Chapter 12

Arthur had a really bad day. As if endless hours of court meetings weren't enough, now he had to make it through alone without the constant entertainment of Merlin and Gwaine. It was only thanks to Gwen that he didn't fall asleep while Lord Gordon spoke about the need of higher taxes. Arthur already knew that he wouldn't raise them but he had to hear the Lord out. Merlin would normally make some funny faces behind the Lords back what would bring Arthur to laugh, or better said trying not to laugh. The result would be a red Arthur and an angered Lord.

And if some Lord would be to tiring Gwaine would find a way to get rid of him, most likely to get to the tavern faster.

The meetings weren't the only thing today that made clear how much those few, now missing, people meant in his life. At training Arthur was constantly reminded of his absent fellows. There was no clumsy Merlin who tripped over his feet while trying, and failing, to hold a sword. Without Gwaine and his constant banter about his latest tavern fight, or something like that. He couldn't believe that he missed such a thing that normally would nerve him. But he could let his temper out on Gwaine and he would have a reason for that.

He missed Percival. The giant did have a big heart but could bring every recruit in line, or every bigheaded noble.

Arthur didn't know should he be happy or not to be out of the court room or not. Now that he didn't had to concentrate on some stupid nobles his mind had time to think. And that wasn't so good.

He started to question some of the things that had formed his whole world view. Question his father's views of magic. Could it be that his father's was wrong what concerned the evils of magic. Till now he had known just evil magic, the magic that tried to destroy him and his kingdom. But then he too could remember some good that magic had brought. He witnessed lives being saved with help of magic. He just didn't know enough, he needed more informations. Could it be true that the law itself was the cause of the evil sorcerers. After all the most sorcerers where out for revenge for the deaths of their family and friends, just a few were after power.

So he decided to go to the only person that could provide him such informations.

Gaius was quite surprised as the king stormed into his chamber. He should have known that such questions would follow now that Arthur was king and Uther didn't control his every though. And Gaius had prepared what to say. He told Arthur about the times when magic was allowed in Camelot. He told him the truth why magic was banned in the first place, the truth about his birth.

Arthur found that it was simpler that anticipated to accept magic in his heart. Now he had just to accept magic in his land. Maybe his land could be as it was before. Full of peace and magic.