Thanks for the reviews!
A/N: Classes are starting tomorrow, so from now on, my updates will most likely slow down. Sorry, but I'm going to concentrate mostly on them, but I will still type and try and update weekly. Thanks again and wish me luck!
The new day dawn bright and early, the morning light shining through a gap in the curtains to shine in the Druids eyes. Groaning, Merlin flung an arm over his eyes, only to realize too late that it was the shoulder he had hurt yesterday.
He sat up with a hiss of pain, clutching at his wound. Clenching his teeth, he ignored the hot throbbing in his shoulder and pulled back the bandages. It had been a bloody mess last night, but it was already half healed by now, a small merit to being a magical being. Looking into himself with his mind's eye, he studied the steady flow of magic to his shoulder.
Another couple of hours, and it would nearly be gone. Enough time to pass before the talks which were scheduled to start after the noon meal. Tugging the bandage back into place with only minimal cursing, he stood up from the bed.
Glancing around, he spied a bowl of fruit and a tray with fresh rolls and a jug, not the one he'd puked in last night, full of clear water. Sitting down, he dug in, taking bites from an apple and a roll in turns.
By the time he'd finished, he was feeling refreshed and ready to face a court full of humans. Going through his wardrobe, he threw on what came to his hand first. Tugging on his boot, he left as he headed for the outside and fresh air.
Taking some of the back corridors to avoid any unwanted attention, he was soon stepping out into the sunshine, breathing in a lungful of crisp morning air. It was a nice morning, the only thing marring it was the shoulder wound and the fact that it was going to rain before night fell. He could feel the buzz of energy created by the far away storm, putting pressure on his skin.
Glancing around, he saw that the courts animals, the rat and mouse catchers, the guards dogs, strays, even the cuddled lap dogs were nowhere in sight, feeling too the impending storm. Sighing in envy, he would love to be back home curled up in front of the fire as he watched the lightening flash outside through magically protected windows.
Except he wasn't home. He was here for a purpose and he would see it to its end. He would think about afterwards when it came to that. Shrugging off the itchiness the storm caused his skin; he headed for the one place he knew Arthur would be at this time.
He arrived just as the blonde delivered the finishing blow to one of Uther's older and more experienced knight, the sword flying from the man's hand. He seemed momentarily stunned, but he caught himself and bowed.
Arthur glanced over when he started to clap, a large grin sweeping across his face as he noticed who it was. "Merlin." He called out. Spying a towel next to Arthur's spare shield, he held it out to the blonde who nodded in thanks.
"Thanks." He wiped his face free of sweat, setting the helmet under his arm on the ground next to his shield. "How's the shoulder?" he asked, eyes glancing to the hurt appendage.
"Good. It's nearly healed already." His eyes roved over Arthur's face, noting the dark circles under his eyes that made his golden face look almost gaunt. "Did you even sleep last night?" He asked.
"For about a few hours, but I woke up again and couldn't get back to sleep." Merlin could read the lie easily, but didn't catch him on it. He was just being his usual noble self, trying to keep Merlin from worrying about him.
"So instead of trying to get some sleep, you decide that swinging a piece of metal around would be so much better." He let the small sarcasm drip off his tongue, drawing an answering smile from the blonde.
"So Arthur." One of the younger knights had walked up while they were talking. "Where did you learn to fight like that?" He asked, a little awed from the sound of his voice. Merlin noticed many of the nearby knights turning to hear the answer as they pretended to not eavesdrop.
"The Druids, they live in a forest full of magical creature, not all of them are friendly. You have to be quick and good with many weapons if you want to keep alive." He explained patiently.
"Really." He started to talk in earnest to the blonde. Merlin let them talk, walking further onto the training field to watch other bouts of fighting.
"So, Merlin, do you use a blade?" A smooth voice asked behind him. He turned to see a knight behind him, blade sheathed as he leaned against a nearby wall. He was tall, almost taller than Merlin, with dark brown hair that was cut short. He was fairly muscled, with a strong jaw and nose that looked like it had either met a fist or a shield a couple of time, but he was…good on the eyes, if one thought of him that way. He wouldn't pass criteria in Avlin, but here he was probably considered a catch.
Merlin smiled evenly. "Some, though I'm not as good as Arthur. My talents were elsewhere." He said aloud.
"And where would that be?" His voice seemed to drop an octave. Merlin couldn't help but smile on the inside. This human was trying to flirt with him, and not very well too. Smirking, he moved, body a blur as he brought his hand to within a few inches from the man's face.
"Hand to hand combat was my specialty, well that and magic." He explained, stepping back as the man stared at him in shock. He could hear Arthur laughing his ass off behind him.
"I wouldn't try him later, if I were you Cardok. That was Merlin being slow. His shoulder is still hurt after all." Arthur crowed, clutching his side as he laughed again.
"Oh so witty, Arthur. Stop trying to scare the man." He smiled back at the man, trying to reassure him. He got a creeping feeling down his spine as he noticed a strange gleam in the man's eyes.
"No offence taken. Though perhaps, when your shoulder has fully healed, you would like to spare, with blades or without. I wouldn't mind learning a few tricks." He grinned at the innuendo he'd made, waiting for Merlin to reply.
Merlin rolled his eyes mentally, but replied nonetheless. "I will think about it, seeing as my schedule is going to be really busy from now on." He bowed slightly to the man and walked off, sending a smile and wave to Arthur as he passed. He wanted to get to his rooms, take a bath, maybe read some letters, and get ready for the talks.
Arthur glared daggers at the man as he had his back turned. That Cardok had the audacity to talk that way to Merlin, his Merlin. If the man had been anyone else, he would have beaten him to a bloody pulp by now.
