Merlin rushed right into the door to Gaius's chambers after being dismissed by Arthur. Arthur needed time to wrap his head around everything. When Merlin entered he almost ran straight into Gaius.
"Whoa, Merlin watch what you're doing. What are you doing barging in here like a raving animal?"
"Gaius..." Merlin paused for a moment. He had to word this next sentence carefully. He didn't want Gaius thinking he had given away his magic on purpose. "'."Merlin drew in a huge breath and held it. He waited for Gaius to speak.
Gaius didn't appear to hear the last part of the sentence and Merlin was surprised he even heard any of it. "How could you let this happen Merlin? Have you not been listening when I said be careful with your magic?"
"Gaius, Arthur's ok with it…surprisingly enough and I didn't just tell him. He sort of saw me, but if he really cared he could have just chopped off my head then and there. He had something pointy in his hand and you know Arthur. Anything pointy and hard would be thrown at my head in a second if he really wanted to punish me." Merlin started counting on his fingers then. "Heck, I get it every day for not doing my chores, not getting him breakfast, waking him up in the morning, not..."
"Ok, ok I understand. You're positive he won't punish you in anyway?" asked Gaius hesitantly.
"I may get a ton more chores, because he knows I can get them done faster, but other than that, no." replied Merlin.
"You're a good boy Merlin. I don't want to see you get hurt, especially by someone who is close to you."
"Arthur will get used to it, I'm sure." said Merlin reassuringly and with that both him and Gaius headed out to the courtyard to deliver medicines.
They walked down the brightly lit corridors of the castle and walked onto the cobblestone courtyard. Around them, the streets were alive with people greeting the knights from outlying kingdoms and the knights of Camelot were trying to show off for the female guests. This was one of the most popular tournaments of the year because the kings came with their knights to see them perform. It was a big deal because they needed to prove themselves against skills of various kinds.
Merlin went to deliver a bottle of medicine when he overheard two knights talking in a nearby tent.
"Magic is not allowed and you know that." Had Merlin just heard the word magic? Knowing he shouldn't, but doing it anyway he crept closer to the entrance of the tent.
"I don't care what is allowed and what's not. You know the rules, any weapon of your choice and besides we don't need to worry about Arthur finding out. If anything we need to worry about our king. His ban on magic is harsher than Arthur's. He wouldn't use magic if it meant saving his own child's life. "
"Then don't use it" said the apparently wiser of the two, but from experience Merlin knew the wiser ones were never listened to.
"Well then you don't need to be here to watch, but don't blame me if your dismissed from knighthood for leaving the most important tournament ever.
"Fine." Was all the other one said before stepping out of the tent. He was a mousy sort of fellow with gray blondish hair. He had a huge build, but not as huge as the knight following behind. He was broad with light brown hair that flowed down his back. Man was Gwaine going to have run for his money.
Merlin could not believe what he had just heard. Now it wasn't a matter of Arthur finding out, but the fact that he might have a worse fate coming at him if this king were to see his magic.