Alaia Skyhawk: Well, there have been some people disappointed by no more baby Friou. However I can tell you, after someone mentioned Friou+snow, that I will do a Christmas ficlet showing just that :D
But now, onwards with the episode. And all I can say is D"^&#*$£&&rhf! OMG they DIDN'T? This throws everything up in the air, and is going to make the rest of his season VERY interesting to write! AHHHHH! (Is still freaking out at the awesome, epic, tragic, mind-blowing episode)
Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin.
Music: N/A
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Chapter 21: The Wicked Day ~Part 1~
The people cheered as the wagon pulled through the city to the castle gates, the entertainers it was accompanied by and carried, throwing coloured paper scraps into the air creating a carnival air. Jugglers drew laughs of wonder as they juggled seated on the moving perch of the wagon roof, and acrobats demonstrated their skills to yet more cheers of happiness.
Merlin smiled as he watched from one of the windows of Arthur's chambers, the prince coming up behind him and speaking with a bland tone.
"It's just a man throwing sticks in the air."
Merlin turned, watching as Arthur walked back to his desk with a sheaf of reports in hand.
"What's wrong? It's your birthday. A huge feast is being held in your honour. You've got dancers, jugglers, and acrobats to entertain you." He smirked as the prince remained serious. "It must be a terrible burden."
Arthur rolled his eyes.
"Perhaps I'm less easily impressed than you."
"I'm really looking forward to it."
Both of them were smiling now, both of them knowing what was coming out of each other's mouth next.
"Because you have the mind of a child."
"And yet I'm still more intelligent than you."
They started to chuckle, Arthur setting down his handful of papers and heading for the door.
"I'm going to go see my father. Make sure you have my outfit ready for tonight."
Merlin pulled a face at the prince's retreating back, shaking his head. As if he didn't have enough to deal with right now, what with hulking great lizard he was keeping in his workroom. Friou was now big, very big, and she did not like being left in Kilgharrah's old cave. Meaning he was now stuck training her each night to follow a set route through the passages between the two places, and only when stone he'd stuck to the wall in each place was a certain colour so that route would be clear of guards... But Friou seemed determined to consider that red meant 'go' the same as blue. Red meaning 'wait' wasn't yet in her mental vocabulary.
...There was also the fact she was a little monster for wanting attention, especially from her 'father'.
Merlin sighed, heading to the closet on the far side of the room. He'd sort Arthur's clothing out, and then go feed her, and maybe even manage to squeeze in one run to the cave and back with her. That is if everything else cooperated.
Across the other side of the nobles' wing, Arthur's mind was on different and yet similarly tiring things. He'd had to spend the first two hours of the morning listening to the Council, and explaining to them the reasons why certain things could not and would not be done. Seated across from his father, he now discussed them, even if the conversation was entirely one-sided.
"The court discussed the annual levy this morning. The Council suggested we raise it, but I feel that the people are already overburdened-"
A quiet murmur interrupted him, catching him by surprise.
"You should not talk about matters of court today."
Arthur looked his father in the eyes, to find the king gazing back at him with a faint spark of his old self there to see.
"Father?"
Uther smiled softly, at odds with the distant shell of himself that he'd been for so long.
"You think I would ever forget that today is the anniversary of your birth?" He leaned forward a little, no longer slumped in his seat. "I take it that there are plans for suitable celebrations this evening?"
Arthur tried not to wince when he thought about what was being set up in the Great Hall.
"A feast and erm... some entertainment. I'll tell you about it tomorrow."
Uther shook his head.
"Nonsense. You think I would miss my son's anniversary? I have languished in these rooms for far too long."
Arthur could barely believe it, his smile becoming one of joy. Seven months ago, during the incident at Samhain, his father had still been so lost that he'd clung to him and pleaded for him not to leave him. But now... Now he was smiling, a miracle that was a greater gift for this day than any other. What the prince could not know was the reason for the change, and as the prince left to continue the preparations for tonight, Uther settled back into his chair to think about them.
