The Body Swap

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur could not stop glaring at Merlin when he seemed to be enjoying this . . . a little too much. "Shut up Merlin," he snapped when the servant complimented the color on him. He certainly did not want to relieve any compliments from ANYONE while he was dressed as a woman. He was going to need to do some hunting, or fighting, or something very manly after this so that his masculinity was not in question. No one had dare find out about this! This was one of those secrets that he would take to the grave, and Merlin had better to. Arthur said nothing when he questioned whether he trusted him. He did, of course he did. But still! This could be like the donkey thing all over again! It was just another form of humiliation for the prince.

"A wipe that ridiculous grin off of your face," he added bitterly. Still completely dissatisfied with this entire thing. He walked a few steps away from Merlin, looking at the dress. It was something fancier than what a commoner would wear. It had slightly puffy sleeves and intricate work on it . . . and the neckline was low. Which forced another fear into Arthur's mind; they would have to use something to substitute breasts. Damn it!

The Prince was not quite ready to start changing into it so he just held it in his hand, staring at it with an intense look of disgust. Until Merlin continued to joke about this. His look of disgust was not mixed with a glare as he shot an angry look at Merlin. "Just because I do not have as much experience as you do in wearing a dress -- " Arthur was making a direct reference to when he saw him in the hall way carrying one -- "Does not mean I don't have enough common sense to figure out how to wear one." Truth was, Arthur did not even know how to start in wearing it. There was lacing that needed to be tied and such. "Besides, clearly I'm not as eager as you are to put it on," he added in a grumbled voice.

[pie]

Arthur obviously didn't want Merlin to comment on the dress, as much was clear when he told him to shut up. Still, Merlin couldn't help but be amused by the Prince's reluctance to wear a dress. It wasn't like it would kill him -- maybe internally, but not externally -- and honestly, it wasn't as bad as it seemed! Okay, maybe it was, but he wasn't about to voice that aloud for the Prince to hear, that was for sure! "Right, sorry," he said, forcing himself not to laugh and therefore invoke the Prince's anger further.

He did, however, immediately stop grinning when Arthur told him to. Because, yet again, he didn't want to make Arthur angry, or even more reluctant to put on the dress. He was sure it was hard enough for the Prince as it was to put on the dress -- no, he wasn't sure of it, he knew it was. However, it was a rather hard thing to keep up when he saw Arthur look at the dress. Okay, so perhaps it wasn't the best of dresses, but oh boy was it amusing! He silently thanked whoever had left their clothes in the room. Not only because it might indeed save their lives, but because it was just funny to see Arthur's whole attitude about it.

He looked at the dress he was holding, the purple dress that Arthur hadn't taken. This said dress's sleeves were tied off where they would meet the elbow, and had a slightly poofy bottom where the waist and lower would be. He, now, couldn't hide his own disgusted look and quickly looked up at it at Arthur, wondering if he noticed.

"Right," he said again to Arthur's comment. He didn't know what he was doing, did he? "Then I will leave you to figure out what to do with it. I'm sure the Crowned Prince of Camelot knows all about dresses!" He glanced at his own again before looking back up with a frown at him. "And I am not eager to put it on! Nor have I worn a dress before!" Now, somewhat to try and embarrass the Prince further, he added, "Come on, then. Let's see you put it on!"

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur really did not know how to put it on! He could barley get himself dressed in his regular clothes . . . how the hell was he going to get a damn dress on?! This was something he was going to need Merlin's help with . . . though he didn't want to admit it. He looked over at him, seeing if he knew what to do with is own dress and he didn't seem confused by the content of it. Which really, only reaffirmed Arthur's previous suspicion that dressing this way was not unfamiliar to him. Damn him and his strange feminine ways.

"Be quiet!" He snapped again, annoyed at the fact that he didn't know how to put it on. He was even more annoyed by the fact that he had to wear one in the first place! Arthur glared at him, not that he had ever stopped. "Are you going to turn around then? I'm sure as hell not dressing into this blood thing in front of you." There was no partition, or any sort of concealed area. It was a brothel room. These people had no shame. Arthur turned around, giving a last demanding glare at Merlin to do the same.

