Alaia Skyhawk: As you may guess from the title, this one is going to show Merlin getting to grips with the staff after he brings it home with him, although in truth it's not going to play a massive role until part 3. Nope, parts 1 & 2 will be centring on something else which will certainly be fun :D

Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin.

Music: Hunith's Letter To Gaius, The Forged Seal (Merlin OST)

"Whom History Won't Remember" Episode: N/A

~(-)~

Chapter 40: Staff of the Sidhe ~Part 1~

Outside the windows the distant sound of morning birdsong could be heard, the new day dawning not exactly clear, but certainly with no more cloud than would threaten an occasional shower. Inside this room though, a certain physician was clearing away the breakfast things when his ward came out of his room holding a rather distinctive staff.

Gaius frowned when he saw it, not best pleased.

"You didn't tell me why you brought that thing back with you. It's dangerous to have something like that in here. What if someone saw it?"

Merlin set it down on the table, sitting on a chair and propping his elbows on the flat surface so he could stare at the thing.

"I destroyed the other one, but it was only because I used this... I tried to break this one with the same spell afterwards, but I couldn't do it on my own. I couldn't leave this thing out there where someone might find it, so I brought it back with me."

Gaius was now staring at him.

"Wait, you can use that?"

Merlin nodded.

"What do you think I used to destroy Aulfric and Sophia? I didn't have time to make up a spell to deal with them, not one that would have been strong enough, so when I saw it lying on the ground I just used it... I uh, blew both of them up with it. It was actually kind of scary how easy it was." He looked over to him. "Can you tell me anything you might know about this thing, since we know it was made by the Sidhe?"

Gaius sighed, sitting himself on the other side of the table.

"Not really, other than that it was likely made to channel magic. With those two locked into mortal bodies, quite likely they needed them to cast their more powerful spells. It would explain why your spell was powerful enough when using this staff to destroy the other, but not powerful enough on its own. You're going to have to try coming up with another one."

Merlin frowned a little, considering something.

"If this thing helps make spells stronger, then maybe I should keep it." He noticed Gaius staring at him. "Hey, don't look at me like that. All I'm thinking is, what if something comes after Arthur or Camelot, and I need a magical weapon to deal with it. I can always make a new compartment under my floor for it."

Gaius gave him a long look.

"Fine, you may keep it for now, but I want you to make that new hiding place sometime today. I'll see if I can't find out some more about staffs of this nature. We can make a final decision about it once we know more."

Merlin grinned, picking the staff up to return it to his room.

"Thanks, Gaius. I'd better get going, before I end up in the stocks again, because Arthur complained at me being late."

He went into his room, coming out again without the staff and leaving, while behind him Gaius frowned a little. He may not know much about the staff, but he did know that one made by the Sidhe should only be usable by a magical being. But then, he already knew that Merlin wasn't a normal warlock.

~(-)~

The door creaked open, Merlin making a mental note to oil the hinges some time today. Arthur had been in a particularly odd mood with him last night, but then that was probably due to being embarrassed that his servant had 'knocked him out with a lump of wood'... To be quite honest, Merlin wished that were true, because people just thinking he did it, didn't have anywhere near the satisfaction that there would have been had he really managed to do that.

Then again, he was capable of knocking the prince out with two words and a glance, so yeah. He'd make do with the fun of the illusion of having knocked him out with a lump of wood.

Merlin winced when the door squeaked closed, a furtive glance in the direction of the side chamber where the bed was revealing the prince had his head stuffed under his pillow. Which meant only two things... He'd ended up like that while asleep, or he was already awake and not in a particularly good mood.

Creeping to the table, setting the tray down, he was just heading for the curtains when a disgusted mutter revealed it to be the latter.

"If you think you're being stealthy, you're wasting your time, Merlin. I heard you come in."

Merlin ceased his sneaking, now walking normally and trying to put a cheerful, but not too cheerful, note into his voice.

"Good morning to you too, Sire. I was trying to be considerate." He pulled something out of his pocket, walking to the bed after opening the curtains and setting it on the bed-side table. This time the cheerfulness held a hint of annoyance. "Here, headache remedy. I figured you might need one this morning."

Arthur pulled the pillow from over his head and sat up, directing the oddest glance at his servant's retreating back. He then looked at the nearby vial, sighing before picking it up and downing the contents.

