A/N Hiya there! Right, so I fell in love BBC Merlin series a while ago, so I thought I'd write a bunch of one-shots ranging from 500-1000 words. There will be humour, tragedy and adventure. I will probably update at least one a week. As always, please follow, favourite and review!

DISCLAIMER: do you really think the owner of Merlin is a teenage girl who spent the best part of her life in Sheffield? Do you? Do you?

Rainbows, ponies and pink, fluffy neckerchiefs

Summary: Arthur thinks that Merlin has taken one of his trips to the tavern, but all is not as it seems…

Genre: Humour

Characters: Arthur, Merlin, Gaius, Percival, Leon, Gwaine,

Rating: K

Set: Probably like S3 or 4. You won't find it that funny if you don't know George, but there are on spoilers.

'MERLIN!' Arthur screamed for the fourth time. There was no response. Where was his idiotic manservant? Merlin was lucky he had nothing of importance on today or he would have had in in the stocks for the rest of his life. Arthur could not be expected to wake up on time himself.

'MERLIN!'

No response.

'MERLIN!'

If he had gone to the tavern, Arthur would have him anyway. This sort of behaviour was inexcusable. Absolutely inexcusably. Arthur fell out of his bed. He groaned. There was nothing for it. He would have to do the dreaded.

'George!'

A pompous servant appeared in the doorway, 'yes, sire.'

'Do all of Merlin's chores for me.'

'Oh, I have already done them sire. I do keep a tally of Merlin's comings and goings and how well he performs his chores. So far he has been late three times this week. It is Wednesday. I shall just go and bring you breakfast, sire. Although… if you would like to hear a joke…'

'No!'

'Why was the king standing on a bronze-coloured pedestal? Because he was of a higher brass!'

'Ugh!'

'Alright, alright. What would you call a bag full of a thousand brass coins? Heavy metal!'

'George!'

'I shall get you breakfast, sire.' George bolted.

TWENTY MINUTES LATER…

Having eaten an excellent breakfast and had all of his requirements met to perfection - and also having been bored half to death – Arthur set off towards Gaius' chambers. On his way, he met Gwaine who was giggling like a girl. Arthur assumed he was drunk, despite it being eleven in the morning, 'did you see Merlin in the tavern by any chance Gwaine?'

On hearing this, Gwaine began to laugh harder, 'Merlin,' he choked, 'in-the-ta-vern!' He snorted, 'the only time I ever saw him was months ago… and-and he was drunk after half a drop of mead!'

Arthur frowned. But all those day-long trips… 'Anyway, have you seen him?'

Gwaine grinned, 'of course not, sire.'

Arthur sighed, 'I had to get George. The man makes jokes about brass, Gwaine! About brass!'

Gwaine spluttered and began laughing again, before running off.

Arthur shook his head. Suddenly, he bumped into Leon and Percival, both grinning like idiots. That was unusual. Gwaine, yes, but Leon? 'What are you doing?' Arthur asked.

Leon smiled brightly, 'oh, you know. Training.'

Arthur raised his eyebrow, attempting to imitate Gaius' infamous expression. He didn't know that he looked like an idiot, but that was beside the point. 'The armoury is that way,' he said.

'Oh, right.' They both set slowly off in the other direction, before suddenly bolting.

What was going on with everyone today? Arthur reached Gaius' chamber without any other disturbances and rapped smartly on the familiar wooden door, and then let himself in without waiting for an answer.

'Ah, sire,' Gaius smiled, 'is there a problem?'

'No,' Arthur frowned, 'I just wanted to see if Merlin is in.'

'Well, he isn't. He's, er, collecting herbs, sire.'

Usually Arthur would think of this as code for 'the tavern', but Gwaine hadn't seen him, so clearly not. Or maybe Gwaine was defending him. He didn't think any farther than that, for at that moment, Arthur caught a faint whimper from Merlin room. He started to move towards it.

'Best not, sire,' said Gaius hastily.

Arthur ignored him, knocking on the door. 'Merlin!'

There was a muffled sound, 'leave me alone!'

'Merlin! Right. That's it,' Arthur barged in, 'I have had a terrible morning because of your-' he stopped short, 'what the hell happened?'

Because in front of him was Merlin, but not like the Merlin he knew. He was not dressed in his trademark neckerchief, but instead his neck was draped in a fluffy, baby pink monstrosity adorned with sparkles and ponies and were they… rainbows.

'The knights!' Merlin wailed, 'the knights!'

A/N Yeah! Sorry this was so short. I have written the next story, but I am wondering whether to publish it, considering spoilers. Anyway, bye! I promise I'll publish soon! Also, check out my other joint account with one of my friends – she's written some amazing Doctor Who stories there