So, time for a few more surprises, a few more meetings, a few more jokes and a lot of banter. Oh, and Arthur finally admits Merlin's his best friend. Took him long enough…
Anyways, I'm hoping this chapter is better than the last, as I actually put more effort into planning it out and let my muse takeover.
Hope you enjoy, and please review!
_
Tuesday
Magic… Merlin had magic…
Gwaine was still shocked about what Arthur had said. Merlin had magic? Well, he'd always suspected something, but still… Magic?
Brilliant right?
The others had had pretty much the same reaction. Shock, then gratitude and acceptance as they heard about all of the things Merlin had done. Even if a few of the council hadn't been very happy about it, they had been too smart to say so. What with being surrounded by some of Merlin's best friends who were hell bent on trying to get him drunk.
Now all that was left was to find the bloody idiot. Who had, according to Arthur, head to hunt down a living statue of a dog.
Okay, maybe not the strangest thing they had heard of, but still.
Hence his heading down to the council rooms. They had all decided to meet and attempt to track down Merlin. Hopefully after he had left the catacombs. There were rats down there after all…
Gwaine didn't have much of a fondness for rats.
Gwaine yawned as he stepped into the hall, to find Arthur, Leon, Elyan, Percival, Bedivere, Erec and Daniel already there.
"Mornin' all. Hey, look at you princess, manage to dress yourself this morning?"
"Gwaine…" Arthur pinched the bridge of his nose, holding back a sigh, "It is too early for this."
"Really? Merlin normally has you throwing things around way before this… Speaking of Merlin, any sign of him?"
Leon shrugged.
"Nope. Last Gaius saw of him, he was off hunting down the statue… Oh, and saying something about getting some letters sent off."
Elyan nodded,
"And no-one's seen him since. He's still down in the damn catacombs. Must have been down there all night."
"It takes all night to catch a dog?" Gwaine said, smirking, but before anyone could reply, a few startled screams were heard in the corridors outside, along with the sound of things smashing.
Then an unmistakable voice.
"Sorry! Oh damn it all to- Watch out! Get back here you damned- God's this is just ridicu- Look out! Dawn! Gavin! Move! Oh, for the love of- Get back here you accursed hellhound… Damn, I swear when I get a hold of you I'm going to- No, no! Hold it right-"
With that, the doors burst open as a huge black hound bounded through, slobbering everywhere.
Merlin, sliding to a halt and using the door frame to spin himself into the room, stopped for a few seconds, gasping for breath, before he caught sight of them all.
"Oh. Morning… Hey Arthur you got yourself up?"
"Merlin," Arthur said, trying to act as though a huge dog rampaging around the council chambers was nothing out of the ordinary, "I am fully capable of getting myself up in the- Yeow!"
Arthur fell to the floor with a drooling dog on top of him, licking his face.
"Oh… Oh gods… Merlin! Get this thing off of- Merlin!"
Merlin, taking a few more breaths, shook his head.
"You kidding? I've been chasing that damn thing all night. Seriously! I nearly got crushed by a rock-fall… And I'm not even going into the incident with the reservoir…"
The dog decided that now was the time to leap off of Arthur and bound over to Gwaine, who greeted it enthusiastically.
"Hey Boy! Hello… Who's a good boy…"
The dog rolled over onto his back and Gwaine scratched it behind the ears, much to everyone's astonishment. As it growled contently, Gwaine looked up at Merlin, giving him puppy eyes.
"Can I keep 'im? Pleeeeaaaaase Merlin? I'll be good… And It's my birthday next month… And I can name him Buddy. And we'll be bestest buddies for ever and ever and ever and I'll love you forever and ever and pleeeaaase Merlin?"
Merlin looked from the dog to Gwaine, then to Arthur who blinked and just shrugged, then back to Gwaine and the dog, who was now happily squat at Gwaine' side. Then he looked at the others, who were all smirking or snorting with laughter. He turned back to Gwaine, now looking at him with, what he thought was meant to be, a charming smile. And he sighed.
"Really? You're naming your new dog Buddy?"
