Wow, thanks for the response guys! By the way if this story isn't floating your boat check out my other one, which is very nearly completed is a Mergana fic called "The Darkness to My Light"
Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin.
Arthur's servant George showed Merlin, Will and Archer to their shared quarters with esteemed efficiency. He walked through the halls of Camelot with his head held high as if he was in the noblest occupation Camelot could offer. Merlin found him very amusing.
"I hope this will be to your collective satisfaction my Lords?" George asked in a crisp polite voice. Merlin struggled not to laugh.
"Of course, thank you George," Will said managing to keep it together. Once he had left the three young men fell into collective giggles.
"Do you think Arthur hired him for his sparkling personality?" Archer laughed.
"I doubt it, I bet he's good at his job and he knows his place," Merlin replied, "Kings take no interest in their servants, well unless there magically talented of course." Merlin said with a sense of irony as he looked at his own situation as Cenred's slave.
"And why do you suppose Arthur has made him serve us, his own personal servant?" Will asked sceptically.
"No doubt so he can keep an eye on us and report everything he sees and hears back to his beloved king," Archer said.
"Don't you mean keep an eye on me, after my stunt this morning I doubt he'll ever trust me," Merlin said sighing and slumping down onto one of the three very grand beds that were laid out in the spacious grandiose chambers they had been assigned.
"You were insulted Merlin, we all were, you were only defending us," Will said shaking his head and sitting next to him.
"Defending us? By completely humiliating that poor knight in front of his friends?" Merlin asked. He felt utterly ashamed; he had overreacted and used his gift for his own ends.
"In Essetir we are treated with respect and awe despite us being Cenred's dogs, we were not expecting such a hostile welcome, considering Camelot's dire situation," Archer said.
"For most of my adult life I have been taught and commanded to react to every insult that came Cenred's way, to protect him with my power, I just reacted, I didn't mean to upset him," Merlin said.
"Habits are hard to break, and Camelot is not perfect and the feud between Essetir and Camelot is a long one, tensions will be high," Archer said ever the voice of reason.
"I will try better from now on," Merlin said resolutely.
"You can't help your gifts Merlin, they are a part of you, whether Camelot welcomes them or not," Will said hotly.
"I held back my opinions when I looked into Arthur's eyes," Merlin said.
Merlin's friends sat up in shock as they stared at him in excitement. Merlin's gift for insight and truth did come with its advantages and knowing King Arthurs secrets would give them a definite advantage.
"What did you see?" Will asked gripping Merlin's shoulder in excitement.
"I saw a deep conflict in his soul," Merlin said shrugging.
When Merlin had gazed into Arthur's eyes he was startled by the depth of the soul he found there. Unlike Uther this young man was brave and loyal and possessed a good heart. He longed for peace and freedom that Merlin could relate too. But he was bound by his father's laws the same way Merlin was bound by Cenred. They were alike in many ways Merlin realised.
"Tell us," Archer begged.
"He doesn't understand magic and he doesn't trust it, but nor does he regard it with the same blind hatred that Uther did, he is sympathetic towards magic folk but fearful of them all the same, he does not like what he does not understand. He fears he will never live up to his people's expectations, but what I detect most is a stout heart and a strong mind. In time I believe he will make a very good king," Merlin said.
Archer and Will stared at him in shock.
"He seemed like a royal prick to me," Will said.
"You think every royal is a prick Will," Archer said pushing him slightly. "Still, it is good to know that he isn't an evil tyrant like his father."
"Yes but neither does he have the courage to break away from his father's evil ways," Will said. "He's a coward."
Merlin didn't reply. He knew Will always looked for the simple answer in life. He saw Arthur for his failures, and not for the reasons behind those failures. Merlin thought Arthur was very brave. That didn't mean that he liked him though. Far from it.
A knock on the door broke the silence and Will and Archer sprang from the bed but Merlin remained seated.
"Enter," Will command.
Gwaine entered with his eyes downcast and a light blush on his cheeks.
"Sir Gwaine?" Merlin questioned astonished, after his performance this morning he expected the knight to avoid him. He was a braver man than Merlin had given him credit for.
"I would just like to apologise for my behaviour this morning, I meant no harm, I'm afraid you caught me in a bad mood, and I tend to not think before I speak, and I apologise," Gwaine said.
Merlin saw the truth in his eyes.