Oh dear. The lacing on the back of this dress was so complicated! Arthur began to remove his vest, looking painfully at the red garment. He couldn't do it. He began to unlace the top of his shirt. This was too much! He slowly kicked off his boots. NO! This was revolting! He unfastened his belt. Arthur Pendragon felt as if he was going to throw up. He wanted to throw out a sarcastic comment to Merlin, but he couldn't talk to him when he was about to put on a dress. Arthur felt a chill run down his spine as he shuddered.

[pie]

Merlin's grin returned when Arthur spoke next. His even extra irritated tone only told Merlin for sure that the Prince had absolutely no idea what to do with the dress. Merlin, on the other hand, new more about dresses, really. After all, he had lived in Ealdor with his mother for quite some time. That was where he would credit this knowledge from. Besides, he just didn't find it that hard to understand! Clothes were clothes, after all! "Of course, madam," he said in amusement, turning abruptly around and walking a little ways further across the room.

Beginning to undress himself, he ignored the queasy feeling he got about doing so in the same room as Arthur, he held the dress up in front of him to examine it and better get an idea of how it was suppose to go on. Not that hard! he decided in satisfaction, and undressed all the way until he got to his trousers. Unfastening the front, as it had a few buttons to add to the style around the semi-low neckline, Merlin slipped the dress over his head and wiggled his way into it casually. Once all of it was in place, he fixed the sleeves so that they were more comfortable around his elbows, re-buttoned the buttons, and messed with the lower half a little until it flowed out below him.

Without glancing at Arthur, he turned his head around a little to examine himself, and asked, quite seriously, "Does this dress make my butt look big?" He would turn in circles a little to try and figure it out. When his eyes made contact with Arthur, he abruptly turned away. "It's not that hard, just put it on."

[Arthur Pendragon]

The whole time Merlin was changing, Arthur had his back to him, staring at the dress in his hand. He couldn't do it. He could not bring himself to put on woman's clothing . . . especially something as extravagant at this. It was too much! TOO MUCH! When Merlin spoke, Arthur turned his head to look at him, only to very quickly look away with an utter look of disgust and shock. "OH DEAR GOD!?" He exclaimed in surprise and repulse. This was horrible. H-O-R-R-I-B-L-E. How on earth did Merlin do this with so much ease? Was he actually enjoying this?! It seemed to look like he was. A little too much. He was making jokes! Arthur slowly turned to look at him again, trying to avoid freaking out again, but when he did, his tone held the same repulsion. He groaned loudly, in a disgusted tone. He was going to burn his eyes out after this.

"Speak for yourself Merlin!" He said in a snippy tone when his servant told him that it was not that hard. "Some of us do not actually enjoy dressing in woman's gown, or do so on a frequent basis." Arthur turned his gaze back to his dress. He knew it was now or never. He took a deep breath and very quickly, took off his shirt and pants. He inspected the dress, trying to figure out how to put it on, and the best he could think of was . . . over his head.

Unfortunately, the lacing in the back was too tightly bound, and it got stuck on Arthur's end. He silently struggled before pulling it off, hair hair going in several different directions. He mumbled something inaudible and knew he had to try again . . . from the bottom to the top. He first began to untie all the strings and then stepped into it, making an extremely pained face as if this was the worst form of torture and pain he had ever encountered. He pulled it up, sticking his arms through it. It was a bit on the tighter side, as he was wider than Merlin, and knew . . . unfortunately . . . scarily . . . that he was too flat at the chest.

Arthur turned to look at Merlin, as he had a look that expressed the misery and torment he was experiencing. "I can't tie the back," he said in a pitiful voice. It was too awkward to reach from the back, and therefore, difficult to tie as well -- not that Arthur would even know how to tie a dress in the first place.

[pie]

When Arthur exclaimed, obviously appalled by him in the dress, Merlin couldn't hold make a loud laugh. Yes, it amused him immensely. Choking his laughs to a halt, he asked in a shaky voice -- trying not to laugh again -- "Aw, you don't think that I look pretty? You're not a very nice guy." He shook his head as if disappointed, but still wore his amused grin that stretched nearly from ear to ear. Really, besides the fact that he also had to wear a dress -- though it didn't bother him as much as the Prince, Merlin would rather live then not put it on when it was the only choice -- the whole situation still amused him from every comment Arthur made. The situation just couldn't get any better! Or to Arthur, any worse, Merlin was sure.

