"Ladies first," Arthur smirked, gesturing for his manservant to take his place at the archery line.

"Don't you think you are being a bit redundant," Merlin said, frowning and refusing to move.

"What?"

"Redundant," Merlin sighed as if talking to an idiot, which to some degrees he was. "Repeating an idea that has already been-"

"I know what redundant means, Merlin," Arthur snapped, trying not to notice his men's grins unsuccessfully hidden behind their hands. Arthur hated it when Merlin managed to get the upper hand.

"Could have fooled me," Merlin shrugged.

"Enlighten me on how I am being redundant, Merlin."

"We've already established that you're a girl, Arthur. You need to come up with some insults on your own."

"But that is MY insult," Arthur exclaimed, finally losing his temper. "You stole it!"

Most men would quell at the sight of Arthur looming over him with a sword at his side, but Merlin merely raised his eyebrows.

"That's hardly sportsman-like," he told Arthur sagely. "And here I thought you had a knight's code to follow."

There were moments, fleeting as they were, that Arthur wished Merlin had been born a nobleman. He would have loved to have him as a knight, though he would never admit this to the man. Merlin could be unquestionably loyal, the past few years had proved that to Arthur, but he could also stand up to the prince in a way few could. This, more than anything else, was why he liked Merlin. He treated Arthur as if he were a man, never giving praise unless he deserved it and always ready to dole out heaps of usually unwanted advice. He questioned him when he was wrong and though Arthur rarely showed it he appreciated his honesty. There would also be the added element of pummeling him without an ounce of guilt, but that was hardly the main reason. The more he thought about it, however, the more he realized that if Merlin had been born with noble blood he would cease to be Merlin and that was a thought that terrified him.

"Fine," he finally snapped, shaking away his thoughts. "I'll go first since you are obviously too scared."

Wrenching the bow from Merlin's hands he unceremoniously shoved the younger man behind him, not noticing his servant's smile. If he had noticed he might have paused and wondered why the young man, who as far as knew, had never shot a bow in his life, looked so damn confident.

He loaded the bow up as he had done so many times before and turned to face his servant. "Three arrows," he said. "We each shoot three arrows and whoever gets the most on the bullseye wins."

Merlin nodded his agreement and made a little shooing motion with his hands.

"Let's not keep everyone waiting then," he said, sounding far more gleeful than Arthur felt he should have in this situation.

"Right," Arthur replied, raising the bow up to his shoulder. "Who's ready for me to make this idiot cry?"

Merlin could barely keep the smirk from his face. Not that Arthur would have noticed, he was too busy bragging, but his men's eyes were on his face. He knew he would have to watch how enthusiastic he got when he used his magic. It was one thing for Arthur's arrow to miss by a little bit, but something entirely different if Merlin accidentally made the arrow go completely off target. No one would believe the prince would miss that horribly and the jig would be up.

He was extremely pleased that he wouldn't have to mumble a spell beneath his breath as he usually did. Moving objects had been something he had been doing since birth, a fact he frequently reminded Gaius of. He readied himself as Arthur pulled the string back, shielding his eyes with a hand as if protecting them from the sun's bright rays. In actuality he was hiding the brilliant flash of gold that would run through his eyes when the magic left him. It would not end well for him if somebody managed to see that. He suddenly got an image of himself being executed because he had wanted to play a prank on Arthur. Gaius would furious. The thought didn't make it any less worth it and Merlin turned his attention back to the prince.

Arthur loosed the arrow and Merlin watched it fly, his eyes flashing golden as he moved the arrows trajectory an inch to the side. He felt the magic leave him, a warm rush through his fingertips and toes and he was left with the sense of euphoria using his magic always brought him. Perhaps he would not enjoy the feeling as much if he were able to use it all the time, but as it was he rarely got the chance to practice. It was like welcoming an old friend, loyal and true, back into his life. It felt….right.

Arthur watched in amazement as his arrow clunked into the wood a mere inch from his target. He frowned. He had been sure that he had aimed just right, but he understood that arrows were subject to the laws of nature just as much as any of them were. A simple gust of wind could knock the arrow from its path, though Arthur didn't remember feeling any wind.

It wasn't like he had anything to worry about, anyways. Merlin was sure to lose this bet no matter how far Arthur got from the bullseye and he found himself wondering, once more, why the servant would make a bet he surely couldn't win. Did he really enjoy the stocks that much? If that were the case he could always just ask to be put there and Arthur would be more than happy to oblige his request. There was no reason for his servant to humiliate himself so thoroughly.

No, Arthur knew there was more to this than the servant was letting on. He just couldn't figure out what the young man's angle could be. He threw a look back at his servant and was surprised to see the young man standing calmly behind him, not an ounce of worry on his open face.

