Royal Pain in the Posterior

[Arthur Pendragon]

As soon as Arthur got this off, he was going to beat Merlin with it. The idiot! Did he have no redeeming qualities?! All Arthur was seeing was more and more incompetency in this man! As Merlin began to pull it off, Arthur was trying to wiggle his way out of it, slightly feeling it move, though the metal was scraping against his skin. While Arthur did have more painful wounds in the past, he was going to exaggerate this one, just because it had been Merlin's fault that he got it.

As the chain mail began to move a bit more, and a bit more, and a bit, and . . . SON OF A ---

It was off! Thank god! Arthur let out a heavy breath, able to breath without having to taste metal. He held the chain mail in his hand, bunched it up and 'gave' it to Merlin, more so, shoved it towards him as hard as he could in his stomach. "You really are a bloody idiot! The biggest moron, poorest excuse of a human being that I have ever encountered in my entire life!" Arthur felt a small cut on his cheek, and while it was not serious, he would over play it. He pointed to it for extra emphasis as he continued to talk to Merlin in a harsh tone. "Just look at what your incompetency did!" He was glaring quite a bit at him at this point. "Imbecile," he mumbled, still highly irritated by the man's inability to do something as simple as help him put on his chain mail.

[pie]

Halfway through pulling it off, he wanted to pull it back down. Arthur wasn't going to be very happy when it came off, was he? Well, it wasn't Merlin's fault! ... exactly... How was he, someone who just lived in a simple village not too long ago, suppose to know how to put on armor? Especially on someone else?! He'd get it eventually, he just needed a little time! After all, he didn't even have any idea what any of these things were called! Let alone what they were actually for!

And then it came off.

As soon as it did so, Merlin retreated a few steps, but Arthur proved to be the quicker in bunching up the chainmail and shoving it towards his stomach. Merlin wrapped his arms around it as he bent over slightly, gasping, and ignoring the urge to say something rude to the Prince. His anger would quickly diminish though in the face of Arthur's insults -- they actually just made him roll his eyes -- and at the melodramatics over a simple cut on his cheek, which only made him want to laugh. "I think it actually kind of suits you, Sire. No one need know that you got defeated by chainmail." The last sentence came out as more of a sarcastic, amused joke, but he doubted that the Prince would see it that way.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Did he just say . . . defeated by chainmail?! Everyone was aware of the Prince's arrogance -- as he made no attempt to hide it -- and so for him to say, or even hear someone suggest such a thing, was offensive. A man, trained to kill at birth, met his match with chain mail?! No. Arthur would never admit this, and instead of taking Merlin's comment as a joke and a light hearted remark, he took it as an insult and it only made his glare at the idiot intensify. He had also been clearly sarcastic when saying it, and this was something else that Arthur was not fond of. It was alright of course for the Prince to be sarcastic, but anyone else -- especially his servant -- to say such sarcastic things was completely and totally unacceptable. Had he not made that much clear? He would not make the same mistake twice.

"I was not defeated by chainmail," he immediately snapped, though his voice was not raised, it was highly annoyed. Merlin better not go around telling people of this. Otherwise, there would indeed be hell to pay. "If you wish to keep your head, then you will not go around and say these sort of things to people. I don't want others to know how utterly incompetent my servant is. Its humiliating."

He turned it around so that it would be more embarrassing for others to know of Merlin's 'incapabilities' than it was for them to know about how Arthur had gotten his chain mail stuck on his head. This imbecile of a servant better be discreet. If he was not, then Arthur knew he would not be able to keep in his job. As his personal servant, he would be spending a significant amount of time with him, and Arthur did not want to publicize all aspects of his life. Of course, he would never just explain such things in a calm, understanding way. Instead, he would be harsh and threatening about it.

[pie]

Merlin sighed and rolled his eyes again, standing up straight and setting the chainmail on the table. Yeah, he was going to go around and say that the Prince of Camelot got his chainmail stuck on him. Yeah, especially when it was his fault. He might not be that smart -- having made stupid decisions in the near past -- but he wasn't that stupid. Sighing again, he turned back around to face him. He just had to get along with the Prince.

