Sorry it took so long to update this! I kinda forgot about it, to tell you the truth...

Anyway, hopefully this chapter will get my writing skills flowing - please enjoy, and R&R!

There was a loud thump at the door, like someone had kicked it.

"Come in," Merlin called over his shoulder.

"I can't!" Arthur's voice replied, sounding muffled through the thick wood. "My arms are full with your clothes."

Merlin stood up and strode across the room, grinning to himself. "What's the magic word?"

There was a sharp intake of breath from the other side of the door.

"I meant 'please'," Merlin corrected himself hurriedly as he swung open the door. "It's just a saying my mother used."

Arthur entered the room and dumped the clothes he was carrying on his - Merlin's - unmade bed. "There."

"Done already?" Merlin asked, holding up a pair of trousers and inspecting them. "That was quick."

"Well…" Arthur absentmindedly rubbed the back of his neck. "Yes, it was, wasn't it?"

Merlin frowned. "You got help, didn't you?"

Arthur winced slightly. "No."

"Looks like you have trouble lying now," Merlin replied, inwardly grinning.

Arthur turned on him, saying fiercely "I don't have trouble lying, it's you that has…" His voice slowly died away.

There was a brief pause while the two stared at each other.

"So you did get help," Merlin broke the silence. He shrugged. "I knew you couldn't do it yourself."

"Well, what have you been doing?" Arthur responded, glancing around the room.

Merlin picked up the book from Arthur's bedside table. "I've been reading your diary."

Arthur stared at him. "I don't have a diary, Merlin."

"Really?" Merlin flicked through the pages. "It sure looks like one." He began to read. "Dear diary…"

"Morgana was in here yesterday," Arthur said quickly. "Maybe it's hers."

Merlin's eyes flickered, but he kept reading. "Dear diary, today I apprehended Morgana's maidservant. Uther sentenced her to be burnt, but then my idiot manservant Merlin started claiming that he was a sorcerer to try and save her…"

Arthur snatched the book from Merlin. "I didn't write it like that!" the ex-prince snapped, glancing at the page Merlin had been reading from. "Wait… this is just taxes!"

Merlin grinned. "But now I know you have a diary," he said happily. "Oh, that'll keep me occupied for ages trying to find it."

Arthur glowered at his ex-servant, just as there was a sharp rap at the door and a knight burst in.

"Milord," the knight said breathlessly. "The King wishes to see you immediately."

"Right," Arthur said briskly. "Tell him I'll…"

Merlin nudged Arthur sharply in the ribs. "I'm the prince now, remember?" Merlin muttered just loud enough for Arthur to hear. He turned towards the knight. "I'll be there soon."

The knight nodded and left.

"Wonder what that's about," Merlin shrugged while Arthur massaged his side.

"God, I'm so skinny now."

Merlin rolled his eyes, grabbing Arthur's arm. "Come on."

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Merlin hesitated outside the door. "Now, how do I enter?" he asked Arthur.

The ex-prince sighed. "Just barge in like you own the place - which you will."

"Seems easy enough." Merlin squared his shoulders and pushed the door sharply, entering the room with Arthur just behind him.

Uther, Gaius and several of the Camelot knights sat surrounding the main table. The king glanced up as the two young men entered.

"Ah, Merlin," Uther greeted his 'son'. "And, err… Archie, isn't it?"

"Arthur!" Arthur snapped before Merlin had a chance to stop him. Uther glared at his ex-son in disbelief.

"You would do well to hold your tongue," Uther said sharply, and Merlin felt a pang of sympathy towards Arthur.

"Now, Merlin," Uther indicated a large piece of parchment that was spread out on the table. "We've had attacks from here, here, here and here along the boundary line." He gestured to where several Xs had been marked on what appeared to be a map. "You've fought in all of these battles; where do you believe they will strike next?"

Merlin glanced desperately at Arthur. "They?"

"King Bercia's army!" Uther exclaimed, obviously annoyed. "Try and keep up!"

Merlin shifted from foot to foot, continuing to glance from the map to Arthur. Finally, he half-closed his eyes and pointed at a spot on the map. "There?"

"Merlin, I highly doubt that they will choose to attack us in the middle of the forest," Uther responded, glowering. "What's wrong with you?"

"Sire." To Merlin's relief, Gaius spoke up. "My ward, Merlin's manservant, accidentally dropped a bowl of stew on the prince's head last night… perhaps he is suffering from a mild concussion?"

Uther swivelled his head to glare at Arthur. "Is this true?"

Arthur opened his mouth to argue, then closed it and sulkily nodded.

"Then you have earned yourself a place in the stocks," Uther concluded, waving a lazy hand. "Sir Cors?"

One of the knights stood up, walked towards Arthur and grabbed his arms.

"Sire," Merlin said quickly. "Arthur already spent yesterday in the stocks."

Uther smiled slightly. "Another day won't hurt though, I presume?"

Merlin thought of all the times he had been put in the stocks (he was almost certain that he'd been in it more times than anyone else). And then he grinned.

"I suppose you're right… father," he agreed. Behind him, Sir Cors led Arthur away; Arthur's eyes wide with disbelief.

"Oh, and check Merlin over, Gaius," Uther added. "We don't want him to be flustered when the enemy attacks us."

Merlin's grin abruptly disappeared. Would that mean he'd have to fight? Merlin knew fully well that he couldn't fight without using his magic - without it, he'd be dead within five minutes!

He'd just have to hope that Arthur would become the prince again before any fighting had to be done… after Arthur had had a taster of life in the stocks, of course.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Splat.

Squelch.

Arthur screwed his eyes shut as various fruit and veg flew through the air attempting to hit their target. Something smashed into his nose, and the strong scent of squished tomato wafted into his nostrils.

"Having fun?" Merlin's voice said beside him.

Arthur's eyes opened wide to see his ex-servant grinning down at him.

"Merlin," Arthur growled. "I am so going to…" His words were cut off as an orange smashed into his left hand.

Merlin repeatedly tossed and caught a tomato, still grinning. "Y'know, I never could see how these things were fun until now."

Arthur mumbled something under his breath.

Merlin bent down. "Sorry? Didn't quite catch that."

Arthur glowered at him. "When we get our lives back, Merlin, I am so going to kill you."

Merlin shrugged. "Good to know." And then he did what he'd been wanting to do ever since he met Arthur - squishing the tomato against Arthur's hair and rubbing it in until Arthur's blond hair was stanned red.