Merry Christmas!
The courtyard bustled with excitement as servants rushed to and fro, vendors popped up makeshift booths, and people from all over hurried about with smiles on their faces. Sounds of children playing and hearty laughter rose through Arthur's bedchamber window where Merlin stood watching the preparations below. Normally, he'd be swept up in anticipation of the events, but now his brow was furrowed in worry and his arms crossed tightly against his chest. Arthur was sitting at his desk, perusing some document that surely wasn't as important as he made it look.
"Do you really think this is a good time for a tournament?" Merlin asked, slightly annoyed at how calm the King seemed.
Arthur put one paper down only to pick up another. "Now's the perfect time for a tournament, Merlin."
He huffed. "But what about the 'Conflagration of Sgrios'? I know that's a big word, Arthur, but surely you know what it means."
Clearly Merlin wasn't going to let him work, so he put the papers down and leaned back in his chair with a sigh. "I know what 'conflagration' means."
Merlin shot him a dubious look to which Arthur rolled his eyes.
"Fire…" he started.
"That's an understatement," Merlin muttered.
"Mass devastation…"
"That's better, I suppose…" Merlin considered with a bob of his head.
"Alliances, weapons, training–"
"It doesn't mean any of that."
"Ah, but it does," Arthur pushed the chair back and joined Merlin at the window, leaning against the wall and mirroring Merlin's crossed arms stance.
"Tell me, Merlin, have you or Gaius made any headway on 'Sgrios'?"
Merlin huffed again. "All we've been able to gather is he's some kind of God of destruction who may or may not have power over death."
"Right…" Arthur looked down at the people below, happy in their obliviousness to the impending disaster. "Whatever is coming, it's not good," he met Merlin's stare, "We need to be prepared. That means bolstering our army, reaffirming our allegiances, stockpiling weapons and armaments, and training new recruits."
Merlin thought on his words, "so…the tournament is a way to accomplish all that at once."
One side of Arthur's mouth curved up like he was dealing with a simpleton, "Now you're getting it, Merlin." He gave Merlin a clap on the upper arm, a gentle shake, then walked away.
"I'm sure it has nothing to do with fun," Merlin called after him indignantly.
"Plus it's fun," Arthur teased and Merlin rolled his eyes. "Come, help me get ready for the opening feast." He went to the wardrobe at the end of his bed and began rummaging through the clothes. But Merlin was not at ease and followed him with a nervous gait.
"You know, we're going to need more than armies to defeat a God…" he walked around Arthur and leaned against the side of the wardrobe, "we're going to need magic."
Arthur stilled, his face hidden behind the open wardrobe door, "I know," he replied softly. Then he pulled out a green tunic, assessing it against his chest, before discarding it to the bed and continuing his search. "What news of the arrival of King Rodor and Lord Godwyn?" he settled on a white tunic, pulling it over his head.
Merlin grabbed the edges of the cloth, easing Arthur's arms through the sleeves. "Arriving tomorrow, along with Princess Mithian and Princess Elena. But Queen Annis, King Alined and King Odin will be attending the feast tonight." Merlin grabbed Arthur's chainmail off the table.
"Good. Good." Arthur lifted his arms so Merlin could hoist the chainmail over him.
"King Olaf sends his regrets; something about his daughter Vivian still being too besotted with you to visit."
Arthur's head popped out of the top of the chainmail, "Still?"
Merlin gave an 'I-guess-so' gesture with a scrunch of his shoulders as Arthur moved to the table.
"Arthur, are you sure it's wise to have all the leaders together in one place?" Merlin picked up the ceremonial sword belt and wrapped it around Arthur's waist, "You don't think it presents an opportunity for someone to attempt something malicious?"
"Don't be a girl's petticoat, Merlin," he chided as he grabbed a vambrace from the table and started fastening it to his left forearm, "We are, all of us, allies now."
Merlin looked up from the belt buckle, "Odin tried to kill you."
"That's behind us," Arthur tested the snugness of the vambrace with a twist of his forearm.
"Alined wants nothing but war," Merlin handed Arthur his right vambrace.
"That was a long time ago," he clasped the vambrace around his right forearm.
Merlin picked up a red cape with the Pendragon crest on the back and draped it around Arthur's shoulders. He stood close to Arthur, his next concern tumbling out in a low, cautious tone, "…and…King Lot of Essetir?"
Arthur's focus on tying his vambrace intensified, though his movements slowed, "I've heard he is ruthless…and cruel…" he shook his head, "but we'll need his help if we're to defeat Sgrios."
Merlin's fingers lingered on the cape clasp, unsure if he should mention...
Arthur took note of his friend's somber countenance. "What is it?" he urged gently.
Merlin's shoulders dropped, "I've heard Lot recruits sorcerers into his army."