"Well done," he said in what sounded like honest awe, but there was a mocking tone beneath his words that was meant entirely for Arthur. The prince didn't miss it and frowned.

Arthur turned his attention back to his last two arrows, suddenly getting the urge to not only beat his servant but to beat him so thoroughly Merlin would be feeling the shame for weeks.

"You thought that was well done," Arthur snapped. "Well watch this."

He loosed his second arrow, sure that it would hit the bullseye, but found himself surprised once again that it missed its target by a mere inch. He stared down at his crossbow, confusion flitting over his features.

"I don't understand," he said to no one in particular. "I aimed perfectly."

"Something wrong," Merlin called mockingly.

Arthur refused to give a response to his manservant and instead shot him a particularly frightening glare over his shoulder. Merlin merely laughed. Arthur raised the bow once more and this time when the arrow loosed it hit the bullseye with a satisfied smack.

Arthur turned to his men and bowed, throwing a mocking smirk in Merlin's direction. This little wager was all but won.

Merlin allowed Arthur to parade around for a moment, seeking praise from his fellow knights. He had allowed that last arrow to find its mark. He didn't want Arthur getting too suspicious and while he was sure that he would never guess Merlin had used magic, past events were proof of that, he didn't want Arthur to look into it further.

Arthur stopped his parade in front of Merlin and forcefully pushed the weapon into his chest.

"Your turn," he said gleefully. "Let's see you beat that."

Merlin took his place at the archery line and for the first time felt doubt creep up his spine. How the hell were you supposed to load this thing? Merlin realized that his aversion to weaponry would probably hinder him during his quest to protect Arthur. It would be something he would have to remedy in the near future, however distasteful it might be.

Arthur watched as his servant fumbled with the bow attempting to load the weapon. He was painfully aware of his men behind him and heard a few muted laughs. He turned to them and glared and any signs of amusement ceased. He was allowed to laugh at Merlin's ineptitude, but the thought of someone else making fun of his friend irritated him.

"Here," he said softly, stepping beside Merlin and taking the bow from his clumsy fingers. "Let me show you."

Merlin watched as Arthur loaded the bow for him, explaining in soft tones how he was to do it in the future. Merlin frequently wondered how Arthur would ever turn into the king he was destined to be, but every so often Arthur would show a presence of mind so unlike the rash, arrogant persona that he often sported that Merlin's faith in the young prince was instantly renewed. This was one such moment. As Arthur patiently taught him Merlin found he felt slightly guilty at what he was about to do; only slightly, however, because Merlin knew that this side of his friend wouldn't stay around long and he would be back to being an arrogant prat in no time at all. He had to take his victories where he could get them.

Sure enough the moment he stepped back, his arrogant smile was back in place.

"Now try not to shoot anyone," he called.

Merlin sighed. How did he get himself into these situations?

Taking a steadying breath he raised the bow to his shoulder like he had seen Arthur do many times before though he doubted he looked anywhere near as graceful or confident as his master.

"Just pull the trigger," Arthur shouted, trying not to sound too encouraging. To be honest he was interested to see what his manservant could do. Perhaps Merlin wasn't the pansy everyone thought him to be, though if how he was holding the weapon was any indication of his abilities Arthur wouldn't hold his breath.

Merlin pulled the trigger and his arrow shot forward in a flight path completely off target. With a flash of his eyes, however, the arrow made a subtle change in direction and landed squarely in the bullseye.

He heard a collective gasp behind him and turned to see Arthur's mouth open wide in shock.

"Careful," he warned the prince. "You keep your mouth open like that and something is sure to fly in."

Arthur's jaw closed with a snap as he stared at his manservant with something akin to wonder.

"How did you-," he stammered. "That's impossible. You couldn't have-there is no way that you-."

Merlin smirked then frowned as Arthur's eyes narrowed.

"Beginners luck," the prince said arrogantly.

"Perhaps," Merlin replied.

He turned back to the second arrow and while he still fumbled with the weapon he was able to load it on his own. He loosed the arrow once more and while he corrected its path he made sure to not allow it to hit the bullseye, lest it look too unbelievable. The arrow landed about two inches from its target and Merlin heard Arthur laugh. He refused to pay attention to him, knowing that his laughter would cease in another moment. Merlin intended to win this bet, the prince's pride be damned.

He drew the final arrow and with a small smile released it once more. This time, he was surprised to find, he barely had to alter the trajectory at all, though he was sure this was merely a case of what Arthur deemed beginners luck. The arrow changed course one last time and thudded into its intended target. There had never been a sound more pleasing to Merlin's ears.