Prince Arthur Pendragon had been dreading this day for months, now. He would complain about what was to come so consistently that people had started to become annoyed with him.

Although everyone agreed with him, it didn't mean his whinning was any less irritating. Merlin, most of all, was fed up with him. For the past three days the young wizard was doing his best to avoid his tiresome master. However being his manservant and best friend, it was a impossible task.

As Merlin trudged across the great castle's outside corridors, he spotted Arthur in the distance. Swiftly Merlin ducked for cover behind a stone pillar.

"Hello Merlin."

He nearly had a heart attack at the mention of his own name. Luckily it was just Gwaine, who swished his swoon-inducing hair of amazingness.

" How are you friend?" Gwaine asked very loudly, smiling.

"Shhh!"Merlin hushed him with a whisper, " Arthur's nearby."

The knight got the message, " Oh, okay mate. I won't give away your position. I don't blame you. If I had to hear the princess constantly moaning and grumble and-"

"Gwaine?"

The Knight turned to see it was no other than the prince himself.

"Who are you talking to?" Arthur gave a snarky smile, telling Gwaine he was in deep trouble.

Merlin gulped, he knew that Arthur knew that he was hiding from him. However he chose not to move, in the slight hope that the prat would just leave him be.

"Uh...no one sire," Gwaine horribly covered up, " Just this pillar. Pillar and I go ways back. You know you two are a lot alike. Both of you are thick, however I think pillar's doing a better job at supporting this castle-"

"Arthur," Merlin sighed as he revealed himself to save Gwaine from digging himself a bigger hole, "do you need me to do anything?"

"Yes, Merlin. As it so happens you are my servant which means you are supposed to be serving me, rather than spending time hugging poles. I need you to polish my sword before Vivian arrives."

Raising a single eyebrow the warlock chuckled, " Trying to impress the Princess?"

Merlin would never let Arthur lived down the last time the Lady Vivian had made her first visit to Camelot nearly two years ago. Every though of that incident made Arthur cringe.

Arthur gritted his teeth, " You have a sick mind. I'm not trying to impress her. Her father King Olaf will be accompany her and I need his approval."

" That sounded ten times worse." Gwaine commented.

" Okay, That's it!" Arthur ordered, " Gwaine, go back to training! Merlin, you are to polish my sword then you are going to escort the Lady Vivian to her chambers when she arrives!"

This was the worse punishment possible Merlin could think of! He had to spend a full minute with a squeaky high-pitch brat. She'd probably insult him more in one minute, than Arthur had in four years!

"No wait, please Arthur," Merlin begged, " I was only joking. You can't seriously mean this?"

Arthur was loving this, " You have no right to complain. You only have to spend a small moment with her. I'm stuck for a month! Count your blessings. If you're ever stuck with her for a long time, then you can complain."

He grabbed his friend by the collar of his jacket and carried him off.

The Lady Vivian was no doubtably externally beautiful, but on the inside she was no better than a troll. When she arrived with her father, she was wearing a lovely red gown with gold trimming: Camelot's colors. Obviously meant to show her "love, Arthur, her devotion to him.

Her father dismounted from his mighty black steed. Gwaine and Merlin were at the front waiting for Arthur to arrive to greet them. No doubt the prince was taking his time.

"That's the Lady Vivian?" Gwaine whispered to Merlin when he saw the blond haired princess, " If only I were cursed to spend a month with her."

Merlin rolled his eyes, " Trust me Gwaine, she's a pain."

"One that I must inflict myself with." He replied with a wink.

A servant girl with a vase of flowers walked by, fortuitously at that moment. Gwaine took a yellow flower from it and proceed to approach the Lady Vivian.

Vivian was desperately searching for 'her' Arthur. She had been anticipating this trip for ages. Just as she was about to leave her horse, she saw Gwaine standing besides her.

"Princess," he gave a flirtatious bow, " May I offer to help you down. Such a treasure as yourself should be treated with the finest delicacy."

That's when he took out the flower, " I have a gift for you. A golden flower, but it is no match for your radiance."

Merlin was internally laughing at his friend. He couldn't wait to see what would happen next, but at the same time he was feeling awfully embarrassed for Gwaine.

The Princess Vivian gave the Knight a sneer of disgust. Who was this man to make such passes at her?

" I suggest you leave now before I ask my father to string you up and feed you to the dogs." Vivian huffed, " I have heard of these new knights and I will not be courted by a man of your inferior birth. Keep your weed."

Gwaine did as she requested and backed away. Never had he met a more unlikable and rude girl. Even princess Arthur was less of a brat.

"Where is my Arthur?" Vivian jumped off her horse, " I must see my Arthur."