Arthur hissed in a breath.
"If my mother hadn't sent me to Camelot…"
A brief vision flittered through Arthur's mind of Merlin pitted against Arthur in war, all that power aimed at killing him...
"Come on," Arthur said, willing away thoughts of what might have been. "Let's get to the feast."
"Queen Annis!" Arthur bowed beside her chair, "you grace us with your presence."
The decorated hall was already full of patrons eating their fill and servants rushing to meet their needs when Arthur and Merlin entered. Arthur had dutifully greeted King Odin and King Alined seated along the side as he made his way to the head table. Gwen and Queen Annis were seated on either side of his awaiting throne, chatting congenially when Arthur and Merlin had approached.
"And you finally grant us yours," the older woman quipped with a smirk.
"Ah, I do apologize. The tournament preparations kept me from greeting you at arrival. I trust Queen Guinevere has been an adequate replacement in my absence," he smiled at his lovely wife as he took his seat.
"Indeed," the Queen raised a goblet to her lips, "In fact, I should think I prefer her company to yours for the foreseeable future."
Merlin failed to stifle a chuckle behind them, the sound drawing the Queen's attention.
"Still have your fool, I see," she said with a wry grin.
"Yes, well," Arthur glared at Merlin who quickly composed himself, "it turns out he's a man of many hidden talents."
The Queen raised an eyebrow, but didn't press the matter.
It was well into the festivities before Annis struck up conversation again.
"I admit, I was surprised to hear about your additions to this tournament. I'm sure your father is rolling in his grave," she chuckled. That caught Merlin's curiosity and he moved closer.
"I've made many decisions my father would not approve of," Arthur replied.
Merlin rolled his eyes, remembering a certain ghost hunt. He leaned forward to refill Arthur's cup. If he discreetly whispered in Arthur's ear, no one took notice.
"What additions?"
"Never mind, Merlin," Arthur dismissed, a bit too quickly for Merlin's comfort.
Queen Annis continued, "I was also surprised to hear you've no intention of competing. As I recall, you are an impressive warrior."
"Your words honor me, Queen Annis. Though it will be difficult to merely watch, my victory is not the purpose of this tournament."
She regarded him with scrutiny. "And what is? Come, Arthur…you announce a spontaneous tournament, open to all, and invite the rulers of every kingdom to attend," she leaned closer with a scrutinizing look, "What are you scheming?"
Admiration for the shrewd queen welled in his heart. "Perceptive as ever," he smiled around the lip of his goblet, "You're right, of course. I do have an ulterior motive, one which I shall share with all the kingdoms in a closed discussion. For now, I can assure you my motives are nothing but honorable."
With a final assessment of him, she seemed appeased and sat back in her chair. Glancing across the way to the two kings huddled together in a conversation of their own, she added, "I wish we could say the same of all your guests. If what you intend depends on them, I would caution against it. They are not to be trusted."
A sobriety at odds with the amount of wine he'd imbibed came over Arthur as he scoured aimlessly out over the merriment, "I fear, for what is to come, it is not their trust I will need."
The next morning, Merlin accompanied Arthur to the royal pavilion where all the rulers sat comfortably for the tournament. Queen Annis and Princess Mithian were leaning toward each other in amicable discussion. King Alined was animatedly talking to King Rodor while Lord Godwyn was smiling at something his daughter, Princess Elena, was saying. Only King Odin appeared displeased to be there at all. Two seats remained empty, reserved for King Lot and King Bayard who had yet to arrive. Servants stood in attendance throughout the pavilion, holding trays of food and pitchers of wine. The stands were packed with people, more full than Merlin had ever seen. Clothes, flags, and decorations in all the colors from the various regions made the stadium a sight to behold.
Trumpets blared and the people quieted to hear the opening announcements. Arthur stood in full regalia to address the awaiting crowd.
"Welcome, one and all, to an event like no other. The first of its kind. A tournament consisting of a series of competitions hosted together by all the regions of the Five Kingdoms." There was applause. Arthur waited for it to die down before he turned and gestured to Queen Annis.
"Caerleon!" Queen Annis stood to the sound of blaring trumpets and cheers from the stands.
"Nemeth!" King Rodor and Princess Mithian rose and waved to their own cheers and fanfare.
"Deorham!" King Alined shot up with exuberance at the resulting ovation.
"Gawant!" Lord Godwin and Princess Elena bowed and curtseyed to greet the cheering people.
"Mercia and Essetir!" Though without representatives in the pavilion, it was clear from the loud hollers that there was no shortage of visitors from these areas.
"Meredor!" the cheering was not as strong and King Odin did not stand, but Arthur turned to him and nodded a gracious smile.
