Chapter 4

Edited 9/4/17


Chapter 4: Confusion

"So… you know about Merlin's magic".

Percival's head whipped around so fast that Gwaine was surprised when it didn't crack. Percival looked at his partner in shock, nervous that he may have accidently let something slip of his newfound knowledge about Merlin. Gwaine smiled good-naturedly and shook his head, denying the question in Percival's eyes.

"He told me that you knew last night", he admitted.

The two of them were out on a joint patrol, scouring the early morning forest for any sign of stray bandits or worse… a sighting of Morgana. No one had seen or heard anything on the whereabouts of the High Priestess since she had fled, injured, from the castle after being removed from the throne (again) all those months ago. Arthur had since instructed small patrols of knights to search Camelot's surrounding forests every few days. On this particular day, he had agreed to allow the two of them to venture out alone, trusting that they were capable of watching each other's backs for a few hours.

They had been riding side by side nearing an hour, on alert and chatting as they always did. At Gwaine's smile, Percival returned his eyes to the path ahead of them, massaging his neck with one hand, the reigns of his horse held firmly in the other.

"Yeah…" he confirmed hesitantly, unsure about how much Gwaine knew. "He left, ah – he left his magic book out".

Gwaine threw his head back and laughed, the sound echoing through the quiet forest.

"He didn't tell me how you found out, though", he said between chuckles, "only that you did. I guess that's why he was looking so embarrassed when he told me".

Percival grinned as well, before asking Gwaine a question of his own.

"How did you find out?"

"It was only a few days ago, actually", Gwaine answered, shaking his head fondly. "He told me, and asked if I would talk to Arthur to convince the stubborn princess that magic isn't evil". He sighed. "To be honest, I think he just wanted someone to talk to, Perce. Lancelot knew, and now he's not here…"

Percival nodded his understanding. Merlin's predicament was certainly a lonely one. He felt an overwhelming sympathy and respect for the secret warlock who had been protecting them for so long. And Percival knew that that's what he had been doing, for what else would someone like Merlin do with a gift like that?

"Merlin told me that he…" Percival swallowed audibly, "that he is Emrys".

The statement did not trigger the reaction that he had expected from the other knight, who turned to him in confusion. "Emrys? Who's Emrys?"

Percival let a breath of air before answering, still not quite believing that Merlin could be such an important figure in druid prophesy.

"He's the most powerful sorcerer – the most powerful warlock – that will ever exist", he said, the awe he felt at that statement evident in his tone. "He is written about in druid prophesy, as a figure of hope for the magical community. They say that he will be the one to unite Albion, side by side with the Once and Future King, and allow magic to be free again".

Gwaine's expression of indifference had turned into one of shock. He stared for several seconds, unsure of whether to be more shocked at the information that had just been revealed, or at the fact that the large knight knew it in the first place. Merlin? The most powerful ever? He shook his head at turned to stare at the path ahead.

"Woah", he whispered. He had always know that Merlin was different, that he was special, but to be the most powerful sorcerer ever? He could not have guessed that. Percival's words repeated themselves over and over in his head – most powerful warlock – and he couldn't help but breath out "Woah" for a second time.

Silence came between them, both thinking over the implications of such a thing. They both knew that they would protect Merlin, and do their best to assist him in their quest to convince the king of magic's true nature. For who else could be the Once and Future King, but their very own Arthur Pendragon?

"How do you know that?" Gwaine's question broke the prolonged silence.

"Where I grew up, magic was permitted", Percival answered. "It was a small village in Cenred's kingdom, and a lot of people used magic in their everyday lives – not me, of course, nor my family. We lived near a druid camp as well, and the druids that lived there would share their stories with us. One of them being the prophecies about Emrys and the Once and Future King", he explained. He smiled slightly. "He's very important to them. I'm still trying to get my head around the fact that the powerful warlock I grew up hearing stories about is Merlin". They laughed together at the absurdity of it all.

"So, how did you try to convince Arthur that magic's not evil, then?"

Gwaine snorted. "I told him a story I made up on my way to training last week. It was only a first attempt. Just to ease him into it". Percival nodded in agreement. "Well… it was pretty short, and I probably didn't get anywhere with him. Stubborn git".

