Arthur Pendragon and the Philosopher's Sword Part 3
MASTERPOST, PART ONE
PART TWO
Part Three
Four days after arriving in Camelot things changed. The new semester really started as the rest of the students arrived. It was a shock for Arthur to go from a few quiet castle corridors to corridors full of other people. Just when he thought he was beginning to feel like he belonged in Camelot, he was assaulted by more people who clearly did.
“Where have they all come from?” Arthur asked Merlin, as they were jostled through the corridors on the way back from another of Gaius's lectures on herbs.
“All over the world,” Merlin replied. “But mostly the UK and Ireland.”
“How many magical people are there?”
“Well, not that many. I mean, some people study here for years, and some of them will come from mundane backgrounds. Like you.”
“And my sister,” Arthur said.
“You have a sister?”
“I didn't tell you?”
“No, you didn't.” Merlin sounded slightly annoyed. “You could have told me. I told you the names of every wyvern my father's caring for.”
Arthur realised he hadn't actually mentioned much about his background. Merlin already knew quite a bit about Arthur's mother, and Arthur hadn't wanted to think too much about his father and the world he had now firmly left behind. “Well, she's a half sister really. We share a father. She studies here. Gaius told me.”
Just then as if by the cliché of magic Arthur bumped into a very familiar figure who immediately enveloped him in a hug.
“Arthur!” Morgana said, happily. “You made it here! I was beginning to worry when you hadn't contacted me, but Gaius told me you were here safely.”
“Contact you? With what?”
“The ball I gave you. You remember it?”
Belatedly Arthur did. He'd left it at the bottom of his rucksack and hadn't even asked Merlin what it was for. “Is that what it's for?”
Morgana smiled. “Among other things. So, how are you?”
“Good,” Arthur replied, offering her a smile in return. “It's good to be here.”
Morgana squeezed his hands. “You belong here, Arthur. Never doubt that.”
“I won't,” Arthur replied.
“We need to talk,” Morgana said. “Do you have time?”
Automatically Arthur looked over at Merlin. “When's our next lecture?”
“You know you really should memorise your own timetable,” Merlin said.
“Why do I need to when I have you?”
“In case I get kidnapped by the goblins that live under the castle.”
“There aren't any goblins under the castle.”
“How do you know?”
“Merlin, there aren't... Are there?”
Merlin began to laugh and Morgana joined in.
“Okay, no goblins. Is it my fault the timetables keep changing?”
Now the whole university was back their timetables had altered. There were hundreds more students taking classes and the Professors had to fit them all in. It also meant they had far more free periods. Gaius had advised them that their free periods were to be used for quiet study until they found extra curricular activities to fill in some of the time.
“Sorry, Arthur,” Merlin smiled, unrepentant. “We don’t have another lecture for a couple of hours.”
Morgana looked as if she had been very amused by the whole exchange. “Are you going to introduce me to your friend?”
“Oh, Morgana, this is Merlin,” Arthur said, trying not to beam. “He's my room mate and unofficial tutor. Merlin, this is my sister: Morgana.”
“Pleased to meet you,” Merlin said, smiling and holding out his hand. “Arthur's told me nothing about you.”
“She's a terrible sister and used to tease me. She'll try and tell you embarrassing stories about me; don't believe a word of them,” Arthur said, solemnly.
Morgana smiled wickedly. “Pleased to meet you too, Merlin. Why don't we go into the courtyard to talk?”
“I wouldn't want to intrude....” Merlin began.
“Nonsense,” Arthur said. “I need someone to save me from Morgana's probing questions.”
“So, I'm your knight in shining armour?”
“More like my wizard in a pointy hat.”
“A very fetching pointy hat.”
“Of course.”
Merlin smiled. “All right.”
The courtyard itself was busy, but they found a quiet corner on the steps at the far end and sat down together, Arthur next to Morgana, and Merlin next to Arthur. It seemed Merlin was going to be using Arthur for protection.
“You made Valerian,” Morgana said, as a conversation starter. “Just like Ygraine.”
“I did,” Arthur said, pleased. “What College are you in?”
“Sage,” Morgana replied.
“Oh, the Seer's College,” Merlin piped up.
“You're a Seer?” Arthur asked.
Morgana nodded. “Like my mother. She was in Sage. And so is my sister.”
“You have a sister?” Arthur had never even heard Morgana mention any relatives on her mother's side. Then again, if they were magical she would have reason not to. He couldn't imagine their father would be pleased.
“Half sister, yes. Morgause. She's one of the graduate students here. She's been a great help to me. You'll probably meet her at some point.”
“I'd like that,” Arthur said. “It's good to know you had someone here for you.”
“And you've got Merlin,” Morgana said, suddenly sounding more like his big sister.
“Yes, we met on the train.” Arthur tried to keep his tone neutral.
“And you need private tutoring?”
Arthur coughed. “Yes, well, my magic isn't that powerful.”
“Arthur just has trouble tapping into it,” Merlin said. “Gaius and Nimueh don't know why but he can do magic. He's getting better.”
“You've got a good friend there, Arthur,” Morgana said, quietly.
Arthur reached over and gently touched Merlin's hand. “I do.”
“He'd be lost without me,” Merlin said.
“Who is it who can't read the maps?”
“I can read them!” Merlin protested. “It's not my fault the doors move.”
Morgana laughed. “The two of you...” she said. Then she went quiet. “Uther's still angry at you,” she said, sadly.
“How is he?” Deep down, Arthur didn't want to know, but knew he should ask.
“It's hard for him, Arthur. After what happened to your mother...I think he's just afraid to lose you. This world is where you belong but all he sees is danger.”
“There's more than danger here,” Arthur said, looking around. “I feel... happy. I didn’t know I wasn't happy until I came here.” His old life seemed somehow dull compared to the vibrant colours of Camelot that he could feel around him.
“Camelot does that,” Merlin said, shifting a little closer.
They talked for a little longer about more general things. Morgana talked about what she was studying. She was in her third year, and starting to specialise in her magic. She asked what Arthur’s first impressions of his Professors were.
“I like all of them,” Arthur said. “Professor Gaius has been helpful and Professor Nimueh's been very good to me.”
“She was a good friend of your mother's,” Morgana said. “What about Professor Muirden?”
Arthur shivered. “There's something about him...” He shook his head. “It's fine.”
Eventually it was time for Morgana to leave. She stood up. “It's been good talking with you, Arthur, but I have to catch up with Morgause. She's going to be tutoring me this semester to try and focus my magic. I hope to see you at the Fayre tomorrow. I'll be on the Crystal Eye stall.”
“Crystal eye? Eyes made out of crystals?”
“It's the Seer’s Club, Arthur,” Merlin whispered.
“Oh. Seeing the future?”
“Yes,” Merlin said.
“Could you tell me next week's lottery numbers?” he asked Morgana. She hit him on the shoulder.
“It doesn't work like that. Are you a Seer, Merlin?”
“I can use crystals but...” he paused, looking sad. “I don't...”
She smiled tightly. “I understand. Take care of Arthur.”
“I don't need taking care of.”
“You might. Like I said: remember.”
“All right, Morgana.”
She left, and Arthur waved as she went across the courtyard.
Merlin smiled. “I like your sister.”
Arthur groaned. He could foresee Morgana telling Merlin many embarrassing things in his future, and he wasn't even a seer. “She's even stranger here than at home.”
“Seers can be like that. It's hard seeing the future.”
