Author's notes: So, as promised, a nice long chapter. Enjoy!
He was making the wrong choice.
It was two weeks after Arthur had announced to Merlin that he was officially on his way to making changes. The next morning he, Merlin, and Geoffrey conferred on how to alert the people of Camelot to the news. They decided that Arthur giving a public announcement and then sending out town cryers, and couriers with notices should spread the word quite quickly so that people are not surprised by the upcoming deadline.
The speech went as expected. There was a bunch of mixed feelings, some people were overjoyed, a few were a bit skeptical, some a tad worried, and yet others outright proclaimed their disgust and distrust. The latter group of people were considerably lower than what Merlin had thought they would be, considering Uther had reigned about 25 or so years. Seems like his ideals were not as popular as he and Arthur had believed, but that was in their favor.
The notices that went out via courier were tacked to village centers for those in the outlying villages who were not able to attend the king's speech, and basically outlined the main points.
All seemed to be running smoothly. But since hindsight is 20/20, they could not have guessed that things were going too smoothly. So, by default, something had to go wrong. And it had to go wrong in the evil-magic-is-trying-to-destroy-us-all way.
Arthur had been woken from his sleep by Leon pounding away at his door, more or less demanding the king's presence in the meeting hall. It was early. Merlin would not even be awake yet, and Leon seemed too distressed for Arthur to send someone to go fetch him. He'd know sooner or later.
So Arthur dressed hurriedly and met with his Knights of the Round Table in their meeting place. They all seemed harried and concerned, so Arthur knew this was no drill or joke.
"Someone, tell me what is going on. Now," Arthur demanded.
"We do not know for yet certain, sire," Sir Elyan began, looking around at his fellow Knights for confirmation. "The six guardsmen that were on patrol along the eastern border are still a bit hazy on the details. All they seem to be able to remember certainly is that they were attacked."
"By who? Bandits?"
"No, sire," Percival said timidly, "by giants."
"Giants?!" Arthur exclaimed disbelievingly. Unicorns and griffins were one thing, but giants? Not a chance.
"That's what they said, sir. They said that one giant knocked the six of them off their horses in one swoop, while another two stomped around, pulling trees out by the roots and tossing them aside. They said that were lucky to get out of there alive, if a bit concussed from their impacts with the ground. They are all with Gaius now."
So that answered the issue about Merlin. He'd surely know about what was happening if all the victims were in his and the physician's chambers.
"Okay, so we allegedly have three giants roaming around, and what? Ripping out trees and knocking patrols off their horses?"
"That's not all, sire," Gwaine pitched in. "Reports have come in that the villages nearest the attack have been burned down. The villagers are on their way here now."
"Why was that not mentioned first?" Arthur fumed. He looked around the Table, but no one met his eye. He let out a breath to steady himself. "Alright, Leon, send out a few troops to escort the villagers here, and you and Elyan go with them. Make sure they are not attacked by these 'giants' again. Gwaine and Percival are going to gather out some volunteers and head out to stop the fires and start rebuilding the houses while the villagers recover. Lancelot, you go get Guinevere, and the two of you are going to start to make preparations for those coming here to the city. In the meantime, I'm going to speak with Gaius about this giants nonsense. Dismissed." And all at once, everyone moved into action.
With everyone out on their assigned tasks, Arthur all but ran to Gaius' chamber. Upon arrival, he could tell that things were hectic. Gaius had called on a couple maids to help him and Merlin oversee the distressed guards. Trying to squeeze into the small chambers that had about eleven or twelve people already in it was near impossible. Somehow, Arthur managed to get to Gaius and asked him to meet him outside the room for a moment. Gaius consented and gave instructions for Merlin on how to tend to the guards in his absence. Arthur briefly caught Merlin's eye, then left the room.
Gaius met Arthur in the stairwell, already knowing what Arthur planned to ask him. "The men were what seemed to be severely concussed. All they seem to be able to talk about are giant men attacking them. And what is weird is that they were not able to describe a single thing about them, other than that were were giants, not a one of them."
Arthur caught on to what Gaius was implying and asked, "What do you think actually happened? Because, I mean, giants? They don't exist, they were a fairytale told to frighten children into behaving! They could not have attacked, it's preposterous."
"Actually, giants did once exist, Your Majesty. However, they were wiped out during the first Magic War centuries ago. The Dragonlords were the ones to defeat them. But, yes, I agree, it is preposterous for these men to say that they were attacked by an extinct race."
"So are you thinking that it was sorcery?" Arthur gulped. "Do you think someone is using necromancy again?"