"Merlin asked me to do the same, in not so many words. To make Arthur realise…"

"Got any ideas better than mine?"

"Yes, actually", Percival said, a thoughtful frown on his face. "And you can back me up".


The huge doors to the council chambers opened, revealing the recently crowned King Arthur sitting at the head of a magnificent table. He was discussing something with his uncle, Lord Agravaine, who stood leaning against the chair to the king's left. Merlin, the image of a perfect servant, stood at a pillar behind Arthur's chair. Upon seeing the newcomers, all three of them looked up, Arthur dismissing his uncle to see to his knights.

"Percival, Gwaine", he greeted. The knights bowed in acknowledgement of their king. "I trust all went well?"

"Yes, sire", Percival answered. "We did not encounter any signs of bandits, nor of Morgana".

Arthur sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Good", he said. "That will be all".

"Actually, sire", Percival continued. "We came across a druid camp".

Arthur's jaw tensed, his expression hardening. Out of the corner of his eye, Percival saw Merlin flinch, but he did not look towards the warlock.

Arthur was staring challengingly at the two knights, all evidence of tiredness gone. "What did you do?"

"We did not attack, sire", Gwaine said, stepping forwards. "Their camp is too large".

"Where is it? Tomorrow morn we shall ride out and ambush them".

"No", Percival said firmly, stepping forwards to stand at Gwaine's side.

"Excuse me?" the king asked dangerously.

"Forgive me, sire, but they have done nothing to harm us. Nor did they give any indication that they intended to do so".

"The druids are a peaceful people", Gwaine continued. "They have no ill intent towards Camelot or it's people".

Arthur challenge turned into a glare, but the two knights before him did not flinch. Slowly and dangerously, Arthur addressed them.

"I am your King", he reminded them firmly. "You will tell me where this druid camp is, and you will accompany me tomorrow when we when we attack it".

Gwaine was shaking his head. "No, Arthur. We will not kill innocent people who mean us no harm. Even if they are magic".

"We won't tell you, sire", Percival continued, only made slightly nervous by Arthur's unrelenting glare. "These people are innocent. They do not deserve to-"

"I will decide who is innocent or not!" Arthur hissed, rising to his feet in his anger. "Do not presume to tell me what I can and cannot do!"

"Arthur-" Merlin stepped forward, trying to placate his friend. "They're right. The druids have never harmed us. You said so yourself".

"They have done nothing wrong, sire" Percival finished.

Arthur was breathing deeply, his glare only slightly softened. After a few seconds, he sat down again, and from the look in his eyes, it seemed that he regretted losing his temper at his trusted knights.

"Fine", he said quietly. Behind him, Merlin sighed in relief. "Dismissed".

Percival and Gwaine both bowed, casting fleeting glances at Merlin before turning and leaving the chamber, the large wooden doors closing behind their retreating backs.

Alone in the council chambers, Merlin abandoned his pillar and made his way towards his master. The king sighed and placed his head in his hands, leaning his elbows on the table. Merlin had to strain to hear what he said next.

"They're right". The words were muffled into Arthur's hands, but Merlin understood.

"They are", he confirmed, grabbing a water jug from the table and refilling Arthur's goblet. Arthur lifted his head and looked at his servant, letting out a long breath of air as he rubbed at his tired face.

"It's just-"

"It's okay to be thinking as you are, Arthur. You're new to this whole king thing, after all".

Arthur looked up at him, with no small amount of scepticism. "And what way of thinking would that be, Merlin?"

"What would your father do?"

Arthur was silent for a long moment. He grabbed the goblet and took a long drink.

"You're right", he said, hating to admit that to his servant. But Merlin didn't smirk. "I'm so used to acting according to my father's law. Doing what he would've done". He sighed again. "They are right. The druids are no threat. I just… I won't be making the same mistake twice. We must be vigilant".

Merlin didn't say anything, but he knew what Arthur meant. He had called for the aid of magic to heal his father, and it had betrayed him. It would be a while before Arthur could learn to trust magic users.

"You'll do the right thing, Arthur. I know you will". Arthur nodded his thanks. "May I leave, sire? I have chores I should be doing."

His request was approved by a single nod. The king's eyes were glazed over, staring at nothing in particular. Merlin left, leaving Arthur to his thoughts as he went to track down Percival and Gwaine.