Thanks for the reviews! Sorry for the late update, but it is kind of short. At least I finally updated. XD
Merlin stared gloomily out his thin strips of window at the dark and wet weather outside. He'd been right about the rain coming in late in the afternoon. At first it had been nice, cooling everything off.
Now it was just cold and wet and coupled with the draining he had taken today, it made him grouchy and a little depressed. Sighing, he shuffled away from the window and went to sit closer to the fire, letting the heat seep into his aching joints.
He felt like some old man with a weather predicting injury. Giving another sigh, he curled up in his chair and just stared into the fire, watching the different shapes it took as it incinerated the wood to ash.
He seemed to fall into some sort of trance-like doze, his mind far away as he slowly sank bonelessly into the chair. He didn't even start when someone knocked at his door. It was like he was wrapped in cotton, and the outside world was muffled.
He did jump though when a tanned hand shook his shoulder slightly. "Huh? Wha?" He started, looking around and up at who had come in unannounced. Arthur just stared down at him, blue eyes amused, a small smile creeping along his lips as he tried to look stern.
"Merlin, you're supposed to be in bed resting." He chastised the Druid.
"But I'm not tired." He complained, loudly.
"Right." He looked down at him skeptically. Ignoring his protest, he bent down and lifted him up with surprising ease, carrying the drained Druid to his large bed on the other side of the room. Letting go, he let him drop and bounce on the plush bed.
The Druid glared up at him. "I said I'm not tired." The fact that he yawned just as he said this belied his statement.
"If you want, I'll stay with you and talk until you fall asleep, but if you don't rest Merlin, it will take you even longer to recover and it will delay the talks. Do you want that?" He asked eyebrow arched in question.
Giving a sigh in defeat, he pulled back the top most blanket and slid under, while he propped his back against the headboard. Patting the bed, he looked at Arthur. The blonde prince just smiled, sliding onto the top of the blanket and bed.
"Alright, since I was kind of out of it when the spell ended and I was too busy with the spell to listen while they talked, what happened?" He asked, looking over at the blonde.
"Just introductions and scheduling. Garna mentioned to them that you needed to rest for a day in-between talks, so they decided to schedule days they would talk. Uther will send you the schedule later." He explained.
"Oh." They continued to talk, often interrupted by Merlin yawning largely as the night closed in around them and the fire died down. By the time midnight had come, Merlin was asleep; head leaned against Arthur's shoulders as he breathed in and out peacefully.
Arthur couldn't help but smile, remembering many nights just like this, where they had stayed up late into it talking and both falling asleep leaned up against each other. Making sure he was asleep, he slide off the bed. Pulling the blanket back, he slid Merlin down onto the bed, his head resting gently on the pillow.
He stirred briefly, but Arthur soothed him back to sleep by stroking his hair softly. It was soft, and silky, running easily through his fingers. Smiling gently down at him, he pulled the blanket up and left, looking back once before he left to seek out his own bed. If he felt warmth in his chest, he attributed it to having such a close friend and nothing more.
The day was clear and the ground damp as morning dawned. Flexing his shoulder cautiously, he decided it was healed enough for a little exercise. He needed it after waking up this morning stiff and sore. It had been a long time since he'd used that much magic in one sitting and his body was making its complaints known.
Downing the rest of his breakfast, a mountain of items had been provided to get him back up to strength, he left to seek out the training field. He had a feeling Arthur was behind it, but he wasn't complaining. Except for the last little bit, he had eaten it down with much enthusiasm.
Only a few of Arthur's knights were up at the moment, along with Arthur himself. Seeing him, the blonde waved him over with a gauntleted hand. The blonde spoke as he came near enough to be heard. "How are you feeling?" He asked, looking at the Druid, eyeing him up and down for any sign of fatigue or stress.
"I'm fine Arthur. There's no need to worry." To prove this, he stretched his arms up, confirming that his shoulder was healed.
"I guess." He replied reluctantly, still eyeing him. "So why are you here?" He asked the pale Druid.
"I wanted to spare a little. I've gotten out of practice recently and I need to loosen up after yesterday." He explained.
Arthur grinned at his words. It had been a while since the two had last spared and it would be fun. It wasn't every day that you saw a Druid in action. "Sword or fist?" He asked, letting Merlin decide.
"Sword, might as well put on a show while we're at it." The last past was said lowly for Arthur and the blonde prince smirked.
While Arthur went to grab an extra practice sword from the weapons shed, he set about stretching, working his muscles loose for the work out ahead. He just finished when Arthur came back with some light armor tucked underneath his arm a sword in his hand and a chainmail shirt hung over his arm. They weren't using shields for this.
