A/N: Um. Hi. *waves*
I suddenly remembered that I adore this fandom and that Merlin/Arthur is still an OTP of mine, even if Cherik is busy taking over my life. And even if I still haven't watched the fourth season! So I've decided that until this fic is finished, I don't get to watch season 4 (I can't watch any of the Merlin videos in my sub box on youtube either, which is killing me. They all look so good!)
Disclaimer: Sigh…see, the fact that I've failed to update in so long that I had to actually check how many chapters I'd posted proves that I'm too busy to own Merlin on top of schoolwork.
"The Lord Ector and his son, Sir Kai." Announced a servant.
Arthur bowed to them. Lord Ector was a tall (if rather pudgy) man with a crisp black beard. Sir Kai was a swarthy fellow, almost as tall as Percival and very broad shouldered. He glared round the court, managing to look as grim as Uther on a bad day.
"Welcome to Camelot." Arthur smiled his "court" smile. "We hope that your stay here will be agreeable."
"So do we." Lord Ector said, smiling amicably. "It was hell getting here."
"The roads are almost entirely blocked off." Sir Kai added. "I had to drive my horse through the snow ahead of father to make a path." Arthur restrained a sigh.
"But where is your father?" Sir Ector asked. His grey eyes twinkled. "We have a standing bet on who wins when Kai and you fight!"
"I'm afraid my father is unwell." Arthur put his hands behind his back. "And so, I'm afraid your bet will be off. I shall preside over the tournament."
"Really? What a shame." Sir Ector flashed Kai a smile. "At least he won't be knocking you off your horse though, eh Kai?"
"As if he could." Kai said, loudly. Merlin, who stood at Arthur's shoulder, glared at him. Kai ignored it. Sir Ector's smile grew strained.
"As you say. Shall the oaths be sworn to you, by proxy?" Arthur nodded. Sir Ector looked relieved. "Ah, good. I should hate to have made this entire journey for nothing."
"Fear not, the ceremonies shall go on despite the King's illness." Sir Ector smiled at Arthur.
"Ah, I've always respected you Arthur. I'll be glad to swear fealty." Sir Ector's eyes regained their twinkle. "And who shall champion Camelot at the fights? Sir Leon, perhaps?"
"I'll choose one from my newer knights, I think. Several are nearly as skilled as myself." Merlin snickered. Sir Kai cast a sharp glance at him. Arthur quickly continued. "But Kai, are you still hunting in the Forest Sauvage?"
"We brought you the gift of a boar skin I killed myself, but the woods are clear of any more interesting game." Kai's nose wrinkled. "Sadly, we cannot bring you Saxon hide as well."
"Saxons have passed through Caer Gal?" Arthur asked. He and Merlin exchanged a sharp look. "We must speak more on this."
"Later." Merlin added.
"Of course. You've had a long journey, you must be tired. Merlin will show you to your rooms." Arthur nodded to Merlin. Sir Ector eyed the boy.
"My thanks, my lord Arthur." Sir Ector graced Merlin with a cheerful smile. Merlin gestured to the two knights.
"Right, come along." He trotted from the hall, waiting just a moment for both nobles to bow to Arthur.
"Remind me again why you have a tournament in the dead of winter." Arthur rolled his eyes. Merlin crouched to poke the fire.
"It's not a simple tournament, Merlin." Arthur was pretty sure that Merlin had the "knights are thick" look on his face. "It's the time for the lords to prove their dedication to the crown by traveling through snow and ice and swearing fealty to the King."
"Then they bash each other." Merlin got up and faced Arthur. He did have the face. Arthur scowled.
"It proves that they are strong despite the hurts of winter." Merlin snorted. "It's important-"
"To the people, yeah. I think they'd have greater faith in the crown if you just kept them warm and fed all winter." As an afterthought, Merlin added "What if you get bashed yourself?"
"I don't get bashed. And the word isn't bash, knights are defeated." Merlin rolled his eyes. "Besides, I can't compete this year."
"Good." Arthur glanced at Merlin, but the man clarified immediately. "No one wants to see their ruler be hit on the head with a mace."
