CHAPTER 9

If he had had the time to consider it beforehand, Arthur would have expected something more momentous when the cuffs were removed. Merlin's magic was powerful enough to shake the earth, to stop time. Surely for all that power to be released at once, something had to happen? Yet there was no explosion or earthquake - just a soft, blue haze that filled the clearing and settled gently over Arthur like an extra blanket on a too-cold night. The terrible feeling in the pit of his stomach resolved and his lungs seemed to expand, taking deep, full breaths that he hoped never to take for granted again.

And yes, time had stopped - again - but there was no danger, no urgency, nowhere to be. Just a chance for Merlin and Arthur to bask in their private moment of stillness.

"You shouldn't have left Camelot," Merlin said, but there was no real reproach to his words. He was propped against the stone - now just a stone, enchanted no longer - legs splayed in front of him, tired but peaceful.

Arthur ignored the sorcerer's belated advice, hefting his new sword with approval. "I like this thing."

"I thought you might." Merlin's gaze drifted to the sky. The clouds were immobile, Kilgharrah's dark silhouette frozen amongst them. "I haven't done this in a while."

"Stopped time you mean? Gods Merlin, you talk about this all as if it's so mundane..."

"I don't think I can consciously do it," said Merlin thoughtfully. "And actually, I've never stopped it before. Just slowed it down."

"Well this is the third instance of you stopping time in just the last day." Arthur finally put Excalibur down to come and sit beside his friend. The useless remnants of the magic restraining cuffs had been flung carelessly to the other side of the clearing, Arthur keen to forget them as soon as possible. "You don't remember?"

Merlin frowned. "Not exactly. I remember things felt..." He trailed off with a shudder. "I don't know... it's hard to explain."

"Everything was off-balance?" Arthur suggested. "It felt wrong?"

Merlin looked surprised. "How did you-?"

"A funny feeling," Arthur explained with a rueful smile. "There's a connection between us, isn't there? You spoke about it before, but I didn't understand then. Now, I don't know how I ever missed it."

Merlin closed his eyes and breathed in a deep, contented sigh. "I think it's starting again."

And sure enough, the next second Arthur felt a breeze against his cheek, birds started chirping and from above he could hear the distant buffets of Kilgharrah's mighty wings.

"Are you ready?" Arthur asked, because frankly Merlin looked terrible. Pale and bruised, face still smudged red from where his nose had bled, clothes filthy and torn. "We can stay for longer if you need. I'm sure Guinevere can manage."

"You're just scared of flying," Merlin teased, already getting to his feet. "Besides, I wouldn't want all that kingly power to rub off on Gwen. It's enough to make anybody's head swell."

"And what's that supposed to mean?!"

Merlin smirked impishly, a sure sign that things were on their way back to normal. "Nothing at all, Sire."

The journey back home was decidedly more enjoyable than the one there. Now the sun had fully risen, Arthur could watch in amazement as entire forests, lakes and traverses of land passed below them in what seemed like no time at all.

"This is amazing!" Arthur bellowed over the roaring wind and, in response, Merlin raised his arms and whooped joyously. "Show-off!"

"You just have to grip tighter with your knees!" Merlin called back over his shoulder, but Arthur pretended not to hear him. Merlin might be a Dragonlord, but Arthur had no such privilege, and he was taking no risks of plummeting thousands of feet to the earth below.

All too soon, Camelot's familiar towers appeared on the horizon.

The Queen and the Physician will meet us in a clearing close to the castle, Kilgharrah's voice sounded in Arthur's mind. Aithusa has seen no sign of the witch. Camelot is safe.

They began their descent and Arthur felt the tension ease from his shoulders. Finally, they were back where they belonged.

That morning had been one of the strangest of Gwen's life. The crystal's magic was peculiar. Although she might hear Arthur's voice when she spoke, and catch glimpses of Arthur whenever she looked in the mirror, she still felt like herself. Conversing with kings and nobility did not exactly come naturally after so many years as a servant, but with Gaius's help and their combined knowledge of Arthur and his character, she believed she had done well enough to cover for him. Regardless, she was desperately glad when Kilgharrah's voice echoed in her mind to inform her that the real King had returned.

