Arthur was grinning as he overheard Merlin telling Peredur of some of the things Archie had been up to. The living suit of Armour for one. But the fact that Gwaine and the cook had been the brunt of most of the kid's pranks had Peredur nearly crying with laughter. The other Knights were smiling too, and Arthur felt his grin widen at the expressions on some of their faces.
The druid camp came within sight, and Arthur rode up to Bedivere, who was watering the horses.
"Sire! It's good to see you back. The druid elders have come to a decision, regarding your offer."
"Did they accept?"
"I'll leave that for Aglain to tell you Sire."
Merlin joined him as they went to find Aglain, leaving Peredur to greet his friends. Merlin spotted Kaden, and made a sight detour.
"You read to head back to Camelot? We are probably going to set out tomorrow morning…"
"I'm good to go. Though we may have quite a few more travelling companions…"
"They accepted?"
"After a fashion… I'll let Aglain tell you. He's over there." Kaden gestured and Merlin saw Arthur greeting the old druid.
"Cheers Kay…"
Merlin head over, and saw that Arthur was in a thinking state.
"Aglain?"
"Merlin… The druid elders have agreed to send our people to Camelot… But there are some who choose to stay. If that is the case, then the attacks by the Brotherhood will likely see them hurt or killed."
Arthur spoke up.
"I don't like the thought of trying to force them. But if we could talk to them? Change their minds?"
"Their minds are made up. My people are divided on this."
"Then let me talk to them." Merlin shrugged, "If they will listen to anyone, it would be me. "
Aglain considered this.
"That is a good point. We have planned to have the different settlements congregate here in one week's time. If you could be here then…
"That shouldn't be a problem. I would still have two or three days in Camelot before having to return. And considering I have those days off…"
Merlin grinned at Arthur, who raised his eyebrows.
"Oh, you think?"
"Well… I could work, but I may easily get run down…"
"Fine. Have your days off. But your list of jobs will just keep piling up…"
Again interrupted the banter with a small cough.
"If I may, You could easily speak from Camelot. Even if you had not he strength to speak into their minds, we could set up a channelling of energy to keep a shade up for a few moments… Maybe half an hour…"
"That would likely be the best idea…" Merlin nodded. "I can do that. I will try a telepathic link, but it may be weak, seeing a there would be so many people…"
"Then channelling our energy it shall be."
After sorting out details, and deciding that it would be best for Kaden to stay and be a source of information, being able to link with Merlin, the small group settled for the night. For the first time, Merlin found he could sleep uninterrupted, and Arthur, too was surprised that the young man was asleep before he had even lay down. None-the-less, it was not long until silence fell over the camp.
Having decided to set out whilst it was still dark, hoping to reach Camelot without having to stop for the next night, Merlin found himself being shaken awake. Yawning, he got to his feet, and realised that it must be just past midnight. Stifling another yawn, he helped finish saddling the horses, a flick of his wrist completing the job in mere seconds, much to the gratitude of his companions, and clambered up onto his. The quick farewells were soon taken care of, though Merlin was pleased to see Bedivere kiss Dawn lightly on her hand, before mounting his own ride. Maybe some good would come from this after all.
Merlin suddenly found himself wide awake, and, as they set off, muttered a quick spell, sending a blue orb ahead of them. With the light, the riders had no trouble picking up their pace to a quick canter.
They stopped twice throughout the day, but only for a short period of time. It was thanks to this that Camelot came into sight just as the light was fading for the day. They crossed the drawbridge into the citadel almost two hours after darkness had fallen, and all were tired. None-the-less, they were cheered by the thought that their ride had got them back in really good time. They had just dismounted when Gwaine ran down the steps. Speaking first so Arthur, in hushed tones, then to the other Knights, who all had grins when he had finished speaking with them, Gwaine left Merlin completely bemused as the Knight grabbed his shoulder and propelled him inside. At his questioning look, Arthur just shrugged, grinning.
Merlin was completely confused by the way the others were acting, and Gwaine was giving nothing away. It was only a they reached the doors that Merlin realised they were going to the huge hall.