"Thanks." He got out of bed, walking over to where his breakfast was set, watching as Merlin began to stoke up the fire. "You're not annoyed about ending up in the stocks, are you? Because..."

"Because I volunteered to endure being pelted with rotten vegetables, just to protect your ego." He directed an overly sweet smile at the prince. "Yeah, I really enjoyed that." He got up and headed for the dressing screen, beginning to rummage through the drawers and closet beside it. "I figure you owe me a favour."

Arthur blinked. Now wait just a minute!

"I do not owe you a favour for bringing me back here. You got that by me not having you spend a night in the dungeons for attacking me."

Merlin snorted, although didn't turn around.

"Although if you did that you'd have to admit to everyone that you eloped with Sophia, and that I knocked you out. Which is exactly what I helped you avoid, for all the gratitude I get for it."

"Merlin."

Merlin faced him, crossing his arms and frowning a little. What was up with him this morning, he was actually standing up for himself for a change.

"Look, it's not a big favour. I know for a fact you have next to nothing to do today other than go hang out with your buddies among the knights, and throw daggers at targets for sport down at the training field. All I'm asking is for a little something in return for the help I've given you the past four days... Prince 'I'll be your friend for life if you do'." He saw Arthur flinch. "Yeah, conveniently forgot that one, didn't you? Good thing I never took it serious in the first place."

Arthur was now staring at him, as Merlin resumed picking out clothing. Had his servant just implied that he, Arthur Pendragon, had made a dishonest promise? Well yes, he couldn't well be friends with his servant, but still... All right, so maybe not friends, but certainly 'amiable acquaintances'.

He sighed.

"And what exactly does this 'favour' of yours entail?"

Merlin kept his back turned to hide his smile, waiting a suitably long pause before turning and answering him with a straight face.

"I want you to give me some sword lessons, proper ones. Not just you using me as a warm up for tournaments, and beating the crap out of me."

Arthur started to look very confused. He'd expected to be asked for money or something.

"That's it? You want me to teach you how to use a sword?"

Merlin nodded.

"Well you're always complaining that I'm useless in a fight. I got thrown in the stocks three times this week, covering for you so you could go flirt with Sophia, and then to cover for your little escapade out to the woods. And did I mention the massive bruise I got from it all as well. I hardly think giving me a few pointers in return for that is a bad deal."

The prince stiffened, with a mixture of surprise and concern.

"You got hurt stopping me?"

Merlin, while he didn't like making Arthur think he was responsible, did need a cover for his injury. He undid his belt and pulled his shirt up far enough to reveal the large purpled splotch the blast from Aulfric's staff had left on him, before pulled it back down and fastening his belt again.

"I got thrown around a bit. Gaius said he was surprised I don't have any broken ribs. It's sore, but I got lucky."

"And you still came to work this morning despite that? That looks almost like you got kicked by a horse."

The reply to that startled statement was flat.

"No, I got kicked by an ass." Merlin marched to the dressing screen with his armload of clothing, starting to lay it out. "And besides, servants have to work if they're injured. The only time they can get off with it is if it's something that would stop them doing their job. If my ribs were broken, then Gaius could have told you to find a replacement for a week or so. But because they're not, here I am."

Arthur was once again staring at him, unable to deny that Merlin was more than eligible to ask for something in return for covering for him. And it wasn't like he'd asked for something bad, just some sword lessons, which to be honest it wouldn't hurt for him to have since right now he was a liability in a fight. And then there was the other thing...

He couldn't help but suddenly feel guilty at the way he'd treated him the past four days, and yet Merlin had put up with it, all the while never expecting to be thanked for it short of having to ask for thanks. And it was another thing he couldn't deny, that if Merlin hadn't asked then it would never have crossed his mind to offer any.

Arthur sat down at the table, starting to pick at his food before finally giving his answer.

"...Fine, I'll give you one proper lesson for each time you got put in the stocks, and one for you getting hurt. Starting right now." He glanced at Merlin, who was once again watching him. "For tomorrow, and the two days after that, I want you up at dawn for the other three. Understood?"

Merlin started to grin.

"Sure. Shall I meet you at the armoury?"

"Where else?" He pointed to the door with his spoon. "Now get moving, and go set out my armour down there. And find a set to fit you as well."

