Chapter Text
As any day started out, Merlin awoke to find that he was late. The sun had already risen, plastering its light rays into his small room. Slightly surprised that the brightness hadn't woken him sooner, Merlin jolted out of bed, tumbling to the floor. Today was not exactly a huge day for Camelot, but it was regarded highly among it's people. Many artists, musicians, politicians, theorists, chemists, and men of every trade made their way to the citadel to show off their work. More men and woman than not sold their work to get the extra money, rather than just the recognition. Many people made their way to the booths and racks of scarves, paintings, pottery, and jewelry very early in the day. Some even came at night for advice, willing to flick a gold coin to an old man in a wise robe. There were bound to be families from all over the kingdom walking around, buying, selling, perhaps even swapping.
Merlin fancied these events after he moved to Camelot. There was so much to see, different experiences waiting to be had.
Of course he could never buy much, his salary hardly allowed much wiggle room around the necessities. It was a bummer really, how he'd love to possess the finest quail quills, or perhaps the most delicious honeycomb in all 5 kingdoms.
Best of yet, he always got half of the day off to spend walking among the festivities. This still left half of the day that he was expected to get most of his chores and other imports duties done in half the time.
Merlin dashed from his room, still in night clothes, all of the way to the laundry room where Arthur's favorite shirts lay in neat piles in a wicker basket. He looked behind a cupboard to find his own washed clothing laying in a lesser neat formation. He had starting doing his own laundry here once he realized no one would care to notice. If it was fit to clean all of the king's, prince's, and knight's clothing, there was room for one servants surly. Merlin pulled off his night shirt and picked out the least wrinkly clean one that he could find. He was in such a rush, he hardly noticed another figure in the room, staring quizzically at him from behind. With little time to spare, and a quick glance at the doorway, Merlin changed his trousers and took the Prince's clean laundry with him to the kitchens.
Arthur waited impatiently behind his desk, tapping a boot against the wood. Merlin was late, again. He was always late. Perhaps the lad was uncertain of the time he was supposed to be there considering that he was consistently about an hour late every day. Arthur mused through the thoughts, wondering if he should just tell Merlin to come an hour earlier tomorrow just so he'd come on time. In the last minute he changed his mind. Merlin was just excited about the annual buy and trade as the locals call it. It was more directed towards the everyday people of Camelot rather than the royalty. Most of the things they had to offer were things he'd throw out, yet someone like Merlin would treasure. That is why he hardly mentioned the boy's tardiness as he came bumbling through with his arms loaded with baskets and wrinkly clothes.
" I have your laundry and breakfast sire! Would you like to get dressed before or after you eat?"
" Already done Merlin, thanks to your daft tardiness," Arthur grumbled lightly, but walked chipper to the seat where plate was placed in front of.
" Very well, what would you like me to do for you today?"
The prince paused and looked at the proficient man in front of him.
" You're so bright today Merlin, tone it down for those who don't like staring straight at the sun why don't you?" Arthur huffed with a knowing smile. Merlin could hardly keep himself still as he stood in front of his master. He was just itching to go back to his chambers, find his small pocket of coin, and walk through the booths over and over until he could finally pick something out. He just wanting to get this work over with and get on with the fun stuff.
" I'm sorry, there's just stuff I would like to attend to today,"
Arthur chuckled very very quickly and grinned at Merlin," Like what? Buying yourself a new petticoat the seamstress sews?"
Merlin glared, smile falling from his lips.
"No, but something. I've been saving my money for today, I put off buying a new pair of boots so I'd have some coin."
Now it was Arthur's turn to glare.
" You seriously refused to buy new boots so that you could prance around like all of the other little girls and buy yourself something pretty?"
" I hardly make enough for functionality and luxury, it's one or the other. And this time, I chose luxury," Merlin nodded and pulled his fallen smile back up.
" Pish posh, you make well enough money to afford boots and a new petticoat," Arthur still glared.
Looking up slightly annoyed, Merlin countered.
" I don't, food can be expensive among other things. For once I just want something nice, or tasty. Like maybe that cake the baker makes every fall when the pumpkins ripen,"
" You should be well enough off," Arthur looked legitimately borderline confused. He thought he payed his servants enough considering the taxes, food prices, and other necessities. He wasn't going to argue about this much longer.
" I make enough to survive, but I'd like to have something nice every once in a while,"
Arthur nodded, accepting the response, and waved his hand.
" I don't need you this morning or afternoon. Before dinner however there will be a meeting held in the throne room I need to attend, I would like you to be there."
Merlin grimaced," Why? So that I can suffer too?"
" Exactly," Arthur grinned wickedly and stood to retreat back to his desk where several papers lay strewn.
" Fine," Merlin sighed, but quickly his happy mood returned and he practically skipped out into the hall. A certain prince shook his head, but smiled at the door as it shut.
