Destiny's Choice
Synopsis:
Story set immediately after Episode 3 in Season 1. Arthur is sent on a diplomatic mission to the Western Isles, a kingdom that welcomes the practice of magic. Merlin faces a decision that could change his destiny forever.
Chapter 1
King Uther sweeps into the council chambers, his retinue trailing behind. His son, Prince Arthur, stands near the throne on the dais at the front of the room, with the prince's servant Merlin waiting near a pillar off to the side in the shadows. A messenger has just arrived from Western Isles, and walks in to stand in the center of the room, awaiting Uther's attention.
"Your majesty," the messenger says, "the king of Western Isles is dead; with this missive I bear greetings from the newly anointed King, his son Claudius." He presents a scroll to the King with a bow and a flourish. Uther opens the scroll and reads it before handing it over to Geoffrey of Monmouth, the court historian. The council members all lean forward attentively, eager to hear the contents of the scroll.
"King Claudius has invited Camelot to send an envoy to Western Isles to reopen diplomatic relations," Uther announces. As welcome as this news might be, the councilors were well aware that Camelot has long refused to establish diplomatic relations with the Kingdom of Western Isles, primarily because Western Isles permitted the practice of magic. Uther's views on magic and its evils were well known – the practice of magic, indeed any hint of magic, was punishable by death. Everyone in the room had witnessed executions of sorcerers during and since Uther's great purge twenty years earlier.
Prince Arthur's servant Merlin, a relative newcomer to Camelot, witnessed an execution of a man who practiced magic on the day he arrived in Camelot just a few months ago. Yet Merlin himself was born with magic. All his life, he has kept his own magic a secret, never more so than since he came to Camelot. He knew with a certainty that chilled him that he would be executed should Uther ever learn of his magical abilities. No one in Camelot, apart from Gaius the court physician and his guardian, knows his secret – especially not Arthur, the prince he served.
Uther says, "The Western Isles have enjoyed many years of peace and prosperity. Perhaps it is time that Camelot opened trade relations with the new King, despite his views on magic. We may benefit from such relations." Turning to the Prince, he continues, "Arthur, you go to the Western Isles to meet with Claudius. See what advantage there may be for us. Go alone, to show our confidence in his welcome for our envoy."
Arthur bows his head, "Yes, father. I will prepare to leave immediately."
Later, walking from the council chambers, Merlin is talking excitedly to Arthur, "Your father is really showing his confidence in you, Arthur. You can change the path that Camelot is on and expand its network of allies. You're not nervous, are you? I know you'll succeed."
"Shut up, Merlin." Arthur snaps, "you really do talk nonsense sometimes." Arthur is not so confident of his abilities as a diplomat. He's a soldier; he knows the strategy and tactics of battle, and knows he is good with a sword. But He's not sure that he's ready for the responsibility of diplomacy. Merlin's certainty in his ability and ultimate success mystifies him.
Suddenly, Merlin asks with trepidation in his voice, "Okay. Wait. Western Isles. Oh no. We're going to have to go by ship, aren't we?"
"Yes, Merlin," Arthur says dryly. "That's usually how one crosses a sea to get to an island." Merlin is not convinced he is going to like sea voyages. The one time he traveled on a boat he spent the entire trip hanging over the side, very seasick.
It takes Arthur and Merlin three days of travel to reach the seaport where they arrange passage to the Western Isles on a merchant ship. Merlin is seasick the whole voyage, preferring to remain in their cabin below deck, moaning and miserable. Arthur is exhilarated by the speed the ship makes as it sails across the sea, spending all of his time on the foredeck looking at the horizon.
Their ship arrives at main seaport in the Western Isles. As they disembark, Merlin staggers around, not quite convinced that the rocking has ceased. "We're here. On land. Finally. Why is everything still rocking?"
"Don't be such a baby, Merlin," Arthur grins. "We're not there yet, though," he adds, glancing up at the King's Keep of Western Isles situated on the cliffs high above the port. "We've got a ways to go yet."
