Summary: Don't really have one but the idea behind this chapter was "Merlin and George are friends and run a secret investigative organization that sees to it noblemen eat crow, raw and unplucked."
Races to finish writing and post this chapter as Hurricane Ian - which ironically *SPOILER* is what I plan to name one of Merlin and Mithian's children, minus the hurricane part *END SPOILER* - is bearing down on us. The eye is moving south west of us so don't worry, odds are we'll be fine but losing power/internet is a real possibility so I could very well be late replying to reviews. But please leave one anyway. I'm really proud of this chapter and I want to know what you think. (I also didn't edit much so if you find a typo tell me please and thank you). See you next time! :)
"Smacking one of his servants may be considered forgivable but that was not a smack. He beat that child to within an inch of his life!"
"It wasn't quite-
"Wasn't quite my foot!" Gwen interjected. "That sort of behavior is intolerable Arthur you know it is."
"This isn't the first time he's used this kind of violence on the palace servants. I've gotten my fair share of bruises from his entourage myself."
Arthur frowned. "What were you doing serving them?"
Merlin gave him an unimpressed look. "Servants are a close knit batch. We protect each other. George, myself, and two or three others who knew exactly when and when not to duck usually took care of the guests that had…reputations. The maids did it too, with the more abrasive lady visitors."
His wife nodded firmly in agreement and Arthur fell silent. What his friend said wasn't surprising - nobles often had a reputation for being less than noble where servants were concerned. He knew firsthand what a person could get away with when it came to those who were considered less than them…and for so long he hadn't cared.
"How long before I stop uncovering just how many things are wrong with my rule?"
"Arthur," Gwen smiled sympathetically at him. "This is about far more than just you."
"I set the example, Guinevere."
"To a limited degree," Merlin interrupted. "You've let me mouth back to you for as long as we've known each other. If the court was dead set on following your example all servants would have that freedom. Stop worrying about being accountable and start worrying about holding accountable."
Easier said than done. Grifud's estate holds two thirds of western forest. The people of Camelot depend on the wood he supplies every winter."
"You mean the wood we collect as his taxes?"
"He gives far above that my dear. He can't withdraw everything, of course but no one could rightfully protest if he stops donating the excess. The excess I'm sorry to say we've become dependent on."
"We have other sources-"
"Not-"
"Ahem."
Both royals turned to Merlin who was wearing one of his unnervingly confident looks. "If I may?"
They nodded.
"I might have another solution. Could you see to it that Lord Grifud's conduct is addressed at the council meeting three days hence?"
"Three days?"
"Yes. Jerome should be back on his feet by then and I want to confirm a couple of rumors."
Arthur stared at him befuddled but Gwen's eyes took on a faint glimmer. "What exactly are you planning?"
"Ah, ah that would be gossip."
"Just a hint?"
Merlin's smile only grew. "Leon once said the council was up in arms about my appointment because they were secretly afraid of me. Fine. I'm going to give them a reason to be afraid of me."
"Where's George?"
The footman started. "He just left Sir- ah Lord- a um Merlin. I believe he said something about having a word with the boot shiners?"
Merlin groaned. "I swear that man can sense when I'm looking for him. He's always exactly where I'm not."
The other man shrugged awkwardly. "Is there something I can do for you?"
"If you see him again, tell him I need him to polish a horse."
"Sir?"
"He'll know what it means."
"Alright then."
"Audrey!" Merlin called, ducking back inside the corridor. The maid stopped abruptly and turned to him with startled eyes.
"Yes Merlin?"
"Is Lady Grifud still away?"
"Yes."
"Until Monday?"
"I expect so. That's what she planned."
"Any idea where she went?"
The corner of Audrey's lip quirked. "None, officially."
Merlin raised a brow, returning her smirk. "And unofficially?"
Two days passed and Arthur had no more idea what was going on than he did at the start. Merlin, when he could get the man to stand still for more than ten seconds, would only smile cheerfully and tell his king everything was coming together and he would explain it all soon.
