Let the Crown Prince's 25th Birthday Banquet Begin! *Action Sequence* 15th November 1005

[not_a_clotpole]

The great Banquet Hall of Camelot has been decked out for this special occasion, banners of Pendragon red with the golden dragon in the centre.

The various nobles and knights of Camelot are dressed in their best tonight and the tables are laden with delicious food and dozens of candles flickering in golden candelabras. The servants (and Merlin) are in the background.

The King, the Crown Prince and the Lady Morgana are at the head table and the King rises to deliver a speech.

It's one of King Uther's better days, because magic isn't even mentioned once! Not even in reference to Morgana's disappearance and Arthur's finding her after all that time.

And so the party shall start! The wine will flow and the guests might get a bit rowdy after a while...

Feel free to approach the birthday boy!

Comments

[akamanservant.livejournal.com]

Why should he have to wait in the back? He makes a mental note to remind himself to try and steal as much food as he can, this is a birthday party after all. Arthur is his friend, at least Merlin thinks this over and over to reassure himself the Prince is not an ass, though for the most part he still is. When he can finally approach the other he does so from behind.

"Beautiful party." His next comment is just a bit on the sassy side. "So these are all your friends?"

After scanning the people around the table, Uther and Morgana in particular he reached stealthily toward something sweet near Arthur's place at the table.

[not_a_clotpole]

He better have his silly hat on! That hat's going to be important.

"Why thank you, Merlin." Grin, grin! Arthur's in a fine mood. He pokes Merlin in the arm, but not because he spots him stealing food. "'Course these are my friends! I'm the future of Camelot!"

He's a little tipsy...

[akamanservant.livejournal.com]

Merlin is wearing the ridiculous hat and outfit, much to his disappointment. Just because of that he ignored the poke and stole his sweet, shoving it in his mouth before anyone can see him.

"How come I've never seen them around?"

[not_a_clotpole]

If it makes you feel any better Merlin, you do wear the outfit and hat well!

"What, you haven't seen the knights before?" Eyebrow raise. "Perhaps you need to have your eyes checked."

[akamanservant.livejournal.com]

"But they're not necessarily your friends, are they?" Merlin was under the impression they were more like Arthur's subordinates.

"Anyway, when do you get to open presents?"

[not_a_clotpole]

Arthur is hurt, Merlin, truly hurt! "They're my friends, you've got to be able to depend on your knights! They'll have your back in battle."

He shakes his head, really, Merlin (although he's got a point...they're more...co-workers).

"I've all ready started opening them, you'll never guess what Morgana got me."

[akamanservant.livejournal.com]

"Oh I don't know? Some old piece of jewelry, a new shirt?" Whatever it was Merlin made a mental not to check that it was curse free

[not_a_clotpole]

"What?" Arthur gives a derisive sniff. "Nothing that boring. No, she gave me a horse!"

And he's very grateful indeed.

[akamanservant.livejournal.com]

"Really?"

Now he'd have to figure out a spell that could help him communicate with a horse. Who knew what Morgana had done to him.

"That's great news for me."

[not_a_clotpole]

"Great news for you?" Arthur raises an inquestive eyebrow. "Have you suddenly decided to embrace the mucking out of my stables?"

[akamanservant.livejournal.com]

"That was sarcasm, sir."

[not_a_clotpole]

Have another poke in the arm, Merlin.

"You won't mind looking after this horse," Arthur wags a finger at him (be grateful Guinevere switched him to water before he got too far into hs cups). "It's an amazing horse."

[akamanservant.livejournal.com]

"I'll take your word for it." He'll see soon enough, and frankly wouldn't be surprised if the horse had been enchanted to hate him. Either way, Merlin couldn't think there was anything good that could come of this birthday present. He hoped for the animal's sake he was wrong.

[not_a_clotpole]

Arthur waves a hand, he should have know that Merlin couldn't appreciate a good horse when he heard about it. He'd probably still not appreciate it when he saw it.

"Speaking of gifts, what did you, my humble servant get me?"

He's not serious...servants don't get their masters gifts, that would just be unfair!

[akamanservant.livejournal.com]

With a broad grin Merlin held his arms out wide open for Arthur. "I'm here, aren't I?" Indeed Merlin thinks his participation in the Prince's birthday party is ridiculous and humiliating thanks to the outfit, so it was very nice of him to suffer through without complaint.

[not_a_clotpole]

"And you're looking every inch the royal servant!" Arthur gets to his feet and slaps a hand on Merlin's back. "I'm telling you, it looks good on you." He points to the hat and immediately starts laughing.

[akamanservant.livejournal.com]

Merlin is not pleased. In fact he's frowning.

There's only one thing to do. He takes a step away from Arthur and turns toward the table, snatching a goblet full of fresh wine.

"Here Arthur. Have a drink." He forces a smile and thrusts the drink toward the prince. "Happy Birthday."

[not_a_clotpole]

Have no fear, Merlin...you'll soon have your revenge.

"Why thank you, Merlin!" He takes the goblet and toasts him. "To you bettering your servant...age...ing?" He shrugs and takes a nice big sip.

"Now, that hat! Dunno how you can be so down on it...I told you about the best materials and the feathers and things right?"

[akamanservant.livejournal.com]

Merlin nods shortly and grins when Arthur takes a drink.

But then it's back to the hat. "The hat--this entire costume is ridiculous." He removes the hat and scratches his head before slamming it back down on his head carelessly. "Who designs this stuff?"

[not_a_clotpole]

"Hey! You treat that hat right! Give it!"

Arthur won't actually wait for Merlin to do it, he'll just grab the hat and stick it on his own head. Fortunately for Arthur, Uther has left the party, so he's not here to see his son and heir with a ridiculously feathered hat on his head.

"I feel...pretty!"

[akamanservant.livejournal.com]

"You are very pretty." Merlin smiles as he steps slowly away from Arthur.

"I'm just going to check on... some servant stuff."