Merlin darted out the door with the grin still on his face, hurrying back to Gaius' chambers first. The physician could only stare in puzzled bemusement when his ward sprinted past him to his room, and came out again with the sword that Gwen and Tom had given him.

Gaius shrugged, shaking his head and resuming his research about magical staffs, before jumping in fright when an empty jar fell off a nearby table with a clatter.

Once again he shook his head, muttering about Merlin's enthusiasm causing accidents. The warlock was always knocking things off balance when he ran around like that.

~(-)~

"This stuff is heavy."

"Of course it's heavy, Merlin. It's armour."

Merlin winced as Arthur secured the hauberk that would stop his coif from moving, feeling like he was going to sink beneath the weight of the metal he'd just been lumbered with. Carrying it around to take it to clean was one thing, you could put it down every so often to rest your arms, but this... Having about forty-five pounds of metal hanging from your head and shoulders, was not comfortable when you weren't used to it.

Arthur took a step back, examining the fit of the slightly too-large mail tunic his servant was now wearing. Merlin looked down at it as well and started to grumble.

"Arthur, let's be honest. When am I ever going to have to fight in armour like this? I'm a servant. I just thought you were going to show me stuff with a sword."

The prince raised his eyebrows a little.

"Merlin, contrary to what you may believe, I do want you to keep all of your limbs intact. The armour will stop you from hurting yourself." He turned towards a nearby rack of weapons. "Now, let's find you a sword to use."

"I already have one. I went and got it from my room."

Arthur stopped in his tracks, glancing at him in surprise.

"You did?"

Merlin turned to where he'd left his sword on one of the tables, picking it up so Arthur could see.

"Here, see?"

The prince was now staring at him.

"You own a sword? You can't seriously tell me you could afford to buy one. Why would you buy one?"

Merlin frowned a little.

"I didn't buy it, it was a gift." He was now holding the blade a little protectively. "Tom, Gwen's father, gave it to me. As thanks for putting so much effort in to prove she wasn't the cause of the plague, and to get her name cleared afterwards."

Arthur put his hands on his hips, indignant.

"Excuse me, but I was the one that killed that afanc, and it was me who asked my father for the pardon for her."

"Yeah, and if Gaius and I hadn't gone to check the water source you wouldn't have known about the afanc. And if I hadn't pointed out that Gwen must have been framed to try hide it, and come and asked you, then you wouldn't have gone to your father to get her the pardon."

The two of them stared at each other for several seconds, before Arthur shook his head and headed for the door.

"Come on, let's get this first lesson over with."

He strode out of the armoury at a brisk pace, Merlin left panting and gasping trying to keep up. Arthur made wearing this stuff look so easy, as the prince led the way to the field where he'd used Merlin as a warm up for the tournament all those months ago, and this time the warlock was actually glad to be well out of view of everyone. If this lesson had been held at the training field in front of all Arthur's buddies among the knights, neither of them would live this down. Him for staggering around under the weight of the chainmail, and Arthur for being caught teaching him while he was doing that.

He came to a stop, using the opportunity to fasten his sword to his waist, before then doing a passable job of drawing it. While he may not have had any chance for practicing actual combat, he had made a point of practicing that in his room... As evidenced by a couple of pieces of his furniture displaying nicks and chips where he'd accidentally struck them in the process.

"So, what first?"

Arthur was watching him, seemingly pleasantly surprised that Merlin had clearly gone to some effort on his own, before smiling a little and chuckling.

"First you sheath that again, and I show you how to take a proper stance."

Merlin looked down at himself, where he stood there quite normally.

"What's wrong with this one."

To answer, Arthur took two strides towards him, and delivered a firm but not all that strong push just below the hauberk. Merlin's yelp echoed across the field, as he then immediately overbalanced backwards and fell over.

Arthur stood there looking down at him.

"Imagine a line running at a right-angle to a line running between your two feet. If you get pushed along that line, you fall over. A swordsman must never expose that weak point to his opponent, and that is why a stance is important. Now get up, and I'll show you how you should stand."

Merlin got back to his feet, with some grumbling again about how heavy the armour was. Once he was upright again, he sheathed his sword and sighed.

"Ok, I'm watching."

Arthur was still smiling, but funnily enough, it wasn't a smirk. He was taking this seriously.

