As the King and his party watched King Baynard and his men leave Camelot they were all pleased with how things turned out, they were that much closer to peace in the five kingdoms. Now they had one more treaty to sign and Arthur knew it would be hardest one to achieve. He knew he would need to be careful with both Morgana and Merlin as Sarrum hated all magic and was a sadist of the worst kind.
However Arthur had already sent messages to Sarrum's court asking for talks either at Camelot or Amata and was awaiting a reply. It came a month later when a messenger arrived to say Sarrum had already set out to Camelot for talks. He was expected within two weeks. So preparations were underway, Merlin had set up the kitchens so they could store food without it going off, earning him the thanks of Mary the cook. The knights were out hunting in preparation of all the extra mouths to feed. Sarrum was reported to have brought an entourage of a hundred with him, including servants and knights. All these extra people would need to be catered for and housed. So the castle was frantically preparing everything.
Arthur was debating whether to send Morgana and Merlin to Queen Annis for the duration, but both refused to go and Arthur could see no way of forcing them, they had both already threatened to turn him into a toad if he tried. So he had Sarrum's quarters placed as far away from them as he could. The King had met Sarrum before in his father's time, and remembered him as a sadist who was extremely arrogant and greedy, as well as having a deep hatred of magic of any sort. This was one treaty negotiations he wasn't looking forward to.
Morgana was using her powers as a High Priestess to help the many servants get ready for the visit and Merlin was helping Gaius stock up on the many herbs and healing potions that would be in great demand with such a rise in population. With their help they were ready before the visitors arrived. The knights were taking the opportunity of training hard. There were sure to be some sort of tournament arranged and they were determined to show Camelot at its best, although Gwaine had already suggested cheating by getting Merlin to help them. The Knight had also asked Merlin to help him hide a stock of mead so he would be well stocked for the visit. He sulked when Merlin declined to use his magic for anything so trivial.
The Queen and Morgana were now working on new clothes for the King and his Warlock, as well as themselves. Both the men were seriously worried what they would be forced to wear. A week before Sarrum arrived; the Queen told Arthur some news, which turned the King a nervous wreck. She was pregnant at last. Arthur now wished he could cancel the talks, but it was too late. He ordered extra guards for his wife, and told Freya that the queen was never to be left alone and to select as many other servants as she needed to do the job. As soon as the rest of the court found out the good will that the King already had with the populace soared, and the monarchs were cheered wherever they went.
Morgana instantly went into overdrive making plans for her new niece or nephew. Which made Arthur start to consider a husband for her, he jokingly suggested Sarrum, whose wife had died several years previously. That earned him donkey's ears for several hours, until he talked Merlin into reversing the spell. What he didn't know was that Morgana already had ideas to fill that particular vacancy as did a man not so far away from the King. They had just been waiting for the right time to broach the subject with the King. It seemed romance was in the air with more than one couple.
Arthur was still deciding whether to have Morgana and Merlin at the steps as part of the welcoming committee, even as they received notice that the visitors were less than an hour away. Queen Guinevere put her foot down and said that both where on the ruling council and it would be an insult to both of them not to be there and that Sarrum would have to get used to magic in Camelot if the treaty was to be signed. So the Court Warlock was at the Kings right hand side and the High Priestess was at Merlin's side as the biggest magic hater in the five kingdoms entered the courtyard.
Sarrum arrived armed to the teeth and dressed in leather and firs as was his style, as he went to dismount one of his servants bent down and his King used him as a step to get off his horse, not even giving the poor man a look. He looked just how Merlin thought he would; Merlin was the only person there not to have met the visitor before.
Arthur stepped forward, he looked overdressed in comparison with Sarrum, in a new red shirt and brown trousers with his chainmail and red Camelot cape complete with crown on his head. "Welcome to Camelot I trust you had a safe journey." He held out his hand to Sarrum.
The other man walked up to Arthur and ignored the outstretched hand completely. "Of course, no one would attack my men, unless your sorcerers thought of it." He looked at the pair to Arthur right with a look of disgust on his face. "I never thought I'd see the day their sort would be welcome in Camelot your father must be turning in his grave" Sarrum looked at Arthur "Have you been enchanted."
Arthur held his tongue, to speak out now would not help in the treaty talks, but however he couldn't let such a slight go completely. "We welcome all in Camelot and are strong for it. My Court Warlock and the High Priestess follow a peaceful course. I now rule now not my father." Arthur refused to back down in any way to the man in front of him. "My people will show you to your rooms to freshen up we will met later for a feast to welcome you."
Sarrum then looked at the Queen in a way she didn't like in a man not her husband, and not in the privacy of their bedchamber. He reached and took her hand and raised it to his lips and kissed it "My Lady, a sight for sore eyes after a dusty ride." He held on to her hand just a little too long for propriety. Gwen blushed and took her hand from Sarrum's grip.
"I hope you find the rooms to your satisfaction" she told him coolly.
"I'm sure I will, as I remember at Camelot you are a soft bunch and like your luxuries." Sarrum turned back to the King "I will see you at the feast." He then followed George into the castle.
"Horrid man" whispered Gwen to her husband.
"We haven't got to like him, just get a treaty with him Guinevere. If you wish you may miss the feast I can tell him you are indisposed."
"I wouldn't give him the satisfaction." Gwen said back.
Merlin looked at his Queen "If I turned him into a toad it would be an improvement"
That made his Queen chuckle "It would at that."