"First of all, we use swords." Merlin muttered something. "What was that?"
"Nothing." Arthur tried to glare at Merlin. Unfortunately, the way the light from the fire flickered on his cheekbones was distracting. "Who will you have represent Camelot then?"
"Lancelot or Gwaine." Arthur frowned. "Percival is a good knight, but he's still rustic. I could see him just bowling over Kai and pounding him."
"Better go for Gwaine then, if you want to impress people." Merlin recommended. Arthur glared at the table. He was getting sick of Merlin talking about Gwaine in such a complimentary tone.
"Yes, Gwaine is such a great knight." Merlin blinked.
"Well, he is." Arthur scowled. "I've never seen anybody fight like him."
Arthur wasn't sure quite how to respond without sounding like a petulant child. He wished he could compete, just to show Merlin that while he may not have been as "unique" as Gwaine, he could still defeat any knight in the Kingdom.
"Well. He should be able to beat Kai for me then."
"What is it with you two anyway?" Merlin asked. "He looked like he wanted to kill someone." Arthur groaned.
"I'm better than he is." Merlin coughed. It sounded suspiciously like "arrogant prat". "It's true! I've stayed at Sir Ector's estates as a child, and Kai was good, but never on my level."
He had the feeling Merlin was still calling him an arrogant prat, just not out loud.
"I've been defeating him every Mid-Winter Tourney!" Arthur cast about in his memories. "And he always used to make fun of me just because he's a few years older, and he called me Wart!"
"Wart." Merlin broke into giggles. Arthur scowled.
"He has a cruel sense of humor."
"Gee, who does that remind me of." Merlin ducked as Arthur flung a piece of bread at him. "Hey!"
"I have a perfectly normal sense of humor." Merlin nodded. "Shut up."
"Whatever you say. Wart." Arthur groaned.
"Gwaine had better thrash Kai." Merlin laughed.
"I'm sure he will." Arthur really wished he was competing. Gwaine had no business inspiring that irritating tone of faith in Merlin's voice.
The nobles continued to pour into Camelot. Arthur found it heartening to see how many came. Both of Sir's Leon's parents, Sir Melodias of the Fens, Sir Gurnemains, Lady Conduire, and ever more.
He was beginning to feel bad about making Merlin show all of them to their rooms.
All those feelings of vague guilt evaporated when he saw Gwaine and Merlin talking. Arthur narrowed his eyes and stomped over.
"So if you'd represent Camelot, it would be helpful." Merlin had obviously just finished explaining to Gwaine that Arthur, as acting ruler, couldn't compete. Arthur glared at Gwaine.
"Will we be in full armor?" Gwaine asked. If Arthur didn't know better, he'd say Gwaine looked worried.
"Yes. And you'll be Camelot's colors, don't worry about not having anything to wear. We need to distract people from your ugly mug as best we can." Arthur said. Gwaine grinned.
"Ah, but it's my ugly mug that has the barmaids talking." Gwaine winked at Merlin. Arthur felt a strange urge to chop off Gwaine's head. "And if you're trying to get a victory for Camelot, you'd best hope that the people will be rooting for me."
"They will be." Arthur scowled at Merlin. Merlin kept speaking, oblivious. "You're very popular."
"You'll be fighting the sons of some important nobles, so no actually hurting anyone." Arthur cut in. "Except possibly Kai."
"Kai is Sir Ector's son, isn't he?" Gwaine grinned. "I've heard things about him."
"Such as?" Arthur asked despite himself. Thanks to Uther's harsh laws, Camelot didn't get many minstrels. Someday, he would have to change that. It was unfortunate that the people were only entertained when nobles came to visit. In fact, it was unfortunate that the lower town people barely entered the citadel.
"When he's angry he can burn off the rain, he doesn't need to breathe." Gwaine shrugged. "The usual tripe."
"I assure you, Kai gets as wet as any other man." Arthur grumbled. He didn't like that slightly impressed look on Merlin's face. "Just make sure you defeat him."
"Will do." Gwaine chuckled. "Merlin, you must be happy to see that I'm going to be representing Camelot." Arthur frowned. What was that supposed to mean?
