I have magic - Merlin Fanfiction

Chapter Eight

A servant interrupts that morning's council session - a dull discussion on grain distribution for the coming autumn - to announce that the Regent King's Uncle has requested an audience.

"My uncle?" To Arthur's knowledge he has only one uncle, Tristan de Bois, who was killed in a duel with Uther - and then killed by Uther again, after being summoned by Nimueh as a wraith. "My uncle is dead."

"Actually, Sire, you have another uncle. Lord Agravaine De Bois," Geoffrey tells him somewhat sheepishly. "The younger brother of Tristan. He left Camelot many years ago, after your mother's death."

Heat rises to Arthur's face. Another secret his father kept.

"Very well. Show him in."

The man who enters has dark hair and is dressed for travel, his face muddied from what Arthur guesses has been a long journey. Despite his weariness, Agravaine beams when he sees his nephew. He bows.

"Sire."

Arthur's face remains impassive, but his stomach churns. Is this yet another family member come to punish him for his father's actions? "Uncle?"

The man straightens with a nod. "Agravaine. My, how like your mother you look."

Arthur crosses his arms, refusing to be moved by this observation. "What is your business in Camelot?"

"After Ygraine's death, I fell out with your father. I swore never to return to Camelot, but a month ago I heard news that King Uther had fallen ill. I wished to make amends, before... well, before-"

"He's not dying," Arthur interrupts sharply.

"No! No, of course not, I only meant-" Agravaine breaks off with a deep breath, then smiles disarmingly. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend. You are the only family I have left."

"We have had betrayals within the royal family recently."

Agravaine's smile drops. "Of course." He clasps his hands behind his back. "I heard about Lady Morgana. A terrible business."

"Then you understand the need for caution." Arthur signals to the same servant who brought Agravaine in. "We will give you a room, but you will be under guard until I have had the chance to investigate your presence here further."

Agravaine looks warily to the guards who have suddenly materialised at his side. "Arthur-"

"It is only a temporary measure," Arthur assures, but his voice is cold and emotionless. "For now, the Council is dismissed."

There is some grumbling and muttering among the more irritating of his council members, but Arthur ignores this, already making a beeline for the Physician's chambers.

He barges in without knocking, but stops short at the scene that awaits him. Merlin is immersed in an enormous book at Gaius's workbench as a variety of objects float and operate around him. A mop cleans the floor, a potions stirs itself, and being polished by a levitated rag over in the corner-

"Is that my armour?"

Everything drops with a resounding clatter and Merlin starts so violently that he falls from his seat and hits the ground almost in time to the rest.

"Arthur!" He scrambles to his feet, looking guiltily around at the recently-enchanted sprawl of items. "Er..."

"How have you never been caught?" This muttered reprimand is directed more to Arthur himself than to Merlin, but still the servant frantically stoops to pick up the fallen mop and bucket. "Is this how you do all your chores?"