One year later Merlin returned to Arthur's chambers with the full outfit and the same food as last year. One year later Arthur greeted him with a smile not a scowl. Arthur went off to train his knights and didn't lose. In fact he got on so well with his knights that day that he went to the Tavern with them.

Merlin had had peace and quiet all day. He had watched Arthur for a bit but he wanted to ensure that tonight would go well for Arthur had ordered him to dine with him that night in his chambers. Merlin had managed to get Mable to make all of Arthur's favourites, Chicken Pot Pie, A Pig's Head, Fresh bread, cheese and strawberries. Arthur adored strawberries. Merlin also arranged for some of Camelot's finest wine to be delivered. He had changed into his best outfit, not the ceremonial one but thought Arthur deserved the hat. With everything prepared he sat and waited.

Arthur was having a whale of a time in the Tavern. His knights were excellent company.

Merlin became uneasy, where on earth was Arthur? He thought he better make sure training had finished. He walked out to the field and no knights could be found. He thought that maybe Arthur had stopped to check on Uther, which could happen at any occasion.

"Merlin, Merlin you've got to come and see this."

"See what?"

"The Princess has challenged me to a drinking contest."

"He's done what? Where is he?"

"He is in the Tavern, you have to come and watch."

"Oh I most certainly will."

Merlin was fuming. After all this time, Arthur was still Prince Prat.

Gwaine walked with him and could tell something was up. "What has he done now?"

"Nothing unexpected Gwaine. Nothing unexpected."

"He's going to have a sore head tomorrow, trying to take me on."

"Good, I hope it hurts for days."

Merlin swung the door open to find Arthur standing up drinking against Leon. "Oh looked who has joined us, the man who can only drink half a glass of mead." No response. "Merlin, did you hear me?" "Yes I did sire." "I Merlin, am going to beat Sir Gwaine here in a drinking contest."

"Arthur, you won't feel good tomorrow, this is not a good idea."

"Merlin stop clucking around me like an old mother hen. I don't need you here. I will win. I am the Prince"

"No you are going to lose, you'll have a headache in the morning and it won't just be the drink. It will also because you have your head up your backside."

"MERLIN."

"Good night Sire."

Merlin stormed out of the tavern with the knights opened mouth. Except for Leon who was concerned. He knew Merlin wouldn't have spoken back lightly. Despite the banter between Arthur and Merlin to do so in public with an audience was unusual. Clearly Merlin was upset and clearly Arthur had upset him. Leon hated it when the two of them fell out and certainly didn't like anyone upsetting Merlin.

"Maybe I should go and keep Merlin company after I have beaten the Princess?"

"You will do no such thing" Leon responded. The last thing he wanted was a drunken Gwaine trying to get his hands on Merlin. He had enough to deal with Arthur and Merlin's complicated relationship let alone Gwaine being in that equation. Leon looked at Merlin as a younger brother. They had quickly bonded; Leon had even visited Ealdor with Merlin to see his mother. Arthur had insisted someone went with him and Leon leapt at the chance. The two of them got on so well so easily. The banter was different from that of Merlin and Arthur; it was certainly a brotherly bond. Leon made a note to see Merlin in the morning. Seeing him now would make it worse, besides he had a drunken Prince in front of him.

It had taken both Leon and Percival to get Arthur back to his chambers. When they opened the door, they were greeted with the feast that Merlin had laid out for Arthur. Arthur had spent most of the time on the way back rambling about Merlin.

"Percival, look, food."

"I'm Leon sire. Percival is the one trying to undo your boots."

"Oh, of course. Is that a pig's head."

"Yes sire."

Arthur looked at the pig's head, for a second he thought it had turned into Merlin with an apple stuffed in his mouth.

Leon found a long tube on Arthur's bed with a ribbon around it.

"Sire, there seems to be a present for you on the bed."

"It will be from Merlin, probably a picture of a Badger or something. Give it here, I'll open it."

What greeted Arthur, Leon and Percival was no Badger. It was a coat of arms. The coat of arms was a Lion on the left hand side with a crown on its head and standing on its back legs. It was holding a harp with its front paws. One the left side of the harp was a Unicorn, again with a crown holding the other side of the harp in a mirror image.

"What is that my Lord."

"That Leon, that Percival is my mother's coat of arms. Merlin has drawn it from scratch. Can you leave me now? Thank you for your assistance."

Leon knew that for Merlin to do that and then organize the feast meant that Arthur was definitely in the doghouse. Even he failed to appreciate what Merlin would do next.

Arthur fell asleep holding the scroll and was confident that the Pig's head definitely had turned into Merlin.