Sorry it's been awhile but I realised I had a lot of work to do at university so I locked myself in a forced myself to do it.
Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin
The search for a suitable sword turned out a lot more complex than Arthur had realised. He had immediately offered Merlin his, but he took one look at it and shook his head and claimed it, 'unsuitable.' Every knight of the round table had offered up their sword to be enchanted but each time Merlin had laid a hand on one he just shook his head and walked off.
'Maybe it would help if you actually told us what it is you're looking for' Arthur said with his arms crossed still mad from their earlier discussion.
'Something untouched, something pure, worthy of a dragons touch' Merlin replied absentmindedly touching other swords in the armoury.
'So our swords aren't good enough?' Arthur asked.
'Oh lighten up Princess, Will's sword wasn't right either, he's not singling you out so get off your high horse' Gwaine said glaring at the young king.
This continued for a while and the knights watched on with frustration as Merlin moved from sword to sword testing each one he came too. Even Will and Archer who stood loyally by Merlin's side were starting too looked bored. Then all of a sudden Sir Leon burst into the armoury looking flustered, everyone turned to look at him.
'Yes Leon?' Arthur asked stepping forward.
'There is a young couple who would seek an audience with you, sire,' Leon said.
'Who is it?' Arthur asked confused, who would seek an audience with him? Surely everyone knew how busy Arthur was.
'A young man and his wife, a Lancelot and Guinevere, Sire,' Leon said.
'Lance…a lot' Arthur said sounding out his name in sarcasm.
'Yes, sire' Leon answered.
'Are they noble, anyone important?' Arthur asked.
'I don't think so sire, they seem to be dressed rather plainly,' Leon answered.
'Then tell them they must come back another time,' Arthur answered already turning back to Merlin to see if he had any improvement. Leon bowed and moved to exit, but Merlin butted in.
'Wait,' he called and Leon turned back hesitantly.
'We should meet them,' Merlin said moving away from the racks of swords.
'You know them?' Arthur asked suspiciously.
'No, but something is telling me that I should,' Merlin said frowning slightly.
'And that something is?' Arthur questioned dragging out the 'is' as if he were speaking to a child.
'I don't know, my magic? My soothsayer abilities? I don't know but you should trust my judgment' Merlin said.
'I don't have time for peasants Merlin,' Arthur said frowning at the warlocks antics. 'Shouldn't we be looking for a suitable sword?' Arthur continued.
'Yes and something tells me talking to Lancelot and Guinevere will help,' Merlin said.
Arthur sighed, when had he stopped making the decisions. His whole life things had been done for him, his father decided where he went what he learnt, who he killed. And now that he was king, his choices were took away too, by Cenred and his right hand man, who was beginning to worm his way into Arthur's every thought. He wondered why it was that Merlin had not figured out his amorous feelings. He claimed that he could see into his soul, but yet he had made no note of Arthur's feelings towards him, yet he had had ample opportunity.
'Fine' Arthur said shaking his head slightly, something about his withdrawn tone drew Merlin's eyes to his as he looked at him in confusion.
'Sire, you don't have to conform to my suggestion if you don't deem it right,' Merlin said confused.
'Well I don't really have a choice do I?' Arthur replied forcing his feelings about the warlock to the back of his mind as he stared back at Merlin.
'You are frightened of losing your free will, you fear you will forever be taking the ideas of another, and won't find your place as a king,' Merlin said staring into Arthur.
Once again Merlin's unnerving ability astonished Arthur; he saw his thoughts and feelings so clearly as if he took them from straight from Arthur's thoughts. But again, Merlin had not picked up on his romantic feelings…perhaps Merlin simply didn't see them, or perhaps he was just ignoring them. If it was the latter Arthur felt a pang of hurt shoot through him; to have your feelings just simply discarded didn't seem like something Merlin would do. But then again perhaps he didn't enjoy men's company. Arthur had refused to believe he had for a long time, until he had forced himself to accept it. Or maybe Merlin had a girl back in Essetir waiting for him, Arthur realised how little he knew about the man in front of him.
'I think me making the decisions round here is rather inconsequential seeing as your calling the shots round here,' Arthur replied.
'I suppose,' Merlin replied still staring at Arthur in confusion.
Merlin had heard tales about the young king and his arrogant ways, yet watching him now, Merlin couldn't help see a young man who had clearly had his world uprooted and was stumbling blindly, unsure where he stood. He had a noble heart, yet when Merlin looked into his eyes he could see he was hiding something, something that was just out of reach of his vision. It worried him that he could not see it, never before had he encountered a block in someone's mind before. Yet here was Arthur blocking his mind as If he had been trained in magic all his life. But other things came to him clearly, like his frustration of having a lack of choice and free will, but whenever he tried to look past the surface thoughts, he could not see clearly. Was he planning something he did not know about?
