This chapter has a bit more lengthy dialogue than some of the others. One of the characters goes on a bit of a rant. I don't really like doing rants like that, but I felt it was important for this particular moment. So there's not really any action at all in this one.
Oh, and KIMMIKY: Don't feel the need to do a re-write! I got most of those ideas from yet another author, though that story had nothing to do with magic. So I don't think it's a big deal for your stuff to echo someone else's. It's all about putting your own twist on it, even if you have the same basic ideas as another person. And if you think about it, there is just no way to not echo other authors. How many books have been written? Billions. There's not a single book that has ever been published (or every fanfiction that has been posted) that doesn't have some ideas taken from somewhere else.
SIXTEEN: NOTHING TO FEAR (296 days)
Arthur was in the small throne room. He paced in front of a line of servants, each from various departments of the castle. It had taken him six days to find these seven. He knew there were probably a few more who were acting out against Merlin, but he was sure they would be less inclined to do so after today. And these seven were the most prominent, as far as he could tell.
Not that Merlin himself had told Arthur about any of these little "pranks." Arthur wouldn't have known if he hadn't accidentally come across the evidence of some of them. Why did Merlin always insist on doing things entirely on his own? The man never asked for help.
"How long have each of you served in this castle?" he demanded.
The answers varied.
Bram had worked in the kitchen for twenty years. Saeth had worked in laundry for six years. Dera had only worked in the kitchen for three months. Scanlon had been a serving boy for four years. Ennis had also been a serving boy, though he'd only worked there for four months. Hywell had been a stableboy for just over one year. And Lavena had been part of the cleaning staff for three years.
"Ennis and Dera," he called, still pacing. They both stepped forward. "You've both only been here for a few months. You probably haven't had many chances to see that my former manservant can be a complete idiot at times. He is clumsy, and snarky, and insolent. He is also very loyal, to me and to this kingdom. I understand that you are all apprehensive about magic, I myself have been apprehensive about it, but I can assure you that Merlin is a good man. He is one of the best men that I have ever known. Having magic does not make him an evil person."
He took a deep breath, in an effort to maintain his anger. He needed to keep his calm, though. "In order to let you see his goodness for yourself, you two will be spending the next week helping with any and all tasks that he asks of you. He's been rather busy lately, gathering and sorting magical artifacts. Report to the main courtyard in exactly one hour. I'll meet you there, after I've finished with the others."
Arthur gave them a look that he hoped conveyed a warning. He needed them to understand that they would be very stupid not to meet him there. "Dismissed."
Dera and Ennis left the small room in a rush. They hadn't worked in the castle long enough to truly get a sense of the kind of man that Merlin was. He hoped that, given a chance, they would be able to see that. The others...
Arthur looked at the remaining five staff members. "You've all been working in this castle long enough that you should all be able to see that he is a trustworthy man. It took me much less time than that to realize he was a good man."
"He could have enchanted you, sire," Lavena said. She was brave, to speak to him without being asked directly.
Arthur snorted. It was such a ridiculous idea, though. Merlin, enchant him? "Enchanted me to do what, exactly? I throw objects at his head when he's irritating. I yell at him. I belittle him. Do you honestly think that I would do those things if I was enchanted? That Merlin would enchant me to do those things? And what purpose would he have to enchant me in the first place? Perhaps to make magic legal again. If that were the case, why would he wait so long to do it? I've been king for years. Perhaps he wanted the throne. And yet, you'll notice that he's not the king. And he's never tried to be the king. Or perhaps he just wanted a slight raise in status, a small seat of power on my council. That would make sense, considering that he does now have a seat on my council. Except that it took me weeks to convince him to take this job. And he still doesn't really want it. I practically had to force him to become Court Sorcerer."
He met each of their gazes in turn. "You have all worked with Merlin. You know him. There is absolutely no excuse for this kind of behavior."
He sighed, shaking his head. "I want nothing more than to exile you all. However, I am instead going to give you a choice. I cannot have staff that can't work with a sorcerer under the same roof. If you believe that you can overcome your reservations, you may stay. If not, I'm afraid you'll have to leave the city and find work elsewhere. I hope that you all choose to stay. You all know Merlin. He's an idiot. He's clumsy and lazy and always late. You fear him because he's powerful. But he is kind and loyal and good. You have no reason to fear his power. And I will not tolerate any member of my court to be attacked in such a way."
He moved toward the doorway, stopping just before he opened the door. "I'm giving you all a choice. You have until nightfall tomorrow to make your decisions. If I discover any more of theseā¦pranks, I will banish those responsible. There won't be a choice if it happens again. Inform your fellow staff members of that."
Merlin nearly staggered under the stack of books he was carrying. He opened the door with nothing more than a thought. As he entered the room, he used his magic again, this time to clear the mess that had been created in his chambers. It looked as though the place had been ransacked. Nearly all of his possessions had been pulled out of the wardrobes, and the mattress pulled from his bed. Dirt had been scattered everywhere. It had looked like that before he'd gone to get the books, but he hadn't wanted to deal with it then; someone would have just messed it up again anyway.
