Title: Turning Pages

Summary: A ficlet miscellany inspired by random music/desserts/quotes/movies or thoughts. No slash.

Inspiration: 17th challenge on HOC! 'Get a character drunk and have them do something they wouldn't normally do.'

A/N: Hi! Remember me?

I just finished a paper that I've been working on for the last week or so because I decided that I would not do it all on the last few hours. It's not that it was hard but rather that I kept adding stuff as time went on. ( It was supposed to be four pages and it ended up being eight but oh well...) Anyway, college is no joke guys. But it is exceedingly fun. ;)

It might take a while for me to update and I'm so sorry! But I'll still pop up time after time to contribute to this beautiful fandom and to see the works of art many of you have made. :) *group hug.*

Three Sheets to the Wind.

"No, no, no."

Merlin, who'd been watching fondly as an intoxicated Gwaine sang about a man named 'Odo' (1) and his regrettable death from the other extreme of the hall, turned his head sharply when he became aware of the apparent disagreement on Arthur's left side. Gwen had long since left the hall with her brother (Elyan was barely able to walk in a straight line and it was already past midnight.) and it was Lord Henry who'd spoken those barely audible words that got louder by the second.

"No, no no!" he repeated sluggishly with a shake of his head. "I'm telling you my dear Lord Rogers that you are wrong! You see," he waved his hand around as if he was trying to take hold of an invisible arm and ended up taking Lord Bayard's on his fifth try. "You see the gods have obviously favored me as I have seen the land of Avalon in my dreams…"

"My estimated friend!" interrupted Lord Rogers loudly, taking one more gulp of his wine. "My frieendddd (2) have you ever seen fire formed out of thin air? Have you? My resident sorcerer did it once."

The warlock could barely bit back his laughter as the two lords prattled on, claiming the most outrageous and fantastic things under the influence of the strong alcohol they were drinking. He couldn't help but note the irony and shake his head, thinking that Uther might be rolling in his grave at this point for the topic of magic, once feared and shunned in Camelot, was becoming exceedingly popular. (Lord Rogers had already claimed that he had captured a unicorn in his youth and the Lord of Sorhaute had told Guinevere that his great-grandmother had been a High Priestess.)

Bright blue eyes focused on Lord Bayard as the old and feeble ruler opened his mouth with an exaggerated gesture towards the man that had his arm in a vice-like grip.

"I've been assured many times…" he slurred, "that I have the greatestt magicians at my court. They are-"

A rather undignified, loud and slightly hysterical sound interrupted his tirade and Merlin had to blink twice before understanding that the noise was right by his ear and it was Arthur, hugging his mid-side and tipping his head back as he laughed.

The mighty Emrys watched with wide eyes as Lord Rogers asked with a giggle, 'do you have anything you'd like to add my liege?' and the Once and Future King waved his hand in dismissal.

"I thought you had something to say." commented Lord Bayard with long gulp of his drink and it was then when Merlin noticed the empty wine goblet right in front of his King.

"Damn right I have!" Arthur proclaimed suddenly, startling half of the table when he brought down both fists. "Merlin here-" and before Merlin could comprehend what was happening Arthur had already placed his muscular arm around his skinny shoulders, keeping him in place. "-is The Emrys of prophecies. Ha! Take that!"

"….Arthur how much did you have-"

"I bet, Lord Rogers, that my best friend could take your sorcerer any day!" Arthur continued loudly, hitting his wide-eyed Court Sorcerer gently on his shoulder, as if to prove his point. "I would bet a hundred silver coins…no, a thousand gold coins that he could take any of you!"

Merlin, growing more alarmed by the second, tried and failed to loosen Arthur's iron grip. The King didn't even notice.

"As for you Lord Henry-" he said, turning towards the Lord almost menacingly though the effect was ruined by a hiccup. "Merlin and I are destiny. Isn't that right Merlin? So I am part of a magical being! Ha ha! Whoop! I win!"

Then he let out a spectacular belch, looked at his stunned Court Sorcerer and said, "Merlin, I'm sleepy." before putting his head down on the table. He began snoring almost instantly.

The warlock of legend could only shrug his shoulders as he looked towards the petrified members of the Court.

"Well," Merlin said, placing a hand on Arthur's blond head and smiling fondly. "Now that's something I don't get to hear very often."

(1) Heck yeah HP reference.

(2) Also I don't know how to write drunken speech. Just pretend.

Love you all!

Ocean.