Chapter 25

All Must Change

Arthur was sitting at his table with the book of Aidith, open before him. Merlin knocked and entered then stood just inside the door. The late afternoon light sent shafts of gold through the window. Arthur looked up and then swiftly back to the book, he closed it and handed it to Merlin.

'This is rightly the property of your family'' he said, this time actually looking at Merlin who took the book from his hand and avoided his eyes. As Merlin pulled his hand away Arthur grabbed his wrist. 'Will you stop sulking and sit down?' Merlin was about to speak but thought better of it and sat down instead. Arthur cleared his throat.

'You realise I have not set out to offend you Merlin, but I can see that I have. I can only assume that you have misinterpreted my behaviour.' Merlin felt a surge of relief and affection for Arthur. He raised his head, which had been firmly lowered ever since he sat down at the table.

'Perhaps I have misunderstood it… I just felt that all of a sudden we were back to servant and master, no…not even that, you were never quite this cold to me even in the beginning. Teasing me was more bearable than the way you treated me on our return journey.'

Arthur stared at him. 'I'm sorry,' he said.

'I know we had to return to this life,' continued Merlin. 'I know how things have to be… but to be honest, these past few days I felt as though I was nothing to you.'

'And what do you suppose you are to me Merlin? asked Arthur. Merlin could not interpret his look.

'I am your friend,' came the earnest reply.

'Yes,' Arthur's face took on a look of determination and behind it he smiled, truly smiled, for the first time in days.

'And…' started Merlin. Arthur waited for the next words and when they did not come he prompted him.

'And…?'

I am meant to protect you…we are…we share…a single destiny….' Arthur gave him a sceptical look and stood up. Striding around the table to stand over him.

'I was told this.' Insisted Merlin.

'I can see that it means something to you,' said Arthur, 'do you trust whoever said it.'

'The answer screamed out in Merlin's' head: No!' But he did not speak it.

'There is a prophecy written about us…about you and me...' Merlin was hesitating. Sitting here in Arthur's chambers, talking about destiny and prophecies. He did not have the conviction he once had, when he sent Arthur into the forest to find to Anhora, this was altogether different.

Arthur noticed his discomfort. 'I have…' said Arthur. Moving the subject beyond magic. ' I have realised that you have become the single most important person in my life Merlin.' He stopped to gauge Merlin's reaction, trying to read his body language, as he could not longer see his face. 'I don't know how that happened,' said Arthur simply. But there it is.'

Merlin leant back in his chair and shook his head in surprise, not surprise at the statement exactly more shock that Arthur had just said it. His face however betrayed hope and expectation. Since Arthur was the most important person for him it was almost too much to hope that it was mutual. But Arthur had something else to contend with. 'I don't know if I can afford to let things continue the way they have up until now. I don't know how Merlin, but I feel something has to change.' Merlin saw the look that crossed his friend's face and understood that above all else Arthur was a prince, a prince who was now closer to a king than he had ever been.

'So when did you work that one out?' asked Merlin.

'When I saw you…kill the questing beast.'

Arthur picked up the a wine flagon, Merlin went to assist him but Arthur shook his head and mouthed a 'no' at him, he poured two goblets of wine and handed one to Merlin.

Merlin looked down into his drink and took a sip. He grew suddenly serious. 'What has to change Arthur exactly?

'We have a job to do,' said Arthur, you and I. I know we can do it and I thought it simple but it isn't.' Merlin looked at him quizzically. 'If I am to help you destroy the stone then I have to, not only defy my father; which I admit does have a certain attraction… but I also have to break the law of the land to which I am bound as a future king…' Arthur paced to the window and looked out. This was not easy for him to talk about. If anyone had told him just a few short weeks ago that he would have this conversation he would have laughed in their face. 'Merlin have you any idea what that means? There cannot be one law for the people and another for me, whatever we do together Merlin it must be without magic or…'

'Out in the open?' suggested Merlin. Arthur nodded. 'We have to rewrite one of the central laws of Camelot. That is the only way we can do this.'

