Title: 180. Energetic

Author: Arisprite

Summary: Merlin is quite good at his new form of communication; Arthur less so.

A/N: The saap! Haha, here is what is probably the end of the Mute!Merlin stories. AH, I have enjoyed them :) I do not own Merlin, and forgive the utterly lazy signing descriptions. I mean no offence.

Merlin took to the signing like a fish to water. Arthur was hard pressed to keep up with him, for once Merlin got the basics down, his fingers never stopped.

"Alright, Merlin. Let's see if I have this now." Arthur made a series of gestures that ended with a string of letters.

Merlin fell over laughing, nearly knocking over the stacks of books that surrounded them, sitting on the floor of Arthur's chambers. Merlin's laugh since the accident, when Arthur heard it, was a strange silent panting. However, Merlin was still able to convey his amusement, and Arthur grumbled as it was evident something had gone wrong.

"What did I do?" Arthur asked, long-suffering. Merlin, still shaking with laughter, did two signs in quick succession. One Arthur recognized as Prince the other as Arthur's first sign, the one he'd shown Merlin first. Idiot. Then Merlin alternated his hands, moving them back and forth, and Arthur found himself reddening.

"I mixed them up?"

Merlin nodded, a grin plastered on his face. Arthur groaned, and put his face in his hands. Instead of introducing himself as Prince Arthur, apparently, he'd said 'My name is Idiot Arthur.' "I'm never going to live this down, am I?"

Merlin shook his head firmly, and did the sign again: idiot, followed by the spelling of Arthur's name. Then he laughed again.

"I'm glad to see you enjoying yourself." Arthur muttered, though in truth he really was. Merlin had been so down since losing his voice, it was good to see him laughing, and having fun.

Merlin then did another string of signs, and Arthur shook himself to pay attention. At least, since he could speak, he didn't have to worry as much at being able to reproduce the signs, though he did try his best. He mostly had to be able to recognize them, for Merlin was getting better and better at communicating in the fashion.

He still carried a bound book of blank paper, and a lead stick, in order write down his thoughts as well as talk to the general public. But with Arthur, he mostly spoke in the signing, and was patient with Arthur when he asked him to repeat or slow down.

Merlin finished his signs, and Arthur smiled when the meaning became clear.

Thank you for giving me a way to laugh again.