Another's Favor by ebhg

Rating: T

Pairings: Merthian/Arwen

Spoilers: Series 1-4 and up to episode 4 of Series 5.

Disclaimer: Merlin belongs to BBC.

A/N: Thanks to everyone who reviewed! This chapter also marks the beginning of the third act, so to speak. I hope you all enjoy the ride!


Ch 15

Once the announcement of the legalization of magic had been made and his nerves had finally receded, Merlin felt entirely spent. It had been a very long day, what with rising early to allow Mithian and Guinevere time to pull out each article of Merlin's new wardrobe and decide which would best serve the afternoon's announcement. Then they had begun the process all over again after they had come in from the balcony to find yet another ensemble for the ennobling ceremony in three days.

By the time the queen and princess had finished, Merlin was exhausted and he hadn't recognised more than a third of what had been pulled from his wardrobe. He couldn't help but wonder when Gwen had managed to sneak them into his cupboard. Then he remembered that he had spent a significant number of days out of the city in the last month. Gwen certainly had not been idle in that time.

After being the subject of such close scrutiny for the better part of the day, Merlin was anxious for some privacy. He was grateful that Gwen had the foresight to save the celebratory feast until after he was officially instated as Court Warlock and that he and Mithian had declined the offer to dine with the king and queen that evening, choosing instead to take their meal in their quarters.

Their supper had been simple and quiet, the both of them comfortable with the lack of conversation. It seemed as though neither of them were eager for idle chit-chat. Merlin found himself pondering more and more of late about what he had seen in the Cauldron; he couldn't help but wonder if Mithian, too, had seen something. Finally, the princess put down her fork and leaned back in her chair.

"What has you so pensive and preoccupied?" Mithian asked, a gentle smile on her lips as she watched Merlin grin sheepishly.

"You noticed?" he asked, wondering in awe at how well Mithian knew his character after such a short time.

"I notice many things about you, Merlin. I always have, if you recall, but I do believe I've noticed even more since becoming your wife."

Merlin chuckled as he recalled the chagrin he had felt when Mithian had called him out on not liking her during her first visit to Camelot. Even then, she had certainly seen things more clearly than anyone else ever had. The princess had been the first person outside Arthur's inner circle to notice the unusual trust and respect that the king had in his manservant.

"I've been thinking about the Cauldron and what happened while we were there," Merlin admitted, looking into Mithian's eyes.

"You saw something, didn't you?" the princess asked. Merlin nodded, unsurprised by her perceptiveness.

"Yes," he confirmed. "Did you?"

It was Mithian's turn to nod.

"What was it?" Merlin asked curiously. Mithian's eyes unfocused as she thought back over that moment.

"It was remarkable," she began. "I saw my brother, though I have not seen him in nearly five years. He left before Arthur even took the crown. But he was here, and he knelt before the both of us... Then I saw a babe in your arms. The happiness on your face..."

Merlin smiled as Mithian trailed off, a gentle smile on her lips once more. Was it their child he was holding, Merlin mused, or a young heir of Camelot? He couldn't deny that having a child with Mithian was something that he had thought of rather frequently of late.

"Was that all?" he asked. The princess shook her head, though her brow furrowed in confusion.

"The last thing I saw, it was... unusual. I'm not sure how to describe it. It was as though I was looking on at the both of us. We were standing still, but the world around us was moving at an incredibly fast speed. It was almost dizzying."

"I saw that as well!" Merlin said enthusiastically. "It has occupied every spare thought since. I also saw the unification of Albion, Gwen heavy with child, and as you described, the both of us standing still while everything changed around us."

"What does it mean?" Mithian wondered.

"I have a theory... I'll have to ask Kilgharrah, but do you remember what he said about the magic I gifted you with?" At Mithian's nod, Merlin continued. "He said that when I gifted you with some of my magic, it had far-reaching effects that we could not fathom. He also said that my magic was different, that I was very much like him, a creature of magic."

"Yes, I remember," Mithian said in confusion, unable to make the connection that Merlin obviously had.

"I believe the key lies in his comparison between himself and me. Do you know how old Kilgharrah is?" Merlin asked.

"No, I assumed a few hundred years?" Mithian replied.

"I've never asked, but I know that he is at least a thousand years old, perhaps older."

"A thousand?!" Mithian exclaimed. "Or more?! And you're a creature of magic, like him..." Mithian trailed off, her eyes widening in sudden comprehension. Merlin nodded slowly.

"That's my theory," Merlin confirmed.

"Will you live forever?" Mithian asked, eyeing Merlin with some sadness. Merlin realized then that Mithian hadn't entirely followed him.

"I'm not sure, but I don't believe that I'm alone in my potential longevity," Merlin said, looking pointedly at his wife. Her eyes widened again as she gasped.

"You shared your magic with me! So...will I live that long as well?" Mithian asked in wonderment.

"That is my belief," Merlin answered. "To be honest, when I first had the thought, I was afraid that I would outlive everyone and have to continue on alone. It nearly made me buckle under the weight of the realization, but then I remembered Kilgharrah's words. I'm not so apprehensive at the thought of living at least a thousand years, if I don't have to do so alone."

"It is a rather daunting prospect, isn't it?"

"I suppose so," Merlin answered. Mithian's brow wrinkled.

"But we're not even sure that this is the case," Mithian reasoned. Merlin shrugged.

"It is just a theory. I suppose time will tell," Merlin replied, though the warlock had a feeling that it wasn't just a theory.


Two days later, Merlin woke out of habit just after sunrise. Reveling in the warmth and comfort of lying beside a slumbering Mithian, the warlock smiled and closed his eyes, glad of the opportunity that his new position afforded him to sleep a little longer. Wrapping his arm more snugly around the princess' waist and pulling her tighter into his chest, Merlin began to doze once more.

