Chapter 2: The Day of Revelations
Merlin awoke with a smile still on his face. He felt good knowing he would be able to share his biggest secret with Arthur. He still wasn't sure, however, how to tell the King of Camelot that he was, indeed, a sorcerer.
Merlin got up and dressed, taking careful notice of the scarf around his neck. He adjusted it until it fit perfectly. Opening his door, he was greeted with the scent of breakfast.
"I trust you had a good night's sleep, Merlin," Gaius said, putting a wooden bowl down in Merlin's spot.
Steam rose from the oatmeal that was residing in the bowl. Merlin eyed it carefully, knowing full well that Gaius and cooking never mixed. Sighing, he picked up his spoon and shoved in a mouthful.
A few minutes went by before they heard the bellowing of Arthur coming down the hall. Before Merlin could move, Arthur burst through the door with an exasperated look on his face.
"Merlin! I need you, now!" Arthur ordered, turned right around and walked out.
"He's in a good mood, isn't he?" Merlin sighed. He shoved another spoonful of oatmeal in his mouth and walked out after the King.
"Merlin!" Gaius called.
"Yes, Gaius?" the young Warlock peeked back in.
"Are you really planning on telling Arthur the truth?" the physician asked.
"If he's in a good mood," Merlin said jokingly.
"MERLIN!" Arthur's voice echoed down the hall.
"I get the feeling that today may not be that day," Gaius said with a grin.
Merlin laughed, then turned and ran toward Arthur's chambers, closer to the King's yelling.
An hour later, Merlin was polishing Arthur's armor, cursing under his breath at the fact that the King had woken up in a bad mood. Guinevere had even given him a heartening look before walking away toward the throne room.
Arthur walked up to Merlin and sighed, "Merlin, stop for a moment."
Merlin looked up at Arthur with a questioning glance. He did what he was told and gave the King his full attention.
"Today is the start of a new era in Camelot, Merlin. I need you to finish all your chores extra early. You'll need to prepare for the ceremony tonight, as well," Arthur said.
"Why?" Merlin asked.
"You're part of the festivities, Merlin. You're going to be the Fool tonight!" Arthur announced happily.
"What?" Merlin asked shortly.
"You're the entertainment!" Arthur said, then walked out without another word.
Merlin stared at the empty spot where Arthur had last stood. Had he heard right? He was the entertainment? The court Fool?
"He has got to be kidding!" Merlin said two hours later back in Gaius' chambers. Gaius sighed and placed a hand on Merlin's shoulder.
"Think of it as a step up," Gaius said with a smile.
"Yeah, right," Merlin said, grabbing an apple out of the bowl. He stood up and went to his room, feeling defeated. That's when he froze. He felt something.
"Gaius, something's wrong. I can sense it," he said.
"What do you mean?"
"I feel the danger," Merlin said, then looked out the window. He watched as the first of the guests began their trek into the square of Camelot.
Gaius stood beside him, watching as well. He saw King Baylor and the court of his kingdom riding in; half the army marching behind.
"It's just King Baylor and his men," Gaius said.
Merlin stood watching, wondering where the feeling was coming from. His focus was interrupted by the sound of Arthur's voice bellowing.
"Merlin, where are you?"
Sighing, Merlin turned and faced the door, knowing that Arthur was about to go off on him. He hadn't finished the chores he was assigned because he'd been too upset at the thought of being the Fool at the feast.
"Merlin! Why haven't you mucked out the stables? Or polished my armor?" Arthur asked as he burst in.
"Arthur, before I do any of that, there's something I need to say," Merlin stated.
"Merlin, you need to get ready for the feast tonight. We don't have time for heart to…" Arthur began.
"Arthur, forgive me, but shut up!" Merlin said.
"What did you just say?" Arthur warned.
"I'm sorry, but there is something I have to tell you. Before the feast, as in right now," Merlin said softly.
"What is it, Merlin?" Arthur asked in annoyance.
"Arthur," Merlin began.
"Merlin, don't," Gaius warned.
"Gaius, I have to," Merlin said, then turned back to Arthur, "Arthur, I figure now is as good of time as any to tell you that I'm a s…" he said. He was interrupted by the warning bells ringing.
"Now, what in the hell is that about?" Arthur asked, running back toward the throne room. Merlin followed, angry that he was interrupted.
"The prisoner has escaped! Stop him!" cried a guard.
A lone man ran toward the middle of the square, trying to escape the guards of Camelot. He ran left, stopping at the wall of the Eastern Tower. He turned, running in the opposite direction. He then ran into a wall of knights.
He managed to break free of the knights, then saw he was surrounded. Merlin watched as the man looked left then right, realizing he had nowhere else to run. He was trapped.
"You're going back into the cells!" one of the guards ordered.
"Not if I have anything to do with it!" the man cried. He raised his hand, aiming toward none other than Arthur, who had run to join the chase.
"I se katariountai me tin tragodia!" the man cried.
A flash of light emitted from the man, toward Arthur. Merlin raised his hand, aiming it at the sorcerer.
"Ektrepsei!" he cried quietly. The spell the sorcerer cast was deflected back toward him, instead of Arthur.
The sorcerer flew backward, landing hard on the concrete. The older man looked up in astonishment.
'Emrys. Why?' Merlin heard in his head.
'Arthur is the Once and Future King,' Merlin thought back.
'He chooses to follow in his father's path. Sorcery is still banned in the kingdom. Why would you protect such a man, Emrys?' the man thought.
'It is my destiny to protect him. So that he will unite the kingdoms and bring peace to Albion,' Merlin thought with pride.
"Grab him!" Arthur ordered.
The guards picked up the Druid and hauled him off back to the dungeons. Merlin watched as the Druid took one last glance at him, their eyes meeting. The last words Merlin heard were in the Druid tongue, but it meant something dear to Merlin.
Arthur looked over at Merlin, then followed his line of sight toward the Druid. The look on his servant's face confused him.
Choosing to ignore it, he walked over to his servant and cleared his throat.
"Merlin, aren't you supposed to be getting ready for the feast tonight?" he said, a hint of amusement in the King's voice.
"Arthur, we need to talk," Merlin said with force.
Arthur looked stunned at Merlin's voice. He'd heard that voice before. It was Merlin's 'Don't mess with me' tone. Something Arthur had only heard when Merlin was upset.
"Okay, you won't be the Fool tonight. I was only kidding," Arthur said, slapping Merlin on the back.
"That's not it. Arthur, I need to speak to you in privacy," said the Warlock.
"Merlin," Arthur started.
"I have said this before; will you just listen? It is important," Merlin sighed.
Arthur was taken aback by the boldness of his man servant, but he listened. After all, he'd never admit it to the public, but Merlin was a friend. A good friend who always had a good head on his shoulders.
They walked into the throne room, which was now empty save for the decorations. King Baylor was to be introduced tonight with the other Kings instead of one by one, so Merlin knew no interruptions would stop him now.
"Okay, Merlin, what is it? You've got this look on your face. It's a mixture of fear and authority," Arthur observed.
"Arthur, I have something to tell you. It won't be easy to hear, but I have to say it," Merlin started.
"Go on," Arthur sat down on his throne, curiosity showing on his features.
"There's no easy way to say this. Considering that you have a Druid locked up in the dungeons, I feel it may be even harder to hear."
"What's the Druid have to do with you?" Arthur asked.
"Everything. Arthur," Merlin took a deep breath.
"Yes, Merlin?"
"I'm a…a…"
"You're a what?"
"I'm…a…sorcerer," Merlin breathed.