"No, sire. It would not be possible, for one, it's been centuries, way too long to resurrect a dead body, and two, giants' blood was impervious to magic. That was why it was the Dragonlords and their dragons who defeated them. It was actually the sorcerers and the giants who were fighting, but the sorcerers enlisted the help of the Dragonlords. Therefore, no sorcerer alive, powerful or not, would be able to resurrect a giant. But I do still think it was sorcery. I think the men were enchanted, in a way. They are experiencing most of the symptoms that come with being heavily concussed, but if they had been, they would not have been able to make the trip back here to the castle. They would have been too disoriented."
"How does that explain why they think they saw giants?" Arthur asked, trying to follow.
"A disillusionment charm. It's a way of making people think they saw something a certain way, when, in truth, it was a bit different. These men think they saw three giants, but they may have actually seen three sorcerers, distorting themselves into appearing as giants in these men's heads. And then the sorcerers tore up some trees with their magic to make the illusion seem more convincing when they came and reported it to you."
Arthur sighed. "You can heal them, though, right?"
"Yes of course, Your Highness. The spell will wear off eventually, they just need some rest, and to be patched up a bit." When Arthur opened his mouth to speak, Gaius cut him off, "However, I doubt they will be able to describe their attackers when the spell does wear off. They were most likely already under it's effects before the sorcerers revealed themselves."
Arthur closed his mouth and ran a hand through his hair. He was doing everything in his power to make magic legal, and the kingdom knew that. People throughout the whole land probably knew by now! But here he has a band of rogue warlocks hellbent on destroying Arthur's plans and kingdom.
"Thank you, Gaius. Once again, your knowledge has proven unparalleled. If it's not too much trouble, could you send Merlin out? Oh, and you can set up in one of the spare dining halls so that you actually have room to move about, and a place to sleep tonight."
"Yes of course, My Lord, thank you. We will relocate shortly. I no longer require Merlin's services; I still have the maids' help," Gaius replied, touched at Arthur's words.
Gaius worked his way inside, and a minute or two later, Merlin stepped out, looking for Arthur. "Yes sire?"
"Gaius has just informed me that he thinks sorcery was involved." Merlin gulped, not liking the restrained anger in Arthur's tone. "He thinks that sorcerers bewitched my guards into thinking they saw giants, and then they proceeded to set fire to my villages."
"Y-yes, Gaius and I were discussing the possibilities. What are we going to do?"
Arthur smirked internally at Merlin's use of 'we'. It never failed to make him proud at how courageous Merlin was, except when it was to the point of bullheadedness, but Arthur was hardly one to speak. Pot and the kettle and all that. "Well, it seems logical that the sorcerers are wrecking their havoc westward, coming towards Camelot to try and raze the city; as is typical of anything that happens to us. I plan to send troops out to meet them in the next village and capture them. I just cannot get over the fact that these men must know that I am trying to reform laws for people like them! Why do they feel they need to use their magic to hurt innocent people in the name of sorcery when it will all be legal soon? These people need to get it into their heads that I am not my father, I can tell the difference between right and wrong when it comes to magic. Sometimes I wonder if I should even try at all."
Merlin could see the fight going out of Arthur, could see the pain these unknown warlocks were causing him, because this would, without a doubt give fuel to the skeptics' argument. Merlin considered telling Arthur then that he was a sorcerer, if nothing other than to just give Arthur hope that not all magic people were set out to destroy him. He thought, 'I am making the wrong choice in keeping this from him,' but then he shut that thought away and tried to reassure Arthur instead. "Arthur look at me." When Arthur met his determined gaze, Merlin continued,"Do not doubt yourself, especially now, but not ever. You are a great king and an even better man. Your reforms will help so many people, but it will take time for everyone to get on board. I do not know why these people are doing this, but don't let them discourage you." Merlin placed his hand on Arthur's shoulder for a little physical comfort as well, and when he was done speaking, the two looked at each other and smiled. Then the smiles faded, but not in a bad way, and the two stood looking at each other, feeling something building between them.
"As much as it pains me to admit it, Merlin, you are right. Sometimes I wonder where these random bits of wisdom come from," Arthur joked, trying to lighten the increasingly tense atmosphere. Arthur slapped Merlin on the back good-naturedly, then turned to go leave the tower, expecting Merlin to follow, which he did.
The two made their way towards Arthur's chambers where they will strategize their next move since the Knights are off doing their parts.
Arthur opened the door and let Merlin walk before him, who went straight to a side table, and poured a goblet of wine for each of them- he'd taken to leaving two in Arthur's chambers for occasions such as these- despite the early hour, passed Arthur his, then sat at the table while Arthur paced the room.
