A/N:
Would you look at that I got it done in a week. Also updated some typos in the previous chapter. Big thank you to Maricate who read and reviewed all chapters again (gotta love the magnetised sword, not the most covert of Merlin's spells though). Fair warning, this chapter is also a favourite of mine.
Enjoy!
Ilandrae
Disclaimer: Would you look at that… I don't own Merlin.
CHAPTER 14 – IDIOT WARLOCK!
The Road to Camelot
It was surreal, Merlin thought, as the city came into view. To be coming back to Camelot, coming home, after all this time. Looking up at the massive castle, lit by the afternoon sun, he wondered how much the people he had used to know had changed.
There was a time when he had known every servant who worked in the castle. Known every courtier and every stable hand that resided within it, he had even known most of the children from the lower town due to his frequent appointments with the stocks.
But now? He didn't even know who remained in Camelot, much less if they were in the same roles.
He glanced at Mel, who was scoffing at something Art had said. The two had become close on the ride here, what Merlin had seen start in his cave was beginning to flourish. Into what he wasn't quite sure yet. But he felt that the friendship would be good for Mel, maybe even for Art too.
Though the girl had thought he didn't know, the warlock had seen the way the other village children had treated her. It was why he had never commented on how much time she spent with him, recognizing her need to escape. Having a friend so soon after her father's death would help her to heal, and if Art was anything like his father he would be a good friend indeed.
He could only hope that Mel would be able to keep her mouth shut, at least while in public. Then again, when had Merlin ever managed it when he was at Arthur's side?
A short distance from the gates Merlin reigned Bay in, taking a moment for the memories of him and Arthur to flow over him.
When the others looked at him quizzically, he motioned them to continue, "I'll be right behind you. I just need a minute."
As the others continued down the final stretch into the city Merlin took a deep breath, preparing himself.
He felt a familiar presence around him, and he smiled as Arthur's spirit whispered to him.
Brace yourself Merlin. He's here to help.
Merlin frowned as he urged Bay forward and into Camelot. Who was here? And why did Arthur feel he had to warn him?
"Merlin! Thank the kingdoms you changed your mind!" Merlin couldn't help but return Mithian's beaming smile as he walked into the council chambers. Striding over to him she left Gwen, Gaius, Geoffrey, Percival and Leon looking at them quizzically from the table.
"Mithian! It was you I saw" Merlin returned the princess's hug, "I'm sorry to hear about Nemeth… I have not been keeping up with the rest of the world as I should've been. I should have been there to help."
Mithian was already shaking her head, "There was no way you could've known. They came upon us so fast that we weren't even able to send a message to anyone."
Merlin struggled to shake his feelings of guilt, "Still…"
"You did help, in a way" Mithian tried to cheer him up, "It's only thanks to the training you gave Yelene that I escaped as I did."
Merlin smiled a little "I heard. Has been any word of her? Or Rodor?"
"No" Mithian replied, "Sadly there has been nothing."
"It seems as we are missing something here" Gwen cut in.
"Oh" Mithian gave the queen a sorry smile, "I may have misled you on my ignorance about my maid's magic."
Gwen crossed her arms waiting for more.
"Nemeth had a few magical incidents in the past few years so we asked for aid from the 'Benevolent Sorcerer of Ameldry' -"
Merlin laughed "You should've seen their faces when I walked through the door. Let's just say they were not expecting it."
"Wait" Gwen said, "you knew that Merlin was alive! Why didn't you tell us?"
"All who came to me followed one rule Gwen" Merlin apologized, "Don't let Camelot know about me. They were some of the most persistent to telling me to return," he frowned, "actually every time I was in Nemeth they'd bring it up."
"We did try Gwen" Mithian said, "but Merlin can be a very stubborn person sometimes. When you said you were going to ask the Benevolent Sorcerer for aid? Well I knew that was going to be interesting. But I couldn't figure out a way to tell you that didn't make me sound insane!"
There was a polite knock on the door and a guard poked his head in.
"Your majesty? There's a visitor, a friend of Camelot."
"Send them in" Gwen said a little absentmindedly.
"There's also… also someone else. He's..." the guard wrung his hands.