Still staring at the wall, his back still to the Prince, Merlin drawled out an exaggerated, "Heeey," to his comment, then added, "I don't like to wear women's gowns. Do you think I like this anymore then you do?" Okay, he did, and it went back to the "amusing" factor. "I would just prefer to get out of here as quick as possible. It was your bright idea to come into the 'Inn' Mr. Smart Guy." He 'title' came out sarcastically. Yes, an Inn that just so happened to be a Brothel! Merlin had told him that this wasn't a good idea! Inns and taverns always proved to be bad for them! This time it was worse! It wasn't one at all!

He waited for a while, knowing fully well that Arthur was having trouble with the dress even though he didn't look at him. Why wouldn't he? He hardly knew how to get into his own clothes in Merlin's opinion! Let alone a dress! He smirked when Arthur finally admitted the problem, and gave a dramatic sigh before turning around to face him. "It isn't that hard, Arthur," he said, walking to him. "And not just because I know how dresses are suppose to go on -- NOT because I wear them!" he added in a rush. "Now stay still so we can get this done." Taking the laces in both hands, he skillfully began to lace them up, crisscrossing them over each other where they should, and making it just tight enough to be comfortable.

"I must say," he commented when he finished, "you look quite good in a dress.... But as a woman you wouldn't be very attractive..."

[Arthur Pendragon]

There was something very awkwardly disturbing about his servant lacing up the Prince in a dress. Arthur kept that same look of pain throughout the whole process, wanting Merlin to hurry it up already so that he could get this over with. Arthur knew he couldn't exactly argue with Merlin when he reminded him that it had in fact been Arthur's idea to come into the brothel. How was he to know?! He though it was an inn, or at the most, a tavern! "Well it wasn't my bright idea to dress up like this!" Arthur could not even take himself seriously when he was dressed like this. How was he supposed to threaten Merlin when he was clad in a dress?!

"I think you're enjoying this a hell of a lot more than you should be," Arthur mumbled, finding it strange that Merlin was very comfortable with this. He did not seem to have any apparent hesitations to putting the dress on . . . and him complimenting the dresses and making comments that only women would make, further disturbed the prince. "Shut up!" Arthur snapped again when -- yet again -- Merlin commented on how flattering the dress was. Arthur turned when the laces were completed, taking a bit of a deep breath as the dress was slightly tight on him. Which brought up another awkward issue.

He stood there, looking at Merlin, his eyes scanning him slowly from the top to bottom. Arthur looked mortified. He was going to have nightmares from this for a very long time. "What else is in the bag?" Arthur asked, not wanting to specify that he needed something to substitutes breasts. They would also need wigs . . . damn it! Arthur was getting way too into this. But there was a reason he told Merlin to look into the bag; because Arthur just couldn't bring himself to do it. It took him long enough to get the dress on!

[pie]

Merlin shook his head slowly, conceding that Arthur did, in fact have a point. But then again, there had to be something marking it as a Brothel! How would people find it otherwise and... he cut that disturbing thought off. "Yes, Arthur, but you didn't have any other 'bright' ideas to get us out of this." And so Arthur would just have to deal with it! "It won't be long before you can take the dress off, we just have to get away from Cenred's men."

Merlin grinned again at Arthur's notice that he was in fact, quite enjoying this. Hard to miss though, he wasn't exactly successfully hiding it. Didn't matter much, though, did it? It still didn't change the fact that the situation was more serious than he made it out to seem. And not just because it was a serious issue if Arthur was noticed wearing a dress and recognized as the Prince. It was serious because there were men below that wanted them dead. Well, if they had actually entered the Brothel, which he found rather likely. He gave a small, but sharp, tug on the laces during this to tell him to stop complaining, and said, "You're right, I am. Would you prefer me to be all dark and grim and remind you that there are men downstairs that want us, want you, dead, sire?" His tone grew in intensity, and he added the title to add weight to the seriousness of his words. At least Arthur was cooperating with wearing the dress.

When Arthur inquired about what else was in the bag, Merlin turned around without hesitation -- knowing Arthur didn't intend to look and someone had to -- and walked over to the bag once more. Peering inside, he shuffled around the contents, searching. "Um, let's see.... more dresses, some other... strange clothing, uh... Oh god!" the tone was shocked, and he shoved the contents of the bag over to the opposite side to look over there, his face slightly red. "Stuff we don't want to know, er... Aha!" He pulled out some other articles of clothing, some socks, and several cloth-like fabrics. "These might be useful!" he exclaimed, holding them up triumphantly.

