A/N: Here is another chapter!
Sorry for the wait... My updates will be slower now because my schedule is starting to crowd up.
This chapter is yet another transition chapter, but don't worry. Things will pick up soon. XD
Note: Next chapter is going to be Merlin adjusting to his new roll as court sorcerer. If you would like to see anything in the next chapter, like something he has to do or something... just leave a review. I would love to hear from all of you!
Warning: None
Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin.
Chapter 9
Merlin was sitting in his bed, a spell book propped on his lap, the covers drawn up to keep his legs warm. He glanced up as the door to his room swung open and Arthur barged in.
"Prat..." Merlin said. "I'm part of your court now. Treat me with respect."
Arthur rolled his eyes. "I am the king, Merlin. I can do whatever I want."
"I could turn you into a toad right now!" Merlin retorted, waving the spell book in front of Arthur's face.
"I think the power is getting to his head sire," a voice called from behind the king. Arthur turned to see Gaius stepping forwards.
"No doubt about that," Arthur growled, glaring at his former servant vehemently. Gaius stepped away again, going to work at the table in the other room.
"Come on," Arthur said. "We are going for a walk..."
"Do I have to?" Merlin asked. His question was answered for him as Arthur pulled him roughly to his feet, making him drop the book on his bed. He stumbled after the king, out into the castle hallway.
"Where are we going?" Merlin asked.
"To your new chambers," Arthur said and Merlin stopped in his tracks.
"What?" he said.
"Have you gone deaf? I said, we are going to your new chambers," Arthur said, dragging Merlin down the hall to a door not far from Arthur's own chambers.
He threw it open and pushed Merlin inside, the court sorcerer stumbling into the room. He looked around the room, taking everything in.
It was just like every other royal chamber in the castle; nothing too special, just a four poster bed, a wardrobe, and a desk in the corner. But it was more than Merlin ever had in his life.
"This is a joke," Merlin said, turning to Arthur.
"Nope," Arthur said. "It's all yours."
"What's the catch?" Merlin asked, walking over and sitting down on the cushiony bed.
"There is no catch... I'm just trying to do something for a friend," Arthur said.
Merlin glanced over at Arthur, who had sat down on the bed beside him. "We need to talk," Arthur said. Merlin didn't answer him, choosing to look down at his boots instead.
"I want you to tell me everything. I want you to tell me about Freya, about all of the times you saved my life, about everyone who died along the way..."
Merlin was swallowed, his hands picking at the loose thread on his jacket sleeve. "Where do you want me to start?" he asked.
"From the very beginning... From the time you stepped foot in Camelot."
"Well... It all began when I..."
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
"That little ball of light was you?"
"Yep, according to Gaius it was."
"But you were injured!"
"I'm the most powerful sorcerer in the world, Arthur. I can do whatever I want."
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
"...The first time I laid my eyes on her, I was in love. She was so beautiful and she reminded me of myself, having to hide who she was from everyone... always afraid of what was to come..."
"What happened to her?" Arthur asked. "How did she die?"
"You..." Merlin swallowed thickly. "You killed her..."
Arthur's jaw fell open. "W...What?"
"It was an accident... You didn't know who she was... all you saw was a beast... She was a Bastet... kind of like a panther with wings..." Tears had gathered behind Merlin's closed eyelids as he spoke.
"Merlin..." Arthur said. "I am sorry. I am so sorry..."
"It's not your fault."
"But it is, Merlin... I killed the love of your life. You have every right to hate me, to blame me for what happened..."
"You were doing what you thought was right... trying to save Camelot..."
"You..." Arthur shook his head, a sad smile on his face. "You are the most compassionate person I have ever met... I really am sorry for what happened. I know that I can never make it up to you, but I hope someday that I might make it better..."
Merlin shot a small smile at Arthur. "You already have..."
There was a brief pause as Merlin wiped the tears that had fallen from his eyes. "Anyways, where was I? Oh, yes... Well, after I helped Freya from the cage..."
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
"Please don't be mad at this next part... I... I let the dragon out..."
"YOU WHAT?" Arthur nearly fell off the edge of the bed.
"I know, it was stupid of me... I didn't know that he would attack Camelot... I..." Merlin stammered.
Arthur took a breath, calming his anger as he heard his friends nervousness. "Merlin, slow down... It's okay," Arthur said.
Merlin looked up into Arthur's eyes, a spark of hope flaring in him. "You aren't mad?"
