This chapter is dedicated to KeithS, who wanted to see Uther's reaction to discovering Merlin is the last heir to Gaius' noble bloodline
X
Merlin Pendragon could have sworn he was slowly suffocating to death. There was this immense pressure all up and down his body, closing him inside like he was trapped between two walls that wouldn't crumble no matter how much the consort tried to twist and turn. But Merlin could have sworn every time he tried to move, the suffocation only became more encompassing. It took him one hell of a fight just to get his legs to move, but as soon as he did, it felt as if he had a ten ton weight being settled down on top of him. Refusing to let him escape from its tight grasp. Keeping him immobile for as long as it wanted him to be…
"Merlin, are you sure that you're alright? I can easily chase after Arthur to give him a piece of my mind. What was he thinking, upsetting you like that. I do not know what's gone wrong in his head, but he's done nothing but aggravate your condition." Gaius grumbled down at Merlin, stretching out the tenth blanket on top of his nephew. As soon as Gaius had seen the state Merlin was in, the first thing he had done was insist Merlin get back into bed. Merlin hadn't even been aware they had so many blankets in their home, but Gaius just seemed to pull one after another out of nowhere. "I knew I should have never gone away. Now, if I hadn't had to stop that bloody fool of a manservant Arthur has from trying to track him down, I would have been in here much sooner than I was. Bloody fool that he is, unable to take 'he isn't here' for an answer. Something about needing to apologize and beg for his job back, I wasn't entirely sure, but it was not anything that couldn't wait for a more proper timing."
Merlin tried not to roll his eyes, he really did, but it was hard when he felt like he was being placed in a sausage bun, as Gaius tucked the layers and layers of blankets up underneath his legs. Keeping him trapped as much as he tried to keep him warm. Despite how burning hot Merlin's body felt, as if he could just be boiling away beneath his skin, Gaius had claimed his body was chill to the touch. A cure wasn't a magic potion that would get Merlin up and running and back to his normal self. His body still needed to fight off the remains as it drained from his system. Though really…he wasn't surprised to hear that he'd dealt with Arthur for far longer than he had been planning on it, because that dratted Morris was trying to make himself known to Arthur again. Clearly that whole 'beg for his job thing' was just a ruse to get inside. Merlin wouldn't have been surprised if Morris simply wanted to laugh at him, or try to stir up trouble with more of his lies…Arthur wouldn't have fired that guy even if he ended up coming after Merlin himself with a diamond encrusted knife.
"Don't worry about him, Gaius. Just let him run away like a bloody coward, it's not as if yelling at him is going to do any good. It goes in one ear and straight out the other. I know I'm not worried about him…not anymore." Merlin said in a low murmur, trying to push up against the blankets that had his arms pinned to the straw mattress before finally relaxing into its hold. There was no reason for him to fight against the warm safety encompassing him, just as he knew there was no reason to fight against the prince. Because Arthur Pendragon would be absolutely nothing to him…not even worth his time to engage with…for as long as the both of them should live. He had said his piece and now…now he was ready to move onto bigger things, once he had healed, of course. It would probably be the most difficult thing Merlin had done, trying to live his own life within this kingdom of hell, but…he also felt so strangely light and excited at the prospects of the future. For the first time in a long time…he was ready to make a difference. Make some changes…he'd been given a second chance with the life he had been given. And he didn't intend to waste it because of Arthur Pendragon. But first, "I really do think I need some rest though, Gaius. Just a few hours to get some of this poison out my body…I can get up after that though. Maybe do some chores, clean up my room…you know, whatever you need help with?"
If Merlin wasn't as sick as he was, he would already be getting out of bed and trying to find something to do. He had spent far too many of his days whittling the hours away in his bed, staring at the wall and waiting for something that'd change his meaningless existence. Well, something had happened to change up his meaningless existence…he had been poisoned. And if that hadn't been a sign that things needed to change, then Merlin didn't know what would be. The consort just knew…he couldn't allow himself to fall back into those bad habits of his past. Even if he needed to find something to keep him occupied for all the hours of the day so he wouldn't start falling back into the depressive state he had been in, like an old habit one could just never escape, to stop him from a deep dive straight back into the abyss he needed to crawl himself out of…he would do it. His fingernails may be ripped and torn and coated in a layer of his own blood by the time he could truly move on with his life, but…that would be okay too.
It would only be a physical sign of the labor Merlin had endured to survive the darkness that had threatened to close up on him for so long.
Perhaps this was also what…new beginnings might feel like.
As if there was something new and fresh stirring up the air.
"You are offering to do chores? Usually, I have to practically beat you with the broom to get you to do something. You must really be sick." Gaius said, in this overdramatic way…Merlin always did as asked, not wanting to be any burden on the uncle who had taken him under his wing. That very same uncle, placed the back of his hand against Merlin's forehead, and tutted a little whenever he found a temperature he didn't quite like. "Perhaps I need to get you another blanket." He muttered underneath his breath, already looking around the room as if another one was going to materialize out of nowhere. "I'm sure I have got another blanket lying around here somewhere. Just give me one minute to find it."
Merlin lifted his head as best as he could when he was wrapped up as tight as he was, opening his mouth to protest…he really did not need another blanket of all things. But Gaius was concerned, showing more concern than Arthur had shown him in their entire marriage, and off he went in search for a blanket that he might not actually have. Merlin shook his head with a fond smile, this was nice…being cared for. Perhaps just this once…perhaps he could embrace this before his independence kicked back in. And so, Merlin Pendragon snuggled back down into his blankets, laying his head on his pillow as he rolled over on his side. Sleep…it was the only thing Merlin needed right now. But…
Head hiding half beneath his blankets, Merlin rose his fingers up to press onto his bottom lip, so puffy and sore in a way he wasn't accustomed to. He didn't know…were first kisses supposed to hurt as much as it had? He didn't think it was meant to, but Arthur…he had been so violent and bold. It had been scary…too much way too fast from somebody he detested. And if he ran his fingers a certain way, he was almost positive he could feel indentions that were not his own. Indentions made from Arthur's teeth just because Arthur had bit down on him, wanting to choke him with his tongue. It had been so slick and nasty…the consort tried to repress a shutter of revulsion that rolled down his spine. He didn't like this, thinking about it as he tried moving someplace more restful than what he had been getting, but the thought of that kiss was persistent. Leaving it scratching at the edges of his subconsciousness, trying to make itself more known.
Merlin curled into a tighter ball, an attempt to protect himself from that awful kiss, his eyelashes gracing the gaunt apples of his cheeks. A very thin layer of tears, something he'd held back in favor of his anger and desire to rip Arthur into two, started to brim. Bloody Arthur, Merlin thought as he dragged up his knees towards his chest, taking away something precious to him. Taking away a first kiss he was supposed to share with somebody he loved…maybe he'd cry today. Just this one last time. So he could mourn for the idea of being able to willingly hand something over, instead of allowing it to be stolen from him. Just for today…because tomorrow was a brand new day.
Tomorrow, he would be fucking happy.
Tomorrow was going to be beautiful.
Tomorrow was going to be the start of his new life.
Tomorrow…
Merlin's restless mind started to quiet down long enough for him to fade into a soft doze. Barely noticing as Gaius slipped that new blanket over his body and smoothing it out across his form. Barely noticing as Gaius carded soft fingers through his hair, parting the dark locks before they fell back together after the old man pulled away. Barely noticing Gaius bending down over him, and taking care with pressing a fatherly kiss against the arch of his brow. Taking care of his most precious nephew…
X
Arthur Pendragon stormed through the castle, heading towards his rooms, his mind a mess of epic proportions. He was supposed to be returning to his room in victory, at peace with himself because things were finally looking up for him and Merlin. He wasn't supposed to be returning to his chambers in defeat…but how was he supposed to know things would get messed up before anything else. How was he supposed to know Merlin wouldn't stop for a single second and hear him out and accept his generous apology? How had he been meant to know that Merlin would end up temping him into doing…doing…doing that!
No, Arthur thought, shaking those thoughts from his mind as he reached the stairs. Those were the thoughts coming from the old Arthur. The one who had no problem blaming each and everything that happened on Merlin, using him as a virtual scapegoat when anything went wrong. But it wasn't Merlin who'd made things a mess between them…that had been Arthur, blowing it before he even had a chance to get started. And it hadn't been Merlin's fault for refusing to accept his apology…Arthur supposed he would've been hard pressed to do the same if he was in Merlin's position. And it hadn't been Merlin who'd gone and tempted him…what had been so tempting about Merlin sitting on the bed, bored of him. Talking about all these other women he was going to try taking to his bed, since Arthur had apparently soured him on men.