Then the sound of their door being flung open and hitting the wall with a crack rang through their ears. Both Merlin and Mithian sat up abruptly, their eyes casting about in the dim light of dawn that managed to seep through the gaps in the curtains. As Mithian hurriedly searched the side table for a makeshift weapon, Merlin threw a magical shield in the direction of their door. The intruder grunted as they came to a sudden stop, bouncing off the magical barrier and landing flat on the ground. Merlin willed the curtains open and looked down at the man as the battle-reflex began to fade and the warlock rapidly blinked the sleep from his eyes.

"Arthur?!" he asked in bewilderment as he recognized the groaning king on the floor. "What are you doing in here?!"

"Good morning to you, too," Arthur replied grumpily. Merlin looked at Mithian and shrugged as the princess returned his questioning expression.

"Good morning, Arthur," Merlin chuckled as he turned back to the king, who slowly sat up, shaking his head.

"Ugh..." the king groaned.

"What brings you here?" Merlin asked, biting his lip to keep himself from laughing at the monarch on the floor.

"Merlin!" Arthur exclaimed, standing up with a giddy smile on his face. "You'll never guess what Guinevere just told me!"

"I won't?" the warlock asked, looking at Mithian, who had a knowing grin on her face. Merlin raised his eyebrow at her before turning back to Arthur.

"She's been throwing up in the chamber pot every morning for a week!" the king explained excitedly.

"Lovely," Merlin replied, wrinkling his nose in disgust. "How kind of you to share, though I'm not sure Gwen would agree. Has she been to see Gaius about it?"

"You idiot, Merlin, that's not what Guinevere told me! She told me why she's been throwing up, and Gaius said it was normal."

"Well, then, that makes perfect sense," Merlin said sarcastically, looking questioningly at his wife when she began laughing.

"What?" Merlin asked, then he recalled a horribly embarrassing time about three years after he'd been in Camelot when Gaius had made him read a book on women's health needs. He'd had to assist the physician while Gaius was tending to a noble woman after the midwife had been accused of sorcery. The noble lady in question had been rather large with child and had needed to delay traveling back to her husband's lands until after she had been delivered. Then Merlin recalled the vision of Gwen he had seen in the Cauldron, looking quite similar to the lady in his memory. Mithian watched amusedly as awareness spread across his face when Merlin made the connection.

"Oh!" the warlock exclaimed, his smile wide and enthusiastic as he met his wife's sparkling eyes.

"Now you get it," she teased. Merlin turned back to the grinning king and raised his eyebrows in invitation, allowing Arthur to say what he had come to say.

"Guinevere is with child! I'm going to be a father and Camelot will have an heir!"

"That's wonderful news!" Merlin said as he stood up and went to Arthur, clapping his shoulder in support and congratulations. Mithian rose as well, donning her dressing gown over the thin nightdress she wore as she came around the bed to stand beside Merlin. Then Arthur's face turned from giddy grin to perturbed scowl.

"Hang on, you used magic to knock me flat!" Arthur said indignantly.

"What did you expect, charging in here at this hour like the castle was on fire?!" Merlin laughed humorlessly. Arthur opened his mouth to object, but then took a good look at the pair in front of him. It was only then that the king noticed Merlin's clothes. Though they were certainly of a higher quality than those he wore as a servant, they were very obviously sleep clothes, as were Mithian's. Arthur's cheeks were suddenly tinged pink as he glanced between Merlin and Mithian before his eyes flicked over the now-empty and still-unmade bed.

"You were still in bed," Arthur said stupidly, as though he'd only just been told that fact, even though he'd seen it with his own eyes. Merlin scratched his neck and nodded, though Mithian chuckled at the king's gormless expression.

"Well spotted, Sire," Mithian said impishly, reaching out and grabbing a hold of Merlin's hand as the warlock clamped down on his lip with his teeth in an effort to subdue the growing urge to laugh. Arthur's face grew a deeper red as he looked between the two of them and the bed.

He wasn't sure why he was so embarrassed; there had been numerous times that Merlin had seen he and Gwen still sleeping in their bed in the course of his duties as Arthur's manservant. They had been clothed then, just as Merlin and Mithian were now, but the thought of Merlin having a wife still seemed utterly foreign to the king.

"I just wanted to let you know," Arthur said awkwardly as he backed towards the door. "I'll leave you to it, then, I mean, don't let me interrupt anything, I mean, not that you were, well maybe you were, not that that's wrong or anything, because it isn't, I mean, oh, shut up, Merlin," Arthur rambled, turning abruptly on his heel and marching out of his First Advisor's chambers with his head held high. The king paused on the other side of the now-closed door, taking a deep breath to cool his warm face. He pretended not to hear it when Merlin and Mithian began laughing uproariously. He was the king, after all, and that was his perogative.


It was dinner time before Arthur could look at Merlin and Mithian without stuttering like an innocent page in front of a barmaid for the first time. Fortunately for the king, he had planned an extensive day of training with the knights. Unfortunately, Merlin showed up at mid-morning, smirking at the grimacing monarch.

"Whatever is the matter, Arthur?" Merlin taunted, chuckling as Gwaine took advantage of the king's distraction and scored a hit on his left arm.

"Absolutely nothing, Merlin," Arthur insisted.

"Is that so?" the warlock chuckled.

"You do seem a bit distracted," Gwaine added grinningly.

"I am not distracted!" Arthur argued.

"Oh, right, of course not, I must have just tagged you in the arm because of my superior swordsmanship," Gwaine said.

"Absolutely not, I was distrac-" Arthur stopped himself, scowling at the knights who were all gathering around to join in.

"Impending fatherhood, that must be it," Elyan teased.

"Of course it is!" Arthur agreed readily.

