Hello everyone !
So I know, I suppose this is super late and I'm truly very sorry about that! Real life got so in the way. Past weeks had been a bit hard on me. I'm struggling to understand the world anymore and find my place in it.
But good thing is : this is chapter 10 ! God how did that thing go that long already? I hope you're still liking it!
I want to thank you all for still reading this and reviewing and alerting and favoriting. You are all awesome!
Enjoy!
Chapter 10:
When the guard had handed him a tavern bill for a ridiculous amount, timidly explaining that Sir Gwaine and Merlin had forgotten to pay it, Arthur had been annoyed.
Well, almost furious in fact.
But then, a tiny part of his brain told him that maybe, just maybe, that had been what the warlock had needed. A night in the tavern to relax and forget his problems for a little while.
He just wished that it didn't have to cost him so much. And that was without even beginning to consider the state he would find the two friends later. God knew that even if Gwaine could handle his liquor really well, Merlin really couldn't.
So when Gwaine came in with that cheerful look, he couldn't stop himself from scolding him. However, annoyance quickly gave way to worry at the knight's tale.
He knew the signs only too well. Merlin was trying to shut them up to shield them from his pain. Just like he had done six months ago.
Arthur was not going to let that happen again. And that's what made him decide to take matters in his own hands.
But not before punishing Gwaine for his poor judgment. It wouldn't do to let him think he could just go to the tavern without paying and let the crown sort it out.
Besides, open training really was the thing Gwaine hated the most in his duties. Arthur had to hide his smirk at the knight's crestfallen look.
The king made his way to Merlin's chambers, acknowledging the bows he received along the way with small nods of his own.
When he arrived in front of the wooden door, he opened it slowly, carefully, just in case Merlin had fallen asleep in the mean-time.
That wasn't the case. Merlin was leaning over a large, ancient book, an intense look of concentration on his face. Arthur had seen it often enough when the younger man was researching but this time it looked frantic.
The king sighed, closed the door again, still unnoticed, and made a point of making the most noise possible when opening it again.
He saw Merlin jump and look at him with a wince before complaining about his non-knocking manners.
It was so ironic that Arthur just had to smile, absolutely unimpressed with his friend's annoyance that showed with a scowl.
The warlock then tried to make the king leave but Arthur wasn't fooled by Merlin's hostile attitude. He had decided to help his friend, with or without his consent. And his word was final, he was king after all.
So he just settled down in one of the chair around the table.
"I've just talked with Gwaine and he told me an interesting story." He said, leaving it to Merlin to take the bait and talk.
Which, of course, Merlin, stubborn as he was, didn't take and just pretended there was nothing else to it than a drunkard tale.
Arthur quickly decided that a straight question was the only way he'd get a real answer.
"You really turned Kilgharrah human then?" He asked, eyes glued to Merlin's face as he observed the other man's reaction.
It was therefore easy to notice Merlin's shoulders tense and his gaze fall down.
"And you really don't know how?" He pushed gently.
He thought he saw Merlin sigh quietly before explaining that, in his drunken haze, he must have remembered a spell from the book in front of him but now he couldn't remember which one and he needed to find a way to reverse its effects. Fast.
Arthur felt his eyebrow rise. Even for someone to whom magic was so natural, it sounded peculiar to remember a spell that he couldn't then remember while sober.
"Had any luck finding it?"
"Almost. Before you interrupted me."
Well, if that wasn't Merlin trying to make him leave, he didn't know what was. Unfortunately, it wasn't going to work today, he just encouraged Merlin to continue his work with a raised eyebrow.
"Don't you have any… kingly duties to take care of?"
Arthur mimed thinking about it, knowing he indeed had reports to read but nothing important enough to leave Merlin to sulk alone. He smiled broadly.
Merlin looked like he wanted to protest further but finally deflated and proceeded to ignore Arthur.
It was almost childish.
After some time, the warlock seemed to find what he was looking for because he announced he was going back to Kilgharrah.
Arthur stood after him and went to open the door for him. Merlin didn't move.
"You're not coming with me." He said.
Arthur almost laughed at Merlin's obliviousness.
"Oh yes I am Merlin. And there is nothing you can do to stop me so you might as well just get a move on."
Merlin glowered at him, straightened his back and walked right past him. It reminded Arthur of the first time he had met the warlock. A young, courageous boy that dared to tell the prince that he was being an ass.
