Hello dear readers,
Here is a new chapter of this story! I hope you will enjoy it :D!
As ever I thank you so much for reading this! Means a lot to me!
Leave a little word if you wish ;)
Chapter 33:
Merlin smiled as he inspected the necklace he had just finished. He could feel a small part of his magic throbbing inside, ready to protect its wearer. Suddenly he felt impatient to give it to Gwen.
A knock interrupted his contemplation and a second later, his servant entered the room.
"The king told me they were ready for you." He announced with a small bow.
"Of course. Thank you Jonathan. Could you help and carry this chainmail?" The warlock asked, gesturing towards the newly magically infused garment.
The servant nodded and obeyed. "Is this King Arthur's chainmail? It looks different." He blushed immediately after finishing his question.
Inwardly, Merlin sighed, wishing he could find a way to make his servant understand that it was okay to talk to him like an equal and not some noble.
"It is. I used a new polish I found in the market on it." He answered, making his way to the door and holding it open for his servant to pass.
As they walked towards the king's chambers, Merlin felt Jonathan's incredulous and curious gaze on him.
"I feel that there is something you want to ask me." The warlock said, getting tired of the silent observation.
The young man jumped at being caught and lowered his eyes.
"Come on, tell me what's bothering you." Merlin insisted.
"It's just… I… I don't understand why you keep polishing the kind's armor and stuff like that. It's… It's servant's work and you are a royal advisor…"
Merlin let out a small laugh that made his servant blush.
"Yes, it's true. I wonder too sometimes… But I was a servant far longer than I have been a royal advisor. And I don't like being treated like a noble. Some handwork never killed anyone. And, I guess some habits are hard to kill."
The young man nodded silently, looking a bit shocked at Merlin's answer. The warlock just smiled and soon they arrived at the familiar wooden door. For the sake of his servant's sanity, he knocked quickly before entering.
"Ah, Merlin! Here you are!" Arthur greeted as if he had been waiting for hours and not mere minutes.
"Yes, yes, I'm here. Good evening Gwen!" He answered, bowing slightly towards his queen but ignoring the king. "You can put this on the bed and leave Jonathan. Go home, I won't need you anymore."
"Very well my Lord."
Merlin cringed making Arthur laughed out loud.
"Don't look so disgusted Merlin, he's just showing you the proper respect, like any servant should." He commented when they were alone.
"I hate it." Merlin mumbled as he sat down at the table when a plate of grilled chicken was waiting, infusing the air with a delicious smell.
"Why did you have Arthur's chainmail Merlin?" Gwen asked. She began serving the food.
Merlin took a deep breathee.
"Well, that's what I wanted to talk to you both about." He began, feeling nervous. "As I'm sure Arthur told you, I will need to leave Camelot for a few days…" He waited for Gwen to nod before carrying on. "So, I have taken some time to put protective charms around the citadel and in the lower town… But, as we all know, Arthur is a magnet to disaster."
Arthur opened his mouth to protest but was stopped by Gwen's hand on his arm.
"He is right. Carry on Merlin."
"Yes. So, I've put extra charms on your chainmail. It should protect you, should any sorcerer come to seek vengeance. So you better wear it all the time."
Arthur gaped at him, looking an odd mix of rebellious and touched. Merlin ignored him and reached into his pocket for the cloth-covered jewel.
"As for you, Gwen, I made you this." He announced, extending his arm to her.
The queen reached out and took the cloth, gently opening it to reveal the simple looking necklace with a hanging bird, not unlike Arthur's mother sigil. Gwen gasped, putting a hand on his mouth as she stroked the jewel, observing the way the fire light reflected on the sapphire in the bird's eye.
"Merlin! It's beautiful!"
"It contains magic. It will protect you when you wear it." The warlock said, feeling his cheeks burn under his blush.
"I'll never take it off then." Gwen announced and reached behind her neck to close the jewel there.
"Thank you, Merlin." Arthur finally managed to say.
"Don't mention it."
They ate in silence for a moment.
"Does that mean you will leave soon, then?" Gwen asked as Merlin began clearing up the dishes.