"I'm sure he is. But Merlin will be seated by me in the box, instead of attending to you." Gwaine nodded. There was a look of satisfaction in his eyes.
Arthur couldn't imagine what that was about. All he wanted was someone sitting somewhere near him, since Morgana wasn't around for him to argue with about technique and his father wasn't presiding himself. Merlin could fill in quite well for the other absent royals.
"I am?" Merlin asked. Arthur nodded.
"Yes."
"I was going to use the time to nap." Arthur glared at him. Merlin grinned. "Same thing anyway."
"Tournaments are important!"
"It's midwinter! What do nobles do when they can't get here?" Arthur reluctantly admitted that Merlin had a point. The nobles could show their loyalty just as easily during the summer, when they had an easier time traveling and less to worry about.
"They panic and send large gifts?" Gwaine suggested.
"Basically." Arthur confirmed. He had a very nice set of solid gold armor from one lord. Unbearable to actually wear, but very pretty to put in strategic positions to impress Camelot's wealth on people.
"All of noble blood are insane, aren't they?" Merlin said. Arthur scowled. "That's why Uther demanded that his knights be of noble blood, because if someone rational hung out with your lot for any amount of time they'd end up running into a wall."
"Are you calling Gwaine sane?" Arthur riposted.
"The exception that proves the rule." Gwaine laughed. Merlin laughed with him. It made Arthur want to bash Gwaine's head in.
He really had to find a solution for these murderous urges. No one would follow him into combat if he couldn't stop himself from killing one of his own knights, who wasn't doing anything to provoke these feelings.
Maybe if Arthur showed his prowess at arms while killing Gwaine? It was an idea to consider.
"You spoke of Saxons." Arthur said to Sir Ector. Merlin stood at his right, his arms folded. Kai sat at the left hand of his father, eyes flicking over the heaps of paper. The four of them were alone in the council room.
"Aye." Sir Ector scowled. "Came right through the river Dee, from the sea. Didn't attack one village."
"There were Saxons and they didn't raid?" Arthur asked incredulously. Sir Ector nodded. For an affable man, his face was grim.
"They sailed down the river as if they wanted to be unnoticed. If we hadn't the watchmen we have, we'd have had no hint that they were there."
Kai spoke up. "They could have gone to Lot's kingdom."
"Kai!" Sir Ector hissed. "I apologize your highness, diplomacy is not amongst my son's skill set."
"No, no." Arthur looked at Kai with interest. "Go on."
"Dee joins with another river, and that goes into a hundred smaller streams. The part of Orkney where Lot's Castle is located is full of rivers and marshlands. There are a thousand ways the Saxons could enter there and meet with King Lot. And they could leave Orkney by another route."
"Why would they go into the kingdom one way and out the other?" Sir Ector asked, sounding weary.
"If they were running low on supplies, they might go through Lot's kingdom because Lot no longer cares for his subjects." Kai snapped back. His eyes kindled with sudden fire. "The people starve, and Lot is too busy playing with his qife to notice. Were the Saxons in need of rations, that is exactly where they could plunder for them."
"You have a military mind." Arthur looked at Kai in fascination. "Could you figure out how to provision an army, if we had to march on Lot?"
"Easily." Kai said, not without pride. Merlin and Arthur exchanged another quick glance. That could be useful. When Arthur returned his attention to Kai and Ector, Kai was looking at Merlin with an odd gaze. It made Arthur uncomfortable. "Should I be assessing supplies and counting troops?"
"You are an old friend of my father's, and he has trusted your father above all other lords for many years." Arthur said slowly. "This information is not to be shared. With anyone."
He saw Sir Ector's eyes flit to Merlin.
"Merlin is my most trusted…" Arthur struggled for a word. Servant certainly wasn't right, and calling Merlin a friend wasn't quite the proper term. "He already knows all of what I tell you now." Arthur paused. "The Saxons may be in alliance with King Lot."
"He can't march on Camelot in the snow." Kai said immediately. "You'd have until spring at least to muster an army, and even then it would be risky to march troops from Orkney until summer at least, the floodwaters are too high."