"Gwaine? What, in the name of Camelot, Are you…"
Merlin didn't get a chance to finish as the doors swung open and a huge roar erupted.
He jumped back, piling into Gwaine and Peredur and sending them all tumbling to the floor. The action was followed with laughter and, as Merlin got to his feet, he took in the scene. The entire hall was decked with wild plants, and gave the very feel of being in a forest. He was just marvelling at this when Gwen came over and hugged him.
"Happy Birthday Merlin!"
"Wait… What?"
"You didn't think we'd leave it to Gwaine this year did you?"
"But… What?"
Arthur was as impressed by the decoration as Merlin was, but still cuffed him round the back of the head.
"Ah well, you can turn Gwaine into a toad next year…"
They were all swept into a whirl of talking, eating, drinking and dancing. Merlin slowly let it sink in that this was for him, and made his way over to Gwaine, who was, clearly, drunk.
"Was this your idea?"
"Well… yeah… But Gwen helped with most… nope, all of it… Merlin, are you aware that there are two of you?"
"Gwaine? How much have you had to drink?"
Percival came up behind them, and patted Merlin on the back.
"More than usual… Anyway, Happy Birthday Merlin."
"Cheers Perc. Hang on just a sec."
Merlin muttered a long sentence, and was rewarded by Gwaine's drink turning clear. He didn't notice and raised his cup to take a swig. He immediately spat it out, and grimaced at the cup.
"What…? Merlin? Was that you?"
"Was what me?"
"Its water…?"
"Oh that. Yeah, that was me."
"Why you little…" Gwaine reached for him, but Merlin ducked behind Percival, who was laughing. Leon and Peredur came over to see what the commotion was about, and Percival told them, whilst playing his part as a human shield. The pair burst out laughing, and slowly the story spread, so that Gwaine's attempt to catch Merlin became centre stage. It was, of course, at that moment, that Percival decided to step out of the way, and Merlin had to leap over a table to avoid Gwaine. He muttered a quick spell, and started exclamations filled the hall as Merlin vanished. Trying to stifle his laughter at the confused expression on Gwaine's face, he made his way over to the table and grabbed a pitcher of water. To the credit of everyone, they didn't react at the sight of a floating pitcher, and instead hid their smiles. That is, until Merlin emptied the contents over Gwaine's head. Sputtering and indignant, Gwaine spun around as the hall erupted into laughter. Unable to see Merlin, who had placed the pitcher down on the table, he sank onto the bench. His words slurred.
"I'll get you for this you… irritating… cheating… scrawny… irritating…" his head fell back, and he was snoring. Merlin muttered the counter spell, and became visible again, joining in the laughter. He felt a punch on the shoulder and turned to see Arthur, laughing as hard as anyone else.
"You know Merlin…" he gasped, between hiccups, "I once said… I'd make you court jester… Now I'm seriously considering it…"
Eventually the laughter died down and the party resumed. Merlin realised, however, that this moment would be talked about every time Gwaine was at a party or feast, He'd never live it down. After Alice and Gaius had wished him a happy birthday, and head off, Merlin sat, grinning idiotically at himself.
"Don't expect this every year Merlin…" Arthur said, sitting down beside him. "After all, throwing feasts for servants is not something we would normally do…" He grinned and leant back, "Then again, with entertainment like that, maybe we should keep it as a tradition…"
Merlin grinned.
"Yeah. Next year, Gwaine will be hopping around the floor ribbiting."
"Really? We thought you were joking about the toad?"
"Nope. But maybe we can give Gwaine something to remember this night by… for a few days at least…"
"What are you thinking?"
"Maybe… a bright blue face?"
Arthurs eyes widened at the thought.
"Is that even possible?"
"Sure…But maybe I shouldn't test it out… just yet anyway…."
"Maybe that's a good idea. We'd never hear the end of it…"
"Of course. It wasn't worry for Gwaine that had you ageing, but the thought that he might talk more. You're a great friend. You now that?"