[Arthur Pendragon]

"I'm starting to think that it would have just been better to face our odds. At least we would not have to risked getting caught in this ridiculous, humiliating state of dress," Arthur said with subtle annoyance. It was more dramatic than anything else. He was just fearing what would happen if they were caught. He would be killed, and then what? His body sent somewhere, still clad in a dress? No. The thought was horrible. It sent a chill down Arthur's spine. Arthur's spine which was now covered in a frock.

Arthur noticed all too much how 'hard' Merlin had tugged on one of the strings. "Careful!" he demanded, irritated that he was taking advantage of such an intricate design. This was just so . . . so . . . Arthur was running out of words to describe the situation. Really, there were no words. There was nothing that could fully express just how uncomfortable he was. "Actually yes," Arthur said, though deep down, he did not mean it. Arthur was very contradicing in that respect. When Merlin was all optimistic and cheery, Arthur would give him a hard time about it. But when he was grim and dark, he would pester him until he told him what was wrong. So really, there was no winning in Merlin's case. The Prince would forever find a reason to call him annoying, without truly meaning it. "At least it would be more of a reality than . . . dressing up as women."

He watched as Merlin went over to the bag, making another face as he began to reveal the content of it. He noticed his embarrassment and that could really only mean one thing. One thing that Arthur did not even want to say aloud. Who did this stuff even belong to?! Oh good. Socks and . . . things. Yes, they would be useful indeed. Was Merlin thinking the same thing Arthur was? "Yes, they will be good to . . . " Arthur never stuttered or stammered in his speech. Being brought up as royalty, he was taught proper etiquette and how to speak fluently, eloquently and in a composed manner. Yet now, he could not bring himself to say the words and describe what he meant. Hopefully, Merlin would understand. "To um . . . you know," Arthur said with a bit of a nod, unable to refrain from lowering his gaze for a moment to his chest, and then looking back at Merlin.

[pie]

"Oh come on, Arthur!" he was growing exasperated now! "You're suppose to be the Crown Prince! Sure, you have to wear a dress, but your life is more important than half a day in a woman's clothes to save your life! Even if you were noticed in a dress, the people who count, the people of Camelot, are more concerned with your well being then your appearance!" Seriously, it wasn't that long that they would be wearing one! He took a deep breath and sighed. No, he had to keep optimistic about this, despite Arthur's words telling him otherwise! To make light of the situation was better than not doing so! And even though he found Arthur's dressing as a woman highly entertaining, he just wished he would shut up about it!

To say the least the rest of his finishing the laces wasn't gentle as he was slowly growing irritated. Oh, so Arthur did want him to be serious? Somehow he doubted it, but it didn't matter to him. He'd get serious if that was what he wanted! "Okay, fine. Take off the dress, then, and go get yourself killed. I thought a fighting master such as yourself would realize when stealth was more important then appearance and pride, but I guess I was wrong on that account!" He stopped tying the dress in a huff, then immediately calmed himself down again. It wouldn't get them anywhere.

At first, after Merlin had got the other items out -- and he was thankful that Arthur didn't bring up... that thing he found (there would be a lot of things the two wouldn't bring up when they were done with this) -- he didn't realize what Arthur was talking about. Yeah, they would be useful, but for what, exactly? What was Arthur hinting at. He gave the Prince a confused stare, obviously not understanding. "What?" he questioned, his tone equally bewildered. Then, when Arthur glanced 'downwards', Merlin understood. "Oh! Right. Here!" he tossed some of the socks to the Prince and walked over, holding out the items just in case he wanted to use any of the others.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur knew that Merlin was right, in everything he said. He knew that this would be the best route, the only route, that they could have taken in order to survive. He knew that it was for the best, that it was better to suffer this embarrassment than to die at the hands of their enemies in a totally preventable way. But still. In this moment, Arthur could only think of how awkward this was and would therefore take the opportunity to complain and rant about it as much he could. Well, because he was totally out of his element, and he hated being out of his element.

