Alaia Skyhawk: Well, here's the first part of the last sub-ep before Season 5. This is setting up the three main additions/changes for my plans... And I guarantee that the last line of the second paragraph will make you say "WHAT?" Heheheehehehe! And yes, I'm going with the spoiler that S5 starts 3 years after the end of S4. If it turns out it isn't that long, it doesn't really matter. I'll just adjust the time references in episode one as needed when transcribing it :)
Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin.
Music: N/A
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Chapter 11: Changing Circumstances ~Part 1~
The castle was alive with anticipation and joyous enthusiasm, every hallway graced by people with smiles on their faces. And as Merlin cheerfully made his way along his accustomed route between Arthur's chambers and the workroom in the lower levels, he could honestly say what wasn't there to smile about?
It was hard to believe that almost three years had now passed since Morgana's last takeover attempt, the people were comfortable with Gaius using healing magic... And the day after tomorrow it would be Prince Balther's second birthday.
Merlin's smile became a grin, as he remembered the look on Arthur's face when Gwen had told him she was expecting. The king had barely said an understandable word for about ten minutes. After that, he'd been as excited and elated as a small child given a much-wanted present. He'd then proceeded to drive Gwen up the walls with attentiveness, until at six months gone she'd finally scolded him for it.
But what really made Merlin smile, was that once the prince was born there was one thing the king and queen had agreed on... That their best friend be the one to choose his name. It had been his turn to be speechless then, and triggered a frantic flurry of thoughts. What with only having a few minutes to pick a name before Arthur went to announce the birth. In the end he'd chosen to honour two men who had each died from injuries received to save their sons. His and Arthur's fathers; Balinor and Uther.
Things had been calm and wonderful and unbelievably successful ever since. Arthur had founded the Knights of the Round Table, noting that they were separate from and did not know of the Brotherhood. Trade had been going well, there had been no wars, and the only thing the Knights had had to deal with of late were bandits and smugglers.
Speaking of smugglers, Tristan had chosen to remain in Camelot after Isolde's death. He'd joined the Knights, and while he didn't have an Amulet of the Round Table, he was a member of the Brotherhood. Things had been quiet for him too, and being a Knight had given him something to focus on other than his grief for Isolde.
Merlin sighed, pushing aside his own regrets at being unable to save her. The past was past, and he needed to focus on the future.
He reached the stairway to the lower levels, giving the guards a nod as he passed by. Completely unaware that one person who wasn't smiling was watching him from the doorway above.
The chief of the castle staff, Lord Vernor, frowned as he watched Merlin disappear from sight. Also frowning at the guard's obvious arrangement with him to ignore him. This was the third time he'd followed the servant, and been unable to continue further because of those guards. What had started out as a simple check, after his own servant had noted that for a few years now Merlin was almost never seen during the day, was now something greatly concerning. He'd thought Merlin was just shirking his duties, slacking off because the king also had Bel serving him. But after setting his servant to watch Merlin, Lord Vernor knew that besides taking the King his breakfast, and the occasional sighting of him tending weapons and armour or him riding out somewhere with the King, Merlin spent almost all his time in the lower levels. Often not emerging from wherever he went until well after the Great Bell each evening.
Lord Vernor scowled, turning and stalking away. Well this was enough of that! No servant was going to get away with such behaviour when he was supposed to be tending to the needs of the King!
He headed for the King's study, his expression sending several servants scurrying to cover as he passed. When he got there though, his knock was firm yet polite. No one pounded on the Arthur's door.
A voice called out to enter, and once Lord Vernor was inside Arthur regarded him thoughtfully.
"You wished to report something to me?"
Lord Vernor nodded stiffly, his tone expressing his displeasure at what he had to say.
"I have it from my servant, that yours, Merlin, has been shirking his duties. Disappearing into the lower levels all day, every day. He's almost never seen doing anything, and nothing besides retrieving your breakfast or tending to your weapons and armour. I am concerned that he is taking advantage of your good will, Sire, and thought that you should be informed."
Arthur remained quiet, a small frown creasing his features before he nodded and waved a hand in dismissal.
"Thank you for reporting this to me. I will deal with it."
Lord Vernor bowed and left, leaving a very thoughtful king to his musings. But not the musings he might have expected. Instead, Arthur's thoughts were about one simple fact... It seemed Merlin's guise as a servant was finally reaching its limits.
He sighed, setting aside the report he'd been reading and leaving his study. He headed for the nobles' wing, and what had been his father's chambers. Those rooms were now Gwen's and his son's, serving as her quarters and his nursery, both.
