A/N: Hellooooo, lovely readers! I've missed y'all this week! Thanks for your patience with my injury-absence and all the kind messages/reviews! My wrists aren't quite back to normal but they are much better, so I'm easing back into writing again. As a result, I'm only posting ch 56 tonight, but I think it's the longest chapter yet, so hopefully y'all won't come after me with pitchforks! :/ Ch 57 will be written and posted either tomorrow or the day after, depending on whether my wrists continue to tolerate as much typing as I've done yesterday and today.
Also, I'm still slowly going back through old chapters, adding the cover art credit and fixing typos, so if you are getting a spree of "chapter update" notifications this week, my apologies. :/
Speaking of cover art, the awesome cover for this fic was created by AlexandarCho over on DeviantArt and is used with her permission. (Yay!) You can check out the original image by looking up her gallery under her profile ("AlexandarCho") on the DeviantArt site...I can't seem to get a working link to post. The original image is called "So you wanna play with magic?" :)
Disclaimer: I own neither the awesome cover art, nor Merlin (the BBC doesn't like to share, apparently).
On with the fic!
Chapter 56: Dabbling in Falconry
"You're such a girl, Merlin," Arthur groaned, leaning back in his armchair and kicking his feet out in front of him on the large animal skin rug in front of the fireplace.
Merlin was undeterred.
"C'mon, Arthur, don't be a prat-you have got to see it!"
"Fine," Arthur sighed, slowly untangling himself from his comfortable seat. "Though personally I don't see the point of hiking up all those bloody stairs just to look at the view."
It's just a reminder of how trapped I feel.
Merlin was chattering away as Arthur followed him out of his chamber and started up the spiral stairs.
"It's best at sunrise and sunset, but even now you can see for leagues in every direction-maybe we'll even be able to see Elyan coming!"
Hmm, Arthur thought, now that's a better reason.
The stairs didn't tire him out. After all, he was "fighting fit" as he frequently reminded Merlin. In fact, he was getting restless for some exercise and training.
Maybe Gwaine would fancy some training this afternoon...if not, there's always Merlin.
The unfortunate servant in question was taking the stairs two at a time. Arthur noticed absently when they reached the top that Merlin wasn't even breathing hard.
Hmm, I guess training with me has paid off, he thought, pleased with himself that-despite Merlin's constant complaints-the training had done the skinny boy some good. His thoughts returned to planning a training session for himself later. Swords, I think, though if Balinor has a couple of maces lying around this old place, that'd be even better. But his train of thought derailed as he and Merlin stepped through the small wooden door.
Merlin was right, Arthur thought grudgingly as he looked out across the wild landscape, The view is breathtaking.
Merlin strode over to the wall and leaned both elbows on the wind-battered stones. He looked out into the distance, a pensive expression on his face.
I wonder what he's thinking,Arthur mused as he watched his friend. It's either completely stupid or weirdly profound—you never know with him.
Suddenly Merlin stiffened and stared intently toward the southeastern horizon.
"What is it?" Arthur asked, straining his eyes to see what Merlin saw.
All he could see was a faint dark blur, still several leagues away at least. Maybe Elyan? he mused. Who else would want to cross this wretched land?
Merlin's next words surprised him.
"There are three riders!"
"Don't be an idiot, Merlin," Arthur sighed. "There's no way you can possibly tell they're on horseback from this distance, when I can't even see how many shapes there are."
"Well, obviously, you need to have Gaius check your eyes when we get back to Camelot," Merlin said with a smug grin as he turned to head down the stairs again.
"Where do you think you're going?" Arthur demanded. "You can't just leave right after you dragged me up here!"
"Um, to prepare additional guest chambers?" Merlin said, rubbing the back of his neck.
Oh, fair point.
"Well, hurry up, then," Arthur agreed gruffly, turning back to stare at the tiny dark blur inching its way towards the fortress. "And since I'm already up here, I'm going to stay and properly 'admire the view.'"
After he heard Merlin shut the door and scramble back down the spiral stairs, he squinted, willing the dark blur to come into focus. Try as he might, the blur stubbornly refused to sharpen into a clear image. Confused by his apparent rapid onset of near-sightedness, Arthur turned and slowly descended the stairs. Another thought cropped up, adding to his bewilderment.
If Merlin's right and there are three riders, then who has Elyan brought with him?
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
"Father!" Merlin puffed, skidding into his father's chambers on the floor below the throne room.
Balinor sat hunched in deep concentration at his table on the far side of the chamber. Golden-red late afternoon sun streamed in the southwestern facing windows, illuminating his work surface. He looked up when Merlin spoke.
