The Crest of Ambrosius

Chapter 6

So sorry about the wait! I've had a good portion of this written for a while now, but school started, then midterms hit, etc., so I haven't had the chance to actually sit down and think about it until now. I know it's a little shorter than normal, but the end of the chapter just came together so naturally that I just left it. I'm not sure when I'll get the chance to write the next chapter, but as I've said before: This story will not be discontinued! It may take me a while, but I fully intend to finish this story.I highly appreciate all the feedback I've gotten! It motivates me to keep writing. Hope you all like it!

"...because I have magic."

Merlin kept his gaze lowered while he waited for the accusations and anger he knew would follow such a revelation. When he was met with silence, he chanced a look up at his closest friends. Gwen was smiling at him, trying to force as much encouragement as she could into one look. Leon and Elyan looked confused, while Percival merely looked thoughtful, as if the missing puzzle piece had finally fit into place. However, Gwaine looked thrilled, and it only took a small glance to know that his mind was quickly filling with ideas of pranks and other adventures that were possible now that he knew Merlin's secret.

Leon was the first to speak. Glancing at Arthur for confirmation, he asked, "Merlin has magic?"

"Yes." The king nodded his confirmation. "I found out almost three months ago, but I chose to keep the secret a while longer while I decided what to do. With the arrival of the knights, it has become clear to me that it is time to enact my decision, which is to lift the ban."

"But sire," Elyan began, "how do you know we can trust those with magic?" His gaze flickered over to Merlin as if he expected the servant to launch a sudden attack.

Before anyone else could add to Elyan's doubts, Arthur held up his hand. "I have learned that my father's beliefs, and subsequently my own, were utterly wrong. We have nothing to fear from magic, only Camelot's enemies. But I know that it is not easy to disregard such ingrained beliefs, so I will let Merlin explain for himself that you have nothing to fear." He gestured for Merlin to begin speaking.

At the King's invitation, Merlin gulped; he hadn't had the chance to prepare himself for what to say to the people he had been lying to for years. When Arthur found out, it had been an accident and he had had to quickly explain everything in order to keep his head. But now, without the looming threat of bodily harm, it was suddenly much harder to admit the truth. It certainly didn't help that they were all staring at him, waiting for him to convince them he wasn't an evil, murderous, villain...

"Merlin?"

At his name, Merlin started from his thoughts. "I, um..." He paused and cleared his throat. "I was born with it. I never chose to be this way. But I only use it to protect Arthur and Camelot. It's my destiny. Kilgharrah, the Great Dragon-"

"The dragon? I thought it was dead." Leon interrupted.

"Please, just let me explain everything. If you still have questions when I am finished, I will answer whatever you ask." When no one else spoke, Merlin took it as his cue to continue. "The Great Dragon is the one that told me of this destiny. When I first arrived in Camelot..."

~~~~~~~~~~~

When he'd finished his story, there was silence, though Gwaine looked as if he would burst at any moment with ridiculous questions. After a moment's stillness and a lack of response, verbal or otherwise, from anyone, Merlin cleared his throat.

"Well, um, does anyone...does anyone have any questions?", he ventured warily.

"Can you turn water into ale?" Gwaine blurted out, only to be smacked on the back of the head by Gwen. "Sorry." He smiled sheepishly.

"Um, I'm not actually sure. I've never thought to. I could try sometime, though." Caught off guard, Merlin smiled slightly at the drunkard's antics.

Leon, who still seemed somewhat uncomfortable, yet determined to try to understand the man he'd come to think of as a friend, offered a question of his own. "So, your magic, what does it feel like to use it? Does it hurt?" He seemed almost concerned.

Merlin chuckled. "No, it doesn't hurt. Well, usually. There are some instances..." he shook his head, "but we'll leave that to another time. No, Leon, it's the most sensational feeling, using magic. It's warm, and comforting..." He closed his eyes and tilted his head in thought. A smile crept its way onto his face. "It's like greeting an old friend, or stretching out in a sunny field, oh!, or the smell of freshly baked bread...it's the most wonderful things you could think of, all wrapped up together. It's...pure." He paused, coming back to reality, and cleared his throat. "Um, any other questions?"

After another pause, Elyan gulped and chanced a question of his own. "Could you, er, could you show us? Some... magic?"

Merlin, caught off guard by being asked to openly perform magic, started. "Um, yeah. Sure." He paused to think of a spell, then closed his eyes and cupped his hands. The knights, Arthur, and Gwen all leaned forward in anticipation. After a moment, a brilliant blue butterfly emerged from his fist and began to float delicately around the room, circling their heads, then slowly dissipating into nothing.

When Merlin gazed around the room at his friends, all the fear and unease that he had seen before had been replaced by wonder and acceptance. He was nothing to be feared, at least not by them, and he still had their respect and friendship. He couldn't help but smile.