"So it wasn't anything to do with being embarrassed from seeing Mithian and me this morning?" Merlin asked innocently.

"What?!" Gwaine asked, looking between Merlin and Arthur gleefully.

"They were dressed!" Arthur defended himself as the knights all roared with laughter.

"In our nightclothes," Merlin agreed mock-helpfully, adding to the knights' mirth.

"It's not like you haven't seen Guinevere and myself in the same position," Arthur argued petulantly.

"I was your manservant! It came with the territory," Merlin laughed. Arthur had no reply.

"Are we training or not?" the king asked his knights, turning back to the field and waiting for the knights to rejoin him. Merlin chuckled and settled on his usual bench beside the training field.

"Who would you like to duel next, Sire?" Leon asked respectfully.

"You," Arthur said, before looking over at Merlin and scowling. "Don't you have something advisorly to do?"

"Funnily enough, I don't, not when the king I'm supposed to be advising is busy playing on the training field."

"Playing!" Arthur exclaimed, his indignation growing. "I'll have you know that I work hard training!"

"Of course you do," Merlin said, smiling when Arthur huffed. The king turned back to Leon and did his best to ignore his former-manservant-turned-best-friend. After a few minutes, Arthur defeated his First Knight and looked triumphantly at the warlock. Merlin merely shrugged, as though he was unimpressed. He knew that Arthur needed to argue with him to get over his awkwardness left over from earlier. Fortunately, provoking Arthur into righteous indignation was something in which Merlin was rather skilled.

"I suppose you could do better?" Arthur asked, and again, Merlin shrugged. Percival and Gwaine traded a look, catching on to the warlock's intent.

"I don't know, Arthur," Gwaine interjected. "He did defeat Morgana with his hands practically tied behind his back. I'd say he's pretty deft in a fight."

"Not with a sword," Arthur said, smirking at Merlin, recognizing for himself what the warlock was doing.

"Well, if you insist," Merlin said, standing up and walking slowly out onto the training field. Arthur took up a central position as the other knights drew back a safe distance. Gwaine handed Merlin a sword, grinning.

"Go easy on him," the knight told Merlin, ensuring that his voice carried to where Arthur stood. The king rolled his eyes and gave his sword his usual twirl. Merlin copied the maneuver much less elegantly, but he managed to keep a hold of his sword. Arthur smirked at the warlock and the two began circling one another.

Merlin surprised the king by striking first; the two traded a few blows before breaking apart and circling once more. Arthur quickly realized that he was at a slight disadvantage. Merlin had been watching Arthur train for the better part of the last decade, sometimes joining in with a shield while Arthur used him as a target. But the king had not stood back and studied every nuance of Merlin's fighting style as the warlock had done to him. Arthur was stronger, slightly faster and certainly the more skilled of the two, but Merlin had surprise on his side.

Arthur went on the offensive then, striking high after feigning towards Merlin's legs. The warlock was barely able to block the blow in time, and the king pressed the advantage. Merlin quickly stepped backwards out of Arthur's range and the two men circled once more.

"Giving up?" the king asked, lunging at his advisor in two rapid strikes that Merlin was hard-pressed to block.

"Do I ever?" Merlin asked cheekily, making a play of his own. Arthur moved instinctually, his long hours of practice paying off. Within a moment Merlin found himself without a sword, staring down at the two that Arthur now wielded.

"Do you yield?" Arthur asked, remembering a time when Merlin had asked him the same question many years before.

"What, to you?" Merlin replied, echoing Arthur's indignant response.

"I have you at swordpoint, defenseless," Arthur argued.

"We both know that's not strictly true, Arthur," Merlin argued, looking at the king with a smirk.

"You would cheat in a duel?" Arthur scoffed.

"Is it really cheating when it's part of my nature?"

"Of course it is, you can't use magic to win in a sword fight!" Arthur argued.

"I can't, can I?" Merlin asked with a wicked grin, and Arthur knew he had said the wrong thing. Within seconds, his body was frozen and Merlin had disappeared. The king tried to look around him, but could only move his eyes. Then his invisible restraints fell away, causing him to stumble.

Only then did he realize that his hands were empty; he had no weapons. Looking wildly around him, Arthur finally spotted Merlin to his left. The warlock was grinning mischievously, his arms folded across his chest casually as his and Arthur's swords hung at the ready in the air beside him. The king's eyes widened further when he saw that Gwaine, Percival, Elyan and Leon's weapons were also hovering in the air beside the grinning warlock. The knights, Arthur realized, had been as captive as he had been.

"Do you yield?" Merlin asked with a wide smile. Arthur began to chuckle, shaking his head in disbelief.

"You used magic back then, didn't you? That's why I couldn't stay on my feet!"

"Of course I did," Merlin admitted. "You would have done the same if you could, trust me."

"How many times have I told you not to play with magic out in the open, Merlin?"

Merlin's eyes widened at the familiar voice and he turned around to face Hunith, who stood beside Mithian with a fond smile on her face.

"Mother!" Merlin exclaimed, letting all the swords drop to the ground with a clang as he rushed to greet her with a hug.

"You always did have to push the limits, didn't you?" Hunith chided softly, her eyes shining with affection.

"I can't help it," Merlin said, smiling at the oft-repeated defense.

"It's good to see you, Merlin," Hunith said, hugging her son to her again. "Especially so happy and so free."

Merlin smiled at the wistfulness in his mother's voice.

"I am," he promised. Hunith's eyes misted over and Merlin tucked her to his chest. "There's no need for tears, Mother."

"They are joyful tears, Merlin," Hunith argued. "There is every need."

"Hunith," Arthur greeted as he came to stand beside them.

"Your Highness," Hunith replied, bowing her head.

"Please, just Arthur," the king insisted. "Guinevere and I were hoping that you would consider staying in Camelot, now that Merlin is to be appointed Court Warlock."