"I'm sorry, sire, forgive my... incompetence. I don't mean to embarrass you," he kept his gaze off of Arthur, unable to actually look him in the eye and speak, lest the man find out he wasn't all that serious. He didn't believe he was incompetent, he just needed some time to get use to these things... these things and Arthur. It was only the first day, and while he hated him a little less (emphasis on the little) because he understood he felt pressured by his duties, he already was having a terrible time... On his first day.

...He just had to get along with the Prince...

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur could not tell if Merlin was -- yet again -- being sarcastic when he apologized to him, using the proper titles to address him. Though, from the way his eyes averted to the ground, Arthur did think he was being more sincere in his words. Still, that did not evoke any sympathy from the Prince. Alright, so maybe on a deeper level it did. Deep down, Arthur knew Merlin was not as bad as he was making him out to be. Maybe, one day, Arthur would be able to express that more. That fleeting thought made Arthur almost laugh out loud, but he managed to control himself. He did not develop strong ties with servants, especially ones like Merlin. And yet, he could not shake that sense of obligation he felt towards the man for having saved his life. How odd. A Prince feeling obligated towards a servant. What was this world coming to.

With another glare, Arthur turned around and moved to where the weapons and armor was -- the armor that was not his. He was just showing it as an example. "My armor will need to be polished on a regular basis." He did use it quite a bit after all and it never gave a good impression when his armor was supposed to be shiny and clean, but instead was dirty and grim. "So that you are able to get all the practice that you need, you can polish my armor, tonight. As well as the armor for the rest of the knights." Or at least whatever was present in this room right now. That ought to teach him a lesson as well. Then again, even if Merlin had not done anything, maybe Arthur would have still given out the same order. Oh well.

He gave Merlin a smug grin, motioning to all the various parts of metal that needed to be cleaned and polished. That ought to keep him busy, and he was not done with him yet. He would tire him out as much as he could, to the point that he would be too tired to get it done, giving Arthur yet another reason to yell at him come tomorrow.

[pie]

Merlin couldn't help but look at him, a pure look of exasperation crossing his face as the Prince motioned to all of the armor that he would have to polish! He understood having to polish Arthur's, but the rest of the knights?! And before morning? He let his exasperated look leave his face -- he refused to let Arthur have the satisfaction of seeing how much this annoyed him! He forced a polite smile as he glanced about the room, and spoke in a strained, polite tone, "Of course, sire. Happily." Really, he wanted to do anything but smile, but he refused to show annoyance! How well did that disguise work, though? Probably not that well, but he would keep it up for as long as possible!

Yes... there was quite a lot of armor to be polished, and surely this wasn't the only task that Arthur would have in set mind for him to complete by morning. Oh right, he still had laundry to do too... and pick up the Prince's catastrophic room... Oh joy, this was going to be a wonderful night indeed!... He kept his gaze pointedly off of Arthur, not wanting to draw eye contact.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur had to admit that he was disappointed by Merlin's reaction. He wanted another reason to yell at him, for he had expected some sort of whiny comment or sarcastic remark. But no. The servant remained polite. Either he was finally learning his lesson, or he was just exaggerating his politeness. Oh well. Arthur would be able to think of more reasons for him to be yelled at. "And don't you dare get a scratch on any of them," he added in a warning tone. "And by tomorrow, I will expect you to know all the various pieces of armor as well as where they go." There was a tournament coming up soon. Arthur needed a servant who knew how to dress him so he didn't look like a fool. Although, the Prince was not going to be the one to show him how to do it. He would have to find his own means of finding out that kind of instruction because it certainly wasn't coming from Arthur.

Arthur grabbed his chainmail back, holding it in his hand and walking to the door. He was about to teach Merlin a very valuable lesson. "Meet me in the training arena in five minutes," he told him, and without saying anything else, let the armory, smirking to himself as he was looking forward to what he was about to do.

