The four rode their noble steeds along the dusty path; trees either side; the sounds of birds chirping could be heard; the sun shone down on the four men as they ventured further away from Camelot but with no actual destination in mind. It had been a long time since they last did this: to relax and enjoy their time with friends.
"Sire, may I ask where it is we are going?" Leon eventually spoke out, he did like the serenity of it all but as a knight would like to prepare for whatever situation was coming.
"Nowhere" The king simply stated shouting behind him and smirking at Merlin as he did so, the two knights who rode along side each other looked at one another both equally confused.
The raven neared his horse closer to Arthur's and spoke in whispered tones "What's your plan?"
"My plan? Merlin this is your secret, you kept it so you can tell it." Merlin let his mouth fall open in disbelief of the burden the king just put on him. Seeing this Arthur spoke again "Don't worry we can ride for another hour till the horses need to stop for a rest, you can think of something by then." That was not enough time to plan how he was going to tell his friends of whom he had been lying to for years about his secrets and then also say: oh yeah by the way I now need you to completely trust me and support Arthur's decision to lift the ban on magic.... Great... the young warlock thought to himself.
An hour passed, like a blink of an eye, and Merlin still had no plan. Just as Arthur had said they rode off the path to a clearing next to a rather large stream, tied up their horses. Percival had gone to lay on the grass, sunbathing it would seem, whilst Leon was stood leant against a tree as he sharpened his sword. Meanwhile, Arthur and Merlin stood by the horses, the warlock was carefully eying the two knights as he continued to feed his horse an apple he had stolen from the kitchen. The king patted his friend on the back
"Off you go" he said.
"Arthur I don't think I can do this"
"Nonsense" the king gave Merlin a shove forward and raised his voice to get the attention of the two knights "Hey, listen up, Merlin has something he wants to share" The boy stared daggers at the man as he walked closer to his two friends.
He stood still, not knowing what to say, Leon had stopped sharpening his sword and was staring directly at Merlin and Percival had leant up onto his elbows waiting to hear what the young boy was going to say.
"Merls?" This had become the nickname Percival had given Merlin, the pair had grown fairly close in the past year or so, and the boy only allowed the friendly giant to call him that. "What is it?"
"Ummm.... I ..... I" the pale boy stuttered
"If you got something to say Merlin, then say it, we won't bite" Leon interrupted, hoping that his words would somehow comfort the boy he had grown quite fond of.
"I have Magic" the boy blurted out so fast, that he quickly covered his mouth as if he hadn't meant to say it. Arthur was shocked, his face expressed a sort of smile mixed with a surprised look, a very unique look that only Merlin ever received. 'Well that's one way to do it' the king thought to himself.
Percival and Leon exchanged glances and then looked back towards the serving boy, Merlin held a very nervous and panicked stance, which didn't go unnoticed by Arthur, who now realised the risk he had put Merlin in by doing this. If this was to go south it would end with the warlock imprisoned or dead. The king now fully understood why Merlin could never have told him, for this very reason, nor had he forgotten the time by the lake where Merlin knelt in front of him awaiting Arthur's sword to be plunged into his chest. 'Oh god' the King thought as guilt encompassed him, The raven's hands, which were by his side, were now shaking, and in response the boy hid them behind his back clenching them together, trying but failing to stop the involuntary movement, but because Arthur was still stood behind the boy he could see everything.
As the knights stared at Merlin, in a deafening silence, they both let out a fit of laughter
"Nice one Merls" Percival chuckled, whilst Leon walked closer to the boy and placed a hand on his shoulder and looked over to look at Arthur
"Honestly Arthur, stop putting the poor boy up to mischief" Leon laughed as he walked away, joining Percival on the ground. The pair continued to smile and joke about what had just been said.
Arthur now walked to the side of his servant, and turned to look towards him, but what he saw was truly heart breaking. Merlin, to the eyes of any other man stood there emotionless but to Arthur, he could see the pure fear in the boys eyes, his hands had still not stopped shaking and soon enough a single tear fell from the warlock's eyes. But the boy still did not lose his firm stance, he stood still as if he was a soldier, his arms wrapped behind his back and his eyes not moving from the fixed spot in the distance. This was yet again another viewing of Merlin's bravery, and a look into his many years of secrecy, having been ridiculed by those he considered friends, having been told that his kind was pure evil and being able to say nothing to the contrary out of fear of being killed.
That was it. The king had, had enough. He stormed past Merlin towards the still sniggering Knights. The two knight's looked up at their king who now towered them and realising that neither him nor Merlin was laughing, or even smiling, their laughter broke. "Something funny?" The blonde man spoke in his most kingly voice.
"No sire, of course not" Leon stated in his most knightly voice after sensing the seriousness in Arthur's tone.
"So you wouldn't mind telling me about why you are laughing at this?" The two knights got to their feet, it wasn't often Arthur was so stern with his friends, so when he was they knew better then to challenge him. "Well?" The king continued.
"It was just that Merlin said he had magic, and you know, he's well... he's Merlin" Percival finally responded.
"I'm still failing to see the humour in this situation Percy."
"You don't honestly expect us to believe the that Merlin has magic?" Leon asked in disbelief, glancing over the king's shoulder to see the warlock stood in place, paling by the second. "Magic is nothing but evil, you and your father taught us that" the knight continued now looking back at Arthur. "And Merlin is the furthest thing from that."
"Correct me if I'm wrong Leon, but was it not the druids and magic who saved your life?" The king countered
"Well yes but..."
"And Percival, a druid family of magic took you in and raised you as one of their own, did they not?"
"Yes sire" the giant replied.
Merlin stood still watching the knights and Arthur arguing about magic, he couldn't help but feel warm and fuzzy about the way Arthur was speaking about him and of magic. When the king had come to stand next to him, before confronting the knights, he knew Arthur had seen the tear running down his face and his hands shaking behind his back. He also knew that the king most likely thought he was reacting in that way in response to the knights, but that couldn't be further from truth. Sure he was scared of their reactions, but his hands shaking was caused by the pain in his chest which had become excruciating once again, But there was nowhere for Merlin to hide this time, so he tensed his body finding a spot in the distance to focus on. He could feel the sweat forming on his forehead and eventually the single tear which fell down his cheek, but he could not break his stance, if he did he knew he would let out signs of pain which would then lead to him having to explain himself to his friends which wasn't an option. Merlin could feel his mouth going dry and his eyes began to blur as the pain increased, he wanted nothing more than to fall to the grass, but he couldn't.
"I intend to lift the ban on magic, but I need to know if I have your support?" Arthur concluded
"We trust you sire, our loyalty lies with you, but we have seen the evil sorcery has caused, surely you can understand our hesitation?" Leon was cautious not to sound disrespectful.
"Of course, but just talk to Merlin here, and I'm sure it will help you see things my way."
"So he really is a sorcerer?" Percival queried, Arthur sighed and nodded in response.
"Just hear him out, please?" The king pleaded. The knights looked at one another before confirming to Arthur that they would listen.
"Sire?"
"Yes Leon?"
"Where is Merlin?"
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...