"So if it is not obvious, I am going to have to push back the legalization of magic so that we can deal with the fallout of this incident. We will need to reassure the people of our cause and let them know that not all sorcerers are bent on destroying Camelot." Arthur paused. "What we need is a delegate." Arthur was prone to thinking his thoughts aloud when he paced so Merlin was able to sit back and think then put in his input if/when he had any. This system worked well for them. A great many plans had been formed this way.
"A what?" Merlin interrupted Arthur's stream of consciousness confused.
"Someone who will be able to communicate with the magical population and be their voice, so to speak. No pun intended," he winked at Merlin, who flushed slightly. "A warlock. Someone powerful enough to be able to combat any attacks that threaten the Kingdom, magical or not. Someone loyal to me and Camelot."
"Oh, you mean a Court Sorcerer. Gaius was Camelot's before.. well… you know," Merlin trailed off lamely.
"Yes! Exactly, a Court Sorcerer. We will need to find someone capable after we finish with these sorcerers. I doubt Gaius would like to pick it up again, and I quite like his as the physician. I'll leave that to you Merlin. Somehow I trust your judgement when it comes to people." Arthur said wryly, alluding to all the times Merlin said he didn't trust someone, and was found to be correct on his insane claims.
Merlin's eyes widened at being given such a responsibility. Well, it's not like we wasn't qualified enough to determine who was a powerful enough warlock or not- which Arthur knew nothing about- he just never thought Arthur would openly admit to something Merlin was good at, and then give him a duty that wasn't darning his socks. Then he started to feel a bit jealous that he was going to determine who would be filling a role that he already did, but one with an official title and public acknowledgement. But he had absolutely no reason to feel jealous because it was his own fault that Arthur wasn't offering him this job because he didn't know about Merlin's magic.
Merlin decided he would put all his efforts into finding the best damned warlock to be Camelot's Court Sorcerer, because it deserved the best, and Arthur deserved Merlin's best efforts. He could do this.
Arthur left to round up a group of his remaining knights to ambush the rogue warlocks in the village that was most likely to be targeted next.
The next day brought good fortune. The knights Arthur sent out had been victorious in capturing the criminals, fortunately with no casualties- on either side.
They were rounded up and brought before the king and his court in the throne room. Chained, the three men stood shoulder to shoulder looking prideful with their chins raised defiantly in the air.
Arthur was sitting ramrod straight on the throne looking every bit the noble king he was. "I am sure that you three were made aware that I have been in the process of legalizing magic. What I want to know is why you decided to take such violent actions. This was not to protest the unjust laws or to exact revenge on me or my father's legacy, or whathaveyou."
The first man in the line, a twig of a man, a few inches taller than six-foot, but barely 150 pounds, with stringy, ink black hair and a patchwork scruff on his face, decided to answer. His voice was unsettling in it calmness, but was thick with the accent of those who lived in the hovels on the outskirts of the lower town. "Your Grace," he sneered, and Merlin shot the man a look of contempt, "you have to know that people with magic are not liable to forget the wrongs you and your father have brought upon us. And that we know that you pretending to legalize magic just to draws us out and execute us will not work. We are smarter than the rats you think us to be." He ended his speech by spitting on the floor at Arthur's feet. Gwaine moved to strike the man -and Merlin was only just restraining his and his magic's outrage- but Arthur lifted his hand to stop him.
Arthur leaned forward, "Not that I need to prove myself to you, but I am not my father. I know I have done wrong, and am able to admit it. That is where he and I differ. But I am in no way lying when I say that I am doing my best so that people with magic -not people like you- will not have to live in fear anymore. People like you, who feel that can try to get to me by hurting my people disgust me, and I should have you executed. But I have mercy, also unlike my father. If your actions had not harmed anyone, I would have released you as a show of good faith to the magic community. However, you burning down four villages have left several people injured, and more out of home and a source of income. The three of you will rot in my dungeons for the rest of your pitiful lives."
With that the guards dragged the three men away, and Arthur let out a sigh. He dismissed the council, and left the throne room. Merlin followed close behind him. When Arthur suddenly turned into an alcove, Merlin turned to him confused. Merlin opened his mouth to ask him what was wrong, when Arthur exhaled a bit shakily and lowered his face into his hands, hair falling to cover his eyes. Merlin automatically reached out to comfort him by placing a hand on his shoulder and rubbing little circles there.
"What's wrong, Arthur?"
"People think that I am using the legalization of magic as a ruse to draw all the warlocks out of hiding, just to slaughter them all when they feel like they can relax again. When will people stop comparing me with my father?" With his question, Arthur looked up into Merlin's eyes, and Merlin could see his deep sadness. And it hurt to see that despair, but a very small part of him was glad that Arthur was letting himself be vulnerable in front of him.
Merlin smiled sadly and said, "Probably never, but can't let them decide who you want to be. That is entirely your decision."