This short story was inspired by Lilybells and her wonderful chibi!series on Tumblr! Please take the time to check out her art because you will literally be lost in chibi adorableness for hours. Enjoy!


Arthur heard the explosion before he felt it.

He was seated at his desk in his chambers, shuffling through his mountain of parchments looking for one in particular, when a loud bang sounded from a distance, followed by a slight tremble in the floor. He jumped up, immediately turning to his window only to see the villagers in the town below going about their business, completely undisturbed.

Arthur sighed, letting his nerves calm as the possibility of an attack fled his mind. However, he quickly determined that the only other explanation was the explosion happened from within the walls of the castle.

"Merlin."

As Arthur approached the physician's chambers, that also held his bumbling Court Sorcerer, he was stopped by a high-pitched shriek.

"I said unhand me, you beast!"

Arthur decided to remain in the corridor, listening intently through the wood to hopefully determine what exactly was going on.

"Wha-? I… I don't understand… What are you?"

That was undoubtedly Merlin's voice, stumbling through a sentence. Typical.

"My name is Merlin."

It was the softest of voices, like tinkling bells in a slight breeze. It sent a small chill down Arthur's spine. Then, another squeal:

"I am King Arthur of Camelot! Don't come any closer or I will –"

Arthur swung the sturdy wooden door open, finger raised, ready for some words, and then stopped. Merlin stood, looking completely bewildered, by Gaius' workbench. The only problem was, he was also completely alone.

"Who… what's going on? I heard voices!"

"Arthur!" Merlin almost wheezed. He looked absolutely terrified.

"Whom were you talking to? What was that explosion? I swear if you've done something as bad as last time, you –"

"I WILL NOT BE IGNORED!"

Arthur was cut off mid-sentence by another loud shriek, similar to what he heard before, only much louder. He spun around on the spot, looking for the owner of the voice. As he turned once more towards Merlin, the sunlight reflected sharply off of something on the workbench. He stalked over.

"Arthur, wait –"

Arthur came to a halt beside his former manservant. He looked down at the table and his breath was immediately stolen from his lungs.

There, standing among various potion bottles, mortars, pestles, and powders, was a miniature version of himself. Only he was roughly the size of a baby chicken. And just as round. His head was large, but Arthur could clearly see the blond hair – his own blond hair – and adorning him was miniature, intricately crafted chainmail and armor, complete with little brown leather boots. This small little creature's eyes were not blue, though, but instead were black and beady, with a mischievous sparkle in them.

"STAY BACK, YOU GIANT BEAST!"

A sword no longer than Arthur's own pinky was waved through the air.

"I… Um –"

"Arthur, stop it!" The little tinkling of bells was heard again and it was then that Arthur noticed the tiny little mini-Merlin seated on a cork just a short distance away. He swung his stubby little legs, wearing a brown jacket and a bright red neckerchief, identical to what Merlin used to wear during his days as Arthur's manservant. Even his tiny little ears stood out predominantly. "These people will not harm us… They are us!"

Arthur turned to 'Big-Merlin' beside him, noticing his unusual silence throughout this entire encounter. He cleared his throat.

"Care to explain this lovely little surprise, Merlin?" He asked, leaning against the workbench.

Merlin swallowed hard. "Well, you see, I was sort of trying to… copy things."

"Copy things?" Arthur repeated.

"Yes. You know, making two of something. I was going to try it with Ralph, the dog from the stables. I had what I thought were some of his hairs and everything! In reality, though… Well, I guess it was your hair. And maybe some of mine."

"You made copies of us? You made tiny, little, round versions of us? That thing is nothing like me – Ow!"

Arthur jumped back from the table as he felt a sharp pain erupt in his bottom. He turned to see Mini-Arthur, sword at the ready, with a completely satisfied look on his face. Behind him, Mini-Merlin flopped back down on his cork with a sigh.

Big-Merlin chuckled. "You're actually more similar than you think."