As Merlin slept, Arthur continued working on repeal on the ban of magic. A lot of the council was for it, but there were still some who were against it.
Many of the ones who still are against are the older advisors who sided with Uther when he began the Great Purge. They voiced their worries about the evils of magic and how it can corrupt those who were intending to use it for good.
A lot of their worries were shut down when someone told them about a time when Merlin saved Arthur's life with magic.
Arthur knew it was going to take a while to get everyone to agree. He would not repeal the ban unless everyone agreed that it was the best for Camelot and uniting the land of Albion.
Arthur took his usual spot by Merlin's bedside and began talking about how the repeal is going. "It's going to take a while for everyone to meet an agreement. A lot of the council members are all for repealing the ban, but there are still those who aren't. I guarantee that if you were there to show them that it could be used for good, they would quickly agree to repeal it. Then again, they might just kill you for using it."
The king looked over at the younger man to see if he had stirred, only to find that he had not. "I bet you're not even asleep. You're probably just pretending to get out of doing your chores."
Arthur knew that what he was saying held no truth, but it was something to say. After days of sitting and talking to the unconscious body of his best friend, he had run out of things to talk about.
The blonde king stood up to leave when he heard Merlin speak. "You know it's rude to accuse someone of such a thing when they are wounded."
Arthur sat back down and looked at Merlin. "You're awake."
Merlin broke out his goofy grin. "No, I'm dead. You're talking with my ghost. I'm here to haunt you until you die."
"How do you feel?" The king asked, ignoring the younger man's sarcasm.
"Like I've had my insides on the outside then shoved back in," Merlin described as he tried to sit up.
Arthur quickly stopped him and held him down firmly but gently. "You're not to sit up."
"Why not?" The warlock complained.
"Because you have about seventy or so stitches holding your midsection together," Arthur informed. "And I doubt you have any blood to spare at the moment. When Gaius comes, we can sit you up without causing any more damage to your body."
Merlin looked down at the bandaging as best he could and frowned as he remembered what Uther did. "How long have I been out?"
"Seven days," Arthur answered. "We almost didn't think you were going to make it given the extent of the damage my father did to you. What do you remember?"
"I remember walking into the guards' armoury after hearing a noise in there. The next thing I know, I'm pinned to the wall with a spear sticking out of me. I vaguely remember Uther laughing as he pulled it in and out multiple times as he twisted it. He stated that it was fitting death for me," Merlin said.
"Did you use any magic to try and stop him?" Arthur asked.
Merlin looked at his master with fear in his eyes. "I-I-I don't have magic."
Arthur nodded, knowing that that was the answer he had expected. "You don't have to lie, Merlin. I know you have magic."
Merlin's shoulders slumped in defeat "When am I to be executed?"
Arthur was taken aback by how quickly Merlin gave in, as well as his comment. "I-I'm going kill you for saving my life; gods only know how many times over the past ten years."
Merlin gave Arthur a look of disbelief. His expression made it clear that he was ready to be executed for using magic and wasn't expecting to hear what Arthur said. "I don't understand. I've broken the law countless times. I shouldn't be in here. I should be in a cell awaiting my execution."
"I'll be working on repealing the ban. It's going to take some time, but soon Camelot will allow magic once more," Arthur explained.
Merlin was stunned into silence. To use magic freely was a dream come true. And not just for him, but for anyone who used it.
Arthur pulled the sorcerer from his thoughts. "Can I see it?"
Merlin looked at him as if he had grown an extra head. The clotpole really wanted him to use magic so soon after nearly dying.
"Your magic," Arthur said, thinking Merlin was waiting for clarification.
Merlin sighed. He was already feeling tired. He didn't want to do any magic just to amuse the king, but he did it anyways. He looked at the chair Arthur was sitting in and recited an incantation. The chair and Arthur were soon floating a few feet in the air.
The effort to keep the chair floating quickly became too much for Merlin. He closed his eyes as the chair came crashing down.
