Magic Revealed

No Answer

Merlin was woken up the next morning to Arthur mumbling, "What the hell?" 

Merlin blinked his blurry eyes, trying to clear them as he looked around. Arthur was propped up slightly on one elbow looking over Merlin's shoulder at something behind him. The warlock rolled over to see what the king was looking at.

When he managed to roll over completely he blinked in surprise to see small gold flowers sprouting from the canvas floor of the tent. 

"What did you do?" Arthur asked. Looking down at Merlin. The sorcerer stared at the flowers, "I don't know honestly."

Arthur reached out and touched the petal of the gold flower closest to them and froze.

 "Merlin..."

"What?" The warlock asked, irritated that his sleep was being interrupted. 

"These are metal."

Merlin snorted, "No they're not. I couldn't do that in my sleep."

Arthur grabbed Merlin's hand and held it against the flower, "Tell me that's not metal then."

Merlin stared at the flower, "Well... I have no answer." 

Arthur groaned and rolled over flat so he was drapped across Merlin. "How do you manage this stuff?"

Merlin gave a heavy sigh as Arthur layed down on top of him, "I don't know? Practicing far too much and then still not being used to the amount of magic I have?"

Arthur tucked his face into Merlin's neck, "Yu shou len h to co-l i." His voice was almost completely muffled as he spoke in Merlin's skin.

"What?" Merlin said, "I can't hear you."

"I said: You should learn how to control it." Arthur said, raising his head for a moment so he could speak clearly before letting it drop back down to Merlin's neck. Merlin sighed but nodded remaining quiet. The rest of the camp was still far too quiet and there wasn't enough light for it to be close to when they were planning to get up. 

"It's alive." Merlin said.

Arthur didn't move for a moment then jerked in surprise as he realized what Merlin was talking about, "What?!"

"They are alive." Merlin gestured with a free arm toward the metal flower. Seriously. Feel them. They may be metal but they're alive." Merlin explained. "Actually touch them. You'll see."

Arthur toon the flower fully into his hand and stared as the petals bent. "They're warm." He said in surprise. 

Merlin watched Arthur's hand, "I've read something about living metal before but I didn't think I'd actually be able to make it myself."

Arthur sighed, "I think you underestimate yourself too often. You're Emrys. You've got a lot of power. Why does it surprise you when you can do things?"

"Maybe because I didn't actually start fully using my magic till a couple years ago?" Arthur hummed and relaxed a bit more. "Are you falling asleep on me?" Merlin asked in surprise.

"Mhhm." Arthur just hummed and shifted to get comfortable. 

"Good grief." 

---

"Oi Love birds! Get up."

Merlin immediately jolted awake at the somewhat jarring voice. He first felt Arthur was still drapped over him and then looked to the entrance of the tent to see who was talking. "Gwaine?" The knight stood with one hand pulling at the flap to the tent, his body hunched so they weren't visible to anyone outside. "Is it time to get up?" Merlin asked.