"Ah, Merlin," he smiled broadly, set down the wood carving he was working on, and stood, "What can I do for you, son?"
I take it Arthur is out of earshot? he added, quirking an eyebrow.
"Yes," Merlin confirmed aloud, racing on to his news, "Elyan's nearly here-only a few leagues off!"
Merlin thought Balinor's grin grew even wider-if that were possible.
"Excellent! We'll have to prepare him a room and a feast," he mused. "I'm sure he'll be exhausted after his journey."
Merlin fidgeted slightly. "Um, actually, we're going to need extra rooms."
"Extra?" Balinor asked, looking confused.
"There are two other men with him."
Balinor's expression instinctively hardened into a reserved mask. "Do you know them? Are they friend or foe?"
"Friends, definitely," Merlin grinned, relieved to see Balinor's expression relax. "I know one of them-Lancelot-and he already knows of my gift."
Balinor turned back to the table, gathered up the partially finished wood-carving and the knife, and crossed to deposit them in the cupboard near the bed. Merlin couldn't tell what the carving was supposed to be yet, but he was sure that whatever his father made would be wonderful.
Maybe he can teach me wood-carving, too.
Merlin watched as Balinor muttered a spell and the wood shavings on the table swirled upward into the air like a small tornado and vanished in a puff of white mist, which dissipated swiftly, leaving behind a soft fragrance of pine and lavender.
Merlin rubbed the back of his neck. "Can you, uh, teach me how to do that?" he asked quietly. "That would really come in handy for cleaning up after the prat…"
Balinor chuckled.
"With pleasure."
The sorcerer rubbed his hands together thoughtfully, then held his hands out, palms down, over the table.
"Geondsæwaþ þá dúst," he said, his eyes glowing.
A scattering of dirt fell from his outstretched palms like snow, coating the table's surface lightly and evenly. Satisfied, he closed his hands into fists and the dustfall stopped. He brushed his palms off and turned to Merlin.
"All right, now it's your turn."
Merlin didn't miss a beat before holding out his hands and eagerly repeating, "Geondsæwaþ þá dúst!"
Balinor stepped forward and held up his hand, looking startled. Merlin stopped the shower of dirt abruptly and stepped back, looking over at him.
"Did I do it wrong?" he asked. He could feel his face flushing.
Balinor laughed. Merlin was growing more mortified by the second.
"No, of course not!" his father said, glancing at the small mound of dirt Merlin's enthusiasm had created. "In fact, I may put you to work in the vegetable garden later-you conjured quite a bit of first-rate topsoil."
"So why did you stop me?" Merlin asked slowly. I still don't understand. His cheeks were burning now.
"I meant that it was your turn to try the cleaning spell-but I suppose it's more fun to make the mess than to clean it up," Balinor smiled reassuringly.
"Arthur Pratdragon certainly thinks so," Merlin quipped, incredibly relieved.
"Then this spell will definitely come in handy," Balinor's eyes twinkled merrily as he pulled out a chair away from the table and sat aside it, with a good vantage point to watch Merlin practice. He leaned his elbows on the back of the chair, gesturing as he spoke. "Now, the spell itself is very simple, but the intent is extremely important, especially when dealing with more...distasteful...messes."
"Okay…" Merlin nodded.
"The mist that results will take on the fragrance of the essence of the thing dissolved, like distilling a perfume. Things like wood shavings and clean topsoil aren't bad, since they create fragrances like pine and lavender, or petrichor-"
"-The smell of dust after rain-" Merlin nodded.
"-Right," Balinor confirmed. "But something like...hmm," he fished for a suitable example.
"Arthur's socks?" Merlin offered, unable to restrain his cheeky grin.
Balinor snorted in amusement.
"Hmm, yes, like Arthur's socks, well-you'll have to be intentional about what fragrance you want to result, or you'll have to add something pleasant to the mix first before clearing away the whole thing."
Merlin nodded and stepped over to the table again. He held up his hands and closed his eyes, concentrating.
Balinor said quietly, "Now repeat after me: Áfeormaþ ond récelsaþ."
Merlin opened his eyes slowly. His eyes glowed fiery gold as he repeated the spell.
"Áfeormaþ ond récelsaþ!"
The result was instantaneous. The topsoil spiraled up into a pillar of swirling dust, distilled into a vivid blue mist at the top, and swiftly dissipated into wispy tendrils reaching into every corner of the chamber. As the final wisps dissolved, Balinor inhaled slowly and deeply through his nose.
"Mmm, petrichor and…"
"-Green apples?" finished Merlin, quirking a lopsided smile.
"Indeed," replied Balinor with a smile and a teasing raised eyebrow that would have made Gaius proud.
I bet that's where he learned it, Merlin thought in passing.