“Is that why you... ?”
“The crystals give you visions. You don't always see what you think you see,” Merlin said, wistfully. “Interpreting visions takes years of study.”
“And you didn't want to?
“No. Not now.”
Arthur decided not to push it. He hated seeing Merlin look uncomfortable. “Okay, what's our next lecture?”
“You know, maybe I should magic our timetable onto your forehead,” Merlin suggested.
“But then I'd lose my dashing good looks.”
Merlin brushed Arthur's fringe out of the way. “Hmm, maybe you're right. It probably wouldn't all fit anyway.”
“See? So, tell me, oh wise carrier-of-the-timetable, what's our next lecture?”
“Professor Muirden's.”
“I'd rather spend the day with Geoffrey in the library.”
“Me too, but if we don’t go Gaius will give us the eyebrow.”
“True.” In just a few days Arthur had learned to fear it. “But it might be less painful.”
****************************************************************************
Arthur hated Professor Muirden's lectures. He always came out of them feeling wrong, and always, always, with a headache. It went away as soon as he was far enough from the classroom, and Merlin touching him always helped, but for some reason nothing could alleviate the growing headache he would have throughout the lecture.
“Maybe you should talk to Gaius again,” Merlin suggested.
Arthur had mentioned his trouble to Gaius who had just frowned and said perhaps more research was needed. “I will,” Arthur said. “Maybe he''ll have a cure in the next few days.”
Today the lecture was about revenge as a source of magical corruption, a fairly light topic as far as Professor's Muirden's lectures were concerned. Only ten minutes in Arthur's head began to pound but he was determined not to admit he was having trouble. Professor Muirden did not like interruptions in his class, as Vivian had discovered when she had simply requested a toilet break.
Poor Vivian had had to stay behind for an hour and apparently, according to her fellow Yarrow College students, was so unwell afterwards she'd had to be taken straight to Gaius.
Merlin, obviously seeing Arthur was struggling, touched their knees together. It helped alleviate some of the pain. He gave Merlin a grateful nudge with his foot. They didn't dare smile at each other, but Mordred turned around from his position at the front and briefly frowned at them. Sophia was also glaring at them, as if she didn't approve.
“Feeling better?” Merlin asked, as they walked out of that lecture and headed to their next one, one of Professor's Mandrake's Magical Creatures lectures. It was one of Merlin's favourites.
“Yes. Thank you,” Arthur said, gratefully. “It helped.”
“Pity we don't know why.”
“Yes,” Arthur said, wondering. Maybe it was just the fact he was Merlin and he was an excellent distraction. He casually took Merlin’s hand as they walked along and Merlin smiled.
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The next morning Arthur had been hoping for a lie in considering they had no lectures for a couple of days due to the Fresher's Fayre. Arthur had discovered there wasn't a Fresher's Week as such at Camelot, since the first year students had all arrived a few days before everyone else. However, there was a Fair, or Fayre as it was spelt on the banners, which had mead, entertainment, and the option of joining extra-curricular activities.
Merlin was so excited by the possibilities that he dragged Arthur out of bed at their usual hour. It seemed Merlin wasn't the only one really looking forward to it, as the hall for breakfast was full of their fellow students. Elena and Gilli had saved them a couple of seats, which was a good thing as space was at a minimum.
“What groups are you thinking of joining?” Elena asked over their bowls of porridge.
“I quite like the Magical Creatures Protection Society,” Merlin said.
“Oh me too!” Elena gushed. “That, and the horse riding group, what are they called? The Magic Saddle?”
Arthur groaned at the cheesy names these groups seemed to have.
“What about you, Arthur?” Elena asked.
“I don't know. I'm just going to go and see what there is. I don't think I'll be familiar with most of it.”
“We do have a chess club,” Gilli spoke up. “I'm hoping to join that.”
“I'm useless at chess,” Arthur said. “My father always wanted me to be good at it, thought it was good strategy, but I think a good strategy would be to have pieces that could move all over the board.”
Merlin smiled. “You've never played the magical version of chess then.”
From the mischievous looks his friends were giving him Arthur wasn't entirely sure he wanted to.
After breakfast they all headed out to the fair, which seemed to be all over the place, haphazardly taking over the castle and grounds. There were ribbons decorating the corridors, stalls all around the courtyard, and even on the steps. Most of the activity was centred in the Great Hall, and in the training field next to the castle.
“We should see Morgana first,” Arthur said to Merlin.
“She'll be in the hall,” Merlin replied.
“Why don’t you go onto the field?” Arthur suggested to Elena and Gilli. He didn't want to inflict his sister on them yet. Plus he wanted a bit of time alone with Merlin to try and find out if there was anything they could do together.
“What a brilliant idea. We'll stop at the chess club stall on the way. Won’t we, Gilli?”
“We will. Have a good time.”
Arthur nodded as Elena gave them a wave and hauled Gilli off. She seemed to have appointed herself his personal tour guide from the way she was pulling him along.
“Right, let's find Morgana,” Arthur said, determinedly, not in the least bit overawed by the huge number of stalls.
He and Merlin wound their way through the hall. It wasn't too busy, but the odd explosions were distracting. Apparently the potion society was very eager for new members, even to the point where they risked blowing them up.
They found Morgana at the Crystal Eye stall at the far end, in the quietest part of the hall. There was nothing on the stall at all, not even a crystal ball, which Arthur had expected for some reason. All there was was Morgana, and several banners with an odd eye-like symbol upon them.
“Morgana,” Arthur greeted.
She offered a slight smile. “Hello, Arthur, Merlin. You're enjoying the Fayre?”
“You're actually the first stall we've visited,” Arthur admitted.
“Arthur, I'm flattered. Of course you're not a Seer.”
“How do you know?”
“I can see it in your eyes.”
Arthur was about to attempt a suitably witty comeback when a woman appeared carrying a glass of water. She set it down beside Morgana. “Here you are, Morgana. I'm going to try and see if I can get some of the pastries later for you.”
“Thank you, Gwen,” Morgana smiled. “Let me introduce you to my brother. This is Arthur and his friend Merlin.”
Arthur held out his hand and Gwen shook it without hesitation. “Arthur, I'm so pleased to meet you. Morgana's told me all about you. Not that that's a bad thing. I mean she's told me things about you. Not bad things. She's very... nice about you. I'm sure you're nice.”
“Pleased to meet you, Gwen. I hope I don’t entirely live up to Morgana's stories.”
“And you're friends with Merlin, that's lovely.”
Arthur rolled his eyes. “Let me guess, Merlin, Gwen is another person you know.”
“Gwen's been in the blacksmith training programme here for years. Her father is Camelot's foremost blacksmith and maker of magical weaponry.”
“You're a blacksmith?” Arthur wasn’t sure what was magical about that but he admired the skill.
“Sometimes people's talents manifest themselves in different ways,” Morgana said, as if reading his mind. “The art of the blacksmith has a magic of its own.”
Gwen blushed. “Yes, well, Morgana's very kind.”
“Gwen's really good at armour,” Merlin said, proudly. “She knows more about it than anyone. Even the knights.”
“Which is kind of sad, really,” Gwen said.
“No,” Arthur said, offering a smile. “I admire anyone who is good at what they do.”
Gwen's smile was genuine. “Thank you. Just don't let Merlin talk up my talents too much,” she teased.
“Oh there’s no chance of that,” Merlin replied.
Gwen hit Merlin on the arm.