"Soon. I'm going to have to pass a royal decree defining the word soon. Never going to get any peace around here otherwise."
"Sire?"
"Is there something you need Sir Gwaine?"
"Don't need anything. But I'm curious to know why you've taken to standing in the middle of the courtyard muttering to yourself. Something Gaius prescribed for your health?"
Arthur glared at the knight. "You'd do the same if Merlin said he'd give someone a reason to be afraid of him then 48 hours later was still refusing to elaborate."
Gwaine whistled. "Got one for you too. I heard him ordering half a dozen servants to 'make sure you bury your shields properly or else we'll all be scraping paint off the ceiling'."
"What?!"
"Your Highness?"
Arthur turned to see a well poised young woman of no more than thirty standing ill at ease behind him. It took him a short time to place her name.
"Madeline. How can I be of service?"
The woman blushed and shoved a loose strand of hair from her face. "I received a letter from my mistress, Lady Grifud, just now. She asked that I make a request of you on her behalf as she will be unable to attend you in court for some time."
"Very well, the queen and I will be hearing petitions this afternoon."
Madeline blushed again. "Forgive me Sire, it's just that the matter is rather delicate and I know my lady would not wish the whole court to know. It might make things difficult, especially with her husband. And considering he's already in his own trouble, at least Merlin said he was going to be in trouble, I wonder if I might…"
Arthur held up a hand. "I understand. You can meet us in the queen's study, one hour from now."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." With a curtsy and a final blush at the wink Gwaine sent her, the maid hurried off.
"Merlin says he's going to be in trouble ay?" Gwaine grinned. "What is our little friend up too?"
"Besides making me want to yank my hair out."
"Don't do that, it'll ruin what little appeal you have."
"Sir Gwaine!"
"I'm leaving, I'm leaving. See you at the council meeting tomorrow."
"You're actually going to show up?"
"Merlin's going to see to it that a so-called nobleman gets his rear handed to him? Wouldn't miss it for the world."
"My Lord, I appreciate that in light of…recent events, your opinion on the treatment of certain individuals might have been influenced. But I promise you my behavior was not only to protect my own interests but those of the kingdom as will."
"Well, it's no secret that I have been pleased to provide far and above what the common people require in terms of resources. Regrettably my expenses have been steadily increasing and should the calls on my purse continue I might soon be forced to-" he cut off looking at Merlin with a mix of curiosity and outrage as the warlock leaned back in his chair and faked a huge yawn. "You should take my words seriously."
"Oh I would, if your oh so delicate hint of withdrawing Camelot's needed trade was in any way a valid threat."
"Are you suggesting I won't do it?"
"I'm not suggesting anything. It's a well known fact you can't withdraw any provision from an estate that isn't actually yours."
"I beg your-"
"Sit down Lord Griford." Arthur commanded. "I have here a copy of the late Lord Perth's will. It states: 'I do declare that my estate and all contained within shall, on the occasion of her marriage, become the sole legal property of the husband of my only daughter. Jocosa by name.'" He paused waiting for a reply. When there was none, Arthur continued at a much slower pace. "You, Lord Grifud, are not his daughter's husband."
"My Lord!"
"I also have, thank you George, a death certificate signed by one Sigeberht Wigberht-"
"No? His parents could not have named him Sigeberht Wigberht!"
Arthur shot his friend a 'save it' look and Merlin shut up although the king could easily tell he was laughing on the inside.
"Sig- this man was arrested last week for forging legal documents. In exchange for leniency he agreed to turn over all records he kept on people he'd done work for along with detailed reports of just what his client's actual situation was."
"He's sort of a 'if I go down, you're going down with me' kind of chap." Merlin added helpfully.
"He records that when you met Lady Jocosa and found out her father's will you had your pregnant wife shut away and paid this Wigberht fellow to declare you widowed."