Gwen looked to the door when he entered, smiling at him while their son, Balther, played on the nearby rug with a cloth toy of a horse. The little boy turned his brown eyes, so much like his mothers, towards the door as well. His mop of blond hair almost hanging in them as he smiled at the sight of his father and chortled.
"Si Si?"
Arthur shook his head and smiled at the query, walking over to gently tousle the child's hair.
"Maybe later. Your father needs to speak with your mother right now."
At those words, Gwen, who had been smiling at the touching moment between father and son, frowned in concern.
"What is it?"
Arthur stood straight, letting out a long sigh.
"Lord Vernor just came to see me. He's had his servant watching Merlin, and is aware now that my manservant doesn't seem to be doing much 'servant' work, even if he doesn't know what he's really been up to. If he's noticed, then it's likely most of the castle staff, and many of the courtiers, may be aware of it too. I came to ask your council. I want to be sure what you think, before I make any decision."
Gwen shook her head, before giving him a knowing smile.
"Arthur, you don't need me for this. You already know what you need to do. It may not yet be time for magic to walk in the open, but that doesn't mean you can't give Merlin some of the public credit he deserves. I think we both know that he's played the fool for long enough. Let him show the court, and Camelot, how wise he truly is."
Arthur nodded, sighing again before glancing at the ring that let him call Merlin. He raised that hand, and murmured quietly.
"Ic clippe tu, Merlin."
He lowered his hand, and knelt down beside his son. Picking up Balther's cloth horse and trotting it across the rug to the sound of the child's giggling.
Ten minutes after triggering the ring, Merlin came in through the door having tracked it's location with a spell. He smiled as he saw Arthur playing with the young prince, and waited for the king to stand up before speaking.
"You needed me for something?"
There was a pause as Arthur considered how to say this, before he decided that he might as well be blunt.
"You're fired."
Merlin's jaw dropped open, as he gaped in shock.
"W-what? W-what are you talking about? Arthur!"
"Arthur!"
Gwen's tone was scolding, as she gave her husband a disapproving stare.
Arthur winced, clearing his throat and pointedly averting his gaze by focusing instead on Merlin.
"What I mean to say is, you're no longer going to be my manservant... Lord Vernon, the chief of the castle staff, knows you've been spending most of your time in the lower levels. He reported it to me less than an hour ago, and well..."
Merlin's expression brightened.
"You're going to repeal the law?"
Arthur winced again.
"Not quiet yet, but soon. But as Gwen pointed out to me, that doesn't mean you can't get some of the credit you deserve. I can't announce you as Court Sorcerer, but I can reveal the rest." He started to smile. "And don't tell me you're not prepared for it. You've spent the last two years commissioning furniture with Alan, and clothing via Lady Jancine, and sneaking both into that room at the top of the next tower over from Gaius' chambers. The only one holding you back from that, is me and my decisions. So now I'm deciding that you don't have to play the fool anymore. I want you to stand proud, in the rank you should hold in all eyes within my court and kingdom... So if you want to go change into something a bit more appropriate, I'm going to call an immediate convening of the main members of the court. To take place in the Council Chambers."
Merlin stood there, utterly still, before turning and dashing out of the room wearing a grin that he quickly hid once in the main passages. He then hastened to the aforementioned tower, climbed the stairs all the way up, and unlocked the spell on the door at the top.
Inside was a set of rooms rather similar to Gaius' chambers, with a large main chamber and a smaller one at the back; albeit it wasn't accessed via stairs. The walls were lined with bookshelves, and racks for herbs and jars. There were two long tables dominating the end furthest from the hearth, ready to receive the tools and paraphernalia of his workroom in the lower levels. There was a book pedestal, ready and waiting for his first and most sentimentally valued spellbook to rest upon. Near the hearth was his small dining table, big enough to seat four should he want to invite friends to breakfast or supper, and a small if mostly unnecessary collection of cooking things in a cupboard beside the fire. One well-cushioned, high-backed chair, rested in the corner where a modest selection of poetry and epic saga books had a shelf of their own. On top of that low shelving, a lute lay alongside a pile of music notations.
Merlin paused in the doorway to survey that scene, noting the dust that had gathered everywhere since the last time he'd come in here to clean. Everything would need a scrub down tomorrow, if he were truly moving in here permanently now.
The warlock hesitated at that thought, and the knowledge that it meant moving out of his room in Gaius' chambers. The transition would hurt for a while, emotionally, but it would mean that Liam could have his old room. Something that would benefit him a great deal as the physician's apprentice. Everyone had to move on at some point, and now Merlin was finding that it was his time to do so.
