The Body Swap

[Arthur Pendragon]

He kept saying that! That none of this was difficult, but to Arthur, it was just disturbing knowledge to posses. He glared at Merlin as his servant began saying that he had to put on the make up . . . or else. Threats. Yeah right. But Arthur knew that the 'or else' was not what Merlin intended to do to him, but ramifications of not doing it, which was the wrath of Cenred's men. Even Arthur could not deny that, which is why he did not argue with Merlin per say. Still. How could he so willingly want to do such a thing. Maybe the make up would be a good thing . . . provide him with the necessary mask. NO! He would forever know that he had worn it, and forever feel the texture of such womanly products.

All he could do was glare at him, because he knew saying anything against it would only contradict his actions of what he knew had to be done. And Merlin did not look like he was going to waste time with the Prince's objections. Damn it. Damn this whole thing! "Don't tell me what to do Merlin." He couldn't help it. He had to comment to some extent about the demanding tone in Merlin's voice. He was not used to people making such commands, but of course, he could not refuse it in this case. And so, with a bit of a pout, just stood there. His still position indicating that he was ready for Merlin to start putting the make up on . . . though he could not bring himself to say it, and accept such an act that was about to take place. He just cringed at the thought, and thats all he could do.

[pie]

Merlin rolled his eyes slightly at Arthur's glare and words. Well, he wouldn't have been telling him what to do if he wasn't so stubborn! They needed to get out of here! They needed to get this over with so they could leave! "Right, fine, Arthur." Thankfully, he didn't make any more actions against letting him put the makeup on; he just stood there like previously, indicating he was ready. So, shrugging, Merlin abandoned his slightly-hostile advance and walked closer with one of his frequent grins once more.

"Okay, so... You're wearing red, so the best color scheme, I would have to say, would be... red and pink! Perhaps just a splash of purple..." Really, he was purposefully speaking around in an attempt to creep the Prince out. Looking down at the makeup, he would proceed to put it on Arthur, slowly for "dramatic" effect, and grinning all the while. When he was complete, given if the Prince didn't prove to interrupt in any way, he would look quite different! Complete with a powered face, red lips, pink-tinged cheeks, and red and purple eyeshadow! Yes, he didn't look like Prince Arthur at all! Except for the general face structure, of course.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur made a face when Merlin began to list off color schemes and options. Was it really that complicated? Wait, how did Merlin know it was that complicated?! That was just . . . Arthur inwardly shuddered. If Merlin kept this up, the Prince may consider finding a new servant. Well, not really, but his current one apparently knew way too much about certain things that he should not know about. So he stood there,awaiting this painful process, but unable to wipe the look that showed just how deranged his knowledge of make up was.

"Shut up Merlin!" He snapped. He didn't want to hear the details! One, because it was just horrible to think that it was about to go on his face, and two . . . as previously established, he didn't want to hear about just how much of a woman his servant was. "Stop talking and just put the bloody stuff on. I don't want to hear about it; I don't care how you do it, just do it!" And with that, Arthur closed his eyes knowing he would not be able to watch each stroke of make up being put on his manly skin.

Oh but he felt it; he felt the power, the cool sensation of the make up contacting his skin, and he shuddered to think of what he would look like right now. All he knew, was that there was no bloody way he was putting on Merlin's make up for him. Arthur just stood there, waiting for the torture to be over, unable to bring himself to open his eyes to check.

[pie]

Merlin just shrugged at Arthur's orders and did as told. The less Arthur complained about it, the better, anyway. He didn't go too slow, not wanting to put the Prince through too much "torture", but went slow enough so that he didn't mess anything up and have to start again. That would be a pain indeed if that happened! They would have to start all over again, or near to it!

When he was finished, Merlin pulled back to examine his work, nodding slowly. Yep, looked fine to him. He doubted Arthur would agree -- in fact, he was quite sure he wouldn't -- but he thought it was a good job done indeed! "Alright, you're all set, Arthur! Do you want a mirror to look at yourself with?" Almost as if in answer to his own question, he promptly held a small handheld mirror up in front of him, one of the items he had taken out of the bag along with the makeup.

"I doubt anyone will recognize you," he added. "Which is a good thing, I dare say."