Arthur is presented at court, with Merlin standing quietly behind him, head bent as a sign of respect befitting his position as Arthur's servant. King Claudius welcomes Arthur warmly. Merlin learned that the kingdom allowed magic when Uther spoke of it, but is startled when the court sorceress, Niniane, is introduced. Merlin looks up sharply to see the sorceress and sees a beautiful woman of perhaps forty years standing tall and confident near the king. Niniane looks at him speculatively at his sudden interest in the proceedings. The court moves out of the throne room to a banquet hall for dinner. Merlin obtains a flagon of wine from another servant, and stands behind Arthur, ready to serve. He watches Niniane as she converses easily with King Claudius and Arthur. His heart soars to see a sorcerer respected as an advisor to the king, and he longs for the day that he would be so recognized and appreciated by Arthur.
Arthur and Merlin are escorted to the chambers that have been assigned to Arthur. Merlin is told he can find a place to sleep in the servants' quarters or stables by the servant who escorts them. When their bags arrive, Merlin bustles about, putting Arthur's belongings away. "When do you start negotiations?" Merlin asks, expecting Arthur to name a time for the next morning.
Instead, Arthur answers, "I think they've already begun."
"What do you mean?"
"I think that King Claudius was taking my measure during our conversation at the feast," Arthur says.
"So, how'd you do?"
Ignoring Merlin's question, Arthur says, "You can go, Merlin. Find yourself some food and a bed for the night, after you've cleaned my armor." He adds, "attend me in the morning at dawn."
During Arthur's negotiations on the first day, Merlin is left on his own. He decides to explore the town. He has never felt such a sense of freedom or exhilaration before; his magic practically vibrates within him. He smiles happily as he takes in the sights and sounds.
As he is walking on the street enjoying the sights having a snack, a passing laborer carrying a hod filled with bricks stumbles and trips, upending the carrier. The bricks start to tumble out, directly into the path of a small boy who is playing nearby. As his eyes glow gold, Merlin's magic stops the fall of the bricks. He shouts to the boy, and pulls him to safety. He then slowly lowers the bricks into a neat stack with the power of his magic. Even though the danger has passed, the boy is alarmed and starts to cry. His mother runs out from a nearby shop, "What happened?"
Merlin looks around for a quick escape, ready to deny everything. "Erm. . . . uh . . that had nothing . . ." he starts. The laborer interrupts and tells her that Merlin had saved the boy using his magic to halt the falling bricks. The laborer is clearly relieved that the boy is all right, and thanks Merlin for his quick action.
The mother turns to Merlin and thanks him and encourages the little boy to do the same, "say thank you to the magician, Timothy. He saved your life." Timothy does so and scampers away. She says to Merlin, "how lucky you are to be magical!"
Merlin continues to explore the town inordinately pleased with himself; his happy smile turns into a joyful grin. Coming through a narrow street, he reaches an open square, filled with townspeople relaxing on the grass, enjoying the sunshine. Across the lawn, he sees an imposing building, with several steps leading up to a portico with columns. He walks across the square toward it and realizes that it is a library. Unlike Camelot, where the library is overseen - guarded – by Geoffrey of Monmouth, and whose use is strictly limited, this library appears to be open to the public, for all to use. He stands in awe after he enters the main chamber, looking around at the reading tables in the center of the room filled with sunlight from the dome overhead. Several tables are occupied by townspeople engrossed in private study. Off in the far corner, he sees a small group of children enthralled as a woman tells a story, her hands graceful in the air as she gesticulates. He turns to his right to explore the nearest group of shelves, and is filled with joy to see the books of magic that are freely available. As he removes a book from the shelf, he is startled when addressed by a bearded old man, so engrossed was he in his exploration. "May I be of assistance?"
"Erm, I'm sorry . . I didn't mean . . " Merlin stammers, quickly replacing the book.
"I am Galapas," the older man says to Merlin, reaching out to shake his hand. "You are welcome here."
Relieved, Merlin answers, taking the proffered hand to shake, "I'm Merlin. I'm here with Prince Arthur of Camelot to meet with the king."
"I see. Does he know?"
"Erm . . . .what?"
"Prince Arthur. Does he know you're magical?"
