There was a knock on the door and Arthur came in.

"Can I help you, sire?" Gaius asked, looking a little shocked.

"Sorry to disturb you Gaius," Arthur said. He saw Merlin on the floor. "What on earth are you doing down there?" He asked, sounding annoyed.

Merlin began to explain, but Arthur interrupted him-
"You know what, I don't even care. Could you just stop wasting time for one minute and actually do some work? Because you know, Merlin, it's not your time you're wasting, it's mine."

Arthur stood over Merlin, hands on hips, eyes blazing.

"Get up, will you?" Arthur said loudly. Merlin threw down his filthy scrubbing brush and got to his feet. Arthur pushed him, seemingly jokily.
"What is with you today, Merlin?" He asked, not unkindly. "You're all over the place! I come down here to ask you to help me prepare for the guests arriving this evening, and I find you sat on the floor!"

Merlin opened his mouth to protest, looking angry.

"I-"

"No, I don't want to hear it, okay? Just get to work and stop being so useless."

Arthur left, Merlin trailing along in his wake, glancing back at Gaius with a furious look but his lips pressed tightly together.