Author's Note: I'm feeling a bit apathetic about this story thus far. I have some really good ideas for later on but I'm having trouble figuring out how to get there. Does anybody have any theories about how this story is going to go? Any suggestions? Thanks for your support!
It was more than a little annoying, not using magic during training sessions with the knights. Gwaine and Arthur in particular enjoyed sparring with him, self-important smirks on their faces –
"I can't help it!" Gwaine had said once. "Knowing I've got the most powerful person in the world backed into a corner… there's something appealing about that."
"I could throw you to the ground without raising a finger," Merlin had responded, raising his eyebrows in suggestion.
Almost all of Arthur's knights were supportive of Merlin at this point. There were the round-table knights, who of course all counted Merlin a good friend. The others had been slightly skittish at first, but it was impossible not to recognize Merlin's unwavering loyalty and friendship with the king if you spent enough time around them.
Only a small group of knights were disapproving, but they kept their disquiet to themselves. These knights, Sir Timothy and Sir Reagan, were in league with Lords Phineas and especially Samuel, and formed the bulk of the inner dissenters.
Arthur and Merlin were aware of Sir Timothy and Sir Reagan's allegiance, but Arthur couldn't do anything about it if they didn't outwardly oppose the king.
Training went as well as it ever did, with Gwaine and Percival laughing while Arthur's sword kept freezing in his hands as Merlin, eyes simmering a light gold, continued to back away from the advancing king.
"Cheat!" Arthur growled, somewhat amused.
"Well you won't let me defend myself with a sword, so what choice have I got?"
"Gwaine?" Arthur said, looking over his shoulder and raising his eyebrows. With pseudo-solemnity, Gwaine presented a blunt-edged practice sword to Merlin.
"What? You can't be serious." Merlin took the sword awkwardly, holding it up in distaste.
"Defend yourself," Arthur said with a smile. And so Merlin did, bringing the sword up. Back in Ealdor, he and Will used to spar with wooden swords and then later with real blunt swords – Merlin, for a peasant, knew at least a basic understanding of sword play.
But, of course, he was nothing compared to Arthur. He managed to hold off three, four, five blows, and then Arthur narrowed his eyes, bringing his full skill into the fight.
Before Merlin knew what was happening, his sword had gone flying out of his hands, to land on the compact dirt a few feet away.
Gwaine and Percival applauded, and Arthur raised his eyebrows. "Impressive," he said.
"Alright, there's no need to mock me," Merlin said, going to pick up the sword.
"He's not," Gwaine said, disbelieving laughter in his voice. "You lasted almost long enough to be considered for knight training."
They all laughed out loud at the look of abject horror on Merlin's face.
"Relax," Percival said, clapping Merlin on the shoulder. "Nobody would ever make you be a knight."
"Or let you," Arthur broke in. "Can you imagine?" The image brought on a fresh peel of laughter from the gathered knights.
"But, honestly, Merlin, why didn't I know you could handle a sword?" Arthur asked curiously.
Merlin shrugged. "It's not something I advertise. Besides, you've never given me a sword before now."
"Yeah, instead I left you unable to defend yourself in countless dangerous situations," Arthur grumbled, a hint of darkness creeping into his tone.
"I wasn't undefended, Arthur," Merlin said, raising his hands. "I had my magic."
"Yes, well, I didn't know that, did I?"
"Oh, come on. No need to feel guilt so retrospectively," Merlin said, handing the sword back to Gwaine. "Back to training, then? Or did you want to duel on my terms?" Merlin grinned wickedly, and Arthur rolled his eyes, secretly grateful that Merlin was changing the subject.
"I don't even have magic, idiot."
"Sure you do, prat," Merlin responded.
Arthur's mouth dropped open. "Excuse me?"
Merlin opened his mouth to respond, with Gwaine, Percival, and a few of the other knights listening with interest.
At this point, Sir Timothy stepped forward.
"I don't mean to interrupt, Your Majesty, but might we get back to training?" His voice was pompous and falsely subservient, and he gave a pointed glare to Merlin as he spoke.
Arthur glanced at Merlin and raised his eyes, and then turned back to Sir Timothy.
"That's not entirely your call to make," Arthur said. "However, we should continue training. Let's get into groups of two and get to work."
Sir Timothy smirked self-importantly at his friend Reagan, and Merlin fought to keep his jaw from clenching. Sure, Merlin himself wasn't always subservient and dutiful to Arthur, but at the end of the day, he respected him immensely. These knights weren't respectful at all, and Merlin couldn't stand it sometimes.
Gwaine stepped forward. "Don't worry about these guys. Arthur can take care of himself."
"No, he can't," Merlin said. "He needs me."
Gwaine grinned. "Of course he does. And it doesn't matter what anybody else thinks about it."
And Merlin wanted to be comforted by Gwaine's words. He wanted to believe that Sir Timothy and Sir Reagan were harmless, that Lords Samuel and Phineas had no real influence. But he could feel something coming. Something like a cloud on the horizon. Merlin looked at Arthur, who was sparring with one of the younger knights-in-training. He had a look of concentration on his face, with only a hint of darkness in his blue eyes. Still, Merlin knew Arthur could feel it, too. A disaster was coming.
Author's Note: I have a dream that I will come home after a long day of school and work and my reviews will have sky-rocketed in my absence. Please review and help me achieve my dream! :)