"I believe you," Merlin said. And with that Merlin walked to the window in the chambers and refused to look at him, embarrassed that he had taken advantage of this poor man. He refused to apologise in turn though, his pride would not allow it, plus Will was right, it was what he was trained to do, he would not change overnight.
"Anything else?" Archer asked.
"My king expressed his wishes for you to join him and his circle of knights at dinner," Gwaine said.
"He has a circle of knights?" Archer questioned confused.
"Yes, it was something he brought in after his father died, Arthur has a close band of men that would follow him to the death, we are treated as equals, I am one of them believe it or not," Gwaine said politely.
"I see," Archer replied.
"Tell your king we accept his generous offer," Will said.
"Not from me," Merlin said turning away from the window and his piercing blue eyes turned to Gwaine.
"Excuse me?" Gwaine asked offended, it wasn't proper to deny a dinner request.
"Merlin?" Will questioned.
"I do not wish to make anyone feel uncomfortable" Merlin said a light flush on his cheeks.
"It was Arthur's wish that you join him sir," Gwaine replied.
"You can call me Merlin, I have no title I am but a commoner from a small farming village," Merlin said and watched as Gwaine's eyes widened in reply. He recovered quickly.
"Then, Merlin I am afraid I do not understand your refusal, do you mean to insult our king?" Gwaine asked.
"Of course not, but I believe I may have angered him, I do not wish to antagonise him further," Merlin said.
"Are you kidding? Arthur loves to be antagonised it's his favourite way of bonding," Gwaine joked, Merlin stared at him with wide eyes.
"You would speak of your king so informally?" Merlin enquired, such words would have earned a sound lashing from Cenred.
"Arthur, despite his pomp and circumstance isn't a lover of formality, he likes to believe in equality when it suits him," Gwaine said again.
"I see," Merlin said.
"Then you will come?" Gwaine asked again.
"I believe I shall," Merlin replied. Gwaine bowed his head and left the room.
"I'm not comfortable with this," Merlin said
"Don't worry about it Merlin," Archer said, frowning in concern.
"Everyone is going to be staring at me as if I'm some sort of magic wielding demon," Merlin replied.
"You're not a demon," Will said.
"They believe I am evil, that magic is evil," Merlin replied.
"Then maybe it wouldn't hurt to show a hint of vulnerability," Archer said.
"What do you mean?" Merlin questioned looking up at him.
Instead of replying Archer walked forward and grasped at Merlin's black gloves that went above his wrists that covered the silver bracelets that threatened his life. He then moved his hand to Merlin's neck and untied the black neckerchief that was tied there, revealing the silver choker.
"You, have your own problems Merlin, and you are a slave to Cenred much like Camelot is," Archer said "Maybe it won't hurt to show them a piece of yourself."
Merlin glanced down fingering the bracelets that pinched into his skin and the constant ache that resided there.
"Perhaps you are right," Merlin said.
"Besides, despite them being a sign of slavery they do bring out the colour of your eyes, and go nicely with the Essetir black," Will say fluttering his eyelashes in jest.
Merlin glared back and sent a harmless burst of magic at Will's feet that flipped him onto his backside which caused Archer to roar with laughter.
"No fair," Will said.
"Come on guys let's change we want to look our best for his royal highness," Archer said.
They were late of course, they were always late, just a little, it added to their mystery the three of them decided. They walked in step with each other to the banquet room which was doubling as the throne room for tonight and the doors were pulled open by two servants.
There weren't many people in attendance. There was a large circular table that filled the great room and Merlin counted only four knights and Arthur and an old man that Merlin recognised from this morning. The occupants of the room stood as Will, Archer and Merlin entered.
They looked very impressive Arthur decided, they wore nearly the same clothes as before only of finer material although William wasn't in armour and instead wore a soft black tunic similar to what Merlin was wearing. All three of them had their trademark cloaks.
But again it was Merlin that drew they eye of everyone in the room, there was something graceful and confident about him that Arthur greatly admired. The man knew who he was and accepted it, something that Arthur failed to do. A glint of silver caught Arthur's eye and Arthur gasped in shock as he stared at the jewellery that adorned Merlin's wrists and neck.
His neckerchief and gloves that he had worn this morning were gone and the rumour that Merlin was chained to Cenred's rule was proven correct. They gave him a royal look; he looked every inch a young prince. But Arthur knew the rumours; these pieces of ancient magic were what made Cenred so powerful, they were what kept Merlin by his side and his magic under his control.
