Chapter 14

Hey guys, sorry it's been a while but here's part 14. Thanks for reading xxxx

Update 1/5/17: A few changes made to this one as well. I'm having such a great time rereading all of this. Improvement has happened.

Chapter 14: Astonishment

Finally, after another uncomfortable night camping in the wilderness, the exhausted group reached the safety and comfort that could only be found within Camelot's city walls. They were met with the smiles of the people who lived and worked there, and after handing off their reins to an assortment of stable boys, they trudged up the steps and into the castle.

"Knights, go and see Gaius about those injuries", Arthur called behind him as he walked. "And I want to see all of you in the council chambers in two hours!"

Gwaine, Percival, and Leon all nodded wearily and followed Merlin in the direction of the physicians' chambers. Now that they were back within the safety of Camelot, both Gwaine and Percivals' limps were becoming more pronounced, one with a twisted and swollen ankle, and the other with a deep gash to the upper thigh. Both injuries had been treated and bandaged on the road, but were definitely in need of further medical attention. Likewise with the gash to Leon's shoulder.

The knights were forced down onto benches as soon as they entered the room, and Merlin busied himself with unpacking his bag from the past five days of travel. Apart from a single word the day before, Leon hadn't so much as looked at Merlin since the confrontation in the forest. Merlin was beginning to feel more than a little anxious in the knight's presence, and was trying to stay as out of the way as possible. Luckily for him, as soon as Leon's arm had been treated and bandaged, the knight stood and left the room, with only a nod in Gaius' direction to show his gratitude.

Merlin let out an audible breath once the door had clicked shut behind him. Gaius gave him a funny look but Gwaine and Percival seemed almost as relieved as he.

"He'll come 'round, Merlin", Gwaine said, grimacing as Gaius prodded at his swollen ankle. "What do you think Arthur wants to see us about?"

"I dunno", Percival said. "He couldn't have seen anything, could he?"

"I don't think so", Merlin said, abandoning his bag and taking Leon's empty seat. "He would've said something. Or stabbed me".

"Give the princess a little more credit, Merlin", Gwaine said with a smirk. "What happened in the tent?"

A smile crept its way onto Merlin's face as he answered. "Arthur offered him peace, and Iseldir accepted. Arthur's going to allow druids to live in Camelot…" his smile grew, and he turned to Gaius, who had stopped in his ministrations to stare intently at his ward. "And magic performed with good intentions is no longer going to be punishable by death".

Gwaine whooped and turned to give Percival a hi-five. Gaius looked between the three of them, his jaw dropping open before his gaze settled on Merlin, who hadn't stopped grinning.

"Merlin… are you telling me that-" he jabbed a thumb in Gwaine and Percival's direction, "they know?"

Merlin's grin fell. Behind Gaius' back, Gwaine and Percival cringed.

"Er… yes. They know. They've known for a while now".

Gaius narrowed his eyes. "What did you do?"

Merlin smiled guiltily. "Well… I told Gwaine. It was the day after Uther died". Gaius nodded, seeming to understand the warlock's incentive. "And then I, er- I left my magic book out". Gaius reached over and whacked Merlin over the head. "Hey!"

"You need to be more careful, Merlin! You're lucky they've taken it so well".

"Yeah. I am. I'm sorry I didn't tell you".

Gaius nodded with another stern glare and turned to examine Percival's leg. "I need to apply some salve", he said, his tone much gentler. "This may sting". Percival winced but nodded.

"Iseldir also told Arthur about me".

All three occupants of the room spun to face Merlin. "What?"

"Arthur knows?"

"I mean-" Merlin quickly amended, "he told him about Emrys. About his destiny".

"Phew".

"And he told me that Arthur needs to know about me. The actual me. Soon".

Gaius ignored Percival's hiss of discomfort. "I always knew this time would come".

Merlin frowned. Gaius was always telling him to keep his magic a secret, no matter what. "Gaius?"

The physician sighed and looked up from his work. "It's been almost six years, Merlin. He has to find out one day. Only then will you be able to fulfil your destiny".

Merlin's eyebrows rose up his forehead. "You sound like Kilgarrah".

"The dragon?"

"But Merlin… that means that Arthur's rethinking the laws on magic, right?" Percival said. "So it'll be all clear for when you tell him!"

Merlin rolled his eyes. "Gee, Percival. Always the optimist".

Percival seemed to realise what he had said and tried to backtrack. "I just meant… if you tell him about your magic when it's not illegal anymore, the fall won't be so bad?"

Merlin dropped his head into his hands with a sigh. "It's alright. I understand. I guess that's one way of putting it".

