There was no denying the discomfort that ensued on the journey back to Camelot. One of the oddities was the amount of attention the knights gave to Merlin. They made him gather no firewood, cook no meals. Rather, they attended to Merlin as if they were the servants, not he. That was odd.
The other oddity was far more so than the other- the absence of Arthur. It was rare for Merlin to go on a journey with the knights and not Arthur- the only one he could think of was the incident with the Lamia. He couldn't exactly say that that one had gone well.
But at least then he took comfort in the fact that Arthur was at home, waiting for the servant to return to his side. This time it was different. Merlin had no idea if he had a side to return to, and if he would be able to still call Camelot his home.
He dreaded his arrival there, and what Arthur would say. But arrive in Camelot they did. As they passed the plot of land where the gallows were often built, Leon caught Merlin staring uncomfortably at the area. Anger swelled inside him, and he vowed that if Arthur demanded the boy's arrest, he would not be the one to carry it out.
To everyone's surprise, the king was waiting for them in the throne room. As soon as they entered the gates to the palace, the group was ushered into council. Arthur sat straight upon the throne, his arms crossed. He glared down at the knights. No glance was spared in Merlin's direction.
"So," Arthur began. "You went off without my permission. Do you know the danger in what you have done? You left Camelot without some of its strongest defenders. Do you feel no shame for yourselves?" Leon stepped forward and shook his head.
"No, sire, I at least do not. You see, the reason we left was to protect Camelot's strongest protector." Gwaine grinned happily hearing these words, and Arthur's eyebrows shot up in surprise. He had not expected the oldest knight to say something so brazen as that. Gwaine, maybe. But Leon?
"In what way would you say that this sorcerer has protected Camelot?" He asked. Merlin recognized the expression on Arthur's face. He had seen it before, and before he had been able to talk it away. It was the stone faced expression that Arthur carried when he tried to block out emotion. The one he wore when there was a struggled between the duty of his heart and that of his kingdom. He often did not realize that the two connected. What would my father do? Can I do the same?
Those were the words that Merlin read in Arthur's neutral expression. Elyan cleared his throat.
"Arthur." He said, ignoring any sort of formal title. "What we have seen up to this point is Merlin going beyond the line of duty to protect us all, although you more than anyone. Now we must consider how much more he has done for us, but in secret. I think rather than betray us, Merlin has saved us." Merlin noticed Arthur's eye twitch slightly, but he remained composed. The king drew in a breath.
"Thank you, Elyan. I will consider your words." The lines were rehearsed, formal. Not Arthur.
"I ask that you all leave me. All of you except… Merlin." The knights exchanged worried glances, but they were duty bound to obey their ruler. One by one, they bowed to Arthur and left. Leon was the last. He bowed to his king, turned, and allowed himself the slightest dip in Merlin's direction. The servant felt his heart give, just a little. Once everyone had left, Arthur at last turned his attention towards Merlin. He licked his lips, and dared Merlin to speak first. He did not.
"Sorcerer." Was all the king could choke out. Merlin nodded.
"There is no denying it now." Arthur shook his head.
"But, why?"
"I did not choose my fate. I was born with it. Just like you, just like everyone here. I was born a sorcerer." Arthur's composure faltered for a moment. His fists clenched in an attempt to keep it all in.
"How?"
"I do not know." Arthur pursed his lips. A few moments passed before he again spoke.
"Prove it to me. Show me some magic." Despite himself, Merlin let out a worried sob. He shook his head and held his wrists out to Arthur, revealing the cuffs.
"I- I cannot. The cuffs Elaine gave me, they are enchanted. I can perform no magic, not while they are on me!" Arthur regarded the cuffs for a moment, and nodded slowly. Merlin found himself struggling with his own composure. Breathe in, and out. In out, in out. Don't cry. Don't let him see your tears. You're strong. He must see that.
"The penalty for sorcery…." Arthur swallowed. "The penalty is death." Don't cry!
"Arthur-"
"I cannot kill you Merlin." Arthur shook his head. "I can't." Don't cry. Don't- The tears came. Merlin trembled in relief. But it was only momentary. He did not overlook the lack of warmth in Arthur's eyes.
"My people would not appreciate my letting a sorcerer live. I warn you Merlin, do not tell anyone else about your…." He did not say the word. Merlin gave a slow nod.
"Thank you Arthur." He whispered, his words muffled by tears. Arthur furrowed his brows.
"I'm not killing you, Merlin. I'm not forgiving you either. You are dismissed." Arthur turned on his heel to make his way back towards the throne. Merlin stumbled forward.
"Arthur!" He cried. The king turned around to see the sorcerer holding out his wrists.
"I- the cuffs. They cannot be broken by an ordinary weapon."
"And?"
"Excalibur is no ordinary weapon." Merlin bit down on his cheek, hoping he got the meaning across. "Please." Arthur regarded Merlin for a moment.
"You say that those suppress magic?"
"Yes."
"Then why would I want to take them off?"
I WARNED YOU ALL! ARTHUR IS A PRAT ABOVE ALL PRATS! I REALLY DO HATE MYSELF. All that aside, I am very excited for the rest of this fic. I don't think it's even half over. I have some things planned for these characters. Pleasepleaseplease continue to read. And um, I do not own Merlin. *Breathes in.* Ah well. See you all later!