Hello everyone!
So, yes, this is awfully late, huh? I could blame me falling sick (again) and then discovering/ binge-watching NBC's Constantine.
I could also say that I had a doubting crisis on this story and its plot but I have come to a decision. No worries.
However, motivation will hopefully come back along this Humans soundtrack that is totally magnificent.
Anyway, here it is so I hope you're going to enjoy it!
Thank you very much for following/favoriting/reviewing/reading this story!
Chapter 21 ;
Merlin was in a good mood. He had woken up early to Luke bringing him breakfast and had decided it was the perfect moment to carry on studying old magical treaties. He knew he should have done it months ago but he had been too busy with the many meetings and his work as physician.
It was only now that Alice was here and finally settled in, that he really noticed what his friends had a long time ago. He had been doing so much at the same time that he hadn't been able to concentrate on any one thing. Now, at least, he could focus on increasing his knowledge on magic.
He had to admit that he loved it. Even if some of those old books were really boring. He had managed to get a good insight onto how things were before the Purge. He had read how much magic had been integrated into everyday life and how it still was in other faraway kingdoms.
It made him hopeful for the future. He was confident that things could go back to the way they were.
In some ways, they already had. More and more Druids came to sell herbs and trinkets into the lower town and he had often heard servants and guards marveling about this or that magic happening.
He had also been glad that people had seemingly accepted Alice as the new Court Physician and that she used magic if she felt it was necessary.
Part of him wished for that freedom. But he knew that it was important to still keep his magic secret. And he was content to have only his closest friends know.
He was interrupted from his studious breakfast by a quiet knock at the door. He didn't have time to react before Luke moved and opened the door.
Merlin was surprised to hear Gwaine's voice asking for him. Luke didn't need his master to let the knight enter.
The warlock immediately noticed that something wasn't right with his friend. He looked rough, his eyes low and sad. He carefully observed every inch of his friend's body, noticing the unnatural bulk of his left arm.
"Oh! Gwaine!" He saluted anyway, knowing that it was no use to directly ask questions of the knight. "I wasn't expecting you! Shouldn't you be training with Arthur? Is everything alright?"
He couldn't stop concern seeping into his voice. His friend's obvious hesitation at answer rang a new set of alarm bells. Gwaine was never so unconfident. Not even when fighting unbeatable odds.
The request for privacy only furthered Merlin's worry. Had something happen to Arthur? One of the other knights? His mother?
He forced himself to stay calm as he asked for his servant to leave. Which the young man willingly did with all the unrequested and useless flourish.
"I hate it when he does that." Merlin joked, hoping it would relax his tense friends.
Unsuccessfully it appeared as Gwaine only stared at the room without looking at Merlin.
"Okay, what is it Gwaine? You look like your favorite apple tree has been cut down." He added after a small while.
The knight only frowned more until he finally seemed to make a very hard decision and opened his mouth to talk.
"No… Hum… Look Merlin, I am really sorry… I… Well… I accidently revealed your magic to Alice."
Merlin hadn't been expecting that. At all. He found himself absolutely speechless. Was that a good thing or a bad thing? What would it change?
The fact was that he and Alice had developed a kind of relationship. Not quite a friendship but still a relationship where they trusted each other. Or at least trust Gaius' opinion of the other. Which was probably enough.
But still, this was his lifelong secret. A secret that his mentor hadn't divulged to her even if he could have without Merlin being able to complain.
His eyes fell on Gwaine's repentant expression and his friend's unusual attitude became clear. His decision was clear. He shook his head slowly.
"Well… I know that it had to happen one day or another." He commented. The knight's head snapped up in with what must have been painful speed.
"What?"
Merlin let out a small smile before explaining himself.
"Alice and Gaius were very close, Gwaine. And she is clever. She was bound to discover this secret sooner or later."
"But…. Why aren't you mad at me? I told her you had magic! I divulged your biggest secret!"
Merlin frowned at him, trying to understand what his friend wanted to hear. It was true that it had it been two years ago, he probably would have been at least annoyed at Gwaine but so many things had changed. Magic no longer being outlawed on penalty of death was probably the main reason of his calm.
"You… Want me to be mad at you?" He asked curiously.
He had never known his friend like that, so withdrawn and obviously ashamed.
"You have every reason to! You trusted me and then I got drunk and told her you turned a dragon human!"
Merlin sighed. It was true that looking at it that way, Merlin should have been absolutely furious. But well, his friendship with Gwaine was too important for him than that.
"Really Gwaine. I'm not mad at you. I'm sure you didn't mean to. And I would have told Alice ultimately. You just sped things up."
It was the truth. Even if the long-haired man in front of him still didn't look convinced.
"Oh, come on Gwaine, cheer up. The long face doesn't suit you."
"You are too forgiving for your own good Merlin."
That didn't sound completely true to the warlock but he didn't want to argue with his friend so he just laughed.
"Well, maybe. But I am sure that Arthur will find some really awful chore to punish you in my place."
And that finally got a normal reaction from his friend; a groan and a dramatic head bang on the table. Merlin felt bad for him.
"Come on, have some food, hopefully it will cheer you up."
The food loving man looked reluctant but took an apple slice from the warlock's plate before quickly beginning to wolf bread and cheese down.
"That's more like it." Merlin smiled. "Thought, I still want the complete story about what happened in the tavern."
The knight grimaced and unconsciously stroked his hurt arm and shrugged.
"Just the usual." He answered around a bite of food. "The glass won against my arm."
Merlin hummed, recognizing a lie but unwilling to push his friend just as he was returning to a more normal attitude.
"Well, I think I'd better go talk to Alice then." He announced when all the food was gone. "And you better report for some light knightly duties if you don't want to upset our dear king even more."
He added when Gwaine made to follow him.
"Okay." Enthusiasm was clearly lacking from the drunkard's tone.
"Oh and, Gwaine, don't tell him about Alice will you? I'll do that later."
So? Did you like it?
Oh, and in case any of you were wondering, Doctor Who Festival was the most amazing thing I ever did and I'm so happy that I got to listen the people involved and also that I decided to cosplay. Can't wait to do it again!