Hey y'all, we're BAACCKK! :D Did you miss us? Well, here lies another fanfiction. ;)
Disclaimer: VanillaJ and I own nothing.
Dedicated to a friend - a great friend. We miss you, maybe one day you'll read this.
Clinking and laughter filled the room, thunderous in it's stood behind Arthur's chair, watching the feast as it drew pressed his lips together, fingers tapping against the silver jug that contained wine.A new jester had just come in, talking to a young man beside knights were lined up on one side of the table, talking amongst themselves, and Merlin's eyes landed on Mordred for a moment, before flicking away.
Mordred hadn't missed Merlin's gaze. He looked toward Merlin-Emrys. Mordred sighed, paying little attention to what went on around him until-thump. One of the knights slammed a fist against his chest, laughing at some joke or other. Light eyes looked up in surprise. "What?" he asked, having missed the conversation completely.
Percival repeated the joke, and Mordred nodded and smiled, laughing halfheartedly, though none of the knights seemed to notice the distance. He wondered when-or if-Merlin would ever trust him. He wondered why he didn't. Yes, he's said something... many years ago, but he hadn't meant it. How could he prove that to Merlin?
Merlin stepped forward to Arthur's side, pouring more of the bitter drink into his goblet. "Sire," he greeted quietly, in what seemed formal, but beneath it spoke a thousand words - most teasing or mocking in some way or another. It seemed to be the only source of amusement in times like these, when the world wasn't being destroyed or destiny unraveled. Silent jests or jokes shared through looks.
Arthur turned, he smiled-a grin that meant he'd caught the sarcasm in Merlin's tone. "Ah, Merlin... go serve the knights, won't you?" he asked, or rather, commanded.
"But of course - anything you ask," As Merlin passed, his voice turned to a grumble - "Royal prat," just loud enough to be heard by the young king. Merlin beamed an innocent smile, energetically crossing to the other side of the room with the jug in his hands.
Arthur huffed out an annoyed laugh and smiled as Gwen asked him what was the matter. "Nothing, nothing at all." He smiled, taking his queens hand, then turning his attention to the jester.
The man was far more interesting than the last entertainer. He'd already proved more amusing than most in his profession. The young king's attention focused on the man as he asked a riddle.
"How can there be a murder in the forest if you can find no corps?" the jester asked, blue eyes sparkling as he paced back and forth, looking to everyone for the answer, waiting to see if anyone would find it.
"Crows. A murder of crows?" Merlin piped up, enough days of speaking with the dragon drove him to guessing.
The man turned, grinning and pointing. "Indeed. Care to challenge me with a riddle?" he asked, eyes narrowing, and brow furrowing to a point between his eyes. He seemed to loose all interest in the crowd, focused on only one person now.
Merlin distantly started pouring wine, smiling uncomfortably at the eyes settling on him. "I really shouldn't," he said, cocking his head to the side. Yet after the room fell into silence after his words, he spoke up again. "I am rings locked together in battle. I am unfit for the young – I await a sword's point."
The jester smiled, glanced around the room and asked, "Anyone else care to guess what it means?" He knew the answer... but what would the fun be if he simply answered ALL the questions.
"Chain mail?" Mordred asked, expression contemplative as his young eyes looked to Merlin to see if he'd gotten the answer.
Merlin's smile was tight. He nodded, "Yes." The dark haired servant stepped back into the shadows again, gripping tightly to the pitcher.
The jester's gaze shifted, looking from Merlin to Mordred, then back. He could sense the tenseness between them. He pondered at it, but didn't give it long. He shifted, shuffled backward, and pivoted to face the king. "Oh wise king, would you care to answer a riddle?" he challenged.
Arthur wore a strange expression, though he shook it off when he was asked a question. "Well, I don't see why not."
The jester nodded and bowed, smiling as he did so. "What brightens the eyes, but is hidden; It is light, but kept in the darkness. It can heal, but is treated only as a disease? Does my lord know the answer?"
Arthur frowned in thought, pressing one finger against his lips, while his other hand rested on the chair arm. He hummed quietly, racking his brain. The quiet stretched on. Briefly, he looked around the room - noting the odd behavior his manservant had taken up since the question had been asked. He fidgeted, nervously looking around the room as though the guards were about to pounce, and not to mention shooting the jester the strangest of stares.
Arthur brought his attention back to the man before him, and let out a sound from the back of his throat, waving a hand in the air, "Enlighten me - what does your riddle mean?"
Merlin's head snapped back and he drew in a breath, his eyes flickering shut. Pounding filled his mind, like drums never ceasing.
At the same instant. Mordred forced his eyes shut and pressed a hand against them, as though warding off a headache. He felt... off. Something wasn't right. He opened his eyes, instantly noticing that the magician, the jester... was watching him. However, the man's gaze moved away, and he looked at...
Mordred followed the man's stare. Merlin. Mordred stood and moved across the room, seeing lights blur, and feeling as though the world was tilting-like he was fighting AGAINST his magic... Because he had to hide it, but it wanted to be freed. He wondered... had the jester done this?
Finally, he was at Arthur's side. "Sire," he bowed. "Might I have a word with Merlin outside?"
Arthur glanced at his manservant. "Of course."
Mordred nodded and walked toward Merlin. His eyes were hazy and unfocused, but somehow, he made it to Merlin. "Come quickly..." he muttered, not stopping even as he spoke. He walked past him, heading to the door. All the way there, he felt eyes... someone's stare burning through him-to his soul... He knew without turning back, it was the Jester.
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