The two were quiet, wrapped up in their own thoughts and they weighed heavy on their minds. Merlin had not thought about this possible turn of events, but he should have expected it. He believed now that Arthur would never betray him and to do that he relied on his strength of character, his sense of honour and his loyalty. The same qualities that now made it impossible for Arthur to undermine his people.

Merlin chose his words carefully. 'I know a way to change the law Arthur, but it will hurt you.'

'I'm hurting already Merlin, what's a little more pain?' Arthur gave him a grim smile and walked over to sit opposite him again. He no longer needed the distance between them.

'Then I will have to talk to Gaius,' said Merlin rising from his chair with a newfound determination.

'Shall I come with you? asked Arthur.

'I must speak to him privately.'

'Alright, but will you come back and tell me what your plans are? I have to dine with my father at eight.' Merlin beamed at Arthur's friendly request for his presence.

'And one more thing Merlin…' Arthur stopped him as he went to leave. 'That thing you did, that hearing my thoughts in your head. It really threw me. You can't still do that, can you?

'I never did…I didn't hear anything it was Aidith.'

'It's just I don't think I couldn't cope with that...don't want you reading my mind.'

'It's OK Arthur, that has never been one of my gifts.' He smiled reassuringly at the prince and opened the door

'Merlin!' called Arthur loudly.

'Yes… Arthur,' he answered turning in surprise at the prince's raised voice.

Arthur's face was alight with a comic fury…he had not spoken.

*

'You did what Merlin? demanded Gaius, stunned at what he had just heard. 'You read Arthur's thoughts!'

'Yes said Merlin,' vaguely amused.

'Well was it you or was it him or both of you?'

'I don't really know but it was Aidith who did it first. She told Arthur to call for me when he wanted me to return and she heard him, and you know Gaius. I told you when she touched me?'

'You didn't tell me any such thing.'

'Well I meant to… she touched me just before she died. I felt this strange sensation charge through me, it wasn't pleasant...do you think she gifted a power to me?'

'Gaius viewed his young nephew with a cautious glare.'

'Try something for me.' said Gaius. 'Concentrate on me, then give me an instruction.' He made an impatient gesture as Merlin shrugged at him. ' Like Aidith did to Arthur.'

'What like: Call me when you need me Gaius…That do?'

'Yes...good…now, I will go out for a moment,' he had that uncontrollable excitement that Merlin always found highly amusing. 'I will go down to the courtyard said Gaius rushing out of the door. Merlin stoked the fire, waiting. Then he heard Gaius voice calling for him to come to the window. Merlin did so and looked down into the courtyard below. Gaius waved at him frantically then hurriedly disappeared back inside.

Gaius soon came through the door, buzzing with triumph. 'Merlin. Merlin. You have the power of Færald: The power of movement in the mind! She gave it to you intact…do you know how rare that is my boy? You can control minds with it…she must have trusted you… Now Merlin you are attuned to me and only you can break the connection and also you must be tuned to Arthur…she passed that to you also.'

'Can I read your mind then Gaius?'

'Technically yes…wait a minute Merlin! Don't you dare!'

'You already gave me permission,' said Merlin with a grin.

'Merlin, be serious for once.'

'Yes, sorry Gaius… Arthur and I…'

'Arthur and I is it?' asked Gaius smiling at his young ward.

'Yes,' said Merlin with a blush. 'Arthur and I want to change the laws of Camelot.'

'And which laws precisely?' asked Gaius a little less amused.

'We want to change the law against magic.' stated Merlin happily.

Gaius stared at him.

'Have you gone stark raving mad Merlin? What are you talking about?

What does Arthur know of Magic?' Merlin betrayed all his thoughts with one sheepish look. 'Merlin! You have not told the Crown Prince of Camelot, a man charged with the eradication of magic, that you are a warlock!'

'He already knew,' said Merlin quietly, aware that he had let a monstrous cat out of the bag.'

'Have you taken leave of your senses boy? Uther will have your head! My god… it's happened,' said Gaius suddenly losing the ability to stand. 'It's finally happened,' he said sitting heavily in his chair. He looked at Merlin in dismay. 'Arthur will tell Uther I have no doubt of it…he is a loyal and dutiful son.'

Merlin shook his head. 'How can he not? asked Gaius?'

