AN: I'm not making any profit out of writing this, nor am I trying to. I just like using FF as a method of procrastination.

It's happened. I know there are tons of these, but here's mine. I gave in and started a drabble collection. I will be updating whenever I get inspired, so the updates might be pretty irregular, just so you know.

Jack had to crane his neck.

The castle was huge. The ivory turrets loomed overhead, and the people in the windows of them were tiny, moving dolls. The walls enclosing the citadel were long, and even from just outside he could hear the bustle of what must be a huge crowd that could fit inside.

He couldn't help the slightly giddy grin that spread over his face. He'd been excited to come to Camelot ever since he got the first letter from his brother telling him how great it was. He was slightly nervous, though. Camelot was considerably bigger than the town he'd grown up in.

He vaguely realized that he was gawping as he walked through the gates, but he couldn't help it. The busy marketplace, set in front of the huge castle, was ringing with laughter and talk. The atmosphere was pleasant, and as Jack walked past a stand he caught a whiff of something delicious. He smiled. He would like living here.

The traveler walked up to the courtyard to get a better look at the castle. It was peaceful for a moment, when he heard a pair of voices arguing.

"We're lucky we caught anything. I swear, Merlin, you're clumsy on purpose. I know you don't like hunting, but sabotaging me will not make it go faster!"

The speaker was a blonde man who was striding across to the castle. Jack could tell immediately that he was either royal or noble. His clothes were expensive, he looked well-fed and well-groomed, and he held himself the way that most people with authority did: a swagger full of confidence. Not to mention the person who was yelling at, a tall, skinny, dark-haired man who was slightly behind him and carrying a load of hunting gear, appeared to be his servant.

Jack felt bad for the boy. His brother had told him how snobby some of the nobles could be. The poor servant, weighed down with the supplies and trying to keep up, surely could not retaliate, or he would be punished. That was the way, as he had been told. Servants took things lying down, or there would be consequences.

Therefore, he was surprised when the servant retorted immediately.

"I'm not doing it on purpose, I'm trying to carry all this stuff! You didn't even use half of it. If you learned to carry your own hunting gear, I wouldn't have to come, and you can murder innocent creatures in peace. But noooo, Prince Arthur, who can lift the heaviest battle instruments in Camelot, cannot carry his own things."

Jack froze, wide-eyed, waiting for the prince to drag his servant off to be flogged. Was the man an idiot?! He suppressed a sigh. Even if he was, he probably would not deserve what he got.

The prince looked outraged. "I am the prince, Merlin, it is not my job to carry all that. And it's not my fault you can't carry anything heavier than a basket of laundry."

The servant showed no sign of fear. Jack raised his eyebrows. Whoever this servant was, he was either brave or a complete fool.

A woman was pulling a cart full of her merchandise through the courtyard. Jack stopped her.

"Excuse me," he said, "who is that?" he pointed to the servant. He was strangely intriguing.

She smiled at him. "You new in town?"

Jack stared at her.

"Y-yeah," he said, "how did you know?"

She laughed slightly. "That is Merlin, personal servant to the prince of Camelot."

He watched them continue to argue. "Is he mad?!"

She grinned. "Some people think so. Everyone knows him, because he's the only one who can get away with insulting the prince."

The prince leaned in threateningly. "They really seem to hate each other."

She smiled wryly. "Look harder."

Confused, he did as she said.

The prince called him an idiot with a self-satisfied smile, but if one really payed attention, one would notice there was no real venom in it. Merlin replied with an exasperated jibe about the prince, but there was no hate in his face. The royal reeled off a list of chores for the servant to do, clearly enjoying the extra work put on him. But as they departed, Merlin called something, a joke, and the prince snorted. When the servant was out of range, the royal gave a small, fond smile.

Something was familiar about the scene...

And then Jack realized. Back in his town, there were two brothers who many people knew. The older one was fond of bossing the younger around, and they bickered constantly. To a casual viewer, they appeared to hate each other.

But to those who lived there, they were known to be some of the closest people they knew. For all their claims that the other was horrible, they would do anything for each other.

That's what Jack was seeing. The fact that the servant was willing to backtalk to the prince should have told him in the beginning. He was not witnessing two people who hated each other. He was witnessing two people who were practically brothers.

The girl was smiling.

"There you are. You've just made the first step in becoming a member of Camelot."

He watched the prince walk up to the castle doors and the servant cross the courtyard.

"Here, let me help you," Jack said, seeing Merlin struggling with his load.

"Thanks," the servant said gratefully, as Jack held some of the supplies so that Merlin could rearrange the things in his arms to be more manageable.

"I'm Jack."

"I'm Merlin," the servant smiled, and Jack could see that when he was not arguing, his pleasant nature could be seen in his radiant smile.

"I'm new," Jack said awkwardly.

"Nice to meet you, Jack. If you need anything, let me know. I know my way around pretty much everywhere, what with running all my errands for the prince."

Jack smiled. "Thanks."

"Well, I've got to run. See you around," Merlin said.

Jack watched him go and hoped he would. If Camelot had people like Merlin, he was glad he'd chosen the place to live in.