For Your Entertainment

[ayoungboy]

The circus comes into town in the late afternoon. It's a quiet caravan, but the whispers start immediately. It's not a regular circus. This one - this is the Camelot circus. One of the most esteemed traveling acts in the country, and not for the faint of heart. This one has a flaming sword eater and a terrifying magician.

A few brave people try to peek at the preparations, but once the big tent is up, all that can really be seen are food stands being set up, and a few podiums for acts unknown. Everything else is hidden from view. You want to see? Come buy a ticket.

Comments

[royalpratness]

"Hardly." He sighs. "I own most of the land in this county. It's my duty to stay here and oversee everything, make sure that none of the people living here go hungry."

[ayoungboy]

"You could take a vacation." Merlin suggests, though it appears he didn't know of Arthur's duties.

[royalpratness]

"Vacation." Arthur laughs. "I don't think I've ever been on vacation before."

[ayoungboy]

"No? No beautiful summer home?"

[royalpratness]

"No, no beautiful summer home." The thought of getting one never even occurred to him. "Maybe I'll spend a few months at the sea side next year."

[ayoungboy]

"That would be nice. Sounds like you deserve it." Merlin smiles.

[royalpratness]

"I think I do." Arthur smiles back at him. "It's getting a bit chilly. Let's go back inside." He gets and offers Merlin his arm.

[ayoungboy]

"Leading my around like a lady," Merlin laughs, but he accepts Arthur's arm gratefully.

[royalpratness]

"If you'd prefer to crawl back on your own, just say it." Arthur teases, leading Merlin back inside and up the stairs. "I have some business to attend to but I'll drop by again later today."

[ayoungboy]

"Ah, shut it." Merlin makes a face at him. "Thank you. Is there anything I can do while I rest to help out?"

[royalpratness]

"Merlin, the term 'resting' makes it pretty clear that you're not supposed to do anything. Well, you can read, maybe."

[ayoungboy]

"I don't see how reading helps out your household."

[royalpratness]

"It doesn't, but it keeps you entertained." Arthur grins and turns to leave. "See you later, Merlin."

[ayoungboy]

Merlin shakes his head and can't help but smile a little. "See you, Arthur."

[royalpratness]

As promised, Arthur returns in the evening. Over the past weeks, they had gotten comfortable around each other and hence it doesn't seem weird to Arthur anymore to sit in bed next to Merlin, handing him a freshly brewed cup of tea.

[ayoungboy]

Merlin accepts with a bright thank you. He's gotten a lot better, too; Arthur's the reason he survived at all. "How was everything?"

[royalpratness]

"Dull." Arthur laughs, rolling up the sleeves of his shirt. "Dealing with all sorts of complaints."

[ayoungboy]

"Oh? Like what?" Merlin asks, sipping his tea.

[royalpratness]

"Like compensations for bad harvests or complaints that somebody's neighbour got two cows more than he himself." Arthur stretches his legs, tempted to lie down.

[ayoungboy]

"Are they legal?"

[royalpratness]

Arthur tilts his head in confusion. "The cows?"

[ayoungboy]

"The claims, Arthur." Merlin chuckles.

[royalpratness]

"Oh, the claims." Arthur blushes, rubbing the back of his neck. "Sorry, it has been a long day. Yes, most of them are."

[ayoungboy]

"You look tense," Merlin says, concerned.

[royalpratness]

"Just tired." Arthur smiles, allowing himself to slide further down onto the bed.