“Hey!” he said, rubbing his arm in mock pain.
“So, Arthur, as you're not cut out to be a Seer, what are you going to be doing?” Morgana asked.
Arthur shrugged. “I was hoping Merlin here might be able to give me suggestions.”
“That's a dangerous idea, Arthur,” Gwen said.
“I'll have you know I have great taste,” Merlin said. “I can find something fun for Arthur to do.”
Arthur coughed, as he had a good idea that soon he and Merlin would be finding something very fun to do, and it wasn't going to involve anything but the two of them and a bed. “Yes, well, we should be going to see what we can do. Isn’t that right, Merlin?”
Merlin seemed blissfully unaware of what Arthur had been thinking. “We probably should,” he agreed. “It was nice seeing you.”
“We'll have to catch up soon,” Gwen said, giving Merlin a hug.
“We will.”
“Right, come on, Merlin; if we leave now we might be able to stop at the mead stall on the way.”
As it turned out they didn’t stop at the mead stall. Partly becuase it was ridiculously crowded, and partly because Merlin said he wanted to save the mead tasting until later. He had a gleam in his eye that made Arthur think he had something planned.
Out in the field there were stalls and brightly coloured tents. It didn’t feel as crowded as the castle had, given all the outdoor space. They saw Elena by the Magical Creatures Protection Society stall. The stall itself had a model of a unicorn on it that appeared to be moving.
“Do you want to come and take a look?” Merlin asked.
Arthur decided that, as he was a little bit creeped out by the moving model unicorn, it wouldn’t really be to his taste. “No, I think I'll just... wait here,” he said, awkwardly.
Merlin gave him a smile, and Arthur watched him as he headed over, and saw Merlin pick up leaflets and engage Elena in conversation, feeling a bit of jealousy flare up. Perhaps he should have gone over with Merlin but he didn’t want to pressure Merlin into anything. It was healthy to have time apart.
It didn’t stop Arthur wanting to fume when he saw Merlin laugh at something Elena said. Not wanting to watch any longer he decided to look around at the other stalls. He could see horses next to one; which was presumably the 'Magic Saddle Society' Elena wanted to join. He could see the knights over on one side of the field showing off their swordplay.
Arthur watched, taking note of the movements of the blades. He could see Lancelot sparring with another knight he hadn’t seen before. He watched their footwork, saw how they moved their bodies to dodge blows and land others. It wasn't just about swinging a sword, it was about using your whole body to attack and defend.
He was so engrossed that he barely noticed when Merlin came up and tapped him on the shoulder. “Arthur?”
“Mmmm? Sorry, Merlin. Did you join?”
Merlin nodded and proudly flashed a shiny card his name with a picture of a unicorn on it. “Yes, I'm officially a member of the Magical Creatures Protection Society. They said I was a perfect fit.”
“Why am I not surprised?”
“I don't know. Have you developed psychic abilities?”
“Yes, Merlin, I am famed for my mind reading,” Arthur said, sarcastically.
“Elena's joining too.”
“She is?” Arthur looked over to see her talking to a shy looking dark haired girl. “Maybe I should as well.”
“Are you jealous, Arthur?”
Arthur scoffed. “Me? Jealous? Of course not.”
“You are!”
“Well, Elena's a very nice girl. And I think she's got a crush on you.”
“Arthur, even if she did she's still a girl,” Merlin said, slowly.
“Yes, and... ?” Arthur had noticed that thank you very much.
“You do have gay people in the mundane world, don’t you?”
“Of course we do,” Arthur paused. “I just assumed you were...bi.”
Merlin smiled. “I'm not. Well, I tried asking a girl out once but she told me she knew it wouldn’t work out because I was gay.” Merlin glanced back at the stall.
“And you believed her?”
“She was very wise."
Arthur took a breath. “Right, well, so am I.”
“You’re wise? Or a girl?”
“No, idiot,” Arthur said, giving Merlin a punch on the arm. “I'm gay.”
Merlin looked relieved. “Oh, good, because I thought Elena might try and steal you.”
“I thought she was trying to steal you.”
“So, we're both girl-stealing proof.”
“Yes. You can stay in the magical creatures protection society.”
Merlin mock bowed. “Thank you, Arthur, for being so generous,” Merlin paused. “Now you need something to join.”
Arthur looked around. “Nothing that involves fire breathing,” he said, noticing a rather dramatic example a few feet away. He could feel the heat of the flames from where he was standing. He was about to suggest to Merlin that maybe they should go back inside, when he heard Gwaine shouting from where the knights were training.
“Hey, Merlin, why don’t you bring your roomie over here?”
“You're not going to hit him with a sword, are you?” Merlin asked, as he started to walk over to where the knights were, Arthur following.
Gwaine grinned. “Nah, of course not.”
Merlin turned to Arthur. “Do you want to?”
“We've nothing else to do.”
Anyway Arthur would hate to keep Merlin from his friends. He walked in step with Merlin, hoping that Merlin's friends wouldn't see him as a threat. He hadn't quite worked out if he and Merlin were anything official yet, and he didn't want to have to answer any awkward questions until he was sure. Especially not in front of guys trained to kill, and who were wielding swords.
“Hello, Merlin,” a tall knight, who Arthur didn't really recognise, greeted.
“Arthur, this is Leon.”
“Hello,” Arthur said, shaking Leon's hand.
“And this is Elyan, Gwen's brother, and Percival.”
Percival was also very tall Arthur noted, as he shook his hand. The man towered over even Leon. “Pleased to meet you, I'm Arthur. I share a room with Merlin.”
“We've heard,” Leon said, smiling. He seemed friendly.
Arthur looked at Merlin. “Word travels fast.”
Gwaine looked as if he was about to say something but Merlin interrupted. “You’ve got some new weapons,” he said, indicating a rack on which several swords were placed.
“Yes, all Guinevere's work,” Lancelot said, proudly taking one out of the rack and bringing it close.
“Always the proud boyfriend,” Gwaine said, clapping Lancelot on the back.
The more Arthur stared at the blade the shinier it seemed, almost as if it was glowing. Fascinated, he reached out to touch it. Gwaine's voice startled him.
“So, Arthur, think you’d have any chance with a sword?”
“I've never touched a sword in my life,” Arthur said, pulling back.
Gwaine came over and nudged Arthur. “Come on, have a go. We'll be gentle with you,” he paused. “For Merlin's sake of course.”
“Of course.”
“Hey!” Merlin said, indignantly.
“All right, Gwaine. I accept your challenge. Or do you have to throw down your gauntlet first?”
“Just take the sword,” Gwaine said, grinning.
Lancelot offered Arthur the hilt and he took it. The weight of it surprised him, although it shouldn't have considering it was thick metal. The blade glinted with that odd glow about it. Arthur took a moment to move it about through the air, testing it out to see how he moved with it. He was just getting the hang of it when suddenly Gwaine came toward him, his own sword raised.
Instinctively Arthur raised his sword and the two blades clanged together. Gwaine tried for another blow, but somehow Arthur knew where it was coming from and moved his sword to intercept it. Gwaine looked surprised and Arthur pressed his advantage, trying for another blow. It was strange, he could almost see what Gwaine's reaction was going to be before it happened. He saw the possibilities and changed his movements to fit.
Again he blocked a blow and landed his own. Gwaine was unbalanced, and Arthur pressed his advantage. In a moment he had Gwaine sprawled on the grass. Arthur stopped, shocked that he had somehow bested a trained knight of all people.