Merlin couldn't help but feel guilty of what Vivian must have been going through. However, he had no way of curing it. The only remedy was true loves kiss. It would be a miracle if that girl ever found true love and let alone get him to kiss her.

Arthur came down Camelot's stone steps. First he greeted the King.

"King Olaf," Arthur gave a warrior's shake, " It has been far too long."

"Yes it has. Last time I was here you were merely a prince. Now you are regent king."

" I was surprised when you requested to visit." the regent added, " Surely after our last encounter I thought you would be displeased to ever see me again."

Olaf shook his head, " You were young and I was stubborn. Over the past two years, I have had time to think about certain things which I would like to discuss with you."

"Of course, we can discuss such things at dinner tonight."

Arthur turned to see Vivian in the background being restrained by one of her father's knights from completely jumping all over him.

"Hello Vivian," Arthur forced a smile which just made it look like he was uncomfortable beyond belief, "how are you faring?"

The princess sighed at Arthur's heavenly voice, " Better, now that I am here with you."

"That's just not fair." Complained Gwaine, who had returned standing next to Merlin.

Merlin laughed at Gwaine, " Are you going to continue this pursuit?"

Gwaine shook his head, " The lady said no."

"But you continued to pursue Gwen, even when she had denied you."

"But there's a difference," he replied, " Gwen is a sweet treasure. This girl's a nightmare."

Nodding in agreement, Merlin was glad Gwaine had seen sense. They started to laugh together. Gwaine's popularity with women in Camelot was surprisingly low.

"Merlin." Arthur called out.

'Oh gods,' Merlin gulped, "Yes sire?"

" You are to take the Princess Vivian to her chambers." He smirked, delighting in his manservants torture.

Merlin let out a heavy sigh and gave Arthur the evil eye, " Yes sire."

He went and picked up a few of the Lady's things. Vivian was admiring Arthur too much to realize that they were ready to move.

"Milady?" Merlin gently released her from her trance, " Let me show you to your room."

Vivian shot him a belittling look, " You will show me my room when I order you to. Not when it's most convenient for you." She turned towards Arthur, " Will not you be showing me to my room?"

Arthur's mouth was searching for a reasonable excuse. Anyone who was watching this could sense how utterly awkward and uncomfortable he was feeling.

"I'm sorry," he wasn't really, " I'm afraid I have some meetings to attend discussing the financial situation of Camelot, but I will see you later."

She pouted like a five year old child would, " Very well," she reluctantly accepted, then her face turned back to loving adoration, " It is a thousand years till we meet again."

Giving a heavy lover's sigh, she walked ahead. Merlin turned to Arthur, hopping for pity. there would be none.

"Come on, boy!" Vivian called out to Merlin, " My bags will not move themselves."

The unenthusiastic Merlin hurried along to lead her. She was a very fast walker. It was very hard to keep ahead, especially when one has to carry heavy baggage. Her vibrant dress whipped around in the whips of wind all around her.

One time Merlin accidentally fell when she had decided to race ahead of him. Looking at the young servant she scoffed at his clumsiness.

" You clumsy oaf," She hissed in a degrading tone of voice, " when I am queen, things will be very different around here. The staff will be the first to go."

'Pigs will fly before you're Queen.' he thought before composing himself. Soon there were walking again. When they arrived in the prepared chambers, Vivian looked disapprovingly of the room. Of course, no one expected more from her.

"Where would you like me to place your things, Milady?" Merlin inquired, trying not to sound like he was dreading this.

" Place them?" She scoffed, " I need my things put away, not just lying anywhere. Where is the attending maidservant?"

Merlin hid his vexation, " There will be a few serving girls that will be coming very shortly. You can pick who you would like."

" Who was that servant girl who served me last time?" she asked.

"Gwen."

"She will do fine." She said with a dismissive tone, " She was adequate when I was here last."

Merlin said with a great big smile plastered on his face, " Well, Gwen's not a servant anymore. During the recent re-conquering of Camelot, her brother was knighted. She's now a noblewoman."

He could not be any more happier for his friend. Finally she would not have to worry about cloths, food or money. Also, her relationship with Arthur was becoming more public, however that would remain a secret for Vivian's stay.

"What has Camelot come to?" Vivian sadly remarked, " Peasants to Knights. Maidservants to Ladies. This place has quiet literally gone to the dogs."

Curly his fists tightly, the warlock reseted the temptation to turn her into a great fat ugly toad.

"I guess I shall be going, if there's nothing you are in need of." Merlin gave her an artificial smile, placing her bags on the floor.

Vivian gave him an appalled look, " Your duties are not finished. You must unpack everything until the other servants arrive."

'This was going to be a long day.' Merlin thought to himself, " At least it won't have to deal with her for very much longer.'