"Well, I think we've made good progress", Gwaine commented, rolling down his breeches to cover his newly bandaged ankle. "Arthur was a hopeless case when we went after him".

"Loads of improvement", Percival agreed, watching as Gaius tied a bandage around his leg.

"Sorry to interrupt…" the physician cut in, tying the ends of Percivals bandage with a flourish. "But what exactly have you been trying to do?"

"Get Arthur to accept magic", Gwaine answered.

"I think Elyan's approach has been the best so far", Percival added.

"Elyan?" Gaius exclaimed, rounding on his ward. Merlin's head snapped up in alarm, even as he attempted to shrink away. "Elyan knows?"

"I'm sorry!"

"Who else knows, Merlin? You're hiding something".

Behind Gaius, Gwaine and Percival were sending him identical 'you may as well just tell him' signals. Merlin sighed and relented.

"Gwen knows", he admitted, and Gaius' eyebrow rose to alarming heights. "And Elyan and Leon". Gaius cuffed him around the head again.

"What have I told you about being careful?"

"You just said it's time for me to tell!"

Gaius sighed and lowered himself onto the edge of his bed. "I just want what's best for you, my boy".

Merlin's indignant face softened into a smile. "I know, Gaius", he said, reaching over to place a hand on his mentors' shoulder. With a sigh, the warlock stood and headed for the door. "I have to go and prepare a bath for Arthur", he said by way of explanation. "I'll be back later, Gaius".

Percival and Gwaine stood as well, thanking Gaius for his help as they did so, and all three exited the chamber, leaving a somewhat frazzled physician behind.

It was just like Arthur to take a bath, get dressed and indulge himself in a two-course lunch while Merlin didn't even get the chance to finish unpacking his only bag. Nevertheless, Merlin followed the king - now suitable for public presentation - to the council chambers after the two hours had passed. This meeting was clearly about something that had happened during their trip, Merlin surmised. But what?

Upon entering the chambers, Merlin noted that Gwen and the knights were already seated around the rectangular table and were waiting for the pair of them to arrive. They had all managed to wash up, and Merlin felt even more grubby than normal as he went to stand dutifully behind the king's throne-like chair.

"Now", Arthur started, as soon as he had sat down. "We need to discuss a new approach to the laws concerning magic in Camelot". Merlin started. Gwaine and Percival were trying not to look too smug. Gwen was trying not to smile, and Elyan and Leon's mouths had dropped open – Elyan's due to Arthur' bluntness and Leon's simply because of the words the king was saying.

"Sire?" Leon said, his eyes flicking briefly towards Merlin. Merlin looked away.

"I have discussed with the leader of the druids", Arthur announced to further disbelief. Several pairs of eyes shot towards Merlin again. "Iseldir has accepted the offer I have extended – to bring peace between our peoples".

Unseen by Arthur, Merlin grinned. He couldn't believe it was working. Around the table, smiles were breaking out on the faces of Gwen and the knights, excluding Leon. Merlin wondered what it would take to win back the knights favour.

"However", Arthur continued, "I do not believe that the people of Camelot would take kindly to magic being pardoned overnight. It has therefore been agreed that magic performed with noble intention shall no longer be punishable by death in Camelot. I hope that this can be the first of many steps to reintroduce magic into the kingdom". Arthur looked around at the table's occupants, most of whom were gaping in his direction. "Do any here disagree?"

They all shook their heads. Even Leon was approving the king's actions, Merlin noted. Hope sparked within his chest.

"And what about you, Merlin?" Arthur turned his back on the table to address his servant. Merlin quickly schooled his features. "Do you agree?"

"I think it's a fine idea, sire", Merlin said, struggling to repress a full-blown grin. Gwaine snorted and Arthur turned back around in his seat.

"Good. Well… Iseldir also mentioned a warlock, who goes by the name of Emrys", Merlin's face lost its colour, "Apparently he is destined to… what was it he said, Merlin?" Arthur turned in his seat again, and Merlin wiped the startled expression from his face.

"Er…", he started. Arthur rolled his eyes. "Emrys will help you to… unite the land of Albion. It is his destiny to protect you and to be at your side".

The others were gaping at him, no doubt marvelling at the irony of it all. Merlin cringed.

"Yes, well-" Arthur turned around again, "he is also hidden from me, until such time he chooses to reveal himself. But, I don't fancy waiting for that day, so we are going to find him".

Merlin's heart stopped. He was sure that the panic he felt at that statement was reflected onto his face.

"Arthur", Gwen said from her place to the left of the king, "we don't know anything about this… Emrys. Not how old they are, where they're from – they might be a woman for all we know".

"And that is why, Guinevere", Arthur said, smirking slightly and tapping at the side of his nose, "we are going to find out".