Gwaine whooped and the dog-Buddy- gambolled about. Then Gwaine ran over and pulled Merlin into a hug, dancing around the room.
Everyone burst out laughing at the sight. Arthur eventually fell to the floor, ribs aching, at the sight of the huge dog hand in paw with Gwaine, as he tugged Merlin into something resembling a dance.
Leon, his state not a bad as Arthurs, enlisted Percival's help to untangle the unfortunate Warlock from Gwaine's grasp.
The knight happily let go, dancing around with his new friend, and Merlin flopped down against a pillar.
"How much did he drink last night?"
"No idea. He left when we were still discussing the tactical advantages of having a powerful sorcerer on our side."
Merlin raised an eyebrow, silent for a couple of seconds, then shrugged, grinning.
"Whereas he was debating the tactical advantage of having a sorcerer alongside for his prank crusades?"
Leon laughed,
"You know him far too well…"
"And I pity you for it." Percival added, also grinning.
Merlin gave them a goofy grin and rested his head back against the pillar, closing his eyes for a few second and taking a deep breath.
"Tired?"
Merlin opened his eyes and grinned at Elyan, rolling his eyes.
"You don't know the half of it…"
"Do I want to?"
"Nope..."
"I'll take your word for it."
Merlin stifled a yawn and made to get to his feet. He accepted a hand up from Percival, who pulled him up with enough force to nearly send him flying, and stretched a little.
"Ah well. I've had worse." He chose to ignore the knowing looks from the others, focusing on Gwaine, who was now training his new dog to sit, stand, lie down, roll over and attack. Merlin blinked at the last one.
Attack?
"Gwaine? Attack? Really?"
"Why not? Ooh, I wonder what it's like to get a dog drunk…"
"Gwaine," Arthur said, finally able to speak without hiccupping though still with a grin on his face, "You get that dog drunk and, so help me, I will ban you from the tavern for a month."
"Or Merlin could turn him into a toad…?" Daniel suggested, ginning at the indignant look on Gwaine's face, coupled with the eye roll from Merlin, who, after his face morphed into an evil smile, started whistling innocently as he strolled from the room.
"I'm just gonna head up and change… Catch you all later…"
Leon watched his retreating form until it vanished from sight, then sighed, not having noticed the state Merlin was in until he started leaving. Clothes tattered and torn, scratches up his arms, hair a complete mess, dust and dirt covering him from head to toe and, to his amusement, a completely intact neckerchief. Then the evil smile. The one usually preceding some ridiculously embarrassing prank of some kind.
"Am I the only one who is starting to feel worried right about now?"
Arthur shook his head.
"Not at all… I really hate that look. At least you don't have him as a manservant… Anyway, I'd better go get Gwen. I promised I would let her know when we found him…"
Arthur left the room and the others shared looks.
"Merlin is not going to enjoy that conversation, is he?" Percival asked, and Elyan shook his head.
"Nope."
"And Merlin will not be happy with Arthur, will he?"
"Nope."
"And am I the only one excited about seeing how Merlin will get his own back?"
Elyan grinned, along with everyone else.
"Nope…"
They all broke up, making their way to their posts, leaving Gwaine, too happy with his new pet to bother with training, to decide to hurry after Merlin.
Merlin disentangled himself from the hug Gaius gave him, and slumped onto a chair as the physician bustled around making salves for this and that.
Then Merlin blinked. Hmm, maybe he was an idiot. Everyone knew he had magic, so what was he waiting for?
Muttering under his breath, Merlin proceeded to heal the scratches up his arms and legs, before sorting out the headache he had.
Then he stifled a yawn and head up to his room, keen to get a fresh set of clothes.
Five minutes later, he was dressed, and much cleaner, and planning on heading to find Gwaine and talk about the dog.
Not that he needed to.
Merlin reached the foot of the staircase to see Gwaine lounging at the table with Buddy's head in his lap.
"Merlin!"
"Gwaine…?"
"I just realised that I know nothing about looking after a dog. Let alone a magical dog."