It was Arthur…
It was always Arthur's fault, the prince thought as he started walking upwards two steps at a time, needing to get to his room faster. He needed to be alone, and away from prying eyes before he had a virtual breakdown directly in front of the first person who happened to walk in on him. He needed to think some more…his head felt so full. So angry. So…dark. But not at Merlin. At himself…it was Arthur who had failed to do anything right. Failed to make Merlin be more comfortable with him. Failed to make him happy. Failed to keep him safe…
But not from any goon or witch trying to kill him off.
He had failed to keep Merlin safe from Arthur himself.
Physically…
Emotionally…
…Sexually…
A low growl emitted from the back of his throat as he reached the landing of the stairs…stupid, stupid, stupid! That was Arthur Bloody Pendragon! He was not anything more than a fucking idiot! How could he have actually done that to Merlin…how could Arthur even reason something like that out. It wasn't as if he had ever been attracted to men before…he wasn't even attracted to Merlin like that! He'd just been so angry and…jealous, was probably an apt word with what he had been feeling at that moment. Which was a strange concept…there was no reason for a prince to ever be jealous of anything. With everything that he had at his disposal, how could he fault Merlin for trying to find relief in the hands of another…it still made him want to bash his bloody foot straight into a wall. Over and over again. Until he could feel the bones in his toes starting to crack and break and splinter…it wasn't a strong enough punishment for what it was he had done.
Maybe, Arthur thought as he started striding down the length of the hallway to his bedchambers…maybe Merlin really would be better off without having him in his life. At least without Arthur around, Merlin wouldn't have to worry about fighting off advances he wanted no part of. Bloody FUCK! Forget bashing one of his feet into the wall over again, he was going to bash his head! Only a good bashing to the head would make him forget about Merlin's body trembling and the echo of his voice screaming, the phantom touch of his hands shoving him again and again…Arthur's entire face went pinched. He needed to forget about what had happened, just put it in a lockbox in the back of his mind and forget it had ever been there. But that wouldn't make what had happened disappear, nor was it going to fix this.
But how the bloody hell does somebody fix kissing somebody, it wasn't like he could just tell Merlin to pretend it had never happened. If things were easy like that, then Arthur could've had their entire relationship forgotten so they could start fresh. That's what he should have been worrying about, fighting through his guilt long enough to bloody figure out what he was supposed to do now, as he had been so graciously thrown out of Merlin's chambers. He couldn't show his face there ever again, not if he expected a warm welcome. Not after Gaius had backed Merlin up and told him to go…
Arthur would have went anyway.
Because pestering Merlin, and hurting him, wasn't going to help things.
Wasn't going to get him fed properly.
Or educated properly.
Or clothed properly.
And it definitely wasn't going to make up for the things he'd done. It wouldn't make the bruises on Merlin's face go away. It wasn't going to make Merlin stop wanting to throw something at his head every time he saw him. It wasn't going to lead to Merlin and Arthur sitting at the same table, sharing a bloody meal as Merlin had briefly said he wanted, without it developing into a fight. Doing the most outrageous thing in the world-LIKE BLOODY KISSING HIM-wasn't going to have Merlin approaching him ever again.
In fact, Arthur was pretty sure he wouldn't see Merlin again unless he wanted to be seen by him.
Which he wouldn't…
Because Arthur was a clueless, witless, absolute idiot…
"Ah, Arthur, there you are. I was wondering when you were going to get back here. I hope you didn't run into Gwen on your way back, I had to send the poor girl home early. She's convinced you are going to kill her the second you have set eyes back on her." Morgana called from the doorway of her room as Arthur passed it by, having seen him coming. A muscle in Arthur's jaw twitched with the thought of seeing Gwen again…though perhaps she and Arthur weren't as different as the prince thought they were, due to their status in life. The both of them liked kissing unwilling boys. The only difference was, Merlin had been merely stunned when Gwen kissed him. Arthur's kiss on the other hand, went and turned him beautifully violent…Arthur stormed past Morgana without one word to her. He knew if he heard Gwen's name again, he might just go chasing her down and demanding retribution for her assault on his consort, because it couldn't just go ignored! But-Arthur clenched his fists down at his sides in his agitation-he couldn't. He couldn't do anything to her. Because that would give Merlin one more reason to absolutely hate him. Fuck, was it a pain to actually give a damn about what Merlin thought about him. Was it always going to be so…aggravating…to let things go in order to win Merlin's favor? "…Wow, it must have been really bad then, whatever you and Merlin talked about after kicking us all out. I don't suppose you'll want to share with the rest of the room about what went down in there? And rather or not I'm going to find Merlin crying over you again."
Morgana's drawled out voice, wickedly agitated and regretful for letting Arthur out of his cage to only do more damage upon Merlin, forced the prince to stop where he stood. A prickle of cold sweat breaking out along his nape…he felt as if he had just swallowed jagged ice shards. The kind that stopped the flowing of his blood, the beating of his heart, and the air in his lungs…Arthur should've known Morgana would be waiting up for him. Determined to hear what he had done to Merlin…determined to know if she had made a huge mistake by letting him out…Arthur's heart spasmed. Did people just expect cruelty from him…did people like Merlin and Morgana expect from Arthur to hurt the one person that he should have never hurt. Why the ever loving fuck did Morgana release him in the first place! If she thought he was just going to hurt bloody Merlin, like he bloody well had!
"…No, Morgana. Merlin definitely isn't crying. In fact, I would certainly say that he's been doing the exact opposite of crying." Arthur was deliberate with what he said, choosing his words more carefully, as he raised a hand to settle along the dampness of his neck. Wondering if Morgana would know what he'd done to Merlin if she looked close enough. Would she somehow know that Arthur'd done way worse to Merlin in the last hour than he had any other time. Actually assaulting him…was a whole new issue he needed to overcome. And his little Merlin had been anything but weepy…he had been pissed at Arthur. Glorious and strong and more vibrant than the sun's glow, combined with the mystery aura of the moon…Morgana arched an eyebrow at him confused, and Arthur's stomach twisted into knots, before blurting out the first question that entered his mind, "…Why did you help me get out of the cells! You clearly don't trust to have me around Merlin. So why bother helping me see him again? I'm sure it'd be more satisfying for you to have seen me locked behind those bars till father saw fit to release me."
Morgana's brow lifted higher before she hummed low in the back of her throat, looking as if she was trying to think her answer over before actually telling him one thing. Arthur held his breath, shifting anxiously from one foot to the other foot…this had been stupid of him. He'd only asked Morgana this, because he'd been hoping to distract her from seeing the truth written all over his face. Even if Arthur claimed Merlin had some kind of stench around him that degraded or ruined anything he touched…that had all been in his head. Merlin's touch never ruined anything. And Morgana wasn't going to see..wasn't going to see the lips of Arthur's pressed against Merlin's just by looking at him. Arthur had not ever kept his feelings towards Merlin a secret from her, so she would've had to be some sort of witch herself, to have figured it out just by looking at him. It was almost ironic, his previous hatred towards Merlin being the one thing stopping Morgana from realizing the grievous offense he'd partaken in…
"…I'm not entirely sure why I did it. Every instinct in the world told me keeping you locked away like an animal would actually do you some good. Perhaps may even give Merlin some time away from you, help him heal without you there to ruin his progress." Morgana finally said, voice slow and soft as she wrapped an arm around her middle. Arthur looked away from her…how could he tell her she should have never helped him out. Arthur deserved to be locked in a cage as if he was an animal. Only an animal would have thought attacking Merlin like that was a good thing…Arthur wasn't even sure if he could blame being temporarily insane for doing what he had. That alone would have made Arthur feel as if he was trying to shove responsibility for his own actions off on something else, as he couldn't shove it off on Merlin. "Perhaps you could say I had this foolish bit of hope inside of me. Maybe I was just hoping, if you saw Merlin-really saw him this time-that something might get through your fool head. Not even you could deny the pain you've caused Merlin, when he's on his deathbed."