He still couldn't believe the man had the balls to proposition Merlin the Druid Ambassador, of all people, even if it had been an innuendo, meant he was either politically inept, or just plain stupid.
Merlin was here for political reasons. If he were to get with anyone, it would cause a scandal and force him home since he would be seen as politically compromised and seen as favoring someone. Sheathing his sword, he made his excuses, grabbed his things and left for a hot bath. He too would have to be ready for the talks that were starting this afternoon.
Still seething inside, he sank into the heated water. What was worrying him though was whether Merlin had seen through it or not. Merlin was well…Merlin. Smart, occasionally an idiot and goofball. He was clumsy and yet graceful at the same time. He was one big contradiction. Add magic into the mix and he was something altogether unknown.
He was never sure what the Druid was thinking and what he would do next. He was an enigma and he enjoyed trying to figure him out. He only hoped Merlin had seen through Cardok and would refuse his advances politely. Sighing; he shifted about in the water.
Rubbing at his neck, his fingers brushed against a leather cord. Following it, he stopped just above a small stone the cord wrapped around. It was a pale blue crystal, short through with golden streaks. It was a gift from Merlin when they were younger. He'd kept it all these years, smiling every time he remembered when Merlin had given it to him.
"Arthur, come on." The small Druid pulled at the blonde's hand, dragging him toward the house.
They made it through and up the stairs and into Merlin's room without anyone stopping them. "Sit." He pointed to a stool near the window. Obeying the seven year old, he perched himself on the stool and watched as the Druid rummaged through his desk.
The brunette turned around, something clutched in his hands. "Close your eyes." Arthur did as told, listening to his light tread as he came closer. "Hold out your hands." Something small dropped into his cupped palms.
Opening his eyes, he looked down, eyeing the small, rough stone. It was uncut, the edges rough and formed into strange shapes. "Happy Birthday." He said quietly as he stared down at his bare feet, nervously fidgeting with his tunic as he waited for Arthur to speak.
Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a long piece of leather. He'd been planning to use it for something else, but it didn't matter. He quickly tied it around the stone and then tied it around his neck. "How does it look?" He asked the younger boy.
He looked up and seeing it hanging around his neck, smiled brightly. "Nice." Arthur reached forward and pulled him in, giving him a playful noggie before letting him go.
"Thanks." Holding it up to the light, he watched as bright blues and golds flashed from it.
He held it up, letting light shine through it and watched the light play off the water. He couldn't help but smile as he remembered that day. It had been the first thing he'd ever gotten from the pale Druid.
Smiling again, he let it drop, the cord catching it and letting it bounce on his toned chest. Quickly, he dunked his head under the water and lathered his hair up with soap. He needed to get ready soon if he was going to make it to the talks on time.
Arthur sat in his cushioned throne-like chair, waiting with the rest of those gathered for Merlin to arrive. He had come early just to make sure he wasn't late. The doors opened with a soft groan and the hall quieted.
All eyes turned to the approaching druid. He was dressed in his usual blues, though a hint of red stood out from his neck scarf. It was Pendragon red, a sign of unity with Camelot.
"Are you ready to begin, Merlin?" Uther's voice rang out. Ygraine sat beside him, a gentle smile on her face.
"One moment please." He bowed, and ignoring the chair offered to him by a servant, he sat on the floor. A few of the gathered started to mutter, but Merlin ignored him, concentrating on something else.
Arthur could feel the rise in the magic in the room. He knew what Merlin was doing, but refrained from saying anything until the Druid was done.
He looked up with golden eyes straight at the royal family. Golden light was falling from his hands pooling around him and flowing behind him. As they watched, it shifted, rising to form a sheet of soft light behind him that nearly touched the ceiling above.
Colors slowly entered, taking shape and gaining textures. He finally spoke. "Your majesties, I give you the High Counsel of the Druids and the High Priest of Avalon, Maythn, newly appointed." His voice had deepened, a hollow ring edging it.
As the images solidified, the court took in full the rulers of Avlin. There were thirteen in all, all varying in colors and builds. The oldest appeared to be a woman, he face lined with age and hair turned a steel gray.
One stepped forward. His hair was a light brown, long and tied back from his high forehead and pointed face. Eyes a dark violet, he seemed to give off an aura of power, even from so far away. He was tall, his robes hanging off of his thin frame.
Slowly and elegantly, he bowed. "Your majesties of Camelot may blessings and peaceful times grace you and your home." His voice was a soft tenor.
Uther seemed to snap out of his shock for he bowed back and replied in same. Ygraine followed suit as did Morgana and Arthur, though Arthur bowed lower than they did. He'd grown up around this man and knew his power.
He continued talking. "I am Maythn, High Priest of Avalon. Long have we waited for this day, when our two peoples could come together and find peace at last. I hope that we can soon be considered one people and have no fear of war between us."
"Let us work for a better future." Uther replied.
"I have just one thing to say before the talks begin." It was the oldest looking among them, but her eyes were trained on Merlin. Uther nodded and she continued. "This spell that Merlin is working is very complicated and power consuming, and although he is one of our strongest magic users, even he has limits. At the most he can hold it for about eight hours from this distance. It would be wise to keep the talks to less than that, near six. After wards he will need a day to recover himself. We will need to schedule our times together."
All eyes turned to the seated Druid, but he remained oblivious, too far gone in the magic to notice anything else. His eyes were a continuous golden shine, light still spilling from his hands to replenish that lost from the wall of light behind him.
Uther nodded turning back to the Druids. "Then for now, we will stick to introductions and scheduling our talks." She nodded sitting back with one last glance at Merlin.