"I've only ever known Ealdor," Hunith said uneasily.

"Merlin didn't know any different either, yet here he is," Arthur said with a smile and a punch to the thin man's shoulder.

"We would dearly love it if you could stay," Mithian entreated, smiling at her husband's mother.

"I suppose, if you were to have need of someone to watch over your children," Hunith said in utter seriousness.

"Mother!" Merlin laughed, his cheeks tinged with pink.

"It is a valid argument," Arthur said, grinning at how the tables had turned. "You are married, now."

"We've been married for little more than a fortnight!" Merlin argued. "Half of that was spent questing!"

"Well, you haven't exactly been idle the other half of the time," Gwaine added roguishly. Merlin's mouth gaped open, looking between a smirking Gwaine and his laughing mother in utter mortification.

"Then it's decided. We're glad to see you stay," Mithian said, sparing Merlin and taking Hunith's arm in hers and leading the way back to the castle.


As the sun began to set, Merlin found himself escorting Mithian and his mother to dinner with the king and queen. The warlock had hoped in vain to have another quiet evening to prepare for what was sure to be a chaotic day on the morrow. But Gwen had looked at him with her most pleading expression. She, too, had missed Hunith, and hoped to visit with Merlin's mother before things became hectic. Thus, they were headed to supper in the dining hall rather than their quarters.

"I'm afraid I'm quite inappropriately dressed for such a fine supper," Hunith said as she looked down at her humble dress. Though it was her finest, it paled in comparison to that of Guinevere's and Mithian's.

"Don't worry about it Mother," Merlin laughed. "With Gwen around, within a week you'll open your cupboard and wonder where it all came from."

"Surely not!" Hunith laughed.

"Trust me," Merlin insisted as the guards opened the door into the dining hall. "I told you how Arthur burned my clothes! I only just managed to save my neckerchiefs." Merlin pointed to the faded red cloth that adorned his neck, tucked beneath the higher collar of his new jacket.

"Only you would hold on to such rags," Arthur teased good-naturedly as they gathered around the table ready to take their seats.

"I told you, my mother made these," Merlin said, smiling at Hunith.

"You're a good son to keep them so dear," Gwen insisted with her own grin at the peasant woman.

"Yes, yes, Merlin's so wonderful, blah, blah, blah," Arthur groused, though he was smiling. "Except perhaps as a servant. You really were the worst servant ever."

"Well, what did you expect, it was essentially my third job," Merlin argued. "Protecting you always came first and helping Gaius was second. I'm afraid that tidying your chambers was usually left last on my list of chores. I did get better as the years passed, though, especially when things were peaceful."

"You were a good servant," Gwen agreed. "Arthur will never admit it, but he's practically lost without you."

"I am not!" Arthur argued. "George is very efficient."

"Efficient is one way to put it," Merlin laughed.

"He's a very... skilled manservant," Arthur said. Merlin snorted.

"At least you never hid from me."

"I do not hide from George," Arthur argued.

"No, you just avoid him," Gwen teased.

"Can you blame me?!" the king asked indignantly, dropping his pretense. "The man made a joke about laundry this morning!"

Everyone laughed, then tried valiantly to compose themselves as the kitchen staff filed in with supper.

"Speaking of your old jobs, Merlin, you wouldn't happen to have any recommendations on a good assistant for Gaius, would you?" Gwen asked as everyone began eating.

"I've been thinking about it, actually, but there haven't been many prospects for the job. A young man would be good, someone who could take my old room and provide assistance when Gaius has patients over night. Unfortunately, most of the young men in town are already being apprenticed or they're working in the fields. A physician's job is not always the most appealing, unfortunately. I can help where I can as needed until we find someone and they are taught up a bit."

"You are very soon going to have very little free time," Arthur interjected. "Being Court Warlock, you are going to be responsible for the drafting of magical laws in addition to our magical defenses. Geoffrey promised me earlier that he's got stacks and stacks of scrolls for you to go through and rewrite for our situation."

"Sounds like fun," Merlin said sarcastically, though he suddenly felt like he had a stone in his gut.

"I'll help you," Mithian promised. "I may not read the old tongue, but I can learn and I certainly know how to wade through law books."

"That would be excellent," Merlin said, smiling at his wife.

"Just don't get distracted while you work," Arthur chided teasingly. Merlin rolled his eyes.

"I could help Gaius some," Hunith answered softly. "I'm not as gifted as my uncle is with herbs, nor am I as fast a learner as Merlin, but I can help."

"That would be excellent, Hunith," Gwen said warmly.

A few minutes later, after the next course had been served, everyone looked up questioningly when the doors opened and Leon strode into the room with Elyan, a young boy held between them.

"What's going on?" Arthur asked, rising to his feet and coming around the table to meet his knights.

"This young man was just found trespassing in the palace kitchens," Leon answered, his voice stern, though his eyes compassionate.

"Was he alone?" Arthur asked.

"He was," Leon confirmed. "He denied any accomplices, and a search of the area revealed no one out of place within the palace."

"How did you get in?" Arthur asked the boy, who shrugged.

"It wasn't hard."

"What do you mean by that?" Arthur asked, his eyes narrowing as the boy merely shrugged again. "Did someone help you get in?" the king pressed.

"No," the boy denied.

"Then how did you get past the guard?"

"Arthur," Merlin interrupted as he also stood and moved to the king's side to continue his explanation in a low murmur that only Arthur could hear. "He's telling the truth. It's really not that hard. I used to do it all the time."

"I trust you'll be telling me about such clandestine activities soon?" Arthur muttered quietly as he looked at Merlin in part annoyance and part respect.