Merlin grinned, laughing, before sitting next to the knight, shoving Buddy over a little so he could sit down. Apparently, their earlier interaction hadn't seemed to make much of an impression as Buddy licked him before turning to Gwaine, who scratched his ears. Merlin sighed.
"Okay, first, he isn't technically alive. Seeing as he was stone and all. Anyways, he doesn't need food or water. He will sleep though, even if he won't age. Apart from that, he should be like any normal dog. Even if I'm sure he will have aspects that will seem almost… magical. For example, I think he's going to be the most loyal dog I've ever known…"
Gwaine grinned,
"Brilliant. You know this is the best thing ever, right Merlin? You are the best friend ever!"
Merlin grinned, before stifling another yawn. He really would have to get some sleep tonight.
Gwaine didn't seem to notice as he focused on his new pet again, but he soon looked up at the knock on the door and Arthur ad Gwen entering.
Then he hastily made his excuses, "I have to go do… stuff." And virtually ran from the room, Buddy on his heels. Gwen, to her immeasurable credit, only blinked at the sight of the huge dog, before shrugging and turning to Merlin. Who was scowling at Arthur. Who was grinning slyly behind Gwen. Who did not look very amused at all.
"Merlin. Can we have a little… chat?"
"Of course… It will be a… pleasure m'lady."
"Arthur, do you mind?"
"Of course not, I'll be down in the training fields Merlin. Met me when you've… finished."
He smirked at the scowl on his friends face before leaving, hastily followed by Gaius, who had chosen this particular moment in time to disappear to do his rounds.
Merlin turned to Gwen expecting a lecture of some kind, so was completely shocked when she burst out laughing and pulled him into a hug.
"Okay Merlin, let me speak okay?"
Merlin, bemused, nodded, and she took a deep breath.
"Okay. First, I don't blame you for lying and keeping this a secret. Not at all, so don't even go there. Second, this is incredible! I mean, we have all thought there was… something about you. But this? It may take some getting used to but I think it's great. Third, I know there is no way you're evil or whatever else, so don't worry about that. Fourth, I really want to see some magic."
Merlin blinked, taking it all in, then grinned and pulled her into a hug.
"Thanks Gwen… But I thought you would be mad?"
"So did everyone else. Which is why we will shortly be taking a leisurely stroll down to the training fields, arm in arm."
Merlin burst out laughing.
"That'll certainly catch people by surprise. But what the hell-"
"So… magic?"
"You want me to show you?"
"Please. Arthur said you did something incredible with fire. I'd like to see it? I mean, I that's okay. I know that it's hard for you and it's-"
"Absolutely no problem at all."
Gwen's eyes lit up with excitement.
"Really?"
In reply, Merlin held his clasped hand to his mouth and muttered the spell.
Then he proceeded to give her the same display that he had to Arthur.
Gwen watched it all, seeming entranced by the flames, and let out a breath as Merlin drew the flames to his palm and extinguished the magic.
"Merlin… That was beautiful…"
Merlin flushed slightly.
"Thanks… I have never really got the chance to do anything much like that before. Makes a nice change…"
"I'll bet."
They were quiet for a few moments, before Gwen smiled and got to her feet.
"Come on then, let's go for a stroll."
Merlin laughed, then jumped up, taking her proffered arm.
"I'd be honoured m'lady."
As they made their way down through the castle, Merlin realised that word had spread even faster than normal through the Camelotian rumour mill, and everyone was aware of his abilities.
But, instead of the suspicious and terrified glances he'd been expecting, most smiles were full of genuine warm, as were the greetings and conversations.
I was made better as Gwen was easily involved with the idle chatter, having been a servant herself and having many friends throughout the castle.
In fact, most of the gossip originated through the fact that Gwen and Merlin were arm in arm, and people were soon betting on what the Kings reaction would be.
Some were for glaring, some were for the stocks, some were for the clout across the head and a few were for the headlock. Either way, everyone knew it would be amusing.
And it was.
Merlin chatted idly with Gwen as they made their way down, ignoring the small smirks and bemused, yet eager and expectant looks from the knights as they wove their way through them.