No…Arthur thought…not even he could deny Merlin's pain after seeing him on his deathbed. Perhaps it would have been easier for Arthur to stay locked up in his cell, it would certainly have given Merlin less trauma if he had never gone back there. But then where would that leave them? Arthur would've missed out on all the valuable information he had learned, and it would've only given them more opportunities to hurt and be hurt, if Arthur hadn't seen the results of his own viciousness staring him straight in the face. Morgana had been wrong to release him, and Arthur could be scared to death she would figure out why he knew it was a bad idea, but…what's done was done. And so, Arthur's jaw went tight before he forced himself to loosen up. To relax. Morgana needed to never know what had happened tonight, avoiding Arthur the sickening sight of a lady going all gaspy and shocked and horrified, looking at Arthur as if he was a spectacle and somehow less of a man for…kissing another man. But Morgana did need to know…something was starting to change.
"But it did…get through my fool head. Just like you wanted."
Arthur bowed his head down low, tucking his hands deep inside his pockets to stop Morgana from seeing the way they shook, remembering the soft flesh of Merlin's bruised face under his fingertips, Morgana didn't even seem to notice his efforts to hide himself away from what he had done, too busy marveling at him in amazement, looking as if she had fallen into a right stupor. But at least it was a stupor involving Arthur gaining a functional brain, a stupor over Arthur basically admitting how wrong he'd been about Merlin this entire time. That is an acceptable stupor…one that wouldn't make Arthur feel as if he had turned-somehow-into a girl's petticoat in so few hours.
"…Oh…that's…wow. That's…amazing, I guess. I almost don't know what to say about that. I suppose you and Merlin must've really had it out then, for you to admit it." Morgana said, the marvel and wonder in her eyes even clear for the fool known as Arthur to see, tucking some long strands of hair behind one of her ears. "But what are you going to do now? I do hope you know you cannot just leave things like they are and hope they get better. Maybe if it was one or two incidences, that might work. But Merlin's had months and months of built up pain. I'm sure there's going to be even more conflict coming…are you going to be ready for that? Because you can't just throw in the towel and decide he's not worth making nice with. You do want to make nice with him, right? This will not just be you agreeing for the moment, and then turning right back around to hurt him once all of this is over and done with; right?"
And that was the million dollar question…wasn't it? Would Arthur fall back into his nasty habits, where hurting Merlin had been the only thing he had wanted to do. When he had been ready to forsake his own princely duties in order to get beneath Merlin's skin whenever he could. Just the thought of how much of his time and effort he had put into making Merlin as miserable as he was, had his stomach churning again. It wasn't like those moments had been accidents that ended up upsetting Merlin. Most of them had been done deliberately, like Arthur purposely hurting Merlin to make sure he knew he didn't like him or just wanting to see his reaction. Those kinds of games didn't sound as funny as he once thought them. Not when he was making Merlin the butt of the joke.
"…No. I've seen the error of my ways, Morgana. I am never going back to how things were." The prince said, a note of steel firmness creeping into his voice…and he knew he was speaking the truth. Arthur wasn't just having some kind of crisis where he questioned every decision he had made. He had questioned all the decisions he made, and found them wholly lacking in any real thought and reason…two things Arthur had prided himself on having before Merlin walked into his life. Arthur couldn't even begin to pinpoint when it had all gone wrong, or when tormenting Merlin became 'the thing to do.' There had been very little thought on why he did the things he did, other than…he wanted too. And that sounded like the poorest reason he could have came up with. "I just…I do not know what to do now. Or how I could go about trying to make him forgive me for my misdeeds."
Morgana slowly nodded her head at him, the wonder never leaving her eyes as she gazed upon him, clearly asking herself rather or not he had been replaced by some kind of shapeshifter or alien clone struggling to fall into the prince's regular life but lacking enough information to do so. Arthur breathed out this heavy sigh, and ran a hand through his thick locks…Merlin's hair was so much thicker and unruly than his was, now that he'd gotten a proper feel for running his hands through…Arthur cut himself off abruptly, and snatched his hand out of his hair. As if Morgana would know he had been thinking of his fingers when they had been scrapeing through Merlin's hair in order to jerk his closer inside his mouth than he already had been…Arthur certainly felt as if he was an alien person who had replaced the real Arthur. The real Arthur would've never tried to kiss Merlin like that. The real Arthur also wouldn't have taken this sickened kind of pleasure out of Merlin's hide…but perhaps he didn't want to be like the Arthur he was. Not anymore. Not when he had been so full of this awful…hate and desire.
"Well, admitting you were wrong is a good first step. But I'm not helping you more than I already have to get on Merlin's good side. I've already tried with helping you before, and got fussed at for my troubles. You're on your own with this one, Arthur." Morgana spoke, and Arthur's eye twitched violently. He had been hoping more along the lines of…Morgana telling him exactly what he was supposed to do, give him some sort of order he needed to follow, in order for things to clear up between him and Merlin. But Merlin hadn't been the one and only person he had hurt in his attempts to be vicious to him…he had also hurt Lady Morgana by ignoring her council when she had been willing to give it. He supposed he should be bloody grateful for what help she's already offered up to him by just allowing him out of his cage. He didn't deserve even that much help, but it still left him right back where he started. With absolutely no hope or plan of action. "But hey, Arthur. How did Merlin like the flowers you gave to him? Did he like them? I was wondering what his reaction was going to be-"
Morgana stopped when Arthur's jaw clinked so tight, an audible clicking of his teeth could be heard. And his brow involuntarily twitched more violently than it had been previously…the flowers. Those stupid flowers Morgana had gone and insisted he brought…but he couldn't exactly blame her either. Arthur had been the one that went ahead and did it. But how was he supposed to know that his consort was sensitive towards flowers, especially the ones currently crunched down into nothing on the floor at Merlin's bedside. How was Arthur supposed to know he had just tried to recreate the one…romantic…fantasy Merlin carried with him? It made him wonder if any of the guys Merlin was seeing, ever tried to bring him flowers. Or if the sex was the only thing they were after…though it hardly mattered. Some men were too cheap to do the bare minimum like trying to bring their lover flowers. Arthur had been stupid to think-coming from him-it would be well received. Even without Merlin's romantic fantasy striking a harsh cord Arthur hadn't known had been there.
"…The flowers were a dumb idea."
And before Morgana could so much as blink in surprise, Arthur was storming into his room and slamming the door behind him. And inside that room, Arthur pressed himself against the door and slowly slid down until he was sitting on his bottom. Where he pressed his hand across his face, digging the meat of his palm against his eyes, trying to stem the build of guilt ridden tears trying to overcome him.
How had things gone as far as they had…
Why was he too blind to see it before…
What had he been thinking…
And the biggest question of all…
Why had he kissed Merlin?
X
It was very early the next morning, when an eerie calm seemed to have gone and stretched out across the entire city. Like an endless fog had rolled right in through the gates, keeping the residents of the city in this permanent state of calmness. The calm before the storm, one might want to call it. A tenseness in the undercurrent of the air that prevented anybody from doing anything that'd be considered drastic. Waiting for an attack that might never come, or waiting for an attack that had always been destined to come. Nobody really knew, but there was one room in the entire kingdom where this calmness had been quite largely unaffected to the people inside.
Gaius himself found that room when he strode into the war room just after the sun had risen high into the sky. It was bustling with activity, despite the awful solemness engulfing it, like it always had when war was on the brink. He could see at least ten of Uther's generals, some of the higher ranking knights whose job it was to command the sectors under their keep, surrounding the great and large table in the center of the room. Pointing at different areas on a large map stretched out across the flat surface, it depicted every inch of the kingdom in full. From the greatest of landmarks, like the kingdom itself. To the smallest of rivers or old ruins that had long since been abandoned to time. The map had a good hundred or so little pieces on the board, carefully crafted metal designs to show where each sector would be standing….where the best place would be for the archers. Or for the cannons to be set up. Depending on which side that Mercia decided to attack them on, which depended on rather or not they were going to go full force from the direction that faced their kingdom. Or try to do a much smaller sneak attack by going the long way and coming at them from a back way. And in the middle of these men, was King Uther Pendragon.
The great king made quite the imposing sight, and not just with the clothes he had worn. The thick black riding boots, the dark blue richly made trousers, the equally dark blue lined shirt tucked into the pants, covered by the ankle length brown coat he favored, would have been a concerning sight for anybody, most definitely when compared to his men. Wrapped finely in their thick red capes to indicate their alliance to Camelot. And that wasn't even taking into account for the shining golden crown that rested on his brow, elevating his status high above all the rest. No…the clothes weren't the only thing imposing about this man. It was the way Uther seemed to command the room, barking orders and moving pieces across the board to wherever he saw fit, that would've made a man stop in his step. It was the way the generals nodded their head, agreeing in full concession with what the king said or making suggestions on how they could prepare if Mercia went a different route, that would have made any man quiver in their boots if they had to break into their discussions.
