Author's Note: Sorry for the delay in updating this time, everyone. I have a few more things that I want to happen in this story and was having trouble with this chapter getting the order right and figuring out exactly how I wanted everything to go. But I'm pretty satisfied with it now, and I didn't want to keep you waiting any longer. Hope you enjoy, and as always, reviews are the best presents!

Chapter 5

Freedom

The king fidgeted with the clasp on the front of his cape, glancing nervously at the curtain that separated him from the balcony. Merlin slapped his hand away.

"It looks fine," the servant scolded. "Stop messing with it."

Arthur glared at him. "Did you just strike your king?"

Merlin rolled his eyes and fixed the clasp. "Yes, I struck my king. Throw me in the dungeons, put me in the stocks. But stop fussing with your clothes or I'll curse your fingers together."

The king raised his eyebrows. "That's a new one."

"Look, don't be nervous," Merlin said. "This is going to go well. The people will follow you, I promise. Many of us have been waiting for it a long time."

Out on the balcony, they heard the crier's trumpet sound. Guinevere stepped up beside her husband. Arthur looked at Merlin.

"This is it," he said. The king and queen turned and stepped onto the balcony.

It seemed all of Camelot had gathered for the pronouncement. The square was a sea of people, all gazing up at their king in anticipation. Arthur wondered briefly how many of them held the same fear of magic he once had, how many of them would hear this proclamation as the downfall of their kingdom. He shook the thought from his head. That was not important. The real thing to wonder was how many of them he was freeing with a few simple words.

"People of Camelot," he began. Good, his voice wasn't shaking. "For many years, I have strived to keep this kingdom safe from all who threaten it. I have tried to be a fair and just king, worthy of my people's respect. I hope I have succeeded. But I have made mistakes. I have allowed the memory of my father to cloud my judgment, and I have committed a great wrong against many of my subjects."

A faint rustle went through the people. Arthur took a deep breath.

"My father was a good king," he continued. "He tried to do right by his people. But he was blinded by his fear of magic, a fear he taught me to hold as well. But I have come to learn that magic is no great evil. It is a force, and it is a tool, but good or evil comes from the one who wields it. Good men and women have been forced into hiding for who and what they are. This is not the way I wish to rule my kingdom. Those who harm Camelot and her people must see justice. But those who live in peace deserve to be left in peace. From this day forth, magic will no longer be banned in Camelot."

For a moment, the square was silent. Arthur held his breath. Then the applause burst forth. The crowd cheered, shouting and laughing and crying over one another. Arthur's face broke into a grin of relief. He raised his arm to the people and turned to return inside.

Gwen squeezed his hand as they stepped through the curtain. "You did well," she said.

Her husband kissed her. "I hope so. I should have done that a long time ago." He turned to his servant. "Come on, Merlin, I've still got training this afternoon."

Merlin couldn't stop grinning as he followed Arthur down the corridor. He could barely believe that this was all happening. Magic was finally legal. He was finally free.

When they got back to the king's chambers, Arthur flopped onto the bed as Merlin went to the wardrobe for his training clothes. The warlock looked over his shoulder and laughed.

"Tired out already?" he teased. "I don't think that's quite the example you want to set for your knights."

Arthur glared at him. "I can take five minutes."

Merlin rolled his eyes and set the training clothes on the table. He took a rag, a tin of polish, and a pair of Arthur's boots from the cupboard. Might as well make himself useful in the meantime. He sat down on the floor and began polishing.

"Why don't you sit in a chair?" Arthur asked.

Merlin snorted. "What, and get shoe polish all over the table?"

"Can't you use magic for that?"

"I could," his servant answered. "I could set it going and do something else, in which case your shoes will come out fine, but still fairly covered in spots. If I want it done well, I can sit here and focus on every stroke of the rag. Or I can just polish it myself, and still hold a conversation."

Arthur nodded. He put his head back and closed his eyes. Merlin finished the second boot and stood up.

"All right, you've had your five minutes. Time to get dressed."

The king glared at him, but he stood up and allowed his servant to begin dressing him. He didn't speak for a few minutes. When he did, he sounded thoughtful.

"Why did you disguise yourself for the battle if you were planning to reveal yourself?"

Merlin shrugged as he fastened Arthur's wrist guard. "I wasn't sure yet that I was going to tell you. I decided afterwards."

"It's a good disguise," Arthur said. "How did you do it?"

"Aging spell."

Arthur wrinkled his nose. "That's what you're going to look like when you're old?"

"Yeah," Merlin answered. "Strange, isn't it?"

"I thought he looked familiar." Arthur looked down. "You used him when you couldn't help doing magic in front of me, I suppose."

Merlin's heart sank. "Arthur... Arthur, I'm sorry—"

Arthur looked the sorcerer in the eye. "Merlin."

"Yes, sire."

"Did you mean to kill my father?"

"No, sire. I swear I didn't."

The king nodded. "Then we will say no more about it."

Merlin swallowed hard and nodded back. Arthur adjusted his sleeve and looked back at his servant.

"Come on," he said, clapping a hand on Merlin's shoulder. "We're going to be late, and that is not the example I want to set for my knights."