6. To Set the Record Straight

Arthur turned to Merlin, whose face had lost all its color.

"Leave us."

Merlin eyed him apprehensively, before offering him a rigid bow. "Yes, my lord."

Arthur watched his servant retreat as Aithusa gazed at him over her father's shoulders, blue eyes lit with curiosity.

When at last, the doors to the throne room had closed behind Merlin, Arthur said, "Continue your report."

Arthur listened to the various accounts that had been reported with a pensive expression, before listing out a set of orders for his chief advisor to complete and dismissing him.

His subsequent search for his servant lead him to the training grounds, where the knights sat at the edge of the field, surrounding Merlin.

Once he drew near, Arthur heard Elyan say, "You're as pale as a ghost, Merlin. Is everything alright?"

Merlin grimaced. "I'm sure you'll find out soon enough."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Gwaine demanded, trying not to wince as Aithusa curiously tugged at his hair. "Easy there, little dragon. These locks are precious and worth more than the king's gold."

Aithusa giggled.

Arthur took note of the odd nickname, before calling out, "Merlin, a word?"

"Whoa there, princess," Gwaine cut in with a scowl, gaze flickering between Arthur's stoic expression and Merlin's dismay. "What's going on? Why does Merlin look like he's been sentenced to burn on the pyre?"

Arthur cast an eye about, making sure none of the other knights or squires were near enough to listen, before squatting down beside them and quietly saying, "Reports of Sarrum's death have made their way back to Camelot."

Instantly, the knights' expressions darkened with understanding.

"Does anyone suspect your manservant?" Leon asked, voice grim.

The implications of referring to Merlin by his position and not by his name, were not lost on anyone. If word got out that Sarrum had been murdered by King Arthur's very own manservant, the ramifications would not bode well for any of Camelot's active peace treaties.

"Fortunately, no," Arthur said. "We're the only ones here who know, so I'm sure I don't have to tell any of you twice to mind your tongue." When he was met with solemn nods of agreement, he continued, "Leon, clear out the fields. Order the men to take the rest of the afternoon off and to await further orders later this evening."

"Yes, sire," Leon said, rising to his feet and marching off.

"Just how bad is it?" Percival asked, watching as Leon went to speak with some of the older knights leading drills across the fields.

"Not as bad as it could be," Arthur briefly assured them, before pushing himself to his feet. "Merlin, let's go."

Looking miserable, Merlin went to pick up Aithusa, before he was waved off by Gwaine.

"Didn't you hear? I've got the rest of the afternoon off. I can watch her for a couple of hours, mate."

"Thanks, Gwaine," Merlin smiled, though it didn't quite reach his eyes, before turning to follow Arthur.

"And Arthur?"

Arthur met Gwaine's steely eyes.

"I'm sure I don't have to tell you twice that any ill treatment of Merlin will be met with protest of the most humiliating kind. And make note, it won't be humiliating for me, my lord."

Arthur scoffed. "Don't be stupid. And mind your ale intake around Aithusa, you great nuisance."

He marched off before had to listen to any more of Gwaine's less than subtle threats. Although it seemed that even that hadn't managed to perk Merlin up.

When they arrived to the empty council chambers and the doors had been firmly shut behind them, Arthur took another look at Merlin and rolled his eyes. "Don't look so spooked, you big girl. I know you're not a sorcerer."

Merlin blinked as the trepidation drained from his face. "Oh."

"But," Arthur said, observing the way Merlin's face still remained pale with dread. "I am going to ask you a question. And I will need you to be very honest with me."

"What is it, my lord?" For once, his formal address of Arthur was anything but mocking.

Arthur leaned back against the council table and crossed his arms, features stern as he asked, "What exactly happened in Amata?"

Merlin frowned. "I already told you―"

"No," Arthur disagreed, holding up a hand. "You told me nothing, in fact. Other than to inform me that both King Sarrum and Morgana are dead. But you have said nothing of what actually occurred."

