Disclaimer: I own nothing... unless your counting boxsets...
Thank you, once again to all my reviewers. :) This chapter contains a bit more emotion and a bit more foreboding and the meeting with the King. It is also longer, too. :) I hope you all enjoy, anyway, and don't forget to review. :P
Chapter Eleven
Merlin woke early and there was a brief moment where he wondered why he was feeling so down. The moment was very brief, as the memories of yesterday flooded back. Rubbing his eyes, he leaned over and picked up the magic book Gaius had given him. Hoping he could find something, some spell or enchantment that could save him and everyone else, Merlin flipped the book open and began to rifle through it, praying he'd find something ideal.
* * *
Arthur didn't know when or how he fell asleep, but the next thing he knew he was waking up to the sunlight streaming through his window. The young Prince sighed; the terrible thoughts from yesterday had not left his mind overnight. Even in his dreams he recalled the nightmarish ghost of his manservant which flittered through his mind, closely followed by the sound of his father yelling and visions of an execution. Suppressing a shudder, Arthur rolled out of bed and staggered sleepily over to the window. As he looked out over the already bustling courtyard, a single tear leaked from the corner of his eye.
* * *
"My Lady?" Gwen's soft voice broke through Morgana's dream as she blinked her way back into consciousness. "You must get up, my Lady." Gwen continued and helped the Ward up into a sleeping position.
"Is everything alright, Gwen?"
"It's morning," Gwen replied simply, her usually calm face slipping into one of despair.
"Oh..." And Morgana leaned forwards and enveloped her maid in a comforting hug. One of many, which were surely to come.
* * *
Gaius had barely slept. He'd been up most of the night, reading through book after book after book in an attempt to find something which could help. He had no idea what he was looking for, but figured he'd know it when he'd found it. He didn't. Only when the tower bell had struck three in the morn, did the old physician wearily close his books and trudge off to his bed, finally, truly accepting the fate of his ward.
* * *
Uther Pendragon, King of Camelot woke contently. The last thing on his mind was the upcoming meeting with his son's manservant, in fact, he'd completely forgotten about it. With a happy sigh and gently lifted himself up and out of bed, stretching rather gracefully for his old body. Later he'd order his own servants around and request a hearty breakfast. But for now he was happy to relax in his quarters, the weights of future events not on his peaceful mind.
* * *
"Merlin? Are you up, Merlin?" Gaius knocked on the young sorcerer's door only once before it was opened.
"I'm up," Merlin gave a weak smile as he walked out, magic book in hand.
Gaius nodded. "I can see that now. And also that," he pointed at the book and his demeanour turned more serious. "Did you find anything in it?" He asked, guessing the reason for Merlin carrying it.
"No," Merlin said, simply in a low voice.
Gaius gave another nod. "Neither did I," he said, gesturing to the numerous books laid out over the general bench. The physician, on impulse, stepped forward and gave Merlin a hug, before letting go and suggesting breakfast. They'd both need it, considering the big day ahead.
As the bell struck nine and after both Merlin and Gaius were dressed appropriately, there was a brisk knock on the door.
"That will be Arthur," Gaius said matter-of-factly as Merlin rushed forward to get the door.
"Arthur," Merlin greeted, before throwing a look back at Gaius, receiving a weak 'I told you do' one in return. The exchange would have usually involved a few joking statements, but not today.
"Merlin," Arthur replied, sombrely. "Can I come in?"
"Of course," Merlin stepped back to let the Prince in.
"Morning Sire."
"Gaius."
Their exchange was brief, before Arthur turned back to his manservant, planning on saying something, but Merlin spoke before him.
"I'm sorry I wasn't there for my duties this morning," he apologised and barely had time to draw breath before both Gaius and Arthur leapt up to counteract his statement.
"It's completely understandable," Arthur said after a few moments of disagreeing noises and comments. Merlin gave a small, embarrassed nod. "Are you ready?" Arthur's question took the young sorcerer by surprise.
"Ready? I... uh..." He looked up into the Prince's eyes and finally nodded.
"We shouldn't keep him waiting, then," Gaius said with a sigh, breaking the eye contact between Arthur and Merlin and they both turned to look at the physician.
"Of course," Arthur replied, slightly flustered.
Without any more communication, the three of them sombrely left the room and began the journey to the King's court. It was almost perfectly timed as they met up with Gwen and Morgana leaving their own quarters on the way. Brief greetings followed before the five of them continued on. They paused outside the large wooden doors, which would lead them into the great hall. With a nod of his head, Arthur dismissed the guards on the door who marched away without comment.
"This is it, isn't it?" Morgana said and they all nodded.
"You have to remember to act shocked when I tell Uther," Merlin reminded them all.
"We will, Merlin," Gwen said with a small, sad smile.