"Of course," the advisor replied, turning to the knights once more and taking in the boy's disheveled state. "Audrey caught him, didn't she?" the warlock asked with a wince. The boy looked sheepishly at his feet.

"Yes," Elyan answered, eyeing the young man sympathetically.

"Her ladle may not be sharp, but it has a good deal of sting," Merlin chuckled. He'd certainly felt that sting plenty of times himself. The boy nodded in wide-eyed agreement.

"What were you doing in the kitchens?" Merlin asked gently; Arthur folded his arms but did not protest Merlin's continuation of the interrogation. The boy stared at his feet, refusing to speak.

"It appears he was mainly after food, Sire," Elyan said, looking at Arthur while Leon nodded in agreement. The king's posture instantly relaxed as his eyes softened, recalling his instructions to Lord Vidor in just such a situation.

"Thank you, Leon, Elyan. You may go," Arthur said and the knights both returned to their duties with a nod. After the doors shut, the king looked at the terrified young man standing alone beside the table.

"What is your name?" Arthur asked, eyeing how thin the young man was. Scrawnier even than Merlin had been when he first arrived. Arthur's brow wrinkled when the boy mumbled something to the floor.

"What was that? Lift your head up and speak clearly."

"Daegal," the boy said, meeting the king's eyes with a fearful expression.

"Why were you trying to take food?" Arthur asked as Gwen, too, stood to her feet.

"Are you hungry?" the queen asked. Daegal nodded.

"Do you have any family?" Arthur probed curiously. The boy was old enough for work, but not old enough to be on his own. Daegal shook his head.

"My father died three winters past."

"What of your mother?" Gwen asked, touching her stomach subconsciously.

"I never knew her. She had magic, so..." Daegal trailed off, leaving out the obvious. Arthur's brow furrowed in sorrow and empathy.

"Do you have magic?" Merlin asked softly. Daegal shook his head quickly, his eyes panicked.

"It's all right if you do," Arthur assured the boy, though Daegal did not seem convinced.

"Truly, you will not be harmed for having magic," Mithian said, coming to stand beside her husband as he conjured a small orb of light to toss around in his hands.

"See?" Merlin asked, looking pointedly at the passive king as he continued to manipulate the blatantly magical sphere. Daegal seemed to relax then, though he continued to shake his head.

"My father never let me try because of what happened to my mother, but I don't think I have any sort of gift with magic."

"You must be hungry to have been sneaking into the kitchen. Please, come and eat," Arthur entreated. Daegal's eyes grew wide.

"What?! No, I couldn't," he said, though he eyed the fine food hungrily.

"You are hungry, correct?" the king asked. Daegal shrugged. "You may as well sit down. I can't just let you go, you were caught trying to steal. We've got to work out what we're going to do with you to keep it from happening again."

"Please don't put me in the dungeons," Daegal said in a small voice.

"No one said anything about the dungeons. Come, have a seat and eat, we insist," Gwen said, and Hunith stood to pull out the chair next to her.

"You can sit here," Hunith said, eyeing the boy with stern affection as only a mother could. Daegal nodded and sat obediently, as did everyone else. Merlin smiled, knowing exactly how hard it was to disobey his mother. A servant brought another plate and Hunith instantly started loading it from the selections at the table, filling the plate to capacity. Daegal began to eat ravenously as soon as the plate was put in front of him.

"Not too fast," Merlin warned. "We don't want you to lose it as soon as you've eaten it."

Daegal nodded, slowing down and drinking deeply from the goblet that was placed in front of him.

"Have you any work?" Arthur asked. Daegal shook his head.

"Not anymore."

"But you did before?" Gwen questioned kindly. This time Daegal nodded.

"I helped with the planting in the spring. I was supposed to help bring in the harvest, but the field master told me no. Didn't want no scrawny waif fainting in his fields he said. No one else is interested in a half-starved peasant with no family to speak of."

Arthur's face clouded in consternation. "What did your father do? Perhaps we could seek employment for you in his trade."

"My father grew herbs for the apothecary before he died."

Mithian looked between her husband and the boy with a thoughtful glance. They were both of a slender build, neither of them truly suited for farm work.

"How do you like herbs?" the princess asked.

"Me? Herbs? They're alright, I suppose," Daegal answered.

"Excellent, I've a job for you then," Arthur said with a pleased grin.

"What?!" Daegal asked, dropping his fork in shock.

"My Court Physician recently lost his assistant to a promotion," Arthur explained, nodding towards Merlin, who smiled and gave a little wave. "Gaius is an elderly man now and he needs an assistant. An apprentice, to be more precise."

"And you want me?" Daegal asked, looking before each of them in turn.

"Why not?" Gwen asked, smiling.

"I've no connections, no money, nothing. Isn't there some noble's spare son who could do the job?"

"I believe in giving opportunities to whomever is worthy and deserving; their birthright has no part in it. Besides, you can count it as your recompense for trespassing in the palace and trying to steal. You know herbs already, correct?" Arthur asked. Daegal nodded.

"Yes. I helped my father with the planting, harvesting and drying."

"Then you are already more skilled for the position than any noble's spare son," Arthur argued. "The job is yours, unless you would prefer mucking out my stables as your recompense?"

"No! I... I mean, yes, I would love to apprentice with the physician," Daegal answered with a disbelieving smile, his eyes bright with unshed tears.

"Excellent," Arthur beamed. Guinevere smiled at the boy gratefully.

"You're truly doing us a great service in taking the position," the queen explained.

"As soon as you're done eating, I'll show you to Gaius' chambers. You'll have a room there," Merlin said, smiling encouragingly.

"A room?" Daegal asked in awe.

"Of course. You'll need to be on hand in case a patient is there overnight or comes in during the night," Merlin explained.

"Thank you," the boy said, looking around at the others seated at the table.