She informed the council and the visiting kings that she - or rather, Arthur - was going to check in on the Druid camp on Lord Merlin's behalf, and wasted no time saddling a horse. As soon as she and Gaius were far enough from Camelot, she ducked behind a tree to remove the crystal and change back into her regular clothes.

When she returned to Gaius in the clearing where they awaited the Dragon's return, he handed her a bag for the crystal necklace and said wryly, "It's good to see you looking more like yourself."

Soon Kilgarrah's heavy wingbeats grew audible. Gwen used a hand to shade her eyes from the bright morning sun, peering up to try and distinguish Arthur and Merlin atop the dragon's back. At her side, Gaius did the same, both eager to ascertain Merlin's condition.

"Guinevere!" Arthur slid off Kilgharrah's back the moment the dragon's claws hit the earth, pulling her into a tight hug.

"I'm fine by the way!" Merlin's annoyed voice floated from atop the dragon. "Not dying any more, if you were interested!"

Gwen laughed, tension melting away at his familiar grumbling. "Merlin, thank goodness! How do you feel?"

"He's fine," Arthur dismissed, but turned back somewhat sheepishly to his friend. "Are you alright getting down from there?"

There was a dull thud as the warlock dismounted somewhat less gracefully than Arthur had. He ignored the King's question, instead turning back to Kilgharrah.

"Thank you, old friend."

"It is an honour to serve you, Merlin. Now, however, I am weary."

"Of course. Go, rest. And take Aithusa with you."

Kilgharrah bowed his head, first to Merlin and then to Arthur. Then he launched into the clear sky and they all watched as he disappeared into the horizon.

"Ow!"

Gaius had taken the chance to examine Merlin, probing at his skull and hitting on a particularly tender spot.

"I'd like to stitch this," Gaius insisted firmly, looking to Arthur for support. "Straight away, if possible Sire."

"Why are you asking him?!"

Arthur laughed. "Take as long as you need, Gaius."

Once Gaius had finished stitching Merlin up - with a great deal of complaining from Merlin which was more suited to a petulant child than an all-powerful warlock - they all rode back to Camelot. Guinevere related all the updates from her time spent impersonating Arthur, after which Merlin and Arthur told the story of the sword in the stone.

"And you stopped time again?" Gwen squeaked, once they had finished. "I knew you were powerful, Merlin, but I never imagined the extent..."

"Speaking of which," Arthur added, for they had finally reached the palace entrance to see that the courtyard - and indeed what appeared to be the entire castle - was still overrun with weeds and greenery. "Any chance you could sort this out?"

Merlin cleared his throat awkwardly. "Right, er, sorry about that." He murmured an incantation, eyes glowing gold and the vines, leaves and flowers dissolving into mist. Then he turned to Arthur with a smirk. "Better?"

"You shouldn't overexert yourself, Merlin," Gaius reprimanded, but did not have a chance to say much else. The sudden disappearance of the magical fauna had prompted a flurry of activity from inside the castle, servants and noblemen alike spilling out and down the staircase.

"Lord Merlin!" It was Olaf who reached them first. "I am pleased to see you well. You got the cuffs off then?"

Bayard, just behind Olaf, piped in, "And that dragon, Lord Merlin, you command him?"

"My Lords." Arthur had noticed Merlin's sagging posture, and hastened to rescue his friend. "We'll be happy to answer all your questions, but perhaps after we've all changed?"

The kings agreed easily enough, retreating with promises to reconvene later that afternoon. Merlin shot Arthur a grateful look, and even accepted the King's hand to help dismount from his steed. He stumbled a little as he did so, and might have fallen if not for Arthur's steadying hand at his elbow.

"Alright?"

Merlin nodded tightly. He was keenly aware of eyes still upon him from the gathered castle staff and nobility and straightened up swiftly. He plastered on a bright smile, though Arthur noted that it didn't quite reach his weary eyes.

"Never better."

The gaze of those gathered was soon drawn behind the King and Court Sorcerer however, at a tall figure sat astride a white steed.