The day seemed to pass very quickly. Once Merlin managed to make his way around the entire market, the sun was straight above, indicating noon had arrived. He hadn't even chosen anything yet, this was just his first walk through. No one ever talked about how difficult it could be to indulge in things when you rarely got the chance to do so. There were so many things to see and do thanks to the most recent harvest. It was the beginning of October, the best time to purchase squashes and other fall foods here in Camelot.
Several things had caught his eye through his first walk through. There was this one deep purple, nearly navy blue shirt made from the best fabric and fine, silk thread. The pattern on the neck was elegant yet modest enough to be seen in and not look misplaced. It would make him feel so nice to wear, different from the itchy clothing he had now. On the contrary it was expensive, and wouldn't leave any coin for anything else.
The second thing was a leather bound journal. It was a dark brown color, dyed with expensive coloration. A thin strip of textured leather bound the book, where a small key hooked onto the crisscrossed spine. The pages were thick, so the ink wouldn't bleed through. The thin, cheap paper he was used to was not match. Merlin liked journaling, more so in his early Camelot days, but he still liked to write.
The last thing he was truly considering was a childhood delicacy from a baker's stand. Once when he was around 8, his mother brought home a sweet cake she bought from her travels while out to see a relative. It wasn't even a special occasion, which just made it all that more special. He'd never tasted anything so delicious yet expensive, and he felt bad for even eating it. It had strawberries on top with white creamed frosting and some kind of syrup. These ones however were raspberry, but likely tasted very similar.
He really wouldn't make up his mind until the time came that he would have to leave to attend to Arthur, or else, he'd be late again. Merlin had some sense. He knew he had to hurry it up before it was too late. The sights were just too precious, and even if he didn't buy anything, the experience was well worth it. The smells wafted behind him as he forgot about the cake. The shirt he desperately wanted pasted by as well, and he went up to the table that held the leather journal on display. He decided to get this and a few quills to go with it, that way he didn't spend his money all on one thing. Gaius had already supplied him with enough ink to last for ages for his most recent birthday. There was even some red ink he'd been waiting to try out.
With his new belongings in tow, he made his way up into the castle where Arthur lounged about near the windows. He was watching the activities unfold below, hardly catching a glimpse in of anyone he recognized. It looked as though everyone and their immediate family caught wind of the gathering. It was crowded, making him glad he decided to stay put for the day.
Within the hour, Prince Arthur could be seen subtly slouching on his throne alongside the King who had an arm on each side of his chair. Merlin however stood off to the side by Arthur. He was tucked away by one of the chiseled pillars that held up the heavy stone ceilings. He looked positively bored. Slack jawed and yawning every few minutes, Merlin kept glancing at Arthur waiting for him to have finally had enough and excuse the both of them.
Right now was a time designated for the people of the kingdom to propose a purchase worthy for the royal household. As they learned very early on, most of the products, if you wanted to call them that, were no more fit for a peasant than a king. A lot of it was nothing special.
" Sire, I have this fine wool from the best sheep here. It's very cheap too my lord, only-"
" Next," Uther boomed and with a wave of his hand the poor man was sent out and the next person was allowed in.
This time it was a decently dressed plump woman with short curly hair. Her facial expressions were soft and comforting, like a grandparent who just made you some sweets. She was trying to sell some handmade jewelry that hardly looked special at all. Stone mingled with threads, metal, and wiring. Her voice was worn and kind as she spoke.
" I made some jewelry for you to see, my niece and I worked for weeks to be able to sell this to the people," she spoke, big smile on her face, eyes wet with happiness.
Uther flicked two fingers up, signaling a guard to bring up the pieces. Calloused hands displayed the pieces in front of his eyes quickly before he wished it gone.
" Nothing of value, nex-"
" Oh don't be so rude!" Morgana spoke up from the other side of Uther. They had all but forgotten she was there. She hardly said anything about all of the people Uther blew off as if they meant nothing. This time however, she looked in the eyes of the woman whose smile had sadly washed from her face and gave her a smile.
" I'd love to see them," She continued.
A guard brought a few of the piece to her to glimpse at quickly, withdrawing their hands after a second. She reached her arms out quickly, grabbing the wrists in front of her and studied them more closely. What others may have seen as cheap thread, common as dirt stones, and poor craftsmen ship, Morgana saw something else. She could see the love that went into every twist, mined stone, stroke of threat. She saw the time it look and care that went into them.
" How much for these green ones?" She asked sweetly, bringing a faint smile back into those big cheery lips.
" For just that one my lady, you may have them," She said, grateful for the generosity the kings ward was giving. Not money, but kindness and defiance against the king.
" I insist I pay something for these, they are just stunning. Here, have 5 coins," Morgana said, handing the gold to the guard to give to the woman.
Putting her hands up, the woman declined.
"I could not ask this much, just one pair is not worth this much," She said looking at the gold that had just been forcefully shoved in her hands.
" I think they are, thank you for your work," The woman relented and gratefully accepting the offering. Once the woman was out of earshot, Uthur looked angrily over at Morgana.