Then, just when Arthur caught sight of them, obviously shocked that Gwen wasn't still 'ranting' at Merlin, he gave a small smile, and whispered to Gwen, who nodded, grinning.
Merlin crouched down and picked a small violet flower up. He cupped it in his hand, and blew on it, making it grow in both size and colour, turning a vibrant purple laced with gold.
He handed it to Gwen just as Arthur came within earshot, and grinned,
"Let's see a bouquet match that…"
He ducked the half-hearted swipe sent in his direction and laughed, stepping out of Arthur' reach. Arthur turned to Gwen, still looking slightly confused.
"I thought you were mad at him?"
"Merlin?" she said, with fake confusion, "Oh. You can't stay mad at Merlin. He's just so… charming and sweet." With that, she turned her attention to the flower, obviously enraptured by the dancing streaks of gold on the petals.
Merlin laughed again at the look on Arthur's face, and leant against the fence.
Elyan sidled up to him, obviously as shocked as Arthur.
"How did you manage that? My sister's rants are legendary… No-one, and I mean no-one has ever escaped the full fury of her wrath."
"Wrath?" Merlin chuckled. "Well, let's just say she had never been angry with me for more than a few seconds. You obviously don't know how to handle her…"
He said this loud enough for her to her, as per their plan, and stifled a grin, plastering on a fake worried expression as she turned to glare at him, only a faint amused twinkle, seemingly invisible to the others, signifying that she wasn't serious.
"Handle me? What am I? A horse?"
Elyan backed away from him, clearly wanting to put distance between them, and Merlin stood up straighter, replying.
"Gwen, that is absolutely absurd. But come on, admit it, even Elyan can't handle your grr face.
He pouted. "Seriously, next thing you know, you'll be mad at me…"
It was clear from everyone's expressions that they thought Merlin was about to become a focal point for a Gwen rant. So it came as a surprise, no, a downright shock with startled gasps and 'no ways' as well, when the glare turned to a grin and she laughed.
"Fair point. How could anyone ever be angry with you Merlin?"
"I don't know. I've always thought I'm far too lovable…"
"Very true. Now, if you will excuse me everyone, I have some meetings to attend."
She packed Arthur on the cheek, gave Merlin a little wave with a small, cheeky grin and made her way back up to the castle.
It was silent for a few moments, before Merlin spoke up.
"I really don't see what all the fuss is about. I've never seen Gwen mad at anyone… Even if I've heard about it…"
Elyan was the first to speak.
"That was… was… and your still in one piece… I mean she didn't even raise her… That was… Merlin?"
"Yes?"
"Teach me?"
Merlin laughed, shaking his head.
"Teach you what? How to be lovable? Sorry Elyan. I think it's just a gift…"
"So is being infuriating…" Arthur grumbled, clouting the younger man across the head, and earning a startled yelp.
"What was that for?"
"Being an idiot."
"Prat."
"Again with the prat?"
"Again with the idiot?"
"Merlin?"
"Yes?"
"Shut up."
"Is that an admission of defeat?"
"Merlin!"
"Right… too stubborn for that. I swear, I have no idea how anything gets into that thick head of yours…"
"Coming from you?"
"Really? That's your comeback?"
"You're not worth the effort."
"Oh? Well, in that case, you're a prat."
"Oh, that's real mature."
"Better than idiot."
"No it isn't."
"If you say so."
"I do say so."
"Oh, and because you're the king, what you say goes?"
"Exactly."
"Right, coz I'm gonna let that happen."
"Gods, you are so infuriating!"
"Thankyou Sire. Feels good to be complimented once in a while."
"Damn it Merlin, do you ever shut up?"
"Nah, you'd get bored."
"What if I would like to be bored for a change?"
"Then I will get George to take over my duties for a few days. I give it ten minutes before you call for me. Unless you like jokes about brass…?"
"… Stop being right all the time."
"Two compliments in one day? Wow, you didn't hit your head or something did you…?"
Merlin made to reach out and feel his temperature but Arthur pulled him into a headlock, causing him to yelp.
"Oi! This is unnecessary!"
"No, calling me a prat is unnecessary."