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur looked at his reflection. No. That was NOT him! It was a . . . a . . . woman! OH DEAR GOD! Arthur's eyes widened in shock and disgust. It was revolting to see himself in this state! He was a man! A masculine manly man who did not wear dresses, fake breasts, head scarves, or make up! He was going to kill Cenred for the sole purpose of driving him to do this. Then he would kill Merlin because . . . well, because this was his idea! His idea that Arthur was still not ready to admit was a good one.

Arthur felt nauseous.

"You had better hope that no one recognizes me!" He snapped. The only thing more humiliating about wearing all this junk was being caught wearing all this junk. "For if they do, I'll know exactly who to blame," he said in a threatening tone, giving Merlin an intense look of warning. Shoving the mirror aside, he just looked at Merlin, trying to come to terms that his servant had managed to transform the Prince into a woman . . . and so easily too. "Don't expect me to put on your make up for you," Arthur mumbled bitterly. It wasn't because he didn't know how to put it on -- although that was indeed a valid reason -- but it was because he did not want to put it on him. It was just . . . too . . . wrong!

[pie]

Merlin couldn't hide his laugh at Arthur's look when he saw what he looked like in the mirror. Oh, his disgust and shock were just... epic! It made the whole dressing as a woman thing worth it! It made his almost-sure-to-be death later worth it too! Composing himself when Arthur spoke -- which was hard to do with the thoughts they evoked running through his head -- he stared at him a brief moment before grinning again.

"Oh, Princess Arthur is worried about people recognizing her?" he mocked. Surely this wouldn't please Arthur, but it amused Merlin! Which was all that counted to him at the moment. "I doubt anyone will recognize such a beautiful woman like yourself." And again, he was reduced to laughing.

Until, of course, Arthur said he wouldn't be putting on his makeup for him. Merlin had already guessed at that, but he pretended to be upset and pouted at the Prince. "Arthur won't do my makeup?" he said in the most innocent and pleading voice that he possibly could. "But I did his, and it looks so perfect. How can I do my own? Does Arthur not know how to do it?" It was a challenge, which was noticeable by the slight shift in his tone from pleading and innocent to mocking and daring. Of course, if all failed, he would do it himself. Still, he dared Arthur to try it.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur was going to wipe that ridiculous smile off his face . . . but he could not even take himself seriously right now. He felt far too . . . uncomfortable. How was Merlin taking this so well? It was rather bizarre indeed. "Shut up!" He exclaimed, not sure what else to say. Maybe one day when they were old, they could laugh about this. No. No no. It would never be funny. In fact, Arthur was going to make sure Merlin stayed quiet, on pain of death!

He just kept glaring at him as well, unable to stop. "On second thought . . . I can do both your eyes for you, giving them a nice shade of purple and perhaps a subtle blue tint." Arthur began to clench his hands into fists. He was mainly of course, talking about punching Merlin in the face to create that distorted color. And he was of course, kidding. But still. Considering how much his idiot servant was laughing, it was a rather tempting thought. "It would save us the time too." Arthur added, the idea becoming more and more appealing. Truth was, they had to get out of here soon, before someone else wanted to claim this room and did not mind sharing.

[pie]

"Fiiine," he sighed, shaking his head as if disappointed. He silently agreed that his words and amused tone might be... unreasonable, as was calling Arthur a Princess. But still... how could he not find this entire situation hilarious? It was Arthur, a masculine man, reduced to having to wear female clothing and makeup! What wasn't there to find funny?

Perhaps the fact that he had to too...

For a moment, Merlin was sincerely confused. Was Arthur actually offering to do the makeup for him now? After a few seconds, though, when Arthur finally finished speaking, his eyes went wide and he pulled the makeup against his chest as if protecting it, taking a few steps backwards as he did so. "You know, on second thought..." Yes, he would just have to do it himself, he assumed. It would probably be easier, anyway.

He would sit down on the bed as he put the makeup on, as it would make it easier than having to use one hand so the other could hold the makeup, but... well, he knew that things had happened in that bed, so he sure as hell wasn't about to sit on it! Awkwardly, he began to brush on strokes of purple eyeshadow on, then continued on with the rest of the makeup so that he would eventually finish with what he decided was a pretty good job for having to do one's own makeup!

"So...?"

