In the event, Gwaine was proven wrong: there wasn't a sorcerer under every stone in Camelot. In fact, besides those he already knew of, there was only one more who came forward. They were also initially slow to come from the surrounding areas—as predicted, they mistrusted the announced legalization of magic. However, as weeks passed, and the stories spread of more and more people with magic coming to light and no one being executed, a few of Arthur's people began showing up in Camelot and volunteering to train with the knights. Soon they had a group of four young men and one woman, besides Mordred.
"Sire, how are we planning to train these people?" Leon asked as they headed onto the practice field. The five newcomers and Mordred were in a small group at the corner of the field, and the knights were a short distance away, occasionally shooting them curious glances. Everyone looked very uncomfortable and unsure of themselves. "We have no idea what martial magic they're capable of, and no idea how to use that in combat situations. Besides, won't they need a trainer who is capable of magic himself to give them pointers?"
"Yes," Arthur said. "That's why I've asked one to join us." Leon opened his mouth, but Arthur added, "And here he is now." He gestured toward Merlin, who was approaching them across the field.
Leon peered, trying to see if someone was following Merlin. "Where?"
Arthur merely laughed. "You have your work cut out for you," he said as Merlin walked up to them.
Merlin looked over where Gwaine was introducing himself to the newcomers. They looked a little standoffish. "Looks like it." Leon looked very confused.
Arthur started off by introducing the knights and the sorcerers to each other. "Alright," Merlin announced. "We need a volunteer from the knights."
There was silence. "For what?" Elyan asked cautiously.
"To wear this." Merlin held up a padded suit.
Arthur looked around at the knights. They were all eyeing the suit with distaste, and clearly wondering what they needed it for. Arthur sighed. If he ever wanted the knights and the sorcerers to work together, he was going to have to lead the way. "I'll wear it," he said.
Merlin bit his lips, trying hard not to laugh out loud, and handed it over. Arthur put it on over his armor and put on a helmet. "Now stand over here." Merlin directed him toward the softest part of the field. "Which of you can throw a man backwards?" he asked the sorcerers. Mordred, one of men, and the woman raised their hands. "Mordred, would you demonstrate?"
Mordred stepped forward and looked questioningly at Arthur. "Go ahead," Arthur said.
The next moment he was flat on his back. Merlin jogged over and helped him up. "Are you alright?" he asked. Arthur was laughing, a little breathlessly.
"That was exciting!" he exclaimed. "Who's next?"
"I'll do it," Gwaine volunteered. They put the second padded suit on him as Arthur pulled his off.
"Idwal," Merlin said, "why don't you show us what you've got."
The large, burly sorcerer stepped forward and raised his hand. His eyes flashed, but nothing happened. "That's alright; try it again," Merlin encouraged him. Idwal raised his hand once more, but nothing happened. He looked embarrassed. Suddenly, Gwaine gave a shout and charged at him. Startled, Idwal raised his hand, and Gwaine flew backward through the air. Elyan and Percival began laughing.
Gwaine sat up and pulled off his helmet. "Whooo!" he exclaimed, trying to catch his breath. "It's like flying!"
Idwal pulled him to his feet. By this point, Percival had put on one of the suits. "My turn," he announced.
"Rhoslyn, you're up," Merlin said.
"That's hardly fair," Elyan pointed out. "He weighs a lot more than—"
Percival went soaring backward through the air and landed a good three feet farther back than Arthur or Gwaine. Everyone stared, and Raynelle began laughing.
"Attagirl!" she crowed, slapping Rhoslyn on the back.
Percival pulled off his helmet and struggled to sit up, winded. "Good Lord," he coughed.
"Alright, for the rest of you, we're going to work our way up from smaller projectiles to larger ones," Merlin announced. He had the knights split up into pairs, with shields, and practice stabbing at one another. The sorcerers were to deflect the blades so that they missed their opponents. They continued working until all of them could move the blades so that they glanced harmlessly aside. Merlin then brought out some spears.
"I want the knights to line up there with shields," he said.
"I don't understand," Ranulf murmured to Elyan. "Why is Merlin training the sorcerers? Shouldn't Mordred do it? He actually has magic."
"Sir Ranulf, think fast!" Merlin shouted, and Ranulf looked up to see a spear flying directly toward him. He raised his shield instinctively and the spear bounced off. He stared at it, lying on the grass, as if it were a snake that was going to bite him. The knights were all staring at Merlin.
"I would say that's why," Elyan answered Ranulf.
"Merlin has magic." Percival said blankly. He paused. "Suddenly, a lot of things make sense…"
Merlin's eyes met Arthur's. They both suppressed a smile. "Your turn," Merlin said to the sorcerers. The knights readied their shields.
000
"Will you light the fire with magic?" Percival asked. A few of the knights were on a brief overnight hunting trip and were beginning to make camp. Ever since Percival had found out that Merlin had magic, he had been as excited as a child in a candy shop.
Merlin grinned. "I have to gather the firewood, first."
"I'll help!" Percival leapt to his feet. "You go that way, I'll go this way."
The other knights laughed good-naturedly as Percival hurried off into the forest. "You're his favorite person," Gwaine teased. "I'm jealous."
"I won't let it go to my head," Merlin promised with a grin as he headed off in the opposite direction.
He was not very far from the camp when he felt a strange tugging sensation. Dropping his firewood, he followed it, almost unaware of where he was going. The forest grew darker, and then Merlin found himself face-to-face with the Dís.
"Greetings, Merlin Emrys," she said.
"Was I too late?" he asked, almost panicked. "Did I fail to avert Camelot's fate?" What other reason could she have for calling to him?
"Be at peace, Emrys." She raised her hand. "You have done well. The judgment of the Disir no longer hangs over Arthur's head."
Merlin took a deep breath. "Then all will be well?"
"I did not say so."
"But—"
"We will not cause his downfall. Mordred will not be the instrument of Arthur's doom. But decisions will still be made—by you, by Arthur. And all decisions have consequences."
"But how can I know what those consequences will be?"
She lowered her head, and he felt her piercing stare. "Do what you have always done, Emrys: what you think is right."
He dropped his gaze. "Thank you," he said after a moment. "I am glad Arthur knows everything."
"Does he?" He looked up at her. "Have you told him everything?"
He pressed his lips together and gulped. "No," he said quietly. "There are things—I haven't been able to tell him. But he knows enough."
"For now. And now I believe you must return to your companions." He almost thought she was smiling. "I believe Sir Percival would like to see you light a fire." The Dís vanished into the darkness.
TBC
AN: She Dís-appeared! Tee hee hee
