Arthur scowled as he pulled the chain mail down over his head. The bronchitis had almost gone but it had also left a toll on the young prince. However, he refused to let it get the best of him. The moment he realized he was strong enough to walk, he was out of bed and in the bath. It felt good to be able to stand and bathe himself. Needless to say, it's very uncomfortable lying in a sweaty bed for a week without bathing.
Not long after Arthur had bathed, he ate with his father who kept insisting that Arthur relax and take it easy—this surprised Arthur, as Uther had always been a bit hard on him. He had a point, Arthur knew, but he was also bored out of his mind and needed something to do. After he finished eating, he went down to the training field to have a mild workout. Merlin lingered nearby to make sure Arthur didn't push himself too hard, never straying more than a few feet.
"Merlin, keep frowning like that and I'll begin to think you're actually worried about me."
"Nah, just don't want to have to be the one who carries you back your room, should you faint."
"Faint? You really think I'm that weak?"
"No, just sick—in more ways than one."
"Oh really?"
Merlin just shrugged.
"Huh…I think I know what I want to do today."
"You do?" Merlin asked in a tone that suggested nervousness.
Arthur smiled mockingly.
…
"Gentlemen, today we're practicing sword combinations."
He grinned at Merlin who was standing nearby quietly, holding a shield.
"Merlin," he continued. "Was kind enough to volunteer as a target. Don't hold back, he can go all day."
He gave Merlin a look daring him to reply but Merlin just grinned sarcastically, if not a bit nervously.
The knights took turns practicing different sword combinations on Merlin—or rather, the shield he gripped desperately for protection. Arthur stood and watched satisfactorily as Merlin tried very hard to withstand the treatment; he knew most of the men were holding back at least a little—they knew why Arthur had chosen this workout and it amused them greatly. No doubt there would be jokes about it later.
It was Arthur's turn. He stood looking at Merlin, stalling to make his friend sweat just a little. He swung his sword in circle and took a stance. Then he began beating the shield that Merlin hid behind with as much force as he could muster.
Merlin stumbled back as he felt the blows Arthur dealt. They were strong, but Merlin was prepared—mostly. It wasn't the blows that worried him; it was how the blows weakened after just a few seconds and how they stopped altogether much sooner than Arthur would usually stop. He lowered the shield and peeked over the top cautiously, just in case Arthur was pulling something on him—but he wasn't.
Arthur was hunched over, leaning on his knees and gasping for air.
"Arthur?"
Merlin dropped the shield and placed his hand on his friend's shoulder.
"Fine." He gasped. He straightened back up and took a deep breath. The knights rushed forward in a circle around their prince. Several offered assistance and suggested he rest awhile.
"I'm fine." Arthur tried to tell them but they didn't hear him. "For goodness sake, I'm fine!" he exclaimed and suddenly there was a rush of wind knocking everyone to the ground—everyone except Arthur who only stumbled slightly, as he felt another wave of dizziness.
He turned away, ignoring the silence from the men on the ground and the stares he knew they must have been giving him. Merlin, ever the loyal one was at his side in an instant, not providing assistance but letting Arthur know that he was there should he need any.