Gaius had never been a man to fear Uther Pendragon, even on his worst kind of days, and stepped forward into the room, ignoring the thud of the doors as they were shut behind him by the men who were guarding it.
"Sire, you'll have to forgive me for the interruption, but I would like one quick word with you. It shan't take very long, but I do have important information on what you're discussing, and I fear I need to tell you now." Gaius spoke up, his voice easily capturing the attention of the men around the table. If there had been any other who tried to interrupt, they would've likely been ignored for a few more pressing matters. Like deciding on rather or not they should go and set up the cannons on the west side of the battlements, or the east. And how long it would take to push them across the entire length of the castle if they made the wrong choice. But being a prized physician around these parts did come with some advantages. Even if that advantage was this briefly irritated look from the king. "Please, sire. I would hardly interrupt you if I didn't think it was of grave importance. It might even hold baring on what you are wanting to plan for the battlements."
Gaius wanted to hurry up and get this over with, he was quite anxious to return to Merlin's bedside. He'd stayed up all night with the poor boy, who had woken up at all hours of the night to throw up, the poison ejecting from his body each and every time he had. Gaius had stayed up so he could hold the bucket under him, keeping his nephew clean for the most part, as he ejected his guts-words from Merlin, and not his own-into the bucket. Merlin would've never been able to do it on his own. The poison had practically made Merlin's muscle definition worse than his own general health had already had them. It would take quite a while, perhaps a few weeks even, before Merlin could move about like normal…quite a while before his hands were strong enough to stop shaking whenever he tried holding something. Quite a while before he could walk for long lengths of time, but they would get there. As long as Gaius kept up with Merlin having physical therapy, doing a little more exercise each day to build up the muscles in his legs, they'd get there. So it was really unfortunate that Gaius had to step away from Merlin while he was once again resting, in order to inform the Great King Uther of Nimueh's hand in this dreadful plot.
"As thrilling as whatever it is you are about to tell me, I'm sure that it can wait till another time. Unless of course, you are here to inform me that our Consort has finally lost his battle against the poison in his veins, which you'll have my deepest sympathies towards." Uther grumbled under his breath as he turned back to his maps. Running one of his fingers along a path, contemplating on rather or not Mercia would try to journey along one of the smaller rivers to try gaining access into the city. If that was the case, the path would need to get blocked off from the rest of the town… "Which would be just another thing for us to go to war over. Killing our consort is not going to go unpunished. But my men have informed me that Mercia has been spotted. They will most likely be on our doorstep by the morrow."
Gaius bristled in indignation, disgusted with the idea of Uther using Merlin's supposed death as a justification for the pointless war they were about to go up against. Uther wouldn't go to war over a consort that he hated, but he was not above using Merlin's death to make him out as a martyr, giving his people somebody to fight in the name of. It was a disgrace-Gaius knew, as he stood silently for a moment longer, watching as Uther moved some of the pieces on the board that indicated the archers to a spot in the trees that overlooked the river-to pretend they cared one wit about Merlin. They only wanted to fight, so ruled by the bloodlust and testosterone that came with being born a man that stood in power.
"Actually, I'm sure you will be very pleased to know our consort will survive and I do believe he will make a full recovery, after he's had a few days to get the remains of the poison out of his system." Gaius spoke up, calm. And the physician watched with great satisfaction when Uther's hand jerked, making the pieces indicating his defenses and swordsmen go scattering across the board in a disarray. The aged physician smirked for a brief second, before his face turned into something more neutral. "Consort Merlin is currently sleeping off the medication I managed to get to him just in time. By some stroke of our luck, I managed to get my hands on the one ingredient I needed to make it up. Though, sire. I'm sure you will be interested in knowing I have learned the true identity of the one who poisoned Consort Merlin."
The Camelot Generals seemed to have fallen into a tizzy, all of the men were starting to hiss at each other. They had been working under the assumption of Merlin's death being a key factor to carry on this war for as long as they would need too. But now they needed to discuss rather or not Merlin's survival would mean anything different. Probably not. Merlin's survival was insignificant to all of them, they just needed to know somebody had dared tried to kill off a Royal member, for them to be willing to carry arms into battle. It was a pride thing at this point-needing to make an example out of Mercia, so that none of the other kingdom's got the bright idea of trying to carry out a similar plot.
Gaius kept his eye's on Uther though, watching as the king's face went blank to hide how absolutely seething he was, for Merlin's continued defiance every time he managed to survive whatever had been thrown at him. But the king did not throw a fuss in front of his men, nodding his head towards them as he then excused himself from their presence. This was something Uther would want to discuss further in private. But at least the word was out, and Uther wouldn't be able to cover up Merlin's survival and try killing him off discretely, underneath the guise of it having been the poison. It would look too suspicious, if the aged physician was confident in Merlin's recovery, only for him to die under horribly mysterious circumstances not long after. But Gaius didn't say a word as Uther jerked his head to the side, a silent command from the king to follow him into a corner of the room, away from the prying ears of any general that might be too nosy for their own good…Gaius followed. Confident that Merlin's recovery was going to emerge in the gossip mill within the next hour or two. It would be near impossible to contain, even if the king tried putting a stop to it.
"Are you sure, Gaius. There is no doubt about it, no misdiagnosis or mistake on your part. The boy is truly alive and well?" Uther demanded in a sharp whisper as soon as Gaius reached him. The king looked irritable, his eyebrow twitching in a way that was strangely reminiscent of how his son behaved. "Because I've been under the impression that the poison was fatal. You said you managed to get your hands on the ingredient you needed? How? If it was so easily reached then you would not have needed my son to go on some fool's mission into the mountains for it."
Gaius wrinkled his nose at the mention of him, a trained physician, making such a large mistake as to not know whether or not somebody was alive or dead. A mistake like that, and he shouldn't even be allowed to call himself the Royal Physician of Camelot's esteemed Royal family. And it was pretty hard to think somebody was dead when he'd spent the better part of the night just talking to him. Insisting he drink plenty of water for fluids. Rubbed his back as he was spewing again and again into that dratted bucket, wiping his mouth clean after when he was too weak and exhausted to do it himself. Merlin's 'tiff' if one was wanting to call it that, had practically wrecked Merlin physically. And probably even set his healing back a few weeks longer than it should have been.
"Sire, you make it sound like it's any major shock, or as if you were wanting the Consort to be dead. I know he did not come into your household by what could be considered the usual means, but he is still a member of your household and should still be treated with the same level of care I would give if it happened to be you under the influence." Gaius said calmly, watching as Uther's face slowly turned a horrid red color. Angry with Merlin's survival as much as he was angry about Gaius insinuating Uther would have been 'happy' with Merlin's demise to the poison, despite it being no secret how he felt for the boy. There was a type of order to these things, where people made nice to each other's faces, while plotting their demise behind their backs. They were 'civilized' people, after all. And this order was one of the few things that separated them from the wreck their caveman ancestors had been. "But you're correct, sire. The ingredient I needed was this very rare plant from the mountains. But I do have contacts and a means of getting such items to me when I need them. Though I suppose a congratulations is in order. Consort Merlin has just survived his very first assassination attempt. Let us hope it will be the last one, as well."
Gaius' sarcasm and dry wit was easily heard…as much as he wished nobody was going to want to kill his nephew in the future, he knew that was nothing but an impossible dream of an uncle wishing for his nephew's safety. The boy was an incredibly high risk target, and was practically crafted to be the perfect victim to future attempts on his life. Being a Consort put him within the prime position of the court, a means to break into the royal family without going after the ones that had been born into it. And then when one considered him being a sorcerer…heaven help them all when it was the royal family itself leading the attacks. Merlin was literally split between two worlds, one foot within the aged old religion and another within the world that wanted to see it condemn, while not belonging sorely to one or the other. It was a very compromising position, to be sure. But one Merlin would need to learn to navigate, if he wanted to live to any great age.
"…Don't lie to me, Gaius. If this herb is as rare as you said it was, then I do not believe some random contact just happens to have some on hand. You would have surely contacted him much sooner if you had any indication of him having what you needed." Uther said, his paranoia showing in his eyes. But Gaius held stern and strong, leveling his eyes directly at the king…he refused to do or say anything that could invoke the king's ire, or having the king place any blame on his nephew. Uther might not be able to kill him, but he still had enough power to make Merlin's life more miserable than it already had been. But Uther must have connected the dots himself, Gaius could see the gears whirling inside the king's mind…King Uther wasn't known as a shrewd king for nothing. "This was Arthur's work, wasn't it? He's the contact you're talking about! He managed to get that dratted plant to you, didn't he!"
