The Seventh Day
Welcome to the seventh day which is an epilogue of sorts to this whole adventure and we really should stop counting the days because our beloved warlock is, once again, home.
A heavy knock at the door roused Merlin early the following morning.
"Come," he called, struggling upright. A plump female figure backed into the room, pushing the door open with her ample backside. She turned and scared the daylights out of him. He yanked his covers up to his chin and only narrowly avoided squealing in fear. Cook herself was standing there, in his chambers, arms heavily laden with a sumptuously overflowing platter and a grimly determined look on her face. She set the platter on the table, set a plate beside it, fished some utensils from her apron pocket and after a quick polish set them beside the plate.
"Breakfast is served, your Lordship," she announced.
"B-breakfast? For me?"
"Yes, sir, you're a skinny one and you need feeding up. Don't think I haven't noticed that you've not been eating lately."
"I-I was away on holiday! I was gone and.."
"Tish tosh! 'Twas only the barest change from when y'are here. Now,.." She advanced on the bed. Wide-eyed, Merlin pulled the blankets up even higher.
"I'm expecting that you'll be eating every bite of that! Winter's comin' before yeh know it and yeh need some meat on yer bones before it's here. I want that licked clean, understand?" She shook her ladle at him.
"Y-Yes, ma'am!" He nodded frantically at the ladle that was inches away from his nose.
"Good. Now, it's time for me to see about lunch." She strode out, not bothering to close the door behind her. The guards stationed just outside poked their noses around the door and spotted Merlin still in shock behind his blankets. Chuckling, they pulled the door shut.
Moments later, Merlin burst through his door, passing them in his stocking feet, pulling a robe over his sleep clothes, and jogged to the royal chambers. He knocked briskly, counted to five like Gwen had made him promise, then entered. Gwen's maidservant was pinning up her hair and George was helping Arthur into a surcoat. They looked up to see Merlin slip and skid to a stop, disheveled, panting and desperate.
"Merlin! You're home!" Gwen cried joyfully, completely misreading Merlin's state.
"Help! I need help. You've got to help me eat the massive breakfast the cook just delivered."
"Cook delivered it? Herself?" asked Gwen nonplussed.
"Yes! It was terrifying! You've got to help me eat it! Please!"
Arthur laughed, "Alright then, breakfast in Merlin's chambers this morning." He held out his hand to Guinevere and they followed the disheveled Merlin back to his tower. Between the three of them the food disappeared and Merlin magicked away any remaining juice, sauce or crumbs afterward. There was no way he was going to lick it clean as he'd promised.
In accordance with one of Arthur's suggestions during breakfast, Merlin attended the magic guild's meeting, arriving late. Voices hushed in surprise as he walked in before resuming their clamor. "Merlin!" "Lord Emrys!" "Merlin, what do you think?" "How do you think we should-" "Merlin! Is this-" "My lord -my Lord!" "My lord!"
Merlin found an empty spot at the end of a bench and while they crowded toward him he looked up to where Gilli stood at the front appearing thoroughly exasperated and miserable.
Merlin held up his hands and the men quieted down.
"Lord Emrys! What do you advise? We want to know what you think about all this!" called a voice from the crowd. Merlin looked around before fastening his good-natured gaze on Gilli.
"The king himself briefed me on Gilli's proposal this morning and gave it his stamp of approval, so to speak. You want to know what I think? I agree with Gilli. I trust his leadership. He's obviously weighed the matter carefully, sought out input and advice from people and thought through the pros and cons. It will utilize many different skills and reinforce the message that magic and magic users are a benefit to Camelot. This whole thing is a brilliant idea and I wish I'd been the one to think of it. If you still have questions about how to approach this, you'd do well to listen to Gilli. He's a wise man who's worked it all through."
The men turned thoughtful gazes to Gilli who stood awkwardly frozen, reddening from the compliments. "Gentlemen," he slapped his knees, preparing to stand, "I hate to be hasty -I know I just got here- but if the lighting proposal is all that's being discussed today then I'm sure you don't need me and I've got a lot on my plate." Literally. He inwardly grimaced at the memory of cook laying out his breakfast. "So I won't stay. If you are going to hold a vote on this matter then count my vote as a solid yes. Good day." He regained his feet and made his way out. Shortest meeting ever, he mentally congratulated himself on his quick escape.
Merlin's next stop was the temporary housing for the magic school where the teachers and students and townspeople watched in awe as he put protective enchantments around the school and anti-inflammatory charms on the inner walls. He conjured a fireball and tossed it at the wall where it promptly snuffed out. He beckoned the boy, Mark, to his side. "Go ahead and try." The boy conjured a small flame but it wouldn't dislodge from his hand so he punched his palm against the wall and the flame snuffed. He grinned at Merlin. "Good job," Merlin encouraged him. "Keep working at it. And remember: respect your skills and respect the flame. They aren't toys." The teachers nodded gratefully.