"Really? But I was raised to tell the truth…"
Arthur rubbed his knuckles into Merlin's scalp and he yelped again.
"Alright, alright! If I will make you feel better, I'll twist the truth a little."
"How?" Arthur loosened his hold slightly and Merlin managed to twist himself loose.
"Well, let's see. Twisting prat… Rapt! No, that doesn't it. You never pay rapt attention to anything. Tarp? Well, you are big and blank… But no. Oh, Trap? You do get caught in a lot of them… How about using the letters to stand for words… Let's see… P, R, A and T… Arthur's totally ridiculously Prattish? Not In the right order but still…"
"Merlin?"
"Yes?"
"Shut up."
"Yes Sire…"
With that, he leant against the fence and mimed locking his mouth shut.
The knights were all staring, wondering how he could possibly come up with retorts so quickly, when they caught sight of Arthur and the turned their amused admiration into blank expressions and immediately started sparring, laughing inside.
Not that they didn't keep an eye on the King and his, widely grinning, manservant.
Hence the giggles when Arthur said something and Merlin rolled his eyes and mimed unlocking his mouth before responding.
And the hasty concentration when the king glared at them.
Arthur scowled at his manservant,
"How is it possible that you can be so irritating?"
Merlin rolled his eyes, and mimed unlocking his mouth before replying.
"It's a gift."
Arthur glared at the knights, who were all laughing, and sighed as they turned to spar again, fake concentration on their faces.
"Any other gifts I should know about? Aside from the magic, the ability to control dragon, the apparent lovable-ness and the obvious irritating-ness?"
"Erm… I'm actually pretty good with a sword?"
"Really?"
"Yes."
"I'll be the judge of that."
Arthur strolled over to the weapons tent, and Merlin grinned. What with his actual not bad ability with a sword, the little extra training with Gwaine and his ability to slow down time, it was about time Arthur got another surprise. It had been a whole day, since the last one, after all…
Arthur returned and handed him a sword, which, surprisingly, felt good in his hand.
The rest of the men stopped what they were doing and blinked as they both took their places, before hastily making bets on how long Merlin would last.
Merlin rolled his eyes at the lack of faith and slowed his own time down minutely as Arthur made a swing at him.
He blocked it easily, making a slash of his own which Arthur was hard pressed to stop. Then, with a small smile at each other, they really started sparring.
Twenty minutes later, after all bets had been exhausted (seeing as Gwaine wasn't around to bet highly and the highest was from Erec, at ten minutes) and Arthur had finally got to wondering just how the hell Merlin had gotten this good without him realising.
The idiot really had been keeping a lot of secrets…
After another few minutes, however, Merlin took a step back, holding his sword up.
"I submit."
Arthur sighed, nodding, and sheathed his sword. Before he could congratulate Merlin, however, he had been surrounded by a dozen knights, all of whom were doing it for him.
Arthur grinned. Gwaine was going to be so annoyed that he missed it. Then he realised how tired Merlin looked, and mentally slapped himself. The idiot had been up early the day before, had tonnes of work to do, and had then been racing around beneath Camelot for hours. Of course he would be tired. Arthur actually had no idea how he was still standing. Let alone how he managed to spar for so long.
Hence his reason to break up the newly forming fan club.
"I hate to break this up, but I have a meeting to get to… Merlin?"
"Coming…"
He ran over to put the sword away and Arthur followed, towards the castle, only turning back for a few seconds.
"Okay guys, keep up the good work. And please let Gwaine know what he missed?"
The grins were answer enough and he jogged to catch up to Merlin.
"Hey! When were you planning on telling me you could best me with a sword?"
"Arthur, that's ridiculous."
"Hmm, yeah. I guess it would have to be a tie. Seriously though, when?"
"Never seemed the right time."
"It never does, does it?"
"Nope…"
"And were you planning on telling me that you are falling asleep on your feet?"
"What? I am perfectly fine."
"Right."
"Seriously, I have been far more tired than this before. You honestly have no idea."
Arthur decided to let it drop.
