…"
Arthur left the room, smiling widely, and only just heard the insult behind him.
"Clot-pole…"
"I heard that!"
"Heard what Sire?" The innocence in Merlin's voice nearly had Arthur fooled,
"You know damn well what! And quit shouting at me!"
"You're the one shouting… I know you have a big mouth and all, but…"
"Merlin!"
"Shut up?"

Arthur didn't deign to reply, and kept walking, letting a huge grin spread across his face.
Merlin was grinning too, though it dimmed slightly as he began to sort out the paper work. A half written speech caught his eye and he grimaced. Arthur really had no skill when it came to writing. Sitting down, he grabbed some parchment and started scrawling. Promotion, maybe, but he would be damned if he could ever let Arthur write a speech on his own…

So... Yeah. Things will start speeding up next chapter but I wanted to kick things off to a more... 'normal'ish start.
Seeing as I haven't done Merlin vs Arthur banter in quite some time.
I hope it came out okay? Reviews are appreciated!
Hope you enjoy it, and hope those of you who've been waiting for it thik it's worth the wait :D