Chapter 10
A week later, we welcomed the royal company from Deorham. King Bran struck me as a canny fellow. Sharp-eyed but much more well-meaning than Alined had ever been and so, hopefully, more trustworthy. I observed a hint of a noble spirit and a desire to depart from the old scheming ways of his predecessor. I sensed that his untimely visit during our distressed circumstances wasn't made wholly under duress but it had definitely been made under pressure from the political advisors at home. Assess the damages and weakness of your foe, and all that. But Bran, I saw, considered us an ally, at least more than the nobles who attended him. We were both apparently charting new paths for our kingdoms.
He had my sympathy.
And I seemed to have his.
After the initial pleasantries and a welcoming feast, we enjoyed the entertainment of a short hunt, during which he took a moment to broach the topic of magic.
"Arthur, I have received word that you reversed the ban on magic. I admit to being surprised by the news."
"Yes. I've carefully considered the matter. My father was a great king in many ways, but in regards to his judgements on magic he was wrong."
He smiled. "Deorham is not averse to such changes. I wish you a smoothed road in what I'm sure is a rocky process."
I returned his smile with a nod.
Days later, I called a council meeting and invited him to touch upon matters that concerned our two lands. One of which being the need for medical services for remote villages along our shared borders. One of the council members suggested creating retainer positions for court-appointed traveling healers. Another suggested a sort of schooling for the current healers to update their skills, sharing knowledge across the borders. A combination of those two ideas gained traction through further discussion with King Bran and his accompanying advisors. As the agreement was almost to the point of being written up, Merlin raised a finger from his stack of papers. When I glanced at him, pausing the discussion, he tentatively put forth, "Perhaps it would be wise to have the village healers select apprentices before the training and require them to attend as well? Some will be quicker at learning than others but surely any chance for education is better between two than just one."
The heads of the council members began bobbing in thoughtful agreement but King Bran raised an eyebrow and insulted and astonished gasps issued from our visitors.
"Silence! How dare you, a scribe, presume to comment! Do not presume to be more than your station!" cried one of Bran's nobles.
I felt more than saw Merlin blush and duck his head. It was times like this when I wondered if he regretted not accepting the title of nobility I'd offered him. It would have saved his cheeky tongue being bitten almost in half. Several of my knights and counselors cemented their steadfast, unblinking attention upon the center of the table. They knew my views on showing basic respect regardless of societal status and they knew of Merlin's high standing in my esteem. I felt their tension as they waited to see how I would respond to the foreign noble while his king was present. Gwaine was not examining the table with the rest. Instead, he watched our guests wolfishly.
"Is it the idea that troubles you or the source, sir?" I asked.
"You cannot mean to say that you would deign to take advice from commoners, your Majesty!" the man responded.
"I don't see why not if that person has understanding and experience applicable to the topic. A sound idea is a sound idea, regardless of the source. I am hardly omniscient. It would be unwise of me to believe I could supply all solutions to all problems, especially in those areas where I lack expertise. My kingdom's prosperity does not rest on my shoulders alone. My people are good, hardworking and intelligent. They know their business and I value their insights. Ignoring them to inflate my pride would jeopardize the well-being of my kingdom. I intend to rule wisely, sir, and I believe that means listening to people of intelligence and experience regardless of station."
"That is certainly an interesting concept," Bran commented, clearly alarming his advisors. It spoke well of him that he considered my words thoughtfully and didn't respond with the typical knee-jerk reaction of wounded pride.
I found myself feeling very proud of him.
"I will admit, your Majesty, I can hardly believe that King Uther subscribed to such thinking."
"No, your Highness," I answered. "But I am not my father and it is an idea that has served Camelot well thus far in my reign."
He nodded in respect. "Nor am I my uncle. I understand."
"I believe this idea of Merlin's is sound, as most of his ideas have been. His knowledge in this particular area has been garnered from years of working with Gaius, my Court Physician. I trust him. His position at this table has been well-earned, I assure you."
"Very wise to gather expert input for our discussion. I ask your pardon, Arthur. We meant no insult to your judgment. Arden spoke hastily. I'm sure your man is where he should be. Upon further reflection, I too agree, the idea is sound." He nodded at Merlin. It wasn't an apology to him, but then, he was still just a servant and an apology from a foreign king to a peasant would be unheard of. He surprised us all again by adding, "Young man, perhaps you and your mentor could speak with me later? I have questions regarding details of this subject and I desire to hear your famed Court Physician's perspective."