"When I stand, with you as my opponent, look at where my feet are. My left foot is forward, so my shield is to the front, and my right foot is behind and to the side, and pointed to the right at an angle. I keep my knees above my feet, and slightly bent. From this positions, I can dodge in any direction, or I can lunge forward for a strike. Now, circle me." Merlin did as he was told, watching Arthur's feet as the prince continued to explain." Notice how I always keep my upper body facing you, but I always keep the line between my feet pointing off to the side at an angle. If you try to get to the point where I will be vulnerable to being pushed over." Merlin took the hint and moved to Arthur's right, but the prince immediately pulled his left foot back to the rear position, moving his line of weakness a full ninety degrees away from where Merlin now stood. Arthur's smile widened. "I move my feet and my foe is now facing my stance at its strongest point. Now, you try."

He walked up to Merlin and started manhandling him into the proper stance, before forcing him to spend the next hour pacing out the different steps used by a swordsman to move while in combat... Over and over and over again.

~(-)~

Gaius looked up from the book he was reading when Merlin stumbled into his chambers at midday, noting the young man's expression even as he set down his sword on the nearest table.

"I take it you've been training with that?"

Merlin slumped down onto a stool, nodding.

"Yeah, I talked Arthur into giving me a few lessons in return for covering for him the past few days. Except we didn't actually do anything with the swords today, he just loaded me with armour and made me walk around in circles but keeping facing him. And forwards and backwards, and quickly dodging to the sides... How the hell do the soldiers and knights fight in that stuff? That armour weight a ton!"

Gaius chuckled.

"Well it would feel like that at first. You're a servant, Merlin. For all that you are used to carrying heavy things around in your arms, you are used to doing so only at a slow and steady pace. Warriors, wearing armour, must do the same thing while also moving quickly and using up energy striking at their foes. That is why it is rare for a tournament bout to last longer than ten minutes. Few but the best warriors can fight in full armour for longer than that without taking a rest. That's why Camelot's soldiers are trained so that half a troop will stay behind the other half, and swap to the front every so often. It lets them fight for longer in heavy combat, and gives them an advantage over foes that recklessly throw themselves into the front line."

Hearing that, Merlin let out a long-suffering sigh.

"Which basically means, that unless I go out of my way to practice wearing chainmail, I'm never going to completely get used to wearing it."

Gaius raised his hands a little.

"What can I say? You're not naturally suited for hand-to-hand combat, Merlin. Your strength lies in working from a distance. That is why you and Arthur compliment each other so well in that respect."

"You mean how he throws himself into trouble, and I keep secretly saving his backside by knocking out the people about to stab him in the back."

The physician shrugged.

"Well, yes, to put it simply. Don't worry, Merlin, the day will come when you will be recognised for your talents. Now." He pointed to the book he had in front of him. "It's not much, but I think I've found out a little something about that staff, or at least one similar to it."

Merlin was suddenly interested, rising to his feet and walking over.

"You have?"

Gaius nodded.

"Yes. This entry speaks of a staff gifted to an early High Priest of the Old Religion. It, like we suspect of the one you have in your room, was made to channel magic by means of the crystal set into the top of it. Although this one wasn't made by the Sidhe, it was crafted with the help of a magical creature."

"Really?"

Merlin took a closer look at the book, hoping for a picture but disappointed when there was none. Gaius simply pointed to the relevant line of text.

"There are several types, clans if you will, of fae folk. The Sidhe are one, and it was another such group who created the staff mentioned here. I have the name of the priest now, so perhaps by researching him I can learn more."

His ward glanced at him, curious.

"There are more than just the Sidhe? I hope they're a bit friendlier."

Gaius sighed.

"You needn't worry about that, Merlin. The Sidhe still exist because they took sanctuary in Avalon. The rest of the Fae Folk are believed to be all but, if not completely, extinct. It's why they're such a difficult topic to research, because only the oldest records mention them." He pointed to where some food had been set out near the hearth. "Now eat. You have chores to do this afternoon, and I have my rounds."

Merlin took the hint, going to the table where the food was and quickly eating his share. He trusted Gaius to find out what they needed to know, and until then he had other things to worry about...

...Like practicing all those stances tonight, so Arthur couldn't use bad foot-work as an excuse to skip past any proper stuff using a sword.

~(-)~

Alaia Skyhawk: Poor Merlin, he's going to be completely knackered by the time Arthur is finished with him.