LALALA NOOO SLASH c:
Disclaimer : I don't own anything you recognize. The Floofs and the unicorn are mine. That's... that's it.
Warning : Set after season four, Reveal fic
May Contain : A band of Floofs, UNICORNS, Terribly written spells, Cliffhangers to annoy the heck out of you, Aithusaaaaa (and Kilgharrah), Catboy!Merlin, King Arthur Pratdragon, the Knights of Camelot, GWAINE, and a whole lot of MAGIC~
I apologize in advance for any out of characterness (which is totally a word, by the way.)
Warning; this chapter contains Gaius, and a bit of Gwen. Finally out of the forest! ENJOY~
Queen Guinevere stood on the steps of the castle of Camelot, awaiting her King and husband, and his companions.
She wore a deep purple dress, looking regal as ever. She was not yet completely used to royalty, and stood a little awkwardly, yet her chest was swelled with pride. She had managed to become Queen, and remain with the man she loved at the same time.
She let out a breath she had unknowingly held when she saw the six men that meant more than anything else in the world to her galloping into the square. She hitched up her skirts and floated down the stairs. No one seemed to be hurt, thankfully.
"Arthur, you're back!" she exclaimed joyfully, throwing her arms around his neck. It was nice to be able to embrace him without hiding as soon as someone passed by.
Arthur grinned, holding his arms around his wife's waist. "Hello, Guinevere."
It was then that she noticed all the animals trailing behind, and a unicorn of all things, which Merlin was calming down, as it seemed jittery. Even as she watched, Merlin looked into its large eyes, and an unheard agreement went through them. The unicorn relaxed, gazing up at her through its eyelashes.
"Is that... is that a unicorn?" she asked incredulously, pushing past Arthur.
Arthur sighed in amusement as Gwen started stroking the unicorn's snout. "Merlin here attracted some friends," Arthur stated.
Gwen frowned in confusion at him. "Merlin? How did you get a unicorn?"
Merlin paled ever so slightly, but hid it behind a beam. "Animals like me," he offered as an explanation.
Gwen narrowed her eyes a bit further, gazing into his face. "What's wrong with your eyes?"
Merlin felt the blood drain out of his face a little more, but continued to smile, averting his eyes. "Oh, you know... I was going to have Gaius check them out, because... um... Sire," he said hastily, bowing to Arthur before racing up the stairs, taking them two at a time.
The Queen turned to Arthur. "Arthur, what's going on?"
She could see through the smile plastered on his face. He knew that she could; she always did. That never stopped him from trying, though. "Nothing, Gwen, nothing at all."
She gave him a face that told him exactly how skeptical she was, but she didn't press the issue. You'll tell me when you're ready, her eyes said.
Merlin was running through the halls, spinning out of servants' ways and darting through corridor after corridor. His mind was a mantra of got to find Gaius, got to find Gaius, got to find Gaius...
He nearly ran past the old wooden door as he rushed, and took a few steps back, barely pausing to knock, and throwing the door open. He ran straight up to Gaius, who was thankfully not holding anything that would have broken had he dropped it in surprise.
"Gaius, I-" he stopped when he felt the twitching at the top of the head. No no nonono, it's too late... Get away from Gaius, get away from Gaius...
"Merlin, what are you...?" Gaius left the question hanging as he watched his ward find a spare shirt and throw it over his head, holding it as if to protect him from the rain.
"Never mind, Gaius!" Merlin said, voice raising to an alarmed squeak as he felt his tail sprout behind him, waving through the air. No....
"Merlin," Gaius said, eyebrow raised in warning.
But Merlin was having none of it, proceeding backwards to the door. "No, I'm sorry Gaius, I really have to-"
Gaius tried to grab his ward as he tried to escape, but only succeeded in gripping the shirt on his head. It slipped off. Merlin froze.
"Merlin..." the old physician whispered in shock. He got over his shock a second later, pulling the warlock away from the door. He heard hurried footsteps coming down the hall. He gazed at his ward, wisely saving his questions for later, and threw the shirt back over his head, effectively hiding his ears. His ears. His cat ears. Gaius would definitely have a long talk with him later.
"Merlin," Arthur exclaimed in the doorway, pausing when he saw Gaius with his dreaded eyebrow raised. He started backing out of the door, trying to escape the physician's stare, but Gaius beckoned him inside. Arthur glanced at Merlin, who shrugged back, pointing minutely at the cloth spread over his hair.
