A/N: Not sure if I'll keep updating everyday like this but...here's another one! Thank you very much to: Morange, midnightdove, Mediatrix (I know what you're saying - some of that is dealt with later. Hopefully, you'll like where I'm taking this since the whole friendship thing and Arthur being overwhelmed is sort of the point), ruby890, Procrastination Is My Game, Xander (Read on, is what I would say, read on! But I like the way you think!), and starwater13 (Cheers! I always thought it was strange that Arthur never questioned that Merlin called him the Once and Future King) for your reviews! I enjoyed reading them all!
This is more of a flashback than pushing the story along but I'll see about updating tomorrow. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Merlin rode a short distance away before dismounting and tying his horse to a tree, his stomach rolling with fear and dismay. He could not bring himself to comply with Arthur's orders to go back to Camelot, despite everything, it was still his duty as friend and servant to make sure Arthur was safe. He clung to that duty like a lifeline - without it, he was nothing more than a man who had betrayed his best friend. Merlin put his back to the tree his horse was tethered to and furiously wiped tears from his eyes. The horse started nuzzling his shoulder and he absently patted its head.
Things had been going so well since he had 'returned from the dead'. Not only had Arthur actually arranged and let him attend a feast (at which he got shockingly drunk due in no small part, he later discovered, to the drinking competition he, Arthur and Gwaine had been involved with. Fortunately, or not, depending on how you looked at it, he had no recollection of it whatsoever) but the next day, once hangovers had been banished by sleep, food and a hideous tasting potion prepared by Gaius, Arthur ordered him to attend him at the council meeting. It had not been a terribly unusual order, although since taking charge of the kingdom, Arthur had been less sadistic about forcing his servant to come and stand behind his chair with a jug of watered-down wine, just so he was not the only one bored to tears in the room, since he could hurry the meetings along at will so there was less need to inflict his boredom on his hapless servant. This time, Merlin suspected he had been ordered to attend simply because Arthur was feeling ill and was blaming his manservant for his excessive state of drunkenness the night before. Still whatever the reason he had dutifully followed the king to the council chambers, careful to remain the appropriate two steps behind his master, and stood quietly by Arthur's chair, jug in hand, prepared for three hours of tedium.
But the council was not about the usual tax changes and land disputes. No, this was the first proper war council Merlin had ever attended and he was horrified at the strategy Arthur was outlining to his advisors. Destroying homes and farms? Forcing starvation and deprivation upon innocent people, just to bring down Odin? It was wrong. It was also completely unlike Arthur to hurt harmless civilians as a means to an end but this was his plan, carefully put together and designed. Merlin used every bit of willpower he possessed to keep from asking Arthur if he had completely lost his mind since he knew the king would not take kindly to him speaking out in front of the council and therefore anything he said would be instantly ignored. It was better to wait until it was just the two of them - or three of them, as it now tended to be - and then he might be able to get Arthur to re-think his heinous invasion scheme. Judging by the look on Gwen's face, he would have plenty of support from her.
Shockingly, none of the other councillors seemed anything wrong it his proposal and all of them nodded acceptingly. One of them even said it was a just war, since Camelot had extended a hand in peace and friendship but Bernicia's response had been to kill Camelot's brave soldiers and kidnap and torture her king. After an hour or so of nodding and in some cases, malicious enjoyment, the councillors filed out, assuring Arthur he would have their support for the scheme. Only Leon, as Arthur's military advisor and second-in-command, Gwen, and Merlin remained behind.
"So, what do you think?" asked Arthur, looking over at Leon.
The knight hesitated but answered. "You know I would follow you into Hell itself, Sire. I will follow your orders, whatever they may be."
Behind Arthur's chair, Merlin opened his mouth to protest both Leon's submissiveness and Arthur's insane strategy but Gwen cut across him before he could say anything. "Sit down, Merlin. I can't get used to you serving me."
Glancing at Arthur to gauge his reaction, and seeing neither approval or disapproval, Merlin placed the jug of wine on the table and took a seat next to Gwen.
"I'm sure you have something to say on this, Merlin," Arthur sighed wearily, and Merlin realised this had been the point of bringing him all along. Arthur wanted his advice but was, as ever, too proud to ask for it directly.
"You can't seriously be thinking of doing this," Merlin exclaimed, waving a hand at the parchments on the table, "it's awful. It's wrong! And you," he said, looking at Leon, "surely you don't agree with this? Where is it in the Knight's Code to murder innocent people?"
"He's right, Arthur," Gwen stated quietly. "This isn't like you."
"Sire," Leon began, "I will follow any order you give...but I must agree with the Queen and Merlin. I do not agree with this."
Arthur sighed again and scrubbed his face. "Of course. Listen, I do not want to hurt people unnecessarily. But it was because of Odin that Morgana was able to kill my father, something I was willing to forgvie for the sake of peace, since I had lost a father and he a son. Instead, he killed three of my knights, he would have killed me and," here he pointed angrily at Merlin, "he did kill Merlin. If you think I am going to let him get away with that, you can think again!"
"No one is suggesting you ignore it, Arthur," said Gwen soothingly, "we're just saying there has to be another way."
"If any of you have ideas, I'm willing to listen to them."
There was momentary silence until the answer came to the warlock and he blurted out: "Issue a challenge."
The king raised his eyebrows. "Excuse me?"
"You know: 'Single-combat by the Knight's Code' all that stuff you love," Merlin said condescendingly.
"Yes, Merlin, I know what you meant, but unless it has escaped your notice, I'm one arm short of a pair here," Arthur gestured at his left arm. "And even if I wasn't, what on earth makes you think he would accept?"
"You could beat Odin with one arm and you know it," replied Merlin. "And he'll accept because he's not interested in land or politics, he just wants revenge. Give him the opportunity to fight you one-on-one and he won't be able to resist."
Arthur nodded thoughtfully. "You might be right."
"Sire, you can't agree to this," Leon said firmly. "You are the king - you can't risk yourself like this."
"Why not?" Arthur asked. "It is my duty to protect my people and this will save not only Camelot's citizens but Bernicia's as well."
"Arthur," began Leon, dropping the formalities, "I know that you want to save lives, and you know I don't like this plan you've designed, but you cannot fight every battle, every war, single-handedly. What if Odin kills you?"
Not while I'm breathing, Merlin thought to himself. The only reason he was willing to even suggest Arthur risk his life in such a manner was because he knew his friend was a better swordsman than the rival king and if it came to it, a small amount of magic, judiciously used, would secure Arthur's victory.
"He won't," stated the king confidently. "And if he did, Guinevere would rule in my stead."
"Arthur - " Gwen protested but Arthur cut her off.
"I'm just stating a fact, Gwen," he assured her. "I've no intention of dying. Your reservations have been noted Leon, but I think Merlin is right. Send a messenger to Odin issuing a formal challenge."
Leon stood and bowed his head. "As you command, sire."
Merlin watched the knight leave the room, before turning back to Arthur with a grin. "Did you just say I was right?"
The king gave his wife an exasperated look but she just smiled indulgently. "Shut up, Merlin," responded Arthur. "One good idea does not negate a lifetime of idiocy."
The servant stood up and prepared to run. "'Negate'? Your vocabulary is really coming along, Sire!" With that, Merlin charged out the council chambers as fast as his legs would carry him. Behind him, the sound of Gwen's soft laughter and a loud crash as Arthur's chair toppled over in his haste to chase after his servant, mingled with Arthur furiously yelling his name.
A/N: Hope you enjoyed it. Please review!