To think about the secret he still kept from his son, a secret that was also kept by another... Merlin.
Uther turned his gaze back to the window, thinking about sorcerer. Any others in his situation would have kept out of sight, out of mind, and yet he'd insisted on showing himself on a regular basis. He'd come, quiet and calm, and tell him of the doings of Arthur's Brotherhood. Sometimes it would be reports of recent incidents they'd dealt with. Others he'd come simply to tell him of an amusing event that had occured among the group of comrades. He had shown the life that Arthur was living, a life accepting magic, and it was one filled with light and joy despite the occasional hardships.
It was proof that such a balance could be possible for the kingdom as a whole, and yet it was a proof he himself could not act on.
Uther sighed softly, remembered pain and anger at the loss of Ygraine still strong inside him. No, his path was set and he would stay on it, even should his son be heading for another, brighter road.
He remained where he was, the hours passing slowly as Guinevere came and went with her requests if he wanted anything. His answers were few, but his statement that he wanted his manservant to prepare an outfit for him for this evening startled her. He truly had been in the shadows too long, if this was how so many, and even his son, would react to him leaving these rooms.
The surprise remained a constant when the time came, eyes widening when the castle residents saw him being escorted to the Great Hall by his son. Many smiled in joy, wishing him their blessings, and for all his misgivings that he was overshadowing Arthur's special day, the prince's smile dismissed them. Arthur was happier than any of them.
Nearing the hall, that was when Merlin fell into step behind them, the servant then moving away once they entered the chamber and taking his place by the table where the wine-pitchers were placed. Uther glanced at him, now and then in between his laughter and smiles at the entertainers doing their tricks, also noting the flicker of concern when the leader of the entertainers challenged Arthur to take part in a dagger-throwing display.
"I require a volunteer. Prince Arthur. What better or more fitting occasion for you to demonstrate your legendary bravery? Do you accept the challenge?"
Arthur glanced at his father and smiled, before rising to his feet.
"Of course."
The knights and courtiers clapped, while Merlin was helping Arthur out of his cloak and jacket.
"Is this safe?"
Arthur muttered in return.
"It's knife throwing, of course not. I could hardly refuse his challenge in front of all these people." He patted the servant on the arm. "Besides, I know you'll be looking out for me."
"Just for that, I've half a mind to let him hit you anyway if his aim is wrong."
Arthur ignored the jibe, Merlin glancing at Uther when he saw the king watching him. He nodded slightly in response, assuring Uther that he would allow no harm to come to his son.
In the centre of the floor, Arthur was now being secured to a large circular target, the smile on his face barely hiding the that tension those who knew him best could see.
That was when the troupe leader came over to speak with him.
"Do not fear, My Lord. I never miss my target."
"Good, glad to hear it."
The man now had something handed to him, jamming it into Arthur's mouth.
"May I?"
It was an apple, Arthur frowning at the indignity of his present situation. The hall had gone silent, all those present watching in anticipation, as the indignity was heaped on even further when two of the entertainers began to spin the target. Arthur was now spending half of every five seconds upside-down.
Two rotations later, and a throwing knife embedded itself next to Arthur's left ear, the court delighting in the perfect aim even if the prince was now far from being similarly impressed.
Merlin wasn't either, his eyes flitting between his prince and the troupe leader, wincing as the second blade hit next to Arthur's right ear. He couldn't take the tension with the third one, speeding his time up for an instant to give himself the chance to assess its path, and with a sigh he ceased his spell knowing it was fine even as everyone present gasped expecting the prince to be hurt.
But he wasn't... No, but he was trying not to go cross-eyed looking at the knife that had been thrown right into the middle of the apple in his mouth.
The room went wild with cheers and applause, even Uther taking entertainment out of his son's clear discomfiture. As for Arthur, he kept up his smile as he was untied from the target, and played up to those assembled by taking a large bite out of the apple and holding it up when his servant came over to help him back into his jacket.