"Sire, I think it would be best if you stayed. Please, take a seat." Arthur sat down compliantly on the bench next to Merlin, fearing the old man's wrath.
"Now," Gaius continued, "I would like very much if one of you boys told me what on earth is going on!" he said slowly, clearly, embedding each word into their minds.
The two young men glanced at each other. Arthur looked like he wanted to speak, but had no words. Merlin turned back his mentor, removing the shirt from his head, searching the old man's face for a reaction.
Even as they watched, Gaius' eyes widened, and he leaned forwards to get a better view.
"Merlin, what did you...?" The physician stopped, staring in shock at the sleek black tail poking out innocently from the bottom of Merlin's tunic.
"Um, there was a sorcerer, in the woods, and..."
"Merlin saved my life," Arthur interjected, daring Merlin to say otherwise, "By stopping an enemy sorcerer, taking the enchantment meant for me."
"Oh, so Merlin stopped a sorcerer? How did you do that, Merlin?" Gaius asked slowly, glaring at Merlin as he anticipated the answer.
Merlin flushed. "Well, I... erm..."
"He used magic," Arthur stated quietly, surprising both other occupants of the room with his unhesitant words.
Gaius waited a bit to see if the King was serious. When Arthur stared at him, nothing but honesty showing through his eyes, he turned back to Merlin, swatting his ward in the back of his head.
"What were you thinking?" he asked, already knowing the answer.
Merlin sagged a little, but his eyes never left the physician's face. "Gaius, I don't regret my decision. Arthur's not mad at me, and..." He paused, ears flickering towards the King. He faced his master. "You're not mad, are you?"
Arthur shook his head. "I'm not mad."
Merlin grinned and looked back at Gaius. "See?"
The old man considered their words for a second. "Are you sure he's ready?"
Arthur smirked. "Gaius, I am still in the room."
Gaius ignored him, focusing on his ward. Merlin nodded at him determinedly with wide eyes.
"Alright," Gaius sighed, melting into a chair in front of them. "Tell me everything."
And so they began their tale, from when they began the hunt to where they were at that point. So far, Gaius had said nothing.
Merlin stared worriedly at his mentor. He always had something helpful to say. "Gaius?"
Gaius sighed, clapping a hand on Merlin's shoulder. "My boy, there is nothing I can do for you. I believe what the Great Dragon said was true; this is a permanent spell."
"Yes," Arthur interjected, annoyed, "Everyone keeps saying that, but they keep saying that Merlin would be able to do something about that. Now, how can he do that if it's permanent?"
Merlin glared at his King. "They mean that I can alter the spell, but not remove it completely."
Arthur rolled his eyes. "You're really not being helpful, Merlin! I mean how are you going to do that?"
Merlin huffed, ears flickering in annoyance. "I don't know yet."
Arthur smirked. "And there we are. Gaius?"
The old physician pursed his lips. "I'm afraid this is something Merlin must discover on his own. I do not have the means to help you. Yet, this doesn't seem to be so bad. You can speak to animals, yes? Use that to your advantage."
Arthur snickered. "Yes, Merlin, use your band of furries to protect the kingdom."
Merlin, oblivious to Arthur's mocking, looked pensive. "I could do that, you know. I mean, I know they're all willing to help."
"They can't help us, Merlin," Arthur scoffed.
Merlin raised an eyebrow. "You remember Fethryn?"
"Who's Fethryn?" Gaius asked.
Merlin seemed to just notice he was in the room. "He's, er, he's a unicorn I... found..."
Gaius looked like he was trying hard not to giggle. "Oh yes, Sire, I believe Merlin's unicorn will be a great help."
Merlin glared at his mentor. "Gaius?"
The old man smiled sheepishly. "I'm sorry, my boy. But, Arthur, unicorns are very powerful creatures. You remember what happened when you killed one."
Arthur suppressed a shudder at the thought of his people, dying, because of him.
"I believe the unicorn, Fethryn, will be a great ally."
"Well, maybe, but all of Merlin's other little pets can do little to help us," Arthur stated.
Gaius turned to Merlin once more. "Others?"
Merlin blushed. "Erm, yes. Well, Arthur, I can call mightier beasts if you so wish. What would you like, a griffin? Perhaps another few dragons, then? Wyverns? A phoenix? What about-"
Arthur regarded him seriously. "Yes."