Before Arthur could yell at Merlin for being so careless, he noticed that Merlin had fallen back to sleep.
"I'll yell at him later," Arthur said to himself as he got up to leave.
Over the course of the next few weeks, whenever Merlin wasn't sleeping for what seemed like endless hours, he would talk to whoever was in the room. The young warlock was still uncomfortable sleeping in the chambers he was in, but whenever he asked to be moved, his request was denied. He was going to stay in these chambers until he was fully recovered, by order of King Dollophead.
For Merlin, it felt like his recovery was going to take forever. Seeing as how he needed help just to sit up enough to eat and drink. Gaius refused to let him out of bed, even with help. The physician was worried that kind of movement would undo the stitches that were keeping him in one piece.
Merlin was worried that if he stayed in bed any longer, he would forget how to walk. Either that or his legs would be too weak to hold him up.
One day while Merlin was reading a book one of his friends, who worked in the kitchen, brought him, Arthur barged in with a stupidly happy grin that seemed permanently plastered to his face.
Merlin closed the book. "I was just about to go back to sleep, you know."
"You can sleep when you're dead. This is important," Arthur stated.
"What? Did you finally figure out to dress yourself?" Merlin asked sarcastically.
Arthur shook his head. "Everyone in the council has come to an agreement. I'm finally able to repeal the ban on magic. I'll be announcing it tomorrow. I want you to be there at my side when I do."
"Arthur, as glad as I am about the repeal, I can't get out of this bed. Even if I wanted to, which I do, Gaius wouldn't let me," Merlin explained.
"We can have a few guards transport you, and Gaius can watch you. And you'll have a chair to sit in while I make the announcement," Arthur said breezily.
Merlin didn't bother arguing any further. There was no way he'd be able to talk the king out of it. Besides, a change in scenery was needed, even if it would be for a short amount of time. And if anything went wrong, Gaius would be there.
The next day Merlin was sitting in the chair that Arthur had placed for him. Gaius stood to his right, ready to help him if necessary. He watched as people from the Lower Town gathered in the citadel. All of them eager to hear the king's announcement.
The young warlock was fiddling with the cane the Gaius had provided should he choose to stand at any point in time. He kept waking up throughout the night, worried that Arthur was lying about the repeal, even though he knew that not to be true. He was also worried that Arthur would have him demonstrate that magic could be used for good.
Merlin turned his head and saw Arthur standing in the doorway behind him. The clotpole kept fiddling with his clothes and crown. He briefly wonder why the king was acting so nervous; he was the king, after all. Perhaps he feared his loyal subjects would reject his repeal of the ban on magic.
"Are you alright, Merlin?" Gaius asked, pulling him from his thoughts.
Merlin turned his head and looked at his uncle. "Yeah. I'm fine."
"Are you in any pain?" Gaius insisted.
"Not at the moment," Merlin answered, which wasn't entirely true. His wound was giving off a dull throbbing sensation, but he could wait until he was back in bed to take a tonic for the pain.
Arthur stepped up to the railing of the balcony with Gwen at his side. The crowd burst into applause at the sight of their king and queen.
"People of Camelot," Arthur's voice boomed. "Today is a day for happiness, freedom and celebration throughout the kingdom. For today magic is once again free. Those who practice it, no longer have to hide or live in the fear of death."
The crowd was silent to the count of twenty. During the count, Merlin saw some money exchange a few hands. Apparently, people had placed bets with their friends and family on what Arthur would be announcing.
The crowd then burst into cheers of joy and happiness. A few people protested or wondered why. But the overall reaction was quite reassuring for the future of Camelot.
Arthur held up his hand for silence and then continued to speak. "In three days' time, there is to be a feast in honour of the repeal. The feast is for everyone who wishes to join. It will take place here in the citadel."
With that said Arthur swiftly left the balcony and headed in the direction of the throne room.