Merlin's magic (Oneshots) 1

Chosen

"You cannot be serious!", Merlin asked incredulous. He was laughing now, watching as Arthur squished his head in concentration.

"Shut up, Merlin.", Arthur shot back annoyed.
Then he repeated himself, receiving nothing but ridiculous glances from Merlin.
"Forbearnan", Arthur whispered with perfect pronunciation. But nothing happened.

Arthur groaned. "I don't get it, why is this so hard?", he screamed.
Merlin raised an eyebrow. Much like Gaius tended to to. Maybe he was unconsciously copying the old physician?

"What are you even trying to do?", Merlin asked, slightly concerned for his king.
"To light a fire.", Arthur said, staring at a miniature pyre in front of him.

"I can see that.", Merlin said and squinted his eyes as he sat next to Arthur. "But with magic, Arthur? Magic is illegal in Camelot!"

"I know, you idiot. I just -", Arthur sighed, before turning to Merlin.
"All these years my father told me magic was evil. That it corrupts people. But I have seen good people use it too. The Dolma for example. I know she kidnapped you an all, but she didn't really ask for much to save Gwen.
And she returned you safely without as much as a scratch.
The druids – they are peaceful. I have seen them use it to heal people. So I was wondering if -"

"If it really corrupts people?", Merlin whispered, eyes wide at Arthur's admission.

"Well yes. My father told me people could choose to use magic. That they would turn to it, as soon as something bad would fall over the land.
But it seems I can't use it. At all, I mean! Despite what you may think, I'm not as arrogant as to think that I'm incorruptable!"

Merlin grinned at that. "I'm pretty sure that's not a word."

"You know what I mean."

"Yes, I suppose I do. Arthur – may I ask – have you ever wondered if maybe it is magic that chooses who will be able to use it? Not the person to wield it, but magic itself?"

Arthur looked up from his desk. "You think magic has a mind?"

Merlin laughed. "No – but – hmm. How do I explain this. What if it is like with sword wielding?
You've seen me hold a sword -"

"And you are horrible at it."

"Absolutely. I just – can't use it. No matter whether or not I wanted to. It's a talent – a gift. How you use it is your choice. Whether you become a knight or a bandit is up to you. I imagine it's no different with magic.

But to fight with a sword, you need a sword. To fight with magic, you need magic. It seems you just don't have it."

Arthur looked at him as if he had grown a second head. "You speak treason, you know that right?!"

"Says the king who just tried to cast a spell.", Merlin retorted.

"That's different. I'm the king. I can do this without being hanged. YOU can't."

"You want to hang me?", Merlin asked, flinching slightly as panic filled his mind.

"What? No, of course not. In fact, if you could prove to me that what you said was right, I would probably allow you to use magic freely."
Then suddenly, Arthur laughed. "Nah, not really. You're not a sorcerer after all."

"Neither are you, but you just tried a spell.", Merlin bit his lip. Was this his chance? Could he show Arthur who he was now? Was this a risk he was willing to take, after all these years?

"Well – try it then. If you are as talented with it as with the sword, then I doubt I have anything to fear."

Merlin bridged his nose with his hand, as he took the spellbook into his hand. Skipping pages as he quickly read them. "Pff, don't bother to read all of that Merlin. Just use the same one I did.", Arthur said teasingly.
Merlin looked at him, kind of done with this kind of teasing.