I know, a long long time with no update. I'm so sorry, life is so busy! If I could I would spend my days only writing. But don't worry, even if I have busy days and I'm updating late, I don't use to leave my stories with no end. I will finish this. :)
Thank you very much for your reviews SeverusHermioneForever, Sheylah, Maya, Chris, Someone from Ireland and Merlinslover. Thank you a lot too for the alerts and favourites.
And now, if I remember well after so long, the last guest has just arrived in Camelot, and Arthur and Agravaine are both worried about meeting him.
Have fun! :D
Previously...
"I want you both to change these faces now."Merlin said.
"Easy to say..." Agravaine said. "God, where's Morgause when I need her?"
"Probably already going to the great hall." Merlin said casually. "Anyway, if we are to build Albion, you must change your faces and your attitude." He said. "Arthur, where's the bold and cheeky prince I've ever knew?" Arthur looked at him a bit shocked. "Where's the prat I've always knew?"
"What?" Arthur couldn't believe his ears! "Merlin, you can't talk to me like that!"
"That's the spirit!" Merlin smiled. "Now you, Agravaine!" He smirked. "Remember Morgause will be watching you while you talk to King Mark."
"Oh." If possible, the man looked even more anxious.
"And whatever happen in the great hall will have a consequence on your bed." Both men looked surprised at Merlin. "You won't want to look like a silly boy, so take a breath, go there and make your magic!"
Chapter 49
When Arthur, Merlin and Agravaine were about to arrive at the throne room, King Mark's harsh voice could be heard in the corridor. The guards standing beside the door opened it to them and they entered.
"Haha, finally!" King Mark said. The man had a dark wavy hair longing almost near his shoulders. His beard covered the tan skin of his face, hiding it from the others. "Prince Arthur, your father here has just told me you are the one who claims to have news for us." He pointed Uther with the tip of his sword.
"That's true." Arthur said confidently. "News about the future of Britain. Now, if you would stop pointing your sword to my father, I'd appreciate it a lot."
"Hahahaha!" King Mark forced a rough laugh. "Agravaine, I see your nephew is quite different of you!" He looked around but nobody laughed. "By the way, don't you think it's time to go back home yet?"
"On the truth I won't go back to Cornwall since I have my own kingdom to care about now." Agravaine said absurdly calm.
"What?" The man couldn't believe it.
That was when the door opened again and Morgana and Morgause entered.
"Exactly what you heard, Mark!" Morgause said very calmly. "Goddess, you can be heard feet away, do you know that?" She smirked.
"King Mark." The man corrected her, emphasising his title.
"King Mark, as I was saying, there's no reason to be so pissed off!" Morgause continued, causing Merlin to laugh.
"Yes, let's talk more calmly." Uther said. "Let me present you Morgana, my wife and queen of Camelot." The queen forced a smile and took Uther's arm. The king was clearly trying to make things more civilized there. "Merlin, our advisor for magic topics." Merlin nodded at the man with a very serious face.
"Merlin..." King Mark said thoughtfully, walking to the lad. "You're Emrys, right?"
"Yes, that's it." Merlin said.
"And you are?" He went to Morgause and Agravaine noticed he looked at the lady as if he could devour her.
"Morgause. Queen of Essetir." She smiled at him. "I see you already knew Agravaine, king of Essetir." Agravaine smiled at that. He loves the way his young lover deals with that kind of situation, as if nothing was happening.
"King of Essetir?" For Morgause and Agravaine's amazement, King Mark was very shocked. "So you were the one who killed Cenred!" He was furious at Agravaine. "He was my cousin!"
Uther held his breath. Would that really end well?
"That's great to know!" Morgause said as furious as King Mark. "I sincerely do hope that you don't have your cousin's bad temper!"
"What do you mean?" King Mark asked more curious than anything else. Uther just observed them.
"You see, Mark..." Morgause started.
"King Mark!" He corrected her once again.
"Whatever!" She mouthed. "The fact is Agravaine here killed Cenred for a noble reason."
"Really?"
"Yes." Agravaine said wrapping his arm around Morgause's waist and bringing the lady to him, smirking when she gasped and King Mark looked surprised. "He was about to kill Morgause. And I would never allow it to happen." Agravaine gave a quick look at Merlin and the boy smiled at him in approval.
"Oh!" King Mark laughed in a very impolite way. "I see... my cousin's life for a beautiful lady!"
"We had never expected someone like you to understand!" Morgause said a bit too incisively.
"Sister." Morgana broke the tension. "That's not the way..."
"Morgana is right." Uther intervened. "Let's stop the accusations, otherwise I can't see how we could find a solution for this situation."
"And what do you suggest, my lord?" King Mark said with mocked respect.
"King Mark, I recognise Cornwall and Camelot never had a nice relationship." Arthur said controlling his anger, but pointing his sword to the man even so. "But we always respected each other. I hope your uncontrolled feelings wouldn't be a silly reason to start a war."