"Best finish your meal then," Hunith chided with a motherly smile. Daegal grinned, looking happily at each of the others before tucking back into his plate.

"It seems that's one problem solved," Gwen said cheerfully.

"Now we just have to get you ennobled tomorrow, Merlin. There's sure to be a good turn out. Loads of people to stare at you, waiting for you to trip over your own feet as you approach the dais," Arthur teased.

"Don't remind me," Merlin moaned, covering his face in his hands and sinking low in his seat.

"And miss this reaction?" Arthur teased.

"You love to torment me, don't you?" Merlin asked, glaring ineffectually at the king.

"It took you long enough to figure that out," Arthur chuckled.

"I think I figured it out the second time I met you and you decided to swing a mace at my head," Merlin replied. Arthur laughed.

"You enjoy tormenting me just as much. I seem to recall tripping over a lot of things during that fight."

"Well, you were swinging a mace. At my head!"

"You still cheated that day," the king argued.

"It's not cheating when you're born with it," Merlin retorted.

"Merlin!" Hunith scolded, eyeing the two men like they were squabbling children. The warlock bit his lip and resisted the urge to argue that Arthur had started it. The king grinned at Merlin mischievously, his eyes dancing at the expression on the warlock's face. Then Hunith turned her stern gaze on Arthur and the king's smirk was instantly wiped off his face. Monarch or not, he knew a scolding glance when he saw one. Merlin looked over at Daegal, glad to see the boy was trying rather ineffectually to hide his grin. The plate in front of the young man was nearly empty, but he was eyeing it ruefully.

"All finished then?" Merlin asked. Daegal looked gratefully at the warlock and nodded.

"I can't eat another bite."

"Come with me then and I'll introduce you to Gaius," Merlin instructed.

"I'll see you in our chambers," Mithian said, smiling at Merlin as he leaned in and pressed a kiss to her cheek.

"Best not keep her waiting too long, Merlin," Arthur teased.

"I wouldn't dream of it," the warlock replied, ushering Daegal from the room before he looked back at Mithian with a playful glint in his eye. Arthur grimaced at the look that passed between Merlin and Mithian.

"I don't think you'll have to wait too long for those children to mind, Hunith," Arthur said, chuckling. Gwen rolled her eyes and elbowed her husband as Mithian's cheeks turned pink.

"You don't have too long before you'll have a child to mind," the queen argued as Hunith and Mithian laughed delightedly. Arthur's face went blank for a few minutes before he brightened.

"That's what Merlin's for! I'm sure he's excellent at child-minding," Arthur answered, grinning widely.

"Excuse me," Mithian laughed, looking impishly at the king as she stood and prepared to take her leave. At the door, she turned back with a serious, yet curious expression.

"How can Merlin mind your children, when he's busy minding you?"


It had taken Merlin longer than he expected to explain the situation and introduce Daegal to Gaius. The physician had been delighted to have an apprentice once more. Mentoring Merlin had been far more fulfilling than Gaius had ever thought possible; though the physician couldn't deny that Daegal's lack of destiny was rather relieving.

Merlin chuckled at the sheer relief that had shone on Gaius' face when the elderly man had said as much while his new ward settled into his room. The warlock had also recalled a certain book hidden beneath the floorboards of his old room that he hadn't wanted to move until he had been announced as a warlock and the ban was officially lifted. Daegal's eyes had widened comically when Merlin had lifted the magic book from its hiding place. The warlock had contemplated bringing his Sidhe staff along with him as well, but felt that it would be safer for now concealed in the floorboards. However, Merlin did enchant the hiding place to open only at his touch, preventing any overly-curious young men from finding the magical staff.

As Merlin finally entered his rooms, he winced at the loud creak of the door that echoed through the darkness. The fire was nearly out, leaving even less light to see by. Merlin muttered a few words under his breath and instantly the fire grew larger, allowing Merlin to make out the outline of the table where he lay the book before quietly moving towards the bed.

"So stealthy!"

"Mithian!" Merlin exclaimed, his eyes seeking out where his wife was sitting on their bed, a fond smile on her face. "I didn't expect you to be awake."

"Yet here I am," Mithian said cheerfully. "Come to bed, Merlin."

The warlock smiled and moved to change into his nightclothes.

"Is the boy settled in?"

"Yes, I think Gaius was quite pleased, as well," Merlin chuckled as he put his clothes in the basket and climbed into bed beside his wife.

"You seem pleased as well," Mithian mused.

"I am," Merlin said, smiling coyly at the princess.

"What has you smiling in such a scandalous manner?" Mithian chuckled.

"Hmm. I think it may be the beautiful woman in my bed," Merlin said with false innocence.

"There's a beautiful woman in your bed?! Sound the warning bell, there's an imposter in Camelot!" Mithian teased.

"I certainly hope you are no imposter," Merlin drawled.

"Oh? Why's that?" Mithian asked, her heart beating faster as Merlin leaned closer and closer to her.

"Because then this really would be scandalous," Merlin replied, finally capturing Mithian's lips with his. After a few moments, Mithian pulled back to catch her breath.

"Scandalous, indeed."

"Shall I go ring the warning bell?" Merlin laughed delightedly before Mithian silenced him.

"Shut up, Merlin," the princess demanded impishly, leaning in to kiss her husband again. Merlin was never so happy to follow that particular instruction.


The next morning dawned too early for Merlin's liking. The nerves that Mithian had quite successfully chased away the previous night were back full force. The warlock found himself pacing their chambers agitatedly as Mithian ate her breakfast with a fond eye on her husband.

"Is this what you did on our wedding day?" Mithian asked in amusement.

"No actually, I was far less nervous for that," Merlin admitted.

"Well then, this is no different," Mithian assured him.

