Welcome to my second (not so sucky) fan fiction.

I hope you really enjoy this one, because for some odd reason, i was able to get a little bit of help. Now, just for the fun of it, I will retell the tale of how this story got its name. We went from Arthur's ban, it sounded boring, sounded lame.

so my friend, (who was very kindly helping me out) here said, let's stick with something silly or idiotic.

Which led to the name, Reactions of The Idiot King. Now, it's not all about his reactions, but it is what made up the whole story.

My thanks goes to camelotgirl1, who was a major help.

alas, it's time for the news that breaks my heart. I don't own Merlin. Or any of the characters. Only what they say, and do, because I made them say it. And do it all.

Enjoy!

Reactions of the idiot king

Chapter one- Rumor

It was a sunny and bright afternoon, the birds were chirping and there were deer nearby the castle walls. The sky was a bright blue with soft clouds swirling above. Merlin took a moment to stop, listening to the magic of nature, feeling the light cool breeze against his skin. There was never something he loved more than getting away from the castle, from all the work. Years ago, when he first got here, he wouldn't have ever seen himself doing what he has been the last several months. He had been practicing his magic out in this area, for working with Arthur gave him the rounds the knights made around the castle. He needed that information, for if he was caught, he knew he'd be in trouble. How much trouble, though, was the question.

Even though he has taken every precaution, he still wakes up to nightmares. Arthur finding out, and sending him to burn up the next day, Merlin unable to do anything against the king's orders. Even nightmare's with Uther still popped up now and then, Uther taking him and having his head chopped off for the whole of Camelot to see. He has claimed to Gaius that they stopped long ago, but in reality, they were getting worse. They were horrible reminders that made the fear in him grow.

He walked a bit further in the woods, a deer he had been watching stepped back, looking at him with cation in it's eyes. The magic of life, it was a challenging one, Merlin had discovered. For every life taken there must be a life given. For every life given, there must be one taken. Even though that circle was simple, with no in between the lines going on, there were still people trying to defy that one rule. He reached his hand out, deep in thought as he stood still. A small nudge on his hand snapped him out of his thoughts and he looked down to see a little fawn looking up at him.

He smiled, then looked up at the doe, realising that the deer was the fawn's mother. The fawn cocked it's head at him then bounded back to it's mom, nuzzling up against her. Merlin smiled lightly. They were truly the cutest of things. He remembered playing with Will out in the fields at dusk, seeing the deer that visited often. The bucks would constantly chase them off, while the others would hide in the nearby brush.

Once Merlin and Will had a mother bear on their tail. The memory made Merlin sigh. How he missed his old friend. He let his eyes turn golden, and the leaves around him blew up into the sky right at the treetops. He let them float down gently. He looked at the doe, who's ears perked up as the bells went off, signaling the time. Merlin muttered a few choice words, realising he was running later than normal, which was bad, because he knew Arthur would be expecting his bath.

He looked left, letting his magic see how far the guard was from where he was at. The knight was a mile off, so Merlin still could make a break for it and head off. He ran for it after a couple seconds, finally reaching the servant entrance on the side and slipping in, only to run into Gwen face to face. He staggered back, catching Gwen's cloth that she had dropped. "Merlin!" She gasped.

"Sorry, Gwen- your highness." He said, quickly adding that last part. "I've got to get to Arthur, that prat will kill me for being late as it is with his bath-"

"Just go Merlin." Gwen laughed. "You're running late as it is!" Merlin gave her a half witted smile, still giving himself a major lecture in his head for running late.

'You could have been caught, you could be getting your idiotic butt dragged into the dungeons right about now. Why do I keep ignoring my dreams? If I don't stop, something will happen-' He turned the corner.

"Oi!" Gwaine's voice rang from in front of him. Irritation swarmed over like bees inside of Merlin. He just didn't have the time for this. No, not at all.

"Gwaine, I'm on important business, I can't be bothered-" Merlin muttered, looking away from him as he went to pass the knight.

"No way, you're busy running your butt off for that princess in there?" Gwaine said, his sarcasm clear in his voice. "I need to talk to you, about something that is becoming a well known rumor in the past few months, and I want to let you know because I know you go out there to pick herbs for Gaius." Merlin looked at Gwaine, surprised at the serious tone in his voice. He took a deep breath.

"If he puts me in the stocks for this you're going down with me." Merlin said, looking at Gwaine, who flashed him a wicked looking grin.

"Maybe he'll put you in double time, serve both our sentences while I go to the tavern." He chuckled, then looked at Merlin. "There are rumors about someone practicing sorcery in that area, leaves going up to the trees and beyond, and clouds moving about on non windy days. It's not enough proof, but- but it's enough proof to believe people should be weary out there." Merlin felt the color drain from his face.

"Don't worry, I'll be careful." He said, hoping that Gwaine didn't see the fear building up even more, but if the knight did, he didn't show it. Merlin took off to the King's chambers, walking into the room. He immediately had to duck as a pillow was chucked at him.

"You ignorant fool, how much later can you be?" Arthur growled, crossing his arms with an amused look on his face as Merlin smiled halfway.

"Tell Gwaine not to keep me distracted, you prat." Merlin said, the fear and worries of today somewhat dissolving as they went on in their playful banter.

"I will have you put in the stocks if you don't address me properly." Arthur teased. Merlin raised an eyebrow, not even having to think of a good retort.

"Well, I'd love to see my fans again." He scoffed, getting a bucket to start filling the tub.

"Make sure that the bath is perfect." He trolled the word perfect, Merlin giving him a slight glare as he went to fill the bucket.

After the terribly long and treacherous chore, Arthur was in his bath, and was washed up in minutes, ready to check out the first test for a noble who wished to become a knight. Merlin hardly noticed how the time went by as he put Arthur's armor on, too deep in thought as to what he would do about those rumors. Sure, he did go 'overboard' a few times, but not so much that it could be noticeable. Apparently he was wrong, which meant he had to cover his tracks well.

"Are you done spacing of?" Arthur asked, his tone mocking. "What did you do, spend the night at the tavern again?"

"You stupid prat." Merlin said, "Why can't you believe I've never went to the tavern? I wasn't there last night, and have rarely set foot in there before!"

"You really are a terrible liar Merlin." Arthur chuckled, heading out the room after Merlin quickly handed him his sword.