Here we go, my first multi-chapter fic. So far I have only written drabbles, ficlets and one-shots but with this idea I really want to give it a go.
Enjoy!
0-0-0
Chapter 1
"Father!"
Uther looked up from his maps as his son threw open the doors of the throne room and hurried inside. Obviously he was quite agitated.
"Father, is it true? Have you summoned a witch finder again?", Arthur blurted out.
"So I have", Uther replied sternly, "I don't know what concern it is of yours."
"Remember the last time you employed a witch finder?", Arthur snapped, "Remember how Gaius almost ended up at the stake?"
Uther looked at Arthur like you would at a child which was having a temper-tantrum.
"I do not deny that the last witch finder I sent for was a mistake. That can happen. But that does not mean that all of them are like him. The sightings of magic around Camelot have increased to an alarming level lately and I cannot accept that, Arthur, do you understand? Those who obey the laws of my kingdom will have nothing to fear, I will guarantee that."
"But father, I-"
"Enough of this! I am King of Camelot and it is my decision! You may go now."
"But-"
"Now!"
Arthur bowed his head obediently, but at the same time he pressed his lips tightly together. The prince didn't like this idea one bit and he was sure harm would come of it. Still, he did not know how to prevent another witch hunt, seeing as his father could not be talked to in such things. He had tried often enough.
Frustrated Arthur rushed down the corridor and kicked open the doors to his chambers, where Merlin was busy searching the wardrobe for moths. Arthur smirked at the sight of his manservant who was just losing his balance during his attempt to inspect the rear upper corner of the wardrobe. With an ungainly thump Merlin landed on the floor.
"Ow!", he howled. It took Arthur all his will power not to laugh out loud at his, he had to admit, hilarious sight. Instead he managed to put on a stern face.
"Any success yet?", he demanded in the most princely tone he could muster. Merlin jumped at the sound of Arthur's voice, then he struggled quickly to his feet.
"I'm afraid not, sire", he answered, "Sneaky, those moths, hard to catch."
"Ah yes, renowned for their sneakiness, moths", Arthur responded, "Otherwise, how could they outwit you of all people, Merlin?"
Maybe it was something in Arthur's eyes, maybe he just knew the prince so well by now, but in spite of the seemingly light-hearted joking, Merlin could sense a certain bitterness in between the lines.
"Is everything alright, sire?", he asked. Arthur sank down into his chair with a sigh. For a moment he seemed to think about whether he wanted to talk to Merlin about his troubles or not. Finally, he spoke.
"My father has sent for another witch finder." His attentive eyes didn't escape that Merlin flinched, ever so slightly, at those words. There was only one explanation for it that Arthur could think of. "Don't worry, Merlin, Gaius will be safe", he tried to calm his manservant, "My father won't let him be suspected, not after his experience with Aredian."
"Then why does he summon one at all?", Merlin demanded, harsher than any servant should dare. But only when those words had been spoken the young man realised that they could have cost any other servant his post and maybe even his life. After all, one did not question the king's orders, not even in a polite way.
But Arthur just looked at Merlin as if trying to decide whether to rebuke him for his disrespectful comment or not. He decided to let it be and simply sighed.
"More and more reports of people who have seen magic – or who believe they have seen magic – are coming in. You know my father. I think he's panicking."
"But innocent people might die!", Merlin cried.
"Enough!", Arthur shouted, like he always did when Merlin managed – as he so often did – to touch on a problem Arthur was concerned about himself and didn't have a solution for. "Remember your place!"
Merlin kept his composure. "Yes, sire", he replied stiffly, "Of course, sire. I will check for hole-less sheets in the wash house now, sire, if you don't mind."
As soon as Arthur had absent-mindedly nodded his approval, Merlin turned around on his heel and stormed out.
0-0-0
"A witch finder, Gaius!", Merlin exclaimed, "I thought there was only one, anyway."
Gaius sighed while he put the dishes with their supper on the wooden table.
"Oh no, there are many", he replied. "Aredian might have invented the craft... But as so often others followed as soon as they realised how lucrative the profession was."
"Can't you talk some sense into Uther?", the young man asked, picking up his spoon.
"Merlin, no-one can talk sense into Uther when it comes to magic, haven't you noticed?"
"But maybe you can-"
"I can't, Merlin! Uther would believe my protest was only motivated by my former experience with a witch finder. And he would be right to do so."
Merlin let his spoon sink in disbelief.
"Then you agree with him?"
"Of course I don't, Merlin. But there's nothing I can do, I'm sorry. And you won't do anything either!", Gaius added as a familiar wild glance appeared in Merlin's eyes, "You will keep your head down and you will wait for everything to blow over. I'm serious, Merlin."
"Don't worry, Gaius, I'll be careful", Merlin tried to calm the physician, but didn't quite succeed.
"Merlin, when have you ever been careful? Maybe you should visit your mother for a while."
"No!", Merlin exclaimed. "No, I can't leave Arthur alone with this. You know me, I'll be fine."
"Yes, I know you", Gaius sighed, "Although that does not inspire the confidence in me that you obviously think it should, dear boy."
Merlin shovelled another spoon of stew into his mouth and grinned at Gaius in what he believed was a reassuring way. Gaius just shook his head.
Later, as he lay in his bed Merlin kept staring at the ceiling as the hours crawled by. Another witch-finder. And here thought Uther had learned his lesson. But he'll never accept magic. He'd rather have innocent people die than have a rumour going around about magic being practised in Camelot. How can Arthur just let it all happen? Will he be the same as king? Will I aver be able to tell him who I really am?
Merlin's thoughts kept revolving in his head until, in the small hours, he finally drifted off into a restless sleep.
0-0-0
Yay or nay? Questions, comments, suggestions? Criticism or praise?Let's hear it!