Kindness Check
Author: 
ajsrandom
Title: Kindness Check
Rating: G
Pairing/s: none
Character/s: Arthur, Merlin, Gaius
Summary: Arthur is overly critical; Merlin suffers.
Warnings: none
Word Count: 361
Prompt: 504, Critical
Author's Notes: canon compliant
........................................
“Merlin, you idiot, there’s a spot on my armor. Can’t you polish it right the first time?” Arthur said.
“Sorry, sire, I’ll get right to it,” Merlin replied.
“Merlin, you’re five minutes late with my dinner. Can you try a little harder to be on time?”
“Sorry, sire. I’ll move a little quicker next time.”
The next morning arrived, and Arthur woke on his own, which was unusual. He went down to Gaius’s chambers to see where his servant was. As he banged the door open, he called, “Merlin, you lazy buffoon, where are you this morning? Can’t you manage to make it out of bed before me?”
He found Gaius standing over Merlin, who was indeed still in bed. Gaius turned, said something to Merlin then walked out of Merlin’s little room and closed the door. “Sire, if I may have a word, please.”
“Of course, Gaius, what is it? Is Merlin ill?”
“Yes, but not physically. It seems Merlin is hurting emotionally. It seems you have been overly critical of him lately.”
“I’m just trying to improve his performance.”
Gaius frowned. “Sire, if I may be totally honest?”
“Of course, Gaius.”
“When you came in here just now, you addressed Merlin as ‘you lazy buffoon.’ Those words are insulting and completely unnecessary.”
“I—”
“Please let me finish. Your words have affected Merlin negatively. Now, I know you’re the prince and you have the right to order him around as you see fit, but insults are unbecoming. If you continue to be this critical, you will soon find that everyone around you is only serving you because they have to, not because they are loyal or fond of you.”
Arthur frowned. “I didn’t realize words could have that effect.”
“It’s your tone of voice too. Try to make it gentler, kinder.”
“I will take your words under serious consideration. Thank you, Gaius. Can I see him?”
“As you wish. Just . . .”
“Be kind. I know.”
Gaius watched Arthur go up the steps to Merlin’s room, pausing to knock before he entered. If Arthur could truly learn to be more kind, he would be a great king someday.
ajsrandomTitle: Kindness Check
Rating: G
Pairing/s: none
Character/s: Arthur, Merlin, Gaius
Summary: Arthur is overly critical; Merlin suffers.
Warnings: none
Word Count: 361
Prompt: 504, Critical
Author's Notes: canon compliant
........................................
“Merlin, you idiot, there’s a spot on my armor. Can’t you polish it right the first time?” Arthur said.
“Sorry, sire, I’ll get right to it,” Merlin replied.
“Merlin, you’re five minutes late with my dinner. Can you try a little harder to be on time?”
“Sorry, sire. I’ll move a little quicker next time.”
The next morning arrived, and Arthur woke on his own, which was unusual. He went down to Gaius’s chambers to see where his servant was. As he banged the door open, he called, “Merlin, you lazy buffoon, where are you this morning? Can’t you manage to make it out of bed before me?”
He found Gaius standing over Merlin, who was indeed still in bed. Gaius turned, said something to Merlin then walked out of Merlin’s little room and closed the door. “Sire, if I may have a word, please.”
“Of course, Gaius, what is it? Is Merlin ill?”
“Yes, but not physically. It seems Merlin is hurting emotionally. It seems you have been overly critical of him lately.”
“I’m just trying to improve his performance.”
Gaius frowned. “Sire, if I may be totally honest?”
“Of course, Gaius.”
“When you came in here just now, you addressed Merlin as ‘you lazy buffoon.’ Those words are insulting and completely unnecessary.”
“I—”
“Please let me finish. Your words have affected Merlin negatively. Now, I know you’re the prince and you have the right to order him around as you see fit, but insults are unbecoming. If you continue to be this critical, you will soon find that everyone around you is only serving you because they have to, not because they are loyal or fond of you.”
Arthur frowned. “I didn’t realize words could have that effect.”
“It’s your tone of voice too. Try to make it gentler, kinder.”
“I will take your words under serious consideration. Thank you, Gaius. Can I see him?”
“As you wish. Just . . .”
“Be kind. I know.”
Gaius watched Arthur go up the steps to Merlin’s room, pausing to knock before he entered. If Arthur could truly learn to be more kind, he would be a great king someday.