"Fine. But you're still taking the day off tomorrow…"
"Aww, you almost sound like you actually care Arthur…" Merlin said, grinning, and Arthur sighed.
"God's, don't let that get around. Because it isn't obvious to everyone that I consider you to be a friend."
"Friend?"
"Of course."
"That's the first time you have ever said that, you know?"
"Really?"
"Yes…"
"Oh. Maybe Gwen was right about me being forgetful if I haven't even told my best friend that he is actually my best friend…"
"Now its best friend?" Merlin looked completely bewildered, but also had a smile tugging at his lips. "Are you sure you're feeling okay Arthur?"
"Merlin…?"
"Shut up?"
"How did you guess…"
"Hmm, I dunno. Must be magic…"
"Idiot…"
Arthur couldn't help the affection that seeped into his voice, even as he tried to make it sound exasperated. And Merlin seemed to notice, not that he commented. He just gave his huge, signature goofy grin. Which said more than he could ever imagine.
But seriously, had he never told Merlin he considered him his best friend before? Never?
After Arthur quickly changed, they both head down to the council chambers.
Merlin was looking uncharacteristically nervous, and Arthur couldn't blame him. Many of the council seemed to have no outstanding qualms about him having Magic, but a few were outspoken supporters of Uther, and were intent on making things as difficult as possible.
So yeah, he could understand Merlin being nervous.
Heck, he himself was more than a little nervous. He intended to repeal the magic ban the following day, seeing as he had been planning to do so for a while now… well, maybe. And had already got some ideas for how to set everything up. But he still wanted as much support as he could get.
As the two walked into the room, they realised that all of the members of the council were already there, many looking eager and interested, but a few looking sceptical and even downright suspicious as they noticed Merlin.
Arthur felt himself getting mad. How dare they? After everything Merlin had done?
True, they had never heard the whole story, but he had told them the basics. Arthur took his seat, leaving Merlin to casually, at his insistence, take his usual place at the pillar behind them, arms crossed and a small smile on his face. A few of the council members gave him warm smiles in return and he grinned at them, before Arthur cleared his throat for attention.
Then he proceeded to tell them everything that Merlin had told him… minus a few select details that he thought Merlin would appreciate being kept personal and private.
Throughout the entire story, Merlin held a rather sheepish expression, and it was clear to everyone that he was uncomfortable with the attention that was being directed at him.
Eventually, over an hour later, Arthur finished and was silent for a few moments, letting what he had said sink in, then he got to his feet.
"So, are there any questions?"
One of the lords, Lord Elric, one of Uther's supporters, got to his feet.
"Yes, Sire." He hid a scowl as most of the men in the room stifled sighs and rolled their eyes. "I want to know how we can be sure that he hasn't enchanted you."
Before Arthur could start shouting at the man, Merlin snorted, chuckling.
"Really? Enchantments? Why do you people always assume enchantments? The very idea is so unoriginal! I mean, you-"
"Anyway!" Arthur butt in, causing Merlin to shut up and give him a sheepish shrug, "If he wanted to take over Camelot, destroy Camelot or kill any of us, he could easily have already done so."
"You expect us to believe that he is that powerful? He is nothing but a servan-"
"Enough!" Lord Elric froze at the anger in the kings' voice, mouth open as Arthur continued. "Merlin is the bravest and most loyal man I have ever had the fortune to meet. He has faced things for this kingdom which would have most men running terrified. He has single handedly saved this kingdom more times than the rest of us combined, and you will show him the respect and gratitude he deserves. Am I making myself clear?"
Elric, struck dumb, simply nodded and took his seat, glancing at the Warlock, who looked as shocked by Arthur's outburst as everyone else.
Arthur took a breath, calming himself, before he continued.
"And, by any means, he is no longer my manservant. When I repeal the ban, I intend to give him the position of Court Sorcerer, a post which has been long since neglected at this court. I also intend to instate him as First Advisor to the Crown. After all, he has long since been my most trusted confidante and advisor. That is, if he will accept the positions?"
He glanced to Merlin, who looked completely bewildered, and raised an eyebrow. Merlin blinked a couple of times, then smiled.