"We don't know that they're allied." Arthur mused.
"It would make sense. Lot's been after land since before you were born." Sir Ector frowned. "Or at least that woman has."
"Someone explain to me-who exactly is this woman?" Arthur was growing sick of strange references. "I've heard rumors of her, but no one seems to know just who she is."
"We don't know." Sir Ector sighed. "Orkney is isolated, as you know, and so cut off that few would recognize King Lot himself unless he was wearing a crown. But what little we know is that she's supposed to be a sorceress of great might, and ruler of Orkney in all but name."
"Lot condones magic then?" No wonder Uther was so hostile towards the Northern Kingdoms.
"Oh, yes." Kai's mouth twitched. Sir Ector grimaced.
"A substantial bit of Lot's power comes from her magic. He's also got three or four sons, but I haven't seen anyone from Orkney in years. I wouldn't know Lot himself if he decided to show up."
"That's an irreparable mistake." Arthur said flatly. "We can't afford to be so distant, whether or not we agree with each other."
"It would be easiest for everyone to be ruled by one." Kai commented. His dark eyes flicked over Arthur. "With an advantageous marriage by you, and Lot conquered, you could do it."
"Albion hasn't been united in a hundred years." Arthur said softly.
"It was under Ambrosius that it was united though, and he was the first to take the Pendragon name." Ector sounded doubtful. "With the special star."
At Arthur's shoulder, Merlin started. Arthur frowned at him. Merlin shook his head.
Nothing seriously wrong then. Arthur returned his attention to the two knights.
"If Orkney was part of Camelot, then the rest of the chieftains along the Northwest borders would have no choice but to surrender." Kai said. His eyes glinted. "The old fool Logarian would welcome the chance to give up control of his lands to a strong ruler, he has enough trouble with Saxons as it is."
"Kai." Ector said sharply. "We are not here to mount an assault against the rest of Albion!"
"My apologies." Kai said sulkily. He sounded anything but sorry.
"He has a point." Arthur blinked at Merlin. So did Sir Ector. Merlin was speaking in a rather strange tone. "Unless Albion is united, there will never be peace. The chieftains will constantly look for more land, and the people caught by the borders won't know who rules them. They'll be defenseless before Saxons."
"Stop sounding intelligent Merlin, it makes my head hurt." Arthur grumbled. "I think that all we need from this council has been gained, and I'm sure you're eager to get back to your training, Kai."
"Have you found someone to hold Camelot's colors then?" Sir Ector asked. He smiled. "Someone who might be interested in a wager?"
"Oh gods no, don't wager." Arthur didn't want to add gambling to Gwaine's not inconsiderable list of vices. "Gwaine will be carrying our colors, and he's one of the best fighters I've ever seen. Very unusual style, you'll be hard pressed to match it."
"No doubt." Kai shifted in his seat. "Is Sir Gwaine one of your newer knights?"
"Yes. Common born, like most of my greatest." Arthur felt a bit of defensiveness for his knights stir. They were quite better than most of the noble born knights he'd fought, and didn't have the advantage of years of training.
Merlin's hand pressed his shoulder.
"Let them underestimate the round table. It'll be even more fun laughing at them later." Merlin's words were barely audible, but Arthur smiled anyway. It would be entertaining to see some of the more blood oriented lords watch their sons be bested by peasantry.
"I'm sure. I admit, I always found the noble blood bit of the code limiting." Ector wasn't one he'd relish watching Gwaine defeat. The older knight looked perfectly at ease with the thought of unconventional knights. "But, your highness?"
"Yes?" Ector hesitated.
"If you'll excuse me for being presumptuous, I've always felt a bit like you were another son." Arthur nodded.
"My memories of being in your keeping are some of my fondest." Indeed, Sir Ector had hardly treated him like a prince at all. Even if that meant putting up with Kai's taunts, it also meant being able to ride and laugh and not feel like a hundred eyes were on him. "You may speak freely."
"You might want to consider marriage." Arthur squirmed. Sir Ector chuckled. "I know it's a horrid thought to a young man, especially one with looks like you've got, but if you wedded the right woman, you could consolidate your power, when you come to the throne." His voice turned gentle. "Uther's isn't well is he?"
