Arthur tried to think. Where? Where? Normally he thought he might be able to think, but now, under so much pressure… He was the crown Prince! He was meant to be good at stuff under pressure and in time of need.

Apparently, Merlin thought so too as he was watching Arthur with a hopeful expression. Arthur sighed, turning away. "I don't know."

Arthur could practically see his manservant's face fall. The two men were wrapped in an uncomfortable silence, so thick Arthur's face fell into a wince. He suddenly heard footsteps behind him, and he turned to see Merlin pacing, agitated. Arthur felt sudden desperation. They had under twenty hours until the tornado hit Camelot, destroying everything his ancestors had worked to. They should just-

"We're not giving up, Arthur." Arthur snapped out of his thoughts that screamed hopelessness, to look into Merlin's eyes, who looked like he knew exactly what Arthur had been doing.

Seeing such determination in his friend's face, he felt a flare of hope. They'd faced worst foes and situations- they would overcome this one.

.~*~.

"Where do you feel safest?"

"My chambers, I guess…"

"What's your most prized possession?"

"I'm not allowed to have one."

Merlin sighed, throwing his hands up in defeat. "Arthur!"

Arthur looked bewildered. "What?"

"You've got to have a prized possession!" Merlin threw the Prince a look that said, 'I don't believe you.'

Arthur glared. "Alright then- what's yours?"

"My fathers-" Merlin cut off suddenly, looking anywhere but Arthur's face. "It's not important. What is, is finding yours, finding out where you put it, then finding the box."

"And then?"

Merlin glared. "I've done enough. You're being lazy."

Arthur's jaw dropped. "What?"

"You know, I think you can't be bothered to do anything anymore. Really Arthur, sausages plus laziness equals a very 'heavy' you in the future-"

"MERLIN! I AM NOT FAT!"

"Really?" Merlin raised an eyebrow. "'Cause you should hear what some of the knights are saying-"

Arthur spluttered, while Merlin continued, ignoring him, "All I'm saying is that you can't even be bothered to think of where you'd hide your most prized possession. Seriously, do you not care-"

Merlin knew he'd hit a nerve as Arthur's face turned red with anger. "My most prized possession is inside Sir Welly-boots!"

.~*~.

Merlin wasn't sure whether to laugh out loud or run and tell Gwen and Morgana and most of Camelot. Or just splutter with a grin, "Sir Welly-boots?"

Arthur's eyes widened at what he just said and started spluttering nonsense. Merlin smirked. "And who's Sir Welly-boots?"

Arthur mumbled something. And Merlin's grin grew. "Sorry, sire, but I didn't hear that…"

Arthur glared venomously. "I hate you."

"And much as you lurve Sir Welly-boots?"

Arthur scowled. "Merlin, we don't really have time for this."

"Sorry." Merlin sobered up, remembering their situation. "So, where is Sir Welly-boots?"

"Inside my private vaults. Under my bed." Arthur glared again. "And don't you dare tell anyone, I'm not supposed to tell anyone. Family secret…"

Merlin nodded. "We need to hurry up."

Arthur nodded.

.~*~.

Merlin looked at the welly-wearing bear and rolled his eyes at Arthur's name choice for the stuffed animal. "Original name, Arthur."

"Hey!" Arthur told him defensively. "I thought it suited him."

Merlin was about to give him a lecture on teddy names, when he realised they didn't exactly have the time. "Okay, open him up."

Arthur pulled apart the clumsy stitching (sewing was never his forte) and pulled out a very miniature version of the box. Arthur stared, hearing Merlin mutter, "Amazing…"

The servant's head snapped up, panic on his face after registering what he'd said. "I meant- I mean…"

Arthur overlooked it, uneasiness settling in his stomach, but he pushed all thoughts to later. "How is it so small? It wasn't this small before, was it?"

"It's been minimized," Merlin explained, glad Arthur hadn't questioned his previous comment. "Magic."

Arthur's fears were confirmed. "So we're trying to find a hypnotist who is also a sorcerer?"

Dread crept into the room, catching up, this time to both of them. Merlin's heart sank in his chest. How would they find this person?

I'm really sorry that I haven't updated as soon as I thought- but I've got tests and I'm up to my neck in revision- but hopefully I'll update soon.

I've still only got about two reviews. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE REVIEW! I'm getting more desperate than Arthur!