Gaius had been very careful not to mention Arthur's name during this moment with the king, knowing even Arthur wasn't protected from the king's intense ire if he did wrong. Or if he did right, as this case might be. But this had been the only protection Gaius had been willing to afford him…Arthur had gotten what it was he needed for Merlin, and Gaius kept his name from Uther. A favor given in return of a favor, the bare minimum Gaius was willing to do for the man who upset his nephew so greatly. But he wasn't terribly shocked to know Uther had figured it out, he hardly cared what Uther would do to Arthur once he got his hands on him. Arthur Pendragon was no longer the bright young lad he'd been as a child. Gaius only cared about what kind of backlash this may have for his nephew.
"Arthur Pendragon did what needed to be done in order to save the life of his husband. Something I suspect you wouldn't have bothered to do if you were in his position." Gaius spoke, disgusted with the mere idea of defending Arthur to his father, but he pushed past that just as he pushed his shoulders back so he could stand a bit taller. Uther needed to know his willingness to let Merlin die just because he didn't like his heritage, was not in anyway okay. And he wasn't going to let this slight, the word was too small for what Uther had tried on his nephew, go unremarked on. "If Arthur hadn't done what he did, then my young nephew would be dead. I'm grateful for him saving his life, but the treatment my nephew has endured in this kingdom needs to end. Now."
For the first time in a long time, Gaius wasn't asking something from the King of Camelot. He was telling him. This hatred and isolation had gone on for long enough. He couldn't stand seeing Merlin in pain because men more powerful than him deemed him unsuitable for their recognition. But Gaius had power of his own too. Perhaps not as much as King Uther did, as the king turned into a pasty sheen of confusion and surprise, but some power all the same. Enough to insist, as the only male relative available to see to Merlin's adjustment into a new household, was being given the same proper care and attention he would have received if he had been a lady of the court. He was only ashamed he had not gone to Uther before Merlin had nearly died from their inattentiveness.
"Gaius I am certain that I must have misheard you." Uther demanded in a rush, almost urgently, but Gaius only tilted his head unbothered. He had a feeling he knew what this was about, especially after Arthur had freaked out on him over this before he had left for the mountains. But he waited until Uther started to grow impatient, keeping the ball firmly in Gaius' court as he controlled where this conversation was going, instead of giving into the heat Uther was trying to emit. Uther's impatience showed as he waved a hand between them with wild gestures, "I know you have seemed to taken a liking to the boy, especially ever since I had him following you around during the plague, and fostering whatever …curiosity, he had towards your craft. But that doesn't make you related by a bloodline. You, of all people, know how important blood can be. It determines a person's lineage and their worth and what kind of person they might become in the court. Making such claims are foolish, and will only alienate you if there are people who think you are trying to influence the Consort to get in tighter to the royal family. Surely I do not have to warn you of the dangers of what might happen if you get too attached to the boy."
And there it was, Uther showing his hand at last. It had honestly never came to Gaius' mind that he should've filled Uther in on his relationship to the boy, not when Merlin had first came to him with nothing but a dirty backpack and a torn up letter from travel. That had been a private family moment as a nephew and his uncle connected for the first time, it wasn't something that needed to end up ripped apart by the council as they tried acclimating Gaius into the family more than Merlin himself. Merlin finding his place as a Consort had been very important, but it would have been forgotten under Camelot boasting about the bloodline Gaius carried being added to their own. It would have been all about making Gaius comfortable, elevating his status higher than it already was, and including him on matters that should've been dealt with by the untrained little consort in their midst. Leaving Merlin, the one whose attention they should've been begging for, to figure things out on his own. How was he meant to know Merlin would still be left out on his own, with nobody thinking he had anybody to fight for his rights.
"There is no danger of me becoming attached to the boy. Because I'm already attached to him, and that is simply something I'm pleased to accept." Said the physician boldly, watching the agitation in Uther's eyes stirring. He knew King Uther was thinking of this like a politician and a leader…bloodlines were a very delicate subject that needed to be handled with care and dignity. There was all manner of people who might try to elevate their own status by claiming to be a long lost son or daughter returning to contest and claim their birthright as heir or such. Looking for attention or fame if their claims could hold underneath the weight of scrutiny. And if a man as esteemed as Gaius was showing favor to a young boy, they could've easily claimed a familiar bond was the reason. That's why nobles usually had naming ceremonies and the like for their children after the birth, to establish the line of succession and their acceptance of having a blood heir to past their fortune and titles down too. And so, Gaius interrupted when Uther opened his mouth to scold him for allowing emotions to cloud his judgment over a boy like Merlin, "Because my nephew deserves to have proper attention and care being given to him from somebody that actually enjoys the company he gives me. The son of my younger sister…Hunith. I'm sure you will have remembered her, she is the one you signed your son away too, after all."
And Gaius watched the absolute shit show that was Uther's face, as it twisted and contorted into a million different expressions. Shock…confusion…disbelief …surprised…aggravation…irritation…contemplative…until he finally settled onto indifference. It had been almost like a story before Gaius's eyes. The confusion of Gaius admitting an actual blood connection by mentioning the known name of Merlin's mother. The aggravation as he realized this might change some of whatever plans he might be considering for Merlin. And the contemplation as he wondered how he could use this fact to his advantage. And the indifference to make it seem like it wasn't a big deal, kinda like when a person selling in the marketplace stops somebody from walking away and lowering their prices for an item they'd been eyeing, not realizing they'd been haggled by the one not showing how much they had been wanting it. Because people who wanted to have something, were much more willing to pay a higher amount than another who was only semi-interested. Uther thought he could twist this new fact into something for himself, but Gaius was smart enough to realize this. But he was not going to be shamed into hiding his familiar relationship to Merlin, even if it meant now having to navigate the political minefield he had been quite apt at avoiding, for the most part, for all of these years in court. He would give Uther absolute hell though, if he thought he could pull Gaius and Merlin into any of his mind games.
"You've never told me you were related to the boy's mother, Gaius. That would have been knowledge I would have wanted to know. There's so many doors for it to open, knowing that Merlin has at least a partial bloodline rooted into noble court." Uther said, slow and calculating and eyeing Gaius as if he was a person Uther had been trying to recruit into court for years, and not somebody who'd already been there. "Merlin…a child born to a member of my own court. That is something I could have never foreseen. I suppose he does have a few features I can see now, that might give note of his noble bloodline. He does carry with him a…unique bone structure."
This was a very ridiculous thing to say, as far as Gaius was concerned. Since it was not Gaius' side of the family Merlin had inherited his bone structure from…a feature Uther probably would have been spitting at in disgust if it ever came up, insisting Merlin's peasant heritage made him horrific to look at. But now he knew Merlin had some nobility in his bloodline, it made things different. Would it also make things different if Gaius pointed out how his cheekbones-which is very similar to his sister's-sat lower on their faces. Gaius could only assume it was Merlin's father, a man he had no relation to, in which Merlin had inherited his structure from. Though Gaius was hardly going to bring that up right now, it was less important compared to other things.
"Forgive me, sire, when I point out that Merlin isn't from my bone. He's related to me, yes. But he is very much his mother's child and that should not be left forgotten." Gaius pointed out firmly, refusing to allow Uther to erase the whole of Merlin's history-something Merlin cared very much about-from existence so the king could behave as if Merlin had been born, bred, and raised as much of a noble as the rest of them were. Blood hardly mattered when one was raised in a much different scenery. One would've never seen any of the nobles in this castle toiling around in the fields all day, something that took a different kind of strength than what the nobles would used too. Gaius knew it had worked, as Uther wrinkled his nose in disgust…he would've been very happy to pretend Merlin had just popped up out of nowhere, fully formed and crafted into the kingdom's greatest consort. Rather than admit whatever aspects Merlin had in him they might be able to use for court, now that they were looking for traits to be used, had came from being raised by his mother. "But now that you know of our relationship, I am sure that you can understand how displeased I am about what's been going on. And how my nephew has been treated in the three or so months he's been under your son's care, and in your household."
