hullo. back with another chapter. um i don't know why I'm warning but there is man-cuddles in this chapter and in later chapters there will probably be man on man smoochy smoochy time. but, i'm british I'm awful at writing smexyness. so it will all be gentle slash, i'll let you decide happens else where lol as i said at the beguining the rating is more to do with occasional gore that will happen. also. still don't own merlin. if i did i'd let mr Morgan keep his awesome scruffy hair not cut it like a soldiers. i hope you like this chapter, and i hope i'm not giving to many plot points away in the writing. its fun to keep people guessing.
return of the knight.
Merlin walked towards Camelot having thanked kilgarragh. As he approached the gates he saw two horses ride out to meet him he knew immediately who they were. "Tristain. Arthur. Is this a friendly escort are you just keen to know how it went?" Tristain bought his horse around so he was next to Merlin. While Arthur just turned round in front of Merlin and called over his shoulder "I wanted to check your still alive enough to report back I have no idea why Tristain is here." Tristain kept his face blank but Merlin could see the hint of a wicked smile on the knight's lips.
"Well I am still alive yes. No one who knows me well enough saw my face but I made sure Morganna heard me. If everything has gone to plan then she will assume I am just a dragon lord and nothing else. I hope morgouse will be haughty and arrogant enough to believe" he switched his voice to a convincing imitation of morgouse "a serving boy could never be the great lord Emrys" Arthur didn't rise to the obvious attempt at tomfoolery. Tristain however chuckled before regaining his composure and leaning across to Merlin to whisper "we have a surprise for you" when he turned to look at his companion the warlock saw no indication to what the knight meant. He didn't have to wait long to find out what the surprise was though. As he entered the court yard another knight came towards him he wore his helmet and the red cape all the other knight wore however his helm was made of a series of light tough plates and his cape was shorter. As he approached Arthur finally allowed him self to smile.
"I told you he would be ok Tristain. Sire your father wishes to see you and your advisor immediately" Lancelot said as he removed his helmet. He smiled broadly at Merlin who ran up and shook hands with his friend. "Sir Lancelot! When on earth did this happen!" Lancelot ran his hand through his hair and nodded towards the prince as he started walking back into the castle. "I arrived shortly after you left. Uthur has given Arthur limited permission to bend the rules of Camelot. He may knight a select few people not of noble birth. If he believes them to be noble of heart and skilful enough to be knights of Camelot. Those of us who are Arthur's squad will be given different uniforms to separate us from the other knights of Camelot."
Merlin smiled happily at Arthur "and you decided Lancelot should be the first?" Arthur nodded "well obviously. He has already been knighted only him being of common birth stood in the way. And he stuck to the knight's code even after he was disgraced. He aided us in rescuing Lady Gwen. He deserves to be a knight he has earned it." Merlin had to stop himself from skipping at the news. They turned a corner and approached the council chambers which had been turned into a fortified war room where maps and battle plans were laid out. It seamed the king had set up permanently in the room he barely acknowledged the arrival of Merlin and Arthur. Or that their two companions elected to stand just inside the door. Tristain because he didn't want to leave Merlin alone with Uthur, Lancelot because he was curious what kind of advisor Merlin was.
"speak." Merlin walked ahead of Arthur came to a stop to the side of the king and bowed quickly before speaking. "Sire I have done as you asked. I made sure the sisters were to far away to see me use magic but they did see me seemingly fly off the dragon and then fly away. Those closer to me saw my magic they seamed suitably unnerved. Though I fear many will still stay just to get revenge for what you have done. The sisters believe me to be a powerful dragon lord at most and a serving boy with delusions of grandeur at most." Arthur cut in "delusions of grandeur?" "Yes milord, delusions of grandeur" Merlin said with a slight smile. Arthur realised they were on the edge of bickering but was so glad for the distraction he decided to continue. "Do you? Have such delusions?" Merlin kept a completely straight face when he answered "that would suggest, that I am not as astonishingly amazing and perfect, as we all know me to be. Sire." Arthur started to chuckle but was shocked by Merlin's sudden change of tone when he once again addressed the king.
"Sire it is my belief, they will decide to attack now. As advisor to the prince I suggest he trains his men in defence against weaker spells. Also if it suits you I will place certain enchantments on their swords so they can deal with any magical beasts that may attack." Uthur studied him carefully. "How do you propose my son trains his men against magic?" the young warlock and advisor looked at his friend who was waiting to see what he would say. "It is not my place to tell the prince how to train his knight's milord. However I believe none of them has specific experience fighting magic, and I know that some of your contemporaries are still around and will remember what it was like in the purge." Merlin bowed politely and started to walk out he didn't listen to what Arthur said to his father but did wait for him by the door.
