It was useless even to guess what people thinking right then. Gwen observed the guest's reactions.
Arthur spoke again. "This means that magic is, in some part, free again. However, the dark arts are still banned." Arthur raised his voice. "On the final day of the tournament day; any sorcerers, healers, witches, or anyone who thinks that they can be a Court Sorcerer, may show me he or she is worthy enough to earn my trust."
And that was it.
A whisper went through the field.
Gwen eyed Merlin, who looked like he was trying not to run away and vomit. He got ahold of himself soon; and again there was that mask back on his face, hiding his shock.
"Did you know about this?" Merlin whispered to Gaius, who shook his head.
Gwen saw that Hunith had turned her gaze towards her son, looking puzzled.
"You never said anything to me," Merlin said quietly, hiding his emotions as Arthur sat again on his throne.
"I wanted to do this on my own. I spoke with Guinevere, but that's it." Arthur smiled to his wife, who nodded her agreement.
"Why? I mean, why lift the ban when you hate magic so much?" Merlin asked. He looked more curious now than upset.
"Someone helped us to defeat Morgana," Arthur said. "There was clear evidence. Also, I remembered what Gaius said about Emrys some time ago. You know that, Merlin, you know our situation when it come to magic. Do we have many choices?"
"Do you think that this was a wise decision? Calling all the magic users to come here like this?"
"You tell me, advisor," Arthur sighed.
Merlin stared him for a while. "We shall see that in the end of this week, Arthur Pendragon. But what I say now is that I can finally see the King who is exactly what I have always thought. The King who walks along with his people." Merlin's tone was soft and gentle.
"You think so?" Arthur sounded genuinely surprised.
"I have always known it. And now, you have finally shown it." Merlin smiled and stepped back. "Now I have some work to do. Enjoy."
"What was that?" Arthur murmured, and Gwen shook her head as they watched Merlin and Gaius disappear.
"Where he is going?" Annis asked. She turned to look at her fellow queen.
Gwen noticed that Annis didn't ask anything about the new change in Camelot's most critical law.
"Merlin is also Gaius' apprentice and this is a tournament. They have a lot of work to do," Gwen answered.
Annis nodded, deep in thought. Strange, was the only word that Gwen could think when she turned to look the first duel.
#
"He's mad," Merlin snapped.
"Isn't this a good thing to you?" Gwaine asked, and grimaced when Merlin pulled his armour string too tight.
"No. That damn idiot. What the hell do you think Arthur would do if I went there and say that 'yes, I have magic. Actually, I'm most powerful warlock of all time; my destiny is be by your side and protect you'? I have lied to him for years," Merlin hissed.
"With good reason," Gwaine reminded him.
"Do you think that he will feel like that? No. He is going to be really mad."
"I'm sure that you can come up something. And stop torturing me; those strings are tight enough," Gwaine yelped.
"Why does everybody say that to me?" Merlin muttered as he backed off.
"Because everyone trusts you, and you are a wise man, Merlin." Gwaine grinned.
Merlin murmured something under his breath, then offered Gwaine his sword.
"I'll try to think of something, but there is going to be lot of work to do before Sunday."
"Hmm? Why so?"
"Gwaine, magic isn't banned anymore. What do you think some people may do?"
Merlin followed Gwaine out of the tent and helped him to saddle. Gwaine honestly couldn't answer anything. He noticed that Merln was paler than usual. He looked sick.
"Are you alright, Merlin? I though that you were better already." Gwaine looked down his friend.
"I feel hot. Maybe it's because of all this." Merlin rubbed his eyes. "And I didn't sleep much last night because of you."
"I haven't slept ether and I'm completely fine. See?"
"Shut up and go, you're up next." Merlin sighed. "And good luck."
Merlin watched Gwaine ride onto the field and turned away. He felt sick. Really sick. When he finally reached Gaius' tent everything was spinning around him. Before he knew it he was lying on the ground, unconscious.
#
Gwaine and Andrew were victorious that day. When Gwen, Arthur and Annis had sung the praises of the day's winners and rewarded them, Gwen noticed that Annis wasn't about to join with her son, who went with Gwaine. That probably wasn't good. Instead, Annis slipped off .
"Arthur, I'm going to go see Gaius," Gwen announced.
The king nodded without being able to get away from the crowd to respond otherwise. Gwen also noticed a couple of upset-looking aristocrats who wanted to talk with the evasive king.
As a servant, Gwen had learned to be nearly invisible; which was the hallmark of a good servant. She carefully followed Annis, slowing as the foreign Queen drew to a halt.
People all around were going to celebrate.
Finally Gwen spotted who Annis, in turn, was following; and she wasn't surprised.
Hunith.
Annis reached out and pulled the other woman behind a tent.
Gwen hesitated. She glanced at the tent, and found it to be empty. She crept inside.
Outside, Hunith and Annis spoke.
And Gwen started listened.