He walked across the main room, passing through the door at the far send to enter his bed-chambers. The bed at least, a simple affair with no bedposts or curtains, wouldn't need sorting. It, and everything else in this smaller room, had been spelled for preservation and cleanliness just in case of the need to move in at short notice. Thus the clothing Merlin got from the closets was clean and fresh, and all he had to do was go behind his equally plain dressing screen and change into them. It, and every other piece of wooden furniture in the two rooms, had been made by Alan. And everything was plain, with no ornamentation, even if it had been stained dark in the style popular among nobles. A clear point that, while he could afford to buy quality, Merlin had see no point in paying for frivolous and unnecessary details.
The clothing he was wearing when he came out from behind the screen, reflected that attitude. It was well-tailored, but made of sensible fabrics instead of expensive and delicate linens or silk brocades. Garbed in a simple high-collared dusk-blue shirt, with a grey thigh-length waistcoat over it, Merlin sat on the edge of his bed to pull a pair of sturdy, well-polished boots on and securing them over the bottom hem of his slightly billowed trousers. All-in-all he certainly looked like a noble, if one that had his own distinctive taste in styles. And yet his entire appearance was one of being discretely sorcerous. But it was something that would only be noticed, if the person looking at him already knew he was a warlock.
Clothing sorted, he checked himself over in the nearby floor-length mirror. Adjusting the collar of his shirt to allow him to secure a much smarter version of his usual neckerchief in the resulting gap. He then took a deep breath, and headed out of his rooms and down the stairs. Watching for people, and flitting from alcove-to-alcove to make his way to the back entrance to the Council Chambers. He could hear a large number of people in there, and by opening the door a crack and peeking through, he could see Arthur and Gwen seated in their thrones, waiting.
Merlin activated the Speaking Spell to Arthur, and whispered.
"I'm in the antechamber, ready whenever you are."
Inside the Council Chambers, Arthur allowed himself a half-glance towards the door where Merlin peered in. Able to hear the trace of apprehension in the warlock's voice. Merlin was starting to feel just a little nervous about this, and Arthur shared that feeling. If not for the fact that the councillors present all already knew Merlin was a noble, then this announcement would have been a nightmare. Making a commoner his wife and queen had caused enough of a stir already, but suddenly announcing the promotion of his supposedly idiotic manservant to the nobility was just as bad in its own way. Thus, in some form or other, there were going to be protests for quiet a while until Merlin proved himself before the whole of the court.
Arthur got to his feet, a wordless signal that brought silence to all those gathered in the room.
"I know you are all wondering what my reason is for calling you here is. In truth, this is something that has been a long time in coming. This morning, it came to my attention that certain individuals, if possibly more of you who have not said anything, have become aware that my manservant, Merlin, has not been seen performing much of the duties associated with that role. I can honestly say to you all, that he has been serving me for quite some time in another role. For a number of years now, he has been my manservant only in name... and now it is by and time that he be acknowledged for his efforts and good work done for Camelot."
Arthur began to look at each of the councillors, waving them to form up either side of the room near the throne. He could see in their eyes, the realisation of what was about to happen. Several looked unhappy, but the rest took it with grace. And among those, Lord Deverin actually wore a small smile, as the row of men leading down the room from Arthur's right, visibly moved to leave a gap between them and the thrones where someone could stand.
Once the council were lined up, it was Lord Geoffrey that spoke.
"As I am sure every one of my fellow councillors will do, we are ready to speak in affirmation of what the court are about to be told."
Arthur nodded to him in thanks, before turning to gesture towards the antechamber door. Merlin walked in, chin held high and his expression composed. His clothing brought startled murmured from the gathered courtiers, but that was nothing compared to the gasp when Merlin took up position in the place left for him among the ranks of the councillors.
Once he was there, Arthur raised a hand to silence everyone. Waiting until they were quiet before explaining.
"For a number of years, for my benefit, Merlin has remained a servant in order to be my eyes in the watch for threats to Camelot. But in addition to that, he has been my staunch advisor. A man educated to a high degree through his own studies and through tuition from our Court Physician, Gaius. In that time he has negotiated treaties and trade agreements on Camelot's behalf. He has provided insights on laws that were unfair to the common people, and helped me adjust them to best benefit all. He has helped me usher in the prosperity and peace you have all enjoyed for this past three years, and without him I would not be the king I am today. He is my First Advisor, and has been a member of the High Council for over three years. A fact that can be confirmed by his peers who stand arrayed beside him."
