"I can't believe I'm resorting to these measures, I'm the bloody prince for God's sake," Arthur grumbles as he keeps looking over his shoulder as if he expects Merlin to come barging through the door.

Arthur shifts on his feet nervously and eyes the potion in his hand. "How do I eyen know I can trust Leon with this? I mean he was basically laughing as he gave it to me."

Arthur was getting a bit desperate, Merlin flat out refused to sing OR play for him. He had tried everything, and he so wanted to hear Merlin sing again. It had been beautiful. Not, of course, that Arthur would tell his best friend, he would never hear the end of it!

So Arthur did the only logical thing, he is going to fake a sickness.

Arthur discreetly lured Leon into his chambers by the most top secret ways known to man (well Arthur).

He, of course, used Merlin.

He explained the dire situation to Leon in full, who promptly started giggling. But quickly tried to cover it up, to no anvil.

Leon got Arthur a potion that will create all the symptoms of a bad cold (with out the runny nose much to Arthur's relief).

Arthur sighs and sniffs the air above the potion bottle and recoils in disgust. It certainly smells like Gaius's remedies.

Grimacing, he downs it in one swallow.

Arthur sits on his bed coughing. Arthur's body suddenly aches, and his head feels as if filled with cotton.

He lays down with a groan and hopes it will be worth it.

~(o)~

Merlin pushes open Arthur's chamber door with his shoulder and sits down Arthur's breakfast on the table.

"Rise and shine, Sire!" Merlin yells cheerfully, with a wide grin on his face.

Arthur groans and partial whimpers, not that he would ever admit that and if Merlin said anything Arthur would have no choice but to kill him swiftly and without hesitation.

"Meeerlin, I think I'm sick. I don't feel good. Not at all." Arthur whines. No, a prince of Arthur's 'standard' never whines. No, he simply informed Merlin.

Merlin chuckles, "I know." He quickly rolls Arthur over gently and sits him up.

Not giving Arthur enough time to protest, he tilts Arthur's head back and pressing that spot on the jaw that makes it open, pours in the most vial tasting potion Merlin could make.

Merlin pinches Arthur's noes and covers his mouth, forcing him to swallow. "This is the antidote to the sickness potion you took last night. You will be as good as new by the time I get you changed! Aaaaannd I even added some extra ingrediants, to make it tase better, just for you! Ground frog brains and goat testicles, yum." Arthur recoils in his mind, how on Earth did Merlin even get those things! It's down right revolting.

Arthur finally swallows the last of it and glares at Merlin, huffing.

Merlin flits about, getting Arthur's clothes for the day.

Arthur's jaw ticks and he crosses his arms.

Merlin pauses, "awwww, is the wittle prat pouting? Hmmm?" His voice as if he were talking to a baby.

The warlock quickly ducks the goblet launched his way with a laugh.

"I'll have you know, Merlin, the prince!

Idiot."

Merlin rolls his eyes, "prat."

"fool."

"Dollop-head."

"Clot-pole."

Hey, that's my word!" Merlin motions for him to put him arms over his head to help with the tunic.

Arthur nods, "yes and it suits you nicely." Arthur's curiosity gets the best of him, "how did you know I took a potion?"

Merlin chuckles and reaches to grab another item, "I heard Leon laughing about it to Gwen." (Yes he could have talked to Gwen *says defensively* she grew up in his house hold as a servant/daughter of a servant you know.)

Arthur scowls, already planning on how he will get Leon back for it, Arthur suddenly looks up. "Wanna help me get payback from Leon?" Arthur wiggles his eyebrows and grins.

Merlin rolls his eyes and agrees, it will get Arthur off his back about singing.

Or so he thinks.

I do plan on continuing and if you have ideas about pranks going back and forth between Arthur, Merlin and Leon (not sure if Merlin will switch sides at some point). But we have to keep them slightly subtle with being still in Uther's reign and all. And for ideas for Arthur to try to get Merlin to sing for him. Which will also flow smoothly into the story. :)