'Tell them were on our way Leon,' Arthur replied and watched as Leon bowed his head and left the armoury.
'We'll resume the search immediately if nothing happens in this meeting,' Merlin assured Arthur moving to lay a hand on his shoulder in comfort, ignoring the looks of surprise on the knights faces at the familiar gesture, all Arthur felt was a comforting tingle that ran up his spine and made him shiver which he hoped went unnoticed.
'Of course' Arthur replied smiling in an attempt to put off the discomfort he was feeling and moved after Leon forcing his thoughts of Merlin away from his mind.
Lancelot and Guinevere seemed nice enough, Arthur thought. They were a young couple newly married and had come to Camelot to start their life together. Lancelot was a handsome young man Arthur noted; well-built with a sword hanging from his side, he was all friendliness and easy manners, a true nobleman despite his not so noble ancestry. But Arthur had always been proud that his knights earned their position on their deeds not on their blood.
Guinevere on the other hand drew the attention of nearly everyone is the room, olive skinned and easily beautiful, she was all smiles and prettiness that drew the eye Arthur noticed even Merlin's eye who was looking at the girl with interest. Arthur felt a pang at the thought.
'So he does desire women, there goes any chance I might have had with him' Arthur thought.
But even Arthur couldn't deny that the girl was uncommonly pretty, Arthur desired both men and women and he couldn't help but notice the way she was staring up at him innocently.
Lancelot stepped forwards and introduced himself.
'State your business, friend, for time is numbered in Camelot's walls these days' Arthur said from where he was seated on his throne.
'I understand,' Lancelot said bowing his head slightly 'I would like to petition the king to join his rank as a knight'
'Why would you want to?' Arthur asked, 'the war is lost and we vainly hope that peace talks will provide an end to bloodshed.'
'I have dreamed of becoming knight of Camelot all my life, it is as good a calling as any, and I would be honoured if I could have a trial,' Lancelot said.
'So you don't seek the glory, of Cenred's army?' Arthur asked his eyes flickering over to Merlin, Will and Archer who stood in the shadows near the windows listening to the conversation but not taking part, as this had nothing to do with them or Essetir.
'I seek only what I believe is right,' Lancelot said. As they continued their conversation Arthur watched as Guinevere seemed to take an interest in the council of shadows and walked over to them to greet them.
'You haven't been introduced,' Guinevere said staring at the young men before her.
'No,' Will replied staring at the woman in confusion, 'We have no business in these talks.'
'Oh, are you not of Camelot?' Guinevere asked.
Merlin snorted softly and looked into her eyes as she looked at him. The girl had a kind heart, and loved easily he sensed. Yet underneath that he saw her faults, she had a deep lust for power and of men, she had been drawn in by Lancelot's skill with a sword and his hefty ambition, she had fallen for him easily. Yet Merlin sensed her attraction for him and Arthur, she lusted for men with power.
'Something funny?' She asked innocently.
'Would your husband be okay with you talking to us?' Merlin said staring down at her with contempt.
'I was…I was just being friendly,' Guinevere stammered in confusion.
'Gwen!' Lancelot shouted then stormed over and pulled her away from an amused Merlin much to Guinevere's shock.
'Lance, I was just introducing myself' Guinevere said staring up at her husband in confusion.
'Don't talk to them' Lance said authoritively 'They are not from Camelot, they are here for the peace talks between Camelot and Essetir, they are the council of shadows Gwen.'
Gwen let out a surprised gasp and turned back to stare at Merlin in something akin to horror. Clearly the girl had had a bad experience with magic, and the rumours surrounding the council of shadows wouldn't help their situation with these two Merlin realised.
Will stepped forward and bowed slightly to Lancelot who moved Gwen behind him and glared at the three of them.
'Honoured to make your acquaintance,' Will said with a smirk, clearly seeing the disdain on Lancelot's face.
'I'm afraid I can't say the same,' Lancelot replied.
'Ouch, you wound us,' Will replied.
'Yeah that's possibly the worst insult I've ever heard,' Archer replied standing next to Will and staring at Lancelot with smugness.
'Your council of shadows inspires evil, and one day you shall pay for your crimes,' Lancelot said.
Archer, Will and Merlin laughed at this and Merlin shrugged away from the wall and moved to stand between his best friends.
'I see you have a noble heart, but it is clouded by ignorance and a misjudged sense of right and wrong, you would be better improved if you weren't clouded by your supposed righteous impressions of us, and instead searched for the truth' Merlin said.
'I know the truth about you, demon.' Lancelot replied venomously glaring at Merlin with something close of hatred, his hand moving towards his sword.
