"Arthur, you dollophead, you can't beat Warin." said Merlin desperately, watching the stranger practice from the window in Arthur's chamber. "Look, Merlin, I can't just give up the fight. The whole kingdom will think I'm a wimp. Anyway, he's not that good."
"The whole kingdom will be attending your funeral if you fight. And he looks pretty good to me." Merlin retorted, raising his eyebrows at the stubborn prince. Arthur scowled. "That's because you're an idiot."
"Let me fight instead." Merlin said suddenly, looking at Arthur intently. Arthur looked away from the intense brown eyes. "I can't, Merlin. You don't stand a chance."
"It doesn't matter if I die. I don't have to run a kingdom one day."
"Forget it. You're not fighting Warin, and that's final. Instead, you can make sure that my chainmail is clean for tomorrow." Merlin grimaced, and, picking up the pile of chainmail on the way, walked out of the chamber.

Merlin knocked urgently on the door to Warin's chamber, and waited until he heard "Come in." before he turned the handle and walked in. Warin raised his eyebrows in mild surprise at the sight of the servant. "Yes?"
"I want to take Prince Arthur's place in the fight tomorrow." Warin stared at him for a second before letting out a laugh. "You? You're hardly competition."
"Please. I'd gladly give my life for Arthur's, and I can't let him go to his death." Warin looked at him again, considering, before saying "Alright then. I've seen how much Arthur values you. It will hurt him much more to see you die than to die himself." And with that, he picked up his sword off the table, and began to sharpen it. Merlin backed out of the room, and walked down the corridor to deliver the news to Arthur.

"You did what?!" asked Arthur incredulously. Merlin looked straight back at him, eyes clear and head high. "I volunteered to take your place. And Warin accepted."
"Merlin, you idiot, at least I could've beaten him. Despite the fact he's not a brilliant fighter, neither are you." Arthur said angrily, storming towards the table where Merlin stood, and reaching behind the slender boy. He picked up his sword, and handed it to Merlin, then picked up a broom that Merlin had, yet again, left lying in the corner of the room. "Show me what you've got."
"I have to admit, Merlin, you're not as bad as I thought," Arthur admitted. "But you keep getting distracted. Don't let any pretty girls grab your attention." Merlin grinned half-heartedly, and placed the sword back on the table. "You might be able to beat him. You almost hit me a few times," he added encouragingly. "Anyway, you better go and get some sleep. You'll want to be well rested for tomorrow."
"Think you, Sire." replied Merlin, before walking slowly out the room, and back to Gaius's chambers.