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur couldn't watch Merlin put on his make up. It was too . . . weird. Instead, he rummaged around the room, trying to see if he could use anything for weapons . . . he was disappointed. It meant that everything was riding on this ridiculous costume. He kept his back turned to him the entire time while he put on the make up . . . still thinking his manservant -- emphasis on the man part -- knew far too much about womanly things for his own good. Arthur would need to toughen him up when they got back. And got out of these clothes. Speaking of which, he did not plan to enter Camelot dressed as a woman. So in the same bag that they had dumped the things from, he began to stuff his clothes into the bag.

When he was done, he paused for a moment, and looked at Merlin's clothes lying there. He held back a smirk, wondering if he should 'conveniently' forget to pack his servant's clothing so that he would be forced to either enter Camelot nude or dressed at a woman. He would probably remain as a woman . . . oh how hysterical would that be?! Amused by this thought, Arthur knew he would have to be somewhat fair so with a bit of regret, he stuffed Merlin's clothes into the bag as well. So much for that prank.

When he seemed to be done, Arthur turned to face him and just . . . stared. That was all he could do: stare. He couldn't even bring himself to make a disgusted face. He just stared with a serious expression, trying to think of what to say upon seeing Merlin so . . . feminine. "You really do make the ugliest woman in the entire world." He was only half kidding, for he knew that they both made rather unattractive women.

[pie]

Merlin finished with the makeup and set it down on the bed. He noticed that the Prince carried the bag that they had gotten their garments from. Raising a curious eyebrow -- he hadn't been paying much attention to Arthur when he had been putting on his makeup, therefore he was quite sure why Arthur carried the bag, nor that he had put their clothes in it -- he stared at the Prince with a sort of look that said, "What are you doing with that bag?" with a hint of amusement, as if it still held womanly clothing in it and that this was proof that Arthur did have a womanly side to him.

"Well, you sure know how to compliment a lady," he mumbled, tugging on his dress a little to re-situate it to a more preferable position. "Well, you aren't so pretty yourself, milady," the last word came out with mocking emphasis. He looked towards the door, then towards Arthur, and then back at the door. They were all disguised -- rather magnificently if he dare say so himself -- but a more pressing problem laid ahead: Could they pull it off. Arthur obviously wasn't the womanly type, they had to be able to act inconspicuously, lest Cenred's men recognize them. That would be bad, quite bad indeed!

"Do you think we're able to...?" he pressed, hinting towards the fact that they eventually would have to leave this room.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur wanted to take one of his fake breasts and stuff it in Merlin's mouth! At least that would shut him up. "Merlin, your mouth is a recommended place to put a sock." And he would do it too if he did not stop speaking such gibberish! Only because Arthur was feeling far too vulnerable right now . . . more than he dared to admit. For goodness sake's he was dressed like a woman! He was feeling emasculated! Any normal man would . . . which just proved how abnormal and unusual Merlin was! All Arthur wanted to do was get out of here and as soon as they were at a safe distance far away enough . . . he would rip these disgusting clothes off of him and regain his manly attire.

Even though Merlin's question trailed off, Arthur knew exactly what he was saying. He was not ready to leave this room dressed like this. He would NEVER be able to leave this room. But they had to. Otherwise, they were just two horribly disturbed men in one another's' company dressed like whores. Arthur took a deep breath, firmly grasping the bag as if what was in it was the only thing which would provide him with sanity. He just stared at the door for a moment before speaking. "Lets go," he said in a solemn voice. Though he made no effort to move. He waited for Merlin to open the door and step out there first.

[pie]

Merlin took the hint to fall quiet and immediately did so, his hint of a grin fading to situate a more... suitable blank expression. He gave Arthur a small, innocent shrug and averted his eyes, as if nothing was the matter, and as if this was perfectly normal. Still, he felt a rather comical mood over the whole situation, and a grin was slowly starting to come back onto his features.

The door, though. As he stared at it more, the more this started to feel like something from a horror story. They were dressed as women, while definitely not being women, and were about to leave a brothel room where who knows what had happened in. What if, upon leaving, Cenred's men ran into them? But, for surely that would happen somehow, what if they recognized them? What if this guise didn't manage to do as intended, but made them stand out and look suspicious, even?

