Here it is. A round of applause to superbored85 who was the only one to see this coming. Here's a cookie for you. I spent all last night typing this chapter and I'm tired. This the chapter you have all been subconsciously waiting for, even if you didn't know. I've been going insane trying not to type this chapter too soon and trying to figure out where it should go and when, but I finished it so enjoy!
Merlin stared out his thin windows, watching the last of the light fade from the sky. Tomorrow, the council and Uther would begin the conclusion of these talks and he knew without a doubt that the council would give their final demand.
From past experience, it would be something large. Druids sought power above all else, going to great lengths to obtain it. This treaty was one such moment. They would demand something that either Uther would pay, though unwillingly, or he would refuse and thus stall the talks and force Uther to compromise with something of equal value. They would get power either way.
Trudging back to his bed, he looked down at its occupant. The smaller Druid had shown up as it grew dark, unable to sleep alone in his room. He was now curled into a ball on his bed, small fist gripping his pillow tightly in sleep.
Sighing, he slipped under the duvet, going slowly so as not to awaken Mordred. Lying his head down, he let sleep pull him under, speaking softly, the candles going out in some unknown breeze.
"Merlin." The pale Druid looked up from his book, and then looked down, his perch in the tree higher than Arthur. "Why are you up there?" Arthur demanded, pulling himself up onto the lowest branch.
Merlin didn't answer as he watched the blonde work his way up the tree until he sat next to him, on a slightly lower branch, bright blue eyes boring holes in his head as he waited for the Druid to speak. Merlin refused to answer or face him.
"Merlin, look at me." Merlin shook his head gently, lips sealed as he stared blankly at the words on the pages of his book. "Merlin…" He felt strong fingers gripping his chin, forcing his head to turn, no matter how he fought him. He shut his eyes as his face turned fully in Arthur's direction.
His breath hissed out of clenched teeth as he took in the Druid's face. "Who did this Merlin?" He demanded. He opened his eyes to see flaming blue eyes glaring at him, anger clear on his face. Even at the age of fifteen, Arthur was an imposing figure of muscle and shortened temper.
"It's nothing." He replied softly. He winced as gently fingers probed around the bruise forming on the side of his face. He knew Arthur could see the dried blood from where the rock that had been thrown had split his skin open.
"Nothing! You call this nothing. What is something, a broken bone, a knife in the back? Why don't you ever fight back? Why do you let them bully you like that?" He demanded hotly.
"Fighting back will only make them more determined. Eventually, they'll grow tired of it." He replied sagely, but it lack conviction.
"And how long will that take? These are the same ones who have bullied you since I first arrived here. Do you plan to let this go on forever? I know for a fact that you are stronger than them, that you have more power in one finger than they will ever have? Why do you let them? Merlin, why do they bully you?" He asked him, hands fisted.
He was about to answer when Hunith yelled up at them, telling them it was time to come in for lunch. Ignoring the glances Arthur was giving him, he stuffed his book into his pocket and made his way down the tree. Ignoring his mother's worried glanced, he walked ahead of the two, wanting to be alone.
It was dark when he arrived home, aching and covered in filth. The moment he stepped foot in the front foyer, the lights flickered on and he was face to face with a worried looking Hunith. She took in his appearance, and the worry changed to a look of guilt. "Oh, Merlin."
Taking a step forward, she helped him through the house to her personal work room, the scent of herbs and potions mixing together to give the room a unique smell. She pointed to a one of the benches. "Strip." She bustled off through the back door and slowly, painfully, he peeled off his grimy clothing, wincing when a bruised muscle was pulled.
Seated in nothing but his under shorts, he waited for his mother to come back in. A few minutes later, she was back, carrying a bowl of steaming, scented water and a cloth draped over her arm.
Setting the bowl down, she dipped the cloth into the water and slowly, gently whipped dirt from his pale bruised back. "What happened?" She asked softly.
"They caught me on my way back from training. I was tired and had let my guard down. It would have been a lot worse if my magic hadn't reacted to their malicious auras. It acted all on its own, as usual, but if not for it, I don't know what would have happened." He admitted, gritting his teeth as she pressed on a particularly painful bruise on his ribs.
"They appear to be only bruised. I can heal the worst, but you're going to be sore tomorrow." She informed him. "Do you want me to tell Arthur?" She asked him softly.
He shook his head. "Arthur's got enough on his plate at the moment to be worrying about me as well. I'll be fine. I just need to train more and keep my guard up."
She gave a sad sigh. "I'm sorry, Merlin. If could, I would have stopped this long before now."
"It is not your fault. If I thought it was, would I still be here. I love you mother, and I could care less about what people think about me." She just smiled sadly down at him, stroking his ebony locks softly, before pulling away to get what she would need to heal him.
Merlin jolted awake, breathing hard as he forced himself out of his memories. It had been a long time since he'd had these dreams. He remembered that night clearly though. It had been one of the last times that he had allowed them to get near him.
Arthur had never found out about it, assuming his lingering stiffness was due to a hard training session. Arthur had never learned why the consistent bullying and later attacks kept happening. Arthur did have one of the reasons though. Jealousy of his magic was main factor, since the ones who had bullied him would never rise very high in Avlin.
But there was something else, something that Arthur would never know of unless he told him. He almost had, that day in the tree, but then he'd lost his nerve and never got it back. Sighing, he turned over, willing sleep to come back, knowing that in a few hours, he would have to get up and prepare for the meeting.