Gwen just waved her hand at the guard's hesitation "Just bring them both here."
Voices could be heard from outside.
"Guys please… he's not a threat. Just - oh come on- Merlin!" Tristan forgot whatever he was talking about and strode to Merlin giving him a firm handshake, the smuggler flashed Gwen a quick smile of welcome.
"Haven't seen you in over a year my magical friend! How'd that rogue banshee go?" Tristan named the last time they had spoken which also happened to be when the smuggler found out about Merlin's magic.
"Flaming stone dagger to the heart," Merlin said with a grin, "solves all your banshees misusing their power needs. But what on earth are you doing here Tristan? I thought you'd want to come back here even less than I. I mean after…"
"Isolde?" Tristan said sadly but there was a strange glimmer of hope in his eye, "I met an old friend of yours that said something about that might change."
Merlin frowned, "What are you-"
But as Tristan's companion entered with two guards Merlin froze. It wasn't possible. Unless…
"Lancelot?" Gwen said, her voice small.
"Shade" Merlin growled and his eyes flared. The shade was yanked out of the grasp of the guards and rammed into the wall where he remained, as if pinned by an invisible hand.
The shade grunted but turned a steady gaze onto the warlock "Merlin…"
"Don't!" Merlin stalked over, "Who summoned you! Who dared tarnish his name even further!"
But Merlin's conviction began to fade as he neared, he felt no magic coming off this man. He was human. He was… alive.
He released his magic and the man regained his feet.
"It's me Merlin" the knight said, "this time it's really me."
"Lancelot?" Merlin's voice broke a little as he recalled Arthur's whispered words: He's here to help
"Yes, my friend. I'm back."
After the whole shade thing was explained everybody took a seat at the table.
Merlin couldn't help but stare at his old friend, someone who he thought he would never see again.
"Lancelot?" Merlin asked "How?"
"It is a long story Merlin. There is a lot to tell. And a lot to do, there is a reason I have been returned"
Merlin frowned "What reason?".
People didn't just come back from the dead by themselves. It would have taken serious magic, not to mention serious sweet talking of the spirits. It was beyond even the power of Emrys.
Yet here Lancelot stood. Looking weary and fatigued… but alive.
"Let me start with this" Lancelot said, "yes I was dead. And yes, I have now come back to life and I am only the first"
"The first?" Leon asked.
Lancelot nodded, "I am not the only one to be gifted with second life, but it is for a reason. One that really had little to do with me"
Merlin looked at the knight questioningly.
"I am but a gift Merlin, an incentive if you will"
"From who?" Merlin was suspicious.
"I will explain, but my story needs to be heard by more than just those here now. The Black Sorcerer is no mere magic user, as I'm sure you suspect."
"Based on the things he has done so far it would be stupid to think he was" Merlin eyed Lancelot wondering where this was headed.
"He poses a threat to all the lands. A threat to all magic and life that exists. There is a certain Magical Council that needs to hear what I have to say."
"Oh no" Merlin now knew where this was heading, and it was not a god idea.
"They need to know what's happening Merlin"
Merlin stood up, his chair scraping loud enough to make everyone jump, "I don't even know what's happening, and you want me to call the six most powerful magic users in the world into the heart of Camelot, which is still the most magic hating city in the world by the way, so we can have a chat about some great threat to the world and magic as we know it?"
Lancelot didn't budge, "Something is coming Merlin and you can't face it alone. You don't need to."
"But here Lancelot!" Merlin was still amazed of what he was asking, "Here!"
"You're going to need their help Merlin, and everyone should probably meet as it is. Besides, if something does go wrong, I'm sure the seven most powerful magic users in the world will figure some way out of it."
"Six" absentmindedly Merlin corrected him.
"It's seven Merlin, stop denying it."
"I'm not actually part of the council… no matter what they say."
"You know you're the only one who thinks that."
"Wait a minute" Gwen interrupted their argument, "What's this about a bunch of powerful sorcerers coming here for a chat?"
"Lance here thinks it would be a great idea for me to call the masters of the six disciplines of magic here so we can have a chat about saving the world apparently" Merlin frowned as a sudden thought came to him.