For the sake of the life that he rather enjoyed living, he prayed that that wouldn't happen.

He nodded grimly to Arthur's words and, when no movement came from him, took the fact that he was waiting for him to exit first. Making an indecisive frown, Merlin walked towards the door with just brief hesitation, his hand reaching out to rest on the doorknob. When the door opened, there would be no going back. Whatever awaited them on the other side, they would have to face. "Well..." he said, drawing a deep breath. "Here goes nothing." With one quick, yanking movement, Merlin pulled the door open and stepped out...

Only to run into an old man.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur watched Merlin open the door, as the Prince was still very hesitant to step outside. There were many ways that this plan could backfire . . . in which case they could suffer humiliation -- if their true identities were revealed -- and worse: death. Arthur kept watching very carefully . . . and as soon as Merlin had opened the door, it seemed that their luck was already short. There was an old, very large man standing on the other side of the door. How damn long had he been standing there for?! The ridiculous grin on his face demonstrated that the man was extremely drunk.

There was no way this was going to work! They were undoubtedly going to get caught! They may have make up on, and they may be dressed as women -- and thank god they were both clean shaven -- but STILL! This plan was not fool-proof. It was just plain foolish. All Arthur could do was stare at the man, trying to not let his eyes widen too much. He missed his sword. That was something else dreadfully uncomfortable about this. Arthur was not used to being stripped from his weapons . . . so really, he was completely vulnerable right now. How the hell was he supposed to fight in a dress?! He held his breath, waiting for the man to say or do something. It could not have been more than a few seconds, but to Arthur it felt like hours.

"Where are ye two lassie's goin?!"

. . . Arthur was not sure if the man's words were reassuring or just plain disturbing. Reassuring because it meant that they did indeed look like women -- the man's drunken state probably contributing to this perception. Maybe this would work after all . . . besides, most people in a brothel were drunk, weren't they? Perhaps everyone would be too distracted to notice that there were two unusual women trying to weasel their way out of the building. Yes. They needed to make a run for it and this over sized man was blocking their way! What did he even want . . . and that was when another thought occurred to Arthur . . .

Their voices! They would have to hide the masculinity behind it. Arthur liked to think that this was impossible for him to do, so he would rely on Merlin to take care of that. Besides, how many times had Arthur told Merlin that he sounds like a girl. This was the one time it would actually come in handy. So with that thought in mind -- and the fact that Arthur was not even going to try and disguise his voice -- he slightly nudged Merlin forward, as the man stared at them expectantly. Arthur would play the role of a mute if that was what it took to avoid speaking.

[pie]

"Eeeeee!" was the high pitched cry that came forth from him at the sight of the overlarge man standing before him. Not only was he standing in front of the doorway, blocking the only exit, but he was grinning all the while, and alcohol was strong on his breath. Cringing, he took a step backwards, his face screwed up in disgust. Then he heard the man's words, and only felt more than ever, completely grossed out by a human being.

Wait, their disguises worked! ... Their disguises worked... Oh Lord, they worked... and this "man" honestly thought they were women! And from the stupid grin on his face, his intentions were far from honorable. He was about to shut the door and "wait until he left", when he felt Arthur nudge him forward. He wanted him to handle this!

"W-We were just..." he cleared his throat and started again with a higher pitched voice. "We were just heading downstairs, our... our Mistress expects our return, she does, so if you'll excuse us--" he attempted to walk past the disgusting man, but one of his thick arms came up to block the way.

"She can wait," the man assured in a voice that proved unpleasant as he leaned inwards. "What are ye two lassies' names?"

Names?! Well, he surely couldn't tell the man their real names, drunk or no! So... names? "This," he pointed at Arthur, his mind racing, "Is Arrrr... Gwen... Arwen!" he exclaimed in triumph. "This is Arwen. And I'm... uh... Morglin, yes, Morglin."

If it was possible, the leering man would have been able to figure out the "clever" lie. But right now, he was so drunk, that Merlin wondered if they could convince him that a fish was dying -- and that it was his mother! He took a step backwards, away from the man, his eyes wide in fright, wishing more than anything that Arthur had his sword!