"Prince Arthur!" the figure called. "Oh, blast, sorry - I suppose it's King Arthur now, isn't it?"

Arthur barked a laugh of disbelief. "Princess Elena?"

"Regent Queen now!" She hopped off her horse, handing it over to a stableboy with a dazzling grin - Arthur could hardly believe this was the same Elena he had once courted all those years ago. "I'm sorry I'm late. My father is not well..." Her expression darkened briefly. "I wanted to stay until the worst of it was over."

"I understand." Looking behind her as though they might suddenly materialise, Arthur questioned, "Where are the rest of your party?"

"They'll be along shortly. You know me, bit of a speed fiend." She quirked a challenging grin. "I do believe you and I are due a rematch soon, isn't that right? And I spotted a dragon on the way, thought you might need some help! But it seems like you've got things handled?"

Arthur thought that was as good a chance as any to introduce their new Court Sorcerer. "Queen Elena, may I introduce Lord Merlin?"

She took Merlin's hand and shook it eagerly. "I was so excited when I heard of your appointment."

Merlin looked dazed by her evident enthusiasm. "You remember me?"

"Of course! You helped calm my nerves before my ill-advised wedding. Although ever since I found out about your magic, I have wondered if there might be some more to the story?"

"A tale for later, perhaps," Arthur interjected quickly before Merlin had the chance to answer. "For now, I'll have a servant show you to your chambers."

"Of course," she answered graciously. "It looks like you could both do with a bit of rest."

Rest, however, would have to wait. Once Arthur had changed he went immediately for the Council Room to review the final changes to the treaty.

"What are you doing here?"

"Same as you, I imagine."

Merlin was dressed in fresh clothes, face clean and washed, but Arthur was not fooled. The bruises would take some time to fade and the Sorcerer's eyes were sunken ghoulishly into his face.

"Taking a look at the last amendments before the treaty signing this afternoon. I want to make sure Morgana didn't meddle with anything important."

Arthur sighed, but didn't say anything. Much as he might like to order Merlin to rest, he knew that capitalising on their Court Sorcerer's recent display of power when protecting the Kingdom was a smart move. Together they looked over the changes, discussing them quietly as they awaited the other rulers.

Bayard and Elena were the first to arrive, each with their own contingents of servants and knights.

"King Arthur, Lord Merlin." Bayard nodded to them both. "I was catching Queen Elena up on everything that has transpired in her absence."

"An eventful few days," Arthur acknowledged. "But productive all the same. Do you have any questions on the treaty, Queen Elena?"

As Arthur and Elena discussed the changes and the knights and servants lined up around the council table to witness the historic signing, Bayard turned to Merlin.

"Shouldn't you be resting?"

Merlin smiled wanly. "It's a big moment. I don't want to miss it."

Bayard eyed him curiously. "I must ask... what is it that makes you so loyal to Arthur? Even before magic was legalised, even when you knew his Kingdom's laws would see you dead?"

Merlin shrugged and said simply, "I think he is a good man."

Bayard scanned his face, almost as though searching for something there. Whatever he found, he was apparently satisfied, for he said, "Yes. Yes I believe you do."

King Olaf and his men arrived next, an unenthusiastic King Alined trailing behind. The weaselly ruler was unusually subdued, and silently shook his head when Arthur asked if anyone wished to look over the treaty one last time.

"I trust that you and Lord Merlin have given it a thorough examination." Olaf's tone was one of utmost respect as he looked to Camelot's Court Sorcerer. "I must thank you again, Lord Merlin, for helping us to see Morgana for who she really was. I can't apologise enough for being taken in by her scheming."

"I am truly sorry for what happened to your daughter." Merlin did his utmost not to look at Alined, whose face had turned grey at the mention of Lady Vivian. "I swear to you if ever I find a way to undo her enchantment, I will come to Amata personally and see it done."

Olaf inclined his head. "You are always welcome in our Kingdom."

Arthur, who had been watching this exchange with a joyous grin slowly spreading across his face, now cleared his throat.

"Very well. Shall we get to signing?"