A/N: I'm not gonna lie, this chapter was ridiculously fun to write. Also, I had no time to edit it so it might be a bit…um…rough, sorry. If something is desperately wrong I can re-upload it later. But, when I read it, it seemed fine. So, enjoy and review.
Chapter 14; 'Back in My Day...um, I know there's a courting joke in here some where. Screw it, I'm tired. (fill in joke here)'
"I can't believe you went behind my back like that!" Arthur exclaimed, staring at Merlin angrily.
"I did it for your own good." Merlin defended.
They were currently standing in Gaius' residence, Morgana and Lancelot standing awkwardly on the sidelines while Arthur and Merlin shouted at each other.
"My own good? I can take care of myself Merlin. I'm not a baby." Arthur seethed.
"Could've fooled me." Merlin grumbled.
"Excuse me?" The prince suddenly grew defensive.
"You heard me." Merlin said, defiantly.
"You think I'm a baby? Oh, that's rich."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means that at least I can defend myself. You, on the other hand, cower like a little rodent." Arthur began to mock him.
"Better a rodent than a prat." Arthur immediately ceased his actions, glaring at the brunette.
"At least I'm not an idiot."
"Arse."
"Moron."
"Clotpole!"
"Nincompoop!"
"Git!"
"Useless!"
"Whipped cream face!"
"Okay, now you're just spouting nonsense."
"It's not nonsense."
"Whipped Cream face? What does that even mean?"
"It means you have the face of a whipped cream."
"Merlin, do you even know what whipped cream is?"
"Of course I do!"
"Then what is it."
"It's…your face."
"Merlin, you're a complete idiot."
"At least I don't have a Whipped Cream face."
"Oh, stop being such a child."
"Stop being such a….an airhead."
"Airhead?"
"Yes."
"Merlin, the key to winning in argument isn't spouting mindless insults until your opponent gives up."
"My insults aren't mindless."
"Really? Clotpole, Airhead, Whipped Cream face? These all make sense to you."
"Yes."
"Of course they would. You're a complete idiot."
"And you're a tarter-butt."
"Oh, Merlin, give it up."
"If you two could stop acting like children for a minute," Morgana shouted, causing both boys to jump. They turned towards her, looking slightly sheepish. She continued, voice at normal volume "I'm sure both Lancelot and I would love an explanation as to why he's here."
Arthur and Merlin glanced at each other awkwardly.
"Lancelot is here," Arthur said through clenched teeth. "Because Merlin was confused. I'm sorry to trouble you Lancelot and rest assured we will provide you with accommodations however, you are not needed." Arthur gave him a charming smile, shooting a glare at Merlin over his shoulder.
"Merlin is this true?" Lancelot asked kindly.
The brunette glanced at Arthur awkwardly before shaking his head. "No it's not true."
"Merlin." Arthur bit out warningly.
"No Arthur, I'm not going to let you run around like a chicken with your head cut off. I realize you're the prince and it's your royal right to do so but I can't let you." Merlin said, clearly upset.
"Let me?" Arthur asked incredulously. "Well I'm sorry, Sir Merlin, but I'm afraid you have no say in what I do."
"Yes, but I do." An elderly voice said from the doorway.
All occupants of the room jumped, turning to see Gaius standing in the entrance.
"Oh my." The man said, approaching the prince. "Oh no. It appears you've come down with a case of the measles. And I don't like the look of that neck." He said, beginning to poke and prod at the prince.
"Gaius, what are you doing?" The prince asked, feeling ill at ease as the old man inspected him.
"I'm just diagnosing you, sire." The man said innocently. "Oh, is that a boil?" He asked, pushing a finger against Arthur's shoulder. Merlin coughed, hiding a laugh, and Arthur glared at him.
"Merlin, stop smirking. Gaius, there's nothing wrong with me, I feel fine." Arthur said defensively, backing away from the man. Gaius continued to follow, scrutinizing.
"Oh no my dear boy, I'm afraid you've fallen gravely ill and must be bed ridden for at least a month. I should report this to the king immediately." Gaius said, looking at the prince very seriously though there was a playful glint in his eye.
"I'll just tell father you're lying." Arthur replied confidently, though he looked uncomfortable.
"And a very serious mental illness." Gaius said, grabbing the prince's temples.
"I'm not mentally ill." Arthur protested, pushing the man's hands away.
"Sire, I'm the court physician. Would I ever lie to you?" He asked. As Gaius looked intently into Arthur's eyes a displeased look came upon the prince's face.
