AN: Merlin isn't mine. Oh wait, you meant the TV show - well that's not mine either.
This is just a random thing I came up with to fill the gap between updates. Hope you like.
"Merlin!"
The Court Sorcerer paused midway down the corridor and turned to see the king hurrying towards him.
"There you are! I've been looking for you. C'mere, I have something to show you."
Mildly perplexed, the dark-haired man followed Arthur down the stone hallways.
"Is this about you forgetting my birthday again? I told you, don't worry about it - you were occupied," he said. And by occupied he meant in Gaius's chambers with an injured leg.
"Of course not," the blond said immediately. "Who cares about your birthday?"
Merlin merely smirked at his quick reply.
"This is just a little something a painter from the lower towns came up with after the battle," the king continued. "He very generously decided to ask me to present it to you as a gift from him. It had nothing to do with me."
"Whatever you say, prat."
They continued through the halls, some of which were having last-minute repairs still being finished. The recent battle had left the castle minorly damaged, though, thanks to an impressive display of magic from Merlin, it had been minimal and the casualties few, and the enemy had quickly decided to withdraw.
"Here it is."
A new painting had just been hung on the wall outside the council room. It was nearly as tall as Merlin himself, and meticulously detailed. It featured a large depiction of the court sorcerer himself, staff raised and eyes glowing a brilliant gold. He stood regally on a parapet, the air behind him dark and swirling with color. It was an impressive image.
Despite this, Merlin felt his lips turn downward slightly in a frown. The Merlin in the painting's face was stoic, almost coldly detached, unaffected for the imaginary battle happening before him. He looked...intimidating. Frightening.
Was that what he'd looked like?
He'd known since he found out what his destiny was that he would come to be very powerful. But was there no trace of the slightly bumbling, carefree farm boy from Ealdor left? The one who'd never even dreamt of hurting another person, much less turning an entire army around?
Well, no wonder there were epic tales being spread about his powers if this was how people saw him.
"Well, what do you think?"
Arthur's voice cut through his thoughts. He sounded almost...excited, and, though he was clearly trying to hide it, his eyes betrayed a definite pride for his friend.
Merlin forced his mouth into a smile and forced out the first lie he'd told since revealing his magic.
"I love it."
Also, I have a brand new tumblr. Check it out if you wish = fromthecounciloftimewizardsdotumblrdotcom