'He will not Gaius. He knows and he accepts me, he is prepared to change the law of the land for me Gaius. He even helped me to find magic again after it was lost. He has to know the truth.'

'And what truth might that be?' asked Gaius suspiciously.'

'He has to know that he was created by the old religion, just as I was, he has to be told about his birth and Igraine and Uther and Nimueh... It is the only way to change things.'

'If we expose Uther…' said Gaius shaking his head in disbelief that he was even contemplating it. 'That will not change him.'

'No… but if we expose him without destroying him...or better still get him to reveal it to Arthur himself. You could do that Gaius… you are the master of persuasion.'

'Don't think I haven't tried Merlin, over the years' said Gaius rising to pull down one of his many books.

'What are you looking up?' asked Merlin.

'Uther was brought low for weeks, but not with any illness I ever saw and I had a thought that while he slept some sort of healing was going on or some resolution was being found. Ah here it is…the healing illusion…a tricky enchantment…needs at least two sorcerers, yes... and a circle of power.'

'What's that, a circle of power?' asked Merlin.

'Stones. Trees, that sort of thing…and this bit…what does it say here Merlin? I can't seem to make that last bit out. Merlin took the heavy book, it was all he could do to keep hold of it: it must have had several hundred pages at least. He followed Gaius' finger to the passage:

When he enters the circle he must unburden his heart for the circle will read every corner of him lest he stands as one naked, and innocent as a babe.

'That's what the journal says!' said Merlin pulling Aidith's book from his pocket and scouring the pages...yes Aidith says the same thing. That's what Aidith was doing in the Forest of Heaf Gaius, I knew she didn't just leave them all to die, the seekers of the stone. She helped them find resolutions that would make real changes. She brought them all there somehow to play out the game. With Lillian's help, though I doubt Lillian knew the half of it. Aidith gifted power to Lillian, Lillian admitted it herself you know…and together they fashioned the illusions. But not with ghosts or spectres but with real people, while they slept or while they were unconscious or ill. Don't you see Gaius, she healed something in them too.'

'It would appear you are an excellent detective Merlin as well as a fine warlock. I must admit that I myself noted a change for the better in Uther.'

'Well that is how we will do it Gaius… we will bring Uther into a circle and he will face his demons. He will come to realise what he has done. He might even unburden himself to his son before the goes in…Let's try it Gaius…please.'

'It might just work Merlin.' said Gaius carefully. He returned the book to its place amongst the other volumes, which lived in no particular order on every shelf and table available. 'Yes, it might work… ' Gaius was warming up to the idea. 'You have inherited Aidith's power… but you need two sorcerers to do it.'

Merlin heaved a huge sigh. I could gift it to someone like Aidith did, but it will have to be someone we trust.

They both fell silent, working though ideas and suggestions in their heads and never speaking them until Gaius smiled and hit the table.

'I have it!' he said.

'Arthur!'

'What? No! He would never cope with it,' said Merlin. 'He told me so.'

'Ahh…'

Merlin spoke quietly and looked cautiously at his uncle. 'We could keep it in the family.'

'Who, me? Impossible!

'Why not? said Merlin. 'It's you or Morgana,' Gaius gave him a hard look. 'She was healed in the forest remember I told you all about her…But we have no idea where she is,' added Merlin with frustration.

They fell to their pondering again. Then Gaius shook himself as though he was limbering up. 'Think I could do it my boy?'

'I Know you can,' said Merlin happily.

'But one thing Merlin, I think there is one thing you need to pay attention to, you and Arthur, the stone is still treacherous and it resides here.

'But we are safe while Uther lives.' Said Merlin.

'And you know the hour and minute of Uther's death do you.' said the canny old man peering over his glasses at Merlin.

'No of course not,' said the young warlock wishing he was not looking straight into Gaius' owl-like eyes.

'Then we are still in peril. Don't forget that.' Gaius collected an armful of books. 'Now we have discovered how to transform Uther we must find out how to destroy this stone. Eh my boy? Take off your coat Merlin, you may be here for some time.'

'Arthur needs me!' said Merlin springing to his feet. He pointed to his head. ' No really Gaius, I hear him.'

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