Arthur had never felt sorrier for anyone in his life. Magic was evil, he knew that, but no one deserved slavery, to be forced into something he did not want. But then again judging by his performance this morning, Merlin took great relish in showing off his gifts and causing people misery, so perhaps his slavery wasn't as cruel as it seemed.
Everyone seemed to make their own assumption by the way they all glanced at the pieces surrounding Merlin's skin.
"Welcome, join us," Arthur said. The three consorts of Essetir bowed low and hesitantly made their way forward. Three chairs were empty between Arthur and the old man.
"Let me introduce everyone," Arthur said "You've met Gwaine of course, and this is Leon, Elyan, and Percival, my most loyal knights," Arthur said pointing each out.
"And this is Gaius, an old friend and my physician here in Camelot," Arthur continued.
"We are honoured to make your acquaintance," William said.
Arthur noticed it was genuinely the young swordsman or the Archer that did most of the talking; Merlin kept to himself and didn't talk much despite being the obvious leader of the group.
Maybe an attempt to seem less intimidating, Arthur thought.
"Help you," Arthur said and gestured to the impressive display of food that adorned the table.
Merlin stared at the food and felt sick, this was all a useless gesture of pomp and circumstance, a gesture of friendliness and acceptance that Arthur was forced to do if he had even a hope of obtaining a peaceful alliance between Essetir and Camelot.
"Eat something Merlin," Archer said into his ear. It didn't help that Merlin had been seated next to Arthur, he couldn't look directly into his eyes, and therefore he didn't know if he was telling the truth in any of his comments, he knew it had been done on purpose. Merlin had never felt more uncomfortable.
"So you both work in Cenred's army?" Leon asked starting a conversation between Archer and Will and the rest of the table listened in.
"Sometimes," Will replied "But most of the time we spend our time doing work for the council of shadows and obeying Cenred's most private commands."
"We do train and test Cenred's new recruits though," Archer continued. There was a long silence and Merlin felt the urge to join in with an attempt at humour.
"I spend my time reading books on dark magic that have elaborate ways of torturing and killing people," Merlin said smiling.
Everyone in the room froze and stared at him in shock, this continued for about ten seconds before Will snorted lightly into his food.
"Well, not most of my time," Merlin said smiling into his goblet of wine. And Archer joined in with Will's silent giggling.
"Inside joke," Merlin explained lowering his wineglass to the table and frowning as he realised his comment may have been taken too seriously.
It was true of course, Cenred had forced him to read books on dark magic but that was not all he read as rumour often said he did.
"Funny," Gwaine replied.
"So were you three raised in Essetir?" Gaius asked attempting to start up conversation again.
"On the outskirts," Merlin replied.
"We've known each other all our lives," Archer added.
"I guess that makes you very loyal," Arthur said gazing at the two of them.
"Very loyal," Will said staring Arthur back straight in the face.
"Have you always been able to do magic Merlin?" Gaius asked, ignoring the strained looks of Arthur and the knights at such an awkward question, the less they knew about magic the better.
"Why do you ask?" Merlin asked staring to the old man's eyes.
He read the truth in them. He was an intelligent man with a thirst for knowledge, he had a latent magical talent that wasn't at all powerful but was there, and Uther had spared his life, to keep him by his side, an in-house encyclopaedia on magic.
"Your story intrigues me, I've never met anyone as magically gifted as you and I'm curious," Gaius said.
Merlin paused considering his answer.
"I have been able to see things all my life, as you must have already realised I have a talent for seeing things other people try to hide," Merlin said.
"So you're a soothsayer?" Gaius asked.
"I believe sticking a label on me would be most unwise," Merlin replied.
"Oh?" Gaius asked.
"When I was about eight years old my powers developed into a more physical ability, soothsayers don't have practical magic if my reading serves me correctly," Merlin replied.
"I see," Gaius replied.
"You mean to say you've had magic all your life?" Arthur questioned.
"Yes," Merlin replied "It used to drive my mother mad."
"Where is your mother now?" Percival asked entering into the conversation.
"I do not know, I am not permitted to see her," Merlin said dropping his gaze to his silver bracelets as everyone stared at him.
No one could doubt his forced servitude now; Arthur wondered how he would feel never being allowed to see your parents, the very mother who gave birth to you. Arthur had never had the chance because Igraine had died. But Merlin"s was very much alive, what a bitter fate to never be able to see her.
"How were you taken from her?" Elyan asked curious. Will and Archer immediately tensed and looked at Merlin warily.