"I'm not so sure about that," Arthur grumbled, being a bit dramatic. "Seems I've been having to suffer a lot of humiliation as far as my appearance goes these past few weeks." He was of course, talking about the donkey instance, but that should not be named. Even if it still haunted Arthur's memories, and even if he still was bitter towards Merlin for having dragged out giving him the cure. "How am I supposed to be taken serious by the people when they keep seeing me in situations like this?!" His tone was not stern, but more annoyed.

Arthur continued to glare at him. "It took me forever to put it on, I'm not going to go through all the effort to take it off. Besides, we don't have time for that." This was Arthur, slowly trying to accept the fact that he would be dressed in this way for the next little while. When Merlin questioned what Arthur was referring to, he rolled his eyes. He was about to tell him not to make him actually say it . . . but thankfully, Merlin caught on. He did not seem to think it was as awkward as Arthur had taken it, and casually tossed him a couple of socks. Arthur picked them up. He felt nauseous. "Turn around," he said in a harsh tone to Merlin, not wanting him to watch him implant two breasts into his chest.

[pie]

Merlin looked around like he had no part in any of the appearances that Arthur was humiliated from. He knew he referred to the donkey thing, but Merlin didn't mean to let the Goblin loose! But... he did mean to drag on Arthur's suffering just a while... He deserved it!! "Because, Arthur, you aren't going to be seen, at least, recognized." He held up one of the cloths he had, shaking it a little in midair like he had a plan. They didn't have wigs, so unless they could find some, they'd need to improvise!

"Good. Don't take it off, you'd just get confused anyway," Merlin mumbled. Actually, he was quite glad that Arthur wasn't going to actually listen and take it off. He was much more relieved with Arthur actually going through with this plan -- made him safer in Merlin's opinion! "But don't bicker to me about it. You had the chance. Besides... It's annoying." It was rare indeed when he actually told Arthur that he was being annoying, usually it was the other way around!

When commanded to turn around, he did so without question. He wouldn't comment on it, at least yet, but a smile stretched across his face once more at the thought of Arthur's embarrassment about having to use socks as breasts. Hey, wasn't Merlin's fault he didn't have them!

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur shot Merlin another glare when he called him annoying, before he turned around as Arthur had demanded he do so. "Don' t let my dress fool you Merlin. I will still beat you if you run your mouth," he warned him. It was difficult enough to take himself seriously, he would have to remind Merlin that he was still the same Arthur inside. That the dress meant nothing. ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. This was making his stomach churn.

When Merlin turned, Arthur look down at the two socks. This was not how he had envisioned how he would be spending the day. It was bad enough their life was being threatened -- though that seemed to be a daily experience -- but now, he was pretending to be a woman, just so he could live. Life and death! That was all he had to remind himself of; that this was a matter of life and death. That was it. That was all the justification he needed.

He had to do this, or he would never be able to bring himself to later. In one quick motion, he began to force down a rolled sock for each breast. It was a bit of a struggle, as it was a tight fit in the dress, so he let out an annoyed groan. When they were in, he moved them around a bit, looking down at the now extremely strange bumps protruding from his chest. This was SO very wrong. "We are going to need wigs, or something for our hair." He suddenly realized. If they were going to do this, they needed to go all the way in order for it to be successful. Besides, now that he had breasts, nothing could be more worse as far as dressing up was concerned.

[pie]

Merlin shook his head slowly, a smirk still playing across his face. "I'm fully aware of that fact, Arthur, be sure of that!" Yes, he knew that Arthur would still beat him, dress or no, if word of this got out to anyone! Though it wasn't exactly a matter he would like to discuss! It was highly unlikely he would even tell Gaius about this... predicament. Yes, he didn't want to exactly talk about dressing up as a woman to even him. Now, if it was just Arthur, it would be different. But he was one of the two dressing up also. He didn't exactly want to know what Gaius would think about that...

While Merlin faced the opposite direction of Arthur, he imagined, to much personal amusement, him actually putting the socks in. Yes, it had to be quite embarrassing to the pride and honor obsessed Prince. Though could Merlin really blame him? No, not really, but it was still funny to the young warlock! "I hope you're actually doing it, just to get it over with," he said conversationally. "Here, I'll do the same just so you don't feel so left out!" And without hesitating, stuffed a pair of the socks to where, if he was a woman, there would be breasts. It probably wouldn't help his whole "I don't dress like a woman!" argument, though.

