A/N: Special thanks to PadrePedro, who has reviewed every single chapter I've posted thus far. Your kind words do not go unnoticed!
Merlin and Arthur seemed as far apart as ever.
Merlin would only speak to Arthur when spoken to, and even then it was unaccompanied by the usual quip he often sent the King's way. The other knights pretended not to notice, but it was clearly different when Arthur was around than when it was just Merlin and the group.
Leon seemed a bit angry with Arthur as well, since Merlin had distanced himself a bit from the other knights too for fear of being forced to reveal the secret Arthur had so unceremoniously divulged he had. He'd sent a few side glances Arthur's way that did not go unnoticed, despite Leon's impression that they had. Arthur felt ostracized, which he could confidently say was not a feeling he was accustomed to, nor one he wanted to learn to be.
He approached Gwaine one afternoon in the gardens, where he was delicately inspecting a collection of herbs that had been added so that Gaius wouldn't have to make the trek into the woods as he aged. He thanked Arthur for the addition and proceeded to plant about thirty different species of herbs in the spot Arthur had reserved, which he supposed meant Gaius was putting it to good use. For now, Gwaine was carefully trying to discern a hemlock plant from a queen anne's lace plant. As he wasn't keen on poisoning Merlin, who would be practicing brewing a few quintessential potions by recommendation of Gaius, who had set to preparing Merlin to take over his craft, he was closely inspecting the notes Gaius had provided him with the subtle differences between the two.
"Gwaine, I need to talk to you."
Gwaine begrudgingly stood up, abandoning his scouring of the two plants. As much as he disliked the options available, talking to someone else rather than gambling with Merlin's life was always favorable, even if that someone else was Arthur.
"What is it you want? Can't you see I'm in the middle of something?" His usual addition of the nickname 'Princess' didn't make it into the curt sentences he tossed at Arthur, letting the King know Gwaine was not in the mood to be bothered. Gwaine wasn't usually one to show emotions like sadness or anger without a healthy dose of humor to go along with it. It was his shtick - never really allowing himself to be doted over. Merlin seemed always able to detect the acute changes in Gwaine's demeanor, but Arthur found himself painfully unobservant when it came to this sort of thing, so had to focus intently on reading the involuntary cues Gwaine gave out when trying to hide his anger. Clearly, Gwaine was not trying very hard to conceal his anger towards Arthur, as his emotions were written across his face.
"Look, I know I've been a fool, and an ass. More than that, a shotty King, and a worse friend. But I heard what you said. I want to make up for it - to make up for all the things I've done wrong. I need your help to do that though. This hasn't ever really been something I knew how to do. "
Gwaine searched Arthur's expression for any signs of deception. He knew that Arthur meant well. He always meant well, but that wasn't the issue. He'd been around enough to know that someone's best intentions didn't always lead to favorable outcomes. Regardless of whether Arthur truly cared about doing the right thing, he had a tendency not to know what that was.
"Lift the ban on magic."
Arthur leaned backwards, enough to be clearly noticeable by Gwaine. His outward expression was steely and challenging. The simple phrase brought to light some instant reflex from somewhere deep within and Arthur nearly said I can't, but stopped himself. Yeah, he could lift the ban - but he wouldn't. It wasn't as if he didn't want Merlin to be comfortable as he was, but something deep within him was adamant: If you lift the ban, magic will rule Camelot, not you. Evil will rein.
"I-It's not that simple. The people, they think they know magic, they think it's evil -"
"And who told them that?" Gwaine interrupted. Arthur was stunned to silence as Gwaine continued. "Was it not you and your father who told them that magic was evil? Why should you be any less believable saying something different?"
"I-It - T-Their beliefs are ingrained, i-it would take far more than my going back on what I said -"
"Then do far more. If you know that it takes more than your words to sway your people, then you must know what more it would take. So do that. Do more."
Arthur stood wordlessly, unable to form words. He couldn't justify his thoughts, but he couldn't bring himself to take such a step.
"Yeah, that's what I thought. Listen, Sire, you may have the right intentions, but just like I thought: when it comes down to it, you'd rather place Merlin in jeopardy than face what keeps you from taking the big step. The simple step, of making it so that your own servant's life isn't illegal. Or, is that too much for you?"
Gwaine didn't wait for a response, retrieving the Queen Anne's Lace plant correctly and shoving Arthur aside with his shoulder as he stormed away towards Gaius' chamber.
For the second time in a matter of weeks, Arthur was left dumbfounded by Gwaine's harsh words.
Gwaine knocked pleasantly on Gaius' door which Merlin answered eagerly. Gwaine patted Merlin's shoulder and nodded towards the table, which Gaius was now laying the final ingredients on.
"What's all this then?" He pulled up a chair near the front of the room and sat down as Merlin assumed his place behind the table to prepare making the potions.
"It's a test! Gaius has a list of medically necessary potion recipes I've learnt by heart. He'll list out an ailment and I name the potion necessary to fix it and craft it using the correct materials, all of which are laid out here."
Gwaine nodded, a bit impressed by Merlin's determination to be an adept physician once Gaius passes along his profession to him. Gaius called out the first ailment to be cured: "The patient in question complains of sore muscles."
Merlin smiled, knowing the precise potion for this. "Ah, this is an easy one! Mince eight peppermint leaves and place them in a medley along with minced rosemary and english marigold. Pour in two tablespoons of honey, 1/3 cup of milk, and for added effectiveness if necessary the incantation "fram galdorcwide wit batian", which turns the concoction a faint purple. Now heat it until it boils which deepens the color to a deep purple and allow it to cool. Place a dusting of lavender atop it and drink. One of your better tasting potions, Gaius."
Gaius smiled with pride. "Exactly right Merlin, very well done! I shall save that for a later date, please pour it in a mason jar for now. Two more!"
Gwaine gave Merlin a quiet thumbs up while Merlin poured the potion in the jar and watched as Merlin prepared for the next potion assignment.
"Next, a potion for abdominal pain."
Merlin thought for a moment, then smiled again and prepared the ingredients. "First, gather a handful of wild lettuce. Make a slit with a sharp object or your fingernail in the stem and collect the sap that comes from it. Pour that into a container, along with a teaspoon of honey to improve taste and ground sweet pepper pods."
Gaius clapped gently. "Wonderful, now put it in a jar and let's do the last one."
Gwaine cleared his throat to interrupt. "Actually, I was wondering if I could borrow Merlin for a bit before he has to attend to Arthur? I could use his.. unique expertise." Gwaine said, choosing to be discreet considering people would occasionally burst through Gaius' door unannounced considering he was the court physician. Gaius nodded understandingly and gave Merlin a quick hug before he left.
"You did wonderfully today Merlin - someday soon, you can start going to investigate calls on your own." At this Merlin beamed with pride, and as he followed Gwaine out of the small home he and Gaius shared, he looked happier than Gaius had seen him in ages.
Once he was confident both men had left, Gaius collapsed onto his chair, breathing labored and uneven. He knew he didn't have much longer - it was some feeling, something he couldn't quite describe, that the last inkling of magic left in his body seemed determined to amplify.
Soon, Merlin would not only be able to take calls on his own - he would have to.