Part 23

To trick The King

Merlin returned to Arthur's chamber to find him already dressed for dinner.

'Do you want to make me obsolete sire?' asked Merlin.

Arthur put his finger to his mouth in exaggerated consideration. ' Now there's and idea,' he said mockingly, 'might make you work a bit harder.'

Merlin walked past him and started to tidy away Arthur's discarded clothes giving him a sidelong critical look as he did so...'Okay I only got half the job done...' said Arthur. 'Tell me what Gaius said?'

'Well, I discussed everything we spoke of and I asked Gaius if he would help us with…persuade the King to undergo a test, like we did in Heaf...a purge in a way.'

'And what would that achieve Merlin?' Arthur walked over to his table and picked at a bowl of grapes.

'Spoil your appetite,' said Merlin. Arthur ignored him. 'Well?'

'I was thinking that if he went into Heaf or somewhere like it, he would have to be honest about his feelings towards magic and it might change him...you've thought about it haven't you…why he behaves like he does? Gaius thinks some healing needs to happen…and that we could make it happen.'

'I won't have my father tricked into magic,' said Arthur' giving Merlin a glare that summed up his loyalty to the King.

Merlin flung his arms up and locked his fingers behind his head. He turned away form Arthur...this was going to be impossible!

'You won't have Uther take part in anything then,' said Merlin, his disappointment was acute… he could not quite believe that they could get so far and be thwarted by of all things…Arthur's honesty!' 'I understand that if he gets a whiff of magic it's all over but couldn't we just…'

'Not necessarily over' said Arthur mysteriously…'I've noticed a change in him...not to say he will ever accept magic…but he did let me go on the quest didn't he? I'd like to try and talk to him about Heaf… it is a remarkable place…it has changed me for the better if I explain it right.'

'Yes Arthur it persuaded you...'said Merlin in frustration,' but you are the better man ultimately

Arthur looked at him in surprise.

'Well you are Arthur...you can't see it yourself but you have a nobility and humility...do you know how rare that is? You care about the people in a way your father never could, you love them in ways he can't understand.'

Merlin looked away from Arthur now. He had never made such a speech before.

'It's…it's very kind of you to say such things about me Merlin.'

'Kind has nothing to do with it Arthur! I'm the last person to flatter you, and you know it. This sensibility of yours to not trick the King into magic, do you think he would have such consideration for you...really Arthur...do you?

Arthur stared at Merlin for a moment. Then he went to the boot cupboard and found his favourite boots. He sat on the bed to put them on. Merlin shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other. Perhaps he had gone too far. He watched Arthur's back. Then made to leave.

'Merlin,' said Arthur as he heard him walk towards the door. 'I cannot betray him no matter what.'

Merlin walked over to him. 'I'm sorry Arthur I wouldn't want to do anything that made you uncomfortable…I was wrong to say that. I know your father loves you, you should have seen him when he thought you had taken poison because of him…. it's just that he would do anything to get what he wanted...that's what I meant...he has a ruthless streak that you simply don't and…'

'And what Merlin?' warned Arthur.

'To be honest Arthur, one day you will have to learn how to do that…or something like that.'

Arthur looked up at Merlin now and scrutinized him. 'How can you talk like this one minute and be an idiot the next Merlin? You are such a puzzle.' Arthur finished with the boots and stood up. 'Are these good enough?' Merlin nodded. 'Maybe you are right,' agreed Arthur, 'but I have no idea how to do what you ask.'

'Talk to him Arthur but don't reveal the whole truth don't spell it out…say as much as you can without giving the game away…He will know you are talking of magic...somewhere in his subconscious...but give him room to fool himself.'

Arthur looked pained again. 'So I must play him…draw him out…'

Yes…that is it…be a hunter Arthur...but you will not be hunting for game or stalking an enemy…you seek out the hatred that burns away in your father and you could save him and Camelot…there cannot be anything dishonourable in it Arthur, there can be no shame in such a plan.'

Arthur stood up and straightened his jacket. He smiled at Merlin. 'I think I understand Merlin, though how you can fathom all this I cannot begin to guess. However, I will only agree to this if you allow me to behave as I would at any other time so be warned…if he asks me directly I will not lie to him'

'Okay,' said Merlin with a huge grin and a swelling heart. 'I would have expected no less Sire.' And with that Merlin gave a slight bow to Arthur that was in every way genuine.

Arthur waved his hand at him. 'Save that for later when I have succeeded…and Merlin he added turning before he opened the door. Will you be here when I get back?'

Merlin nodded.

'But wait...I will need you, before then Merlin will you come with me now…we can talk on the way.'

'Yes,' said Merlin 'I have to tell you something about the circle of magic.'