"Fine." He said through clenched teeth. "Gaius you have made yourself very clear. Lancelot will fight in my place." He snapped, shooting everyone a glare.
"Well, now that that's settled," Morgana said, smiling. Though her expression changed when she continued, "Will someone please tell me what's going on?"
Line Break:
Gwen walked forward, stumbling slightly. She clutched to the wall desperately, watching as some rocks cascaded downwards. She was standing on a narrow cliff, a few inches wide. Past that was an endless pit of which she couldn't see the bottom. She gasped in fear, seeing a passage a few feet away. She took a few more steps, hesitantly.
Her heart beat quickly in her chest. Her whole body felt like it was shaking from adrenaline and panic, a deep urgency settling in her body. She took a few more steps, breath comic hard. She let out a terrified sound and stilled when she once again stumbled, almost falling off the ledge. Fearful sobs built in her chest and she clenched her jaw, taking in a deep breath and moving once again. She was so close now. She sped up her steps when she neared the passage way. She reached the end of the cliff, a jagged piece of rock sticking out. It lay a few inches from the tunnels opening. Almost on instinct she leaped off from the cliff, reaching a hand out and grabbing the wall of the passageway, tumbling into it. Her breath was ragged as she lay there, closing her eyes in relief and letting a few sobs escape her.
Line Break:
"Arthur, your stupidity is phenomenal." Morgana said tiredly.
"Me?" Arthur cried in exasperation.
"Yes, Arthur, you. Why fight Aldwin for Merlin? Why fight Aldwin at all? And, why would you bet on Merlin in the first place? He's a person, not your personal plaything." Morgana looked at Arthur in resentment. "Frankly, I don't think either you or Aldwin deserve Merlin as a servant."
Arthur looked taken aback. He opened his mouth, ready to say something, but Morgana continued before he could manage
"Besides, don't we have a far more important issue at the moment?" She said, looking at them expectantly. Everyone looked at her, confused. "Gwen." She stared at them all in disbelief. Lancelot, who had been hovering in the background and taking in the situation, suddenly stepped up.
"Gwen? What has happened to-"
"Honey, I'm home!" A cheerful voice sang from outside.
"Oh god." Merlin groaned, running a hand over his face.
Lancelot looked at the door, furrowing his brows in confusion and irritation. The door opened and Aldwin walked in, looking as happy and relaxed as always.
"Ah, the lady Morgana." He said, giving an overdramatic bow. She rolled her eyes, a reluctant smile coming to her face.
Arthur shot her a glare, not liking the friendly air between them.
"Oh, Artie." Aldwin said after turning around. "If you stick that lip out any further a bird's going to land on it."
Arthur shook his head, looking confused.
"Ah, Merl', I got you these." He said, suddenly producing a batch of flowers.
"What?" Merlin asked, taking the bouquet in surprise.
"Don't take them." Arthur growled, looking at the plants in revulsion. "You're not a girl Merlin. Or did you forget?"
"Whoo." Aldwin exclaimed. "Well that was a little harsh." He said, turning to Merlin. "Does he always treat you like this?" He asked.
A tense silence filled the room and everyone looked around awkwardly.
"I'll take that as a yes." Aldwin said, before grinning at the prince. "Well then Artie, are you ready for our duel?" He asked. "We only have a few more hours."
"Actually." Arthur said. "There's been a change of plans. I'll be using a substitute."
There was a few seconds of silence as Aldwin stared at Arthur. Suddenly, he smiled.
"Very clever. I wasn't sure whether you'd pick up on it or not. Merl' here thought of it though, didn't he? I bet it was Merl."
Merlin, who had never actually spent that much time around Aldwin, was blown away at how happy the prince was. Up until now the only time they'd spent together was either physical or had to do with Arthur and Aldwin facing off. But now that everything seemed out in the open, the boy was actually quite charming. Merlin blushed, looking down at his flowers.
"My substitute," Arthur said, obviously annoyed. "Will be Lancelot." He said, gesturing towards the man standing awkwardly on the side.
Aldwin faced the boy. They both stood, staring at each other.
"Hello, I'm Aldwin." The prince said, grinning and reaching his hand out for a hand shake.
"Pleasure to meet you." Lancelot said, leaning down and pressing a kiss to the prince's hand.
Merlin, Arthur, and Morgana all coughed, looking away uncomfortably. Gaius let out a weary sigh. "Young people these days." He muttered, shaking his head.