"How do you even know about The Council? I've only known them for a few years."
"I've been in the spirit world for the past fourteen years Merlin. We talk, we watch. If we want to, we can see almost anything. The knights and I have been watching out for you Merlin, you're our friend."
"That is a little creepy" Tristan voiced Merlin's own thoughts.
"Perhaps… sorry" Lancelot brushed past the awkwardness, "Anyway, you still need to call them."
Merlin again tried to think of a worse scenario. The Council… weren't the most normal of people. Nor were they the people that made a great first impression. He saw this going so terribly wrong.
"Do it Merlin" Gwen said and Merlin groaned, "I'd like to meet these people and if they want to help all the better."
"Fine" Merlin said and then muttered "This is so not going to go well."
Walking from the table to have a little more space, the warlock fished around the amulets he wore around his neck to find the one he needed.
Carved on one side of the wooden circle was the cup of life and on the other, the tree from the isle of the blessed. Carved on the edges were runes and druidic symbols.
Holding the amulet in his hand and rubbing it with his thumb he spoke the summoning.
"Wé earon níedþearfa"
As his eyes flared the air around him shimmered.
Oh dear Merlin thought as he felt the familiar tug on his magic and his still depleted magic reserves protested as they were drained further.
Myara and Alice had out of habit relied on him for their teleportation to the summoning. The two aged women struggled with such powerful spells now so normally relied on his extensive reserve of powers. But now as the two women shimmered into solidity before him, he tried to ignore the spots that danced before his eyes.
But he lasted, no smoke, no flames, no spontaneous combustion so he just focussed on staying standing.
A spring breeze, very out of place in autumn, brought with it Isabel and Iseldir shimmered into being beside her. Maria simply stepped out of the shadows.
With a bang the last of The Council members appeared. The crazed Westerad never was the quietest with his spells and now stood on a small sooty starburst created by lightning bolt which had brought him.
He began to hop around trying to extinguish the sparks in his long black beard.
"Every damn time!" he shouted, "Every blasted time."
Merlin could help but smile as the more than middle aged man continued to hop around the room. His beard swung about wildly and Merlin again wondered, as he did every time, how it was so long when the short black hair that was on top of his head showed very visible singing from the weather wizards preferred method of travel.
Westerad batted at his beard with the metal stave he held in his hand, but the small lightning storm that sat in its cradle only turned the sparks into a small blaze.
"Ahhh-gghhh" Westerad's scream was cut short as a wave of water hit him full in the face and extinguished his beard.
"Edcierr" Isabel muttered and her eyes flashed, the water returning to the air.
Smirking, the nature mage idly picked a flower from the vines that covered her wooden staff, "We've told you time and time again Westerad, to find a more appropriate method of travel" her bright green eyes sparkled and she brushed her golden blonde hair behind her shoulder, "I won't be here every time to extinguish you."
Westerad, still spluttering after his face full of water, glared at Isabel and tightened his grip on his stave. A great wind began to build throughout the room.
Merlin sighed, it was going to be like normal, he should have known better than to hope they could behave for once.
"Bloody hell Wes" Myara barked. The aged woman drove her yew stave into the ground, its red crystal flashing as she tried not to be blown away. Her shoulder length grey hair blew around her face and her green eyes stared daggers.
"She-" Westerad pointed an accusatory finger at Isabel seemingly too affronted to manage anything more. Isabel merely gave him a regal yet amused glare.
"Westerad Cumulous Cirrus!" Myara scolded, the combat sorcerer found her feet and turned her stave on the man, "You stop this wind this minute or so help me I will burn your prized beard to cinders!"
Immediately the wind was gone. Westerad pouted and began to sulk, trying to gaze dejectedly at his drenched beard. Isabel sighed and with a muttered word his beard dried. Westerad's eyes widened with joy and he began to prance around, hugging Isabel tightly as he grinned.
"Yeah, yeah you nut" Isabel said but she smiled too.
"I assume you were hoping for a more suitable first impression for your friends" Iseldir said quietly from beside Merlin as they watched the others. Merlin grunted, knowing he'd been a fool to hope, then gave the familiar druid a hug.
