It was a month after the 'incident' when it happened. Arthur finally saw proof of Merlin's magic. Sadly everyone else saw it too. Agravaine, who was becoming increasingly aggravating, hadn't stopped calling for Merlin's execution since. It was really quite annoying.
It had been a mostly normal Monday morning when it happened. Arthur was still prone to outbursts of temper and fierce scowling, unfortunately, for the rest of the castle. Arthur had not been sulking in his throne when it happened. And he had certainly not fallen off his throne when it had happened. No matter what people said.
They had been having a perfectly nice meet and greet with the people of the Kingdom when it had happened. The last woman, bearing problems from her village, had been ushered in front of her King and was promptly throne back out of his line of sight by a mad looking man in a red neckerchief. Oh, that was Merlin. Luckily for the woman, this timely move probably saved her life. Unluckily, she displayed her underwear to the court of King Arthur. Something to talk about at dinner parties?
What seemed to be a jagged red bolt of lightning, struck the floor where she had been standing. The thousand year old stone, which had survived many an attack and siege, shattered in two; the area around it black and scorched. Yes, it definitely saved her life, Arthur decided.
A man stood dramatically in the now open doorway. Citizens screamed and knights of Camelot fearlessly removed members of the court from the room, knees shaking. By some strange coincidence, Agravaine was one of the first out. How strange. The only knights left in the room as the sorcerer advanced were Sir Gwaine, Sir Percival, Sir Leon and Sir Elyan. Gwen and Merlin were also in the room. Predictably, this was when the doors swung shut and a silvery screen sprung up over them, covering them. Damn it.
Seeing them 'trapped' in the room the sorcerer advanced, grinning manically, and his long robes swirling behind him. The knights moved to protect the 'defenceless' – Gwen, who could slap quite hard; and Merlin who possibly was the most likely person to sort this issue out – and (as Gwaine put it) the Queen. Arthur resented this nickname. Very much.
As the sorcerer neared, Merlin quietly navigated himself to the front of the defence. Arthur was practically bouncing in anticipation. Time to find out if he was as mad as his father. He sincerely hoped not.
Gwaine tried desperately to pull Merlin behind him at the same time as holding formation. He failed dismally. And these were Camelot's finest. At least they had Merlin ... Had he really just thought that?
The sorcerer took one look at Merlin (thin, lanky and dressed in his servants clothes), standing protectively in front of the Knights of Camelot and laughed loudly. The sorcerer's (wow this was getting annoying. Arthur decided that until he found out what his name really was, the sorcerer would now be called Elfric) laughed slowed to a chuckle. He had a demonic glint in his eye. Were all sorcerer's mad? He only had Merlin, Morgana and Nimueh as personal examples. That probably wasn't a good comparison.
Elfric threw forwards and hand and whispered a series of menacing sounding words. It was now or never for Merlin. Arthur watched, heart in his throat, as Merlin pushed forwards his hand, eyes gleaming gold.