"Yes. The day after tomorrow."
"So soon? I won't be able to convince the Council to let me go at such short notice!" Arthur exclaimed.
"It's okay Arthur. Gwaine will be coming with me anyway."
The king frowned at that.
"Arthur, really, I'll be fine. I know what I am doing!"
The blonde looked unconvinced.
The day of the planned departure, Merlin woke up feeling an odd mix of excitement and fear. For once, he had let himself have a complete night's rest without wandering the city using magic and he had to admit that he definitely felt far more energetic than he had for the past weeks.
He had just finished dressing when he heard Jonathan come into the room, nothing more than the light click of the closing door indicating the servant's presence.
"Your breakfast is on the table." The young man said as he began to make the bed. "What do you need me to do today?"
Merlin suddenly remembered that he hadn't warned his servant about his departure.
"Well, I forgot to tell you but I will be leaving the castle for a few days so you'd go and report to the steward. I'm sure he will find you something to do in the meantime."
The servant turned towards him, looking surprised and worried.
"Don't you want me to come with you? Prepare your bags? The supplies you will need? I can go to the kitchen…"
"No. Thank you Jonathan, that won't be necessary. My bag is already almost done and I won't need you while I travel. Sir Gwaine is coming with me and I'm sure we'll do fine together."
The servant nodded and went back to his work while Merlin sat down to eat his breakfast. When he was finished, Jonathan came and took the dirty dishes. He didn't say a word but Merlin felt that he wanted to. He had to wait until the man was at the door to hear his thoughts.
"Be careful Merlin."
The warlock smiled, happy at the use of his name without a "lord" or "sire" near it.
"Don't worry Jonathan. I'll be fine and back before you know it."
The servant once more nodded and left, leaving Merlin alone to finish packing.
Two hours later and Merlin was in the courtyard, saddling his horse and carefully fixing the supplies on the saddle. He wondered where Gwaine was. He had sent a passing servant to warn him of their imminent departure one hour ago.
He had his explanation when he saw the knight arrive not alone, but with the king in tow. Merlin told himself that he should have expected Arthur to do something like that. It didn't stop him from complaining to Gwaine. And the "nothing" he received in answer didn't sound like it was nothing. Merlin made a note to ask his friend about it again when they were out of the king's earing.
Speaking of which, Arthur made his way to stop near Merlin.
"Remember what I said." He said, sounding more serious that the warlock had ever heard him. "No playing hero. I want you to come home in one piece, okay?"
Merlin was touched by Arthur's concerned but tired of being treated like an incompetent child. What could he do to prove that he could take care of himself?
"Yes, Arthur." He said none the less, uncaring of how childishly rebellious he sounded.
He ignored Gwaine's poorly hidden laugh as the knight announced he was ready.
"Great. Let's go then. I want to be at the border by nightfall."
Merlin was about to mount his horse when he was stopped by Gwen's voice. He had hoped to avoid any teary goodbye. He would be back soon and this whole ceremonial really was useless to him.
"You weren't going to leave without saying goodbye I hope." The woman asked sounding every bit like the queen she was.
"Of course not." Merlin lied. "But really we won't be gone that long!"
He knew Gwen didn't believe him. She came near and hugged him tight enough that the warlock thought he wouldn't be able to breathe anymore.
"Promise me you will come back safe Merlin." She whispered to him.
The warlock hated how tight with worry her voice sounded.
"Yes Gwen." He said, trying to sooth her fears. He waited for her to let go before smiling at her. "I'll see you in a few days."
"You'd better. And you, you'd better keep him safe."
Merlin thought that she was scarier than Arthur and had to bit his cheek to stop his laugh as Gwaine once more tried to seduce Gwen. He rolled his eyes at Arthur's jealousy even if they all knew that Gwaine wasn't serious and that the hurt look on his face was only a fake one.
And then, they were finally ready to go and Merlin and Gwaine mounted their horses, turning them towards the horizon.
So, how was it? Not too boring I hope?
Read you soon and in the mean time... Live long and prosper people ;)