"I would be honoured, Sire." He said, bowing his head, and Arthur nodded.
"Then I believe that covers everything. Are there any more questions?"
Apparently not. A few minutes later, and the meeting was disbanded, not that Arthur or Merlin could leave. Several members of the council stayed behind to ply Merlin with questions, which he was all too happy to answer.
Eventually, however, it appeared that they had run out of questions, and Arthur and Merlin were left in peace. Merlin let out a deep breath.
"Well, I'm glad that's over… Thanks."
"For what?"
"What you said."
"Meant every word."
"I know. So… Lunch?"
Arthur laughed, and nodded,
"Sure. Anything on the schedule for this afternoon?"
"Nope. Well, only training, and you've already done that. One of your rare free afternoons."
"Thank God."
Merlin was plied with food by Rosa, the head of the kitchens, and he staggered up through the castle with the laden tray, chewing on a mouthful of bread.
He spent a couple of seconds figuring out how to open Arthur's door, then blinked and mentally kicked himself. Idiot.
His eyes flashed and the door flew open, wide enough for him to sidestep through. Arthur, grinning, went to help him with the tray and set it down on the desk.
"Rosa thought you looked underfed again?"
"You don't know the half of it. I left the kitchens with a hunk of bread in my mouth…"
"Did it shut you up?"
"Nope."
"Of course not."
They spent the next hour eating, talking and discussing the new laws with regards to magic. Then Arthur called for Geoffrey.
As the old man arrived, he gave Merlin a huge smile, which the young man returned, then took a seat.
Three hours later, they all sat back, satisfied, with a piece of parchment in front of them.
Done.
Now they were ready for the ceremony the next morning.
"So much for a day off…" Merlin muttered, grinning, and Arthur rolled his eyes.
"Then take an early night. You'll have to be up early, and I'm sure Gwen will have something new for you to wear…"
Merlin shivered.
"I'm dreading the thought… Anyway, Can't yet. Have to go and see if there has been a response from the others. Morgana's forces are mobilising and I need to know if they have found anything else…"
"Let me know what you find."
"You got it."
Merlin flicked a wrist to get all of the empty plates and cutlery to stack on the tray and picked it up, heading out.
"Oh," he said, turning, "Could you impress on Gwaine that he really should not get his dog drunk? I really don't want to have to deal with a magical, drunken, once stone dog."
Arthur grinned.
"Because that is the last thing any of us want…"
"Once stone?" Geoffrey asked, and Merlin let himself out as Arthur began to explain.
A trip to his favourite tower had him un-scrolling a letter from the leg of a Merlin hawk-Alator really had a sense of humour- and immediately cursing.
And groaning and rubbing his temples, his fatigue catching up with him.
He head down to his room, scrawled a quick message to Arthur, and handed it to a friend of his, Derek, to deliver.
Then he ignored the fact that it was only early evening, and flopped down on his bed, exhausted. Kicking off his boots was the only thing he could manage before his head hit the pillow and he was asleep.
Arthur took the letter from the young man, thanking him, and opened it to read Merlin's ridiculously neat writing.
Arthur,
Sorry I couldn't tell you in person, but I'd probably end up falling asleep on the stairs knowing my luck.
Alator's message arrived. Morgana has got herself a force of over two hundred sorcerers, a lot of them powerful, and she intends to march on Camelot. My guess is that we have, at best, three days before she arrives, seeing as she's using magic to hasten her journey. She also has a powerful crystal, which is capable of sending out powerful waves of magic. I'll explain better tomorrow.
I'd say it would be a good idea to inform the others tonight. Gives everyone time to think on it before we make any plans. Wow, this must be one of the most depressing letter's I've ever written.
Typical. This week's been one joy after another.
And tomorrow is Wednesday. I hate Wednesdays. And I'm rambling on a piece of paper.
Great.
See you in the morning,
Merlin
Arthur sighed, taking it all in, and head down to the training fields, where he knew he would find most of the knights. Now he had to go tell them a huge army was marching on Camelot. Terrific.
This week had been one of the busiest of his life.
And it was only Tuesday…