“Wow,” Merlin said, as he came to stand next to Arthur.
Arthur offered Gwaine a hand and helped him to his feet.
Despite his defeat Gwaine was smiling. “Arthur, you're a bloody natural. How do you feel about joining the tournament team? Do a bit of training with us?”
“Are you serious?” Arthur had seen the knights train earlier. He'd never even considered doing what they did.
“I've never seen anyone handle a blade as easily as you,” Lancelot said.
Merlin nudged him. “Go on, Arthur, you'd be great at it. I know you would.”
Feeling as if finally there was something he could do, maybe even be good at, Arthur smiled. “All right, what do I do?”
“Meet us in the armoury Tuesday evenings.”
“Your timetable allows it,” Merlin said, playfully.
“Thank you, keeper-of-the-timetable. What are you doing on Tuesday nights?”
“That's when the Magical Creatures Preservation Society has their meetings.”
That worked out well for Arthur then. “I’ll see you on Tuesday,” he said to the knights, who were still looking at him warily. “Thank you.”
As he and Merlin walked back toward the castle Arthur was in a buoyant mood.
“I think we should celebrate,” Arthur said.
“You just want to drink mead.”
“I've never actually tasted mead before, Merlin.”
“Really?”
“Yes, really.”
They met up with Elena and Gilli at the mead stall. They also saw Gwen, who was apparently collecting some mead rations for the knights.
“Mostly Gwaine,” Merlin told Arthur.
“So, Arthur, what did you sign up for?” Elena asked, handing him a flagon.
“Arthur's going to be training with the knights,” Merlin said, proudly.
“Really? That's amazing.”
“I didn't think first years were allowed,” Gilli said.
“I didn't either,” Arthur said, taking a swig of mead. It was really rather pleasant tasting. “They seemed to think it was a good idea.”
“I'm sure you'll be great at it,” Elena said.
“Of course he will!” Merlin said, hiccuping. Arthur put an arm around him. He seemed to be swaying a little.
“What about you, Gilli?” Arthur asked. “Did you make the chess team?”
Gilli smiled. “I did. Practice starts next week.”
They talked a little more about what other things they had planned. Elena had joined the horse riding team, and Gilli had turned down an offer from the mead drinking club. However, by this point Merlin had had three large flagons of mead, and was looking a little bit worse for wear. He really couldn't hold his drink.
“I should get Merlin home,” Arthur said, supporting Merlin, who really did look as if mead didn't agree with him.
“I'm fine,” Merlin hiccuped. “Maybe.”
“Take care of him, Arthur,” Elena said, giving Merlin a pat.
“I will.”
It was quite a feat to get Merlin safely back to their chambers. The walk was a long one, and Arthur was just grateful that nothing actually moved around to confuse him. Merlin was half asleep by the time they got back, and it had been like dragging a dead weight around.
“Come on, Merlin, let's get you on your bed,” he said, hefting Merlin onto his bed.
“I wanted to kiss you,” Merlin said, tugging at Arthur.
Arthur gave Merlin a gentle kiss. “I know, but you're drunk, Merlin.”
“I am aren't I?” Merlin sighed sadly.
“I think you should get some rest,” Arthur said, carefully brushing Merlin's fringe away from his forehead.
Merlin’s eyes were already closed and he looked so relaxed. “Hmmmm, night, Arthur.”
Arthur wasn't tired, and the day wasn't yet over. He was also a little bit disappointed that Merlin hadn’t been able to hold his drink. He had been hoping that a little bit of mead would have led to them finally moving beyond kissing, but it had only led to Merlin passed out on the bed.
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Arthur spent the rest of the day reading. He ventured down to the College hall for lunch and dinner. At dinner he was met by Gaius, who didn't seem surprised to hear that Merlin was sleeping off his mead indulgence.
“He's never been able to hold his drink,” Gaius said. “When he wakes up, give him this.” Gaius handed Arthur a small flask.
“I will.”
Arthur took the flask back with him and put it on the desk. He continued reading. He turned down an invitation from Elena and Gilli to visit the fair again, reasoning that he should be there when Merlin woke up, even if he'd be the worse for wear.
It was evening when Merlin finally stirred. “My head hurts,” he groaned.
“You missed lunch and dinner,” Arthur said, getting up off his bed, and heading to pick up the flask from the desk. “You missed a great food fight.”
“There wasn't a food fight, was there?”
“No, but you would have missed it if there had been. Gaius told me you to give you this,” Arthur handed the flask to Merlin.
“Thank you,” Merlin said, taking it. He opened it and downed the contents in one, screwing up his face as he did. “It never tastes any better.”
“Hangover cure?” Arthur asked.
Merlin nodded. “It works but it tastes terrible.” He wiped his mouth.
Arthur leaned in for a kiss. He could taste a distinct bitterness in Merlin's mouth. “Mmm, you're right, it tastes awful. You taste all right though.”
“So do you,” Merlin replied.
“Are you sober enough?” Arthur asked.
“For what?”
“Merlin, I've had to stare at you asleep on the bed for hours.”
That wasn’t technically true. Arthur had managed to distract himself with reading, but he had sneaked long lingering glances at Merlin when the reading got too boring.
“Can you survive another ten minutes?” Merlin asked, rubbing his head. “Gaius's remedy is good, but it's not that good.”
Arthur reached over for one of his books. “I think I can.”
Arthur was very pleased that he managed to hang on for more than ten minutes. Well, twelve anyway.
“Ready now?” Arthur asked, as Merlin got up and stretched.
“Are you going to grab me and rip my clothes off if I say yes?” Merlin asked, smiling.
“Why? Do you know a better way?”
“Oh yes,” Merlin said. He held his arms out and uttered a word that sounded like 'áfyrðan'. His eyes flashed gold and suddenly he was naked; completely naked.
“That's...” Arthur was speechless.
“Amazing? Brilliant?”
“Going to come in really handy,” Arthur said, pulling his own clothes. Why was it so hard to take off a t-shirt?
Merlin, still totally naked, smiled, and walked over. “Let me,” he said. He said the spell again and Arthur hardly felt his clothes disappear before he was naked.
“You could have warned me,” he said, feeling a bit cold. “Do magical people even have foreplay?”
“We do, Merlin said, wrapping his arms around Arthur. “We just prefer to do it naked.”
“That's...” Arthur didn't have a chance to say anything more as Merlin's mouth descended on his.
They kissed, deep and wet. Arthur was certainly beginning to warm up as they did so. He could feel himself getting hard, but there was no rush; he could stand kissing a naked Merlin all day.
“What about foreplay in bed?” Arthur asked, in between kisses.
“Oh, we do that,” Merlin replied.
Their lips barely parted as they stumbled over to Merlin's bed. It was nearest, and the covers were already messed up. They lowered themselves carefully onto the bed, staying face to face. Arthur ran a hand down Merlin's side and Merlin shivered.
“Cold?” Arthur asked.
Merlin smiled and nuzzled Arthur's neck before kissing it. “You wish,” he mumbled.
Arthur actually wouldn’t wish Merlin to be cold. His warm skin was intoxicating to touch. It felt like there was energy running under Merlin's skin that made Arthur's fingertips tingled. Maybe it was magic, or maybe Merlin just felt that good. Arthur traced circles across Merlin's back, trying to find the little sensitive spots that would make Merlin shiver again.