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur really had to stifle a laugh at how ridiculous Merlin sounded. Not only that, he also had to hide the shocked expression at hearing his friends voice go up an octave. It was so . . . high pitch. So . . . disturbing. This was NISANE! The man did not look like he was going to let them go so easily Not with that perverted grin on his face. Wow. His standards -- even whilst this drunk -- must be rather low if he was willing to bed, as Arthur previously established, were two of the ugliest women that ever roamed the earth. Arthur had to believe that because anything other than it, would mean that they had femininity to them . . . and they DID NOT! Or well, at least Arthur DID NOT. Merlin was still questionable . . . especially in that voice.

Arthur nodded along to Merlin's answer and he even shrugged his shoulders to demonstrate that he was listening, but not speaking. Yes. Arthur would go along with the role of a dumb mute. But this was proving to be difficult. Especially when Merlin came up with the two most bizarre names. Morglin? Arwen? Where was he getting these from?! At least the man seemed to accept them, even if he did not let them pass. The fact that he was drunk worked both in their favor and against . . . for, since he would accept anything they said, or how they looked. Against, because it made him irrational and . . . unpredictable. Just when these thoughts entered his mind, he noticed the way he was looking at Merlin.

The man's gaze then shifted a bit down, and he reached one hand out. What was he ----- OH GOOD GOD! He was reaching for Merlin's fake breast. What kind of man---- oh wait. They were in a brothel. What kind of woman ---- Arthur stood corrected. These were the kind of men here, and the kind of women here would probably enjoy such things. Why else would they be in such a place! But Arthur knew this act of violation may make the man realize that they were fake! Who knows how many real ones he had touched! Probably enough to know the difference. And they could not afford to take that risk. So Arthur intervened . . . he quickly stepped forward, grabbing the man's hand before it had to opportunity to get too much pleasure out of fake womanly parts. Arthur did this with what he knew may be too much force and strength that a woman could possess. Who cares! He had to stop it, and so he just firmly held his hand, ensuring it was more in a defensive and aggressive way, rather than a flirtatious I-want-to-hold-your-hand kind of way. Who knows if the man would be able to tell the difference. Who knew anything anymore!

[[ ITS MY 1800th POST!!!]]

[pie]

It took all his will power not to let his face screw up into a more disgusted look. This man was the epitome of disgusting. In body, and spirit. Just... so perverted. The worse part was that they were guys! Guys dressed as girls, yes, but still guys! And just so... ugly dressed like this -- it wasn't as if he could deny that fact--! And this man wanted to... he shook his head quickly, trying to get rid of the flood of just wrong images that clouded his mind at that moment. Everything about this whole situation was wrong. There appeared no way to get around this man! After just having got out of the room, he had not suspected to run into this man! Another thought occurred to him, then...

"HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN OUT HERE!?!?!"

It was a most important question! Had the man just gotten there, or had he been there for a while? Did he hear what had been spoken of inside of the room, about dressing up as women when they really weren't? If so, that was just wronger! And then... then...

Was he trying to reach for his fake breast?! The indecency! Why, he wanted to hurl something at him as he stared with wide, more frightened eyes. He would find out about them being men!!! But luckily Arthur intervened, and Merlin was quick to move behind him and hide behind the Prince as he held the man's wrist, perhaps too tightly. What would the man do now??

"Ooo, does the lassie like ta play rough? Hehe," the man gave a most "evil-hearted" chuckle ever. "Don't be jealous, pretty, there's plenty of man here for the both of ya!"

Merlin visibly made a gagging motion.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur felt like he was going to throw up. What was this man implying?! Well, he knew what he was implying . . . but still! This was just revolting. In order for this ridiculous plan to be successful that would involve them actually getting out of the room! And from the looks of it, this man did not look like he was going to budge. Arthur was tempted to just knock him over the head with something, but he did not want to draw more attention to them than need be. The more they could blend into crowd, the better. And getting into a physical fight with this man, was not subtle.

Arthur threw down his hand and opened his mouth to speak. Oh if only he knew who he was speaking to; the PRINCE of Camelot! But he couldn't know! Never! Ever! Silence came out though, for Arthur did not want to even pretend to sound like a woman. Looking like one was bad enough. He once again, pushed Merlin a bit forward and motioned for him to do the speaking. Merlin could be the one to run his horrible high pitch mouth, and Arthur would be the muscle of this operation . . . . . . . . . . they were doomed.