"No…" Arthur felt an overwhelming urge to tell Ector. Tell him that his own father couldn't recognize him, and instead screamed or whimpered or was trapped in the past, and that Uther's mind was so snapped he hardly hoped for a cure. "No, he's not well at all."
"Is Gaius working on a cure?" Kai asked. Arthur had no idea. He'd stopped asking about it.
"Of course he is." Merlin answered for Arthur. "Our efforts to help the King are unceasing."
"I'm glad." Kai murmured. Ector sighed.
"Arthur, could I have a private word with you?" It took Arthur a moment to realize that he meant for Merlin to be dismissed as well as Kai. Kai bowed and left. Merlin held his eyes long enough for Arthur to confirm that it was fine, then left the room.
"What's wrong?" Ector flushed.
"I wanted first of all to apologize for Kai's brashness." Arthur snorted.
"I assure you, I've been far worse. And to less intimate friends." Sir Ector smiled in relief.
"Thank you. Now please, how is Uther truly?" Sir Ector was obviously worried. "It's not like him to miss this, he always took such pleasure in watching you win. He'd come out to cheer you on even if he had to be taken into the physician the moment the match was over."
"…he did?" Sir Ector peered at Arthur. "He never said."
"Oh, you're Uther's pride and joy." Sir Ector chuckled. "The smile on his face the time you buried Kai in a snow drift…to tell truth, it made me smile as well. Not of course, that I wouldn't have liked to see Kai win, but with you on the field it wasn't going to happen."
"Thank you." Arthur said quietly. "No, my father is not well."
"Can you tell me?"
"He's gone mad." The words poured out before Arthur could stop them. "He's raving, doesn't recognize people, can't even leave bed. Gaius and Merlin have no idea what to do, I know they give him things but nothing will help his mind." Arthur shuddered. "I hardly even have time to see him."
"You're keeping his Kingdom alive." Sir Ector put a hand on Arthur's shoulder. "Nothing would please Uther more, I know it. He'd be proud of you." Sir Ector paused. "You said I could speak freely."
"You may."
"That servant, Merlin. Is he trustworthy?" Arthur sat up, dislodging Ector's hand. The feeling of vague affection vanished. Ector backtracked. "It only seems that he is in a most opportune place!"
"Merlin is in that opportune place because he is my most loyal and devoted man." Arthur said, his voice icy. Sir Ector sighed.
"I apologize for offending you. I've just never seen a servant get away with not bowing to the ruler of Camelot." Arthur frowned. He hadn't even thought about Merlin's lack of bowing. In fact, he was pretty sure Merlin had stopped bowing to him…when had Merlin ever bowed to him?
"Merlin is exceptional. He's an idiot, but he's more than worth his weight in gold." Arthur glared at Sir Ector. "To doubt him is to doubt me."
"Then he has my trust as well." Ector smiled at Arthur. "I always said you'd make a great King. If you can inspire such loyalty as you say the boy has, then perhaps bowing isn't so important."
"His name is Merlin." Arthur muttered. Louder, he said "Was there anything else?"
"Kai." Ector's fingers began rubbing against each other. "For all his rudeness, he has a head on his shoulders and he's very loyal to Camelot." Arthur nodded. "When, in the future, you are King, and you have positions open, would you consider him?"
Arthur had a brief and wonderful vision of Kai being in his council with Fenron.
"Does he actually know all that stuff about overseeing armies?" Ector nodded vigorously. "He would make a very good seneschal. I will think on this." Arthur would gladly appoint Kai as seneschal just to see what he did when people approached him with paperwork.
"Thank you. I couldn't possibly keep him up at Caer Gal with me. He'd drive one of us mad." Arthur felt a surge of empathy for both of them. He could understand difficult father son relationships.
Still, he was hoping Gwaine won. Merlin was going to call him Wart for months.
"I'm looking for some really old history. About Aurelius Ambrosius." Geoffrey looked excited at the prospect of digging up such ancient tomes. Merlin followed him to the dustiest sections of the library. "Doesn't anybody clean in here?"
