Author's Note: I'm not too sure about this chapter, because it's sort of a filler chapter. I swear it'll get better. Special thanks to SmithsonianGirl for her super chunky review.
Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin, and I probably never will, unless I marry a really ridiculously rich man and I can buy out BBC, then I promise there will be slash… But until that happens, I'll keep writing.
Chapter Four
Merlin and Arthur stood in the physician's room for a while, wondering what the hell they were going to do. Of course the two displaced boys had different opinions on how to handle the situation at hand.
Arthur was furious. Not only was he now in the body of his manservant but he also was not in possession of some very illegal powers. Arthur wanted to punish Merlin to no end. However, that was easier said than done, given the circumstances.
Merlin was trying to come up with a more logical solution. He had hoped that the prince would be a least slightly cooperative, but he refused to even try to say the spell. He claimed that he was not a sorcerer and would not stoop to the level of one just because he happened to be in a position where magic was at his disposal.
The young sorcerer wanted to scream at his master. But of course that would solve nothing.
And unfortunately if they were going to be stuck the way they were for a while; a few things needed to be solved.
"Merlin stop slouching, princes do not slouch." Arthur complained pressing his hand on Merlin's lower back and shoulders to push the other boy upright.
Merlin, do not bite my nails, please." Arthur instructed. "And stop tapping my foot! It is most aggravating."
Merlin put the princely hand down onto his lap, but continued to tap his foot. "Arthur?"
Arthur looked daggers at him.
"Er, my Lord?" Merlin continued looking over at the prince, and couldn't help but think that he was a lot skinnier than he thought he was.
"Yes Merlin?" Arthur was done; he was so fed up with everything. The magic, the tapping, the talking and of course Merlin's blasted body! He just wanted to wake up from the horrid nightmare that he was having.
But that of course didn't happen.
"Could you put down that pot?"
The prince looked at Merlin like he had gone mad, which was very likely, Arthur himself was on his way. "I'm not holding any pot stupid."
Merlin looked slightly worried. "Erm, no I suppose not…" He trailed off and looked behind the prince, so Arthur had to follow the train of his eyes only to see a pot levitating in the middle of the room.
"I am not doing that." He argued though as soon as he said it, the pot dropped with an enormous clatter.
"I beg to differ."
Arthur was getting so fed up with Merlin's insubordinate behavior and he wished for nothing more than to throw him in the stocks.
Alas, he couldn't because throwing Merlin in the stocks would look a lot like Arthur being thrown in the stocks, and that would not exactly be the best idea. So he would just have to wait until they were back to normal, and he would give Merlin the punishment he deserves… or he would turn him in. He still hadn't decided.
"I am not using magic." Arthur finished. He thought he sounded quite sure of himself, despite being almost sure that he was accidentally using it.
"Maybe not on purpose, sire." Merlin thought back to when he was younger and couldn't control his magic. Strange things would happen, like things would float, or explode. "You need to learn how to control it."
Arthur paused for a moment. The thought of it put a bad taste in his mouth, but the risk of him getting caught as Merlin was probably a worse fate.
"I don't think I can do it."
"You have to, sire." Merlin tried to give a courageous smile. "And maybe if you get it down we can put us right."
Arthur was about to respond when the front door opened.
"Prince Arthur!" Gaius greeted, bowing low to Merlin.
The two boys looked wide eyed at the old man. Surely he would notice that the crowned prince of Camelot was sifting through a book of magic, while his man servant was lounging about by the fire.
"What brings you here?" Gaius looked expectantly at Merlin.
"Erm, I have a headache." Which wasn't entirely a falsehood, a slight twinge had begun between his eyes.
"Do you think your illness has returned?" The physician looked concerned.
"No!" Merlin responded quickly. "No, I just think it's a minor headache. Nothing related."
Gaius took a suspicious glance at the two boys then cooked up a quick remedy and gave it to Merlin.
"Well you best be on your way then."
Arthur stood up and began to walk to the door.
"Wait, Merlin, I need you here to run some errands for me. That is of course if Prince Arthur can spare you."
Merlin let a sly smile cross his face. He let himself picture Arthur in the market place picking up ingredients, or delivering medicines. It was indeed a comical sight. Although, there was the risk that Arthur would somehow mess up, and expose them, and then Merlin would be killed. But too see Arthur being treated as a commoner? It was definitely worth the risk.
"Of course not Gaius, he's all yours."
Author's Note: Next update will be either Sunday night or Monday.