"You two more decorum please, I expect our guests to be treated as just that." Arthur scowled at the pair. "If any of their party hear you being so disrespectful we will get nowhere with the treaty."
"But they can talk about us like we're scum, you're a prat Sire" Merlin said before he turned and walked away.
"He's got a point Arthur" Gwen said "I don't blame him. Well I'm not wearing that new gown we made Morgana, I want something up to my neck."
"Me to" Morgana said "Mind you if I do wear mine he might think High Priestess's are worth something after all. I pity Merlin he's sat next to him tonight. Arthur just make sure you keep him out of Merlin's hair, or I won't vouch for his behaviour. Merlin isn't as old and wise as us, he also isn't used to being diplomatic."
The King looked at his sister "What have you got planned Morgana?"
"Nothing at all, brother dear. But putting Sarrum between you and Merlin might not be the wisest thing." Morgana said to him.
"Merlin is now the senior adviser on the Council, by virtue of his title it would be an insult to them both to do otherwise." Arthur protested "I knew I should have sent you two off."
Later that evening Arthur, Gwen and Sarrum arrived together for the feast. The rest of the attendees were already present, and stood as the monarchs entered. Arthur was taken aback by what his Court Warlock was wearing. He knew Merlin wouldn't have normally been seen dead in such an outfit and promised himself he would strangle both the magic users for the display. There at the head table an innocent look on his face stood Merlin in a navy gown that looked like it reached the floor it was covered in stars and moons. On his head was a pointed hat also decorated in a similar fashion, in his right hand was a magical staff complete with a mauve coloured jewel on the top. It wouldn't have surprised Arthur at this point to see a black cat as well. Then he glanced to where his sister would be sitting next to Gwen, to find her dressed all in black. Showing far more than as decent, she too had a staff and heaven forbid she was holding a black cat. At least his Queen was dressed appropriately although she had carried out her threat and her dress covered up to her neck.
Arthur heard Sarrum mutter under his breath and knew tonight would be a long one, where he would need all this diplomatic skills. After they had sat down Arthur stood to welcome the guests to Camelot, he noticed several of the Amartans were looking uncomfortable with the blatant manner Merlin and Morgana were dressed. But he also noticed the Camelot Knights grinning like idiots, particularly Gwaine. Arthur kept his welcome speech short as did Sarrum when he stood. Then they sat to enjoy the feast, the kitchen had done them proud and the tables were full of delicacies.
Sarrum made a point of ignoring Merlin, which was probably the worse thing he could have done. Merlin after all was not yet twenty, and had a strong rebellious streak in him. So after they had been eating for awhile Merlin stood up and after moving to a spot where he could be seen clearly he spoke:
"Ladies and Gentleman in honour of our King, Queen and honoured Guest I have arranged some entertainment. I hope you enjoy." Merlin looked at the three sovereigns and Arthur noticed an evil glint in Merlin's eye. He just knew this would be a disaster.
Merlin stood and raised his arms to the ceiling in a dramatic fashion and his eyes flashed gold. The roof of the hall appeared to disappear and the stars could clearly been seen, although Arthur knew it wasn't that dark outside so must be an illusion. Then what looked like a meteor storm flowed downwards and then appeared to burst into fragments, raining down over the seated diners. Just before they hit they turned into flower petals and fell onto the people's heads. Then the candle flames all rose off the candles and turned into dragons as the Pendragon crest and moved around the room, until they returned to the candles and settled back down in their original positions.
Merlin then looked at the Camelot Knights and grinned then he spoke once more "Gentleman your help please" with that they all found themselves lifted out of their seats and they rose into the air, before underneath each one, appeared to be flying horses. The knights were seen to ride around in the air on these mysterious creatures until they to returned to their original places, except for Gwaine. Then the doors opened at the end of the hall and Aithusa flew in and under Gwaine, who was still floating in the air, until he was sat on her back. She flew until she was hovering in front of the high table; she bowed her head and the let a small, but very real burst of flame, from her mouth, Then at her side appeared two stags, Sarrum's emblem who also bowed before disappearing. Aithusa turned and flew out the room. The doors shut after her and Merlin sat back down. As he did so butterflies flew in all directions. Once Merlin was in his place Gwaine walked back through the door and sat down after bowing very low to the high table and the Court Warlock. As he sat a full tankard of mead appeared in his hand. Merlin's show of strength was over; none in the room had any doubt that's what it had been.
Merlin had been making his point, his way, and he knew the King would probably think of some punishment, but the look on the Queens and Morgana's faces were enough to make it all worthwhile, as did the astonishment on the King and nobles of Amata's faces. No one would now be in any doubt as to his power. Morgana started the clapping and one of the knights, probably Gwaine shouted his approval. Although it was noticeable that Sarrum did not join in the applause.
A short time later Merlin left the high table and retired, using that much magic had exhausted him. His mother followed him and when she caught up with him cuffed him around the ear. "What were you thinking off? Such childish behaviour, you know Sarrum hates magic." She told her son.
"Yes, but it was good wasn't it." Merlin grinned at her. "Sorry mum but he was so rude earlier, and I wanted to show him what he was doing insulting magic in that way. It didn't hurt anyone." Merlin yawned.
"Go on my boy got to bed, I wouldn't want to be you in the morning, the King looked livid." Hunith told her son. "The poor man has to try and have treaty talks with Sarrum tomorrow." Hunith paused and then added "And take off that hat it looks ridiculous, oh and where did Morgana get that black cat?" Hunith walked off chuckling not able to stay cross with her son for long.