Isedir he had known for years, the druid of Darkling woods who'd taken in Mordred, healed Leon and warned Merlin of Askanars tomb had been one of the first teachers that Merlin had sought out. It was to his great surprise that he later found out he was the Master Distortion Mage of the magical community, his illusion and manipulative magic some of the strongest in the land.
His calm serenity and peaceful presence helped balance out some of the craziness that could be The Council. But it was not he who spoke next.
"We have guests" Maria's quiet yet resonating tone silenced all of the sorcerers and they all turned to the people who stood gaping at them.
Maria's copper skin and thick, curly dark hair caused her startling eyes to glare out. It was this gaze that Merlin followed. He saw Lancelot' eyes widen as his eyes met the glaring purple that were Maria's.
Merlin smiled; she was good at what she did.
"You shouldn't be here" she said curiously stepping forward, "Your time has passed. You passed. Yet you have returned"
"Ahhhh" for the first time since arriving Lancelot looked lost and he retreated a step, no doubt from the aura of Maria's purple wood staff, and the spiritual weight it carried.
"Where the blazes are we?" Westerad interrupted looking around the room and eyeing the other occupants. As he saw Merlin his gaze lit up.
"Young Sparky" he cried and gave Merlin a crushing hug, his six-and-a-half-foot frame towered over Merlin's, "Haven't seen you since the last Council gathering- when was that? Yesterday? Last year?"
"It was three weeks ago Wes" Alice said, her kind eyes shining. Merlin saw the Master Healer flash Gaius a loving smile before she continued, "We were trying to discuss the matter of apprentices, but you were teaching Merlin the intricacies of creating cyclones."
"Oh yes! Did you manage it?" he turned to Merlin who grinned.
"I created a miniature in my terrarium but haven't had the need to put in into full practise."
Westerad nodded solemnly then grinned "There's nothing like standing in the eye of a gargantuan storm Sparky let me tell you! Why my first one got so huge-"
"Wes" Myara scolded, "not the time."
"Yes, yes" Wes said, "Sorry. Why'd you call the immediate summon Sparks? Haven't had one of these meetings in years! Wait a minute!" he caught sight of the Pendragon crests around the room, "Are we in Camelot? Weird place for a meeting Sparks, slight hazard of beheading."
A throat cleared saving Merlin from answering
"Indeed, Council Members" Gwen stepped forward, "Welcome to Camelot. I am Queen Guinevere and I'd like to welcome you to our Kingdom."
"You're kidding me" Isabel said, "Why are we in Camelot Merlin? With your history and you know, the laws here, this isn't the safest place for us or you"
"You need not fear for your safety here" Gwen said hurriedly, "Camelot is in desperate need and we are accepting any help that will be offered to us. Even magic."
"You must be desperate indeed" Maria said quietly, "But I am more intrigued as to why Sir Lancelot, who died almost fourteen years ago is once again walking upon this earth."
"How did you-" Tristan started but Merlin interrupted him.
"Everybody, may I introduce you to The Council of Magic. Isabel Natura, a Sorcerer from Nemeth and the Master of nature magic" Isabel smiled her beauty making the knights blink.
"Westerad Cirrus, of Mercia, the Master of weather magic" sparks flew from Westerad's stave as he eyed the Camelotians.
"Iseldir, High Druid of Darkling Woods and the Master of distortion magic" he smiled kindly.
"Myara Helias of Gwynedd. Master of combat magic" she merely surveyed the crowd suspiciously as she did with all strangers.
"Alice Collins, healing Master" Alice once again smiled but Merlin could tell it was mainly for Gaius who seemed to have tears in his eyes.
"And Maria Spenrae, Master of Psychal magic" she raised an eyebrow.
"Psychal?" Tristan queried, unfamiliar with the term.
"I am gifted with a strong connection to the spirits Tristan Corsairn" Tristan started at his name, which Maria had not been told, "I can talk with them, sense their presence and have strong telepathic gifts. Like how as soon as I saw Sir Lancelot here, I knew that he should not be here. And how I know that you have someone beyond the veil who has not turned her eyes from you since the moment you were parted."
