A/N - I've been thinking about doing a collection of shorter stories (one shots, drabbles, openings etc) for a while to try and develop plot ideas and whatnot, and I've decided to do it based on the word a day that I get from a dictionary app. I'll try and put something up every other day or so.

This one came out...fairly crack-ish, which not everything will be. I've proofread, but please tell me if you notice anything wrong and let me know what you think!

Unfortunately, I don't own 'Merlin'.

- JKelly

Histrionic:

adj. - excessively theatrical or dramatic in character or style

n. - melodramatic behaviour designed to attract attention.

As the sorcerer prepared to attack, Arthur had to admit that he'd never seen anything so ridiculous in all his life.

The aged man in front of him was currently waving his hands around and shouting about the 'inevitability of your fate, Uther Pendragon, tyrant of the ages'. A pointy, star covered hat sat crookedly atop his balding head, and his purple robes flowed to the floor in such a way that Arthur was reasonably certain that if he tried to run, he wouldn't get more than two steps away. In fact, Arthur had to wonder how he'd made it to the throne room in the first place. All in all, as magical attacks went, this one seemed...almost farcical.

Still, he at least was managing to keep a straight face about it all, unlike Merlin, who was scarcely managing to breathe in amongst all his badly stifled snickers, and had tears of mirth running down his face.

"Merlin!" He hissed, hoping to convey the seriousness of the situation in the one word. But as he turned back to the sorcerer (who now seemed to be performing some sort of dance routine), he couldn't hold back a snigger of his own.

And so before long, in front of Uther, his most trusted advisors, and a now rather confused looking sorcerer, Arthur and Merlin were in hysterics.

"The- Arthur did you see him waving his arms?!"

"Ha! And the hat - what is with the hat?"

"Maybe it's to distract from his baldness? Maybe he's- maybe he's sensitive about his - ha! - appearance?"

"Um. Excuse me," interjected the sorcerer, "but I'm trying to kill a tyrant king here, and I'd appreciate a little respect. And for your information, the hat is traditional sorcerer attire."

"Oh I really hope not…" Merlin gasped, before being silenced by a glare from Gaius.

"Look, enough with the histrionics." Said Uther, deciding that someone had to take control of the situation, and it clearly wasn't going to be his son, who was now sitting on the ground with his manservant laughing incessantly and clutching at his stomach. "If you intend to try and kill me, get on with it. Then I can have you executed, both for the use of magic, and your utter incompetence whilst doing so. Frankly, it's insulting."

"I will kill you, Uther Pendragon." And with that, the man uttered a spell under his breath, his eyes flashed gold...and the ceiling fell down on his head.

"Arthur, did he just-"

"Yes, Merlin, I think he did."

The pair, who had just managed to get control of themselves at the immediate threat to the king's life, exchanged a look. A moment passed. Two.

And they began screaming with laughter again.

Looking at them, Uther only sighed. This was his son, Crown Prince of the kingdom and heir to the throne. Camelot was doomed.