All I can say is that it is 5:30 in the morning and this is not what I was supposed to be working on.
This was inspired by a line in a reveal story where Arthur realizes Merlin is the one who stirred up the wind in Ealdor, and Merlin says, "You're going to be having a lot of moments like that now."
I can't find the story any more, but if you know which one I mean then I would be glad to direct people to that story once someone reminds me of the title.
Arthur had hardly said two words to anyone all day. He was surly and short-tempered and everyone, except his manservant, was avoiding him.
But Arthur didn't speak to Merlin at all, not even to yell at him for smirking during his chores. Because the warlock knew what most people didn't.
The prince was pouting.
"All right, Arthur," he began eventually, no longer finding the mood amusing. If one more person asked him what was wrong with his royal pratness, the sorcerer was likely to turn someone into a toad (he could do that now; he knew the spell). "What are you pouting over?"
"I am not pouting."
"Course not."
"No, I'm trying to think of a good excuse for putting you in the stocks."
"And why would you want to do that?" Merlin asked, tone entirely curious and not a bit put out.
"You see, I've been thinking—"
"No wonder you've been so moody," Merlin mumbled. The prince fixed him with a glare before continuing.
"There was an incident, shortly before…the incident with my father you said was caused by a mandrake?"
Merlin nodded.
"It seemed almost as if my sword was pulled away from me…and a mace hit me in the stomach…and I fell."
"On your face into horse manure?"
"Mud."
"So that's what we're calling it?"
"Merlin."
The genuine-looking anger etched into the prince's features was enough to clear the grin from Merlin's face.
"You said you'd never use magic to hurt me."
Merlin gaped before stuttering. "Well, I…you weren't really hurt. And you were acting like such a clotpole. I simply—"
"And that time after the invasion, when I was training with Gwaine, when my sword fell from my hand right before he slapped me in the back of the head with the broadside of his sword."
At this, Merlin couldn't help but laugh.
"Now that wasn't me. All you, Your Gracefulness."
Even Arthur was smirking a little at this point, but he quickly settled back into a glare.
"So then why are you laughing?"
"Because I remember that," Merlin said. "It was bloody hilarious!"