"And finally," Arthur turned back to the full arena, a wide smile spreading across his face, "the kingdom of CAMELOT!" and when he raised his arms, the erupting roar put all previous cheers to shame. People jumped from their seats, waving cloth favors of Camelot red and throwing confetti into the air. Arthur beamed at the jubilation of his people, their shared expression of love for the kingdom. It took several minutes for the crowd to settle enough he could continue.
"This tournament will be open to all competitors so long as they adhere to the rules of honorable combat. The events and surrounding merriments will last one week, with a grand festival at the end to celebrate our winners. Today will be your opportunity to register and partake of commencement festivities. Each day henceforth will consist of competitions in a specific skill:
Archery.
Hand-to-hand combat.
Jousting.
The sword.
The quarterstaff.
And lastly, a new competition, not held in Camelot since before my time…" Arthur paused, ensuring the enraptured attention of his audience. The sense of foreboding Merlin got at the feast last night grew until it overshadowed any eagerness he may have had for this week.
"A contest…of sorcery."
Loud murmurings spread through the crowd, neighbors looking to one another to confirm they'd heard right. Only the rulers seemed unaffected. Amongst the horde of spectators, some expressed concern, some excitement, others disbelief, even fear.
The rest of the tournament announcements were drowned out as Merlin, for one, felt the bottom drop out of his stomach.
"Have you gone completely mad?!" Merlin slammed the door to Arthur's bedchambers behind him.
"Come on," replied Arthur, removing a vambrace and throwing it on the table, "you can't tell me it's a bad idea."
"Oh no? How about: 'Arthur, you want to invite magic users that have been hunted, persecuted, exiled, shunned - to just waltz through the front gate and perform parlor tricks for entertainment? This is an incredibly dangerous and idiotic idea!'" Merlin's voice rose throughout his tirade until he was surely loud enough to hear down the corridor.
But Arthur was more amused than incensed as he casually removed his other vambrace, "I'm the King, you can't speak to me like that."
Merlin rushed to the table in a frenzy, "I'm not saying this to the King, I'm saying it to a reckless, supercilious arse!"
Arthur scoffed, "Merlin, you said yourself we'll need magic to defeat Sgrios."
"I meant forming strategic alliances with specific magic users," his arms flailed wildly, "not casting a net and seeing what drags in!"
Arthur's hand slowed on the buckle of his belt. For a moment, only Merlin's irate breathing punctuated the pensive silence. Finally, Arthur removed his sword belt and placed it on the table. "You're right. I should have consulted you first. I'm sorry."
The speed at which Merlin's ire deflated into confusion was downright comical as his head cocked to the side, "…what?"
"But now that it's done," Arthur turned away and lifted his arms out to his sides, "you'll be the one to judge the contest."
The color drained from Merlin's face and he stood frozen in a perplexed stupor. "What?"
"Well, no one else is really qualified to judge magic, are they? Of course, you'll disguise yourself," Arthur looked back at Merlin over his shoulder, hinting for the servant to help him take off his chainmail, "no one will know it's you."
"Oh, of course, obviously," Merlin replied in mock calm before shouting, "What are you talking about?!"
Arthur let out an exasperated sigh, giving up on the notion Merlin was actually going to do his job. He dropped his arms and twisted back around to face his friend.
"Who better to judge the use of magic than the most powerful sorcerer anyone has ever known? Plus, it will build goodwill to see the sorcerer from Camlann and the King of Camelot together."
Merlin muttered down at the table, "oh this just gets better and better," then looked up at Arthur, "And what about the other rulers? The knights? The people? Or have you forgotten magic has been punishable by death for more than twenty years?!"
"Queen Annis and King Alined have never had qualms with sorcery," he explained, "King Rodor was hesitant - can't blame him after what happened with Morgana - but both he and Lord Godwyn are strong allies of Camelot and have agreed to follow our lead on this," Arthur placed one hand on the table, "King Odin and King Bayard don't seem to care one way or another. And you know King Lot's position on sorcery." As he shared his insights, it became clear Arthur had already spoken about this with everyone…everyone except Merlin. A tense moment passed before Merlin nodded.
"And the knights?"
Arthur sighed, closing the distance between them to place a steady grip on Merlin's shoulders. "The knights saw the sorcerer defeat the Saxons at Camlann. They know they owe him their lives."
Merlin's eyes darted between Arthur's own, finding reassurance in their steady gaze.
"What about the people?" there was no longer any fight in his words.
"The people now know that change is coming. News that Camelot is allowing magic to be performed openly in this tournament will spread throughout the Five Kingdoms. Magic users aligned with our cause will flock here."
Merlin's eyes widened in understanding, "It's not just a competition…"
"It's a declaration," Arthur smiled, "that the kingdom is at a turning point. That magic is returning to Camelot."