"Sire are you accusing me based on the word of a criminal known for forging documents."
"You're mistaken," Merlin spoke up, fixing the supposed lord with a steely look. "This criminal's records were only the final confirmation of facts that have been known for months now. You see your wife - your real wife - finally escaped her prison not long ago. Her and your now 12 year old son live at the base of the Feorre mountains. Don't worry Simon doesn't know who you are. He thinks his father died of the wasting disease when he was a baby."
"But Jerome knew the truth," Arthur stated. "And unlike what you claim he wasn't trying to get money from you for himself. He wanted it to make provision for your family. At the bequest of his mistress Lady Jocosa herself. Oh yes, he woke up yesterday. He told us everything. This last document," Arthur held it up, "is her petition for an annulment. Since your marriage isn't technically legally binding there isn't really a need for it, but she thought it best for formality's sake.
"Your home and money are no longer yours. Lord Perth was far wiser than most. His provision for his daughter stated that the estate went to her husband if she married. If she didn't it was hers to do with what she wished."
"And what she wishes is to never see you again. Quite the conundrum isn't it? Glad I'm not you. And to think it all could have been avoided if you hadn't decided you were better than that stable boy."
"Insolent child! He had no right to question me! Neither did you! To think of investigating a noble."
"Wasn't much investigation necessary really. Secrets aren't exactly difficult to uncover."
"Not when you use magic."
Merlin shook his head slowly. "That's where you're wrong. I learned how to pick up on things long before I had any true handle on my magic. I'd say it was something anyone could learn how to do but looking at you lot now, I know that's wrong. It requires one trait that I have and you never will."
"And what would that be?"
"I am not afraid of being invisible."
Several moments of silent worrying followed.
"Right now I could name at least twenty other individuals who have the same talent. And at most each one of you would recognize one, perhaps two of them. Now I can't make any demands as to how you should conduct yourselves…"
"I can," Arthur finished. "I won't though. Because I choose to have faith that the members of Camelot's court know how to recognize an opportunity to strengthen her position and gain allies from within. But seeing to it all its citizens are treated as equals, regardless of what they do for income."
"Your Majesty, seeking to extort money from a superior is a crime."
"Seeking to extort money from anyone is a crime Lord Wills. Do I need to have your conduct revealed to this assembly?"
The lord purpled then glanced at Merlin's raised eyebrow and rapidly paled. "I take your point Sire."
"An explicit list of servant's rights will be drafted for those of you who cannot appreciate principles, however I will say this: From this point forward, all claims of mistreatment will be investigated and if proven to be true, the perpetrators will be punished. No matter who they might be. Do any of you wish to voice an objection?"
Several moments of silent terror followed.
"Very well, I declare this meeting complete. You are all dismissed."
The room had never emptied faster.
After they leave Arthur chuckles and looks at Merlin admiringly.
"Feel better?" he asks.
"Better that they didn't push for more secrets 'cause that's the only one I had."
Arthur laughed out loud.
"I think you need to retire that whole lot though."
"Why?"
"Because," Merlin answered, tone serious, "they gave in far too easily."
"Easily?!"
"Yeah. Load of pushovers, all of them. What use do you have for people who can be intimidated into going along with any changes you want to put in place. Who checks your hand?"
Arthur smiled. "Easy. You do."
"Me?"
"You have been for years now, and some of my worst mistakes have come because I wouldn't listen to you. Repeat that and I'll deny it," he added quickly, seeing the pleased smile curling Merlin's lips.
"I will be limiting their influence, as necessary. I don't trust men who change their tune just to keep their positions. It doesn't make for a unified nation." He smiled at his friend. "People who disagree with me out of honesty are far more worthy of my trust than those who agree with every word the king says."
"Bootlickers."
"You'll never be that. You'll argue even when you agree. Just to keep me used to it."
"And you wouldn't have it any other way."
Arthur whacked him on the head but couldn't bring himself to disagree.