" Must you buy every little thing you see from these peasants out of pity? It makes them come back to try and sell the same garbage again,"
" It is not garbage, it's art. Have you not any sense of beauty? These are perhaps the most well though out items on the market. And not just some expensive piece of jewelry bought to try and amuse the wealthy,"
It was a strike right at Uther's gift giving skills. He ignored the comment despite wanting to retaliate, but the next vendor had already started walking in.
This time, there was a younger woman. Her face looked very ordinary by itself. Her hair though framed her squared jaw and gave her a more easy on the eyes look. It was dark and waving, yet a bit dry and Ill kept. She had what looked like white power residue on the knees of her pants. Pants! She wore big brown pants with a black shirt. However, she did have a necklace on to show her feminine side. Her stature and behavior gave off wealthy ancestry tint. It was quite an odd appearance.
" What is it that you wish to present?" Uther asked with no optimism whatsoever.
" I have come to make an arrangement, more so than to sell you something,"
"Finally something a bit more interesting," Uthur thought to himself.
" Go on,"
The dark haired woman calmly continued her preplanned idea.
" I am a sculptor. I do fine detailed limestone and marble statues or pieces. I don't often sell my work, it's more of a personal hobby than a financial help,"
" Then why are you here?" Uther snapped not too harshly. He was still a bit curious.
" I'm here to ask for someone. It has come to my attention that I desire to do a piece from a model within your castle,"
" You are asking my permission to what? If you wish to have someone model, ask them. Next!"
" Wait my lord! It's not just that. I need a place to do it. I cannot move my art very much from where I do it in risk of breaking them. I want to see if I can use one of the abandoned chambers down the west corridors. I am willing to pay,"
This caught Uther's attention, less focused on the disrespect that had just gone down.
" How much are you offering?"
" 60,000 gold coins, 10,000 of which will go to the person I wish to have model,"
Uther's eyes went wide with shock. It was a lot of money, perhaps 1/10 of all of the money in the vaults below Camelot they had stored ready to go.
" And where pray tell would you acquire such money?"
" I come from a wealthy family up north. My mother died when I was small, and my father passed away several years ago. I inherited all of their money,"
" We have a deal,"Uther blurted, hardly thinking it through.
" It's not that simple my lord, should the person not agree, I cannot go through with this," She said slightly nervously, eyes shifting from Uther, to Arthur, then to Morgana, even lingering on Merlin.
" I am sure they'll agree, who is it you wish to have? I'll ask them personally," Uther was smiling pleasantly, sitting up much straighter on his throne.
" Actually, I was hoping Arthur's manservant would volenteer," She asked with a very chipper tone of voice that hid her nervousness. Should he say no, this entire interaction was for nothing, thus making her look a fool.
" Merlin?" Arthur asked with a dumb look on his face at the same time Uther spoke up.
" Him? Surly there are more suitable models you would wish to ask," Uthur said with an awkward smile on his face.
Merlin however was flattered yet offended that the King and Arthur were so quick to vouch for his unattractiveness.
" I am sure that he is the one I want," she said quite certain of herself.
Uther slowly looked over to Merlin and looked him up and down.
" And should he not wish to participate, the deal is off?"
" Yes," She nodded sure of herself.
Uther again looked back at Merlin, but with a more harsh expression. It said," Do it or I swear to god you'll be thrown into a pit of fire ants,"
Merlin on the other hand had no idea what to think. This strange woman wearing pants wanting him to model... And get paid for doing it? What was going on?
" Well what do you say, uh-Merlin? Do you wish to model?"
Merlin cleared his throat stiffly and directed his full attention away from the king and to the woman.
" What would this entail, I mean- what would I- you be doing?" He muttered suddenly very hot in the face. He tried to ignore the confused eyes that laid in the back of his skull from Arthur's questioned musing.
" Everyday after your duties you come down to the room I prepared and stand or sit in different positions depending on what I need. Perhaps I'd do some measurements, sketches. Simple work really,"
Merlin put a hand through his hair. He would never hear the end of this, ever. But then again, he wouldn't have to save up his entire years savings to buy one little thing he wanted. He could get a better place for him and Gaius, although what they had was pretty modest compared to what people in the lower town had. It would get cold with his room being far from the fireplace. He could live comfortably for years to come with this money.
The longer he spent considering the options, the more pressure was weighting him down from behind. Arthur was genuinely curious to see what his servant would say, and Uther was desperately wishing he'd say yes.
" I'll do it," Merlin said quickly, as though he might change his mind had he not say it now.
" Great," Uther said smiling," Shall we arrange a room for you to do your work?" He stood up, ready to get this deal going and leave the dreadful throne room behind to Arthur and Morgana.
" Under one more condition," She said suddenly.
" And what is that," Uther asked borderline annoyed. What else could she want?
" No one is to see the piece until after it is finished. I cannot have anyone but me and my guests enter,"
Uther took a moment to ponder then nodded.
"Very well, we may proceed."