Uther blinked at him for a solid moment, clearly not expecting the anger trying to ebb out of Gaius's voice. Gaius wasn't a man that could be angered all that easily, which was a good trait to have when one was a physician. But wasn't all that great a trait to have, when one was defending their nephew from the awful and barbaric manner in which he's been subjected to all this time. Gaius didn't even care if Uther got upset with him or threatened to do something to make a life at court very frustrating for Gaius. If Uther tried flexing his power as a king to make things happen, then Gaius was willing to flex his power as well. It was Uther, after all, that needed Gaius' skills as a physician-only the best could be available to the royal family-far more than Gaius needed the protection or the stability that came with working under the crown.
"I do not understand what you are implying, Gaius. Your nephew's been being treated quite admirably under my household. He has an abundant of access to food so we aren't starving him, and he's been given the best Camelot could've offered him, or did you miss the fine clothing he had been wearing whenever we had the banquet. I personally don't see how you are allowing a member of your own blood to wear clothes as shabby as he usually does, but our young consort is something else, isn't he?" Uther asked him, making it sound like it was meant to be a compliment. But Gaius had been in court for far too long to not see the backhanded comment hidden between the lines, disregarding his nephew as nothing more than a tool. Something meant to be dressed within a silk lining and then made to disappear while the 'men' did whatever work that was needed in the kingdom. As if Merlin was a woman that needed to sit in the parlor room and gossip with the rest, instead of being fully immersed with the city and its problems as any noble man should be. "But if there is anything you have came to me that is more specific in nature, I would be agreeable to listen to what ails you, and see what we could do about correcting it."
Now, it was Gaius turn to wrinkle his nose in disgust, seeing how easily Uther was changing his tune now that blood had came into the mix. If Gaius came to Uther with his concerns without revealing to the man what his relationship with Merlin was, then he probably would have been brushed aside. Or end up being accused of behaving overdramatic and complaining about far too much. How disconcerting it was, knowing Merlin only had the interest of the king due to a secret relationship…it was no wonder why Merlin avoided these royal members as much as he could. Gaius would have avoided them too, if his life had taken him on a different path.
"There are many things I could complain to you about, and throwing outfits or new opportunities onto Merlin that wouldn't otherwise be available to him if he had never came to Camelot, is just not going to cut it. There is only one thing I want from you, sire." Gaius said firmly, the determination crashing like the tidal waves in the ocean. But unlike the rushing roar of the endless sea, Gaius made sure to keep still and silent. Waiting to make sure Uther's entire attention was on him unwaveringly. "I want Arthur Pendragon to stay away from Merlin. Now, I know there will be events and moments where the two of them will need to be seen together, but unless one of those events are upon us, there isn't a single reason for your son bothering my boy. In fact-" Gaius continued quickly, when he saw Uther's mouth starting to open, most likely to protest, if his narrowed eyes on him was any indication. "I am willing to withdraw my support from the kingdom of Camelot, pack my belongings, and leave this entire city behind if I cannot have my one demand met."
Uther's jaw dropped wide enough that he could have caught an entire fish in his mouth, eyes flying open in a panic as he darted his eyes across Gaius' face to see whether or not he was being serious. And Gaius knew exactly what this king would see in his features…nothing but the god-honest truth. This was not just empty words to Gaius. He was firmly prepared to walk straight out of this room, march to his chambers, and start packing up his and Merlin's belongings so they could get out of here. Contract and consequences be damned. A little piece of parchment was not going to hold his nephew a hostage here, where he couldn't trust his nephew to be treated with just a bit of dignity. Merlin was better than what he had been given, better than the Royal family themselves by far, and he would be damned if Uther and his spawn continued treating the boy as if he was some kind of sub-species of human. Or not even a human. A slug, perhaps. One that could be stepped on at their leisure. Gaius was being very generous actually, by mentioning Merlin would be allowed to attend what royal functions were unavoidable. But royal functions didn't happen everyday, and a month or two long break from Arthur could only do Merlin this world of good.
"You would really leave the city, Gaius?! You were born and raised here. This is your home! You have spent decades and decades working your way up all the ranks just to get to where you are now. And you are willing to throw that away on a second's notice?" Uther demanded, but what he didn't seem to realize…. It wasn't a second's notice to Gaius. He had been thinking about it on and off for sometime now, trying to determine how it would work and if it really would be easy for them to just walk out without being followed. If Merlin was a simple peasant, they could've kept him here like a prisoner. But with the backing of a noble family, it was more complicated than that. Uther couldn't force Gaius to stay here. The other noble families would turn on him in a heartbeat if such a thing became public, fearing he would do the same to them next. And he was obviously not going to leave without his nephew…needless to say the answer would be a 'yes.' It only took Gaius a moment to decide throwing away all the years of study and training and preparation and condemning himself to get to where he was now, was the very least of what Gaius was willing to do in order to give Merlin safe harbor from the beasts wanting to destroy him. "For just a single, insignificant little boy?"
And this made Gaius absolutely infuriated, his shoulders going ramrod straight in comparison to before. Here Uther was, once again trying to downgrade how important Merlin was, flipping his stance on Merlin so easily, now that he was realizing what a threat Merlin could be. When he had been praising Merlin, if it could be called that, only moments ago to get on Gaius' good side. Merlin was anything but one insignificant little boy. He was Gaius' family, his kin, bound to him by blood and chosen to stand beside him through something even deeper than blood…want. Gaius wanted to stand beside Merlin, and nobody was going to act as if Gaius was the insane one for choosing him over the tyrant king who had no business getting himself involved with Gaius or his family affairs.
"That insignificant boy, my king, is my nephew. So yes, I would. There will be a place for healers everywhere. I can easily settle down someplace else, and I'll have my able bodied nephew with me to help get me around. I do also believe that Merlin is the last male of my family. I am sure you can discern, considering the fact that I have no children to pass my knowledge and small fortune once I have passed on. Which makes Merlin, for all intents and purposes, basically an heir of my bloodline." Said Gaius, watching with the sick satisfaction that came with Uther realizing the pure significance of such a thing. It wasn't something written down on parchment and placed in the archives for safe keeping. On the off chance somebody tried claiming Merlin was a fraud and should get nothing that would rightfully belong to him upon Gaius' death, including the few titles he rarely used, this would keep the vocal screamers quieted. But just saying it to the king himself now, made it as binding as it could get. "I'm sure you could understand my disappointment and concern at having my heir, after the many years of dedicated service I have put into this kingdom, be disrespected as he has been. It makes a man want to take his services elsewhere, where my own blood and the blood that flows in my nephew, could be appreciated."
If Uther was a middle aged noblewoman, Gaius could very well imagine this is what he would have looked like if he was clutching his pearls. Pressing a hand against his chest, looking absolutely stricken. Gaius had been roaming around the kingdom since Uther was a young boy, the king probably never considered a day would come where Gaius would leave. With how important a fixture he'd turned himself into, Uther probably even assumed death itself would not try to take him one of these days. But at least…at least it looked as if the Great King had started to understand how serious it was. Merlin wasn't just related to the physician…Gaius was willing to make him his heir. The last heir of his bloodline until Merlin, should he ever, have children of his own someday. That right there alone was enough to make Merlin a prized member of the court. If his nephew hadn't been forced into this contract and had been introduced to the court by other means, then there would've been many vying for his attention. Sons and daughters of the court wanting the last member of a noble bloodline inducted into their own families. People would always want something they could never have, and knowing it was the only one of its kind, well…that would only make a desire to own and possess grow even more fierce than it otherwise would have been.
"I suppose…I suppose I can understand where you are coming from, Gaius. An heir of a noble family should be treated with better care than how our Consort has been, as of late. I will see that things are changed immediately, so that the young consort is comfortable with his new station and the like." Uther said, as he raised up a hand and blotted at his forehead, where there were little beads of sweat trying to form. As it turned out…Gaius had been correct, the king was a man that would rather welcome Merlin into the court officially, swallowing his dislike, than lose somebody with skills as valuable as Gaius'. "But, Gaius…you mentioned my son. Does that mean, does Arthur know about your relationship to Consort Merlin. Because I'm sure he would not have wanted to do anything to offend you or your family if he knew. He has always looked up to you, don't you know?"
If Gaius was a lesser man and half the age he was now, he would have openly sneered in disgust. He could hear the hope in Uther's voice, and knew exactly what he was trying to do. The king was hoping, if Arthur was as ignorant in the relationship, then he couldn't be held responsible for the way he might've gave their family offense. A loophole, if one would. Because clearly, a man would've treated the peasant consort they'd been saddled with, far differently than they would have treated the last heir to an esteemed member of the court. But the physician was a man who didn't forgive easily, how could he trust a man who'd abuse someone one minute, and then act as they should the second they had a title attached to their name. It was hypocritical, that was what it was. And it was as two faced as somebody could possibly get. Gaius would rather Arthur leave them alone for good, then try and play nice now. Especially if the man's father was going to sit there and say Arthur had looked up to him…Arthur was a bloody prince! Who had no excuses for his behavior. And Gaius knew for fact that the king had taught Arthur to be above looking up to somebody…a prince was meant to be the one people looked up to, after all. It could never end up the other way around.
