Lady of Magic

VI

Ava stands at the table with her brother. The two are going over the various new laws and land reforms. There are piles of complaints on the table. In addition to that, there are the fact the advising council will not help. They seem to always be arguing. So Ava and Arthur figured they should look at it between the two of them.

"Are you still going to make magic illegal?" Ava asks, reading over a parchment. 

"I do not know," he informs her. "I know there maybe some out there that are good but-"

"But there are those like Morgana."

He nods his head. She understands his point. How she wishes she could tell him that there are those good and fighting on his side. That on this war, he even has her and Merlin there.

"So Merlin and you have been spending more time together," he states, changing the conversation. 

"I guess you could say that."

"Well I figured at the rate you two are together, there maybe a chance of a marriage."

"Where did this come from?" she asks, looking at him. "Has Merlin talked to you about this?"

"No. Wait have you two actually been talking about this. Cause I was just trying to tease you."

"No," she lies. "There is the issue of status-"

"I don't worry about it that much," he states. "I don't personally think it should influence who you marry."

She realizes that he means him being with Gwen. The two aren't open about their relationship, but they don't try to hide it really. He wants to marry Gwen at some point and she knows this. So maybe he is already trying to allow changes to go through. If he wants to marry another, he should let others be that way as well. 

"And what if I did eventually want to settle down with Merlin? You would not have to worry about loosing a servant since he will probably want to help you."

"I didn't even think of that. But I may approve of the marriage. I do want you to be happy."

She smiles at the idea of that. She goes back to the papers on top of the table. Nothing seems to need immediate attention, making it a bit easier to deal with then. They can take some time and deliberate on the best course of action. Arthur grabs one she had looked at earlier. One that was the reason she asked her original question. 

"This is why you were curious about magic," he states. "Who brought this in?"

"I have no clue."

"I don't know how I stand on this. Not after that sorcerer failed to save our father."

She pulls out a necklace from her trouser pants and lay it on the table. The amulet has a small metal knot on it. Arthur picks it up.

"What is this?"

"Gaius found it around Father's neck when he died. Ever known him to have something like this?"

"No."

"Exactly. I have a feeling it was planted to keep him from being healed."

"You think by Morgana?"

"Most likely. Or if she has an accomplice. But magic might be needed to defeat her."

"But we might not. I will wait to make a final decision on it. Until then, no magic for the time being."

She nods her head, dropping the subject. The two work on the rest for so long until Arthur is called away. Leaving the red head to her thoughts. Her mind seems to be trying to separate that conversation. It was a couple things at once really. Merlin walks into the hall where she is, holding a tray with some food.

"Did you mention something about getting married to Arthur?" she asks. He stops for half a second before responding.

"No."

"Are you telling me the truth?"

"Yes."

"You realize I can tell when you are lying, correct?"

He doesn't respond. She steps around the table and leans against it. His eyes quickly look at her before locking with her's. 

"I may have mentioned the idea to him."

"Well he has the idea in his head that you are planning on asking soon."

Merlin just lets out a soft chuckle before excusing himself. She watches him leave before rolling her eyes. He is honestly confusing at times. She piles all the papers together and organize the tabletop. Once satisfied, she leaves the room and head down to the training area. 

Someone has to make sure the knights are still being properly pushed. Just because Arthur is king does not mean he wants his men to fall behind. So Ava will occasionally help with training them. Plus it adds a good excuse to practice on her own every now and then. Plus she needs to wrap her mind around everything.