Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters

This is a sequel to "The End?"

"Get a move on idiot! I want to get on with my training." Arthur was standing in his chambers as Merlin rushed around tightening straps and adjusting chainmail. Every time his fingers fumbled, the warlock cringed, expecting to be hit or kicked. But Arthur was too busy admiring himself in the mirror and practicing cuts and slashes. When Merlin was finally finished, Arthur slapped him out of the way with the flat of his blade. As he left the room, he called back.

"Go and get some armour on and meet me at the training ground in ten minutes. I need someone to warm up on."

While Arthur was waiting for Merlin, he did a few practice moves. At one point he stumbled, causing a nearby knight to involuntarily snigger. The prince immediately challenged the knight to a duel. Merlin emerged from the castle to see both men with their swords drawn, circling each other. He quickly pushed through the crowd, wanting to protect Arthur despite how he had been treating him. The knight suddenly charged, bringing his sword round for a side-swipe. The prince blocked it easily, lifting both swords round to the other side. The fight continued like this for a good five minutes before the other knight brought it to an abrupt end. He easily tripped up the prince and put the tip of his sword at Arthur's throat. A gasp rose from the crowd that had gathered; No one had ever beaten Arthur in a practice fight since he was ten (except Lancelot). The prince clambered angrily to his feet and grabbed Merlin's arm, dragging him away to a more secluded part of the grounds. Gwen looked after them worriedly, but had to attend to Morgana.

Arthur threw a sword at Merlin as they reached the edge of the ground. The warlock scrambled to pick it up, knowing the prince was in a foul mood. He brought it up to protect his head as a forceful blow came from above. Swinging the swords away, Merlin took a step back before having to defend himself from a sideways cut. Merlin could tell at once that Arthur was nowhere near as good as he usually was, which was puzzling, but still much better than Merlin. The younger man held his own for about 30 seconds before Arthur landed a heavy hit to his arm. A loud crack made it obvious that Merlin's arm was broken, but Arthur kept going. His eyes glinted red in his fury as he showered blows down on his servant, who was desperately trying to shield himself. The fight ended when Arthur's arms could move no more, and Merlin lay unconscious on the grass.

Arthur stalked back to the castle. No one stopped him as he crossed the courtyard and made his way to his chambers. Gossip travelled quickly through the castle so everyone knew what had happened, and everyone knew that Prince Arthur would be in a massive temper. Gwen, however, was more worried about where Merlin was. She was expecting him to have come back with Arthur, but there was no sign of him anywhere in the castle. She ran down to the training ground, where she had last seen them. Walking in the same direction the two young men had, she caught a glimpse of red in the shadow of the trees. She ran over and dropped down by the still form of her friend. She was relieved to see Merlin's chest rise up and down, but there was no way she could get him back to Gaius. Leaving her cloak to keep the warlock warm, she ran up to hill shouting for some guards.

Back at the cave, Arthur looked on horrified as Merlin was beaten by...himself. He wept at the thought of anyone causing harm to his best friend; especially that everyone would think he did it.

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