"He didn't, I don't exactly spend my days bragging about my family, and my nephew has more pride in himself than to go about bragging on who he has a relation with." The implication was there in Gaius' words, the insinuation of the consort being better than even the king himself. Who took too much pride with the long history of nobles that had came before him, putting himself on top of a pedestal due to the success of his ancestors, even long before he'd became a king and achieved his own worthy notes in history. Merlin didn't need to brag to others, more interested in becoming a man in his own right, then following a path set for him. "But trust me," Gaius continued before Uther could think he had a loophole to tie Gaius by. "By the time I was done with him, he knew very well who my nephew was. And then he ran off to get the cure, it wouldn't have surprised me if he only did it to win my favor back into the court instead of it being the right thing to do for my nephew's sake, after what he's put my Merlin through. And you know what happens after? I find him inside my quarters, and quite literally antagonizing my ailing nephew. Merlin can barely stand yet, and your son thought it appropriate to have another go at him in his helpless state, which begs the question…what kind of son have you raised, my king?"
The question was meant to cause offense, and for the first time, it seemed to have left Uther for a lost of words. He didn't even comment on how it would be even possible for Arthur to agitate Merlin if he was supposed to be locked in a cell. The king's shoulders seemed to sag under the weight of Gaius' question…a man needed to be responsible for his own actions, after all. And while Uther was good at throwing things at people in order to make them put up less of a fuss-same as his son-there was very little Uther could have thrown at Gaius to make him forget the sins of his son. Nothing, actually. But that didn't mean the king surely didn't try, on that front.
"Perhaps we can talk about an appropriate monetary amount? For reparations between our two families? Or maybe I can offer you a nice piece of land on the edge of the city, somewhere quaint that your nephew would like to visit when he wants to see you?" Uther suggested, and Gaius had to wonder what it was the king was thinking, thinking that would be a good offer to make. Gaius may be a noble, but he had been from one of the lesser known families, meaning he hadn't had much to go in the way of land to begin with. And what little pieces he had belonging to his family, Gaius had sold decades ago in order to pay for the intense healing program he wanted to apprentice in. Now, several decades later, Gaius had amassed enough money over the years to rebuy what he had once considered his family lands. But he had never bothered, he didn't have a connection to those lands anymore. It would feel like a stranger walking along a path in a foggy dream. But while most people would be jumping at an offer of land from the king itself, it sounded as if Uther was just trying to separate the physician from his nephew. Make it so Gaius wouldn't realize things growing worse if he wasn't around as much. This wouldn't have worked anyway, since Gaius' job required him to be in the immediate vicinity of the royal family, so it wasn't like he would get to spend much time there to begin with. "Perhaps we can dine together later on. You can sit at my table with me and we can go over anything you wish to. You could pick out the empty plot of land you'd want to own. There are several available that I know would be a perfect inheritance to pass on to Consort Merlin someday? Or perhaps you'd like a high seat on my council? I'm sure I can bump one of my advisors if you want to be higher up in the ranks…?"
Once again, it was a very generous offer most people would have jumped onto the king in order to have. To ask Gaius to dine at his table…that was practically unheard of, among the court. Not his personal table. Even Arthur and Morgana had only eaten at the table a handful of times a year, whenever the king would want family time. Which was basically interrogating the two to figure out where they were in the progress of their education and skills he had deemed the two needed to know. It was a major nobility success, and could easily knock up any man's status among the court if word got out. But once again, nothing the king was offering would work on Gaius. Now when it was basically Uther trying hard to buy how much Gaius was willing to ignore the abuse going on directly under his nose.
"Sire, I'm an old man. I care very little about offers like that. Why have any land I'll never live on? Why have something like that to pass on to my nephew when he stands to inherit a much larger land one of these days, and can choose to have his own personal plot if he wants it someday." Gaius spoke calmly, while he watched the way Uther's eyebrow twitched. The only sign of displeasure he showed when Gaius referred to Merlin inheriting the king's kingdom. "And not to mention, I'm already quite high up the ranks of the council myself. I do not need to take some other's seat, when I have no need for it. I have absolutely no interest in adding more work to my plate than I already have. My focus will sorely rely on my healing, until I've grown too old to do even that anymore. So, there will be no reason for us to dine. The only thing I want is your word, that the Prince will leave my nephew alone when Merlin is not needed to fulfill the basics of his consort duties."
Uther looked as if he wanted to protest once again, insist Arthur was doing a 'boy will be boys' thing, and could not be responsible for how he treated the consort. But he must have seen the way Gaius' eyes were unwavering, refusing to take anything else. Honestly, the only thing Gaius would have taken over the prince staying away from Merlin, would've been seeing the prince's head on a bloody platter being brought before him. But he figured asking for death would have been more than even Uther was willing to give him. Though asking for the head of somebody who'd wrong you, wasn't exactly an uncommon practice for the court either. Though it was usually contained to the lesser nobles, unless a man had the same rank or higher than that of the prince himself. But the other man just staying away from his nephew, leaving Gaius no more worried about finding his nephew broken and beaten once again, would be enough.
"…I suppose, I will have a talk with Arthur about his conduct and behavior later on today, once I've managed to step away from my war meeting." Uther said in a considering tone, scratching absentmindedly at his chin as he looked across the room to where his generals were still discussing-heads bowed together on the map-what Merlin's survival would mean for this war. But Gaius gave an eye to the king…the physician hadn't made it this far in the political court without knowing a clever word play when he saw it. Discussing with Arthur, which was something Gaius was sure had to have happened already on other matters, on his conduct was hardly an agreement to make the prince leave Merlin alone…a king with no other choice, gave the almightiest of sighs, realizing it was a very little deal to make considering the services they received from Gaius in return to their compliance. "And of course, I will…mention to Arthur that he's banned from approaching Merlin until further notice."
Uther sounded very begrudgingly about this, but it was clear Gaius had talked him into a corner. A very rare thing indeed, something Gaius himself should've been proud of, considering he was probably one of the very few people in the world that could get Uther to do something. The physician had just been round long enough to know the deepest and darkest of secrets the king kept from his even most loyal of followers. Gaius had known exactly which way to play this in order to get what he wanted. He supposed Uther should just be grateful Gaius wanted very little, in regard to his life, compared to another man who might try taking full advantage of his knowledge and ability to work the stubborn king.
Like…
"And of course, my king. Now that you are aware Merlin's my nephew, I should hope on top of your son leaving my boy alone, you will also not step in when it concerns the things I choose to teach my nephew. I know you don't believe it's right for a noble to learn something as…mundane as healing, when there are a good many of things Merlin could be spending his time being educated on, but as he hasn't received any formal training since his arrival, I might fill in the lack for the time being. It might not…look good to you, to have a royal being taught on how to care for himself instead of having a trained physician doing it, but it is Merlin that has already expressed an interest in my craft. He tears through my books at an almost alarming rate when he's in the mood. As long as he has an interest, I think I would like to foster it to its fullest extent. Without anyone interrupting or trying to put a stop to it…I probably would've taught Merlin all of this anyway, if he hadn't married before I got the opportunity."
Uther's face contorted into a vehement protest in the making, the words just brimming on his tongue, but quieted down before the first word had a chance to come forth. The king had never kept quiet on what he thought a noble had to learn, and what was simply inappropriate for him to learn. The education of his son had been the one thing he had been invested in, approving lessons the Royal tutors brought before him before allowing them near his son. But healing had always been on the list of disapprovals, anything more than just the basics …something that once again came down to status. How weak a king would end up looking if he had to heal his own wounds. How powerless a king would look if he didn't have his own healer at the ready. Uther had needed to show a great restraint last month, in order to allow Merlin to help him with whatever he was able to during the plague. The King might not be pushing the issue on having a tutor brought to Merlin quite yet, perhaps hoping it would be a waste of money he wouldn't miss and time he didn't need if Merlin ended up dead before using anything he had actually learned, but that didn't mean Gaius wasn't willing and able to fill in the slack. And if Merlin wanted to continue growing his interest in Gaius' work, then he was hardly going to discourage him. But this would be far easier to do if he didn't have Uther breathing down his neck, tearing the young boy off to do a geography lesson or having him tutored on the laws this 'Great' kingdom had been founded on, and interrupting every chance he got.