"And don't forget, you can only start to disagree once Uther has made the command," Merlin continued until Arthur placed a comforting hand on his manservant's shoulder.
"We all know, Merlin," he said. "Trust us. Trust me. We know what we have to do and how to act and afterwards we are all going to try and get you out of this... fate... no matter what."
"Sorry, Sire," Merlin muttered and Arthur gave his shoulder a squeeze before letting go. There were no more hugs and no more tears, before Arthur nodded to Merlin and opened the doors.
"Arthur, good morning and Morgana and Gaius," Uther welcomed, as they walked in, seeming surprised at the large group which had walked in. Morgana, Arthur and Gaius centred the room with Merlin and Gwen hanging back, remembering their place in front of the King. "To what do I owe this pleasure?"
"Morning, Father," Arthur replied. "Do you remember I requested an audience with you on behalf of my manservant?"
"Ah, of course," Uther gave a grin, as he suddenly remembered; Arthur was forced to do the same. He swallowed hardly before speaking again, this time to Merlin.
"Come on, Merlin," Arthur said, giving a trivial grin at his manservant, praying he'd realise he didn't mean any of it. "What have you got to tell that's just so important it has to be said in front of the King?"
"Don't mock him, Arthur," Uther scolded. "Let him speak up."
"Sorry," Arthur muttered, managing to sound as though he didn't mean it.
Merlin glanced at Gaius who gave the slightest nod, unnoticed by the King. "Uh... it's about what ha... ha...happened yester...da...day," Merlin began with a slight nervous stutter.
Uther rolled his eyes. "Is there any chance you can actually string a single sentence together? Or am I going to have to get someone else to tell me?" To his right, Merlin heard Arthur gave a scoff.
"N...no, Sire," Merlin said before taking a deep breath. "I have some vital information about the incident which happened yesterday."
"Yes? And that is?"
Merlin paused and looked at Arthur. "This had better be important, Merlin," Arthur said. "I won't have you wasting not only my time but my father's time," Merlin muttered an apology and looked down, before Morgana spoke up.
"Stop it, both of you," She said, disapprovingly. "Can't you see he's nervous at trying to say something important?"
"Fine," Uther said, sounding disappointed at his fun being ruined. "Spit it out, boy. I don't have the time to deal with this."
"It was me," Merlin muttered it quietly, but they all heard it.
"What!?" Uther stood up from his seat in the throne, his eyes widening as he comprehended what was said.
"It was me," Merlin repeated, louder. "I did it. I saved Arthur. I'm the sorcerer. It was me."
Uther bored his eyes into Merlin's for a few seconds before he sat back down and began to laugh. The genuine-looking shocked faces which Morgana, Arthur, Gwen and Gaius had shown, slid as they too began to laugh, albeit shakily.
"Arthur, we've been through this before with this manservant of yours," The King said after a few more moments of laughter. "You really must learn to control him."
"I'm sorry, father," Arthur said, glancing a glare at Merlin. "I honestly thought he had something important to say. If I had known he was going to go on about him being a sorcerer again..." The Prince trailed off, rolling his eyes and shaking his head in apparent disgust.
"You weren't to know, son," Uther said. "Now get him out of here. I'm sick of the sight of that ungainly boy you call a manservant. And if he ever comes in here again claiming to be a sorcerer…"
"Of course,' Arthur cut off, trying not to be worried. "Come on, Merlin," He growled at the boy in question. "I need to have some words with you."
"No," Merlin spoke up again.
"You cannot speak to my son like that!" Uther exclaimed.
"I know I can't," Merlin said, before Arthur had the chance to speak. "And I'm sorry for that. But you're not listening to me. I am the sorcerer!"
"Arthur, I command you learn to control your servants better."
"It's not his fault," Merlin spoke out again, and the King rose from his throne once more. "I am the sorcerer and I did save your son's life," Merlin continued, speaking directly to Uther, himself. "And I can prove it."
Uther raised an eyebrow. "Go on then. And if you don't, I'm bringing out the truth draught Gaius brought back to me and then I'm having you executed, anyway for annoying me."
"You can't execute him for being annoying," Arthur protested, before adding. "And let's be honest, with Merlin it's practically second nature."
"He's right, Sire," Gaius spoke in agreement, more with the Prince's first comment, than his second.
"But it's not going to come to that, anyway," Merlin stated before the King could answer, choosing to ignore the statements made by both Arthur and Gaius.
He outstretched his hand in the direction of a lone chair in the corner and muttered unheard words under his breath. His eyes flared gold and Morgana was reminded of her dream for a moment. They all watched (Uther rather wearily, at first) as the chair began to crack and pop before it finally burst into flame. Out of the corner of his eye, Merlin saw the King's mouth fall open in shock and horror.
Now he had Uther's attention.