[pie]

Merlin was pleased with the results of his politeness: It didn't give the Prince the room to yell at him. At least from that. Perhaps if he kept up the facade, then the rest of his day would go by more smoothly, without threat of his literal death looming over his shoulders at all seconds. This facade, however, almost cracked when he was told that he had to know all of the many pieces of armor and where they went. How was he to do that?? He hoped Gaius or someone knew, because he surely didn't! Oh well... He would figure it out soon enough, hopefully, otherwise he would be yelled at anyway.

"Of course, sire," he said again politely, this time a little less strained. "Your armor will be in perfect condition," no comment on the other part, though. He would use magic to magic, despite him being told already not to be so reckless, to make sure of it!

When Arthur told him to meet him in the training room in five minutes, he nodded, even began a, "Yes sire-" but cut off mid-sentence as Arthur left. It took him a moment to process what had made him cut off, but by the time he realized and ran out of the room shouting, "Wait! I don't know where the training arena is!", Arthur was already gone... "Uh oh..." he mumbled. Biting his lower lip, he would frantically stop several people to ask where the training arena was before he finally understood the directions -- he asked a guard, actually -- as to where it was.

"Great, I am definitely past five those minutes," he groaned, knowing that if Arthur was there already, he would most likely yell at him. Secretly, sneakily, and all too suspiciously to the people who saw him, he snuck to the training arena acting, terribly, like he was there all along.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur heard Merlin say that he did not know where the arena was, but Arthur made no attempt to stop to tell him, or even give him a vague idea. He just kept thinking that it was not his problem and if he was late . . . well, just another thing to get angry at him for. As Arthur left, he went to the arena to get ready. With another servants assistance, he put on his shoulder plates, and one another his neck, with a shirt underneath. He then put on his gloves, adjusting the belt that held his sword at his side, so that it was more comfortable and not too in the way.

When he stepped out in the large training field he did not see Merlin there, and though he had his back turned towards him when he did came, Arthur knew he was there. The idiot was late. "Ahh, Merlin. Glad you could join me," he said in a completely sarcastic voice. He looked at him with a strange smile, one that was far too polite, perhaps the kindest one he had ever given Merlin since the first moment he met him. "As you can see, this is the training field. I train most mornings and you are expected to be here, unless otherwise told." He did not care how tired he was, nor did he care if he worked him to his death. Arthur was going to teach this man a lesson. "Allow our first training session to begin right now."

He picked up a dagger, and began to toss it in the air, catching it on opposite ends each time he repeatedly threw it. He motioned towards the large circular wood board. This had been the exact same thing that Arthur had made another servant do; a servant who just happened to be the one that Merlin had stood up for. He would be expected to run with the board, and Arthur would throw knives at it. Only this time, the board was smaller, and the Prince did not on purpose. He wanted to instill that fear in Merlin that perhaps he would miss -- though the Prince was confident that his aim was far better than that. "I think you know what to do," he said smugly as he turned his back to him, picking up a handful of the large knives. "Now whether your ready with the shield or not, I'm going to start throwing," he warned him, suggesting that he did not care if he was actually protecting when Arthur 'practiced his aim and precision'.

[pie]

So, he was late. Completely and utterly late. But at least he was finally there. And Arthur didn't seem to give it too much thought, really. But still... he couldn't shake off the suspicion that something was wrong. There was just something about this whole situation that Merlin didn't quite like, he just wasn't sure what that something was. But, eventually, he would find out, and he was sure that he wouldn't like it very much at all.

Arthur's smile only proved this suspicion more.

He eyed the Prince warily, wondering what he was up to -- surely nothing pleasant, why would it be? -- and couldn't help but swallowing nervously at the same time. Yes, he was aware that this was the training field -- now at least --. Yes, he was aware that he would have to be here every time Arthur trained here unless he was told to do otherwise. But when Arthur said 'let our training session begin... he couldn't help but become even more queasy.