When he returned to his chambers at lunchtime, he stopped and stared in horror at the sight of mounded platters adorning his table. He ducked back into the hall and sent an urgent message with a passing servant, inviting Gaius and his apprentices to help him eat his lunch. Two hungry teenagers should make short work of this, he thought, contemplating the massive portions laid out before him as he awaited his rescue.
After lunch, he accompanied Gaius to visit Gwen, as he'd promised her at breakfast. She made herself comfortable on the bed and smiled at him gratefully. "It's completely safe?" she asked one last time.
"It's completely safe," Merlin assured while Gaius nodded his agreement, smiling kindly. "Sweet dreams, Gwen. Enjoy your nap. Swefe nu."
After the whispered spell, they tiptoed out.
"Merlin, could I ask for your assistance with the mercian ambassador and his cohort?"
"Yeah, Arthur mentioned the food poisoning drama. I'd be glad to help but are you sure the Mercians will take kindly to my aid?"
"What they don't know won't hurt them," Gaius replied. Merlin's eyes twinkled. Gaius was a sly old fox.
Merlin removed his nice jacket, rolled up his sleeves and took Gaius' medicine case in one hand and the kettle of water in the other, ducked his head and followed Gaius subserviently to the Mercians' chambers.
"Who's this then?" groaned an elderly pinch-faced patient.
"This young man is one of my former apprentices," replied Gaius. "I asked him along to help."
"Hopefully he's more adept than the other two," the miserable man groaned.
"Oh yes, he's quite experienced," Gaius assured him and began briefing Merlin on his condition. "Lord Bennon was the worst afflicted. I'm not sure whether it's because he ingested more of the contaminated meat or whether his system is simply more sensitive."
"Charcoal?" queried Merlin.
"Oh please! No more of that! I'll die of the cure before the poison!" grumbled the patient.
"I believe the poison has mostly been expelled but I was thinking, perhaps a more potent chamomile concoction to settle the stomach?"
"Ah." Merlin nodded seriously.
"Yes," replied Gaius. "If you'll just see to that now while I check on our other esteemed patients.."
"Of course."
He set out the kettle of water to heat over the small fire and measured out the chamomile.
"Is the room warm enough for you, my Lord?" Merlin inquired solicitously.
"It could be warmer,'' answered the man ungraciously.
"I'll be sure to stoke up the fire, then."
"You'd be the first one to think of it," Bennon grumbled.
"I know what it feels like to have the body recover from such stress. It's difficult to maintain warmth for a while but I believe you'll feel much better after the chamomile."
"Hmpf. Well I could hardly feel much worse." He eyed Merlin with mild interest. "You seem to be more capable than those two dunderheads the physician usually drags in here with him. The gangly one is a klutzy menace and the other can't seem to accomplish the simplest task without charging about."
"They're young and inexperienced yet. I've had more time with Gaius."
"He should've brought you in days ago."
"I wasn't in town but I'm glad to attend you now, sir."
Merlin listened to the man's grumbling as the chamomile steeped. He fluffed his pillows and aired the room briefly before building up the fire to a comfortable blaze.
He retrieved the tea and, with his back to the patient, gave it a magical boost.
The man accepted the tea and sipped, breathed and sipped some more while Merlin observed patiently.
"I do believe it's taking effect!" Bennon said in a hopeful tone.
"I'm gla-"
"Lord Merlin!" The shorter of Gaius' apprentices burst into the room, "Gaius sent me for the kettle if it's ready!"
"Lord-? Merlin?" began the patient.
Merlin thrust the kettle into the boy's hands and hustled him out the door before turning to face Bennon.
"The Court Sorcerer! How dare you deceive me so! Putting me off my guard!"
"My Lord, there was no deception. I was Gaius' apprentice for over ten years."
The man suddenly stared in horror at the half-empty cup in his hand.
"Did you use..it?"
"Yes. I boosted the healing properties of the herbs so that it would have a concentrated effect, so you would feel better after only one cup rather than having to drink twelve."
"You did this to convince me that magic is harmless and good, like your king claims!"
"No, sir. I did it to help you feel better. And magic isn't harmful or harmless, it just is. It's the person behind the power who directs it for good or ill, my lord."
"How dare you use it to -to.."
Merlin rolled his eyes. "To help you recover? To help you feel better? You're welcome." He pulled the door shut behind him.
Opting to cool his temper with a breath of fresh air, he headed for the battlements. He wanted to check the wards anyway. As he emerged, the guards called out to each other, "It's Lord Emrys! He's back!" Merlin stopped and raised an eyebrow as a few of the men came to greet him. They seemed glad to see him. Very glad indeed. And, although it was a nice change, they were so eagerly deferential that he gave them a troubled smile.
