It was the middle of another long, rather dull meeting. All of the knights of the round table were present.

"Emrys" Merlin heard in his head "Emrys!"

"What" he thought back to Mordred, who sat there looking only half awake.

Merlin was standing in his usual place behind Guinevere and Arthur, despite what many people thought, these sorts of meeting weren't normally at all interesting, especially when you had to stand through them time after time.

Mordred was slouched over his chair opposite the King, trying to kept some semblance of being attentive, especially because Arthur could see him very easily from his place.

"Are you awake?" Mordred asked interestedly "or are you sleep talking to me?"

"What?" Merlin snapped "Of course I'm awake! Not that I'm going to be for much longer…"

"I know, it's so boring"

"I think Arthur's trying to talk to you now," Merlin thought to him "Pay attention!"

Mordred blinked, becoming alert again only to find everyone watching him.

"My Lord?" he asked guiltily.

"I was asking if you agreed Sir Mordred." Arthur said, looking thoroughly amused.

"Quick! What were they talking about" Mordred thought frantically.

"About whether you're going on patrol with Gwaine and Sir Robert tomorrow" Merlin replied. Mordred was frustrated to find he also sounded amused.

"I wasn't the only one half asleep" Mordred growled sleepily. Many of the other knights in the room also appeared to be slumped over sideways. Some had only come awake now at the signs of something interesting happening. Unfortunately for Mordred.

Only the small smile appearing on Merlin's face at Mordred's frustration showed any sign of the conversation happening privately in that room.

"Yes of course I will Sire." Mordred replied promptly to Arthur.

"Honestly," Arthur grumbled "everyone seems fast asleep today. It's not that early in the morning! And you, Mordred," he continued "you sound like you're trying to have two conversations at the same time! Do you by any chance know how to speak telepathically? he ended sarcastically.

Mordred knew better than to reply…