Maria turned to Merlin "I take it this is some part of why you summ-" she stopped as Merlin swayed a little.
As Merlin tried to casually sit back in a chair her eyes narrowed then she shook her head, "You silly warlock" she smiled sympathetically "now you're in for it."
"Where's all your magic Merlin" the said warlock winced at Alice's admonishing tone.
"Well you see…" he said meekly trying to back away. But he was confronted by Alice and Myara, he felt their magic searching his, and finding it essentially all gone.
"You better tell them everything sparky" Westerad said scratching his beard, "you know there's no hiding anything from them when they get like this."
Merlin sighed preparing himself for the scolding that he knew was to come, "I used magic to keep Bay riding through the night to get here. Then Denerag returned so I had to do the same for five horses on the way back to Ameldry. Then I had to fight Denarag and his bandits. Then-"
"What kind of spells?" Myara said her eyes narrowing and Merlin winced, he'd hoped to gloss over that part.
"It may have been an elemental combat spell with instinctive limitations…"
Two motherly sets of eyes admonished him, and he saw Westerad, Iseldir, Maria and Isabel visibly wince. Everyone else just looked confused at the slightly fearful warlock.
Myara pinched the bridge of her nose, "You summoned pure elements using your own will to control their destruction? You know how draining that is."
"Yeah, yeah" Merlin said guiltily "I may have passed out that night- ouch!"
He yelped as Myara's stave thudded into his head and he sprung from his chair.
"Alice get the sage" Myara advanced on the retreating warlock who was rubbing his head, "Maybe he'll remember our lessons this time instead of using his magic flippantly and almost killing himself!"
At those words Merlin turned and ran but came face to face with Alice her sage smoking in her hand. She wacked him over the head with it, it was followed by another thump from Myara's stave.
"Even with your combat stave you could have killed yourself!"
"He didn't have any stave" Merlin winced at Percival's thoughtful words.
"NO STAVE! IDIOT WARLOCK!" Myara swung again.
With a yelp Merlin ran again but somehow the two aged women still managed to catch up thumping him with their weapons of choice.
He spied the others laughing at his predicament, it wasn't the first time this had happened.
"I was fine until I had to bring you to here!" he protested.
"You could have cut us off you silly boy." THUMP.
"We aren't so fragile it's impossible to bring ourselves! It's just you always seem to have excessive reserves of magic!"
THUMP.
"Ow!"
BASH.
"Alice!"
CRACK!
"Ok that's enough!" Merlin glanced to the rafters ahead,"Æt geonre!" His eyes flashed and suddenly he looked down on the others from above.
As he perched on the rafters like some kind of oversized bird, he looked at the stunned faces of those below.
"We have important things to discuss Council Members" he said sternly, "Like the end of the world."
"Fine" Myara said, "But don't think we've finished with this!"
Merlin swayed a little where he perched, "Don't suppose someone wants to help me down though?" he asked timidly, "Probably not the greatest idea for me to use any more magic. Spontaneous combustion and what not."
Myara glared at him but another council member stood to help.
"NOT YOU WES!" Merlin shouted.
A/N:
Spells are as follows I've also added a brief rundown of the magic disciplines if anyone is interested. Feel free to completely ignore them and just go 'Yay! Magic!' cause lets be honest even I do that sometimes.
On another note. Gotta say Wes is one of my favourite characters so far so I hope you enjoyed reading about him as much as I enjoyed writing him.
SPELLS
Wé béon níedþearfa = We are Needed
Edcierr = Return
Æt geonre = To There
OTHER
Alice Collins – I wrote this a while ago and there was a reason involving research that I gave her this last name. I do not remember why now.
Tristan Corsairn – Again there was research involved in the creation of this last name. No idea what it was but I liked it.
MAGIC DICIPLINES:
Weather – Duh
Combat – Uses and combines other disciplines with a fighting or combative approach (eg. Elemental combat spells, weather combat spell like lightening etc.)
Healing – Duh
Nature – Elements (earth, air, fire, water), plants, animals etc.
Distortion – Telekinesis, teleportation, illusions, runic based magic
Psychal – Telepathy, spirits, balance of life etc.
Thanks and stay strong,
I ;)