'That would not be a bright idea,' Merlin said bringing up his magic to the surface so his eyes glowed gold and took a step forwards. He laughed again, as Lancelot stepped back in fear.
Merlin didn't like scaring people, but what he disliked more was when people judged him and his friends for the things he had no choice in. It was Cenred who forced his hand when he committed black magic. This peasant had listened to the rumours and accepted them as fact. That was something Merlin hated about the human race, their ability to accept situations without evidence or knowledge, it bred ignorance and it bred hatred, like the hatred of magic that had swept through Camelot.
'Lancelot, the council of shadows are my guests here, they are my only chance of stopping this war, and their situation is hardly ideal either, I would have you look at Merlin's chains and ask yourself if the man before you seems evil to you,' Arthur said.
Merlin turned his head in shock and stared up at Arthur with wide eyes. He was the last person he would have expected to defend him, clearly he wasn't the only one surprised given the looks of his fellow knights. Perhaps Gaius was right and with time Arthur's hatred of magic could be turned into acceptance.
'I don't trust him, and I don't want my wife talking to them,' Lancelot replied.
'That is your right, but I would ask you not to threaten them,' Arthur replied. 'Hostility will not help my chances with Cenred.'
'As you wish my king,' Lancelot replied bowing.
Gwen's eyes had turned again to look at Arthur, which were wide with awe. Merlin snorted softly, had this girl no shame? As he surveyed her he saw a sword hanging from her hip and his eyes widened as he felt drawn to it.
'May I see your weapon?' Merlin asked stepping forward watching with amusement as Lancelot dragged Gwen away from him. 'I assure you I mean no harm.'
'My sword?' Gwen asked confused.
'Merlin?' Arthur questioned.
'It is the right one for the enchantment' Merlin said staring at the blade.
'Enchantment, what are you talking about?' Lancelot asked.
'We have a situation' Arthur replied, 'If I agree to the peace talks it will make Camelot impossibly weak and eventually peace talks or not Cenred will attack again, if I decline them then Merlin and his friends will take to the battle, and Camelot's end will come swiftly.'
'We are all unhappy of this situation and are a looking for a way around it, we believe we have found one but it involves enchanting a sword, Merlin thinks your wife's is suitable.' Arthur continued.
Merlin noticed he mentioned nothing of the dragon, he didn't trust easily Merlin noted.
'It was my father's' Gwen said with a faraway look in her eyes.
'Yes, it is pure and of good make, it will suit,' Merlin said.
'I know it has sentimental value but I would ask that you make a gift of it, it would greatly help our chances, and I will welcome you Lancelot to my table if you both agree,' Arthur said.
'You would make me a knight?' Lancelot asked with hope.
'Yes, as long as you pass the tests, I don't see why not,' Arthur replied.
Lancelot looked at Gwen and Gwen looked at her sword then she sighed and unhooked it from her belt and passed it to Merlin who ran a hand over it and nodded.
'It is the right blade' Merlin said, 'Thank you my lady.'
Gwen blushed at the praise.
'I thought you don't believe in magic?' Lancelot asked turning to Arthur confused.
'I'm not the one wielding it, this is all Merlin's idea' replied Arthur.
'And you trust him?' Lancelot questioned.
There was a long pause where everyone stared at Arthur for his answer.
'I trust him as much as his situation allows me too,' Arthur replied vaguely, but Merlin understood. His situation of being Cenred's slave and his magic made trusting Merlin nearly impossibly and Merlin would have thought him a fool if he did. However he had respect for him, and he believed in Merlin's want for peace.
'Then I will trust your judgment,' Lancelot said.
'I regret that your tests will have to wait Lancelot, time is running short, and Cenred could demand Merlin's presence at any second,' Arthur said.
'I understand,' Lancelot said.
'If you will excuse me, I shall prepare,' Merlin said bowing his head to Arthur.
'Of course how much time do you need?' Arthur questioned.
'I should be ready by nightfall,' Merlin replied.
'Very well' Arthur said, and watched as Archer and Will bowed and then all three of them left the halls in perfect synchronisation.
'They are very impressive aren't they?' Gwen mused, and smiled as the knights laughed.
'You don't know the half of it my lady' Gwaine smiled charmingly.
Well there you go, I had to introduce Lancelot and Gwen at some point, and thought this would be fitting. I wanted Gwen to have faults, and she obviously is very lusty in the series, I mean she kisses everyone lol. And she gets on my nerves, so she's not going to be a villain as such in my story but she is going to throw up a few romantic entanglements here and there. So if you're a Gwen fan or Gwen shipper I suggest you cover your eyes when I mention her for she won't be portrayed in a good light.
Please review!