The Golden Age Universe
At Deaths Door – Chapter 5
~Fran Gipani
Disclaimer- So I obviously don't own Merlin no matter how much I'd love to :'( but I do own my OC Brooke
Note from the Author- Thanks to all the people who have reviewed, followed and favourited this story, you guys are awesome :) Also thank you to my Beta SailorPetal :) Review at will and I hope you enjoy!
~Fran xx
"Arthur...Arthur Merlin died." Brooke looked up at her friends with tears in her eyes.
"What!" Arthur sank onto the end of the bed.
"Morgana caught him off guard; she hit him in the chest with a curse. There was nothing he could do."
"But it's not like everything you 'see' comes true," Arthur fumbled, "We need to hurry and find a way to get you there Brooke. So maybe you can stop this from happening." Arthur looked to Gaius, "Please tell me you can find something quick." Arthur's tone became slightly aggressive.
"I can do my best sire, and that is all." Gaius had noticed Arthur's change of tone so he said, "Remember that I care for Merlin just as much as you do so there is no need to get aggressive, you know that I will do all that I can to help him."
"You're right, I'm sorry Gaius. I'm just so worried about him."
Gwen put a hand on Arthur's arm, "We all are Arthur, I think we should let Gaius and Brooke get back to sleep."
"I won't be able to now," Gaius replied, "I am going to go back to my desk and see whether I can find a way to get Brooke to the other side."
"I'm the same, so I think I will do my best to help you. To do whatever I can." Brooke agreed rubbing at her eyes a little.
"Thank you, both of you, but Brooke there is something I need to talk to you and Gwen about. So if you could both come with me?"
"Of course sire, but if you don't mind could I maybe put on some more suitable attire?" Brooke smiled, looking a little bashful.
"Ahh, yes, good point. Why don't we all do so, and meet at the council chambers in half an hour." Arthur said thoughtfully.
"I will see you then my lord," She said to Arthur before turning to Gwen, "Would you like me to hurry though, so to come and assist you Gwen."
"No need, I am sure you need to recover a little from this morning's ordeal." Gwen replied with a smile.
"Thank you m'lady," Brooke replied with a smile as the King and Queen left the room, with Gaius close behind.
~O~O~O~
Brooke knocked cautiously at the door of the council chambers, and heard Arthur's voice confirming permission to enter. She pushed open the door and closed it slowly behind her, Arthur was sitting at the head of the large table and Gwen was on his left. "Come join us Brooke," He indicated the seat on the right, where Merlin would have sat had he been with them. He waited until Brooke had walked over slowly until he spoke again, he swallowed nervously, he had never brought up this question with Gwen before and wasn't sure of how she would react. "Guinevere I talked about this with Brooke when she revealed her magic to me, and I would like to consult you on the matter. I have been thinking of revoking the ban on Magic and I wanted to hear your views on the matter."
Gwen looked taken aback, though rather pleased at the news, a smile splitting over her face, "Arthur, you know very well that I support your choices, you have a just heart and I am sure that you will make the right decision. I know that, though Magic has played a big part in trying to destroying Camelot, it has also played a part in trying to build it back up, thanks to Merlin that is."
"Thank you Guinevere, I am glad of your support…" Arthur's lips twitched into a smile, "…but you didn't answer the question."
She returned Arthur's look of amusement, as if he should know the answer already, "Of course my love, bringing Magic back to the land is a very good idea." Gwen looked over at Brooke, "I am sure that Brooke will be able to help with making adjustments to the laws and advising you until Merlin is back with us."
"Until then and after." Arthur said with a smile, leaning forward onto the table.
"Are you sure?" Brooke asked, looking hesitant, "I am only a servant, no one special really."
"You may be, but you are the personal maid and friend to the Queen. You are my friend and I appreciate your council."
"We both much appreciate how much you have done for us." Gwen said with a smile to her friend.
"Thank you, both of you, and I will gladly help, in whatever way I can"
"All right then, let us call a council meeting. This motion needs to be put forward to the lords." Arthur said with a grimace." This is going to be one of the most difficult propositions I have ever made. My father had the lords in his pocket when he was King and their views on Magic will be set, it is going to be very difficult to convince them otherwise."