"Ah come on. It was the same reason you wouldn't have done it…"
"… Okay, maybe a little. But that's beside the point…"
Gwen came over, and Arthur got to his feet, putting his lips to her hand, and giving her a wink.
"Would you accept my hand for a dance, fair maiden?"
Gwen smiled.
"Why, indeed I would good sir." She called back to Merlin as they head to the floor, where tables were being cleared away for dancing.
"How do you like your birthday this year Merlin?"
"What can I say? No Tavern, me able to actually get Gwaine back for the drinking, and a day off tomorrow instead of cleaning boots with tiny brushes…? What's not to love? Thanks Gwen."
Gwen laughed, accepting his thanks, and vanished into the swirling couples who were dancing. Merlin looked around, taking in the fact that everything here was for him. And he smiled. He randomly pulled Sir Erec into an embrace as he walked past, laughing to himself, and Erec couldn't help joining in at his enthusiasm, though he had a slightly bemused look. After wishing him a happy birthday, Erec left, and Merlin found himself face to face with Taren.
"Hey! How was your trip?"
Since Magic had returned to Camelot, Merlin was unofficial liaison to the magical population, but he would never have been able to cope if it wasn't for the woman in front of him.
"Great. Went fine. Any problems here?"
"Nope…except that Holly had a problem with getting the ivy right."
"You were responsible for this?" Merlin gestured around to the foliage that was covering the walls.
"Me and several others from town. If truth be told, the Queen was more taken with it than Hazel… and you know what she's like…"
"Well, at least I know what to do for her birthday now…" Merlin smiled and pulled Taren into a hug.
"Thanks…"
"No Problem. We all enjoyed it. Anyway, are you not going to dance?"
"Er… No. I haven't danced since I was a child…"
"Were you any good?"
"Relatively…"
"Good…" Taren grabbed his hand and pulled him onto the floor, just as the music changed to that of a speedy step. Merlin glared at her, but it turned to a grin as he span her around. He let himself fall into the dance patterns that his mother had taught him as a child, and grinned when he recalled how he had never been clumsy when dancing. Sure enough, as the dance got faster, many stepped out, but Merlin found that he and Taren had no problem keeping up
"You're good" he complimented her, grinning,
"You're not so bad yourself," she replied, returning the smile.
Arthur caught sight of Merlin dancing and was astounded that he could actually dance pretty damn well. Maybe he wasn't as clumsy as he made out. Gwen was staring too, obviously as surprised as Arthur. Merlin wasn't the kind of person she would associate with dancing.
As the song came to an end, the hall was filled with clapping, and Arthur laughed at the embarrassed look on Merlin's face. The music started again, this time into a slow rhythm, but Arthur saw Merlin excuse himself, a strange look coming over his face. He watched as Taren followed him outside, and resolved to do the same once the song ended.
"Merlin?" Taren's concerned voice came up behind him, and she leant against the balcony as he was doing.
"Sorry… It just… Brought memories back…"
"Of Freya?"
Most of the sorcerers in Camelot had a basic understanding of most of the things Merlin had done, but only Taren knew about Freya.
"Yeah… It's strange. All this time, and I still miss her…"
"It's not strange. Its love. And you shouldn't avoid thinking about it."
"I know… It still hurts though… sometimes…"
"Yeah…" she pulled him into a hug and grinned at him, eliciting a small smile in response. "But that isn't going to stop you from enjoying the first decent birthday celebration you have ever had."
Merlin sighed, then shook his head ruefully, a smile forming on his face.
"Then let's go. Maybe waking Gwaine up and seeing him trying to walk straight may cheer me up a bit."
When Merlin came back in, Arthur realised he was smiling, and grinned. Could there be something between Merlin and Taren? Then again… Merlin. As he spun Gwen around, he put it from his mind, as well as the achiness form his long ride. He could always stay in bed in the morning… It's not like Merlin would be getting up, seeing as he had a day off… and was now drinking with Gwaine who had seemed to have forgotten his earlier anger at Merlin… Arthur smiled at the knowledge that Merlin was going to have one hell of a headache the next morning…