"Arthur!" Merlin touched his shoulder. That meeting should be about peace after all! "Why don't you let me help you a bit?" Each pair of eyes looked surprised at the boy. "King Mark, you see, people commit mistakes." The king of Cornwall rolled his eyes at that. "Even you or me or King Uther or your cousin, King Cenred."
"I see. And now a sorcerer is trying to convince me that because of my cousin's mistakes he deserved to die!" The man was furious.
"Not really." Merlin said calmly. "But the fact is he died. And we can't change past." Apart of King Mark, everyone was smiling, realizing where Merlin wanted to go.
"What do you mean?" King Mark sounded very confused. He always expected an argument or even a combat, not that... that...
"I mean, my lord, that maybe it's time for all of you reconsider your ways." Merlin interrupted King Mark's thoughts, pacing in excitement. "A new era is coming. And, listen to what I say, it will bring a new time of peace and prosperity to Britain."
"It sounds good." King Mark said touched, forgetting their differences for a while.
"But, listen to me carefully!" Merlin said, playing his role as Emrys very well in Morgause's opinion. "Light is a funny thing. It makes things and situations clearer."
"So that's good." King Mark concluded.
"Only if the things to be clearer are good." Merlin said enigmatically. "Light might make peace and prosperity clearer. On the other hand, it might make conflicts we don't even know we had come to surface. Problems. Pains."
"Fine, you convinced me!" The man said, pointing his palms to Merlin in a defensive way. "Tell me what the point is."
"The point is Cenred is dead and, according to the laws, Agravaine is the new king, you like it or not." Arthur said calmer.
"Yes." Merlin agreed. "The point is, Mark..."
"King Mark!" He corrected Merlin.
"He's the greatest warlock to ever walk this earth." Arthur said. "He won't bow to anyone."
King Mark looked very shocked. Morgause smirked at that. He deserved it!
"Not even to a king." Uther completed.
"Now, Merlin, please continue." Morgana smiled at her friend.
"Oh, well." Merlin took a breath. "I was saying that the reason for the council is the future of Britain." He made a pause, glad to notice King Mark was still listening to him. "Prince Arthur has some ideas that certainly will lead Britain to this era of light in a nice way for all of us."
"I see." King Mark said. "And which would be these ideas?"
"The ideas might be shared in the proper time, when all the kings and queens will be reunited." Arthur said.
"The sun is already setting." Uther said. "The council will happen tomorrow morning. Dinner will be served at seven." He offered his arm to Morgana. "Now Hildebrand will show you your chambers, so you may have some rest until dinner."
Uther helped Morgana to sit at the table and sat at his place. Instantly, all the kings, queens and members of royalty sat too, following Uther. Morgana looked around and smiled, noticing that probably a dinner in which all the kings of Britain were present had never occurred. Uther felt clearly proud of having it happening in Camelot, Morgana could say it by the way he smiled at her.
Morgause was having fun! Her first social event as a queen, who would seriously consider it! Later she would celebrate it with Agravaine on their bed!
Arthur and Merlin looked at each other. There was clearly a tension there.
"Don't worry." Merlin whispered to the prince. "Remember we're the ones in control here."
"Not me... you are the one in control! I'm just the one in panic!" He whispered back.
"Oh, please, don't ruin this moment being a prat!" Merlin said and smiled as Uther took his cup and raised it.
"I'd like to officially welcome all of you to Camelot." Uther said. "It's a great honour to me receive you all here and share this delicious dinner." He made a pause to look at Morgana, who smiled at him. "Tomorrow morning we'll have the council and I sincerely hope that good decisions may be taken, in a friendly and respectful way."
"I sincerely doubt it!" King Mark mouthed bitterly.
"Meanwhile, I wish you to enjoy this special moment!" Uther finished his quick speech.
A musician entered and played harp while the servants served the roasted meat and potatoes with cheese sauce. Morgana and Gwen smiled at each other seeing the guests were positively surprised by the good way Camelot has welcomed them. Even King Mark was clearly enjoying the dinner and the music.
"I heard what you said to Arthur." Princess Mithian said to Merlin, who blushed instantly. By the way, he had even blushed when the lady had decided to sit beside him!
"Oh... he feels a bit unsure, sometimes, but I believe that happens to all of us." Merlin finally managed to say, avoiding Morgause's knowing smirk, since she was sat just in front of him, following the conversation with interest.
"You're such a wise man, Merlin." Princess Mithian said all dreamily. "I like it."
Merlin smiled, completely blushed. She likes him! At that point, even Arthur was smiling and listening to their whispered conversation. Morgause noticed how shocked Merlin was. Oh, she must help him! She owes him it, after all!
"Ouch!" Morgause kicked Merlin's leg, making the boy breathe again and awake from his trance.
"Don't be a girl, Merlin!" Arthur suggestively whispered to his friend.
"I... uh... Princess Mithian, I... Would you like to go with me to a little walking in the gardens after dinner?" Merlin finally managed to say and Morgause and Arthur smiled at each other.
"Oh!" The lady blushed lightly. She was so adorable! "I'd love it, Merlin."