"Hello. Did anything happen while I was away?"
"No, my Lord, sir. Everything was quiet," responded one.
"Well, there was the unfortunate fire at the school-" began one before being interrupted by another.
"There were purple flames shooting straight up at least thirty feet! It was a sight to behold, that's for sure!"
"Thank goodness you had things well in hand, my Lord. That was some impressive magic, keeping it contained. 'Shame about the school though."
"Yes, I heard about that," Merlin replied, surprised at their friendly chatter.
"I suppose the wards you put on the citadel are the same kind of magic then, my lord? So they can work even when you're not here?"
"They should work even when I'm not around but it's an experimental sort of magic of my own making, meant to be more about strong and varied protections rather than containment…" he let his words drift off, a bit disconcerted by their eager and attentive interest. "So, I'm just going to go ..over here.. and check and make sure everything is still holding up as it should be.." he tried to escape politely and the men nodded encouragingly.
Upon reaching the crenellations, he closed his eyes and let his hand drift down to touch the stone. Yes, everything was in order, the thickly layered magic hummed beneath his palm. A beautiful and familiar view of Camelot met his eyes as he turned his attention away from the walls. Home. Yes, he was very happy to be home. He breathed deeply, feasting on the sights and sounds of Camelot.
After a few minutes, he was joined by one of the guards who was respectful enough to wait for Merlin's acknowledgement before speaking.
"I just wanted to thank you, my lord."
Merlin's eyebrows rose.
"Thank me?" he echoed.
"Yes, sir. Thanks for helping us keep her safe."
"My pleasure," he smiled. "Anything to protect our home."
They kept each other quiet company until Merlin realized just how low the sun was getting. He bid the guards a hasty goodbye. There was something he had to do before supper.
The clanging and banging and general sounds of kitchen bustle sounded ever louder in his ears as he skillfully dodged hurrying servants and descended into the cook's realm. He clenched his teeth. Talking to cook during dinner preparations was more foolhardy than bearding a lion in its den but, well, needs must.
As cook came round the corner of one of the massive tables loaded with dishes of steaming meats and vegetables, Merlin stepped into her path, smiling disarmingly.
She automatically frowned at the disruption and swelled with exasperation.
"Well? What do you want? -er, your lordship. I mean, what-what can I get for you? Dinner'll be brought up directly, sir. " She looked to be making a massive effort to contain her temper. It didn't look easy.
Merlin wondered if she would explode.
"Thank you. I appreciate your efforts on my behalf but I wanted to make sure that you don't make too big of a fuss over my supper. You've fed me so well today that I really only need a small, simple plate to tide me over until tomorrow. I'd like to save you the trouble of delivery by just grabbing it myself. No need to fuss over my meals, thank you."
"Hmm.." she eyed him skeptically for a moment. "Yes, alright then let me fill a plate for you," she responded, turning away and picking up a plate just a tad smaller than platter-sized.
"Oh! But I can get my own —" he began protesting, following her on a merry chase around the tables and past the cook fires and stopped when she turned quickly and shoved two tarts into his hand and one into his open mouth, declaring, "There. And you still have a free hand to carry your plate."
She thrust the overloaded plate into his free hand, plopped another chicken leg on top of the already dizzying mountain of food and drizzled the whole thing with steaming gravy. "There. We'll have you one stone heavier in no time."
His eyes narrowed.
He turned and left, and not in the direction of his own chambers.
As he marched along, people promptly cleared the path for him, warily eying the expression behind the tart sticking out of his mouth. The guards at the door of the royal chambers wisely opened the door and stood aside, startling his friends who were just sitting down to supper. As he stalked to the table, Gwen regarded him in surprise. Arthur, in slight trepidation. He glared in silence for a moment before he spat the tart onto the plate. It slid down the massive mound of food and landed -plap!- on the floor.
He addressed the king in a deadly whisper.
"What have you done?"
Arthur pinched his lips and heroically schooled his features.
"I'm sorry?"
"One stone heavier?"
Arthur grimaced.
"I told her one stone heavier by Yule, not by next week!"
Merlin stared flatly. A thick dollop of gravy lost its fight against gravity and dripped off the edge of the plate to follow the tart. -splip-
"That's it. I'm going on another vacation."
"NO!"
Arthur's chair went flying as he threw himself around the table's edge, landing hard on the floor, one hand clutching Merlin's trouser leg for dear life.
Gwen giggled. Merlin raised his eyebrows and peered past his plate and down at him. Arthur brought his other arm forward to firmly clamp onto Merlin's ankle as though he feared Merlin's disappearance right then and there.
"No. Please, no. Not without me."
Merlin stared down past his teeming plate at the desperate monarch who had a death grip on his leg and relented with a small laugh, agreeing , "No. Not without you."