They touched and kissed each other as they would have done had they been wearing clothes, but as they were naked everything felt slightly heightened. They were finding each other’s hot spots but not really exciting them yet. Taking notes on each other's reactions, as bare and naked as they were, and filing them away for later.
Arthur was hard, and knew Merlin was the same from the way. There was a definite sense of anticipation. There so was much to explore but all Arthur wanted to was press himself against Merlin, taste him, touch him, feel him until the two of them were worn out, sweaty and satisfied. He loved the way touching Merlin seemed to make his own skin tingle.
They went back to kissing each other and Arthur pulled Merlin closer. If there was a way to wrap himself up in Merlin Arthur would have done it. They rubbed against each other lazily as they kissed other, Arthur's lips feeling wet with Merlin's taste. Everything felt so good.
At first they moved against each other slowly, gradually Arthur felt them build up; faster and faster. Arthur felt a little giddy about it all. This was something as unknown to Arthur as magic, but it felt just as right. Merlin felt perfect against him.
He clung to Merlin like an anchor, as they moved together like waves; perfectly synchronised. Arthur nipped Merlin's ear and he felt himself building up to climax. He couldn't hold off any longer. His skin practically burned with pleasure and with a final push he came; trembling as he felt something envelop him.
Then he felt another burst of energy as Merlin came moments later. The energy seeped and mixed between them, and it felt so good that, if he could have come again; Arthur would have. Release spent they held onto each other; a tangle of limbs and bodies.
For a while there was nothing but the sound of their breathing between them, before Arthur looked down at the two of them.
“Do you have a spell to clean us up?” Arthur asked.
“áfeormian,” Merlin whispered.
Arthur had a feeling he was going to enjoy sex with Merlin for as often as they could manage it.
*****************************************************************************
For the rest of the Fresher's Fayre Arthur and Merlin didn't actually go and do much visiting. They spent their time in their chambers, enjoying each other's company. Not just the sex either, but quiet moments, when they would cuddle and read together. By the time they made it to dinner on the second day (having missed lunch), it was pretty clear what they had been up to.
“I think it's wonderful you're boyfriends!” Elena said. “And so soon! We all thought it would take you at least two weeks.”
She said it so loudly it was soon common knowledge throughout the whole of Valerian College, and so, within days, the whole of Camelot.
“Is there a spell for making it less obvious we've had sex with each other?” Arthur asked.
“I don't think it matters now,” Merlin replied, as a few students winked at them as they walked past.
“Do you think Morgana knows?” Arthur asked.
Her shout of congratulations across the courtyard made it obvious that, yes, she did know.
“I didn't think you'd be getting together so soon,” Morgana said, as she dragged them to a quiet corner to talk. Gwen was by her side offering smiles and congratulations.
“You saw it?” Merlin asked.
“She saw us...?” Arthur didn't want to think of the implications of his sister seeing him and Merlin doing anything.
Morgana hit him on the back of the head. “Not like that. I have visions, Arthur, but I don’t see the x-rated bits.”
Gwen giggled. “Well, it's not a surprise. A lot of students get together in the first few weeks. Lancelot and I did.”
Arthur was about to ask Gwen more about that when a blonde woman appeared.
“Are you all right, sister?” she asked Morgana.
Morgana offered her a smile. “I'm fine. Arthur was just telling me his good news about Merlin.”
“I heard,” the woman said, her face impassive.
“Arthur, this is my sister, Morgause.”
Arthur thought you could barely tell Morgana and Morgause were related. Morgause's hair was blonde and her eyes a deep brown, quite a contrast to Morgana's dark hair and green eyes, but then he and Morgana had the same father and that wasn't obvious at all.
“I'm pleased to meet you,” Arthur said. He wasn't sure if he should offer his hand to shake, as it looked as though Morgause would cut it off if he did.
“Yes, you are Uther's son, aren't you?”
“Yes.”
“Then let us hope you take after your mother,” Morgause said, with a bite to her words. “I shall see you later, sister,” she said to Morgana before stalking off.
“Is she...?”
Morgana offered a smile. “Don't worry about her, Arthur.”
“Not everyone can love your charms,” Merlin added.
“My charms worked on you.”
“I thought it was mine that worked on you.”
“Boys, I think you should stop flirting and go to your lecture. You do have a lecture?”
“We weren't...” Arthur began before catching the look on Morgana and Gwen's faces. He turned to Merlin. “What lecture is it?”
“Gaius's. Today we're going to collect rosemary.”
“I think I'd rather stay here and flirt.”
Merlin grinned. “And risk Gaius making us re-label all his bottles?”
“All right,” Arthur said. “We'll see you again, Morgana, Gwen.”
“Have fun, Arthur,” Morgana said and she and Gwen smiled at each other.
They didn't entirely stop flirting during the lecture, and several times Gaius told them to focus on the rosemary plants rather than each other. By the end of it, Arthur's hands were covered in the smell of the plant, which was vaguely like pine. So pungent was the smell, that kissing Merlin a couple of hours later he tasted exactly like the herb.
*****************************************************************************
A few more days passed, and Arthur found himself anxious about his first sessions of training with the knights. From what he could gather it was very unusual for any student, let alone a first year, to be allowed to train with them. He'd heard the whispers among his fellow students.
During one of Professor Mandrake's lectures on the phoenix, he could hear Sophia talking behind him.
“I don't know what makes Arthur Pendragon so special he can train with the knights. He can't even set a piece of paper alight.”
Perhaps this knock in confidence was why he struggled to do any magic as he and Merlin practised the latest spell Nimueh had given them; one to move fire from one piece of wood onto another. Everyone else had, of course, managed it in the lecture, but Arthur hadn't, even though he's tried his bestt. So, back in their chambers Merlin was trying to teach him.
“Come on, Arthur, this is easier than setting something on fire,” Merlin said. “The fire's already there.”
“I can't do it, Merlin.” Arthur sighed as he stared at the stubborn flame that wouldn't budge.
“What's wrong?”
“It's this training with the knights,” Arthur said, quietly. “I can't even move fire about and they're going to trust me with a sword.”
“But you're good with a sword, Arthur, I've seen you.”
“What if it was a fluke, Merlin?”
“It wasn't a fluke. Gwaine and Lancelot have been trying to teach me for years how to just hold a sword. You picked one up and it looked like it belonged in your hand. What did it feel like?”
Arthur thought back to the hilt gripped in his hand, the strength of it. “It felt good.”
“See? I'd come and watch but I've got my society meeting.”
“I think I can manage without you, Merlin.”
“I'm just being the supportive boyfriend,” he smiled. “And because I'm so supportive I'm going to make you try the spell again.
“That's supportive is it?”
“Oh yes.” Merlin gave him a kiss with a quick slip of tongue. “That was encouragement.”
“Astyrung.”
This time the fire leapt from one piece of wood to the other.
“You methods seem to work, Merlin,” Arthur said, happily. “I'm just glad I'm your only pupil.”
“I like to concentrate my resources,” Merlin replied.
With Merlin's encouragement Arthur's mind was taken firmly off training with the knights and put back onto his magic.
******************************************************************************
Tuesday evening came around, and Arthur found himself pacing the floor. Merlin was getting ready for his Magical Creatures Protection Society meeting, which apparently involved him gathering together old scrolls. Arthur had asked what they were, and Merlin had told him they were maps showing the locations of wyvern nests.
“Do you think I should change?” Arthur asked.
