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"Ready?" Arthur asked as they stood outside the main doors to the banquet hall. It was meant to be seen as a symbol of friendship between the two peoples, Druid and Human, walking into the feast. It was a bonus that they were actually friends to begin with, though Uther would never say that out loud.
"I guess." He was fidgeting, tugging at the collar of his laced up shirt. "How can you stand to wear this?" He felt like his air was cut off.
Arthur just sighed. "Come here." He turned Merlin to face him, tugging at the upper laces until they were hanging loosely around his neck. "Better?"
He nodded, face red from embarrassment. "But, what about the dress code?" Uther had been adamant that they stick to the dress code.
"If anyone asks, just tell them the truth, that it made you feel uncomfortable. If Uther asks, then tell him I changed it. Okay?"
Merlin nodded. Arthur turned to the guards. "We're ready." They bowed and stepped forward to open the doors. A horn blared and the herald announced them, much to Merlin's chagrin.
They made it down the row between the tables without any mishap from Merlin who was known for his clumsiness. Nodding to Merlin as they stopped before his table, Arthur continued on to his own seat beside his father.
He mostly ignored his speech, catching a few phrases like "a better future" "advances in medicine" "allies against our enemies". It seemed to go on and on. He kept himself entertained by watching the gathered people and Merlin especially.
The Druid still continued to fidget, uncomfortable being talked about and watched by everyone in the room. Most were focused on his father, caught up in his speech. A few just kept their eyes on Merlin. He could put a name on a few of them.
One was the Lady Morgause who was seated next to Lord Gareth the senior, one of the Lords and Knights who defend the northern borders. Another was Lady Helen of Mora. He assumed she was husband hunting and what better than the Druid Ambassador who helped bring about peace. There was a third person watching him. Sir Cardok, second son of Lord Cardok.
It had been said that Lord Cardok had been unable to attend due to battle wounds and had sent his son, who was already a knight of Camelot, instead. He wasn't sure why the young man was watching him, but Arthur would have to keep an eye on him just to be safe.
His father finished and everyone started clapping. He joined in as well, though he didn't really want to. As the last of the applause died, servants came streaming into the room, laden with dish after dish. Taking his pick, he kept an eye on Merlin, making sure he didn't take anything that would upset or hurt his system.
Seeing nothing, he set about enjoying his meal, since it was probably the only thing he was going to enjoy tonight. The one thing he hadn't liked about this banquet, there was going to be dancing and although he knew the steps, didn't mean he wanted to dance with every woman, eligible or otherwise, that was attending tonight.
Giving a faint sigh, he dug into his roasted lamb, enjoying the spices put into it. It was going to be a long night. The meal went by slowly, but surely, each course served and devoured by those gathered.
For the most part, he remained silent, occasionally talking with his father about trivial things. By the last course, a sweet apple tart served with warm cider, he was stuffed and wasn't sure if could stand let alone dance without puking it back up.
Standing, although uncomfortable, was necessary as the servants cleared the tables. The dancing was about to begin and he must start it with Morgana as his partner. His only wish was for her to not step on his foot as revenge for his rude comments earlier today about how all she did was brush her hair.
He held out his arm to her and she took it with a smile, an evil gleam in her eye as he led her to the dance floor. Wary, he fell into step beside her and was soon in the center of the crowd of nobles and lone Druid.
He could feel Merlin's eyes on him and knew the pale man must have a large grin on his face for Arthur discomfort. Turning to his stepsister, he moved into position, one hand raise, the other at her waist. Hers went into his raise palm and onto his shoulder, fingers digging in painfully for a brief moment, nails long and lethal.
Keeping his face composed, he took a step and she followed, their movements composed and graceful, even as they both went to war against each other. He squeezed her hand in retaliation, grinding the thin finger bones together briefly. The only sign of discomfort was her lips tightening into a thin line before she smiled again.
By now others had joined in, swirling around them. He caught a brief glimpse of Merlin dancing with Lady Morgause. They certainly made a nice pair, dark hair and pale skin next to bright blonde hair and lightly tanned skin.
He felt an odd tingle in his stomach, but he was distracted from it as Morgana's foot landed none too gently on his toes. Clenching his jaw, he continued to dance, digging fingers into her side as payment.
