The banquet was thankfully unfruitful, Merlin did his duties as Arthur's manservant: filling up his goblet and attending to any needs he may have. The young boy received many pats on the back that night from knights and servants alike for his actions in helping his king return home. Of course no one knew the real truth apart from Arthur, Gaius and Gwen but even then they did not know the whole truth. But thanks to the king who publicly thanked Merlin for his service and told the royal court that he would not be alive if not for Merlin. The boy was now seen as a hero.
The king and Queen retired early to their chambers, as Merlin went to follow, Arthur told him to stay and enjoy the feast, as much as the warlock would like to celebrate he saw very little reason too. But he was still too exhausted to argue and so agreed to stay but instead went to sit on the stone bench in the hallway just outside the grand hall, where the feast was taking place. Merlin sat in silence trying to think over everything that has happened: the black marking on his body, his eyes turning red, the vision in the mirror, the nightmare he had just that afternoon, the anger that had consumed him upon hearing about Gwaine. Not to mention the constant agonising pain he felt all the time, his magic still felt distant and refused to help ease his pain. The boy knew that whatever he did to save Arthur was causing all this, he had expected something to happen but this? this terrified him.
Not too long afterwards Sirs Leon and Percival entered the hallway laughing at something Percival had said, noticing Merlin sat alone in his thoughts the pair walked up to him.
"You alright there Merls?" Percival asked. Merlin lifted his head and gave a small nod.
"Arthur said that he owes his life to you" Leon chirped in "He's proud of you and so are we" It was no secret that the knights of the round table viewed Merlin like a little brother.
"Thanks" the servant responded half-heartedly
"Come on, there's something we want to show you" Percival gestured for the boy to follow, Merlin tilted his head to the side slightly before accepting the giants request and following the knights down the hallway.
They approached a large dark door which had spiralled patterns covering it, above the door, on the stone archway was a shield containing the Pendragon coat of arms and two swords which crossed diagonally behind the shield.
"What is this place?" The raven haired boy looked at his two friends who just gestured for him to enter. As they pushed the door open the raven entered a room lit solely by the three flames dotted around the room on metal stands and a fire place. As merlin looked around the room he saw a large painting of Sir Lancelot in his chainmail on the wall, underneath lay his sword and cloak along with a plaque which read 'Sir Lancelot the honourable'. Next to this painting was another frame which held Sir Elyan, again his sword and cloak sat underneath whilst the plaque said 'Sir Elyan the dutiful' tears began forming the young man's eyes as he walked across the room to the newest portrait: Sir Gwaine. whilst below the frame the plaque read 'Sir Gwaine the strong' his sword and cloak were present as well as two other items: A dark grey metallic pint cup the sight of which caused Merlin to smile as he remembered his friends love for mead, the second object was a silver chain and attached to it where three shapes, it was Gwaine's necklace, he had never seen the knight without it.
After watching their friend look around the room Percival spoke "We wanted a place to remember them, it's not much, but it's..."
"It's perfect" Merlin finished, before heading towards the final picture which hung above the lit fireplace. It was a painting of the round table, not the one that was in the council chambers, no, it was the original one from the first meeting that was held in the ruins of an old castle when Morgana had taken over Camelot. It was almost as if he was transported back as he looked at the image: there stood Gwaine, Lancelot, Elyan, and Percival not yet Knights of Camelot wearing their own clothes. Sir Leon, Gaius, Gwen and Prince Arthur of the time also stood around the stone table. Finally, to the surprise of Merlin, he saw himself stood to the right of Arthur, they all looked of equal standing - no man nor woman afforded less or more than the other. Just below the painting was a golden plaque which read 'The first knights of the round table' the raven haired boy traced his fingers across the wording by which time Leon had walked to the side of him placing an arm on the boy's shoulder.
"He should have knighted you then" the warlock was taken aback by Leon's words, the knight had never spoken to him in such a way before.
"I don't think so, I'm just the help remember" the servant replied, not meaning what he said, but said so knowing that the knights didn't know of his true identity.
"You were always much more than that Merlin, you deserve a place amongst us at the round table, you always have" Percival intervened whilst walking to the other side of the boy
"Maybe one day" The warlock sighed "But for now I'm exactly where I need to be." And with that Merlin turned and walked out the door, making sure to thank the two knights for showing him this room before he left.
YOU ARE READING
The Aftermath (Merlin)
Fanfiction*Sequel Out now* Kilgharrah may have told Merlin that nothing he could do would save the Once and Future King, but that doesn't mean he was right. The warlock takes things into his own hands when he revives Arthur at Avalon, but there are consequenc...
