My Big Brother is Prince Arthur

Chapter Five

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Author's Note: YAY! So some inspiration finally kicked in. In this chapter we will definitely see more of Merlin's taunting Arthur. I know. Pleeeease don't hate me for not updating sooner. Blame the writer's block. Haha. Anyway, the adventure continues! Don't forget to review! =)

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Merlin skipped down the stairs of the palace and to the stables. Arthur reluctantly followed the toddler towards the horses.

"Merlin," Arthur began. "What do you think you're doing?"

The prince folded his arms across his chest and leant up against the door, watching Merlin in amusement.

"First of all, I want you to take me riding! Brother bonding, remember?" Merlin exclaimed. Arthur gritted his teeth, still despising the phrase 'brother bonding'. He had already had enough 'bonding' experience with Merlin as a servant. Merlin waited on the step stool inside the stables and glanced at Arthur. "Well? Don't you know how to saddle a horse?"

"That's what I have you for."

"LOOK AT THE SIZE OF ME! DO YOU THINK I CAN LIFT A BLOODY SADDLE?" Merlin shrieked. A few of the knights came around the corner and stopped to stare as they heard Merlin screaming at the prince. Sir Leon watched in amusement as the boy stomped around angrily, lunging at Arthur. Arthur grabbed hold of Merlin and lifted him upside down as he was squirming and trying to punch him in the face. "PUT ME DOWN!"

"Do you need any assistance with this one?" Sir Leon asked, chuckling.

"Like you said, Merlin, look at the size of you. I don't think you'd even be fit to ride a little pony!"

Arthur put Merlin the right side up again and hauled the toddler over his back, receiving a kick in the chest and a pulling of his hair from Merlin. Arthur hated to admit it, but he much preferred Merlin as a full grown boy—man-ish person. With some struggling, he managed to bring Merlin back to Gaius'. He set Merlin down on a chair and tied him up there. Merlin struggled and tried to break free.

"You pompous prick!" Merlin snapped. "I don't even know what Gwen sees in you. How are you going to marry her if you don't like children?"

"MERLIN!" Arthur yelled. He paused. "What?"

"You're madly in love with her aren't you?" Merlin said, with a cheeky grin. He laughed as Arthur's face turned red with anger and (though he would never admit this either) embarrassment. "ARTHUR LOVES GWEN! ARTHUR LOVES GWEN!" Merlin sang.

Just as Gaius walked in, Arthur covered Merlin's mouth. Even though his mouth was covered he still went on trying to yell 'Arthur loves Gwen'. Arthur looked over at Gaius for help just as Merlin licked his hand. Arthur yanked his hand back and shook it before wiping it on his trousers.

"Gaius! Guess what?" Merlin exclaimed. "Arthur is in love with Gwen!"

"It's not—that's not true!" Arthur blabbered, glowering at Merlin.

"It's even worse if you deny it!" Merlin exclaimed. "Besides, who am I going to tell?"

"Oh, I don't know…everyone?" Arthur retorted, still flushed.

"Yeah, you're probably right."

Before Arthur could react, Gaius caught his attention.

"Arthur, before I forget, your father asked to see you in the throne room. Important matters. You can leave Merlin with me temporarily." Gaius told. Arthur stormed out of the physician's room hurriedly, relieved to have Merlin out of his hair for however long it would last.

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Meanwhile, Merlin and Gaius continued with trying to solve the problem Merlin had. With magic, Merlin was able to loosen the ropes Arthur had bound around him and hop off the chair.

"This is some form of magic I haven't seen in years. Who was it you said turned you?"

"An old hag in the forest, she didn't say how long it would last." Merlin answered. "I don't want to grow up twice in one lifetime, Gaius!"

"I understand, Merlin," Gaius answered, with a sigh as he flipped through Merlin's spell book.

"No!" Merlin whined. "When have you ever been turned into a toddler version of you? I can't do anything in this state. I can't ride I horse, I can't do magic well enough! Well…I mean, I can torment Arthur and hide from him better. I can't look after myself."

Merlin was on the verge of tears again, causing Gaius to pat his shoulder.

"We will get this sorted out. How about some stew and bread for lunch?"

"Sounds alright," Merlin said, with a sigh.

"Tell me about the old witch you saw while I get this prepared."

"Well, she had a giant big ugly mole on the bottom right of her chin. Her hair was gray, really falling off her head and she was fat. Her eyes were sort of yellow-y and she had a black, ruined dress on. She had two men with her…apprentices, I think."

"I may know who you are talking of. Did she say her name?"

"No, just that she would become my worst nightmare…and Arthur's. Or something like that."

"Well, to be sure, this is some sort of dark magic that I haven't seen in this part of Camelot for quite some time."

"Ugh…I'm so bored!" Merlin whined. "Do you have anything fun I can do? Like painting or something?"

"I'm afraid I don't…remind me before I go to town so I can fetch you some paints and things of that sort."

"Fine," Merlin sighed and rested his chin on his small arms. He stared into a glass jar that was on the table, disgusted and amused at the same time with the leeches living in it. "Why do you have leeches?"

"If someone is ill or poisoned, the leeches help suck out the sickness or poison from the blood. You know that Merlin."

"Right…sort of just slipped my mind."

"Why don't you see if you can name those herbs and other things I have in the jars. If you can name all of them, I might have something for you. A prize, if you like to call it that,"

"This is…erm, wolf's bane. This one…coriander?"

"Mm," Gaius nodded.

"Willow bark," Merlin guessed. "Ew…a jar of slimy worms,"

Gaius chuckled.

"What else do you remember?"

"Not much, really, my brain is small. I can't remember most of things I really knew as a grownup! It's not fair!"

"Well, for now, we can hope you won't stay like this forever." Arthur said, coming in. Merlin blew raspberries at Arthur as he stuck his tongue out at him. "I'd much rather have you as the annoying grown up Merlin."

"At least we agree on something!" Merlin squeaked. "I definitely do not want to grow up twice."

"Maybe I can teach you to be a better swordsman."

"Swords-boy would be a better word."

"Merlin,"

"I knooow!" Merlin whined. "So, when are you going to tell Gwen?"

"Shut up, Merlin. She doesn't know. And neither do you."

"Fine, fine, fine, spoil all the fun."

Arthur rolled his eyes and actually smiled at Merlin. Perhaps this wouldn't be such a bad idea. Hopefully, Arthur thought.

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Sick day today so I finally had a chance to write! DON'T FORGET TO REVIEW! =)