Merlin's magic (Oneshots) 1

King Ambrosius

„Don't you dare attack them!", Arthur yelled. He jumped at the guard. Heart rate picking up ten fold.
"But Sire -"
"No!", the crossbow shot. And thanks to Arthur – missed it's target. The arrow stuck firm in the ground, barely catching the target's attention.

There was a shocked silence between the guards and the terrifyingly unarmed king. Who was now breathing hard and uncontrolled, as his servant stood there frozen in shock at his sudden behavior.

"But – your majesty.", the guard started again. And just like only seconds ago, Arthur shut him off instantly.
"This is Anhora, Keeper of the unicorns. Attack him or god beware the unicorn and all of Camelot is doomed! That's not a threat, that is a fact! I will not have all the citizens starve again for such a foolish mistake."
The implications were true, the fear that Arthur spread was real. This was an old mistake, an old wound that haunted Arthur to this day.

He had good reason for his action, but the guard was young. "Sire, this is a known sorcerer and a unicorn – surely you would -"

"No. Greet them like royal guests. Send them to the throne room. I want know what they have to say.
Make sure everyone knows: Hurting either of them will be considered treason against Camelot!"

With that, Arthur took a deep breath and regained his composure.
He closed his eyes for a moment, heavy from memory. "Merlin, come with me."

---------------------------

"I see you have learned your lesson, young king.", Anhora said. He was an old man. White hair, no beard. His body was hidden by a giant blue coat. And the staff in his hand marked him a sorcerer. The unicorn at his side however – glowed in ethereal white.
It's horn was covered in ancient markings. And Arthur wondered how they got there. Where they carved in? Did they come with a unicorn's birth? Or a rebirth, when someone had killed them and proven their worth as a pure hearted soul?

Arthur growled at the sight. The unicorn was beautiful indeed. But he would be a fool if that meant he didn't sense the danger in the beast. The markings seemed an additional threat, actually.
How Merlin could look so mesmerized by the thing just proved his suspicions.
Merlin was such an innocent young person. Of course he would be captivated by everything that glowed. Honestly, why did it glow? Magic. The answer was always magic.

The guards seemed to share his suspicions, while Arthur's cursed manservant had already run to pet the armed horse.

"Of course I have. It's not like I had a choice, is there?", Arthur answered, eyes still furrowed.

They sat in the throne room, like Arthur always did when receiving guests.

Anhora smiled. "Well. I'm sure we can all move passed that. I hold no grudge against you.
Actually, I have come for a more joyful reason this time." He nodded, as if sure that Arthur would be just as excited as him about the news.

"I surely hope you haven't come to tell me something like – this castle has been chosen for the unicorns to breed in or something?"
Anhora frowned in confusion. "How on earth did you come to that conclusion?
No, no. It's not like that. These news regard the magical realm."

Arthur sat up straight. If this were good news, did this mean good for Anhora or good for Camelot? Because those were completely opposite things.
He raised an eyebrow that would put Gaius's to shame.
He barely noticed how Merlin's hand almost fell from the unicorn.

"What news?"

"As you know, king Arthur. The fisher king has passed away a couple of years ago -"
Arthur frowned. No. This was new. He had been in the fisher king's castle before, yes, but he hadn't actually met the guy. Or saw him die. Or a corpse. Or anything regarding his very person, really. Up until now he had assumed the fisher king had been dead for hundreds of years."