"See, Merlin? Nothing to worry about."
Merlin laughed, following him back to the High Table, neither away of the troupe leader murmuring to one of his performers behind them. His tone dark with malice.
"In a few hour's time, the sedative on the apple will begin to take effect. The prince will be defenceless. Then we will strike."
The two of them turned to look at Arthur, who was still eating the apple and bowing for his performance to his guests. And by the time the feast ended almost two hours later, the prince was starting to stumble as if he'd drunk just a bit too much wine.
Merlin was eyeing him with amusement for that when they arrived back at the prince's chambers, following Arthur into the room with a wry grin on his face.
"You're telling me you weren't even a little bit scared?"
Arthur's voice was slightly slurred as he replied, while pulling off his belt and throwing it to the side.
"Of course I wasn't. I am a warrior. You learn to control your fear. To channel it."
He walked into the stone column that formed part of the archway to the sleep-side of his chambers, Merlin nodding at that and still grinning.
"You looked scared."
Arthur ignored that, still walking forward in a weaving line towards his bed and sitting on the edge of it.
"It was good to see my father enjoying himself. He looked a little quiet towards the end, though." He thought for a moment. "Perhaps I should go see him."
Merlin glanced downward, then watching Arthur pass him again.
"Are you sure that's a good idea? You can barely stand up."
"Are you saying I'm drunk?"
Merlin shook his head.
"No, I'm just saying I don't think you should be wandering around the palace?"
Arthur was by the door now, frowning.
"And why is that?"
Merlin had to fight not to burst out laughing.
"Because your trousers have fallen down."
The prince stared at him and then looked down, finding that without the belt to hold them up, that was exactly what had happened. Actually, it was a miracle he'd not tripped over walking to the door, what with being hobbled at mid-calf where they'd been halted from going lower by the tops of his boots.
"Good point."
He pulled them up again and tied them tighter so they'd stay up without the belt, walking out the door while behind him Merlin had descended into a bout of muffled chuckling. The prince yawned as he made his way through the passages to his father's chambers, oblivious to the troupe leader following him.
He passed the pair of guards outside them and entered Uther's chambers, the king seated as usual in his chair by the window, half asleep. Arthur gently removed an empty goblet from his father's grasp, setting it down on the adjacent table even as he sat down in the chair across from him.
Nothing was said, Arthur struggling to stay awake. Fighting with his own drowsiness, he didn't hear the quiet thuds of the two guards outside being felled by thrown daggers. He didn't notice anything until he saw a reflected glimpse upon the side of the table's wine-pitcher, showing a figure advancing on him with a sword held up to strike.
He grabbed the sword that was always kept close to the king, leaping up from the chair and turning to block the strike.
"Guards!"
But no one came, Arthur forced to defend himself with limbs that felt like lead, and reactions dulled by the lethargy that plagued him. He was quickly knocked off balance, losing his grip on the blade. The sword then clattered to the floor by the chairs at the window, Arthur dropping to his knees while his attacker made to deal the killing blow.
The sword came down only to clash against steel, the fight having woken the king who now held the dropped sword in defence of the prince.
Uther glared at the man, furious.
"It will take more than a coward like you to kill my son."
He drove the troupe leader away from Arthur, striking with experience but hampered by not wielding a sword for so long. He was not fighting fit, and his opponent was, and seeing his father struggling, Arthur gritted his teeth with a harsh command whispering from his lips.
"Ic clipie tu, Merlin. In the Brotherhood of the Round Table, ic behyhte!"
Both his amulet and his 'non-emergency' ring reacted, the triggering of both together would tell Merlin that the summons was deathly serious. And it was, with the battle waging on still between king and assassin. Uther continuously driven backwards, rarely gaining an upper hand, until in a moment he was kicked to the floor and the killer took that as the chance to strike at the prince.
"Have you anything to say to your son before I kill him?"