"I have no remaining staff." Geoffrey yanked a thick book down from a shelf. "Unfortunately. And the court barely cares for academics."
Merlin was guessing that Geoffrey didn't care for the court either. He grunted as Geoffrey dropped the book into his arms.
"What's in this one?"
"The history of his conquests." Merlin shifted.
"I was looking for something about the Dragon Star. Back when Arthur's ancestors took the name Pendragon." Geoffrey made a small noise in his throat. "Is that a problem?"
"The Dragon Star was said to rise with the greatest Kings of Albion. Unfortunately, it was accompanied by a prophecy, which is of course magic, and so those books were burned." Geoffrey's face saddened at the memory. "All those I could get my hands on."
"Oh." Geoffrey frowned.
"There may however be documentation on the topmost shelves above astronomy." Geoffrey sighed. "I couldn't reach them-I wasn't exactly young when the purge came about-and in the panic my requests for aid were lost. I'd forgotten they were still there."
Merlin nodded. Geoffrey didn't seem the type to forget about a book. He was more likely the type to hoard them forever and read them at night, cackling because Uther didn't know about them.
But he found the scrolls, and that was good enough. It wasn't like Uther was around to arrest him, and Merlin was utterly confidant that Arthur couldn't care less about a book. It didn't have real magic in it anyway.
That didn't stop Gaius from overreacting.
"Merlin! You can't go about seeking forbidden books, there's a full court here!" Merlin nodded, blowing the dust off a page. "Are you listening to me at all?"
"Arthur won't care about a book. Besides, it's only magic is that there might be a prophecy written in it."
"People have died for less than that!"
"This is important, all right? And that was under Uther." Gaius made an exasperated sound.
"Arthur isn't king yet, and the ban against sorcery remains active." Merlin turned another cracking page.
"I haven't seen anyone get executed." Gaius was silent. "Here!"
"What are you looking for?" Gaius sounded grudgingly curious. Merlin turned the book around. It was opened to a picture of a handsome dark haired man, with a shooting star blazing over him. "The Pendragon star?"
"I wanted to see it." Merlin squinted. "Words are about illegible, but I know that they talk about Veniet Arturos."
"You pronounce that well." Gaius observed. Merlin nodded distractedly. "Unfortunately, I can't see what relevance this has."
"I've dreamt of this." Merlin tapped the star. "I've been there when it happened."
"You what?"
"When I was little. I used to have the whole thing memorized, I dreamt it so often." Merlin's brow furrowed. "It stopped eventually, but for awhile this bloke was in my head. Taught me to speak Latin."
"You speak Latin?" Gaius raised his eyebrows. "I knew you were adept with the spells in it, but you actually understand it?"
"Oh yeah." Merlin waved a hand and kept flipping. "Fluent. I just wish I could find the rest of this thing!" He glanced at Gaius. "Are you going to lecture me if I use magic?"
"Yes." Gaius said severely. "You're only doing this for your own curiosity. You can't sling magic around like that, it's dangerous, and it does no one any good. Magic isn't for fun."
"Yes Gaius." Merlin shut the book, feeling slightly resentful. Magic was fun.
"What did Sir Ector want?" Merlin called to Arthur. Arthur was delaying his paperwork in favor of watching Merlin struggle with a load of blankets. "You two were in there a while."
"Oh…a few things." Arthur decided that Merlin didn't need to know about Sir Ector questioning him. It might upset him. "He's worried for my father."
"They're old friends, I'd expect that." Merlin eyed him. "What did he want that he didn't want to say in front of Kai? Or me." Merlin added as an afterthought. Arthur reminded himself that Merlin could be annoyingly perceptive sometimes.
"He wanted to ask for Kai to be given a position at court once I take the throne." Arthur frowned. "I feel rather bad for Kai."
"He needs his father to get him a job?" Merlin winced. "Yeah, that sounds a bit humiliating."
"That would be why Ector wanted to talk privately." Merlin made a face. "What?"
"Well…I'm sure Kai knows." Merlin shrugged. "Judging by the look on his face."
