chapter five. it is longer than the previous one. i still don't own Merlin or any of its characters, i am still just writing for to fun of it. this is the chapter where things start to change, i hope you like where its headed, also yes. several characters are OOC but that's because this is how i see everything changing i hope i have managed to keep the core essence of the characters I'm altering for the purpose of the story. enjoy.
healing of wounds, confrontations
Merlin was pacing around his room when he heard a yell from the other room. So he went to look what was happening. When he entered he saw Gaius standing over a topless mask less Sir Leon. Merlin quickly altered his expression and took a step further in. clearing his throat so they knew he was there. Sir Leon quickly reached for his mask before Merlin placed his hand gently over the mask preventing him.
"Sir Leon, your scars are looking better. And I'm assuming the yell I heard earlier was a bit of chain mail being removed? Sir. How do you expect Gaius and I to help sooth the burns and scars if you put your mask on over them?" sir Leon went to speak but Merlin continued before he could interrupt "yes as the princes manservant I have no right to say any of this but" this time sir Leon managed to interject.
"Merlin. I know. I know your Gaius's apprentice and protégé. I know you have some skill when it comes to physic. But I just feel more comfortable with the mask on."
Gaius handed Merlin a salve "my apprentice has a point M'lord. The skin needs to breath having it behind that mask all the time is detrimental to your health. Merlin what are you standing around for ally the salve" Merlin awkwardly shuffled towards the knight knowing neither he nor the knight enjoyed these sessions the salve smelt horrid at first the lavender and honey scents only coming through after. It was also rather gloopy.
Leon held back a laugh as Merlin grimaced at the gooey brown unction he now had on his hand "try and relax" Leon took the advice. "And don't breath to deeply until its smelling less putrid" the knight just held onto his cool exterior as he tried not to laugh at the young mans uttered advice. "I shall try Merlin"
As Merlin was finishing up applying the remedy to the knights torso and back the knight whispered to him "I hear Arthur intends to make you his adviser? Is it true?"
Merlin shifted uncomfortably. He hadn't known others knew of the princes intentions. It was indeed true that Arthur intended on giving Merlin a promotion of sorts. He would still be Arthur's servant but he would also be privy to all royal affairs and would be tasked on keeping the prince on the right track and safe. He nodded at Sir Leon. Fearing that to say it out loud may make what he was planning all the harder. He knew that Arthur knew about his magic and trusted him but Merlin needed to prove that not all sorcerers were bad. The only way to do this was to prove to the king that he was on the king's side.
Gaius was clearing up afterwards when he noticed Merlin's mood.
"Merlin what is wrong with you today?" Merlin looked up from the book he had been reading. The Spell book, he had been reading. "You've not said a word since Leon left. I know you feel guilty for not confronting the dragon earlier. But it was not your" Merlin stood up and cast the book aside.
"I have defeated several powerful creatures and beings of magic. But to protect my secret I allowed the dragon to maim 11 knights and reduce Sir Leon to a shell of his former self. I could heal him of all his wounds. I could heal him. With magic. But instead. I have to rub gloopy gloop on him and hope it heals him eventually. I, I just wish things were different. I wish I could help more." Merlin turned away sure that the sympathetic look Gaius would be wearing would set him off. So he gathered his things and made his way to his master's quarters.
"Merlin you better have a good excuse for being" merlin's eyes went gold and the bed made itself and Arthur's boots formed an orderly line waiting to be polished. "Late. So all this time you could do that?" Merlin looked up at Arthur. Nodded. "Yet another reason why magic should be allowed I feel. Means you can do more chores.
"Sire I need an audience with the king." Arthur, who ha been turning to go swung round so fast he knocked the water jug off his desk. Again Merlin's eyes flashed the brightest gold and the jug righted itself. "You ask why I was late. I was helping Gaius tend to Sir Leon. I am the last dragonlord. As my father was before me. Yet so scared of my magic being revealed that I held back. Those knights died because I couldn't use magic. It is my fault. Your father needs to know that there are those of us with magic who mean him no harm. His vendetta against my kind is harming him just as much as it is the sorcerers" Arthur looked across at the boots polishing themselves.
"Sir Leon. If allowed to use magic, could you heal him?" Merlin nodded. "This is a dangerous move you are making. You could die." Merlin nodded. "You are certain this is the path you wish to take?" Merlin nodded. "This will change everything. Forever. You do realise that don't you?"
"Arthur. You were born of magic. That much is true. That your mother's life was the price? Than tit was known? That was untrue. Magic is about balance. To give life one must betaken. But it is impossible to know which life will end" Merlin looked across at Arthur who was part way between raging with fury or crying. "Sir. The evil that sorcerers do now. It all goes back to that time. If I can prove to your father he is slightly wrong that there are sorcerers on his side. Then perhaps, perhaps the world can change for the better." Arthur was looking at Merlin.