Uther lunged at him before he could strike the prince, swinging wildly until at last superior knowledge let him disarm the assassin. A blow to the face then knocked the man to the floor, the king up-ending his sword to bring it down in a two-handed stab.
He didn't see the assassin reach for the dagger secured to his leg, unable to react in his ending of the man's life. Behind him, Arthur could only stare in horror as he saw the dagger strike upwards towards his father's ribs, the same instant Merlin came bursting in through the door.
The warlock stared as Uther stumbled backwards, unable to move as Arthur staggered from where he'd fallen to catch him. And when he did, the king cradled in his lap, he saw the bleeding stab-wound horrifically close to his father's heart.
"Father, n-no... Merlin! Get Gaius!"
Merlin started to turn, only to halt when Uther spoke.
"...Do not waste your time."
Arthur stared at him, shaking in denial before glaring at his manservant with tears in his eyes.
"Don't just stand there! Get going!"
"Arthur." Uther shook his head. "It's my time."
"No. You can't die."
Arthur clung to him tightly, trembling, the rush of emotion rousing him from the lethargy as the adrenaline of the attack could not. This couldn't be happening, it couldn't!
Uther winced with pain, looking at his son.
"I know you will make me proud, as you always have. You will be a great king."
"I'm not ready."
Seeing Arthur shaking his head, the king regarded him with pride and sadness.
"You've been ready for some time, Arthur."
"No. I need you."
"You already have the one you really need, standing beside you..."
Arthur frowned, confused, only to notice that Merlin had come over and was stood next to them. He looked between them, uncertain, even as Merlin knew what was about to be said.
"Father?"
Uther looked at him, solemn, before speaking to his son.
"I have made many mistakes in my life, and many of them have brought hardship and strife to the people of Camelot. My errors have spawned revenge that has seen so many of them killed or left grieving for loved ones, and yet even now I know that given a chance to do things over, my path would be the same."
Merlin knelt down beside them when the king paused, Arthur looking at him.
"Merlin, what's going on?"
The warlock remained silent, his gaze on Uther. He had made a promise, and even now he would keep it. Only one man could say that which was to be said.
And Uther said it.
"My hatred for magic will always remain, it is too much a part of me. But you... You, Arthur, are free to take a different path. My only hope is that my mistakes will not cause you further hardships and dangers. But if they do, then I know that Merlin will protect you as he has all this time."
Arthur stared at his father in shock and disbelief.
"You... You know..."
Closed his eyes, almost as if in shame at admitting this.
"I know that he possesses and uses magic. Just as I also know he would die a thousand times over for you. He is the one you need, not I."
Arthur glared at Merlin, shaking in anger at not being told.
"How long? How long, Merlin? How long has my father known?"
Merlin bowed his head.
"Since Morgana told him, during the two weeks he was her prisoner. I saw it while scrying, her telling him, and my spell could no longer make him believe it was lies." He looked at the king. "After we regained the kingdom, I revealed to him that I knew that she'd told him... And then he decided to let me live." Arthur was once again stunned, unable to move as Merlin leaned forward to rest a hand over the wound and frowned in concentration. "Bldhdseten thurhaale."
He also touched a finger to Arthur's forehead, when he noticed the prince was once again starting to struggle to stay alert, muttering a second incantation.
Arthur was barely able to speak when the king made no reaction to the spells, still utterly confused.
"But..." He focused himself. "Will he be all right?"
Merlin shook his head slowly.
"I don't know. The wound is in a bad place, and without materials all I can do right now is slow the bleeding. He needs to be seen by Gaius."
"Then get him."
This time Merlin obeyed the command, sprinting from the chamber leaving Arthur holding the king. He looked down at him, tears in his eyes as he still tried to make sense of everything.
"Why? If you knew, then why? Why did you trust him when you've sentenced so many others like him to death?"
Uther regarded him solemnly.
"Because I realised that so much of what makes me proud of you, you learnt from him... I know I've not been a good father. I put my duty to Camelot first, and I am sorry."