"Whatsa matter? Ye can't talk?" The man was slurring his words even worse now . . .but apparently, but was not drunk enough to not notice Arthur's silence. The man looked between both him and Merlin -- in such a way that made Arthur only want to throw up more. He took a few more steps into the room, first advancing towards Merlin since right now, he was the one in front -- as Arthur had made sure of that. "Thats alright. So long as you still have a tongue."

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . This was the most perverted man Arthur had ever come across. And of course, luck had to have it that fate brought him to them, when they were two women. He gave Merlin a look. A look that said When we're out of here, I'm going to kill you and whether he could recognize this glare or not . . . didn't matter. It was still there, and Arthur was still trying to formulate a way to get them out of this horrid room, and away from this horridly disgusting, despicably revolting man!

[pie]

Merlin cringed and tried once more to back up into Arthur. It was futile however, and he wound up with more of an awkward backwards leaning position -- his feet weren't moving! They rooted to the spot, refusing to obey his silent commands of "move, now!", "get going!", and "MOVE!" Instead, it was a civil war bewteen mind over body, and right now as it was, the mind was losing!

Then there was that god-awful suggestion! How could any decent man even think of such a thing? Oh, right, this man was far from decent! Way below the drawing line! A whole new low! It was completely disgusting, utterly atrocious, totally... wrong!

They had dressed up as women and look at were it brought them! To a crazed, drunk, psycopathic, pedophilic -- oh, right, they were in a brothel. This was the typical kind of men one could expect in this place And while he couldn't see Arthur's look, he could certainly "feel" it! Suddenly he wasn't sure if he'd rather stay here with a man that would eventually figure out they were guys if he got anywhere, or outside with Arthur where he might meet his doom. Perhaps they could make some sort of compromise with Cenred's men?

"N-No, we don't have time. We really need to be going. Like... really, now. O-Our Mistress really needs to see us--"

"Oooo, Mistress, eh?" Had this guy not heard him earlier? "I'm sure she'll be fine if yer delayed by playing with me." Playing?! "Unless she wants to join in on all the fun?" FUN?!

Merlin couldn't prevent himself from paleing any longer. Well, pale with that sickish green tint... Which was understandable given the circumstance, right? What fate had befallen them? There had to be some way to get out of all of this! This was just getting ridiculous! It had taken them long enough inside the room to prepare to leave, and not even a second afterwards, some creep had postponed them! Some creep with a sick mind thinking who knows what!

"What kind of freak are you?!" he asked without pause.

"I like it when yer angry, hehe," he chuckled. "Why don't ye show me that 'anger' on the other lassie, yes?"

Merlin glanced at Arthur. He was getting sick of this man! "Arrr-wen, can we kill him yet?!" Yes, kill, and stuff his huge body in a closet somewhere, or maybe hoist him into the bed and make it look like he died sleeping. Or perhaps even use him as ammo against the men downstairs! Push him right down the stairs they could! Or--

The next thing he knew, his hand was stinging and the man had a red-handprint across his face. Teach him to grab a woman's breast she would!

"You listen here, you sick, disgusting pervert," Merlin growled, his voice bordering on his normal one and the fake female one, "Some girls might like that stupid crap you try, but not us! We will not tolerate such disrespect! You might think this is some kind of game, but this is a job, a serious one, which we handle with extreme care! And you deserve nothing but to be thrown out back on the street that you came from! Now, you will move, or you will regret it! Go find some other whore to entertain yourself with! We're in a hurry, and you're delaying us!"

[Arthur Pendragon]

There was too much going on, and Arthur felt like his head was spinning. In the face of certain danger, fighting in a battle against a rivaling kingdom, or magical creatures, he was fine. He used strategy as he had years of experience and confidence in his skills. But now, here, he was completely out of his element. He had obviously never been in this situation before and it seemed that all his life long training was useless as nothing, nothing could have ever prepared him for this. He was trying to follow along with the pervert and Merlin's conversation. Arthur had to think, what kind of mistress would bring two of women in a brothel. No wonder this man was getting the wrong idea. But what else could they do or say?! There was hardly a better excuse that they could use. Such a place had its implications after all, and everyone seemed to share a similar purpose for being in a brothel. Arthur and Merlin were the sole exceptions.

