Hello everyone!
Yes, I know, this happened again... Me.. Being late... What can I say? I simply have a problem with time keeping... I must be a Time Lady or something...
But, anyway, there you have it, a new chapter! I hope you are going to like it!
I also want to thank you all again and again for your continuous support and for your compliments by review! I will never be able to tell you how important it is!
Now, I leave you with this chapter!
Enjoy!
Chapter 43:
The first few days without Merlin in the castle were boring but bearable for Arthur. He had plenty of things to occupy him, especially as many councilmen chose to comment on Merlin's absence.
He didn't like the victorious tone most of them adopted. It felt like they were telling him "See, we told you he'd never be up to it!". If only they knew what he was doing and who he was!
It made his hands curl beneath the round table and only Gwen's soothing touch stopped him from bursting out. He left her to defend Merlin, once again admiring her sense of diplomacy.
"Those old goats! Why do they have to be like that towards Merlin?" He exploded the minute they were alone in the royal chambers.
He threw his sword on the table for good measure.
Gwen sighed and went to hug him.
"They are just very conservative. I think he will forever be your clumsy manservant to them."
Arthur shook his head dejectedly.
"If only they knew…"
"And they will." The queen interrupted, standing on her toes to kiss him. "One day. When Merlin is ready."
"I can't wait for that."
"Me neither. Now, come on, I think you promised me a walk in the gardens this morning."
Arthur let the tension fall from his shoulder and took his wife's elbow, leading her out.
After five days, Arthur began unconsciously waiting for his friend's return. He caught himself looking out his windows more often than usual in the hope of seeing two horses come in bearing a warlock and a knight, hopefully grinning in victory.
Of course, it didn't happen that day.
Or in any of the following days.
And as more time passed, the more impatient and distracted he became. It impacted the court meetings as he was either too distracted to listen or short tempered with the Lords, often forcing Gwen to step in and deploy her legendary diplomacy to smooth things over.
And outside of the meetings he kept spending more and more time in front of his window, ignoring the reports pilling up on his desk and grumbling about stupid always late manservants.
It was during one of these moments that Gwen finally had enough. She had been trying to keep up with both of their paperwork but he kept walking back and forth in front of her mumbling under his voice.
"Arthur!" She cried out exasperatedly. "I know you are worried about Merlin..."
"I'm not!" He interrupted.
"Yes you are. And I am too. But this attitude of yours will not bring him back faster. You are driving everyone crazy."
The king opened his mouth to protest but closed it quickly with a sigh.
"You're right." He admitted, letting himself fall into his chair.
The queen pushed herself up and came behind him.
"I think you need a distraction. Why don't you go train the new knights? It will take your mind of things and motivate them."
He nodded.
"You're right. But I swear Merlin is going to hear from me when he finally shows up! He's good to muck the stables out for a month. Without magic."
Gwen laughed.
"I'm sure he's going to love that. Now, go."
With a last glance out the window, Arthur went to put his chainmail on and in no time was heading down to the training grounds.
He was welcomed by astonished looks and hurried bows.
"My Lord." Leon saluted. "We weren't expecting you."
"Indeed. But Queen Guinevere suggested it could be a good idea to come train with our latest recruits."
The half smiled on his senor knight's face told Arthur that the man knew exactly what had happened.
"Of course my Lord. We were going to work on footwork today."
"Excellent. Carry on and I'll pair with the recruits."
Two hours of training later and Arthur was sweaty and aching but feeling more relaxed than he had for the past two weeks.
The new recruits were competent enough and he had enjoyed the opportunity to be outside and doing something else than sitting on his behind listening or reading complaints. Or staring at a courtyard in the hope for two men's return.
"Sire! Sire!" A voice cried out in the distance, interrupting his musing.
He turned to watch a guard run towards him. He waited until the man was closer before talking.
"What is it?"
"A… A dragon has been spotted outside the Lower Town Sire." The still panting guard said, putting his hands on his knees.
"Oh. Which one?" Arthur asked, feeling the stares of the men around him at his calm question.
"Which… Which one Sire?" The guard repeated, eyes wide.
"Yes which one? Small, white and cute or big, dark and scary?"
"I… I don't know Sire." The guard still sounded shocked by the question.
"Right. I shall go and see then. Lead the way."
"Me?"
"Of course you. You're the one who knows where it went."
The man nodded and turned back, walking back the way he came by.
"Leon, come with us. The rest of you clean everything up. Excellent work."
"Sire, would it not be more prudent if we went with you?" One of the recruits asked.
"Don't worry. These dragons are no threat."
And with that, Arthur and Leon followed the guard.
It was a quick walk across the Lower Town to the Eastern outer wall where a crowd of people were standing together, talking loudly.
"The beast went this way Sire." The guard indicated the forest behind which Arthur knew there was a small clearing.
"Fine. Sir Leon and I will go. You take care of the population and explain that there is nothing to fear."
The guard seemed to hesitate.
"Are you sure Sire?"
"Yes I am."
The guard bowed and disappeared in the crowd, leaving Arthur and Leon to navigate their way through people to the gate. Once that was done, it was easy to cross to the forest where they were welcomed by quiet.
They carefully treaded the undergrowth and reached the clearing a few minutes later.
There, they were greeted by an enthusiastic flash of white that came barreling at them, stopping a breath short of them to bow.
"Aithusa!" Arthur exclaimed, worry spiking at the sight of the dragon. He knew she was supposed to be with Merlin. "Is everything alright? Where is Merlin? Gwaine?"
"They are both still on the Isle. It took longer than Merlin thought for the potion to work. He sent me to apologize to you and to tell you not to worry about him."
The king exhaled a relieved sigh, muscles relaxing. He let himself kneel down to be closer to the dragon's high.
"Did it work then? Did anyone come?"
The dragon's face lit up with a toothy smile and nod.
"Yes! Yes! Lot of them!"
Arthur laughed happily.
"That's amazing! You must be very happy!"
The dragon nodded but the her features darkened a bit
"Yes. But not all were nice to Merlin."
"How so?" Leon asked.
"They keep doubting his powers as Emrys. Merlin says it's not important but I don't like it."
"Well, I'm sure they won't doubt for long and if it doesn't bother Merlin then we should trust him, don't you think?" Arthur said to console the dragon.
It worked as Aithusa nodded again.
"I should go… Merlin is waiting for me."
Arthur nodded, petting the dragon's head.
"Yes. And you can tell him that the stables are waiting for him for making his Queen worry about him."
The dragon bowed and with a last affectionate nudge at Arthur's chest, took off.
"Well, it looks like Merlin was right. There really were hidden dragons after all." Arthur said with a small smile.
Leon hummed in answer, a frown on his face.
"What is it Leon? You know we have nothing to fear with Merlin being a dragonlord."
"Yes, of course. But still… I don't like the sound of them doubting his powers as Emrys. And we don't know much about his dragonlord abilities. He's never had to take care of so many dragons at once." The knight said, still frowning.
It made Arthur hesitate. Leon was right. Merlin was the last of the dragonlords. He had never had anyone to train him with his abilities.
He shook his head. He had to trust Merlin on this. His friend would succeed.
And that's it! I hope you liked it! Never hesitate to review and tell me your thoughts!
Now, I have to try and go back to my very very first love, Harry Potter fanfiction (for a writing competition. In French. Dear me, how will I cope with writing in my native language XD?)