A Prince and Pauper?

[Merlin Emrys]

Continued from 'The Royal Drawers'

In order to make themselves look realistic, Merlin had convinced Arthur that he must be the only one to arrive on horseback. From his elevated position atop a fine white steed, he looked down at Arthur leading the horse and admired his handiwork. The Prince was unrecognisable in the tunic (and the smell that accompanied it), his fine blonde hair looking ruffled and windswept and his face grubby- after allowing Merlin to rub a bit of dirt into his cheeks. He had drawn the line at allowing Merlin to colour in a few of his teeth black, but still, the Prince must really be confident he could win this bet to allow Merlin to dress him up at all.

They had chosen a tavern out of the way in Avalon, and as they arrived, Merlin attempted to slide down from Arthur's horse elegantly, only narrowly missing elbowing Arthur in the face. He stumbled forward as he landed, then straightened his shoulders and dusted his red velvet tunic down, adjusting the crown that balanced atop his ears.

"That was a lot higher than I though..." he muttered to himself, then swung round to Arthur: "OK, so the cover story. I am Lord Merlando, and you are my humble squire... Arty?"

[Prince Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur stomped along, leading the horse that Merlin was proudly seated on. He was beginning to wonder if making a fool of him was what his servant had had planned all along, for he sure looked extremely smug as he rode along.

When they reached Avalon, luckily a pub far enough a way that nobody would have half a chance of recognising him, Merlin got down nearly knocking Arthur out in the process with the most un-princely dismount possible.
"Watch it Merlin!" The prince hissed, leading the horse to the paddock where others were stationed. There were several there already and he gave his horse a good pat before returning just in time to hear Merlin suggesting names.
"Arty?" He replied sarcastically, "Oh yes thats a fine name for a prince!" He stopped abruptly, realising that tonight he wasn't a prince. "Well it will do i suppose."

When they entered the pub, the atmosphere changed. Arthur of course was used to it and he smiled proudly and pushed his way in front of Merlin, nodding to people and expecting them to bow. The citizens ignored him. He turned in horror to see whom they were looking at instead and couldn't believe what he saw.
Merlin He thought to himself, You make the most ridiculous prince I have ever seen They were just lucky the people of Avalon lived so simply and rarely visited court or anywhere else nobles might be.

[Merlin Emrys]

As they entered, Arthur pushed to the front and Merlin rolled his eyes, could he not stop playing the part of a prince for one second? But everyone was looking at Merlin, and when he realised he gave a small wave and strode into the tavern, seating himself centrally. The tips of his ears had turned red; he was more used to blending into the background everywhere apart from the Guild.

Merlin cleared his throat, trying to make his voice as booming and imperious as possible:
"Well Arty, if you are incapable of announcing your lord, you can at least get a drink..." he grinned at Arthur, the Prince would not be enjoying this, and added "You blithering oaf!" to the end with a sweeping hand gesture just for increased effect. Merlin had a large bank of insults to draw on after everything Arthur had called him in their time as master and servant.

He noticed two pretty young maids sitting across the bar. Perfect to test his theory, and the whole reason for this escapade.

[Prince Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur clenched his teeth, trying to ignore the pompous attitude Merlin had grown since entering the tavern. He wasnt taking well to playing the part fo a servant and he didn't understand why Merlin has to treat him so rudely. He would never talk to Merlin like that!
"So sorry my master!" He forced out, bowing low and, when no one could see him, glaring. He marched off to the bar and ordered the strongest ale he possibly could for Merlin, perhaps he could still get one over on him after all.

"Here you go sire!" He smiled, placing the ale on the table and sitting down himself. "Drink up! I'm buying!" He whispered the last part so that nobody else could hear and then a sudden grin lit up his face.
"Watch this!"

"Would you like to come and join us?" He asked the maidens sitting at the bar. They were simple girls, most likely from Avalon themselves- daughters of farmers or fisherman. Flashing his nicest smile and giving them a wink he made as if to take the nearest ones hand, but she snatched it away at once- a disgusted look upon her face.
"My...master...and I would love to have the enjoyment of your company." He said, less smiles and more resentment now. How could he have forgotten what he looked like?!

[Merlin Emrys]

[OOC: Can't believe I forgot about this badboy!]

Merlin laughed behind his fake beard at the two young girls reactions, which he quickly disguised as a dignified cough. He stood, sweeping out his cape in what he hoped was a regal manner, "Please do join us fair maidens." The two young girls exchanged glances, and Merlin was sure they were going to hurriedly leave. Instead, they stood simultaneously from their seats at the bar and sat down, shyly, in the chairs opposite.

"Lord Merlando." In introduction, he held out his hand in a feminine way to the women, who shook in awkwardly in turn. "Charmed." he said as each took his hand. "And this is my servant..." Merlin clapped Arthur on the back, "Who will be getting you both drinks. What would you like?" When Arthur turned to look at him he waggled his eyebrows- winning this bet was going to be too easy.

[Prince Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur grinned through clenched teeth and returned to the bar to get the ladies drinks, leaving the pubs strongest ale sitting on the table by Merlin. He didn't think it would take long for the mage to get a little tipsy, and he was convinced it would be one of the funniest things he would ever see.

"Your drinks m'ladies." Arthur placed the two tankards on the low table and bowed his head, looking up only to flash a cheeky smile before he went to sit beside "his master". From his chair he had a good view of the two girls who were both pretty in a countryside way, and the throng of people who were mulling around Lord Merlando meant that Arthur might have the upper hand when it came to talking to them.

"Drink up sire!" Arty smiled, pushing the still full mug towards Merlin. He hoped that the other boy wouldn't notice his genuine excitement and he narrowed his eyes a little, trying to feign sarcasm.
"I can always get you another don't you worry about that! After all what else am i here for?"

[Merlin Emrys]

"Oh, thanks." Merlin replied, surprised but pleased at Arthur's generosity. The Prince was taking this well, considering he looked like an absolute buffoon. Merlin grabbed the tankard before him and took a deep swig, peering at the two girls sitting across from him in what he hoped was a mysterious way.

A rough hand tapped his shoulder, and Merlin turned to see several farmers eager to introduce themselves. He had to tear his attention away from the table in order to shake hands and receive many introductions. He quite enjoyed feeling important for once. Each agricultural man he was introduced to drank to him, and Merlin soon found his pitcher already drained.

After a few minutes he made his excuses and turned back to the table, not wanting Arthur to be left alone with the girls any longer. Beneath the disguise he still had the Prince's chiseled good looks and Merlin hoped the farmgirls' couldn't see that. He opened his mouth to speak, and instead hiccuped loudly.

Oh dear... Merlin was not a big drinker, and with good reason.

[Prince Arthur Pendragon]

"I'm afraid he does tend to get a bit preoccupied when he goes out." Arty finished with a nod at Merlin. He had been 'apologising' for the poor girls being ignored while the great Merlando dealt with his other admirers.
"So I'm afraid you'll have to make do with my poor company!" He shrugged and flashed a toothy grin at the pair, who had begun to giggle.
He continued to entertain them with tales of Merlando's misadventures, making out that he was always unfortunate and that it was never his fault. They would just assume he was a good servant and friend, and not in fact, out to undermine him.

As Merlin turned back to join in on the conversation, Arthur jumped up eager to fetch him another drink. As he returned and placed another strong ale on the table, Merlin let out a huge hiccup. Excellent he thought, his plan was working!