Despite his request to have his quarters be left alone, some servants still managed to leave him unpleasant surprises. He knew that he could place a locking spell on his door that would only allow him in.
But he felt like using magic in that way wasn't going to help others to see the good that magic could do. A spell like that would just make them distrust sorcery even more. He didn't want anyone to think that he had anything to hide.
He didn't plan to use that kind of spell on his main door, at any rate. The door to his library was another matter. But that was a matter of safety more than anything else. Because of his title, Arthur had given him chambers with an attached library of sorts. He was using this room to store magical books and artifacts. This room he always kept locked with a spell. It would allow him and only him through the doorway. Some of the items that he was keeping in there were too dangerous for just anyone to have access to.
He also kept the doorway covered with a tapestry. If people didn't already know about the library, he felt no reason to alert them to its presence.
For nearly a week, he'd been sorting through the items kept hidden in the vaults, those Uther had deemed necessary to lock up. Most of the books and reference materials he was bringing back to his chambers. They would be good to study from. He was also requesting books from many of the druid camps, books that they would be comfortable with him making copies of. Only a few of those had arrived so far. Some of the more powerful items from the vaults he also planned to bring to his quarters. He felt more comfortable with these items under his personal protection.
He set the books on his table and sat down. He had just picked up the top book when there was a knock on the door. "Enter," he called.
He was surprised when Arthur came in, with two servants, a man and a woman, trailing quietly behind him. Their faces were familiar, but Merlin didn't know either of their names. They'd both only been there for a few months, and he hadn't really had a chance to get to know them before his life had changed so drastically.
"What is going on?" he asked, putting the book back.
"I have a couple helpers for you. Ennis and Dera."
Merlin shook his head. This was a task he'd much rather do on his own, which he'd informed his friend of when he'd first started the task. "I'm fine, Arthur, really. I'd rather not have any helpers."
"You don't get a choice. And neither do they." There was a steely edge to the king's voice. "They are to report to you, every morning, for a week. They will help you until the evening meal every day."
Merlin narrowed his eyes, wondering at Arthur's anger. "Why?"
"They don't seem to know you very well, Merlin. I want them to know exactly what kind of person you are. I want them to know that you are not a power-hungry, evil sorcerer."
The warlock sighed. He should have known Arthur would find out about the pranks. "Don't punish them. They're simply afraid. I don't blame them, not after everything that your father taught about sorcery. Of course they're afraid of it."
Arthur's jaw clenched tightly. "I'm not punishing them. I'm giving them a chance to realize that their fear is unfounded."
"What about the others?"
"What others?"
"Arthur, I know that it wasn't just these two behind all of the stunts. And I'm sure you know that, as well. What punishment did you give the others?"
The king sighed. "I gave them a choice, Merlin. I didn't punish anybody. Either they can stop this behavior, or they can leave Camelot."
"Arthur -"
"Were you ever going to tell me what was going on? Or did you plan to suffer in silence?"
Merlin shrugged, feeling a bit sheepish. "Suffer in silence," he admitted. "That's what I usually do."
"No more. If something is going on, you tell me, understand?"
"I can't promise that."
"Merlin -"
"Sometimes, it's better for you not to know right away."
The king shook his head. "No. I want to know. You've protected me for so many years, Merlin. I don't want you to think that you have to suffer on your own. You've been a wonderful friend to me. And I would hope that you know that I am your friend, as well. If you have a problem, you tell me."
Merlin nodded, though he knew that there would be times that he would have to keep things from his king. There were times that speed was more important than anything else.
Arthur moved toward the door and left. Only a moment later, he poked his head back in and said, "They are not to be dismissed until the evening meal, Merlin. Don't be a girl and let them go early. One week." Then he was gone.
The warlock sighed, looking at the two servants. Dera and Ennis, those were their names. Dera looked completely terrified. Ennis was furious.
Did Arthur really think this was a good idea?
"I really don't have anything for you to do. I just need to read through these books. I'm afraid they won't make any sense to you, as most of them are in another language. I will give you some money, and a list of items I need from the market. Take as much time as you need. Just make sure you're back before the evening meal."
The girl's shoulders sagged in relief.
The man didn't look as happy. He narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "You would trust us with your money?" Merlin shrugged. He wouldn't be surprised if Ennis stole every last coin he gave him. "What's to stop us from keeping the money for ourselves?"
"Nothing. Except King Arthur."
Ennis sneered. "You wouldn't tell him," he guessed.
"You're right. I wouldn't. But he has a way of finding out. You see, I also didn't tell him about any of the things that you did to land yourself in my service for a week. Yet here you are. I won't do anything if you steal my money." Arthur would tell him he was being foolish, but he didn't care.
He reached for a pile of parchment, and began making a list. He handed that to Dera.
Then he pulled a handful of coins from his belt-purse. He dropped those in front of Ennis. The servant stared at him for several minutes. Then he snatched the coins.