"I.. I don't know. I understand why you did it... and I know you felt guilty about it..."
"It gets a bit better though... I manage to fix everything," Merlin responds. "Just listen."
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
"...But right before we left, Gaius told me that he was my father."
"Wait what?" Arthur asked.
"Balinor... he was my father," Merlin said.
"That isn't possible..."
"Yep it is... And it gets worse than that..." Merlin said. "He told me.. before he died that I was the last Dragonlord... that I had inherited his ability..."
Merlin was staring down at his boots, unable to look at his king, his heart thudding in his chest.
"You... you were the one that killed the dragon..." Arthur said.
"I didn't actually kill him..." Merlin muttered.
"What?" Arthur exclaimed.
"I didn't kill him. I ordered him to fly away and never return to Camelot. It is my duty as a dragon lord to keep the dragons alive, not to kill them. And I was actually lucky I kept him alive. He turned out to be a very valuable ally," Merlin said.
"You let me believe I killed it... You didn't want any glory..."
"None of this was for the glory, Arthur. How many times do I have to tell you that?"
"You... You had to watch your father die... in your arms... That's why you looked so sad," Arthur said.
"Yes," Merlin responded. "It was hard... I almost packed up and left Camelot, but I had to stay..."
"Why?"
"Who would protect your royal arse if I left?"
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
"You were actually dying?"
"Yes, I tried to tell you..."
"I am sorry..."
"You can stop apologizing... I was acting kind of suspiciously... Anyways, back to it. So Kilgharrah healed me and flew me back to Camelot so I could..."
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
"You were wearing a dress?"
"I had to! It was Gaius' fault for telling you the sorcerer he had found was a girl!"
"YOU WERE WEARING A DRESS?"
"Shut up."
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
"...and then I had to come tell you that I couldn't come with you to the battle... I had to make up an excuse to go to the crystal cave to get my magic back and I felt terrible about it... But I managed to get my magic back and I turned myself old and came and saved you... You know the res after that, " Merlin said.
"I was a complete idiot and told you that you weren't brave..." Arthur said. "I... I'm so sorry... I was afraid. You had always been by my side and then, at the time when I needed you the most, you were leaving me. I didn't know how to feel or what to think..." He paused for a moment.
"You really are the bravest man I have ever met, Merlin," Arthur said.
"Thank you..." Merlin said after a moment. A wave of nostalgia washed over Merlin as they both sat there silently. Things were changing. Destiny was flowering.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
After Arthur left his room, Merlin walked back to Gaius' chambers alone, entering the familiar room and shutting the door softly behind him. Gaius was sitting at the table, hunched over a book, his magnifying glass in his hand.
"Merlin," Gaius said, glancing up when he heard the door latch. Merlin smiled at the older man, walking up to him and sitting at the table. They were both silent.
"Arthur gave me my own room," Merlin said.
"That's wonderful!" Gaius said, a smile breaking out over his face. Merlin nodded.
"What's wrong?" Gaius asked, sensing the warlock's mood.
"I'm going to miss you..." Merlin said.
"Merlin, you are just moving down the hallway. You can still come and visit. In fact, I expect you to," Gaius said, laughing. But he embraced his ward tightly, his heart clenching.
"Let me help you pack your things," Gaius said and they both headed up the steps into Merlin's old room.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
Merlin was just settling into his new chambers when there was a knock at his door. "Come in," he said, and the door swung open to reveal Gwen, her hair tied back from her face and her red dress swishing at her feet.
"Arthur wanted to let you know that there will be a feast honoring your new title in a few hours. He wants you to get ready," Gwen said. "Are these your new chambers? They're lovely!"
Gwen automatically bustled to the curtains, straightening them with nimble fingers.
"A feast? I must really be on Arthur's good side right now... that or he just wants an excuse to eat more," Merlin said, grinning.
"He does respect you," Gwen said, studying her friend closely. "You matter dearly to him. He just doesn't know how to show it half of the time."
Merlin nodded, putting another shirt inside the tall wardrobe.
"Well, I have to go get ready for the feast. Arthur expects you to be on time. He was very adamant about it," Gwen said, smiling and walking to the door.
"Bye, Gwen. I will see you there," Merlin said. When she shut the door, he opened back up his wardrobe, selecting his cleanest shirt and his best neckerchief and putting them on.
He only had a few more minutes to finish unpacking before he had to dash through the hall. He had a feast to attend!
TBC
