A/N: So a while back I read a story in which Merlin's tongue got cut out by slave traders. I'd give the name, but I don't remember it. It was an interesting story (and by interesting I mean heartbreaking) but there was one aspect that kind of interested me that the author never got around to exploring.
How would Merlin explain his magic if he couldn't talk?
Obviously Arthur could still find out, but how would Merlin justify it without verbalizing and without being able to communicate mind to mind since Arthur isn't a druid? Somehow scribbling out notes to shove at Arthur in between shouting and sword waving just isn't going to cut it.
Which brings me to the point of this. If I wrote a oneshot dealing with the concept of Merlin having to deal with the reveal without talking but gave it a different context and backstory - completely separate it from the other story, in other words - is that considered all right? Or since the idea originally sprang from the other author's work, would I need to hunt him/her down and get permission? The lines on what's fanon and free to use and what each author can claim as theirs exclusively has always seemed a bit blurry to me, and I don't want to accidentally cross the line or step on anyone's toes. Your thoughts would be much appreciated.
Aaronna, you've already seen this one. Sorry. I couldn't resist. I did tweak it some, though!
. . . . .
The people of Camelot had grown used to odd sights.
"GET OUT OF MY WAY! THE PRINCESS IS GOING TO KILL ME!"
Gwaine running through the lower town barely qualified anymore. It was, however, amusing, so they moved aside to get a better view.
The Mercian ambassador, newly arrived to the city, froze. "A princess? When did that happen?"
Arthur ran past in armor half dyed pink, growling up a storm and waving his sword.
The baker turned to him, amused. "Good question."
"Arthur, no!"
Merlin ran after Arthur. A flash of gold in his eyes sent Arthur stumbling just enough for the manservant to catch up with him.
"And when did you legalize magic?" the ambassador choked out.
"Oh, we didn't," the baker assured him. "That's just the Merlin Exception."
"The Merlin Exception?"
"There's also a Gwaine Exception to the laws against being a public nuisance, and a general Round Table Exception to the curfew."
"Why?"
The baker blinked. "How's the country supposed to defend itself against Morgana if everyone who can stop her is in jail?"
There was a crash in the distance.
"And that?" the ambassador squeaked.
The baker considered telling him that Aithusa had probably escaped his room again.
Then he decided the ambassador really couldn't deal with baby dragons at the moment and said, "Probably a pheasant."
A louder crash.
"A big one."