The room quieted as Uther and Arthur entered, Merlin just behind. Lancelot had Mordred in tow, heading for the back of the room to keep the boy out of everyone's way as they worked. Moving to his customary seat on the floor where a cushion was laid for him, he sat, getting to work establishing a connection between Camelot and Avlin.
Slowly, the light faded into the image of the High Council and the High Priest. He zoned them out as pleasantries were exchanged between them. Instead, he turned his eyes to Maythn. He was dressed in the High Priest's ceremonial robes, which meant he must have arrived from an all-night vigil. He remembered his mother attending many such nights. He didn't look tired, so he must have had time to catch some sleep before the meeting.
He listened with only one ear as they discussed what had already been agreed upon for the treaty. He knew it already since most of it had been renewed points from the original treaty. It was as they neared the end that he turned his full attention to what they were saying.
"Then everyone is in agreement over everything so far. We have come to the end of this treaty. I am sure both sides have a few things they wish to add." Garna, ever the mediator, said aloud.
As Uther spoke to them about last minute things, one of the council's younger members was staring past him into the back of the room. As Uther finished and the others had agreed to certain parts, he spoke up. "I see you allow a filthy half-blood to stay among your people." He said casually, as if he commented on the weather.
Merlin saw Mordred stiffen as the man spoke. "Gal, that is no way to speak while the talks are going on." Maythn reproached him, turning a glare in his direction. "I am sorry for his comment. He is the least experienced among us and has yet to learn tact." Gal bristled at the comment, but kept his tongue in check.
"We take no offense from his words." Uther assured him. "Please continue. We have made our last concessions, please, speak yours." Maythn nodded in acknowledgement.
"We have spent the last few days in heavy discussion over what we will ask and it has been chosen. Although originally, we had not planned it, we believe it will help in the long run of letting our people coexist together."
He paused for a moment, letting it sink in and to draw breath before he continued. "We ask for a union between our two peoples. One that will show that both sides are willing to set aside differences for the greater good of all. We ask for a union between Prince Arthur, Human Ambassador, and one of our people of our choosing."
"A union of marriage?" Uther asked, just to be sure he had heard them correctly. Maythn nodded. "Whom have you chosen for this…union?" He asked stiffly, keeping his voice neutral.
"A few candidates have come forward and some would be acceptable for us. But we believe there is one is the best choice for this union."
"And who would that be?" Uther asked softly, hands gripping the arms of his throne hard.
He looked down, to where Merlin sat on his cushion. "Merlin Emrys." He said simply.
The hall broke out into yells at those words, each trying to be heard above the rest. Uther remained silent, eyes staring at Merlin fixedly as he processed what Maythn had said. Merlin for his part remained still, keeping his opinion to himself as he waited for things to calm down. It was hard though, with all eyes on him. He could feel heat creeping up the back of his neck and ears, but he put all of his focus on keeping the spell going.
It was Arthur who spoke first, bringing the room to a shocked quiet as he spoke. "They're right, he is the most suitable." All eyes turned from Merlin to Arthur.
"What do you mean 'most suitable'?" Uther demanded, turning to his son.
"Well, if you follow their logic, he is. Not only is he powerful by his own right, but he comes from a powerful heritage. He has also become accustom to our way of life during his stay here."
"But he is male?" Uther said in disbelief.
"So?" He seemed to be genuinely unconcerned with his father's shock. "Among the druids, union does not mean what is does here. They marry to form alliances and for power so that their children may have a higher place in life than they did. They care not for gender." He explained patiently.
"But…he cannot produce an heir." He reasoned.
"You forget father, they are a magical race. They figured out that problem a long time ago." He replied impatiently. "I see no problem with a union, but…"
"But what?" Maythn finally spoke as Arthur overrode his father.
"It's just, I thought, well assumed really, that because of all that, you would want Merlin to return to Avlin to join the council." He said, looking confused.
Maythn seemed to grow grave as Arthur finished speaking, but it was Gal who spoke first. "Why would we want him on the council?" The others glared at him and he appeared to look guilty for his outburst, but not what he had said. None appeared to disagree with his statement.
"Arthur, Merlin will never be allowed to serve on the council, no matter how powerful his magic or heritage is." He answered and all eyes turned to the Druid, but none could see his face as he sat with his head bowed.
"We will give you two days to decide on our request. We hope it will be favorable." The room was quiet as the light faded as Merlin let the spell go. No one spoke as he stood, a little unsteady on his feet.
Lancelot and Mordred came up beside him, offering a shoulder to lean on as they walked towards the doors. "Merlin." Arthur's voice range out, bring the three of them to a stop just before the doors. "What did he mean by that? Why can you never be on the council?" The silence was heavy as they waited for his answer and for a few moments, it appeared he wouldn't answer.
Then his shoulders sagged, as if under some great, unspeakable burden. "Merlin?" Lancelot asked quietly, but the Druid shook his head. Straightening a little.
His voice was steady and even as he spoke. "Because Arthur, I'm only half Druid."
I hope you guys enjoyed. don't yell at me too much about the cliffhanger I left you at. Also, I'll be putting a poll up soon on who of the two will wear the white at the wedding, lol. Look for it and help me decided. Reviews are loved and thanks for the 100 reviews so far.