Arthur looked at the council, who themselves nodded mutely in confirmation, and it was Lord Deverin who spoke up as he looked towards Merlin.
"And all I can say is, that I am pleased to see Lord Merlin finally recognised for his work. For he has shown himself to be wise beyond his years, and has been an invaluable addition to the Council."
Quiet murmurs sprung up again among the courtiers, of whom all had had their potential protests silenced by the confirmation from the councillors. Merlin had been a noble, and a member of the Council, for all that time?
Arthur let them talk for a few moments, before gesturing for Merlin to come before him. The king was holding the jewelled rod that he himself had clutched, and sworn upon, when ascending to the throne. Seeing it, Merlin realised what was expected, and knelt down before him as his friend uttered the words that would change his circumstances forever.
"Merlin of Ealdor. You were born a farmer, lived as servant, and now serve as a nobleman of my court. As was done in times long past, and which has not been done for centuries, you are to rise as the founder of a new House. Just as the founders of those great families assembled here, did so long ago. It is an honour that many of the nobility have forgotten is possible, for without it they themselves would not hold the titles they have this day. You have been a nobleman in my eyes for some years, and now it is time for you to be that in truth and law... By what name will you call your House?"
Merlin froze for a moment, his mind fumbling when he realised he was being asked to pick a family name. It had never occured to him before now to pick one, it wasn't a topic that had ever come up. And yet, if he'd bothered to look at the laws involved in granting the highest levels of nobility, he'd have known he should have come up with one.
He remained speechless for several seconds, before picking the only thing he could think of that he knew he wouldn't regret choosing.
"I choose to name my House, Garrah."
Arthur smiled, recognising the reference to Kilgharrah, and held the rod out horizontal before him.
"Then I ask you, Merlin Garrah. Do you swear to serve Camelot and its King, in the name of upholding its laws and protecting its people, in all that you say and do?"
Merlin reached out, wrapping his hand around the rod and looking Arthur in the eyes.
"I so do swear it. That my life be yours, to command and use as you see fit in that endeavour. To the ends of time, I and my descendants will follow and serve you, willingly and with honour. For Camelot, and for Albion!"
Arthur's smile widened with pride, as he pulled gently on the rod to indicate Merlin begin to stand up.
"Then arise, Lord Merlin of the House of Garrah. Stand in your rightful place at my right hand, as First Advisor and a member of the High Council of Camelot."
All went quiet, the moment dragging out until from behind the columns to the left, Gwaine punched at the air and cheered.
"Drinks are you tonight, Merlin! It's about time you got some credit!"
Beside him, Elyan hushed the exuberant knight, before he and the rest of the Brotherhood who were present moved past the disbursing lines of councillors to congratulate the newly-appointed noble.
The astounded courtiers began to file out, and after watching them go, Gwen rose from her throne to speak to her husband quietly.
"Some of them are going to give you trouble over this."
Beside her, Lord Geoffrey interceded.
"That may be, but I have already compiled a list of precedents for a commoner being raised to nobility and founding a House. Namely, at his Majesty's request, the precedents that correspond to the majority of all of the current members of Camelot's court. They even mention, in some cases, the former professions of many of those founders. Lord Vernon's family, for example, was founded by a fisherman who joined Camelot's army and rose through the ranks. They need only be reminded of their own families' humble beginnings, and they will have little choice but to come to accept that Merlin has been given this honour because he has earned it."
In the middle of the gathering of his friend, Merlin let out a long sigh.
"It's not like I'm not used to it. It will be no different than when I had to prove myself to the Council." He looked at Arthur. "So, what now? Should I just go back to what I was doing in the workroom?"
Arthur slung an arm over his shoulder, steering him towards the doors.
"Oh no, no hiding away. After the heralds made the announcement in the city, and the messengers set off to take word of this to Ulwin and the rest of the kingdom, we are going to celebrate."
Merlin stared at him, digging his heels in to try and slow the progress to the door.
"But the staff are already busy preparing for Balther's birthday celebrations!"
Arthur chuckled, as Percival and Gwaine took over dragging the reluctant warlock out the door.
"A small banquet for my closest circle of friends and associates, the Brotherhood. I think they can manage that on short notice."
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Alaia Skyhawk: And there you have it, lol. Arthur and Gwen have a son, Merlin has been elevated publicly to the rank of nobility, and the third thing I'm adding was hinted at with Balther's one line in this chapter "Si Si". I'll let you wonder what that's about :P