When Arthur spoke, Merlin took it that he could turn around. When he did so, he made sure to keep his eyes off of Arthur's... chest. "That," he said, holding up the cloths he had shown earlier again, "is what these are for. You see, since there is no wigs... I believe... We can wrap these around our heads like turbans or something. Perhaps that would work?" he suggested.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur had ignored Merlin's words. It was too awkward to talk to someone when stuffing socks in one's chest. Oh. Lovely. He was going to do the same thing. Well, it probably was a good thing. Merlin was a bit flat in that region. When he turned around, Arthur gave him a warning look, the Prince's eye contact falling on the same spot that Merlin's was. Arthur looked at Merlin's sock induced breasts and then just shook his head with a look of pure disgust. "You look ridiculous," he said, stating the obvious. BOTH of them looked ridiculous! This whole thing utterly RIDICULOUS!

When he held up the turbans, Arthur's expression only intensified. Then again, that was better than wearing a wig, right? At least it was just a turban! Would they truly be able to get through this? They would certainly be two of the ugliest woman in the entire world. Arthur was a man; he was meant to look muscular and rough. He was not meant to look feminine, timid and curvy.

"And I assume you know how to make a woman's headdress as well? Since you already seem to be aware of every aspect of female dress. . . " It would not surprise Arthur. In their state of desperation, he was rather thankful that Merlin knew such bizarre information. However, on a regular, daily basis, he was disturbed that his servant knew such things. Oh well. Once the moment was gone, he would pretend he didn't know anything, even though this would forever traumatize him. He walked closer to Merlin, struggling to not trip over this dress.

[pie]

Merlin's grin would only widen when Arthur commented that he looked ridiculous. Oh, how he was aware of that. But it was still rather quite amusing to see how the Prince reacted to his words, to his actions, and even more so, to the bizarre clothing he had suddenly found out he'd have to wear to escape. Yet he wasn't going to voice this aloud, as the Prince would probably kill him right there and then just for expressing in actual words how funny he found the whole situation. Which was quite funny. "Not as much as you!" he had to add to Arthur.

His wide, innocent, nothing-is-wrong grin never faltered at Arthur's disgusted and shocked expression, nor at his words. He nodded in an eager way at the words, and motioned for the Prince to come closer so that he could do so. When Arthur was actually in front of him, he tossed one cloth aside to the floor, and took up the red one, one that matched Arthur's dress. "Yes, I know how to make a woman's headdress. Not as hard as you think, really."

With that being said, he walked behind Arthur and, expecting the Prince to cooperate without complaint, reached up and began to wrap the cloth around his head, folding and tucking it in ways that, when done, would allow a small trail at the back to hang down and wrap a little around his neck and still cover all of his hair, successfully hiding it.

[Arthur Pendragon]

While Arthur knew it was true that he looked ridiculous, he still shot Merlin an angry look for stating the obvious. They both looked like utter fools! There was no way they could pass off as woman. Arthur liked to think he looked too masculine to do so . . . but apparently, the more he wore, the more emasculated he was becoming. Which was a thought that frightened him a great deal. Like a child, he dragged himself closer to Merlin, finding a great disturbance in this moment. What was worse; him lacing up the dress, or him making a head dress for his head? Arthur could not decide. They were both equally disturbing, and equally unsettling and . . . and . . . equally revolting!

"You know, you keep saying that. But you must be the only man who thinks that putting on and lacing up a dress, and wearing a woman's head turban is, 'not as hard as it looks'" Arthur stood as still as he could, waiting for Merlin to finish. When he was done, he lifted his hands to feel it, making a repulsed face. "See now you did that way too easily," Arthur said, continuing to mock Merlin's ability to dress in woman's attire. "If you weren't dressed as you are, I would suggest we look to find you a woman here." That was of course a joke . . . but Arthur was beginning to doubt his servant's preference in gender. Well, not really but it was a fun doubt to tease him for.

"Since you are such an expert," he began to say, lowering his hands from the turban. He was not satisfied with it, but this entire thing was dissatisfying so it would be as good as could be expected. "What now?" What were they going to do about their faces? How were they going to hide them . . . and with what? Oh was there . . . Arthur shuddered . . . make up in the bag?! He was too scared to ask, or even suggest such a thing. So as he had done before, he let Merlin take the lead in this little dress up venture of theirs.