Merlin huffed, annoyed. "Do you think I want to think about it, let alone speak of it? Yes, I killed Morgana. And yes, I killed Sarrum. I did not revel in it. It happened, and it's over, and if it's all the same to you, I'd rather never speak of it again."

"I…I'm sorry, Merlin," Arthur sighed. "I don't intend to make you feel distressed. But this is important."

"Why? What has happened?"

"As you heard, scouts from the northern borders have sent in their reports. The death of Sarrum caused a power vacuum and there has been a lot of unrest. Amata was already impoverished to begin with, but without a ruler, raiders are growing overconfident and their crimes are beginning to spill over into our borders."

Merlin's expression became grave with understanding. "…What do you want to know, exactly?"

"Although some of the reports are conflicting," Arthur began carefully, "It's been confirmed amongst all of them that sorcery is what caused the total collapse of Amata's ruling power. Unfortunately, it becomes unclear from there. Some say that it was a single man who slaughtered the nobility under Sarrum's court. Other's say it was an army of sorcerers which stormed the citadel and incited a bloodbath."

Merlin's features turned gray.

"Merlin, if…if you hired a sorcerer―"

"No," Merlin cut him short. "I didn't hire anyone. I was working alone."

When Arthur gestured for him to continue, Merlin heaved a weary sigh. "But…I suppose 'army of sorcerers' might not be too far from the truth. Morgana was not the only witch under Sarrum's capture." Here, Merlin's features twisted with derision. "Sarrum kept men, women, and children as part of his 'collection.' I released them all. If some of them went on to take their revenge, who was I to stop them?"

Arthur paused, unsure of how to react. It was a rare sight, to see Merlin so genuinely incensed.

Merlin's voice turned to ice. "Would you have had me leave them to rot away in their cells?"

"What?" Arthur said, startled. "No, of course not." Arthur thought about the Druid boy Merlin had once helped smuggle out, and then about the Druid girl he had once fallen in love with. "It was probably dangerous and stupid, but…I would've expected nothing less from you."

Merlin's eyebrows arched high. "Thanks…I think."

Arthur scoffed, trying to suppress an inappropriate smile.

"For what it's worth, I am sorry for the trouble I've caused Camelot."

Arthur nodded in acceptance. He could hardly protest, when he had seen Sarrum's cruelty in Aithusa's injuries for himself. "I understand."

"What is to be done?"

Arthur mentally ran through the list of orders he'd already given, knowing there was still much to do if he was to clean up Merlin's mess without allowing Camelot to bear a heavy brunt of the repercussions. "I've already sent additional patrols ahead, but we are now beginning preparations to head north, come morning. It's vital we secure the border, before we are overrun with more thieves and mercenaries. And I will be sending couriers to inform Bayard of our plans."

Merlin shot him a bewildered look. "What on earth for?"

Arthur lifted his hand and braced his jaw in thought as he explained, "Amata is also bordered by Mercia and the Perilous Lands. It's likely Bayard's western borders are being affected as well. If he has the resources, I'm sure we can negotiate how to split the territories between our kingdoms that will benefit us best."

"Why not just take the whole of the land for yourself?" Merlin asked, curious.

"I will, if I must," he shrugged. Sometimes, he forgot Merlin wasn't as well-versed in the politics of heading a kingdom. For a commoner, he was unexpectedly intelligent. "But adding all of Amata to our territories would be a great undertaking. And while we have enough men for it, I am not sure the expenditure of resources will be worth it. As I've said, Sarrum's cruel reign kept its people poor and destitute. It'll be many years before we are even able to begin to reap the rewards that the additional land would grant us."

"I see," Merlin said, equally serious. "What do you need me to do?"

"I've ordered for the council to gather. I'm sure they'll have plenty to say," Arthur shrugged, exchanging a knowing look with Merlin. "Gather a few other servants. We'll be in for a long night."

Merlin smiled weakly, unable to completely tamper down his guilt. "Understood, sire."

A/N: Well, things aren't looking too bad. Yet.

For everyone who expressed interest in reading a prequel, I published the first chapter! :)

Hope you enjoyed the update!