"Oh don't be like that. It's not like I've never seen you do magic! And, who knows, maybe you'll need someone to defend you against bandits."
Merlin turned back long enough to lift a dubious eyebrow at him before continuing his fast walk to the stables.
After that it was a silent ride that left Arthur with too much time to mull over his worry for Merlin and the fact that he still hadn't decided what he should do with Alice.
He kept an eye on his friend while they galloped through the forest. The man was obviously focused, his face blank and eyes unreadable. The king wanted to know what he was thinking but somehow didn't think the warlock would answer him.
In no time, they arrived in the familiar clearing and Arthur spotted an old man sitting on the ground, the perfect picture of calm even if the king could see a sliver of annoyance in the oddly gold eyes.
"King Arthur." The human-dragon saluted respectfully, surprising the king, before turning to his dragonlord. "Merlin. I trust you found the counter-spell."
The king thought furtively that he should be annoyed at being so easily dismissed but knew that the dragon was probably more than ready to be back in his true form.
"Yes, yes. If you're ready…"
"Of course."
No other words were exchanged between the two of them and Merlin closed his eyes. A few seconds later and his breaths deepened and slowed, his muscles relaxing. A minute later and he breathed words of the old religion that Arthur couldn't understand.
The clearing flashed white and Arthur was momentarily blinded, closing his eyes on instinct.
He reopened them to be faced with the normal sight of dragon Kilgharrah.
Arthur struggled not to let his awe at Merlin's power show. Even after all those months he still wasn't used to seeing his friend use that much magic.
He watched as the great dragon spread his wings with a groan before bidding them goodbye and flying away.
Arthur turned towards Merlin, watching the slight smile on his friend's face before he sat down on the slightly damp ground. The king hesitated for a moment before joining him, silently observing the warlock, trying to gauge his mood.
"So… What did you do with Alice?" Merlin finally asked after a long time.
Arthur sighed softly. He should have known this was coming. He decided to answer as truthfully as possible.
"For the moment, nothing. I have to admit that I don't know what to do. By all means, I should have her arrested and executed but…"
"But you can't." Merlin provided, always far too perceptive.
Arthur nodded.
"The laws have changed… So now, she isn't guilty of having magic anymore but… I guess my father's judgment still stands…"
The king reflected, thinking back to the first time he had met the old woman.
"You can't kill her." Merlin said after a beat and Arthur's eyed him curiously. "She wasn't responsible for her actions then and… I think she suffered enough."
Merlin sighed in time with the king's nod.
"You know it's not your fault."
The warlock didn't answer and they fell silent again.
"There's one thing I don't understand thought… Why did she come now? After all this time? I knew Gaius and her were still writing to each other but I didn't receive any letter…"
Arthur felt dread twist his insides. A small voice told him that he should have known that was coming too. And now the familiar guilt of having deceived his friend rose his ugly head again, snarling like a beast that yelled told you so.
It seemed that Merlin picked up on his suddenly frozen expression because he frowned and asked suspiciously.
"Arthur?"
The king took a deep breath.
"I guess I could shoulder the blame for that." He finally said, making Merlin's frown deepen. He sighed, preparing himself for the betrayal he knew he would soon see in his friend's eyes. "A few weeks ago I sent letters to the neighboring kingdoms, informing them that the royal physician's position was open. She must have gotten word of that and guessed something had happened…"
Arthur had lowered his eyes while speaking but that didn't mean he couldn't feel Merlin pull back from where he had been sitting close to him.
"You… You did what?" The warlock questioned, sounding shocked.
The blonde couldn't answer, his throat too constricted.
"Why… Why didn't you tell me first? Was my work not satisfying you? I know I sometimes neglected some of my duties as an advisor but I still think I could assume both duties…"
And here was the disappointment and self-doubt Arthur had feared and it hurt.
"Merlin…" He tried to say.
"I can't believe it."
"Merlin, please, listen to me…"
"No. I… I don't want to talk to you right now." The warlock said and pushed himself up, walked back to his horse and galloped back towards Camelot without another word.
Arthur sighed, rubbing his hands through his hair. He had definitely messed that up.
So how did you like it? Leave me a little review will you? You'd make my day!
Oh and, for those who were wondering, you may remember I took part in a writing contest in english and, well, I haven't been pre-selected. Again. Obviously. Guess I'm just good at writing fanfiction heh? Fine by me. Fanfiction is my live anyway ;)
Take care guys !