And the dagger that he began to toss up and down so casually... Merlin wanted to run. The other direction. Away from Arthur. But that wouldn't work out quite so well, he was sure. And then the Prince motioned to a circular wooden board. He stared at it, his eyes going wide as he didn't bother to hide his shock and fear, and even took a small step away. He was going to make him run around while he threw knives at the board. Merlin had tried to stop Arthur from doing the same to another servant before realizing that he was the Prince. What if Arthur missed? What if one, or more, of those knives hit him? What would the Prince do then? Just laugh and keep throwing?

When Arthur spoke again, Merlin nearly jumped and nodded frantically, rushing for the shield as fast as he possibly could. He didn't care if he would look like a fool! He was not about to be hit by a knife! Lifting the shield, he would bring it in front of him quickly.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Watching Merlin's array of emotions as soon as he had entered the training field was greatly amusing to the Prince. To see him feel as if he was not angry at him for being late, to hesitation, to a bit of horror over what he was about to make him do. His uneasiness was what fueled his amusement . . . unfortunately for Merlin, and very fortunately for Arthur. He was going to love every second of this, maybe a little too much. But . . . it would wear out Merlin, and be sure to create that line that he should not cross anymore. That line of authority that Merlin had abused far too much, and while something in Arthur's gut told him Merlin was not going to stop doing so, he still had to at least try. Besides, the trying part would be the most fun than witnessing the actual results.

When Merlin picked up the shield, Arthur just stared at him. Giving him a very dumbfounded look, wanting him to feel like he was an idiot for, well, for not doing anything technically wrong as Arthur had not explicitly instructed what he was to do. But at the same time, he was trying to make him feel that it was assumed. Arthur took one of the daggers in his hands, and he concentrated on the shield. Having his gaze focus in on one spot, he pulled his hand back, aimed, and fired. The dagger landed exactly where Arthur had intended to throw it: at the very edge of the shield, just about an inch or so away from Merlin's head. He of course would not have killed him; he was just doing so with the hopes of instilling some fear into him. This particular idiot had proved to be rather brave though -- in numerous instances -- so he was not sure how he would react to what he just did.

"Well don't just stand there Merlin," he said in both an irritated and amused voice. "Make this a challenge for me." He paused, looking at him. "Start running!" He added. Part of what he wanted him to do was get tired from this. So tired. Too tired to finish the rest of the chores. Seeing how Merlin could barley lift the prince's armor, Arthur was going on the assumption that he was not very fit . . . so he hoped this would really make him exhausted.

[pie]

Merlin nearly yelped when the dagger hit the shield only about an inch away from his head! If the Prince planned on making him scared, it was working! Would Arthur try to kill him?! Something told him he wouldn't, but all his mind would say was that he would! Merlin did not want to be sliced to pieces by daggers thrown by this man! He was losing his patience with him! But that patience, at this moment, was being filled with growing terror and nausea.

Then he was told to run! Oh, for heaven's sake! Exactly why hadn't he used common sense and not made the Prince angry at him! This was absolutely ridiculous! He was a living target for Prince Arthur's amusement! And surely the Prince would enjoy every second of it, much to Merlin's distress! He hoped that he wouldn't miss the shield and take of an eye or a toe or something! Or just plain hit him with one of those daggers! Those really sharp... pointy... deadly daggers...

Biting his lower lip, he hoisted the shield up a little more to cover his head. If anything was going to be hit, he'd rather it be his lower half rather than the upper half! In all reality, he tried to curl up into a ball as he began to run, trying to use the shield to cover every inch of his body. He was sure that this wouldn't work very well, would probably wind up backfiring on him too, as he ran. "Don't kill me!" it was a plea for the Prince not to hit him with one of those daggers! He didn't care if he would wind up begging! He did not want to be hit!

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur really was enjoying every second of this. Especially when Merlin started running. HA! Bet now he wishes he had not stood up for that servant before, because no one was going to stand up for him now. Or well if they did, Arthur had his ways of handling them. . . and dealing with their idiotic bravery. But right now, they were in the training arena and most commoners did not just randomly come up, interfering in the knight's training. It was not their place, and the fact that Merlin had done so was what had set him apart from everyone else. Because in the past, no one had the audacity to do something like that.

And now he was suffering the consequences.