I dared not glance at Merlin. I had to rely upon Gwaine's observations. When I asked him about it later he said, "You could've knocked him flat with a feather." We shared a grin.
I was pleased and proud of the way my people rose to the occasion of serving and entertaining our guests. The castle staff absolutely outdid themselves. Merlin became a favorite of Bran's and at one point, when he found out that Merlin was not only Gaius' apprentice but worked as my manservant and secretary as well, he tried to poach him away from my service.
"An outstanding young man, that one. A good head on his shoulders and spirited to boot. His ideas do make one stop and consider things in a new light, don't they. You're sure you won't part with him?"
I made some sort of witty remark of denial but never tried to explain that even if I lost my mind and tried to be rid of him, he himself would never allow it.
At the conclusion of Bran's nearly month-long visit, we farewelled his party with gifts and sincere warm wishes. As we clasped arms, I knew that the king of Deorham was now a staunch and trustworthy ally.
"Well done, Arthur," Merlin murmured to me as we watched them depart. "I see the beginnings of Albion. Your influence is spreading."
I clapped his shoulder. Your influence is spreading, my friend.
How much longer would it be until he could stand openly by my side, seen, known and fully appreciated?
—
In the dry heat of late summer, a cook fire caught a house on fire in the lower town and it spread quickly, the houses being so closely clustered together as they were. At the clanging of the great bell, and being informed of the disaster by a page, the knights and I raced to be of assistance. We joined the brave townspeople who were creating a water line from the pump to the affected homes and businesses. But fire doesn't travel in a straight line and it soon branched out beyond our ability to control it. Through the crowd of crying children and desperate faces I spied my secret warlock. Merlin handed a dirty toddler to a distraught elderly woman. He must have felt my eyes upon him as he turned my way and locked gazes with me. I watched the last of his defenses drop in a typically brave and selfless response. It was time. There was no need for further secrecy to cause more suffering. He looked toward the cloudless sky and thrust his arm toward the sun.
"Tidrenas!" he commanded and there were cries of alarm and wonder as the heavens rapidly filled with roiling, water-heavy clouds that soon poured their contents down, smothering the scorching flames and protecting buildings under threat. After a few minutes, he let his arm drop. The incredible deluge lessened and the sunbeams began to fight their way back through the clouds. People stood staring alternately at the clouds and at Merlin, who was looking thoroughly drenched and thoroughly self conscious. After a couple of quick glances around, he fastened his gaze on the mud. He didn't bother to wipe the water dripping from his sopping fringe out of his eyes. Several people backed away from him hesitantly. His secret was out. No one could say they'd ever seen such powerful magic before. Except at Camlann.
I strode to him. Only rarely had I ever seen him shy or terrified but there he stood, looking like nothing more than a child who only wanted to be at home with his mother. I stuck out my hand. He looked up and slowly took my proffered hand and as he did I pulled him into a hug.
"Thank you." I clapped his back and added loudly enough for all to hear, "Thank you for saving us all, again."
Stunned whispers became shouts and joyous calls rose up with the news. "Again! He said 'again'! It was him! It was Merlin! The sorcerer at Camlann! It was Merlin! It's Merlin!"
He was quickly surrounded by excited knights and townspeople. I kept careful watch for his safety in the midst of all the hugs and bruising claps to his back and shoulders. None of the attention seemed ill-favored. His expression of amazement turned sheepish when Erick, the beefy keeper of the Rising Sun, bellowed, "Why didn't you say something earlier, Merlin?" and ruffled his wet hair, making it stick up in all directions. People laughed. My warlock — no, our warlock — just grinned.
—-
He'd been gone far too long for my liking but I was the one who had sent him off to Nemeth with a noble party of knights to reconfirm our treaty after Rodor's death. I knew Mithian would understand that Merlin was my worthy and most trusted representative. She would know I'd sent my very best. It was the longest we'd ever been apart since he'd been made my manservant years ago. He was due back this day and already evening was approaching. I found myself feeling inexplicably antsy, glancing out the window every few minutes, unable to fully concentrate on the work laid out on the desk before me. Finally, as I waded through the official correspondence, I felt a friendly breeze tickle the hairs on my neck and found myself taking a deep breath that seemed to exhale as a sigh of relief from my very soul. I dashed to the window. Indeed, my friend was home. I watched him trot up the citadel steps, noting that he seemed in good spirits and good health.