Merlin was still rummaging through his scrolls. “Into what? A toad?”
“I meant my clothes, Merlin. Are jeans and a t-shirt standard clothes for training with knights?”
Merlin stopped messing with his scrolls, and came to stand in front of Arthur. “They don't care what you wear. Lancelot will probably get Gwen to put together something for later sessions, but they're not expecting you to turn up in chain mail and armour.”
“Any other encouragement?”
Merlin rolled his eyes briefly before giving Arthur a kiss. “You'll be fine, Arthur. I'd come and watch you but...”
“You have to go and discuss the falling unicorn numbers. It's fine, Merlin. Make it up to me later.”
“I don't know you might be tired from all that training....”
Arthur put his arms around Merlin's waist and smiled. “I'm never that tired,” he said.
Ten minutes later and Arthur was heading to what he hoped was the armoury. It was situated in the main part of the castle, which Arthur had gradually got used to finding his way around. He was sure there were more efficient routes, but the one he and Merlin used would at least get him there without any odd detours.
That was what he had thought before he'd ended up in a dead end. Sighing in frustration he consulted the map he'd brought along, and watched as the lines on it shifted and changed. Arthur doubted he would ever get used to this. His old geography lessons about ordnance survey maps seemed remarkably simple by comparison.
Finally, Arthur made it to the armoury, although a little later than he'd planned. He was glad it at least had a sign on the door. So many of the doors in the castle had no signs, and it was a guess as to what was behind them. Once he was confident he'd found where he was meant to be, Arthur entered to find training in full swing.
The armoury seemed to be set up with training in mind. Weapons decorated the walls, and swords and lances filled several racks, which were placed against the walls and in the corners. The training area was denoted by a few benches, which created the large, triangular shaped area in the centre of the room in which a couple of knights were already training in. Arthur wondered why they were training indoors, but he didn't want to ask and end up offending the well-armed knights.
“So, you decided to turn up after-all?” Gwaine asked as he noticed Arthur.
“The walls changed again,” Arthur said, apologetically. “But I'm here now.”
Lancelot offered him a friendly smile. “Right, well, welcome, Arthur; you've met everyone?”
“I think so, hello.”
“Hello,” came the replies.
Once the pleasantries were over Arthur decided to wait for what could happen next. He didn't know what knights did when they trained.
“Ready?” Lancelot asked.
“Yes,” Arthur said, firmly, straightening himself up in an attempt to at least look like he could hold a sword.
“Good,” Gwaine tossed him a sword.
Arthur managed to catch it one handed, surprising himself, as the hilt of the sword fitted neatly into his grasp. His reflexes had never been that good. Sure, he'd been able to kick a football, but catching anything small or awkward had been a different skill and beyond him.
“Not bad,” Gwaine said, picking up his own sword.
Arthur sensed something behind him, but what it was he had no idea. Instinctively he turned around and held up his sword, the blade clanging against Lancelot’s.
“He's good,” Lancelot said, impressed.
“Are you using magic to cheat?” Gwaine asked.
“I don't really know how to use my magic,” Arthur said, truthfully. “The only time I can really do spells is when I'm with Merlin.”
He could sense Gwaine and Lancelot eyeing him up. He had wondered if news of his and Merlin's tentative relationship had reached the knights, but given the news was all over Camelot, he wouldn’t be surprised if it had.
“You'll be a good match for Merlin,” Leon said.
There was a moment of silence, and Arthur could feel the gazes of all the knights on him. He felt on show, as if they were sizing him up. Whatever test it was he seemed to pass, as the knights nodded and smiled.
“Right. Let's see what you're like with two of us,” Gwaine said, grinning.
Arthur could feel something buzzing in him, like the adrenaline high when he got on a roller-coaster, but with more of a power behind it. It was odd, part of him felt as if he wasn't there, as if he was watching everything in slow motion from outside himself. Every movement of each sword was highlighted, but more than that, he almost seemed to know the path the sword would travel.
He managed to fight off both Gwaine and Lancelot no matter what they tried. His body moved before he told it to, almost as if it anticipated each blow. On the one hand Arthur felt disconnected but on the other hand he'd never felt so alive.
“I think we should try basic sword work,” Lancelot said, panting a little once their sparring session was over. “Teach Arthur the finer points of holding his sword.”
“Good idea,” Gwaine replied.
“You have good instincts but you lack finesse,” Lancelot explained. “Fighting with a sword is about much more than deflecting blows.”
Arthur nodded. He knew it wasn't that easy, despite his early success.
“Percival and Leon will show you,” Gwaine said, as he sat next to Elyan on the bench.
As Arthur watched, the two tallest knights stood up and slowly demonstrated each position of the sword. Arthur noted the way their bodies were positioned, how they moved their feet, much as he had the first time he had seen them training. This time, though, he felt as if he were really absorbing it.
Lancelot then showed Arthur how to hold his sword, how to make it an extension of his body rather than simply a weapon. It felt right in his hand, and his movements flowed more naturally as he moved the sword through the air. It also helped reduce the odd disconnected feeling.
A couple of hours had passed before Arthur realised his arms were aching.
“I think that's enough for now,” Lancelot said. “We'll have Gwen make you your own sword.”
“Can't I just borrow one?”
“Not the way we do it,” Gwaine said, clapping Arthur on the shoulder. “You weren't bad for a first timer.”
“You were very good,” Percival said, and the others murmured their agreement.
“Why am I good at this?” Arthur asked.
“You have a natural talent,” Lancelot told him.
“Why?” he wondered out loud.
The knights shrugged, it seemed none of them knew.
“Who knows,” Gwaine said. “We'll see you next week. Maybe before if we see you around the castle,” he winked.
“Thank you,” Arthur said, earnestly.
“Better go back and tell Merlin about it, he's bound to ask you,” Lancelot said, shaking Arthur's hand.
When Arthur returned to his chambers Merlin was indeed waiting for him, perched on his bed and looking expectant.
“How was it?” he asked.
“Fantastic,” Arthur replied, sitting down opposite Merlin. “This is something I'm actually good at, Merlin.”
Merlin smiled. “I'm pleased for you, Arthur.”
“I just wish I knew why I was good at it. I've never held a sword before in my life.”
Merlin looked mysterious. “I might have a theory about that.”
“Oh you do?”
“We'll need to go to the library to check it though,” he said, teasingly.
Arthur stretched his sore muscles. “I could use a shower,” he said.
Merlin frowned. “A shower?”
“Magical people do bathe don't they, Merlin?”
“Of course we do!” Merlin held out his hand and said a spell Arthur didn't recognise.
There was an odd blue glow as a large wooden bathtub that seemed to slowly materialise out of thin air. Arthur could see steam rising from it, so he assumed that it was filled with hot water. Merlin was looking very pleased with himself.
“Are you going to have a bath?” Merlin asked.
The idea of a bath was very appealing. Arthur tugged his t-shirt off. “I should probably do that as you've gone to the trouble of conjuring one up,” he replied. “Should you have done that?”
“I've got special permission to conjure anything that will help you with your magic.”
“How is a bath going to help?”
“Relax you?”
Arthur shook his head. “Sometimes Merlin...”
“Get in,” Merlin encouraged. “The water's warm.”
Not taking Merlin's word for it Arthur dipped a hand into the water. It was the perfect temperature; not too hot and not too cold. Merlin's magic certainly knew how to please Arthur.
“Are you going to stand there and watch me get undressed?