*

Arthur's dinner with the king had proved uneventful so far; His father was in high spirits, but still weak from his seeming illness. Arthur told him of the quest to bring back a sword of rare workmanship that had elicited such avarice amongst kings of the ancient lands that they had fought wars over it.

'I want to see this treasure,' said Uther, 'where is it?'

'It turns out it belongs to Merlin's family,' said Arthur taking a slow swig of his wine so he could closely watch Uther's face without staring.

'What your manservant?' said Uther incredulously.

'Yes, it's quite a story,' commented Arthur in a kind of off hand way. He picked at his food and left a pause that soon filled up with anticipation. 'It appears he is descended from a noble family that served King Eadbald, whose kingdom used to border Camelot…about three hundred...'

'Yes I know of it said Uther,' impatiently. 'So Arthur, is your man to have some claim on this sword, is he about to change his station?' asked Uther trying hard not to betray his irritation at the thought.

'Not Merlin, he's still a country bumpkin at heart.' Arthur winced inside at the deprecating statement about his friend.

Uther gave a relieved laugh, he knew this boy Merlin meant a lot to Arthur and in a begrudging way he appreciated his evident loyalty but Uther was no fool. He knew his son. Hadn't he had to drum it into him since infancy? These people were not like them. A prince was above the populace. It was the way God meant it to be…but Arthur had always rather sit in the kitchens than the throne room or wander the town than ride with his equals. What a threat a servant with a claim of nobility would present…they might have had to sit at the same table with this Merlin! Unthinkable!

Arthur had no illusions; he knew the thought of a servant owning a sword was an anathema to his father. Sometimes his father just wasn't very pleasant.

The King took a long draught of his wine. 'Then bring this sword to me.' he commanded with a dismissive wave.

Arthur summoned Merlin who brought Aidith's sword and placed it on the table

Uther did not look at Merlin at all but took the sword and unsheathed it.

'But this is incredible Arthur. This is the twin of mine!' He lifted his own from its hanging place on his chair back. Even the sheaths were similar. He laid them side-by-side on the table and finally looked at Merlin. 'How has this come to you?' he asked and with the words Uther turned his penetratingly blue grey eyes on Merlin…seeking out a lie. Uther was a consummate leader a man few could lie to easily.'

'By my mother's great great grandmother.' said Merlin returning such a direct look that Uther's eyes widened in surprise and Merlin quickly looked down again.

'And mine by Gorlois,' responded Uther in a somewhat more friendly way. ' But your ancestor was a woman you say...was she then one of the warriors of Emrys?'

'Yes' said Merlin interested that Uther knew of his family name. 'I have heard much of them from my father,' said Uther and a brief flicker of respect flitted over his face. Arthur saw it but Merlin did not he was too busy trying to control his whirring mind. Had their families been tied together for centuries?

And this place Arthur, where you found it. Asked Uther turning all his attention to Arthur and dismissed Merlin with a wave.

'A place of healing sire, all who go there have the chance to find resolution, no matter how heavy the heart.'

.

'Indeed.' smiled Uther, 'sounds too good to be true.'

Uther glanced up at Arthur, who was sitting nearer to him than usual. He himself had requested it and Uther was reminded so of Igraine who refused to sit opposite him at table, preferring to sit close enough so they could touch. There was something else tonight that evoked his wife. Being so close Uther noticed little things about Arthur. The way he lifted his spoon after it left his mouth, just a little flourish that anyone else would not notice. That was all Igraine. Arthur was so like her…that is what hurt beyond measure. To see her in him...to know what he did...what his ambition had done. What a twin pain was in this boy. He could not have them both. It was one or the other and always would be. He was roused form his thoughts by Arthur's voice. He had been talking for some minutes.

'But nevertheless sire.' said Arthur with sincerity. 'It had a profound effect on me it proved to be a way to know myself father and to weed out some of those things deeply set in me.'

Uther noted the sincerity in his son's voice and gave him a distracted smile.

'I'm sure it did,' he said politely.

Arthur wasn't sure if anything had hit home and he was surprised that he didn't get a cross examination about magic. He returned to his meal, glancing up at his father every now and then. Uther seemed preoccupied with his own thoughts. Maybe Merlin was right...there was no shame in offering him a way out and letting him take it…maybe the time was right…maybe he could change.

Uther had dismissed his son's words and yet they hit home. Could there be a chance to resolve everything? This is just what he had dreamed of in his long sleep, the chance to see Igraine again and beg her forgiveness. But he knew he did not deserve that and surely this was some trick of magic. But strangely that thought...the thought of magic did not make him sick with fury as it had every other time he even heard the word. For the past 20 years he thought the word alone would drive him mad...but now...now it did not sicken him. Something was changing in Uther Pendragon and the seeds of redemption had been sown, it was only a matter of time before he asked Arthur again about the healing circle and planned his own journey there.