I busied myself again with the paperwork on my desk. It wouldn't do to have him think I'd been anxiously awaiting him. It wasn't long before the door opened 'unexpectedly'. I took a moment more with the paperwork before finishing off my signature with a flourish then glanced up to meet his knowing smirk. My ruse hadn't worked. I rolled my eyes before my uncontrolled smile acceded to his victory. No need to make victory too easy though.
"You're late."
"No I'm not. Sun's not completely down yet."
"Doesn't matter. I'm the king and I say you're late."
"Nope. You said to be back before sundown."
I glanced out the window. "It's as good as, and I'm still telling you, you're late."
"Continual micromanagement of your subjects must be exhausting, my Lord," he said and shook his head in mock pity.
I rose and he braced himself for a punch to his arm but I surprised him and instead drew him in for a quick embrace with a couple of hearty slaps on the back, once again resigning myself to more hugs in future because there was no denying that it brought an immediate brightening of his eyes.
"Shut up and tell me how it went."
"All's well in Nemeth. Greetings from Edward and Mithian."
I groaned. "Please tell me you were circumspect enough to use their titles and address them properly."
"Of course I did! In public."
"Merlin."
"You know how friendly Mithian is, Arthur! She wore me down."
"Uh huh."
"She did!"
I scrutinized him. He bore the air of someone self-assured and cheerful. I took that as all the report I truly needed right then.
"Right, well, let's discuss those matters in the morning. Guinevere will be back soon. Will you have dinner with us?"
"Sure, just let me check in on Gaius and stow my things. I'll be .. right…back."
He was struggling to remove the fine, well-fitting ring I'd given him before setting off for Nemeth, a moderately heavy ring set with a royal ruby signifying that he should be respected and accorded all honors as the king's representative.
"Leave it on, Merlin."
He momentarily glanced away from his tugging.
"What?"
"Keep it. Wear it."
He continued to struggle with the ring. "No, Arthur, that wouldn't be.. You can't.."
"Merlin." I was forced to use a commanding tone. That got his attention. I gripped his shoulder, which was no longer uncomfortably bony. "This one was made specially for you. It's more than a signatory ring. My regard isn't something I give and then take back once a purpose has been served. Keep the ring. Not only as a sign for all to see but as a token between you and me."
"Arthur.." he began but couldn't seem to continue.
I looked past that blasted tender expression, and into his eyes. The happiness was real. I smacked his arm and turned back to the desk.
"One more thing before you go." I snatched a parchment from the desk and thrust it toward him. "While you were off picnicking and getting chummy with the royalty in Nemeth, the council proposed that we open the position of Court Sorcerer."
"Court Sorce.." he echoed, sounding dazed.
"I agreed and asked that a list of names be drawn up for consideration. Qualifications being: unimpeachable loyalty, solid leadership skills, a clear and thorough understanding of the new laws and, of course, magical abilities. They submitted it almost immediately with only one name."
The document trembled in his fingers as he stared down at Geoffrey's handwriting.
"The council? Not you?" he questioned in a whisper.
"Yes, the council. Although, I wholeheartedly agree that you are, without doubt, the right man for the job. Camelot sees you clearly now, Merlin. We value you for all that you are."
He swiped at his eyes.
"Believe it, Merlin," I entreated him.
When he looked up, I could see that he finally did. Wonder graced the depths of his eyes. He'd need a hanky soon.
I couldn't have that.
"The title includes receiving the rank of nobility."
He grimaced and shook his head. I extended my false sympathy.
"Sorry. That part is non-negotiable. Welcome to the Prat Club."
I reached out and quickly knuckled his head.
"Ow," he said, "No hazing." And his eyes were smiling as he swiped at my hand. It turned into a short wrestling match. I won, of course, and shoved him toward the door.
"Go check in with Gaius, then get your skinny butt back here quick for dinner. I'm hungry."
I hadn't seen a smile that brilliant in years.
Rest In Peace, Kilgharrah. Merlin's smiles are no longer lies.