"Ah." Arthur grimaced. "Well, nobles get apprenticeships through their fathers all the time. Half the knights I know were only made knights because they were of high birth."
"Aren't those all the rubbish ones that immediately get bashed?" Arthur glared at Merlin. Merlin hunched his shoulders. "I was just saying…"
"Shut up. Kai would be a brilliant knight if he'd be a little less prideful." Was he wrong, or did Merlin just roll his eyes. "What?"
"He's probably desperate to prove that it isn't just because of his father that he is where he is." Merlin eyed Arthur. Arthur felt oddly uncomfortable. "And having his father look at someone else with that much paternalness might not be helping."
"You're saying I shouldn't be so familiar with Sir Ector? He's one of my father's closest friends!" Merlin raised his hands.
"No! I'm only telling you what I see." Arthur scowled.
"It isn't though you know anything about it!"
"You're right. I don't have a father, and I landed my job by saving your life." Merlin's voice was cold. Arthur sighed.
"I didn't mean it like that." Merlin shrugged. "You're still sitting with me, right?" Arthur felt like a girl the minute it was out of his mouth. But Merlin flashed him a smile anyway, so that was sort of worth it.
"Course I am." It wasn't until Merlin had left the room that it occurred to Arthur that having a prime seat next to the Prince of Camelot himself was an honor and it was ridiculous to think Merlin might refuse.
Gwen was glaring at him. Merlin bit his lip. Arthur was standing and giving a speech about how he appreciated the great houses gathering and the importance of being unified this way.
Merlin rather thought that unification and wounding each other for no good reason were opposites. But on the subject of non unification…Lancelot was standing on the other side of the crowd, watching the matches with Leon and Percival. None of them looked particularly sad to have been passed over for the honor of representing Camelot.
In fact, Percival was clapping for all of them and Leon was watching crowd control. Lancelot was avoiding looking at Gwen.
"Are you quite alright?" Arthur muttered to him. Merlin jumped. "Not cold or on the verge of collapse?"
"I'm fine." Merlin winced as a knight slipped in the snow and Kai bonked him on the head. The arena had been cleared, but not nearly enough. "Why are they wearing armor on their feet? It's just making them slither around."
"Have you ever had a person step on your foot in full armor?" Arthur laughed at Merlin's expression. "Trust me, it's better to have crap footing."
"Oh." Merlin was distracted by Gwen's glare, which had darkened when Arthur laughed. Merlin glared back.
"No, don't step back he'll lunge while you're off balance." Arthur muttered. His attention was fixed on the match. Two knights Merlin didn't recognize were clouting each other. Merlin focused on Gwen.
It was remarkable how, from the royal box, you could have a stare down with anyone, regardless of where they sat.
"Argh, don't leave a hole open like that you'll completely ruin the block-well, fine, have your fingers cut off. Idiot." Arthur was keeping a running commentary under his breath. Merlin was keeping up his Gwen glare down.
She had no right to be so upset. Maybe if Merlin had actually stolen Arthur, but he'd done nothing but help them out. Until Gwen decided to make assumptions and go after Lancelot. Merlin narrowed his eyes and restrained from curses.
Gwen whirled around and pushed her way out of the crowd. Merlin returned his attention to Arthur, wishing that it felt less like an empty victory.
"Are you listening to me at all?" Arthur demanded. Merlin nodded rapidly. "What did I just say?"
"Sir Cadogan needs to not get his sword stuck in the ground?" Merlin guessed. Arthur looked like he was about to tell Merlin that had been five matches ago. "Oh, look, Gwaine just disarmed someone."
"Hmpf." Arthur sat back and glared down at the pitch. "I could've done that faster. He fumbled an opportunity to get close and shove Sir Sagramore's breastplate."
"I think he and Kai are about to fight." Merlin leaned forward. This was the best view of a tournament he'd ever gotten. Arthur made a grumbling noise. Gwaine and Kai lifted their swords to acknowledge Arthur.
Was it the final round already? Merlin found himself fixated on them as they began to fight. Even to his untrained eyes, Gwaine and Kai were good. Arthur was silent, for once.