By the end of the dance, he was battered and bruised and felt sure he'd won the battle but was soon to lose the war with her. Shrugging it off, he flagged down a servant with a tray of goblets full of watered down wine.
Grabbing one, he stepped to the side, watching the couples move from one dance to another seamlessly. Merlin was with a new partner, this time Lady Helen. He was right in assuming she was going to go after him. Her dress was a fetching yellow that complimented her creamy skin and brought out the brown highlights in her hair and eyes.
Again, that annoying feeling in his stomach, stronger, but he put it off to having eaten too much. Taking a sip of his wine, he watched his parents dance. There was so much love between them. You could just see it, from the way she stared at him, or the way he held her, as if she was delicate and too important to lose. For a second he felt envy. What would it be like to have someone love him like that and to love them like it in return?
Shaking his head for having such silly thoughts, he drowned the rest of his drink. As he handed it to a servant to take away, Merlin came up to him, skin slightly flushed from exertion. "How was your dance with Morgana?" He asked him, leaning on the wall to watch the other dancers.
"Murder."
"That bad, huh?"
"I'm going to have bruises tomorrow." He complained softly. Merlin just laughed at him, smiling his goofy grin. "So did Lady Morgause or Helen have anything interesting to say?" He watched him out of the corner of his eye.
"Lady Helen didn't say much, but Lady Morgause kept asking me about magic. I kept changing the topic, but she was insistent. The dance finished before it got too heated."
"Good. Wouldn't want her getting any ideas about what to use magic for?"
"What, why?"
"Apparently, her father is in disfavor with Uther and her being invited here was done as a favor." He explained.
"Oh." They turned and faced the crowd as the musicians stopped and the dancers applauded. Lady Helen was moving to one side of the hall where a small platform had been set up for her to stand on.
People were moving to stand to the side of the hall or took a seat at the vacated tables, waiting for her to start singing. She was smiling sweetly at everyone as the crowd settled and the room descended into silence.
With a nod, the musicians struck a cord and she sang a ballad, voice full and heavy as she spoke of the tragedy that befell a solder in battle and the grief his mother felt upon hearing the news. Many of the women were discreetly wiping away tears by the end of it.
A small round of applause as it ended. She spoke softly with the musician and they nodded, setting their instruments down and settling into their chairs. Smiling again, she faced the crowded nobles and started to sing.
It was some foreign language, one he didn't know. It was making him tired and feeling guilty, he gave himself a quick pinch to wake up. Looking over at Arthur, he saw the same thing happening to him. In fact, everyone but him was dozing off, falling to the floor as they lost their balance.
It was then he notice the telltale tingle of magic as it ghosted over his skin. Looking around, he realized it was coming from Lady Helen. He quickly covered his ears, blocking out the source of the magics influence.
As he watched, dust and cobwebs seemed to grow over those who slept, as if they were statues that had been in a room for too many years. His heart was pounding as Lady Helen stepped down from her platform, coming down the hall towards him and Arthur.
She seemed to be speaking. "You killed him. You sent him off to battle and he was killed by those savages and now you're trying to make peace with them. I cannot forgive you Uther Pendragon. For the loss of my son, you shall feel the same. You have only yourself to blame." She stalked closer, seemingly unaware of Merlin's presence.
Looking around for a way to stop her, he saw a large chandelier hanging over head in the path she was taking. Working quickly, he drew on his magic, unknotting the cord that held it suspended.
It came crashing down onto her with a dull crunch that made him wince and avert his eyes. He'd just killed her, killed a human. He had no idea how this would affect the talks, but he hoped it wouldn't do too much damage.
People were rousing, many starting in surprise to find themselves covered in cobwebs and dust. He could hear Uther's voice above the rest, demanding to know what had happened.
Arthur was stirring next to him from his slumped position on the wall. "Merlin, what happened?" He asked dazedly.
"She-" He was cut off by a scream of rage. Where there had once been a young attractive woman, an old crone lay pinned under the heavy light piece.
"I will not be stopped. You will suffer as I have, Uther Pendragon." She shifted, light glinting on metal as she threw something with the last of her magic, falling to the floor dead.
He reacted without really thinking, stepping in front of Arthur. Something seemed to snap inside him, power flooding through his system as he focused solely on the approaching danger.