Merlin had the biggest smile ever! He could dance on the table, so happy he was! The king certainly wouldn't appreciate that... so he just kept smiling.
Mithian was in her chambers, anxiously waiting. After dinner, she told Merlin she had to arrange something before they go. So Merlin said he would help Gaius and would soon be in front of her chambers. She felt so anxious! Mithian just wanted to brush her hair and take some courage.
God, where was Merlin? Had he changed his mind? She looked at the mirror for the hundredth time. She had never dated a boy. Her father used to be almost all the time with her, always talking about the kingdom and duties... Merlin was so sweet, she still couldn't believe he truly likes her. That was when someone knocked.
"Father?"
"Really, Merlin?" Kevin was so excited. "You have a date! A date with someone else!"
"Obviously it is with someone else!" Gaius said annoyed.
Merlin smirked.
"Oh, but you know I could just play by myself and..."
"Merlin!" Gaius interrupted him a bit shocked.
"I'm sorry, I'm nervous!" Merlin paced. "I still can't believe she likes me!"
"Don't be so nervous..." Kevin walked to him. "Tell her she's beautiful."
"It sounds silly." Merlin said.
"No, it doesn't!" Kevin continued. "Vivienne always smiles when I tell her how beautiful she is."
"But Vivienne is a baby girl." Merlin explained.
"Well... I think everyone likes to feel beautiful." The boy explained.
Merlin sighed and decided it was time to go.
"Good luck, Merlin!" Gaius said amused as Merlin walked to the door.
"My precious Mithian!" The old man said. "I just came to wish you a good night." He looked at her more carefully. "Oh, why are you wearing your cloak?"
"Father..." She blushed and the man smiled at that. "I... A man invited me to go to a walk in the gardens and I said yes." She said confidently.
"Oh, I see..." Rodor sounded excited. "The warlock, right? Merlin?"
"Yes, Merlin."
"Well, as your father I should warn you to be careful and... don't come back too late..."
"Father, I know all that." She waved her hands in embarrassment. "God, it's just a little walking..."
Rodor smiled. He thought his daughter would never fall in love. Sometimes she used to take things too seriously.
"Have fun, sweetheart."He finally said. "Merlin is a good boy."
Mithian smiled at her father and in that moment, Merlin finally arrived.
"Oh, here he is!" Rodor said excitedly. Merlin and Mithian blushed instantly. "Merlin, my boy, I trust you. Be nice to my little girl, uh?" He smiled.
"O-of course!" Merlin said, forcing a nervous smile. "Don't worry, King Rodor, I promise I'll be a gentleman!"
"I know you will, Merlin!" The old man said amused. The boy was so nervous! "Relax and have fun, kids!" He said finally walking away.
"Mithian." Merlin smiled at the princess as Rodor was away. "You look very beautiful." Suddenly he realized he said what Kevin had suggested him.
"Oh!" She smiled. Maybe the little boy was right. "Thank you, Merlin."
"Let's go?" He smiled back, more confident, offering her his arm. The lady took it and they walked to the garden.
As they arrived there, they saw Morgause practically swallowing Agravaine's lips. God, for the first time Mithian wanted to try that. She had a funny feeling in her lower abdomen while watching them. Merlin looked at her and they shared a smirk.
"Agravaine?" Morgause didn't understand why the man suddenly stopped.
"We have company." He said.
"Oh!" Morgause smiled and wiped her lips. "Well, we can finish that in our chambers." She said to Agravaine, but Merlin and Mithian could obviously hear.
"Enjoy the night." Agravaine said as they were preparing to leave. "Morgause?" He noticed his lover had stopped near of Merlin.
"She likes you, boy!" Morgause whispered in a way just Merlin could hear. "Be gentle to her, but not too much!" She added suggestively. Merlin smirked at that. "Well, have a great night!" She said louder and left with Agravaine, stopping in some points of their way for a needy kiss and some fondling.
Merlin looked at the couple very amused. Who would imagine they would end up being friends after all?
"Merlin?" Mithian brought him back to reality. "The moon is so beautiful tonight." She had no idea of what to say. She wanted Merlin to kiss her just like King Agravaine and Queen Morgause had been doing.
"As beautiful as your smile." Merlin said gallantly as they slowly walked along the paths lined with roses.
"You're so gallant!" She stopped walking and turned to face him with a begging smile.
And Merlin got it! Both their hearts were beating so fast when the boy cupped her soft cheek and pressed his lips to hers. When they pulled away, the lady was blushed and her eyes were shining so beautifully! Her hands went to Merlin's nape and brought him back to her. Merlin smiled and insinuated his tongue, Mithian moaned and accepted him. Oh, that was so good! He didn't want to shock her, but as the lady arched her body, Merlin lost his control.
"Merlin!" She moaned as his hands held her firmly against his body and his mouth practically attacked her neck.
Morgause was right, Merlin had to admit at least to himself. Mithian liked him and was as excited as him about their date.
I intended to write the council in this chapter, but after so long without an update, I preferred to update now and make the council in the next one.
Please, review!
Have a nice weekend!
