AN: Merlin? Mine? Yeah, no.
So guys, I am sorry to tell you that THIS WILL BE THE LAST CHAPTER! I'm doing an epilogue and then that's it. This story ended up being shorter than I expected, but I'm still reasonably pleased with it.
Oh and I have a poll set up asking which story you'd rather I write (Merlin stories, of course.) One of the options is a sequel/companion to this, so if you liked this, go vote! And even if you didn't I'd really appreciate it if you went to my profile and voted.
It didn't take long for them for them to return to Camelot. Arthur almost wished the journey back could have lasted longer. He was not looking forward to facing a room full of council men squawking their opinions about what to do with Camden. With a jolt, he realized some of them would be lobbying for the boy's execution.
Gwen had seen them coming from her window and was waiting for them when she arrived. She and Arthur embraced when he dismounted. He had never been more glad for her company. Aerysian may have had enlightening things to say, but he missed Gwen's gentle wisdom. He would be able to face the council if he had her next to him.
"Arthur," she greeted him. Then her eyes slipped past him and saw the rest of the group she frowned slightly.
"Arthur, why is there a little boy tied up?"
Camden had been riding with his head down and covered in a blanket behind Aerysian, but the ropes around his wrist could still be plainly seen.
"It's a long explanation," Arthur said tiredly. "I'll explain once we get inside."
Merlin watched them go as he lead the horses away from the courtyard. With a smile, he saw that Arthur was talking to Gwen. Aerysian had told him what Arthur had said earlier, but he knew Gwen would object to punishing Camden once she heard the story, and maybe Arthur would be convinced to let Camden go, not just allow him to escape.
That night, Arthur stumbled into bed, exhausted. The council had done exactly as expected. Some objected to killing Camden, others thought it was necessary. How anyone could speak so coldly of a child's death, Arthur didn't know. There had been an argument, as always, but a more heated one as usual. Finally, after he decided that they had been going at it long enough for it to be acceptable for him to end the meeting, he'd told them that they would reconvene in the morning.
And then, he'd had to explain everything to Guinevere. That task had been less tedious, but still tiring. And as he'd expected, she had given him her opinion.
"I agree that he can't be allowed out on his own, but surely you're not going to kill him? He's just a child!"
"I don't intend to kill him. I just...I'm not quite sure how to deal with him."
"Arthur, you know I trust you to do what you think is right. Just, remember...he's just lost his father. You know what that feels like." Gwen winced as she said this, not wanting to bring up painful memories for him, but it drove home her point. "Imagine feeling like that as a child and being lost and scared and not knowing what to do."
Staring down at her deep brown eyes, he caved and told her what he'd told Aerysian to do. He could tell she would have preferred it differently, but was proud of him for not wanting to punish the boy.
Therefore, it had been a relief when he was finally able to just flop down on his bed after taking a bath and let go of his duties. Guinevere was already asleep. He was just drifting off as well, and he was jolted awake unpleasantly by the warning bell.
Gwen stirred. "Whas' wrong?" she murmured.
"Shh, go back to sleep, it's just the sorcerers escaping the dungeons."
"'M'kay."
He sighed and got out of bed. As he did so, guards burst through his bedroom door.
"Sire, the sorcerers have escaped!"
"Have they now?" Arthur said casually, yawning.
"Yes, Sire," the guard said urgently.
"Very well, send patrols out to search the city. Report your findings to me in the morning."
And with that, he flopped back down onto his bed and rolled over, leaving the guard standing awkwardly and staring at the king for a moment, perplexed by his lack of...enthusiasm. Then he remembered that the king had given him an order and hurried from the room.
~*~
The next day was the final day of Lord Cyron's stay. Negotiations were finished, and Arthur left them feeling that with all the things that had been going on lately, at least he now had a new ally in Kesmara.
He was heading back to his chambers when he caught sight of Aerysian and Merlin. They appeared to have been talking. Merlin smiled and waved, and they parted ways, Merlin towards Arthur and Aerysian down the opposite corridor.
"Made a new friend?"
Merlin started, finally noticing Arthur.
"I guess so," he said with a grin.
Suddenly tired of all this magic confusion all over again, Arthur motioned for Merlin to join him in his chambers.
Merlin closed the door as they entered. "Something's been bothering you, hasn't it?" he stated.
Arthur sighed. "It's what Aerysian said. These past few days...have shown me magic in a completely different light. But I can't just ignore everything my father taught me."
Merlin sighed. "Alright. Just forget everything for a moment. Pretend your father never said anything about magic, and pretend you had never spoken to Aerysian. What do you think about magic?"
Arthur sat in quiet thought for a moment. Then he spoke.
"I don't think all sorcerers deserved to be punished."
The words seemed to take him by surprise, even has he said it.
Merlin gave him a wide smile. "So what are you going to do?" He hardly dared to hope it, but would Arthur consider...?
Arthur looked at him, still thinking. Both of them knew that Arthur could tell that Merlin wanted him to make magic legal.
"I'm not going to legalize sorcery."
Merlin tried to keep his disappointment off his face. He had been so close...
"At least, not yet."
At these words, Merlin's eyes snapped up to meet Arthur's in shock.
"I'm not ready for that yet. But...maybe someday. Maybe even some day soon."
The next day, Lord Cyron and his family left. Arthur, Merlin and Gwen said polite goodbyes to Cyron, Nadalia, Aldin, Benjamin, Ismae and Mirabelle. But when Arthur got to Aerysian, he gave her a smile. And then, to the astonishment of the onlookers, the king gave the same sorceress he had fought with days earlier a genuinely friendly hug.
"Feel free to visit anytime," Arthur told her.
"It would be my pleasure," Aerysian said with a smile, ignoring the bewildered looks on the faces of her family.
Merlin refrained from hugging her as well, as he was a servant, but when no one was looking, they shared a smile.
It was wonderful to meet you, Emrys.
They watched the family leave. Most of them didn't have a clue what had really been going on the past few days. Sure, making an alliance had been important, but as Arthur watched the black head of hair retreating from the city, he felt the most important thing that had happened had been a collection of things that had forced him to open his eyes.
He sighed in resignation. He was not looking forward to broaching the topic of legal magic onto his councilmen...
Oh well. He had Merlin and Guinevere to help him through it if any of those snotty nobles decided to throw a temper tantrum.
