Title: The (Un)Official Court Sorcerer of Camelot
Description: Uther is a hypocrite, but just how much of a hypocrite is he? Hypocrite enough to ask Gaius for a sorcerer that will do what he can to protect Camelot against magical enemies? Hypocrite enough to spare said-sorcerer? Even when he's been hiding under his nose the whole time? Even if he's been practicing magic in the heart of his kingdom? Yes. I'd say he is.
OR
How Merlin became the (Un)Official Court Sorcerer of Camelot, the kingdom that bans magic.
Word Count: 1,328
Part 2/2
Did I procrastinate all week and not write anything until Saturday night? Yes. Did I still get the chapter I promised out? Also yes. Sorry for it being posted so late though?
Anyways, enjoy the chapter :)
The whole day after they got back, Arthur watched Merlin like a hawk. Even though Arthur had told his father the news, he still worried that Uther might take it out on Merlin. Arthur isn't sure what that would look like, or even why, but after that conversation he heard, he's not going to risk it. Merlin isn't going to be alone with his father. Merlin was with him all day, and didn't go see Uther. It wasn't until he was laying in bed and Merlin was already gone that he realized his error. He had seen Merlin going into Uther's chambers at night before. Why wouldn't he go there now?
Oh shit.
Arthur scrambled out of bed and rushed to go find Merlin. He could be in his fathers chambers by now. He was about halfway to his destination when he realized that he couldn't just waltz into the king's room. Luckily, he knew about a secret passage that led into his father's room, just in case he needed to flee. Not that Uther ever would. He could wait in there.
Arthur was surprised to find out he got there before Merlin. Merlin arrived shortly and he could hear what they were saying, it was only slightly muffled.
"You're late," he heard Uther say.
"Sorry, I got caught up with something."
Arthur assumed he gave Merlin a "you-better-tell-me-what-that-means" look because Merlin sighed and elaborated.
"I ran into an assassin when I was leaving Arthur's chambers. He's been dealt with."
Arthur blinked in shock, barely processing Uther's unsurprised non-reply.
"So, the dragonlord is dead. You have doomed us all."
"No," Merlin said, "We aren't doomed."
Uther (probably) raised an eyebrow. Arthur could envision it clearly.
"Is there another dragonlord?"
"Yes."
Uther expected Merlin to continue, but when he didn't, Uther pressed for answers.
"Did he have a son?"
Merlin didn't answer.
Could Balinor have had a son? Arthur thought.
"When Balinor escaped the Slaughter-"
"The Purge," Uther corrected.
Arthur could almost see the look Merlin was giving Uther. if this weren't a more serious moment he probably would have laughed.
"The Slaughter."
When Uther didn't say anything, Merlin continued.
"When he escaped, he fled to a village on the border of Essetir. There he met a woman and fell in love with her. But then your men came searching for him and he had to leave for fear of his life, and the life of his lover."
"I don't need to hear this sorcerer's pathetic backstory. Tell me who his son is."
"You robbed him of his father. He will not forgive you for that."
"I care not if he forgives me only that he kills the dragon," Uther commanded.
"He will do no such thing."
Arthur froze, readying himself to run in there are protect Merlin should his father decide to retaliate.
"You would condemn Camelot and it's citizens to death and destruction?"
"Of course not. But you can't command the death of the last dragon! Not when there's another way."
Nobody spoke, but Arthur relaxed, confident that Uther wouldn't make a move against Merlin.
"I am the king. You do not get to tell me what to do boy," he spat.
"I am Balinor's son!" Merlin yelled, surprising Arthur, "I am the last dragonlord, and I control the last dragon! And I will not kill him."
"You? You cannot possibly be a dragonlord."
"Can't I? I'm Emrys aren't I? It isn't too far off to believe that I'm a dragonlord."
Uther sighed.
"You may be Emrys, and you may be a dragonlord, but I am the king! You will do as I say!"
Then Merlin laughed.
He laughed.
And to Arthur, it was a terrifying thing.
"And what will your people think when they find out that their king is consorting with a sorcerer? That he is asking him for his help. That he pardoned him."
"You insolent boy! I may have pardoned you for your crimes, but you are still against the law! When Arthur is king, this arrangement will no longer be valid and you will die."
Arthur is pretty sure Merlin laughed at Arthur again, but he couldn't hear it over the sound of his own heart beating. The implications... Merlin is a sorcerer. Merlin as well as admitted to being a sorcerer. Merlin... betrayed him? No. He's helping him? But why?
Why would he learn magic?
Arthur didn't remember returning to his room last night. But he must have, because he woke in his own bed to the sight of Merlin's face. Merlin: the sorcerer.
"Rise and shine!"
Arthur groaned, convincing himself that his late-night escapade must have been a figment of his imagination. A treasonous dream. That's what he told himself all day. It isn't real. It didn't happen. Merlin isn't a dragonlord, a sorcerer, or this Emrys. Whatever that means. He repeated this to himself so many times, that he began to believe it. At least he did. That was until he caught Merlin stopping an assassin one night...
"Stop," Merlin called down the almost empty corridor. It was only him and the other man. The assassin.
He turned around.
"Who are you?"
"Me? I'm a nobody. But you? What's your name?"
"Why should I tell you, boy?"
Merlin shrugged.
"It really doesn't matter. The only important thing is that I stop you from trying to kill the king."
"Uther Pendragon deserves to die!"
"Oh, you're right about that. He murdered innocents in the Slaughter."
The man looked confused.
"Then why won't you let me kill him? You won't be doing anything but stepping aside!"
"I can't deny wanting Uther dead. But, this isn't how it's supposed to happen. I can't let you do it."
"You can't stop me!"
"I'm warning you. Don't cross me. Leave Uther alone and let him die naturally."
The assassin ignored him and turned to continue on his way. Merlin's eyes glowed gold and the man went flying.
"You! You're a sorcerer."
"I am Emrys! Now leave Camelot! Next time I will show you no mercy."
The man scrambled up and bowed and rambled "I'm sorry's" and "thank you's" on his way out. Merlin sighed as he watched him go. As much as he wanted Uther dead, he couldn't let him die. Not yet. Not until Arthur was ready to be king.
Merlin just didn't see how close he was to that.
Arthur was tired. He was tired of not having any answers and he was tired of coming to his own conclusions. So that's why he decided to go talk to Merlin. Yes, in the middle of the night. Arthur just wasn't sure he would gain the confidence to do it again. So he had to do it now. But, instead of just talking, he witnessed him stopping an assassin. And then letting him go. But more importantly, he saw him use magic. All doubts flooded from Arthur's head. Merlin was a sorcerer. And he said as much.
"You have magic."
Merlin turned around and when he saw Arthur all color left his face.
"Arthur- I can explain! I-"
"Why Merlin? Why would you learn magic?"
"I was born this way! I've always had magic."
"Magic is a choice. A conscious decision."
"Then why would Uther drown children? Newborns? Because they were born with magic!"
"That's- That's not-"
"It is, Arthur. It happened."
"No. No, people with magic are corrupt. They chose it. They-"
"Arthur!" Merlin yelled and when he looked in his eyes, he knew Merlin was telling the truth, "Arthur. I'm sorry."
"No, Merlin, I'm sorry. I'm so so sorry."
The End
I know the ending feels a little rushed, but I think I'm okay with
how it turned out. I hope you enjoyed this fic! :)