Merlin folded his arms and leaned against his desk. “Think of it as my reward.”
“You haven't done anything.”
“I haven't done anything, yet,” Merlin amended.
Deciding that Merlin did deserve a reward, Arthur undressed slowly. He took off his t-shirt so slowly he wondered if Merlin might think it was stuck. He casually rubbed his back as he tossed the t-shirt to one side and began unbuttoning, and then unzipping, his jeans. He did it so slowly he was worried he would get cramp in his fingers. He followed that with his trainers and socks and then hovered near the edge of the bath, still wearing his underwear.
The look on Merlin's face was priceless. He didn't think he'd ever seen Merlin look so tempted and frustrated at the same time. He turned around so his back was facing Merlin. He slowly bent over as he pulled his boxers down. Carefully, he stood up and stepped out of them, before turning around to face Merlin with a smile.
Arthur held out his arms. “Do you think I'm ready for my bath now?” he asked.
“Yeah,” Merlin said, quietly.
Still smiling Arthur stepped into the bath, which did look inviting, and then sat down. Whatever other purpose Merlin may have had in mind the warm water was relaxing as Arthur sank down into it. It soothed his raw muscles and Arthur closed his eyes, leaning against the side.
He was woken up by a firm kiss on his lips.
“You still need to wash,” Merlin said, waving a bar of soap in Arthur’s face.
“I'm too tired to wash,” Arthur replied.
“I was hoping you’d say that.”
Arthur watched as Merlin dipped the soap into the water and then lathered up his hands. He began to rub the soap onto Arthur's skin, caressing the skin, and yet still washing away the sweat and dirt. He rubbed Arthur's chest quite vigorously, and neatly massaged his shoulders. He got Arthur to lean forward so he could soap up his back.
It would probably have been easier had Merlin used a flannel or a sponge, but Arthur was grateful he didn't. Merlin’s fingers and hands worked not just to clean him, but also to massage his muscles, working out knots of tension Arthur hadn't really realised were there.
By the time Merlin rinsed him off Arthur felt very relaxed, and he slipped further into the bath. He was closing his eyes again when he felt Merlin's hand on his cock.
“Forgot to wash this bit,” Merlin said.
“Then you better make sure you do a thorough job,” Arthur replied. He kept his eyes closed but sat up a little so he wasn't so submerged.
“I will,” Merlin promised.
Merlin soaped up his hand again, and the touch of a slippery hand on his cock combined with the warm water, made Arthur jump a little.
“You can relax again, you know,” Merlin said.
Arthur did just that, laying back to let Merlin continue, letting himself picture what Merlin was doing. The slippery hand ran up and down his cock, soon bringing Arthur to hardness despite the fact he had been so relaxed. With Merlin it seemed it didn't take much. Merlin's hand was slightly warmer than the water, and Arthur instinctively pushed into its heat.
Merlin’s hand moved faster and faster, to the point where Arthur wasn’t sure where one stroke ended and the next began. He could feel himself splashing out a bit in the bath, the water lapping the sides, as his hips moved in time to Merlin's strokes. His muscles tensed up, but with a very different tension to sword training.
For a moment it seemed as if the bath water was getting warmer but his muscles still didn't relax. Arthur tried not to moan and bit his lip. He tried to focus on the sensations, it was the moment when he pictured Merlin that he finally came. Merlin's hand didn't leave his cock even as he sank down into the bath.
He opened his eyes to see Merlin looking very pleased with himself. “Relaxed now?”
“Yes,” Arthur said. His muscles had relaxed completely now, quite a contrast to a few minutes earlier. “But next time, make the bath tub big enough for two.”
*****************************************************************************
The next morning they were in the library during a study period when Arthur decided he wanted to know what Merlin's sword theory was. That, and the fact he was bored of their assignment from Professor Mandrake; what goblins got up to during full moons. He closed his book and turned his attention to Merlin, who was reading opposite him.
“So, Merlin, are you going to tell me your theory?”
“Theory?”
“About why you think I'm good at using a sword.”
“Oh, yeah,” Merlin said, closing his book and standing up. “Come on,” Merlin said, taking Arthur's hand.
He dragged Arthur away from the table and past the rows upon rows of shelves. They moved deeper into the library where there were fewer students.
“You know if Geoffrey sees us...”
“He won't.”
Merlin pulled Arthur all the way to the oldest part of the library, the part with the most cobwebs, where every book was covered in layers of dust. It was, of course, the part that Geoffrey had warned them they would have no need to go into. The area was empty apart from the two of them.
“You've been here before,” Arthur said.
“Of course,” Merlin replied. “I used to climb the shelves looking for goblins.”
Arthur decided he didn't want to know why.
Merlin was now going along the shelves, obviously trying to find a book. That didn't stop Arthur from asking. “What are you looking for?”
“A book.”
“Really, Merlin? In a library? There's a surprise.”
“Found it!” Merlin said, triumphantly, as he struggled to pull a very thick book off the shelf. After a moment he managed it, but stumbling back under the weight of the large volume in his arms.
“You couldn't have picked something thinner?” Arthur asked.
Merlin ignored him, and set the book down on the table behind them. He started flicking through it, coughing a little as dust flew out of the pages.
“Here,” he said, pointing excitedly to a page. “The history of the mage knights.”
“Mage knights? Sounds like a video game,” Arthur said, coming to peer over Merlin's shoulder. The text Merlin was pointing to was old and, as far as Arthur could tell, wasn't even in English. “I can't read it,” he said, disappointed.
“I can,” Merlin replied, cheerfully. “You see once upon a time...”
“There were three bears?”
Merlin glared. “There were sorcerers who endowed a group of knights with magic that would help them in battle. These knights became known as the mage knights. Their magic gave them more skill with a sword than any mundane knight could ever hope to achieve.”
“What has that got to do with me?”
“The mage knights were supposedly betrayed and killed. All except their leader who escaped death and went on to father several sons who inherited his powers. You must be descended from one of the sons.”
“What was the leader's name?”
“He was known as Riothamus, The King, but he was better known as Arthur.”
Arthur looked closely at the text. “That's ridiculous.”
“Where do you think the legends of King Arthur came from?”
“Even if I was descended from a magic knight, I can't use magic.”
“It's different magic,” Merlin explained. “It's more like...” He pursed his lips. “More like enhanced senses, a sixth sense. You don't do spells or change things, you use magic to enhance your physical skills.”
“I don't know, Merlin.”
“Arthur, believe me, it's true.”
“All right,” Arthur agreed. “If it is true, what do I do with it?”
“Use it,” Merlin said. “You already have.”
“I can see the look on Gwaine's face when you tell him I'm a magic knight. Unless all of Camelot's knights are descended from them?”
“So the legends say, but it's not as strong in them because they don't have any other magic. You do.”
“I suppose your theory makes some sense,” Arthur said, though he wasn't convinced. He went back to looking at the text when something startled them.
“What do you think you're doing?” came the stern voice of Geoffrey.
“Looking at a book?” Merlin offered.
Apparently that excuse wasn't good enough, as Geoffrey grabbed them and marched them both to Gaius, and the pair of them proceeded to give both Arthur and Merlin a stern lecture on the proper care of vital texts.
“Next time, Merlin,” Arthur said, as they went back to the hall, “we make sure Geoffrey isn't in the library first.”