By the time they were dressed appropriately for combat, a small crowd had gathered and was still growing. Arthur couldn't help but smirk mentally as he noticed Cardok in the crowd. He was now going to see why Merlin had turned down his invitation to spare.
Very few could stand up to a Druid. They were, slightly, faster and stronger than a human due to their magical heritage. Of course, speed and power were useless if one didn't have technique.
Merlin had learned alongside of Arthur as they had grown and although Arthur had continued on after Merlin had turned to magic, and medicine, he could still hold his own against the blonde.
Grinning evilly at the brunette, he settled into stance, waiting for him to make his move. Arthur just smirked back and struck out and down, aiming for the Druid's unprotected shield side.
A step back dodged it and soon they were into the thick of it. They kept their blows check, knowing fully well how much damage they could inflict. Even with that precaution, sparks still flew as they locked swords, chests heaving and sweat running down their sides.
It was a close thing, but eventually Arthur got under Merlin's guard and pulling off a move that only he could, jerked his sword from unresisting fingers. It landed with a clatter to a suddenly quiet crowd.
Merlin couldn't hold back a soft snort at the amazed looks on their faces. What would normally have been a basic practice session for the two young men was now turned into some great big spectacle.
Arthur nodded, knowing what was going through his head. He walked over to the Druid and picked up his sword. I think you should go rest now. It wouldn't do for you to overdo it, Merlin." He said a smirk on his lips as Merlin sent a mock glare at him.
"I guess you're right. Wouldn't want to get too tired." He bowed slightly to the crowd and walked away, still clothed in his armor and covered in sweat and dirt.
He remembered this Merlin very well. Many a times, they would go exploring through the forest, old abandoned buildings, search ruins, and always, always, came home covered in dirt and who knew what else. But it had been fun, to get away from the teachers and instructors, the books and training. To just, for a little while, have a day to themselves that didn't involve politics. They certainly wouldn't be seeing much of those nowadays that was for sure.
Putting those thoughts aside, he followed in his path, tired but happy. For now, he would take a bath and grab some lunch with the Druid if he could. Afterwards, maybe they could sneak off to do something. What was magic for anyways.
"Our people are willing to trade with you, but they fear that your people will see them as a threat and attack. We need to be sure of their safety before we decide anything." One of the council said vehemently. He was one of the younger ones, with pale brown hair cut short in the front and longer in the back.
Kaeden had always been a good mediator. So far the talks had stalled the last two times they had gathered. Disagreements over trade, especially trade routes, had left both peoples fuming and willing to tear out a throat or two if they hadn't been miles away from each other.
"Then what do you propose. We keep a guard on them constantly. That will just make them nervous, thinking the guards are there to keep the Druids from attacking. It would be the same for your people I am sure." Lord Geraint said aloud, thick gray brows drawn together in a frown over their dilemma.
They were getting nowhere. They needed some way for their two peoples to coexist, but fear of attack kept them apart. Too many years, too many people had died on both sides for the fear and anger to be easily forgotten. The grieving mother from the banquet was testament to that.
"What we need is someplace neutral." Arthur mused aloud, eyes distant as he thought. "Someplace where the two can meet and trade."
"Near the border but away from any major dwelling place of either race. That would keep any locals from trying to get revenge." Uther continued with his son's thought.
"I see where you are going with this. It could be a yearly, seasonal, monthly thing, where they meet up and trade goods. This will take some time to plan out and I'm not sure if my people will agree with it yet." Ywan, a tall woman with long black hair and equally black eyes rolled with it, face a serious mask.
"We have time to work these things out. As long as you are willing to put the suggestion out there, so are we." Ygraine conceded, expression giving nothing away but serenity.
"It seems we are in agreement and in good timing since our time is nearly up." Garna, time keeper of these meetings, said aloud, clapping her hands in finalization.
"Till next time." Uther said to those gathered, head lowered slightly. The rest of the court followed suit and the council did the same. Slowly, the magic sustaining the image faded and Merlin's eyes faded from glowing gold to tired blue.
He was paler than usual, but that was just the toll of the loss of energy. He sat back with a gasp, sweat dripping down his brow as he waited for the last of the magic to fade.
Arthur crouched down next to him. "You alright?" He asked him, eyeing the pale pallor he had turned.
"Yeah, just need a moment." He wiped hastily at his forehead and sat up straighter. "See, I'm okay."
"Good, wouldn't want you to pass out on us." Arthur grinned at that. "Well, you don't have to worry about doing this for a few days. The first tournament is coming up tomorrow and you get to sit back and watch me in action."
"I'm sure you'll be stunning, in your usual pratish way." Arthur just glared at him, but helped him up anyway.