"No. He can't. Magic is against the law in Camelot."
"Your magic is safe here," Galapas assures him.
Overwhelmed, Merlin gushes, "thank you, thank you! Would it be okay for me to sit and read?"
"What are you interested in?" Galapas inquires.
"Everything." Merlin admits, grinning with the sheer joy of the feast of knowledge available to him.
Merlin reluctantly returns to the castle to attend to Arthur, to find Niniane in Arthur's rooms. "You're magical," she says. Merlin looks around startled. "Don't worry, he's not here. He doesn't know, does he?"
"No! and he can never find out," Merlin blurts out, "the King would have me executed."
"Why do you stay there, then?" she asks.
"It's my job."
Arthur walks in, and laughs, "Job? You have job? You're saying that you actually do something useful?" Merlin glares at him.
"Prince Arthur," Niniane says smoothly. "I came to invite you to dine tonight with the king and me, privately in his chambers. You can bring your servant to serve you personally, if you wish."
At the dinner, Merlin as usual stands behind Arthur, ready to pour him wine. He listens and watches as the King and Prince chat about their negotiations. He knows now from Arthur's comment the other night that despite the casual social setting, these conversations are an important part of Arthur's overall diplomatic mission. Merlin listens and tries to understand the issues that are being discussed. From what he observes, Arthur appears to be more confident and cheerful than he had been when they arrived.
Preparing Arthur for bed later that night, he asks him about it. "The talks are going well, then, aren't they?"
"What would you know about it, Merlin?" Arthur asks, surprised at Merlin's observation.
"Well, King Claudius was very cordial and relaxed – more so than at the other dinner. Do you think he'll agree to the trade deal?"
"I think we need to offer something else to sweeten the deal."
'What about training for his knights? He really seemed interested, with all the questions that he asked and the way he leaned forward to listen to you talk about what you do in Camelot."
"Yeah. So?" Arthur challenges.
"I think it means that it's something he'd be interested in for his knights – you know, the regimen you follow for training. I'm just saying you could try offering it."
"You can go, Merlin," Arthur says. "Attend me in the morning."
Early the next morning, Merlin slips into Arthur's room balancing a tray with some food he had obtained in the palace kitchens. He crosses the room to the window to open the draperies. The sudden bright light wakes Arthur who grumbles, "don't you knock here either?"
After helping Arthur bathe and dress, Merlin is again free for the day. In the pattern that will repeat itself over the next few days, he heads immediately back to the library. He spends a few hours reading quietly, then joins Galapas for some food and conversation. Merlin tells Galapas about Gaius and what he is learning. He recognizes that there is so much more that he could learn here, and hopes that Arthur's stay could be prolonged as long as possible. Never before has he felt such lightness – the freedom from worry of being discovered – in his heart.
One day at their lunch, he and Galapas are discussing medical methods. "Gaius is a skilled physician," Merlin says. "But his research to find a cure for a particular ailment is methodical and slow. I know that there must be ways to enhance healing and cure people with magic. He won't let me try."
"You can understand his caution, can't you?" asks Galapas. "It's too dangerous in Camelot."
"I only want to help!" Merlin exclaims in frustration. "No one need know if I'm careful." He pauses a moment, and then says wistfully, "there is so much I need to learn."
Galapas gives him a spell book for healing. "Study this," he says, "the spells within have great power, but always think before you act, Merlin. The easy answer is not always the best."
Merlin snorts, "you sound like Gaius. But thank you. I am truly grateful for your gift." Merlin reads secretly at night in Arthur's rooms, when Arthur is out, hiding the book carefully wrapped in a gold colored tunic in the cupboard.
A few days after their late night conversation, Arthur broaches Merlin's idea about training at a meeting with the king, and it works. Arthur suggests that if the knights of the Western Isles had proper training, then Knight Valiant wouldn't have had to use a magic shield and could have competed in the tournament and won fairly. Arthur offers to send a few of his knights to live in the Western Isles and train the kingdom's knights. King Claudius is delighted with the offer. The negotiations proceed amicably to the satisfaction of both.