Once clear of the room Arthur finally spoke to Merlin. "So what is your actual advice to me?" Merlin turned to him with an unreadable expression on his face, he kept his advice simple as he continued to walk down the corridors towards his new room. "Good men will die accept that now. Concentrate on each of your men's strengths. Instead of the enemies many probable weaknesses." Arthur stopped walking and Merlin not noticing took a few steps more before stumbling to a halt. When he turned round he was greeted by one of Arthurs more effective glares. He interpreted it as, cut-to-the-point-you-idiot-and-tell-me-how-i-train-the-knights-against-magic. He walked back over to the future king and said "I didn't want to suggest it in front of your father, he is uneasy around me as it is. But I could in theory use some weaker spells against your knights and have them train in dodging and shielding them selves. On your command I would also endeavour to place protective charms on their armour though I have never tried anything that advances other than the ones I placed on your father. Which will offer him little protection but he doesn't need"
The force of Arthurs slap was felt even by those who had not received it. Arthur grabbed Merlin's shirt and thrust the warlock against the wall. "You! Do not toy, with my father's life! He is the king and needs the most fortifications of all of us! If you ever! Ever treat his life with such disregard again I shall have you hanged Merlin!" by the time he finished he was right up close to Merlin's face. The young advisor was shaken and had gone pale but then his eyes went gold and Arthur felt himself pushed back against the other wall Tristain and Lancelot rounded the corner to see Merlin pointing a finger at Arthur who was now suspended half way up the wall.
"I am not your father, I don't toy with lives. Nor do I allow mistrust and dislike to cloud my judgement. Your father killed many of my kind drove us to the brink of extinction, he did it all without the aid of magic. This time I shall give him what protection he needs. Which is very little. I have the potential to, in time, have almost god like power young pendragon. But even then I shall not play god. Your father senses his end is near and your time is approaching. I will ensure that if his time comes in combat he goes down strong and fighting and takes a hefty amount of our enemy down with him. This discussion is over sire I am your advisor I have given you my advice good day." Merlin gently set his friend back down and walked off. What had made his rant more terrifying than Arthurs was that he had not once raised his voice if anything his voice had fallen to a whisper. Arthur caught his breath in time for Lancelot to come to his side and suggest they retire to the prince's quarters for a talk about training.
Merlin was entering his new room when Tristain caught up with him. He paid the knight no attention instead he slumped into one of the chairs at his table and rested his head in his hands. Tristain walked over to the table and sat next to Merlin. "You have had a long day you should rest a while." Merlin didn't answer. "Listen you know I'm awful at the caring and comforting and stuff. It could be worse. Not a lot but it could be." Still no answer. "He's just stressed his best friend who until about 6 months ago was his servant and is now his advisor happens to be the most powerful man alive, a dragon lord and warlock. Working for his father who usually would have had his friend killed on sight. On top of that his half sister, is now trying to kill their father and him and claim the throne for herself so she can start a reign of cruelty and malice. That's a lot for a young man to take. He'll calm down and see your side."
Merlin finally raised his head. His eyes were red rimmed he had fresh tear tracks on his face but he was smiling. "I think you're getting a bit better at the comforting stuff, that nearly didn't suck." He laughed weakly then sat up straight. "my father died having agreed to help us with the dragon. I never knew him but he died to protect me. I get that Arthur is stressed but what gets to me, really hurts, is that he doesn't realise that it is up to me to ensure he survives to be king. It is up to me to ensure that he allows magic to return, it is up to me to keep enough magic alive so that it can return. All the while Arthur is throwing himself into danger, he is growing more and more weary of magic everyday, and I'm forced to harm, hurt and kill people with magic because they insist on acting out violently against the only people who can help" he sighed and lent into tristains side. The knight shifted so that his chin rested on the top of Merlin's head. "Your day will come Merlin." He hugged his companion. "probably" he felt Merlin laugh against his chest "I promise, possibly, maybe."
so? what do you think? still enjoying it? comment and review if you like, tell me what you like, and what you don't. probably ignore what you don't like. i'll stick my fingers in my ears an go "lalalalalalalalala i can't hear you lalalalalalala" like a little kid. because I'm a manchild who does immature stuff like that but no seriously review? chapter 13 will be up next sunday ish. may be sooner or later, i don't know but it will most likely be next sunday. also i'm sorry for any spelling and grammer mistakes that escaped my notice.