"Tempting but if I'm to kill you, I wouldn't make it look like a training accident." As much as he wanted to kill Merlin, now was not the time. He took pride in his ability to show off in front of his men. He would even sometimes fight with them blind folded just to show them that seeing was not everything, and that you had to feel the movement of the weapon. But this training was not meant to teach anyone a lesson, other than Merlin. He began to casually throw knives at the shield, making sure that each time, it the edge, or somewhere too close for comfort.

"Well I'm already bored and thats not a good thing for you Merlin; it may mean I need a new target." Mainly him. "So you had better run faster," he warned, already preparing to throw his next knife.

[pie]

Oh, so he would make it look like he purposely killed him?! How comforting! Merlin really wasn't enjoying this a single bit! Each throw of the daggers made his heart -- and him! -- jump! Practically every time it hit near the edge, and while Merlin knew the Prince was doing this on purpose, he couldn't rid himself of the fear that one of those sharp, pointed objects would hit him somewhere on his body! Which, if he had to say, he rather valued!

Okay, he had to admit, he should have been more careful with his selection of words! There, he'd learned his lesson! Could they stop now?! No, even if he told the Prince this, perhaps even begged and groveled, he'd doubt the man would quit this. Which was fine, because he didn't plan on groveling. Maybe beg -- though it would be halfhearted because he still hated the man -- but not grovel!

And then he kindly informed him that he was getting bored! Oh, absolutely lovely! Oh, it wasn't good for him, huh? OH, The Prince would need a new target?! Yes, perhaps he should run faster! Though, he personally thought that he was already running quite fast! Maybe not? Either way, he forced his legs to move faster, still trying to shield himself with the shield, so that this new knife wouldn't hit him either!

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur found himself laughing at this point. The idiot seemed as if he was getting tired, or maybe that was just wishful thinking on Arthur's part. Either way he was going to be making him run as fast and frantically as possible. "Come on! Hurry it up!" He was not moving particularly slowly, but Arthur couldn't very well not provoke him or bully him. Merlin had asked for it, and now he was going to get it. He threw a few more knives until he held up his hand to Merlin, as if telling him to stop. But that would not be for long. Just long enough for Arthur to say what he had to.

"Part of your duties as my servant is also to exercise my two dogs." Did this seem random? Soon it would not be. "Why not kill two birds with one stone," he suggested, not really giving him an option. With that, Arthur whistled and out running, came his two large black dogs. They ran towards their master and Arthur pet both of them on the heads as they panted excitedly. They were harmless; unless they saw someone as an immediate threat. Merlin was far from threatening. Really, they would probably only see him as a chew toy.

Arthur looked at Merlin, then at his dogs. "Go get him!" He said, motioning to Merlin. Arthur chuckled. "I'd suggest you start running Merlin. Remember how I told you that I've been trained to kill since birth? Well, so have they." And with that, the two dogs began to chase their target. Arthur exaggerated what they would do if they actually caught up to Merlin, but if he was completely honest about it, then where was the fun in that. Besides, two large, menacing looking dogs could make a person -- if they weren't afraid of them -- run rather quickly. Lets see how fast Merlin could truly run now with such an adrenaline rush.

[pie]

How much faster did he have to run?! Hurry it up? He wasn't going to be able to feel his legs later, he knew! They were going to feel like jelly! Which was not a pleasant feeling, to say the least! But he didn't want to anger the Prince further, not right now when he was already trying not to make the man hit him with knifes! So, with a quickly beating heart, he forced his legs to move quicker, to carry him around at a higher speed then was naturally healthy for him.

Kill two birds with one stone? Exercise? Wait... dogs?! His eyes went wide, and he shook his head quickly, as if to tell the Prince no. The Prince's dogs? The Prince's? Oh Lord have mercy... His jaw dropped when he saw the two large black dogs, which he founds positively alarming. There hadn't been many dogs in Ealdor, and those that were never were threatening unless they were provoked. But these were the dogs of the Prince, that would surely mean that they were threatening.

