Date: April
POV: Arthur
Stimulus word: April Fool (you can probably guess, can't you?)
"Arise."
Arthur rose from the deep – and, admittedly, quite uncomfortable – bow that he had sunk into. An unnessacery formality, but Arthur did not care; today, he really wanted to impress.
"You bring me good news, I hope?"
"The best," the prince replied, barely restraining the unmistakable pride in his voice. "I have identified the beast successfully."
Behind him, he heard an indignant snort, which quickly turned into a wracking cough. Arthur ignored his manservant, drawing himself up haughtily. Shut up, Merlin.
"That is good news," Uther said, bearing for once the surprised smile that Arthur saw so rarely. "What is it called?"
"It is called, my lord," here he paused for dramatic effect – "a… a Gullible."
The smile vanished. "A what?"
"A Gullible, my lord," Arthur repeated gravely. His chest swelled with pride; Uther had stopped smiling and was staring at him with an expression of shock and disbelief. Oh, he had really surpassed himself, this time. "It is truly a terrible beast. It has huge, purple claws and a hideous matted pink coat. It lives only in the bathtubs of elderly gentlemen, and enjoys eating their toenails in the night – this is no laughing matter," he warned, turning gravely to face the nobles who stood either side of the court, their hands clutching their stomachs as they heaved with uncontrollable laughter. "I take this threat very seriously. After all how would you feel if it were your father?" At this moment, Sir Gawain's wife collapsed onto the floor, tears streaming down her face as she shrieked. Two servants bore her away.
Uther stared in silence at his son for a long while. Finally; "you really have surpassed yourself, Arthur."
The prince beamed. But – why was Morgana laughing? Jealous, he smirked, casting her a disapproving eye.
"Everyone out."
Arthur stared in confusion as, one by one, the nobles and servants alike began to make for the door. As Merlin passed him, he could have sworn that the boy whispered something that sounded very much like "happy April fools day, Arthur."