Its momentum slowing to an almost crawl. He wasn't as fast as he should be, the blade sinking in an inch into his shoulder as it finally came to a stop. That broke the spell he had woven, people seeming to be moving again. There were screams and gasps as they took in the state he was in.
Arthur was yelling at him, calling him a great idiot. He just sat on the floor, clutching his shoulder, blood seeping through his fingers in scarlet rivulets. Arthur was crouched beside him, hands on his as he tried to stop the flow of blood. Gaius soon joined them, medical bag in hand as he saw to the bleeding Druid.
By the time Gaius had him patched up; Uther had gotten control of the gathered nobles as some guards carted away the body of the dead sorceress and grieving mother. He came striding over, Ygraine by his side. "What happened?' He demanded, looking between Gaius, Arthur, and Merlin.
"Sire, has there been any battles with my people in the last few years?" Merlin asked instead.
"There was one two years ago. Some rogue Druids against the treaty started to attack some of our villages. We sent some soldiers to stop them, but most were killed before your own people intervened." Ygraine answered, hand resting on her husband's arm to stay any harsh words he might voice to the wounded Druid.
"Her son was among those killed. She was grieving, and against a treaty with the 'savages' as she put it. She wanted you to feel her pain. She used sound magic through her singing to put all of us to sleep. If I hadn't noticed and counteracted it, Arthur andI would be dead."
"Hmm, this will take some time to sort out. First, we need to locate the real Lady Helen. Do you wish to delay the talks while you heal?" Uther asked almost nervously.
"No, we have wait too long as it is. This wound will not affect me, so we will go on as scheduled." Uther nodded.
Arthur was kneeling beside him, arm beneath his shoulder as he helped him to stand. "I'll help him to his room." He said. Uther just nodded, obviously elsewhere as he thought over this dilemma.
They were soon inside Merlin's rooms, the paler than normal Druid seated on his bed. Arthur was pacing up and down the length of the room, movement making Merlin dizzy as his blood loss took hold. "Would you please stop that, you're making me sick?" He asked, hand over his mouth, and skina little green.
"Sorry." He stopped and stared down at him. His temper finally seemed to get the better of him. "Are you insane?" He yelled out. "You could have been killed."
"But I wasn't, so stop yelling. I knew what I was doing."
"No you didn't. I can see it already. You're going into shock from using too much magic at one time." He grabbed a nearby empty pitcher and got it to him in time as he was sick from the shock to his system. "See, what did I tell you?"
"I'm fine." He muttered. He was starting to sweat lightly.
Sighing angrily, Arthur tugged at the bell pull that would summon one of the servants. One soon arrived, slightly flushed from running. "Yes, sire."
"Bring up some tea, not mint, and load it with honey." The man bowed and left to get the drink. They sat in silence as they waited for the man to arrive. He arrived some minutes later, a tray laden with sweetened tea and cups in his hands. Setting it on a table, he bowed and left.
Pouring a cup, he shoved it into the trembling Druid's hands. "Drink." He took a small sip, letting the sugar laden drink slide down his throat. He almost instantly felt better. The sugar helped restore depleted energy and helped his hands to stop shaking.
"Finish that, and then it's time for bed."
"What are you my mother now?" Merlin asked with a wan smile.
"For now, I am. Now finish that and get in bed." He downed the rest of the tea, scalding his tongue a little. He started to strip off clothing, boots and socks falling to the floor without care. The jacket and outer tunic soon followed into the pile. Stripped down to his breeches, the knife wound stood out, bandages keeping the wound from harm.
"Merlin." The Druid looked up at him. "You're supposed to dodge it."
"You say that, but it's a lot harder to do then it looks, and you were behind me. I wasn't about to let it hurt you." He defended his actions.
"There's just no arguing with you, is there?"
"Nope." He grinned up at him.
"Go to sleep, you idiot. You've got a long day tomorrow and need all the sleep you can get." Merlin just nodded and dived under the blankets. Arthur started to leave.
"Goodnight, Arthur." He called out.
"Night, Merlin." He shut the door softly behind him. He leaned against it, shaking still from the adrenalin that pumped through his system. Shaking himself, he headed off to find his father and see if he'd found anything out yet. He was wound up and wouldn't have been able to sleep anyways, even if he tried.