Merlin stopped. "You... what? Arthur, I was only joking..."
"You told me I need to understand just how powerful you are. Well, here's a chance to show me."
Merlin just stared in shock.
Just then, Gwaine burst through the door. "Hey, what are you doing in here?"
"We're discussing how many friends Merlin should bring."
Gwaine frowned. Gaius looked between everyone questioningly. "Merlin... how many people did you tell?"
"Um... they all know?"
Gaius sighed. "What have you done, Merlin?"
Merlin smiled sheepishly and faced his King. "I can call Gilli, and a few Druid clans, if you'd allow me..."
Arthur frowned. "Gilli?"
"You know, Gilli. At the Decennial Tournament?"
Arthur stared blankly.
"He nearly defeated your father?"
Arthur frowned in utter confusion. "How could he help?"
Merlin chuckled. "You saw him, Arthur. There's no way he could have won all those fights by himself."
"You helped him?"
Merlin glared at him. "No, Arthur. In fact, I stopped him at the end. Thing is, he's really good with battle magic by now, from what he's told me. He's been practising."
Arthur was stunned. "He used magic?" he squeaked. Merlin flinched at the loud noise, but continued on, ignoring him.
"I can also call Alator, and maybe Iseldir, the Druid. Who knows, I might even be able to contact Anhora."
Gwaine chuckled. "You've been busy, I see."
"Well, I have to be, if I want to protect that," he said, motioning vaguely to the King.
"Hey!" Arthur protested. "I am your King, and you will treat me as such."
"Yes, of course, Sire. I think you're tired. Let's get you to bed, Sire," Merlin said gently, aiding a spluttering Arthur out of the room.
"Merlin, what are you-Merlin!" Gwaine and Gaius chuckled as they watched the odd pair saunter out the door.
Merlin ran back in a few seconds later, tripping over his own feet and kissing the floor.
"Anything you need, Merlin?" Gaius asked, watching his ward in amusement.
Merlin bounced to his feet. "I need a hat. Do you have a hat?" He proceeded to run up to his room, and, by the sounds he made, messed everything up in his search. He poked his head back out when he found nothing. "Do you have a hat?" he repeated frantically, searching the room with his eyes as he spoke. When he saw something, he zoned in on it, skittering closer and pouncing on the wad of red cloth when he was close enough. He stopped. "Gaius, what is this?"
Gaius looked up. "It is not a hat, my boy."
Merlin paused, turning the cloth around in his hands, trying to figure out which side was up. He eventually gave up, putting it down gingerly.
"Gaius, do you even own a hat?" Gwaine asked from where he was lounging on the bench.
The old physician pursed his lips. "I don't believe so, no."
Merlin raised his head from where he had shoved it into a cupboard, flustered. "You don't?"
"Hey, Merlin," Arthur said, shrugging. "What about that hat you were supposed to wear as the proper servant's attire?"
Merlin stiffened. "I was poisoned that day, Arthur. It's bad luck."
Arthur spread out his hands, grinning. "It's still a hat."
Merlin groaned and sat down where he stood in frustration. He couldn't leave the room for fear of being seen, and Gaius didn't own a hat. He had tried to flatten his ears against his head so they melted into his hair, but they simply twitched back up after a second. And there was his tail to think about too...
Merlin stood up, sighing. He nimbly untied his neckerchief, wrapping it carefully around his head, willing his ears to be still. When it was secure on his head, he reached for his tail.
"We already tried that, Merlin," Gwaine stated helpfully.
The cat huffed. "Yes, and you caused me great pain, Gwaine. Hold on... just... there," he said, succeeding in hiding his tail under his jacket. It wasn't very comfortable, but it wasn't painful either. It was better than anything else before they got something better.
"Alright," Arthur stated, clapping his hands together for attention. "I'll go fetch Guinevere."
WHOO what will Gwen do?
Well, that was Gaius the Physician. Coming up next, Queen Guinevere!
... Wow... this chapter... actually... I don't think I stole anything from xXMistressMadHatterXx at all this time... wow. I did not think I could manage that. Don't worry, I'll steal from you next chappie, but for now, this is all my insanity with my own crappy ideas. I think.
OKEY. That was fun. Have fun imagining Gwen's many reactions! (I already have an idea... lol... stolen from xXMistressMadHatterXx, yes. Sorry lol)
Please review!