That could hardly be counted as a nurturing learning environment.
"I suppose…there is nothing wrong with a young man learning his family trade, it's as you said…Merlin would have already came into this household knowing these things if he had been around for you to teach him." Uther said, with such great reluctance, Gaius would have thought the king was having a tooth pulled out. Uther was probably only masking how seriously 'wrong' he thought all this was, by making it sound like a 'family trade', instead of just an interest. There's a reason people followed the path of their parents before them…blacksmith's becoming blacksmiths and traders becoming traders and seats on the council being passed down to the son, soldiers and generals expected to craft the son into being ready to take over…it was the family trade. Destiny being handed to them before they were even old enough to be educated. And sure, not all heirs followed their parents path before them, but nearly always, the firstborn son of the family had no choice. Second children and so on had a bit more freedom in what they wanted, but sometimes it was easier to follow what was expected of them, then going forth with a new path. Merlin, was going down a new path, by not following along with the rigidness of what was allowed as a royal. He would make sure of that. "I suppose learning a few healing tricks is better than any of the farm work his mother surely does, or heaven forbid he grow any interest in the things his father liked to do. I would've had him burned, if he ventured into that direction."
Uther threw his head back and laughed, the idea of Merlin either digging in the dirt in order to feed himself, or exploring the curse of magic like his father had done, absolutely amusing to him, to be very funny. But Gaius didn't even crack a smile, he didn't find the idea of his nephew dying this slow and agonizing death, this extremely real possibility should Uther ever discover him. Perhaps it was just him, but he found it decidedly unappealing to imagine smoke billowing around Merlin's still form as he choked and sputtered, unable to escape the binds that would hold him in place. Uther seemed to have realize his joke missed its mark, and those laughs slowly died down into an awkward silence.
"Well, then, this has been a very enlightening conversation. Thank you for going out of your way to bring my son's appaling behavior to my attention, and I do congratulate you on Consort Merlin's survival." Uther said, though Gaius found himself also unable to forget the way the king remarked his healing training to be nothing more than 'little tricks'. An offense all around, it seemed, in just one simple statement. Perhaps Uther wouldn't be laughing if he realized Gaius was fully prepared to train Merlin as far as his knowledge could go. Stitching those who had fallen, bringing people back from what would have otherwise been a death sentence. If anything, Uther's dismissive attitude only made him more determined than ever to make Merlin the best physician he could. "But now, I do believe my generals need me for the war meeting. We have this extremely short window of opportunity to prepare for battle, Mercia is sure to be right on our doorstep faster than we anticipated. And with Bayard in our dungeons…it's not looking favorable for either side."
Ah, Gaius remembered the crux of the reason he had came here, the reason he had left his nephew in the hopes of returning before he woken up. Gaius didn't come all this way simply to tell Uther about Merlin's recovery. He had planned on doing this at a later date, once he'd been sure Merlin had rested in full for a few days, just in case Uther tried insisting Merlin do something Consort-like in front of the people…perhaps something as daring as giving a speech directly before the council. Detailing all about his harrowing quest to save the one he loved from certain death…Gaius wouldn't have been able to stomach that kind of charade anymore than Merlin would have. But things did have a tendency to get out of hands sometimes, and Gaius had needed to erase the smug faces of those who had sat around the table when they had thought Merlin was dead. It was time though, to move onto another just as equally pressing matter.
"Ah, sire. That's the whole reason I came here to begin with. I believe you had to know that Bayard wasn't the one who poisoned my nephew. A fact which is greatly going to affect the outcome of what you decide to do next." Gaius said, taking a step forward to stop the king from leaving him. Uther was frowning his way again, heavily, as the aged physician nodded his head towards the table in front of them. Knowing bloodshed on both sides was something both Camelot and Mercia would want to avoid, if it was possible. Nobody ever really wanted to go to war, not unless there was a driving force behind the issue. "What I had to cure from Merlin was distinctively magical. And as I'm sure you know, magic always leave a trace in the origin of its maker. I would recognize the hand that conjured this particular brand of evil anywhere…" Gaius paused for a dramatic effect, the king watching him with cautious eyes, as if he was about to pull out a sorcerer from inside his robes and wave the culprit directly in his face. "That hand belongs to Nimueh."
And just as Gaius suspected would happen, Uther's face turned ashen while his lips pressed together turned a pale white. There was fear inside of those eyes, a fear that was usually absent during all manner of matters. Just a name itself was powerful enough to evoke such a reaction, but that was only telling of the great power Uther knew Nimueh wielded. And the king glanced towards the generals just to make sure they weren't listening in…many of them weren't around back in the day. They wouldn't have any recollection of who Nimueh is or the threat she poised to their kingdom. But it would only take a single nosy member to hear her name and go searching for answers. Nimueh's name and family might've been struck from the records when she deflected from the fair city, but there were surely still a couple of people who might remember her, if they had been old enough to know her. Luckily for Uther though, most of those who had been around when Nimueh walked around the castle as if she owned it, had either died or moved on with their lives away from the castle. Retiring to their estates in the countryside.
"…You have to be mistaken. There's no chance Nimueh would risk coming here after all these years." Uther insisted in a frantic voice, glancing back towards his men once again, seeing that they had now moved onto how they would be filling up the storerooms with food. They already had rations at the ready for a chance of drought or famine striking the kingdom, but there was no reason not to gather whatever extra was around the city and placing it for safe keeping. If a war really happened, there was a very good chance they'd be locked inside of the castle for longer than they were prepared too. The King turned back to Gaius. "It might have been twenty years of not seeing that woman, but I would know her face anywhere. She simply is not a woman a man is bound to forget, even if one had an eternity pretending she did not exist."
And Uther Pendragon had done his hardest to make sure said woman wouldn't exist in the mind of Camelot. Twenty years worth of trying, until that one witch had been forgotten from the minds of men. It had taken twenty years before a witch of her strength and power had even attempted to attack Camelot with a plague set before them, which attested to how strong Camelot was to be able to resist her. But there was no chance Nimueh would wait nary a month later to try attacking them again…it didn't seem like enough time had passed. Going from a twenty year gap to a single month…it was a significant time difference Uther could not ignore.
"I wish she was so easily forgotten, sire. But Nimueh had never gone down so quietly in all of life. She was an extraordinarily bold woman." Said Gaius, trying in vain not to remember Nimueh for the young woman she'd been, before she went and turned on them. Women were always supposed to be delicate, soft, sweet…able to calm a man's temper and stay level headed and calm. Quiet as the men worked, making sure the home and its servants were working just as it was meant too. Nimueh had been all of that…and so much more. She could say one thing, smiling at your face, while her eyes told a different story. A story no man wanted to get on the wrong side of. "She's extremely powerful. It's a very simple spell, enchanting the eye that beholds her. She could walk in and have a conversation with one of us, and we never would have realized the truth of her identity until it was much too late."
If anything the idea of Nimueh being able to walk in and out of the castle when she wanted too, and being powerless to even put a guard on watch for her, got the blood to leave Uther's face completely. Leaving him to be as white as any piece of marble stone would have been…Gaius actually understood this kind of reaction. Even now, his heart stuttered painfully in his chest, knowing she had been so close to him. Knowing she had talked and spoken to his nephew while Gaius had taken the wrong interest…he wished nothing more than to say he'd simply been mistaken after all. To say it was Bayard who had done it and just be done with all of this Nimueh business. But that would have done them all a huge disservice, because it wouldn't change the truth of the matter.
Nimueh was back, and she wasn't going to go away simply because they were wanting her too.
It was better for them to be prepared for her, than pretending it wasn't her. Till the next major attack forced their hand and their admittance into what's really going on.
"I'm telling you…it cannot be really her. She can't have been here. I did what it was she wanted. That should have been enough to get rid of her." Uther said in a harsh whisper. Gaius' brows furrowed together concerned, not being able to understand what he was talking about…Uther had done 'what'? Gaius felt as if he was missing something, which was not a feeling he usually felt whenever he talked to Uther Pendragon. Gaius knew absolutely everything he could when it concerned the king before him, and yet…there was something so insanely out of place about this statement, that it left Gaius baffled. Uther seemed to read his face though, and quickly changed the subject before Gaius had the chance to ask questions. "Have you any proof that it was really her?"
