The Knights of the Round Table
By InkInMyVeins
Disclaimer: Merlin is not mine
The Knights gathered, responding to Arthur's request that they join him at the old round table in the centre of the room.
They each settled into a seat comfortably, feeling almost at home where they sat. As Gwen was helped into her seat by a chivalrous Arthur, Merlin leaned forwards over the table inspecting the markings that were so faded it was a wonder he could make them out, let alone read them
"Don't bother Merlin, even if you could read it without straining your eyes in this light they're written in the Old Religion Script, that means Magic" Arthur told them all, his voice ringing with authority in the silence, Merlin however didn't appear to be listening to him
"Magic" he murmured, his fingers running gently over the inscription before him
"Yes that's what I said, aren't you listening?" Arthur asked sounding impatient but the youth wasn't paying attention. He hurried from his seat, scooting around the other knights, his hand never leaving the table where his fingers ran over the inscriptions, as he went he muttered to himself
"Loyalty, strength, faith, honour, glory, wisdom, love, courage, magic" he paused as he made full circle before looking up, his eyes locked with Gaius' as they widened in understanding, he turned to Arthur
"Magic sat at this table" he told him, Arthur seemed confused but answered the statement anyway
"As I was about to say" he shot his friend a glare, "The knights of old used a round table so that every man was equal, not one person had more importance than another. Back then Magic was a respected and often sought after part of the community so yes it was represented at the table" he told them all, "I'm surprised you knew that Merlin" he added mockingly but the youth chose not to reply, instead he mumbled an apology and took his seat as Arthur finished up his speech and knighted those who had proved themselves loyal to Camelot.
It was later that day, when the knights were occupied either scouting the land or refining their battle skills in another part of the castle, that Merlin had a chance to inspect the table further.
The centre runes contained a code of honour that the knights swore to by taking a seat at the table, an oath to uphold the laws of Camelot as well as more moral written laws such as fairness and equality among their people. If Arthur would be bringing back the round table Merlin prayed that Magic might have a chance. Speaking of which the carvings and inscriptions seemed to have magic within them, as if waiting to be ignited as the knights resettled at the table.
Merlin mumbled a revealing enchantment. Nothing.
He tried an awakening spell. Nothing
Merlin tried to summon the magic, or anything from its depths; nothing. He tried whatever came to mind, even a withdrawing spell before he gave up and took his seat, Magic's place at the table.
Sitting up as a thought came to him, Merlin reached forward and placed his hand over the inscription of 'Magic' in the Old Religion and spoke the word for magic in the language inscribed, suddenly the carvings all along the table glowed golden, the weaving lights almost moving as they shone in lines and curves, igniting brightest of all the words Courage, Magic, Loyalty, Strength, Faith, Honour, Glory, Wisdom and Love. With each word came the flash of each of their knight counterparts to Merlin's mind; Arthur, Himself, Sir Leon, Gwaine, Elyan, Lancelot, Percival, Gaius and Gwen.
Each had a place at the table, each had unwittingly taken their rightful places without realising that they had reawakened the Round Table of the Knights of Camelot, and with it; a new era.