~O~O~O~
It was a day later when the council chambers at a brisk walk with Guinevere and Brooke close behind. As he entered the council stood in respect for their King and Queen. Arthur motioned for them all to sit, he had Gwen on his left and Brooke on his right; he had a serious look on his face as he as he began to speak. "I have called you all here on a matter of importance today. This matter is something that I have been thinking over for a long time; since the banishment of the Warlock Merlin about a year ago. Since then I have been taught a lot about magic but the one most important thing is that magic is not always bad." Arthur paused here, noting the looks on the council's faces. Most looked rather confused while others just looked downright angry. He had hoped that some may have been slightly opposed to Uther's rein but as it turned out his father had managed to scare the council into submission and brainwash them into thinking magic was only evil. This is going to be harder than I thought. But with Merlin in mind he began to speak again. "I am sure if you didn't witness the evens at the tallest tower six months ago then you must have heard about what happened. Merlin, a Warlock, saved my life but because of this he is now on the brink of losing his own." He waited for the mutterings to die down so he could start again but one of the council members began to speak.
"…but magic is evil and it corrupts. Let the sorcerer die!" There were a few mutterings of approval from around the table at this but they eventually silenced at the look on their kings face.
Still standing Arthur glared down at the man thinking; thank my lucky stars that Merlin's not here to hear all this hatred. He has heard enough of it all ready. "Merlin saved my life and the whole of Camelot so many times over. He is my friend I am not going to let him die." Arthur took in a deep breath, "In Merlin's honour I am planning on revoking the ban on the use of magic in Camelot. Those who practice magic that pose a threat to Camelot will go on trial before they get their punishment."
"This is disrespectful to your father's rule!" One of the lords started, "Like I just said! Legalizing magic will only destroy Camelot. I cannot let you do this!"
"I am your king!" Arthur's voice rose, echoing around the high ceilinged room. "There is nothing that you can do to oppose me. I trust this man with my life. I trust his judgment. My father was prejudiced against magic and was blinded by his hate. I not saying his rule over this kingdom did not fail…nor am I saying that mine will succeed. What I am trying to say is that his view on magic was one sided and that my view of magic has been changed for the better."
Arthur paused, staring around at them all taking in their expressions; taking in their shock and in some faces a slight hatred. Thank goodness Merlin's not here...he thought again...he shouldn't be hearing all this hatred. "I will need to continuously alter the laws to make sure it is fair for all good users of magic. This will take some time so don't slay your dragons before they attack, so to speak. I have Brooke here, who is a declared Warlock and loyal to the crown to help and advise me on this. I know you have all been affected by my father's reign but I am sure that you all will learn, as I have, that magic can be a force for good. If you all don't have anything to say then I will bid you my leave."
The lords all rose from their seats as their King made to leave the room and their Queen and Brooke stood to follow them out. Just as Arthur got to the heavy oak double door and had pushed them both open the lord who had been at Uther's side since the start of the great purge roughly pushed out his chair and tripped up the young Warlock who then went flying into the ground. The lord took a defiant step towards Arthur, pulled the sword from its sheaf and knelt down, pointing it at Brooke's chest. "What has that sorcerer done to you?" The lord shouted angrily at his King, "Your father would be insulted by such actions considering the kingdom!"
Arthur turned around, a look of pure hatred coming over his face, as he saw the threat posed to Brooke. "You cannot speak to me like that! I am your king!" He drew his sword and pointed it at the Lord, "Let the maid go!"
"…but your father!" The lord spat out his words venomously, "The Warlock deserves to die!"
"My father was wrong!" Arthur took a step forward to meet the man in front of him who had now brought his sword up to meet Arthur's. As soon as the sword was away from Brooke's chest Gwen stepped forward and helped her friend up, guiding her away from the angry lord. "I know that this is a risk, but it is a risk I am willing to take; I trust Merlin and what he has shown me is that Magic really isn't all evil I don't need your support to bring this law to pass but I would like it."
"I don't like it. But I guess I can't really back down...I trust you like I did your father when he was king." The older man frowned as if battling with himself inside his head. He held out his arm, "My apologies sire. I hope you can accept them."
Arthur took the lords hand and slowly shook it, "Thank you but it is not me but Brooke that you should be apologizing to."
"Of course, my apologies Brooke, my conduct was extremely un acceptable. I hope you can forgive me."
"Of course my lord," Brooke bowed her head in respect, "I accept your apology."
Satisfied with what he had seen Arthur walked towards the door, "I shall leave you now; I have matters to attend to." He nodded to the lords who were all still standing in slight shock from experiencing their kings' anger over the matter. They all bowed in return as Arthur left the room with Gwen following behind, her arm still around Brookes shoulders. As the doors closed with a loud clunk behind him Arthur felt a sense of achievement from the recent events. This is all in your honour Merlin. This is all for you.