"You do a good job at hiding your wisdom but its definitely there. Are you ready?" Merlin straightened up, looked directly at Arthur, took a deep breath and signalled that he was ready. The two of them left the room and headed for the council chambers where Uthur would be. "Be firm not stubborn. Be calm but not relaxed." Merlin turned the corner and walked right into Tristain. They both tripped and landed on the floor entangled. "Sorry sire I did not realise you were approaching. Is your servant harmed. Are you harmed?" Merlin was getting up now. Arthur answered "my Adviser is fine. We have urgent business with the king so join us or leave" Tristain fell into step behind them.
They entered the chambers together Merlin in the middle flanked by Arthur on the right and Tristain on the left. Uthur had been talking to his knights. Including Sir Leon. "What is the meaning of this! Answer me!" Arthur was taken back by the force of his father's anger. Merlin however was not. "No sire you answer me!" his eyes glowed gold and a wake of air slammed into the king sitting him back down. "Since I arrived in Camelot how many beings and beasts of magic have your son faced and survived?" Uthur went to answer, "Many M'lord. All of them he defeated with me looking out for him. I am a faithful servant to Camelot and its king. I would die if it meant your son could live. I am a sorcerer." Uthur was up with his sword drawn instantly. As were all of the knights. Tristain and Arthur stepped up beside Merlin.
"Afancs, plagues, griffins, many more. NIMUEH! SIGON! I have defeated all. Or made it so your son can." The knights attacked as one. "hault" they all hit an invisible wall unable to move forward. "it is your belief that magic is evil to the core by definition it is evil? That is not so. Allow me to live and I shall prove it" Merlin leaned across to Arthur and whispered "be ready to catch me." Before Arthur could ask what he meant.
Merlin stepped forward placing one hand to sir Leon's head and another to the knights' chest. He then began chanting an old spell from century's ago. He opened his eyes and a gold mist seeped through the knight's armour and mask. Suddenly Merlin started to convulse and spasm Arthur yelled out. And grabbed the falling Merlin. The knights stared in astonishment as sir Leon's top half of armour melted away. Revealing an un-injured chest and then the mask fell to the floor and sir Leon's healthy unburnt un-scared face was revealed. Merlin had kept his word he had healed the knight. Uthur was furious by this point. Seeing the unconscious sorcerer he made his move, he leaped forward sword in hand aiming for the mans heart. But a glowing sword stopped him he looked up eyes full of rage to see Tristain standing with his sword draw to deflect any attacks. "WITCHSPAWN SCUM YOU WOULD PROTECT THIS HEATHEN!" the force of his father's words woke Arthur from his daze.
"sire. Father. Merlin has served me well had he wanted to kill me. Or you he could have. Right now. He could have fought back killed you but he didn't he chose to heal one of your best knights." He could see his father about ready to take a swing at him. But then sir Leon stepped forward "your son speaks sense M'lord listen to him. You married a troll; it was Merlin who defeated her. "Uthur took a swing at Merlin who simply looked at the sword and sent it flying across the room. "Uthur pendragon you have wronged my kind to long! I am willing to stand by your side protect you and Camelot! But you must trust in me!" Uthur went to say something but Merlin was far to pissed off to care about proper conduct so continued. "there is only one person in all the lands capable of taming dragons. I Merlin son of ballinor am the LAST dragon lord! Think hard before you strike me down for when I die there will be no protection against the wrath of the dragon."
Uthur was struck by the full force the magnitude of what had just been said "my son dealt that dragon a fatal blow. You, you had no part in" he collapsed into his throne Arthur stepped forward "father I dealt it a potentially fatal blow. I saw merlin calm the dragon he banished it from these lands. He is the last of his kind." Uthur reared up and thrust his sword at Merlin instead of backing away. Merlin stepped forward into the swords path. Arthur cried out and went to merlins' side. The knights unsure what to do stepped back. Uthur was shouting at Arthur telling him to leave the wretch. Arthur was yelling for someone to fetch Gaius. Everything was chaos. And then the words that changed the land were spoken.
"leave him! He is a mere servant!" Uthur spat out. "he is my closest friend and advisor! He would die for me! For Camelot! And if anyone wishes to harm him they will answer to ME!" silence fell in the room the princes life was the highest form of debt and protection. short of disowning his only heir and son, there was nothing Uthur could do. Arthur waited for his father to calm down before whispering in his fathers ear. "your vendetta against magic has brought nothing but pain and suffering to this land. I understand and respect your reasons. But too many have died, the dragons quarrel was with you, not Camelot, nimueh quarrel was with you not Camelot. It is all on you father. Merlin is a good man a good soul and I trust him with my life. I suggest you do the same"
Arthur motioned for the knights to carry Merlin out. As he reached the door he turned back to make sure the king was ok. When he left he noticed Tristain moving away having just kissed merlins' forehead. He was muttering an ancient prayer.
so? what do you think? was it horendous? or great? i'm enjoying writing this i just hope you are enjoying reading it. and yeah. merlin is a man of honour so of course he threw himself on a sword. but con't worry i'm sure the idiot will find a way to heal. hopefully :D
next chapter will be up at some point later this week,