Unconsciously he took a step backwards, where he tripped on fell on his back, dropping the shield which rolled away from him. Scooting backwards frantically, he turned himself around and stood up just as the dogs came at him. Trained to kill since birth?! Oh my... Did that mean they would kill him if...

He spared no thought to turning and running for dear life, pumping his legs as fast as he could. He didn't want to die! Especially from two dogs! Merlin wasn't sure which were more frightening at this moment, the dogs, or the Prince! But he knew which of the two were the more immediate threat! Being a human chew toy was not his idea of fun! Far from it! If this kept up... he would wind up running straight out of these training grounds and seek refuge somewhere in the town if he had to! Perhaps he could lose them in the streets!

He glanced towards the nearest and best way to get back to the town. If he just ran fast enough... though his legs were already carrying him faster than they ever had!

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur only looked at Merlin like he was an even bigger idiot for tripping and falling on his back. Oh well. It would make his dogs have that much more of a head start. Which suited the Prince just fine . . . of course, it may not suit Merlin all that well, but this wasn't about making his life easy or circumstances convenient. It was about teaching the moron a lesson and what better way to do that than sicking two dogs on to him. Mentally picturing the scene and imagining all its humor was one thing . . . but now, being witness to it as it unfolded . . . well, lets just say that Arthur could never had predicted the full extent of its comical amusement. It was hilarious! Beyond words hysterical! The Prince started laughing as a few of his minions joined in the humorous situation.

Arthur managed to pause in between his laughter to speak . . . of course, it was easy enough to do so since his words would only provide further ridicule towards Merlin. "My dogs seemed to have mistaken you for a bone! Not that I blame them!" He exclaimed to Merlin, at a suitable volume so that he was sure his newly appointed servant could hear him. He was of course, in other words, calling Merlin a bone . . . a scrawny little -- as Arthur was not about to admit that Merlin was in fact an inch or so taller than him -- imbecile who thought he could take on the undefeatable champion -- the arrogance in the Prince causing him to appoint this title to himself.

Never the less, this was just too funny! Arthur watched Merlin carefully -- still laughing of course -- and wondered if this chase would extend from the training field to somewhere else. Of course it Merlin wanted to run around in circles, that would be equally amusing. Though it may also be fun to cause some havoc in the city . . . and have no one to blame but the village idiot aka Merlin Caradoc. Perhaps it would give the prince yet another reason to throw him in the stocks -- not that he needed one. His in-capabilities proved to be enough of a reason indeed. This would just be a more fun reason.

[pie]

Bone this, bone that! Oh, if he could only use magic... But time didn't permit such thoughts! There were two angry dogs chasing him. Angry? Alright, who knew, but it sure seemed such a way when one ran from them! What did the Prince need with dogs anyway?! Didn't he have enough things to bother himself with? Besides, "trained to kill since birth" his butt! Even if they were, it wasn't like the Prince would actually need them, right?! He could just as simply kill without them! This was just a way to torture his servants, he guarnteed! An evil way for an evil Prince! Destiny to protect Arthur? Arthur becoming a great king? Oh, how impossible that seemed right now!

The fact that others were joining in on the laughter, the "fun" didn't help Merlin's embarassment. Which he was sure was just absolutely wonderful to the arrogant Prince. Yes, his service under him would be such a fantastic time indeed... NOT! It would be horrible! Glancing around the training feild for any route of escape, Merlin could only once more look at the closest exit! Which obviously led to the town. Giving a silent apollogy to anyone that happened to get in the way of the group of three, he bolted towards it! There was no way in living hell that he was about to actually allow these dogs to make him their newest chew toy! No way at all! He'd prefer to work for the spoilt Prince for all of eternity rather than be mauled -- actually, on second thought. . .

He didn't spare any time on thinking of the consequences from Arthur after this whole chase was done -- if he still lived, that is. All he was concerned with was keeping all of his body parts safe and intact, without any such thing as a single bite mark! And so, he would try to lose the dogs in the crowd of Camelot, then take a roundabout route and go hide somewhere... Like with Gaius! Yes, hide behind Gaius! Unless Arthur would figure he was there, then it could prove a problem. He might be dragged back out and be forced to be dog food! NO! With the exit in plain sight, and barely five yards away from it, he was determined to live, whatever the cost!

