Merlin's magic (Oneshots) 1

Carved in skin

Relationships: Past Gwen/Arthur, current Gwen/Lancelot, Pre Merthur

Since Arthur had become king, wars and crime rates had decreased significantly. That didn't mean that he didn't have a shit ton of work to do. He often made himself work harder than what was strictly necessary. That was because he was ruling over a kingdom and Arthur had always believed that he, as king, had to be as available and active as was humanly possible. He wanted the best for his people and he couldn't give them that by leaning back and just enjoying feasts and riches.

It was during these days that Arthur began to think that to ensure everyone's safety, it was integral for him to understand what kind of weapons his father had hidden in the vaults.

Magic was still illegal, proclaimed evil in nature, but as Arthur undid more and more of his father's rules, he began to question the laws on magic as well. He didn't want to worry his wife and his knights, and well.... his biggest concern was actually Merlin, as the man warned him of magical dangers nearly every week and would be furious with how careless Arthur was being. So, Arthur had sent for a druid in secret to give him instructions on what these objects were truly about. The man he had invited was Iseldier, as the man had twice before proven to Arthur that he was worthy of his trust. Arthur had entrusted him with Mordred when the man was still the Druid boy that Arthur had smuggled from the dungeons (long before the man joined the knights), and another time he had handed Arthur the Cup of Life, simply because Arthur had requested it.

It wasn't easy to smuggle the man into the castle, but with the help of Sir Leon, who trusted Iseldier as well, since the druid leader had once saved his life, and, because for some reason Sir Leon vouched for him, the servant George, they managed to get the Druid in without anyone (Merlin) ever heard of it. Arthur had made sure to keep everyone (Merlin) busy, who would be most likely to oppose this decision.

"Thank you, Iseldier. Truly. I know you're risking a lot by being here." Arthur was keeping his voice down, despite knowing the guards above him couldn't hear a thing through the thick walls. And the ones there had been chosen carefully by Arthur himself. He knew they would keep their mouths shut about this.

"It is an honor to serve the Once and Future King, Sire." Iseldier's expression never wavered, he simply lowered his eyes to express his sincerity.

Arthur watched him as they made their way down the stairs, their steps echoing off the walls. Iseldier was a tall man with long blond locks, not unlike Leon's who was currently entertaining the job of keeping a certain someone away from the vaults.

"I don't know why you call me that. But seriously, thank you."

"I'm not here without an objective, Arthur Pendragon. It is my hope that with my cooperation, we can overcome the prejudices of both our kinds. Your wariness of magic, as well as our wariness of the crown. I believe in peace and believe that together we can achieve it." He didn't turn his head to Arthur, so Arthur quickly looked ahead as well. Talking with druids was never easy, especially when they were behaving like that. So... kindly and opaque. Arthur was still wary. There were quite a lot of powerful weapons down here and if Iseldier wanted any of them and used magic to overwhelm Arthur, then Camelot would be in danger. On the other hand, if he didn't, if he was truly here to help, then Uther's anger would be proven irrational once and for all. Arthur felt on edge. Truly and deeply on edge.

Eventually, they reached the metal doors that only Arthur had keys to. Iseldier waited patiently for Arthur to fumble with them before the rusty lock opened with a silent click. The door swung aside and for a few heartbeats, Arthur waited for the attack. One beat, two...

Nothing happened.

Iseldier nodded once, then opened the door for Arthur to let him walk in first. Arthur's heartbeat still beat the heavy drums of wariness and anxiety, and he couldn't imagine how Iseldier must feel, as he had been snuck inside the very castle where every pair of eyes wouldn't hesitate to kill him. Arthur hadn't given him a public escort, hadn't announced his attempts to make peace with magic, despite the fact that it would show his compassion and attempts to make a better kingdom. Arthur was too wary that something could go wrong and he had pushed Iseldier to endure Arthur's selfish cowardice. The man's mere existence could get him killed.