Ah, this is so late. I am so sorry! (this is becoming a regular thing for me, it needs to stop).

Anyway, this... this is not my finest work (it's not even in the ballpark), but I tried my best.

So, thanks for reading, leave me a comment if you can, and thank you to everyone who reviewed, alerted, and/or favorite last chapter. Y'all amazing and deserve 'cyber' hugs.

Anyway, I don't own 'em.

Bye!

Hilda was an elderly widow that lived on the outskirts of town. Merlin had only ever met her twice in his entire time at Camelot, but both times she offered him tea and biscuits so he liked her well enough.

When she answered the door, Hilda was wearing a shawl and offered both Gaius and Merlin a smile as she allowed them entrance to her home. She looked down at Merlin and asked, "Who do you belong to, child?"

"He's one of the villager's children," Gaius answered before Merlin could reply. "His mother asked me to look after him while she went out hunting."

"Are you sure that boy of yours hasn't been messing about with one of the maids." Hilda studied Merlin closely, a knowing smile on her face. "He looks a hell of a lot like that apprentice of yours."

With his life he could hardly manage a lady friend much less a child, but he doesn't want to be rude, so he forced smile but still muttered, "That's a bit stupid."

Wait, what? No, he took it back. Why did that comment leave his mouth? His eyes widened just as Hilda's did, and he tried to apologize, but somehow the apology got lost on the way and he added, "When, exactly, does Merlin have time to 'mess about' with a maid? He's either saving Arthur's ass from sudden death, saving Camelot from being taken over by another evil sorcerer, or trying to get through the list of chores Arthur piles on him. While, on top of that, he's helping Gaius fill and deliver orders to people like you who don't have the brains or the talent to figure out how to make the potions themselves. Merlin barely has time to eat and sleep much less use what little free time he has to 'mess about' with anyone." He needed to stop talking now, but his brain seemed to have lost control of his mouth and he just kept going, "I suggest you take your potion and go about your day without another thought because if you had a brain you'd be one dangerous woman."

Before Merlin could dig himself into an even bigger hole, Gaius hurriedly handed Hilda the potion, scooped the little boy up off the floor, and left with a hurried 'good bye.' As the door closed behind them, Hilda angrily shouted, "You should tell that boy of yours to teach his child some manners!"

Gaius didn't put Merlin down until they were back home. He set Merlin on his bed, looked him right in the eye with a disappointed look, and demanded, "What has come over you?"

"I don't know," Merlin said sullenly, crossing his arms defiantly against his chest. He refused to look at Gaius, his eyes locked on something just over the older man's shoulder. "She doesn't understand how busy my life is, and what she said just didn't sit well with me."

"You were rude," Gaius stated holding his hand up when Merlin opened his mouth to argue. "I think you should sit here and think about what you said."

"But Gaius…"

"I'm sorry Merlin, but this is for your own good." Gaius then turned on his heel and walked out of the room. Merlin watched Gaius leave, feeling his eyes burn, and he sniffed loudly, using his magic to slam the door.

He's being silly, he knew this, but Merlin couldn't help it. It's like something switched off, locking away that little voice that always told him to bite his tongue. If he didn't know any better, he'd think he had been infected by another Fomorroh, but he knew this was not the case. He hadn't wanted to murder Hilda, or anyone for that matter, he just felt the need to set the record straight. Gaius really did not need to punish him.

"This isn't fair," he grumbled using his magic to throw his boot at the door. "So unfair." The boot hit the door again. "I didn't even do anything wrong." The boot hit the door a third time just as Gaius threw the door open.

"Stop it," the elderly man scolded. "Behave or you will not be allowed to leave your room until you've become an adult again."

"But Gaius…!"

"Behave," Gaius spoke over Merlin, pointing a finger at the boy. He then turned on his heel and left the room, leaving the door wide open.

"I'm not a child," Merlin called after him, but his eyes still filled with tears. He threw himself face first onto his bed, squeezing his eyes shut. This isn't fair, Merlin thought bitterly sniffing, Gaius is so mean.

No, he's not, he mentally argued. You're being childish and stupid. Do I need to remind you that you are not, in fact, a child? You are an adult that has been reverted to his younger self.

You know nothing, he childishly grumbled crossing his arms, huffing. Just shut up.

This is ridiculous.

"You're ridiculous," he muttered into his pillow. Gaius poked his head inside, giving Merlin a curious look, and said, "Do you want anything special for dinner?"

"Humph," Merlin grumbled turning around so he's facing Gaius.

"You do realize why I am doing this, Merlin," Gaius said quietly, perching on the edge of the boy's bed. "If you insist on acting like a child, I will be forced to treat you like one." Merlin pouted, his eyes downcast, but that didn't stop Gaius from running a hand through his hair. "It's for your own good."

The elderly man stood up, leaving the room, and slowly Merlin felt his adult self slip back into control, pushing his child self to the back of his mind. He felt stupid, having done what he did to Hilda and to Gaius, and he softly called, "I'm sorry, Gaius."

"It's not me you need to apologize to," Gaius retorted from across the main room. "We'll go down to Hilda's after dinner. How does that sound?"

"Fine." Merlin laid back on his bed, wondering what had come over him, and making a mental note to not let it happen again.