Authors note
So this is my first fic that I have had the guts to post. I have not yet found a beta, so please just stick to constructive criticism. If anyone has any suggestions then please tell me because I know it's not perfect but I had fun writing it and I do want everyone to have just as much fun reading it.
LittleTinSoldier
Times had changed
Times had changed Gwaine reflected. Since magic had been welcomed back into Camelot things had changed for all of them, mostly for the better. But as he sat in the council chambers listening to another incredibly boring argument between the council members Gwaine realised that some things were better the way they were, the knights not being involved in council meetings for example. Because of all things to do, being stuck in a stuffy room listening to fat fools used to getting their own way arguing with their king was on the bottom of Gwaines to do list. And they were arguing over wheat harvests of all things, of all the boring topics in the world they were arguing about wheat harvests, a new tavern would much rather suit Gwaines needs, since the old one might barely survive another fight.
Looking around at the other knights it seemed they were having just as much fun as Gwaine himself, Elion was sitting back in his chair trying to avoid eye contact with any of the council members and trying but failing to suppress numerous yawns. Leon was more used to these meetings then the others but even he was lounging back trying not to get involved. Percival was strangely enough the only one, who was looking slightly interested, but then he looked at Gwaine and winked and the illusion faded so Gwaine could see Percival was as bored as the rest of them and also finding it slightly amusing.
Gwaine tried to make eye contact with Merlin, but the newly accounted court magician choose instead to exchange an amused glance with Arthur who was sitting in his thrown trying to settle the council members down, but any hopes he had of succeeding in his goal were shot down quickly as the topic changed once again to the upcoming marriage of a noble boy and a druid girl, how the topic could have been changed from wheat harvests to a marriage that some people were obviously not yet ready to agree to Gwaine had no idea.
Gwaine sighed and noticed in his peripheral vision the others doing the same. Things had not been sweet when Arthur had agreed to allow druids to live in Camelot and there had almost been blows when he had permitted the marriage of one with the son of a noble.
Times had certainly changed, but there were still those in Camelot who were opposed to magic and most of all to Merlin. Arthur had almost thrown a fit when Merlin had arrived late to a council meeting one day with a black eye. Merlin had of course acted like nothing had happened but when he realised that all the glances were on him most with worried expressions he had quickly glanced at his reflection and the black eye had disappeared, but even that hadn't stopped the onslaught that came after.
Gwaine snapped back into attention when Lord Wellington started shouting,
"I will not stand by and let a noble marry that...that ambition of nature."
Arthur had been trying to maintain a calm head during the conversation but at Lord Wellingtons remark he seemed to begin to lose control whether because of the insult to druids or his best friend, Gwaine didn't want to know. Arthur opened his mouth to speak he was quickly interrupted by Merlin who cut in smoothly and without anger.
"We are not ambitions of nature, sire simple different to you. Surly you would not deny the right of marriage of a noble to girl from Cenrid's land."
Lord Wellington turned and glared at Merlin who looked back with an innocent look on his face but if anything this seemed to insult Lord Wellington even more and he turned a worrying shade of purple.
"You would say that though wouldn't you, sorcerer."
Lord Wellington seemed to almost spit the word in merlins face but the warlock seemed unworried by the lord's behaviour and responded with a cheeky grin.
"Well yes I would, as I think I have just proved by saying it... sire"
Lord Wellington turned an even darker shade of purple after merlins comment and Arthur began to intervene but the lord cut him off,
"You stupid fool, what right have you to sit here at our table. You should be out feeding the pigs with the other servants not disgracing our chamber with your filth"
Gwaines anger swelled and he found that he along with the other knights was glaring at Lord Wellington fiercely. None of their glares though could come close to the look on Arthurs face as he pounded his fist onto the table and after sending an icy look at lord wellington -who was looking uneasy under so many angry stares- declared the council meeting to be continued later in the week and dismissed the lords who hurried out of the room until only the knights, Arthur and Merlin were left sitting apart at the long tables.
Arthur was the first to break the silence
"I don't know how you cope Merlin, I honestly don't. I was ready to slap that guy into his place."
The king looked at his court sorcerer who grinned back at him, an easy grin which could very easily have hidden any multitude of feelings the warlock didn't want to share with them. Gwaine sighed and thought once again of how uneasy Merlin was sharing any feelings with them, after remaining hidden for such a long time, unable to show who he really was to his closest friends, Merlin was not quite ready to open up to them yet, a fact that still annoyed Arthur greatly.
Arthur seemed to realise this and seemed to bite back a remark which would have earned a cheeky but in honest remark from his friend, and would have gotten them nowhere. Finally Merlin spoke
"Is it okay if I resume my duties, sire?"
He asked standing up and when Arthur nodded walked out of the room leaving the knights and Arthur sitting in silence as, which was as Gwaine reflected was the outcome of most council meetings these days.
Fin