Slight fever, so I do not think that my brain works completely normal way today.
"Let's see if I got this right. I realized myself, thank you very much, that you are Aurelius Ambrosius' descendant, who was one of our greatest kings ever. Isn't his daughter Anna betrothed to Pendragon's family? Alright, so, your mother is then Queen Annis' and prince Owain's daughter. And you have magic and you are Dragon Lord. Alright, I can handle that much, really. But…" Gwaine leaned forward. "You are some kind of high priest of Old Religion? And other druids will follow you? And you got poisoned because that bastard sorcerer who you killed? I'm begun to think that I'm still drunk. Really Merlin, isn't anything easy for you?"
Merlin sighed. They were sitting in the quiet tavern early in the morning. Gwaine, clearly a hangover after the previous night partying. Merlin himself felt alike. They were only one awake. The prince Andrew, Merlin's younger uncle, snored on the floor. Merlin sighed again.
"It isn't so simple. I'm not anything like a priest. I have some power and authority over the Old Religion and they seem to think like I'm some kind of leader for most of them. But… Actually, I don't know either. "Merlin shook his head. He hadn't yet discussed enough with Iseldir and Alator.
"I really can't wait to see Arthur's face when he sees you in the arena." Gwaine chuckled. "But why don't you tell him sooner?"
Again Merlin sighed and shook his head. "There are some enemies, who want me very dead. Not everyone wants me to be leader. I avoid that quite enough myself. But, we have a week to do some necessary arrangements."
"Politics." Gwaine wrinkled his nose and looked around to find something to drink. Then he noticed how Merlin's hand trembled. "Is it bad?" He asked lowering his voice. Merlin looked the wound in his finger. The paper cut, which didn't have been just paper cut. The skin around the wound was black and continued to spread.
"We don't actually know what the poison was, only that it seem to kill slowly. Isilder try to find the potion. Gwaine, the reason why I tried to find you…" Merlin hesitated.
"Just spill it out Merlin." Gwaine urged.
"I really need your help. I need someone to be near of me. These seizures can attack any time."
Gwaine stared his friend who looked seriously ill and fragile. Tristan had been with Merlin when he was searched the knight. The former smuggler was created at Gwaine a warning eye and told to keep an eye on Merlin's all the time. Gwaine was soon realized why. And of course he couldn't let his friend in the lurch.
"I'm at your service My Lord. But if there is druids around you, weren't they…" Gwaine was curious.
"They will protect me, but if they come too near me, it can be too strange and someone may notice and realize something." Merlin explained.
"I guess. So, does Morgana know about you?" Gwaine chanced the topic. Merlin groaned.
"No."
"What do you think she do when she hear the news about the new law?" Gwaine asked and Merlin felt shivers running his back.
"I really don't want to know, but I afraid that I will come to know."
#
"HE DID WHAT!"
It would have been an understatement to say that Morgana was angry. It wasn't even near to describe what went through her twisted mind.
Yes, she was furious, but also confused, abashed, astounded and many other things. She stood there middle of her small hut and couldn't do anything. She really wanted to break something. Like Arthur's head. What a hell Arthur was doing? And why? When she had heard Merlin being Arthur's advisor, she was laughed with all her black heart. But now… Why? Why the sudden change? And why she herself hadn't seen this coming? Why why why? There were too many questions hanging around.
"I have to see this myself." She finally decided.
#
Arthur was walking around the bedroom with irritation and anger. Gwen brushed her hair lazily thinking the previous day's conversation with the queen Annis.
"Maybe it was a stupid idea after all." Arthur paused and Gwen turned to look at her husband. "What, dear?"
"Changing the law."
Gwen sighed and dropped the brush from her hands. She stood up and walked to Arthur.
"No, Arthur, you have a perfectly good reason to do so. I can understand how much you have prejudices toward magic, but at this very moment you carry with you a sword that isn't quite normal."
Arthur's hand instinctively went to the Excalibur's handle. He was noticed it soon, that the sword wasn't normal. Sometime it was like a truth teller. If someone lied, the handle heated up. First he hadn't really understanding it, but Merlin had done some research and found the answers. The Excalibur was a magic sword.
Knock at the door interrupted Arthur unnecessary thoughts and when the door opened, revealing a serious faced Merlin, Arthur knew that it was coming a long day.
"What is it Merlin?"
"Here had arrived a few people who want to meet you."
"Who are they?" Although Arthur suspected what would be the answer.
Merlin grinned. "Druids."
Arthur glanced at his wife. "Well then, perhaps, we have best to meet them."