"But it is," Merlin refuted, stopping his pacing to look at his wife. "I knew that I wanted to marry you and I know that I want this too, but this is going to be such a responsibility. I am going to be in charge of drafting laws! I am little more than a peasant farmer-turned-manservant! How am I going to do this?"

Mithian smiled and stood, walking around the table to grab Merlin's hands and look reassuringly into his eyes.

"You are far more than a peasant farmer who became a manservant. Why else would a king offer his daughter to such a man, if he were not worthy of her?"

"Because of my charm?" Merlin joked. Mithian smiled.

"Do you remember what I said last night?"

"'Scandalous, indeed?'" Merlin asked playfully.

"Before that," Mithian chided with an impish grin. "I said I would help you and I meant it. I've had law writing and responsibility and leadership drilled into my head just as thoroughly as you had keep your magic secret drilled into yours. It is a daunting task you face, but you are not alone in your endeavors. Perhaps marrying me was Fate's favor to you for forcing so much upon your shoulders."

Merlin smiled as his heart slowed its rapid pulse and his nerves were calmed. In just a few words, Mithian had managed to do what he couldn't- restore his confidence.

"Now, let's get you dressed," Mithian entreated, laughing at Merlin's sudden frown. The warlock was not pleased with his new ceremonial garb. It was heavy and stiff, and nearly as ornate as Arthur's kingly adornments. The tunic was a deep blue with silver embroidery at the cuffs. His trousers were black, as were his boots, but what Merlin found the most embarrassing was the dark blue cape that Arthur had insisted was necessary. The warlock was sure that the king had insisted on the item in question simply because Arthur detested his own ceremonial cloak and was happy to share his misery. Merlin's was neither so long nor as elegant as the king's, but it was still quite heavy as Mithian set it upon his shoulders.

"I think you're ready," Mithian murmured lovingly, stepping back to admire her husband.

"Thanks to you," Merlin replied. A soft knock sounded, followed momentarily by Gwen's head peeking around the door.

"The court is assembled and the hall has been opened to the citizens," the queen said, opening the door fully to allow entry, revealing Arthur standing behind her, every bit the king in his fine clothes and crown.

"Are you ready, Merlin?" the king asked, a pleased expression on his face.

"As I'll ever be," the warlock answered as he nodded his head.

"Let's get down there and make you a nobleman, then," Guinevere said with a happy grin. Merlin laughed nervously.

"You make it sound so simple."

"Well, it can't be any harder than going from a blacksmith's daughter to the Queen of Camelot, now can it?"

"You're right, of course, Gwen."

An urgent knock at the door pulled the three of them from their discussion.

"Come in," Merlin called out curiously. A breathless soldier entered the room, his eyes seeking the king.

"What is it?" Arthur asked, his tone commanding.

"My Lord, there is a group of riders approaching. They bear the colors of Nemeth, Sire, and it would appear that King Rodor is among them."

"My father?!" Mithian asked in surprise, looking at a wide-eyed Merlin. "I'm sure he's come to congratulate you and witness your ennobling."

"I certainly hope that's all he's come to witness," Merlin said, laughing awkwardly at the prospect of seeing his father-in-law now that Merlin had been revealed as a warlock.

"Show King Rodor to the antechamber of the great hall. We'll be down momentarily," Arthur instructed and the soldier made a hasty retreat to ensure that it was done. The king turned back to Merlin, whose face had paled at the news.

"He offered my hand to you, remember? He can't fault you for not telling him about your magic. Not when I knew of it before we wed," Mithian assured her husband.

"Everything will work out," Gwen said, eyeing Arthur pointedly.

"Of course it will," the king agreed.

Let's get on with it then," Merlin said nervously, holding out his arm for Mithian and following the king and queen through the back hallways to the antechamber of the great hall. Arthur and Guinevere entered first; Gaius, Hunith and King Rodor stood waiting. The physician and Merlin's mother beamed at him as he entered, though Rodor's expression was inscrutable. The low din from behind the closed doors was audible in the small room. Before he knew it, Merlin's heart was in his throat as his nerves rose even higher.

"I'm so proud of you," Hunith said, coming to give her son a hug, careful of the fine clothing he was dressed in. Gaius approached next, his eyes tellingly moist and red.

"You've come closer and closer to your destiny in these last few months. I've watched you grow over the years from a bumbling fool into the wise man you are now. Well done, Merlin," the physician said, giving Merlin's shoulder a squeeze.

"Thank you, Gaius, Mother," Merlin whispered, too choked up to speak with any volume. They nodded, giving one last hug and a pat to the shoulder before they went to take their places in the great hall. Finally, Merlin turned to the man whose eyes he'd been avoiding since he entered the antechamber. Silence stretched between them for several moments until finally Rodor spoke first.

"It would seem that you are even more uncommon than I originally believed."

"I suppose that's true," Merlin answered, reminded of his first interrogation by Rodor at the fireside of their camp amongst the ruins. Warlock and king looked one another in the eye, neither saying anything for a full minute.

"I have only one question," Rodor finally said. Merlin raised an eyebrow curiously.

"And I will answer, gladly."

"Did you conceal this secret from my daughter?"

"I hid nothing from her," Merlin answered, his voice firm and confident as the fear of Rodor's reaction vanished. The king of Nemeth looked to Mithian inquisitively.

"I knew from before your offer of my hand," Mithian confirmed. For a moment, Rodor looked between the two of them with an inscrutable expression. Finally his eyes softened and he stepped closer to Merlin and held out his arm. The warlock's eyes shifted between Rodor's face to his offered hand for a second before Rodor smiled for the first time. Merlin laughed in genuine relief and accepted the peace offering, grasping the king's arm with a smile.

"Then I must congratulate you," King Rodor said, clasping Merlin's forearm firmly.

"You do not disapprove of my having magic?" Merlin asked in wonder.