[pie]

Merlin shook his head at Arthur's words. He just wasn't going to accept this, was he? Of course, he couldn't really blame it, it was quite a disturbing thing, really. And, he had to admit, quietly, to himself, and never aloud, that yes, he probably was the only man that found this easy. But really, it wasn't hard! You just had to know how to put things together, and actually pay attention! "If you used that brain of yours for once, than even you would be able to figure it out." he said in defense.

He grinned a little then. Yes, he did do that a little too easily, huh? But then that smile would fail as Arthur suggested that if he wasn't dressed like a woman, they would try to find him one here. He turned near a deathly pale and stared at the Prince with wide eyes. How could he suggest such a thing in a Brothel house?! "N-No." he stammered. The thought revolted him, and he couldn't hide it. He didn't even want to be here! So, now that Arthur said that, he was glad that he was dressed as a woman!! What else could go wrong?!

He quickly shook this off when Arthur called him an expert about this and asked him what they should do next. He looked over Arthur. "Pretty convincing," he said. "There's just something else needed..." He bit his lower lip in thought, then held up a finger and grinned triumphantly, almost like he had read Arthur's thoughts. "I know what is missing!" He turned around and headed for the packs. Hoisting it up, he had to force back a laugh as he pulled out several objects and, turning around, a serious look replaced his expression.

Makeup!

"Pink, purple, red?" he asked, holding out the makeup. "What kind of color scheme do you want?"

[ You said it, I had to do it!! lol. ]

[Arthur Pendragon]

"My brain does not center around the use of female possessions," he argued defensively. Good god. Merlin was just such a girl sometimes. While Arthur often said it in teasing, this was the closest he would ever come to actually being entirely serious. And that was when all other thoughts left him when Merlin had said exactly what the Prince feared: Make up. NO! No make up! And yet ironically, the thought had indeed been present in Arthur's mind. While he could not bring himself to say it, when it was presented to him, he just stared at Merlin in horror. His eyes becoming a bit more wide. It seemed less worse in his head, than it did now. For right now, Merlin was taking out the necessary products. Even suggesting color schemes and such! Another chill ran down Arthur's spine.

"Merlin, there is no way in hell I am wearing make up." Really, Arthur knew -- deep, deep down -- that he had to. The dress and turban was one thing, but in order to really make the effect of it all work, they needed to find a way to get the full effect of it all. They already had everything else set . . . the make up would just be the final touch. And yet, Arthur could not bring himself to wear it. He looked at Merlin, very stubbornly, folding his arms across his chest. Only now his chest had two weird bumps protruding from it, so it felt more uncomfortable and awkward than usual.

"And please don't tell me you actually know how to put on that stuff . . . " It was his way, of sort of hinting towards the fact that he knew they would have to . . . but he did not want to be so obvious in his words, so phrased it that way instead. After his other vast knowledge of female things, it would come as no shock if Merlin knew how to wear make up. It would just add to the list of disturbances; that was all. Oh god, he was never going to live this down. He was going to have nightmares about this very moment for the rest of his life. He almost took off his dress in complete resistance to this entire plan . . . but managed to keep himself from doing so.

[pie]

"It really isn't hard," he insisted. He didn't see the problem with it! The dress went over your head -- or you could step into it like pants -- and depending on the type, laced up or just was complete just like that. Lacing wasn't hard, it just required crisscrossing the strings through the provided loop or hole and tying it when finished. Headdresses weren't hard to make, either! It just required a certain folding technique! It was just like putting on regular clothing! Though... Arthur did seem to have a hard time putting on his own clothing.

Merlin glanced at the makeup, then back up at Arthur. He had a feeling that this would be harder to get him to do than the dress. But he had to put it on, and Merlin would make him! Even if it meant tackling him and forcing him to! Which would prove hard, but... He had to try something! He gave him a determined, serious glare -- which contradicted everything in sight of his appearance -- and advanced a step towards Arthur. "You are going to wear it, Arthur!" he demanded, more ordered. "Or else!"

Sure, it sounded like an idle thread, but he was fully prepared to tackle Arthur if he refused! They didn't have much time! Who knew how long it would take until Cenred's men found them?! Though, he almost lost his serious composure when Arthur crossed his arms. Oh, how ridiculous he looked!

He looked at the makeup again, than back up at Arthur. "Yes, I know how! That's why I am going to put it on you, and you're going to let me!" He said in all seriousness.