"Well, I'm hungry," Merlin replied aloud in mock indignation.
Both men laughed, but his craving for apples reminded him why he in Balinor's chambers in the first place.
"Oh! Right!" Merlin exclaimed. "Food and lodging!"
He hopped up to sit on the edge of the table, long legs swinging slowly, and looked at Balinor.
"So where are we going to put them all?"
"Well, it's an entire royal fortress with only four current residents...it's not like we have a shortage of unoccupied chambers," his father replied.
Merlin slowly allowed that to process.
"...Then why in the world have I been sharing chambers with Gwaine?"
He shuddered a bit. Though Gwaine had been gracious and let him have the sole bed, Gwaine' sleep-talking was really starting to get on his nerves.
"Because I didn't want to make Arthur suspicious by giving the servant the best quarters, nor did I want to make him feel more uncomfortable-more vulnerable-than he was likely already feeling by splitting up his party on separate floors."
Oh. I hadn't thought of that.
Merlin nodded and Balinor continued with a mischievous glint in his eye, "But if you're restless for some extra space to, say, 'dabble in falconry' in your free time, then I think Elyan's company's arrival is an excellent excuse to make some changes."
Merlin sighed in relief. Balinor thought for a moment.
"Will all of you want your own chambers? Or could some of the lads double up?"
"But I thought you said there were plenty of rooms?" Merlin asked, perplexed.
"Not all of them are in good repair-with the fall of the Dragonlords, Uther's men looted the fortress and destroyed much of the furnishings. So sharing rooms means less furniture to repair or conjure, you see."
Merlin hummed in agreement. He leaned back on his arms on the table, glancing up at the mahogany coffered ceiling as he thought for a second.
"Well, Arthur can't share with Elyan or Lancelot…"
Balinor shot him a confused look.
"Arthur and Lancelot are in love with the same woman...and Elyan's her only brother."
"Oh," Balinor said, cracking an amused smile. "So probably best not put Elyan and Lancelot together, either?"
"Hmm, probably not."
"What about Gwaine and Lancelot together?"
"No-only one bed in Gwaine's chamber, remember?"
"Hmm."
"And you don't know the third companion?"
"No," Merlin confirmed with a sigh.
Balinor suddenly smacked his hands down on the back of the chair and stood.
"Then it looks like we've a lot of furniture to mend, my son. Care to join me for a bit more 'falconry' before they arrive?"
A/N: Banter, bonding, a 'falconry' lesson, AND a Doctor Who reference-all in one chapter! I hope you enjoyed it! As always, I'd love to hear your thoughts on what's working and what I could be doing better :) By the way, the phrase "Arthur Pratdragon" that I used in this chapter was something I saw once in another fic weeks ago and loved, but I can't remember where and can't seem to find it again, so I don't know who to credit, sorry! :( If the creator/coiner of that phrase is reading this, let me know and I'll gladly add you to the credits!
A week's worth of guest review replies:
Bookybookworm: Ooh, yay, well if I ever finish my novel and we're both still on this site, then I'll certainly let you know so you can go read it ;) I'm glad you liked Leon's POV. Oh my goodness, first two weeks of DW were so good! :D I didn't understand the Missy/heaven bit, but I'm sure they'll explain it eventually ;) Don't worry, you didn't miss anything while you were away from the interwebs ;)
Nance: Thanks for your patience/well wishes! :) I'm glad you liked ch 55 so much and I hope ch 56 meets with your approval as well :) There will be so much pomp at the coronation (in ch 57 or 58…)! Incidentally, since I couldn't type all week, I filled some of that extra time by daydreaming about and gathering ideas on Pinterest for awesome coronation garb for Morgana ;) I have a bit of an addiction to medieval/Renaissance gowns and finery… ;)
Guest 1: Thanks for the placard history lesson! That's so cool! :) I guess my placard reference was several hundred years ahead of its time…but it's less out of place than calling it a sandwich-board, I suppose ;) Thanks for reviewing!
Guest 2: Thanks for reviewing! Yes, I agree, there needs to be more Gaius ;) I'm going to work on it—keep an eye out for increasingly more Gaius over the next several chapters set in Camelot…
Fan1: I'm so pleased you're enjoying it! Yeah, they're fun to write :) Thanks for reading and reviewing! :D
ShanyaMahi: Thanks so much for reading and reviewing! I'm honored you want to spend your limited free time reading my writing! :D I like Ambrosius too—he's going to be fine for the foreseeable future at least ;) Thanks for your encouraging review, one writer to another! :) I have no intention of stopping—I'm having far too much fun writing this, and I hope y'all continue to enjoy reading it as well! :)
