Title: Swords

Summary: Arthur knew people hold back when fighting him. He just never thought Merlin would be one of them.

Word Count: 658

Genre: Friendship

Pairings: None

Warnings: Um . . . spoilers . . .?

Rating: I think this is Rated K+ . . . .?

A/N: So, yeah, currently aspiring to be a writer, new to this fandom and a total amateur in writing (so glad I have a spell checker). English is not my mother language and all we're ever taught in school is the American one. May you forgive me for lacking knowledge in the British language.

Constructive criticisms are very much welcomed, especially if it's about my style of writing or grammar! Hope you enjoy ~~

Disclaimer: Whoo! Finally remembered to put one of these! If I own BBC Merlin, I'll let Bradley and Colin sing "You're the Voice" at every episode! But seeing as they had not, I'm afraid I do not own them.

Arthur knew that the skillful people in the castle never fought with their all when against him. And it is all because he was the prince. It irritated him to no end. How could he improve if there's no one to test him?

He just never thought Merlin would be one of them.

It was one ordinary afternoon in Camelot. Taking a break from their training, Arthur and his knights found a dozing Merlin. He lay slumping on the chair, a sharpening rock in one hand and a sword in another. Some knights smiled at the scene, others shook their heads. Arthur rolled his eyes as he raised his sword to hit his manservant awake.

Before the sword had any chance to touch Merlin, azure eyes flew open. The scraping of metal resounded quite loudly as the sword in the manservant's hand met the prince's.

Surprise flitted on the knights' faces and Arthur smiled mockingly.

"I see that all those sword trai—" he was cut off as Merlin shoved the swords with enough force for him make him back away.

The raven-haired boy rose to his feet and lunged at the prince who just about missed it. Shocked, Arthur barely managed to defend himself against the swings that followed. The knights snapped out of their trance and came into action.

"Whoa, Merlin, mate—" Gwaine halted as the manservant made a swipe that might have cut his body in half.

"Merlin, snap out of it!" Lancelot drew his own sword and stopped the blade that was aiming for his head.

Up close, the not-noble-blooded knight noticed the way the warlock's face was set in a determined line, eyes wild and unseeing. Merlin kicked the knight in the stomach, knocking the air out of Lancelot who was caught off guard.

Every step, every movement of the boy was precise, swift and adequate, as if he had been training his whole life.

The next few minutes came as a blur of swords, shouting and restraining. In the end, there was only one man standing; one whose sword was dangerously close to Arthur's neck.

"Merlin?" His manservant just defeated Camelot's knights within minutes. He was definitely dreaming . . . or dead. He'd choose any of those options than this.

Merlin's head jerked back at his voice, as if it was only now that he was waking up. His eyes wandered around the courtyard with a frown.

"Wha?" The manservant tilted his head at the prince. "Arthur? I thought you were—and I was—Oh gods!"

Merlin dropped the sword as if it burned him. The knights groggily stood up, groans of pain emitting from them. All eyes turned to the boy who single-handedly defeated them.

"Um . . ." Merlin scratch his cheek sheepishly. "I-I-I—"

"Merlin." Arthur's voice was calm, coated with different emotions with that word alone.

Merlin held back a flinch. Suddenly, the prince took a swing in his direction and the manservant had just enough time to dive down to the ground. Another swing had Merlin picking up the discarded sword beside him and clashed it with the prince's. Merlin spluttered and the knights gaped.

"All this time, on our every sword fight, on our every spar, every single time, you were holding back?" Irritation and disbelief laced his tone as he shoved his own sword down with powerful force.

"Yes, well, we don't want the Royal Pratness getting hurt now, do we?" Merlin smirked, applying the equal amount of force on his blade so as not to be overwhelmed.

The prince scowled. Then, it turned into a smug smile. "Don't worry, Merlin. You can't injure me even if you tried."

"Shall we test it out, Sire?"

And so, they spar till dusk broke out. The knights just watched in amazement and wonderment, and maybe took advantage of the unexpected rest from training.

It was only Lancelot and Gwaine who weren't surprised when Merlin won.

Again, constructive criticisms are welcomed and are very much needed!