Merlin hated a lot of things that came from being manservant to the prince of Camelot, most things actually, but the thing that he hated the most about his job was waiting on visiting dignitaries. Sometimes Merlin got lucky and the visiting Lord or Lady ignored him and let him go about his own business, or, better yet, brought their own servant to wait on them. Most of the time, however, Merlin was left running back and forth between Arthur and their honored guest waiting hand and foot upon each and still required to be on his best behavior for the entirety of their stay. So naturally, when the arrival of Lord Haylan of Bedegraine was announced, Merlin was obviously less than pleased.

The servants all erupted into action over the next couple of days, preparing for the Lord's arrival, while Merlin sulked about his duties already imagining what kind of pompous, stuck-up noble he was going to be left with this time. Of course, while Arthur noticed Merlin's attitude towards being offered to help the visiting nobles, he was hardly sympathetic and made a point to comment on it whenever he had the chance. The morning of the Lord's arrival was one of those chances.

Merlin was going about his business, reluctantly, silently cursing Arthur's name the morning of the arrival when he went about waking the prince. First he set breakfast on the table and then flung the curtains open—one of Merlin's favorite parts of the day was the sound of Arthur's sleepy groan when the lights hit his eyes.

Arthur groaned just as he did every morning and rolled over. "Merlin, can you not find a less obnoxious way to wake your prince?" He mumbled into his pillow.

Merlin just chuckled, "I like to think of this as payback for having to shadow after every visiting noble that comes to this castle. I think you are enough pompous prat for one servant."

"Really, Merlin? Are you still moping about Lord Haylan's arrival?" Arthur sat up and sent a smirk in the direction of his manservant.

Merlin stopped what he was doing and turned to face Arthur. His heart did a little skip in his chest when he saw Arthur sitting up in his bed, still rubbing the sleep from his eyes. "I wouldn't be moping if you didn't offer me up to every dignitary that visits. You do realize that I have to keep up all my duties to you and wait hand and foot on Lord so-and-so all the while keeping a pleasant face because I wouldn't want to embarrass the Prince now would I?" Merlin ranted as he plucked Arthur's nicer jacket and freshly pressed shirt from his wardrobe. "Have you ever tried to wait upon a stuck up rich Lord? No? Well let me tell you, it is not easy."

Arthur slid himself out of bed and rolled his eyes. "I think you should stop complaining and realize what a privilege it is getting to serve a prince and a Lord both."

Merlin scoffed, "Yeah, what a privilege.", but he said nothing else on the matter while he dressed Arthur and began tidying the Prince's room. "I just hope that this Lord Haylan is less of a prat than you."

"What was that, Merlin?" Arthur asked turning around and fixing a look onto his manservant.

"I was just saying how delighted I am. I'm sure Lord Haylan could come nowhere near your level of pratishness."

"I would watch myself if I were you."

Berlin turned around and gave an impish grin to Arthur. "Maybe I'll even decide that Lord Haylan is a better master and leave you for him. Tell me, Arthur, would you cry when I left you for him?"

Arthur rolled his eyes again before stalking out of his room. "Best behavior!" He called back to Merlin who went back to cleaning the Prince's chambers. This was going to be a long day, Merlin could already tell.

Merlin didn't see Arthur again until they were gathered on the steps to welcome the arrival of Lord Haylan. He couldn't help but fidget as he watched the carriage roll up. He got a swift look from Arthur that very clearly said, 'best behavior' before the doors of the elaborate carriage were opened and the Lord emerged.

The first thing Merlin noticed was how young Lord Haylan was, probably about the same age as Arthur. Merlin hadn't been expecting anything in particular, but he had imagined someone more along the lines of Uther's age. The second thing he noticed was how handsome he was. He was clearly tall, with copper hair in curls around his head like a halo and mischievous green eyes; to Merlin, he looked like an angel come to wreak havoc among mortals.

Lord Haylan looked nearly as nervous as Merlin, but it was hidden behind a too-bright smile. His eyes skipped over everyone in the courtyard, taking in the King and the Prince, lingering on the knights for a beat before he very quickly turned his head to Merlin and focusing completely on him. His eyes stayed locked with Merlin's until Uthur walked up and welcomed him and all through introductions and his eyes kept being drawn to Merlin's like he couldn't help it. Merlin couldn't help but be a bit nervous about the looks.

When the introductions were drawing to a close and Arthur and Merlin-carrying Lord Haylan's bags-were the ones left escorting Lord Haylan inside the entrance if the castle.

After a brief uncomfortable silence, Arthur cleared his throat. "This is my manservant, Merlin." He nodded in Merlin's direction. "He will be attending to you for the duration of your stay. He will escort you to your chambers and be available to you at any hour should you require anything."

Lord Haylan glanced at Merlin. "Thank you for the generosity, Sire."

Merlin made a weak gesture in the way they were suppose to go. "If you will follow me, my Lord, I can help you get settled in." he said. Merlin could feel the eyes burning into the back of his head as he started walking.

After a few minutes of silence, Merlin started talking of the going on for the night and tidbits of information about the castle and Camelot and before he realized they had reached the guest chambers. Merlin opened the door and walked in first before dropping the bags by the wardrobe.

"Here you are Lord Haylan, I hope you have a pleasant stay in our lovely city. Please call if you need anything." Merlin said with a thin smile before quickly turning back to the door, but a hand grabbed his arm before he could go anywhere.

"Wait!" Lord Haylan said. "I'm sorry if I have made you uncomfortable with my staring; I could not help myself. "

"I need to get back to the Prince." Merlin said, trying to ease his arm away from the Lord.

Lord Haylan released his arm. "Oh I am sorry. It is just that I-"

"I don't know why you have been staring at me but please leave me alone!"

"Don't worry, you do not have to be afraid of me. I will not tell anyone."

Merlin felt his heart jump in his chest. "Tell anyone what? I-I don't know what you are talking about."

"I don't mean to be too forward, but I just have never met someone with magic as powerful as yours before."