Into the streets he ran without looking back to see if the dogs were still following -- he was sure they were -- or if Arthur and his evil minions were. Though, the Prince probably was to "enjoy" the "fun" and "amusement" of his "incompetent" servant. . .

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur kept watching, and laughing. Merlin was far more entertaining than his other servant. Then again, each one had their own unique ability to provide the prince with never ending amusement. When he however began to ran into the city, the dogs following close behind, Arthur knew he could not just stand there anymore. Still chuckling, he ran a bit to catch up. His running was done far more leisurely though, unlike Merlin who was seemingly running for his life. And his dogs, who were running for fun. Uh oh . . . maybe too much fun. The sudden excitement in the calm streets of the city created an uproar. His dogs were jumping on carts, their charade of 'ferocity' scaring others, and even causing some of them to scream. Leave it to Merlin to mess up his fun. Yes. Arthur would continue to blame Merlin, even though it was obviously not his fault. But Arthur was the son of the king! He didn't need rationality and logic to be right. He had authority on his side.

Arthur followed them, knowing his minions followed suit, though he had to move a bit faster. The dogs were his after all and they listened best to the Prince's commands. But they were moving too fast through the city and the only thing that showed him where they went, was the trail of destruction that they left behind. And the occasional scream from a woman, obviously not realizing that the dogs would not hurt them. He couldn't blame them either . . . he would rather assure them that the dogs were harmless, rather than assure Merlin. Where would the fun in that be? But things were getting a bit out of hand. He knew his canine companions were the main ones causing trouble, but he would of course, just blame his idiot man servant.

He whistled, trying to get the attention of the animals, but they were too far ahead. They were getting worked up, excited. But the fact that he was not having as much control over them now was making this slightly less fun. Still, Merlin was probably having the least fun of all . . . or at least Arthur hoped so. All he could do was run after them, not even apologizing to those vendors whose carts had been knocked over in the chase. "Heel!" He tried yelling after them, but knew he would still have to move closer for them to fully comply. Hmm. Maybe Merlin had heard his command and assumed Arthur was talking to him. The thought brought a smile to his lips, obviously not having treated Merlin any better than his own two dogs . . . maybe even worse in fact.

[pie]

They were still chasing him! They had far more stamina than he had! Eventually he would tire out and they would catch him! He could only maintain a speed that kept him ahead of them for so long. Eventually that would end and he would be dog food... He didn't want that at all! Oh, how this had turned out terribly! Why, the thanks he got for saving the Prince's life! Show him to think twice about it! No, even in his frantic state at the moment, he knew that he would still do anything to save the man -- he'd just silently complain about it again afterwards when things like this happened again.

He had to stop running at some point, the chase was causing havoc throughout the streets of Camelot. People stared on with shock, others grew angry as their possessions were scattered or their carts toppled over as the trio ran past. As Merlin rounded one corner, he accidently ran into a woman who was carrying a bundle of fabrics. The cloth fell to the ground, and Merlin stumbled to try and not fall over -- or knock her over as well --, and didn't pause to help her. Though, as he ran away, he did call over his shoulder, "I am so sorry!" Though, he thought that she would rather have to pick the fabric up herself rather than have dogs come across and ruin it all!

When Arthur did call "Heel!" he figured that he was probably calling to the dogs. Though there was still that slight doubt, and the surprise of it all shocked him into momentarily skidding to a halt. He spun around, hoping beyond anything that Arthur would call the dogs off now that he realized they didn't appear to be stopping anytime soon! Looking around frantically, Merlin spotted a pile of wood stacked against a building not too far away. If the dogs ran past it, he could create a barricade of it, or at least slow them down! The person who put it there probably wouldn't be too happy, but oh well...

As the dogs came closer, Merlin took a deep breath and whispered, "Færdryre wudufín!" Surely enough, the wood began to fall over, right in the path of the dogs! Success! ... Hopefully.

^{*færdryre wudufín = fall pile of wood}