Alaia Skyhawk: Don't expect this to be a particularly long sub-ep. The next one will be longer as it has more to deal with. We all know that Gwen has to forgive him about the sword, since she's fine with him in the next episode, and well... As far as Camelot is concerned this sub is just one day. I saw no need to drag it out beyond that :)

Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin.

Music: Hunith's Letter To Gaius (Merlin OST)

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

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Chapter 53: A Sense of Guilt ~Part 2~

"Come on, Merlin. What's with the glum look?"

Arthur watched as his servant set down the tray of food, having arrived back at his chambers while Merlin was off getting it. The room was absolutely tidy, the floor still damp from having been washed, and there wasn't a speck of dust anywhere.

And Merlin didn't look annoyed at having to do all that this morning.

Indeed, Merlin didn't seem his usual self, and certainly the poor attempt at an irritated glance followed by clearly feigned sarcasm, didn't do much to change the prince's observation.

"Well sorry for being tired after picking up the mess from your tantrum. If it's any consolation, I had no idea your father had Gaius drug you. I was told to go straight to the armoury to wait for you, and ended up having a near heart attack when your father came in and told me to prepare him for battle." He winced at that. "I had every set up perfect for you..."

His voice petered out, and Arthur regarded him speculatively, the price bracing one elbow on the table when he seated himself.

"Are you saying you went to some sort of special effort for me? I'm touched, I never thought you cared."

The attempt at levity, at cheering Merlin up, was promptly proven a mistake when the servant suddenly glared.

"And why wouldn't I go to the effort? If you'd gone into that fight, and something was wrong with your gear and it got you killed, I'd never forgi..." He stopped, turning away with an agitated wave of his arms. "Just... Just shut up and let me get on with my work!"

He stomped across the room to deal with Arthur's discarded training clothes from this morning, the prince staring at him in shock. He was so stunned by the outburst that reprimanding Merlin for it didn't even occur to him. It was almost like Uther taking his place in the duel yesterday, had ruined something Merlin had planned. Something quite likely aimed to impress him, or at the least ensure his victory... Something that the king may have ended up using instead of him.

Arthur fixed his attention on his food, deciding that now wasn't the time to ask the servant about it. If his father really had used something Merlin had prepared specifically for him, then his foul mood would be understandable. Sometimes servants could be quite proprietary of others using things intended solely for their masters, although he'd never imagined Merlin acting in such a way. Then again, with everyone convinced Merlin was an idiot, maybe he'd wanted to prove he wasn't.

Arthur glanced to where Merlin was still tossing dirty clothing into a basket. It wouldn't hurt to show him a bit of trust right now.

"I've got no specific chores for you this afternoon, so I want you to do whatever you think needs doing with regards to my armour, weapons, or anything else of mine. A minor noble from Mercia arrived this morning, and he's a friend of King Bayard's. I'll be in the games room socialising with him well into the evening, so I won't need you to bring me supper."

Merlin actually paused in surprise, wary until it seemed Arthur had no ulterior motive for basically letting him decide his own duties for the rest of the day. He already knew about the Mercian noble, he'd gotten the gossip from Catherine in the laundry rooms first thing this morning. With that in mind he just nodded and resumed what he was doing.

"Yes, Sire."

Arthur continued to watch him until he'd finished his meal, seeming almost reluctant to leave his servant in what was clearly an odd mood. But for once Merlin was glad Arthur was such a stickler for protocol and not insulting visitors, because it guaranteed he would have to leave him alone.

He picked up the tray of plates, balancing them on one arm, while picking the basket of clothing up with the hand of his other. A little careful negotiation of the door got him out into the hallway without mishap, and from there it was child's play to take his shortcut to the ground floor. After that, he made a point of collecting the scratched piece of armour from Arthur's chambers, and took it to his own room to deal with it. Polishing the scratch out would be a perfect excuse for few hour's work, when in truth it would take him just a few seconds if he cheated with magic.

He did, setting the piece aside just as Gaius arrived back. There was soup warming by the hearth, and right now Merlin's stomach was grumbling for food.

And then the first words out of Gaius' mouth killed his appetite, as surely as a candle is extinguished by being dropped into a bucket of water.

"Merlin, we need to talk about that sword."

The young warlock stopped in his tracks, halfway across the room from his door. His shoulders then slumped, his head hanging, and he sighed.

"Why can't I just be left alone about that?"

The physician regarded him solemnly.

"I certainly can't, not when Uther seems to have been strangely drawn to it. I convinced him that what he felt was merely battle rush, but you and I both know that it was no ordinary sword made by Gwen's father. Tell me, where did you get it?"

Merlin remained silent for several seconds, a flicker of guilt in his eyes before he moved to get a pair of bowls out of the cupboard near the hearth.

"The sword itself was made by Tom... I just got the Great Dragon to burnish it with his flame." He heard Gaius' sharp intake of breath, looking over to him. "Look, it's not here in the city now. I hid it where no one will be able to find it... The dragon demanded I do that, after I ended up unable to stop Uther using it. The sword was forged for Arthur, no one else, and because Uther used it, the dragon is really angry with me right now."

Gaius paused as those words sunk in, before carrying the pot of soup to the nearby table with a sigh.

"So that's why you're troubled. As for Uther, it's just as well the sword is now hidden, because even he could sense its power if only dimly. It was enough to tempt him having only wielded it only once. Had he kept it, I don't doubt it would probably have corrupted him."

Merlin grimaced.

"Well the dragon did warn me that in his hands the sword would bring only evil. Uther's spent so long hating magic, that when the power of it enters his grip he's helpless to resist it. It would have been a complete disaster if you hadn't gotten it away from him."

Gaius began to serve up the soup, giving his ward a reassuring smile.

"Then aren't you lucky you have me then? Well, at least it's safe now. Nothing more to worry about, and I'm sure the dragon will forgive you eventually."

Merlin returned the smile, feeling at least a little better.

"Thanks." He blinked, as if remembering something. "Oh, and I need to take something to Gwen's tonight. You know what she's like, so I might end up having supper there. You don't need to make me anything."

"That's fine, just make sure you take something with you then. I'm sure you can pick up something towards the meal from the market, if you find time this afternoon."

The meal continued in companionable silence, until Gaius had to leave to go do a round of the lower town. Merlin waited until he was gone, using the chance to be alone to go into his room and get something from the compartment under his bed. It was a fair-sized pouch, heavy with its contents of coin. Months worth of savings, set aside for equipment and materials for studying magic, but now he had another use for it.

If he couldn't return the sword, then at the very least he could pay for it...

~(-)~

Alaia Skyhawk: Yeah, short, but like I said this is a short sub-ep. But hey, at least I got to include Merlin telling Arthur to shut up :)