Arthur swallowed a sob.
"Don't say that."
Uther shook his head.
"My blindness poisoned Morgana against me. And when I learnt that you too believed magic wasn't evil, I couldn't bear the thought of you hating me as well. I couldn't face the pain that you would have suffered, if I'd had Merlin executed. You will always be my son, and I have always loved you. No matter the choices you make and the path you choose, that will never change."
The tears he'd fought so hard now poured from Arthur's eyes, falling to his father's shirt as he remained hunched over and cradling him. The king closed his eyes, drifting into unconsciousness, his expression at peace with the burden he'd now set aside.
After he came, it was dawn by the time Gaius had finished his ministrations and evaluation. Time of which Merlin had spent much telling the members of the Brotherhood everything that had happened apart for Uther's revelation. It was proving awkward enough with Arthur knowing, and that had only gotten worse when the prince had insisted that at least the physician and Gwen be told as well.
Arthur remained at his father's bedside as Gaius began to pack his things into his bag, his expression desperate for a chance of hope when he then followed the physician towards the door.
"Can you treat him?"
Gaius bowed his head, grim.
"The blade has touched his heart. He is bleeding inside, despite Merlin's spell. It's only a matter of time, I'm afraid. I'm sorry, Arthur."
Both of them looked towards the bed, where Gwen now gently tucked the covers around the king as Arthur watched.
"There must be something. There must be something we can do. Merlin could do."
"I'll try."
They turned, finding Merlin stood at the doorway looking as grim as his mentor. The warlock walked towards them, sighing when he stopped, solemn.
"His wound is beyond the healing spells that I know, and the one certain way I could save him I will not use. I'll start researching right away for another solution, but I won't use my power to Mirror Life and Death." He shook his head. "Not for him, Arthur. Not after all he's done. He toyed with that power, without accepting the price that would be asked, and the result was the past twenty-five years of relentless slaughter and persecution of those with magic. He spared me like he spared Gaius back then, so I will do my best to save him. But to use that power to do that, would be wrong even if someone came forward willing offer themselves in exchange."
Gaius frowned.
"But, Merlin. Do you really think he will thank you for healing him with magic, if you succeed in saving him?"
Merlin sighed.
"No, he won't, but he won't arrest me either. I kept my promise, my promise that Arthur would only find out from him that he knew I'm a sorcerer. And I've kept my promise to keep Arthur safe. I trust him to keep his word to me in return. If I manage to save him, he'll just go back to ignoring me. However, don't expect him to repeal the law against magic because of this. He made it clear back then that he won't, and that I'm just an exception."
Arthur went quiet.
"He.. He said that his hatred for magic would always remain, that it was too much a part of him. But that I was free to take a different path." He swallowed against the tears that threatened again. "He said that I already have the one I need beside me. That Merlin is that person. He said he let him live because he would never have been able to face seeing my pain if he'd taken Merlin from me by executing him... He's accepted that I want magic to return, and that's it's my choice to make when the time comes."
Silence fell between them, a silence of wonder that Gaius broke.
"After all that has preceded this, to think that now he would act in this way. He's as much as said he was wrong to persecute magic, even if he has no intention of ceasing doing so."
Soft words intruded on that musing.
"'If there is any chance that Uther may redeem himself before his end, it will only happen if he listens to the words of tolerance spoken by you, his son.'" Merlin sighed. "Kilgharrah was right, although I know he's going to have a hard time believing it's actually happened."
They looked again to the unconscious king, Arthur's expression becoming determined.
"I refuse to give up on him. I won't give up hope. Merlin, go start looking for a spell. While you do that, I've got a kingdom full of people to keep calm."
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Alaia Skyhawk: Hehe. Those of you who have seen the ep will know I'm gonna have to make some MASSIVE changes to it lol, besides the big change I've already added :P
Do not fear, I still intend to have Old Merlin make his appearance. The context of it is going to change though XD