"To tell you would reveal Cenred"s secrets which would cost me and my friends my life," Merlin said.
"I"m sorry," Elyan replied.
"Don"t be," Merlin replied.
The party was very solemn after that moment as everyone considered Merlin"s revelations, the boy was a wonder Arthur reluctantly admitted. His situation was enough to drive anyone mad and he found himself reluctantly feeling sorry for him and wished he could rip the silver from his skin.
A soft tapping at the window drew everyone's attention. A large crow was stood on the ledge, a bird Will, Archer and Merlin instantly recognised.
Merlin rose ignoring the startled look of the knights and opened the window and held out his arm onto which the bird hopped.
"Cenred wants my report, excuse me," Merlin said. He bowed low to Arthur and strode out of the room.
"Cenred is a crow?" Gwaine questioned stupidly.
Will laughed "It is blessed with Merlin's magic, it will ferry messages between the two of them."
"I see," Arthur said.
He didn't like it, Merlin not being in the room. He refused to feel scared for the man, that was definitely not what he was feeling, he decided. He was more concerned with what he was writing in his message; anything negative could restart the battle.
He needed some air.
"Excuse me," Arthur said and strode out of the doors and went through the corridors until he went outside onto his balcony that overlooked the now vacant courtyard. He was startled to find Merlin there with his hood around his face. He was releasing the crow into the night sky.
"Come to check on me?" Merlin asked not facing him instead leaning over the balcony to stare at the courtyard below.
"Actually I came for some air it's a coincidence we ended up in the same place," Arthur said, Merlin stared at Arthur's eyes from around the edge of his hood.
"You worry I send a negative message to Cenred," Merlin said, it was not a question.
Arthur forced down a stab of anger, it was unfair to talk to someone who knew you're secrets, and nothing could be kept hidden from this brilliant man, wait brilliant?
"You shouldn't, my words were nothing but complimentary," Merlin said.
He stood back and gazed up at the stars into the sky a pensive look on his face. Arthur had never seen someone look so mysterious or dark before. The hood contrasted with Merlin's alabaster skin and shadowed his eyes. He gave off an impression of power despite his thin frame and not for the first time did Arthur consider him beautiful.
He watched as Merlin gazed up into the heavens and suddenly he remembered something Gaius had said about rare soothsayers being able to read the stars.
"What do you see?" Arthur asked.
"You know about that?" Merlin questioned not moving his eyes from the sky.
"Gaius had his suspicions," Arthur replied looking up to but not seeing anything other than the moon and the slow twinkle of the sparkling stars that held no information to Arthur.
"He is an intelligent man, your father was wise to keep him by his side," Merlin said. Arthur refused to reply.
"What do you see?" Arthur asked "Do you see your destiny or other peoples?" again he was met with no answer but he refused to move, the boy was just far too fascinating. He found himself unafraid of being alone with a powerful sorcerer instead he was only extremely curious.
At last Merlin lowered his eyes and turned to face Arthur his face shadowed by his hood.
"I see nothing tonight; the stars will not yield their secrets," Merlin said.
"But they have before?" Arthur asked.
"Of course, they tell the future of everyone in this world if you know how to look," Merlin said.
"You know the future?" Arthur asked.
"Perhaps" Merlin shrugged, "The future can always change."
"It can?" Arthur questioned.
"Mine did," Merlin said. Arthur knew he would not get much out of him if he questioned his own future, it was private.
"I thought destinies were fated?" Arthur asked "That you can't change them"
"People's choices change all the time, choice is what gives people freedom, I did not get a choice, my destiny changed and this impacted the lives of many, since that day the stars are always moving," Merlin said.
"Then what's the point in star gazing if they do not give you a direct answer?" Arthur asked.
"Hope," Merlin replied "hope that one day the future will realign itself."
Arthur stared at the boy, a thing he had been doing an awful lot it seemed. He seemed so young to be so wise, but then wisdom had been forced on him. Who knew what Cenred forced him to learn?
"I will bid you goodnight sire," Merlin said bowing and moved to step pass him.
Arthur reached out at the last minute and grasped Merlin's wrist, his fingers pressing against the silver that laid there.
"Call me Arthur," Arthur said.
A hint of a smile played at Merlin's mouth before he bowed his head again and turned to go back inside.
Arthur had never felt more intrigued by a person, and decided then and there that he would find out more about the mysterious boy that was beginning to take up most of his thoughts.
Man that was long! Man my fingers hurt! Man I'm tried…..Man!
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