It started out as any another day. Merlin had woken late, had gotten yelled at twice by Gaius and Arthur, fell three times and had a list of chores the length of his arm, all the while trying not to spy on Morgana who was up to something as usual these days. Sighing heavily Merlin looked around, Arthur had gone to a meeting in the great hall with his father and Gaius was treating a knight with a broken arm and burns courtesy of the last attempt on Arthur's life by yet another sorcerer.
He had blamed himself greatly for the death of another knight. His magic had failed him at the last second. Gaius had told him he needed more training, his magic although instinctual needed to be focused it needed honing. It was times like that which he wished for sorcerers, he wanted to learn so badly yet he hadn't even touched his magic book for the past two weeks.
With no one to witness he breathed, "So mortri fe lagrith." Clothes started to wash, dry, and fold themselves, potions were brewing, mixing and organizing themselves on the shelves, the leech tank finally getting a good scrub, and Arthur's armour which he had painfully been polishing for the past hour was finally starting to shine.
Merlin sighed happily this time as he walked to his messy bedroom. With a flash of his eyes the room followed suit and smirking a little smugly with a hour of free time he grabbed his spell book and started to read. Flipping through the pages he finally relaxed. It had been months since he did more than skim. Every time he tried studying Arthur would come up with a list of something to do or worse another trip into the woods. With all the times he could have died Arthur should have the common sense to stay inside. "Prat." Merlin whispered though it was more endearing than insulting.
Finally coming to an interesting page he started to chant. First he created fire in one palm and water in the other. Smiling he closed his hands and the orbs faded leaving only a feeling of coolness and heat. Using his magic always gave him confidence and it jumped at wanting to obey him. It always felt good to use it even just for fun.
It took some time to get a crow close enough to his window but then after on more incantation and a polite please and thank you he was soaring above Camelot. Merlin had never shared the mind of an animal before but he felt himself grinning as he saw the people going about their way. He felt his body give way to claws and wings. It felt natural and wonderful. The wind was brisk and familiar, his heart was light and his body warm. Merlin soared with the crow both ecstatic with each other wanting to share everything.
Everything looked different from the crow perspective, such an intelligent creature and yet so innocent. They didn't speak mind to mind but Merlin got a feeling of the crow's joy to show him the wonderful colors that even druids couldn't see. And the crow didn't spend much time observing the armoury or guards instead he found the colors of cloth that the women hung out to dry interesting as well as a little strawberry sweet that was taken inside a house too quickly. A clip of his beak was the only sign of his friends disappointment.
Merlin slowly came back too himself with a stupid smile on his face but a sense of disappointment before he realized the his cheek was hurting him. Then he heard a familiar, "You idiot Merlin. The mop was wringing itself in mid air when I walked in! What if someone had seen and falling asleep with your spell book open. What if I had a lord with me hmm? What if I had been Arthur? Don't you ever think? Twenty-three now and not even enough smarts to be careful." He got another whack of a large heavy book this time on his head.
"Sorry Gaius. I just wanted a few moments to read," Merlin relied eyes watery, rubbing his head and a little dizzy. Gaius gave him a very stern look but then seemed to admit defeat. He knew Merlin too long to argue some sense into him. It went in one ear and out the other as they say. "Ten more minutes that's all then go back to Arthur he'll be needing you this afternoon."
Merlin nodded and flipped a page ready to do one more small spell that wouldn't take that much time.
King Arthur sat on a particular uncomfortable chair in front of his fireplace. His few most trusted knights sat before him Lancelot, Gawain, Galahad, Tristan and Kay were looking at him with horrified expressions, expressions Arthur was sick of seeing. But even depressed and knowing it would soon be over he kept his face neutral and his back straight. A braver king none had ever known.
Lancelot was the first to speak wise and loyal he was hesitate, "Arthur…please we need him. Whatever happened…should it not be over looked with such dire situations?" Gawain snorted arms crossed leaning against the wall the image of true warrior. Even married with three wild sons he still hadn't lost his fire. "You were not in the same room as him but six months ago. He's a changed man. Whatever happened I doubt we'll ever know." Galahad ever trusting spoke the softest, "Merlin is loyal to Camelot and too you Arthur. When we need him, he will come."
As the knights made their way back out Arthur allowed himself to slouch. They had all come so far, so far only to get lost along the way. Arthur made his was to his window the dark of night speared by a full moon. The lower town was asleep peaceful and calm. He could see druids holding a ritual just over the hills, most likely to help the crops. "Merlin," he whispered. Unlike Galahad he wasn't so optimistic. Merlin had long ago given up his loyalty. Quickly he wiped at his tears before they could fall. "Oh Merlin," he whispered again before turning his back on the window. There was a constant ache in his chest as if his heart was somewhere else separated from his body. Arthur king of Albion had been destined to be great and for years he had been.
Many would say he still was, that Camelot shone with a light so vast it was blinding with loyalty, trust and honour. Everything the king had destroyed in the shadows of his own castle. He sighed rubbed his should and started making his way to his queen. But as he stepped his head became light and his vision blurred. At first thought he drank too much, then he wondered if he'd been poisoned. But before he could call his guards he reached for the table, missed and fell to the ground.
Prince Arthur at this time was trying his best not to roll his eyes. If he had to hear any more about such trivial disputes he was going to slug someone. Bloody hell he thought as he saw Lord Richard, he was no doubt complain about he sheep again. As he glanced towards he father he noticed a slight wince and Arthur tried to hold his chuckle just as his father stood and announced the meeting over.
Arthur relieved stood and thanked everyone for coming then people relaxed and started to chatter amongst themselves. Mentally he kicked himself for not getting Merlin to come to the meeting. After all if he Prince Arthur had to attend boring councils so too should Merlin, after all he was the absolute worst servant in history. And Arthur admitted silently it would be amusing to see him look so desperate for an escape. He smirked ready to give Merlin a list more of chores not that he'd be finished from the list this morning and planned a hunt tomorrow just so he could see Merlin's face of horror.
Smiling Arthur turned to King Uther and just as he was about to excuse himself his head seemed to split in two. Just as he was about to yell at someone for hitting him, he got dizzy and feeling the room spin he tried clutching to his now worried father as he fell to the ground.
Merlin at this time sat cross legged trying for the fifth time to say a spell which currently was either too powerful or just not working but then Gaius came in declared his studying over. He quickly tucked the spell book under the bed and shrugged finally giving up.