The only fights to equal this one Merlin had seen were Arthur and Morgause, and possibly Arthur and Uther. But unlike then, Merlin hadn't seen either of these knights fight. In fact, Merlin usually saw Gwaine fighting thugs with more force than skill and foot soldiers.
This was a far more complex battle than that. Gwaine's sword blurred in his hand as he parried and lunged. Kai's blade whistled through the air with the same speed. The sound of their blades clashing rang in a circle of silent spectators. The entire crowd was straining toward the combatants, as Kai did a particularly clever bit of swordsmanship and Gwaine was forced to compromise his shield to dodge.
On the edges, Lancelot mouthed the movements as they happened. Leon's eyes flickered over the swords, his fingers clenching and unclenching. Percival stared, his brow furrowing as he catalogued the movements. Gaius nervously patted his medicine bag, hoping no one was about to lose a limb.
Fortunately, neither Gwaine nor Kai seemed able to land a proper blow. Kai's breastplate had been scratched, but he'd leapt back on the balls of his feet in time to avoid catching the point of the sword in his throat. Gwaine's helmet was dented, but the ringing in his ears had, if anything, increased the strength in his sword arm.
Gwaine twisted his arm and got his sword under Kai's block. He slammed the blade into Kai's, crushing a finger or two, and the blade flew into the air. Gwaine caught it and began to attack in earnest.
Kai yielded.
The entire crowd burst into roars of applause. Merlin sprung to his feet, clapping so hard his hands hurt. Gwaine took off his helmet and bowed to the crowd as Kai climbed to his feet. Kai was staring at Gwaine, a surprised look on his face.
Arthur rose to his feet slowly, and his applause was less enthusiastic. Merlin elbowed him.
"Come on! Gwaine just won for Camelot!" Arthur smiled as if he was sick to his stomach. Merlin grinned. "Aw, the people love you too."
"Shut up." Arthur raised a hand. The masses fell silent. "It is my pleasure to award Sir Gwaine of Camelot the honor of victory!" Merlin might have been wrong, but he thought he saw a corner of Kai's mouth lower.
Strange, because he was also looking at Gwaine in an admiring way. Merlin decided not to think too deeply on it.
"That was one of the most intense fights I've seen in years." Sir Ector was still shaking his head at the banquet. He glanced at Kai with pride. "If all your knights are up to that caliber, Camelot is a force to be feared."
"They are." Arthur said. Merlin refilled his goblet. "The round table has the highest standards of chivalry and skill I can find."
Merlin drifted away from Arthur as Sir Ector asked "What is this Round Table?" Gwaine leaned back and grinned at him, holding out a goblet.
"Merlin! You've never looked like such an angel." Merlin laughed as he poured the wine. "Some fight, eh?"
"Yes. I had no idea knights could fight like that." Sir Kai was still watching Gwaine. Merlin eyed him and passed him, heading to Lord Bagdemus.
"Tell me Sir Gwaine, how did you come to Camelot?" Sir Kai asked quietly. Gwaine seemed, from what Merlin saw, to go tense. Arthur glanced over at them.
"He saved my life. Twice, actually." Arthur said loudly. Sir Kai nodded, looking rather thoughtful. "You both fought with great skill. And Kai, I will think deeply on your counsel."
"Thank you, your highness." Arthur's eyes left the knight and went to Merlin. Merlin grinned at him and waved the wine jug in a way that was meant to imply he was going about his servantly duties quite well for a change. It hit Lancelot in the back of the head.
"Thank god." Merlin muttered, as Arthur waved to the last of the departing lords. Arthur chuckled.
"Too much work for you?"
"Yes!" Merlin said emphatically. "I don't like carrying around your underwear, d'you think it's fun to tote around that of fifteen other lords?"
"…you have contact with my underwear?"
A/N: I like Kai. He is a badass motherfucker. At least, he is in my favorite (book) interpretation of Arthurian legend, the Squire's Tales. I draw half my characterization from those books. And all my random lords/ladies/knights. I also may have to cameo Terrence.
Does anyone know what I'm talking about? *mumbles* they're not really under my age group…