"If I did, then I would be a terrible hypocrite," Rodor explained boldly.

"Father?" Mithian asked curiously.

"Mithian, my heart, you are not the first of our family to marry a sorcerer."

"What?!"

"My mother had the gift of magic," Rodor explained. "Thus it gives me great pleasure to see these events unfolding."

"Truly?!"

"Yes."

"Why did you never say anything?" Mithian asked.

"Even though I did not inherit the gift," Rodor began, "The fact that my mother had magic was not discussed after the purge began. It was not well known outside the family and we did not want any suspicion cast upon your brother or you. Nemeth is a small kingdom; we had little hope of opposing Uther's decrees, so we went along and conveniently forgot to enforce them. Have you ever known me to order an execution on the basis of having magic?"

Mithian shook her head in wonder, a disbelieving chuckle tumbling from her lips.

"Thank you," Merlin said, a great weight lifting from his shoulders.

"I believe the thanks lie with you," Rodor protested. Merlin could only smile gratefully.

"Are you ready?" Arthur asked in the ensuing silence. Merlin met his eye and took a deep breath. Arthur's expression was a combination of pride, brotherly antagonism, and friendship. Merlin could only nod, overwhelmed as he was. Then Arthur's noble demeanor melted as he chuckled at his best friend; the man he saw as his brother.

Merlin gasped in shock when Arthur grabbed his arm and pulled him into an impromptu hug, thumping his back for good measure. The king stepped back, his courtly expression back in place as he allowed Merlin to compose himself.

"Who are you and what have you done with Arthur?" Merlin asked in mock bewilderment.

"Don't be a cabbage head," Arthur teased.

"Everything is prepared," Gwen murmured, smiling at her two favorite men.

Merlin turned to Mithian, swallowing the lump in his throat as his wife smiled at him and grabbed him in a fierce embrace, crushing him to her as he struggled to remain composed.

"You're ready," Mithian whispered, giving Merlin a swift kiss before pulling back. "I'll be there in the front."

Merlin watched her enter the hall, escorted by her father, before taking a deep breath and looking to both Arthur and Gwen.

"I'm ready," he confirmed, his voice finally strong and clear. Arthur smiled and gave a quick nod, taking Guinevere's hand and tucking it into the crook of his arm as he turned towards the double doors. The guards pulled them open just as Arthur and Guinevere reached them. The gathered crowd fell silent as the king and queen entered the hall and made their way to the dais.

The doors shut after them with a soft thud; then Merlin took up his position, waiting for his turn to enter. Dimly, the warlock could hear Arthur's voice carrying across the gathered crowd, giving the speech he had prepared explaining the position that Merlin was to be appointed to momentarily.

After what seemed like hours, but was in reality just a few minutes, the guards at the door nodded to the warlock and opened the wide entryway just as Arthur's voice called out, "Merlin of Ealdor, First Advisor of Camelot."

As one, the people turned to watch as he began his journey to the front of the hall. The round table knights stood just behind Hunith, Gaius and Mithian. The knight's red cloaks were crisp and their chainmail had an extra sheen in honor of the occasion. Mordred had a place on the aisle, owing to his position as Merlin's first apprentice. The warlock concentrated on moving forward, trying to block out the sheer magnitude of the size of the crowd as he stared straight ahead. Slowly, the people turned as he passed them, and finally, Merlin reached the steps of the dais. Arthur stepped forward, signaling for Merlin to kneel.

As Merlin did so, Arthur stopped just in front of him, resting his hand on the pommel of his sword as he held out a golden scepter with his right hand.

"Merlin of Ealdor, you have been judged and have been found worthy of the position and title of Court Warlock of Camelot. Are you prepared to take oaths to such ends?"

"I am," Merlin said, his voice strong and unwavering, despite the rapid pulse of his heart. Gripping the scepter with his right hand, Merlin looked unwaveringly at his king.

"Do you solemnly swear to protect, guide and teach the magical peoples of this kingdom and its dominions according to the statutes, customs and laws laid down by your forebears, as has been foretold since before your birth?"

"I do, Sire," Merlin promised, respectfully using the title for once.

"Do you promise to exercise mercy and justice in your deeds and judgments?"

"I do, Sire."

"And do you swear allegiance to Camelot, now and for as long as you shall live?"

"I, Merlin of Ealdor, Emrys of the Druids, do pledge myself to your service for the protection of you, the kingdom and all her peoples, both those with and those without magic. I do solemnly swear to do so with all my heart and strength, until the last breath leaves my body."

"Then from henceforth, you shall be afforded the rank of a nobleman as is fitting for your duties in your position. Rise, Lord Merlin of Ealdor, Emrys of the Druids, Court Warlock of Camelot."

Arthur held out his hand, pulling Merlin to his feet as the crowd broke into thunderous applause. Merlin gave the king a nod of respect and turned, his heart pounding and his throat tight as he witnessed the fulfillment of a prophecy given hundreds of years before his birth. The warlock's eyes roved over his closest friends and family. Mithian was especially joyful, causing Merlin to smile widely as he looked at her. King Rodor gave an approving nod as Merlin's eyes passed over him, and the warlock returned the gesture. Gaius was supporting Hunith as she was supporting him, the both of them overwhelmed by the events of the day. Merlin smiled at them all as Arthur and Guinevere moved to stand on the step just above the warlock.

"Well done, Merlin," Gwen praised, clasping his shoulder in support. Arthur smiled at his wife beside him, nodding his agreement as he turned back to take in the joyful crowd.

"Well done, indeed."


A/N: Thanks for reading! Alas, I would have loved to have seen Lord Merlin of Ealdor, Emrys of the Druids, Court Warlock of Camelot, take his place at Arthur's side on the show. Wouldn't it be loverly?