Arthur's thoughts suddenly focused on the present situation . . . because Merlin had slapped the man, and then started yelling at him. Uh oh. Arthur's eyes slightly widened. Not because he was scared, but because he was surprised, and wanted to punch Merlin. Punch, not slap . . . punching was more manly! Then again, it was a good thing Merlin was being assertive in that sense. Arthur could take on this man, but Arwen could not. He too wanted to kill the man, but how?! How were they going to get out of this one?! Instead of focusing his gaze on Merlin, he looked at the man, waiting for his reaction, the aftermath of the assault. He had to watch him very carefully, so that he could counter whatever the man was going to do, however he decided to react to what Merlin had just done . . . or rather, 'Morglin'.

The man seemed shocked. Shocked that she would raise her hand like that. He was drunk though, which only made him more irrational . . . which led to his next set of actions. He pushed Merlin further into the room with such force that Arthur stumbled back at well. The man then proceeded to slam the door behind him. He was giving them a look, a look that coincided with his actions . . . as if he was to say that neither of them were going anywhere anytime soon. Great. Just bloody great. Well, this plan certainly backfired.

"Angry and fiesty. This is going to be fun."

Arthur slowly back up, keeping close to Merlin just in case this man decided to lunge at one of them. "Any more bright ideas?" He asked him with agitated sarcasm, ensuring the volume in his voice was very low so that the man would not hear him. Arthur refused to sound like a woman! Even now. While trying to keep a close eye on their potential attacker, Arthur was also trying to shift his gaze, scanning the room for any sort of possible weapons. They would have to improvise, that much was for sure, and they would have to act quickly for it seemed that it was only a matter of time before this man grew tired of all this talking.

[pie]

Merlin so did not expect what had happened to happen! The drunk man pushed him into the room hard enough to push Arthur behind him! Stumbling, and giving a loud gasp, to catch his balance, so he didn't fall over backwards into the Prince, he nearly jumped a foot into the air when the door was slammed! The bottom of his stomach seemingly dropped at the man's look, at the knowledge and thoughts of what were running through this man's mind! Oh, this was bad! Bad, bad, bad, bad! The plan had been going so smoothly until they had stepped out the door! So smoothly until they had actually begun to test it!

If Arthur would deign to help, then it might work better! Merlin wasn't exactly an expert this this as the Prince seemed to think! The only things he knew about women came from his mother! And he hadn't seen her -- truely seen her other than those few visits, usually in bad circumstances -- in several years. He surely didn't know how a woman would deal with this situation! A woman that didn't want to be in a brothel or didn't work there, of course. He knew how a woman working here would handle this situation. At least, in most circumstances.

Angry and fiesty... Angry and fiesty, alright! He wasn't going to stand here and let this man -- if you could call such a pig that -- attempt to do whatever he was thinking of! Which would only end badly, particularly since, well... They weren't the girls that the man seemed to think that they were! So, unless the man was into some sick perversion like that, then this would end incrediably badly for them. Incrediably.

Any other ideas? Well, aside from Arthur's obvious sarcasm, there was one thing! He just had to... His eyes lingered on a candle stick of rather good size sitting on a small table a few feet off to the side of the door. Trailing his eyes from that, to the man, and back again, the corner of his lips twitched upwards into a smile. "Follow my lead," he replied quietly. Putting away his angry and shocked -- and pleased -- expression in favor of a pouting one -- that surely looked weird on Merlin's face --, he walked forward to face the man, and, summoning all the courage -- and he needed a lot for this! -- he placed his hands on the man's chest and stared up into his eyes.

"Please, we're only here to please..." he spoke in a low, and as best as he could, seductive voice, batting his eyelashes. Inside, he wanted to puke.

"Oh, have ye come to yer senses, then?" the man asked, obviously pleased, and leaned down as if to attempt to kiss him! EWW!!!

"Oh yes, trust me, I have, a long time ago," he said in a more normal voice, changing his tone to a disgusted one, and lunging sideways towards the candlestick. Picking it up, he turned and swang it at the man as hard as he could! If talking it through was impossible, then fighting was the only way! "Kill it, Arwen!" he screamed, almost like the thing they faced was a very disgusting and large spider!