Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin

The meeting of the Round Table had gone as well as Merlin hoped. Arthur and Gwen already knew about the new law, so their support was expected. When the warlock explained the plan, Gwaine looked from him to Arthur with a knowing smirk on his face. The hidden noble had no qualms about magic and stated that he had seen it being used to do good and evil alike. With Percival it was the same, he even admitted, that after his village was destroyed if had been the Druids that helped the survivors.

It was a little different with the rest of the knights on the other hand. Leon had spent his whole life living in Camelot under Uther's reign, then Arthur's when the prince became a king. In the time of the Great Purge, the knight was just a little baby and couldn't remember how it had been before, so it was no wonder Leon acted a little wary towards the introduction of magic. However it was known that the Druids had saved his life, when there was nothing for them to gain, but he trusted his king and believed he would make the best decision for the people.

Although Elyan had travelled around, it was mainly the Five Kingdoms. And in each of them magic was banned, even if the law wasn't as strictly adhered to as in Camelot. Add to it the possession by the Druid boy's spirit, so Elyan was less than eager to see more magic. Fortunately, he understood the arguments for and against it, and knew his sister had a strong moral compass. If she was in agreement, then he decided to give it a chance too.

All in all, each one of the knights voiced their support and promised to do everything in their power to help to see the implementation of the new law to go as smoothly as possible. They also agreed to meet Ninianne later that day, after informing the rest of the knights about the king's plan.

Merlin left the room last, staying to answer any questions that appeared. When he closed the door, he saw Gwaine leaning on the wall, who asked with a smirk. "So, the princess finally knows, eh?"

Merlin acted on instinct. "I don't know what you mean."

The knight bent in the warlock's direction and said. "You do. I know about your not-so-much-illegal-now talents."

The advisor started to panic a little. "I have no idea what you are talking about." He tried to get away, but Gwaine put an arm around his friend.

As Gwaine's arm rested against Merlin's neck the knight was insistent without being loud. "It's me, mate. You can trust me. I know about your magic."

The warlock instinctively looked around, released himself from knight's grip and gave up the pretence before asking. "How..." Merlin swallowed. "How long did you know?"

"From the beginning. I saw you throw those plates with your mind," Gwaine replied calmly, not looking fazed about it.

"And you said nothing?" asked the incredulous warlock.

Gwaine shrugged. "You said nothing either. I just assumed that if you wanted me to know, you would have told me."

"I..I don't know what to say." Merlin was really moved by the consideration the knight had shown.

"Then don't and answer my question. Does Arthur know?" the secret noble pressed.

Merlin sighed and shook his head. "No, he doesn't."

"Then why is he doing it? Why now?" inquired the knight.

"I have no idea." Replied Merlin shaking his head again, wondering just what was going through his king's mind.

"Well, it doesn't matter now. The important thing is that he is doing it at all." Then Gwaine said looking into his friend's eyes. "You know, you can count on me, no matter what, right?" And added with a smile. "Whether it's to go on some crazy mission with small to no chance of survival or to cut His Royal Pratness' ego to size." He finished with a mischievous grin.

"Thank you. How could I ever repay you?" Merlin answered seriously, but the knight ruined his attempt at solemnity.

"Well, you could put a good word for me with that Druid girl." He answered with a smirk and walked away.

"Gwaine!" Merlin exclaimed indignant but heard only laughter as Gwaine continued down the hall.

Merlin was a nervous wreck, Arthur noted The contentment of the previous day's meeting of the Round Table had long ago vaporized, leaving only anxiety and vexation. He was pacing without even noticing it.

Taking a deep breath so to not to explode, Arthur spoke as he felt a bit irritated. "Merlin, could you please sit down?"

It sounded more like an order than a request, and the advisor obeyed. But that didn't solve the problem as Merlin started to tap his fingers on the table.

"Merlin!" the king exclaimed and thrown down the scroll he had been reading. "What's gotten into you? I have a speech to memorize!"

"It would be easier if you wrote it yourself, you know?" answered the warlock, but it lacked the normal ire. Arthur sighed and took pity on him.

"Look at me, Merlin, and tell me what's going on".

"Nothing." He didn't meet the king's eyes.

"It's not nothing! You were here an hour before time, while you are always late!" Arthur exclaimed making Merlin flinch, but gaining his attention. Pendragon walked around the table, put a hand on his friend's arm and looking into his eyes said. "You will do just fine. I believe in you."

Merlin hid his head in hands and whispered. "How can you be so sure of that?" Then he stood up looked at his master and continued. "We are going to destroy one of the basis of your father's rule, while most of the Council consists of Uther's faithful supporters, some of which stood by him during the Great Purge. To top it all, you are going to make me, a mere peasant and a known fool, your Magic Advisor."

Arthur only smiled. "You are worth much more than you give yourself credit. You have faced danger with me and always came out victorious. When I was depressed, it was you who helped me to believe in myself again. You are also more educated than most. I don't think that anyone from the Council, perhaps except for Geoffrey, could beat you at this." The king smirked and added. "And you are no longer a peasant." From one of table's drawer he pulled out a parchment. "This document makes you a noble, a lord of Camelot."

"What?!" Merlin exclaimed in disbelief.

"Exactly what you've heard. You are a lord Merlin now."

The warlock's legs gave way and he sat on a chair as his body felt too heavy. It seemed the shock was a one too many and Merlin was in a stupor, not really registering what was going on around him. Only after receiving a shaking from the king, did he focus enough to listen.

"Are you all right?" Arthur asked, worried about his friend.

"Yes... I think so." Merlin answered still not completely comprehending what was going on. "It's just quite a shock. Me! A noble!" Then he became cautious. "It's another grievance for the councillors!"

"If they try to oppose my decision, Geoffrey, when you weren't pestering him," that comment earned the king a glare from his friend, "has prepared a list of cases how each of the members, or rather their ancestors, became a noble. One even used to be a woodcutter!" After a moment he added. "And you much more deserve the term 'noble' than any man I know."

Merlin was listening to all of this as if it was some kind of a dream. Finally, he noticed. "You seem to have really thought it through."

"Thinking is the only thing I seem to be doing lately." Arthur said wryly and, forestalling any comments about not hurting himself, quickly continued. "You will be attending the meeting as a peer to any of them and my friend. Don't forget that. This time you can count on me like I always could count on you."

The warlock that left the king's quarters was much more optimistic and confident than the one that had entered them.

I noticed that I really like surprising my characters, so you can expect in the next chapter another shock for Merlin :)