Here it is, the second chapter!

I know it's kinda rough around the edges, but it is 2 AM here, so I'm a bit sleepy. I'll end up fixing stuff tomorrow when I'm more awake.

VVVV

"Arthur!" Merlin called after the young prince, barely keeping up as Arthur raced to the stables. Gaius had finally allowed him to leave his bed, under the condition that he took it easy; it seemed Arthur's hearing momentarily failed him then. Merlin was doubled over and gasping for breath when they had finally reached the stables, while Arthur didn't look the least bit winded. It was a rather comical and pathetic sight.

"Wow, Merlin, you're in even worse shape than I thought. You'd think with all the chores I give you that you'd have more endurance." Arthur shook his head in pity, a smirk on his face. Merlin glared back up at him, and remained silent.

"You're not even supposed to be running right now, remember?" Merlin asked angrily. He had regained his breath, and now stood at his full height. He couldn't believe Arthur was deliberately disobeying Gaius. Well, he could believe it, but he certainly wasn't happy about it. Especially because he would have to listen to Arthur complain about how tired and sore he was later. Most likely, he would even be blamed for it.

Arthur simply smiled back at Merlin's furious and annoyed expression, completely unabashed by the other boy's anger. Merlin was, after all, harmless. He couldn't hurt a fly, while Arthur was the head of the knights of Camelot. "Actually, I don't remember. Besides, we're not going to be running for long. We're going riding. Remember?" he finished, barely containing his laughter as Merlin's face grew increasingly incredulous.

"Oh, you think you're so funny, Arthur," Merlin said quietly. "Well, you're not. Gaius said you're to just relax in the castle. He specifically ordered that you don't go riding, hunting, and he most definitely did not condone running all around the kingdom," Merlin continued, his voice rising almost to the point of shouting. His tone and the volume of his voice surprised Arthur. He stared at the young warlock's face for a few moments. He realized with a shock just how upset and worried Merlin was.

Feeling a bit guilty, Arthur mumbled, "Sorry, Merlin. Such a grouch sometimes. If you're so intent on keeping me in the castle, I'll just stay in my chambers for the remainder of the day." The thought of being pent up in his rooms for another day horrified him, but he tried not to show it.

"Thank you," Merlin sighed, exasperated relief washing away all traces of annoyance and anger. That is, until he noticed Arthur's smirk. "Oh no," he groaned quietly, dreading what the prince was thinking.

"Oh yes, Merlin. You didn't think I'd stay in my chambers all day by myself, did you? No, no, Merlin, you'll be there with me, completing the chores I was going to leave until tomorrow. No sense in letting you wait until tomorrow to do them if we're going to be here all day," Arthur said in an irritatingly cocky tone. Merlin's expression told him his plan to get out was working.

Merlin knew Arthur was baiting him. It was working a bit too. The thought of doing chores was so unappealing that he almost agreed to let Arthur go riding. But, Gaius getting after him for allowing Arthur to disobey the physicians orders seemed much more unpleasant. He would also have to do double chores tomorrow, so what would be the point? He would still have to work today anyway if they did go riding, which really didn't make a day off from chores in the castle worth it.

So, Merlin grinned wickedly and said, "Sorry, Arthur, but I'd rather do my regular amount of chores today than get a lecture from Gaius and double the work tomorrow. Come on, to your chambers we go," Merlin continued, gesturing with his arms for Arthur to move along.

The prince glared at him, silently fuming. He fixed his burning eyes on the castle and stormed toward it, arms folded with Merlin trailing behind, trying not to laugh. Some people standing about the courtyard laughed at the sight of the prince acting like a petulant child and his manservant trying desperately to hide his own laughter. The chuckles made Arthur even angrier, and he came to the conclusion that Merlin was in trouble. Very big trouble.

VVVV

Sorry, I know it isn't much, but I'm exhausted and very stressed out.

I'll try and clean it up some tomorrow, but please forgive me if I don't.

Anywho, could you review please? Reviews motivate me. :)

** New chapter soon, I promise!

I'm just having trouble with getting my ideas into words and sentences that logically flow. Sorry about the long wait!