PART FOUR
PART TWO
Part Three
Four days after arriving in Camelot things changed. The new semester really started as the rest of the students arrived. It was a shock for Arthur to go from a few quiet castle corridors to corridors full of other people. Just when he thought he was beginning to feel like he belonged in Camelot, he was assaulted by more people who clearly did.
“Where have they all come from?” Arthur asked Merlin, as they were jostled through the corridors on the way back from another of Gaius's lectures on herbs.
“All over the world,” Merlin replied. “But mostly the UK and Ireland.”
“How many magical people are there?”
“Well, not that many. I mean, some people study here for years, and some of them will come from mundane backgrounds. Like you.”
“And my sister,” Arthur said.
“You have a sister?”
“I didn't tell you?”
“No, you didn't.” Merlin sounded slightly annoyed. “You could have told me. I told you the names of every wyvern my father's caring for.”
Arthur realised he hadn't actually mentioned much about his background. Merlin already knew quite a bit about Arthur's mother, and Arthur hadn't wanted to think too much about his father and the world he had now firmly left behind. “Well, she's a half sister really. We share a father. She studies here. Gaius told me.”
Just then as if by the cliché of magic Arthur bumped into a very familiar figure who immediately enveloped him in a hug.
“Arthur!” Morgana said, happily. “You made it here! I was beginning to worry when you hadn't contacted me, but Gaius told me you were here safely.”
“Contact you? With what?”
“The ball I gave you. You remember it?”
Belatedly Arthur did. He'd left it at the bottom of his rucksack and hadn't even asked Merlin what it was for. “Is that what it's for?”
Morgana smiled. “Among other things. So, how are you?”
“Good,” Arthur replied, offering her a smile in return. “It's good to be here.”
Morgana squeezed his hands. “You belong here, Arthur. Never doubt that.”
“I won't,” Arthur replied.
“We need to talk,” Morgana said. “Do you have time?”
Automatically Arthur looked over at Merlin. “When's our next lecture?”
“You know you really should memorise your own timetable,” Merlin said.
“Why do I need to when I have you?”
“In case I get kidnapped by the goblins that live under the castle.”
“There aren't any goblins under the castle.”
“How do you know?”
“Merlin, there aren't... Are there?”
Merlin began to laugh and Morgana joined in.
“Okay, no goblins. Is it my fault the timetables keep changing?”
Now the whole university was back their timetables had altered. There were hundreds more students taking classes and the Professors had to fit them all in. It also meant they had far more free periods. Gaius had advised them that their free periods were to be used for quiet study until they found extra curricular activities to fill in some of the time.
“Sorry, Arthur,” Merlin smiled, unrepentant. “We don’t have another lecture for a couple of hours.”
Morgana looked as if she had been very amused by the whole exchange. “Are you going to introduce me to your friend?”
“Oh, Morgana, this is Merlin,” Arthur said, trying not to beam. “He's my room mate and unofficial tutor. Merlin, this is my sister: Morgana.”
“Pleased to meet you,” Merlin said, smiling and holding out his hand. “Arthur's told me nothing about you.”
“She's a terrible sister and used to tease me. She'll try and tell you embarrassing stories about me; don't believe a word of them,” Arthur said, solemnly.
Morgana smiled wickedly. “Pleased to meet you too, Merlin. Why don't we go into the courtyard to talk?”
“I wouldn't want to intrude....” Merlin began.
“Nonsense,” Arthur said. “I need someone to save me from Morgana's probing questions.”
“So, I'm your knight in shining armour?”
“More like my wizard in a pointy hat.”
“A very fetching pointy hat.”
“Of course.”
Merlin smiled. “All right.”
The courtyard itself was busy, but they found a quiet corner on the steps at the far end and sat down together, Arthur next to Morgana, and Merlin next to Arthur. It seemed Merlin was going to be using Arthur for protection.
“You made Valerian,” Morgana said, as a conversation starter. “Just like Ygraine.”
“I did,” Arthur said, pleased. “What College are you in?”
“Sage,” Morgana replied.
“Oh, the Seer's College,” Merlin piped up.
“You're a Seer?” Arthur asked.
Morgana nodded. “Like my mother. She was in Sage. And so is my sister.”
“You have a sister?” Arthur had never even heard Morgana mention any relatives on her mother's side. Then again, if they were magical she would have reason not to. He couldn't imagine their father would be pleased.
“Half sister, yes. Morgause. She's one of the graduate students here. She's been a great help to me. You'll probably meet her at some point.”
“I'd like that,” Arthur said. “It's good to know you had someone here for you.”
“And you've got Merlin,” Morgana said, suddenly sounding more like his big sister.
“Yes, we met on the train.” Arthur tried to keep his tone neutral.
“And you need private tutoring?”
Arthur coughed. “Yes, well, my magic isn't that powerful.”
“Arthur just has trouble tapping into it,” Merlin said. “Gaius and Nimueh don't know why but he can do magic. He's getting better.”
“You've got a good friend there, Arthur,” Morgana said, quietly.
Arthur reached over and gently touched Merlin's hand. “I do.”
“He'd be lost without me,” Merlin said.
“Who is it who can't read the maps?”
“I can read them!” Merlin protested. “It's not my fault the doors move.”
Morgana laughed. “The two of you...” she said. Then she went quiet. “Uther's still angry at you,” she said, sadly.
“How is he?” Deep down, Arthur didn't want to know, but knew he should ask.
“It's hard for him, Arthur. After what happened to your mother...I think he's just afraid to lose you. This world is where you belong but all he sees is danger.”
“There's more than danger here,” Arthur said, looking around. “I feel... happy. I didn’t know I wasn't happy until I came here.” His old life seemed somehow dull compared to the vibrant colours of Camelot that he could feel around him.
“Camelot does that,” Merlin said, shifting a little closer.
They talked for a little longer about more general things. Morgana talked about what she was studying. She was in her third year, and starting to specialise in her magic. She asked what Arthur’s first impressions of his Professors were.
“I like all of them,” Arthur said. “Professor Gaius has been helpful and Professor Nimueh's been very good to me.”
“She was a good friend of your mother's,” Morgana said. “What about Professor Muirden?”
Arthur shivered. “There's something about him...” He shook his head. “It's fine.”
Eventually it was time for Morgana to leave. She stood up. “It's been good talking with you, Arthur, but I have to catch up with Morgause. She's going to be tutoring me this semester to try and focus my magic. I hope to see you at the Fayre tomorrow. I'll be on the Crystal Eye stall.”
“Crystal eye? Eyes made out of crystals?”
“It's the Seer’s Club, Arthur,” Merlin whispered.
“Oh. Seeing the future?”
“Yes,” Merlin said.
“Could you tell me next week's lottery numbers?” he asked Morgana. She hit him on the shoulder.
“It doesn't work like that. Are you a Seer, Merlin?”
“I can use crystals but...” he paused, looking sad. “I don't...”
She smiled tightly. “I understand. Take care of Arthur.”
“I don't need taking care of.”
“You might. Like I said: remember.”
“All right, Morgana.”
She left, and Arthur waved as she went across the courtyard.
Merlin smiled. “I like your sister.”
Arthur groaned. He could foresee Morgana telling Merlin many embarrassing things in his future, and he wasn't even a seer. “She's even stranger here than at home.”
“Seers can be like that. It's hard seeing the future.”
“Is that why you... ?”
“The crystals give you visions. You don't always see what you think you see,” Merlin said, wistfully. “Interpreting visions takes years of study.”
“And you didn't want to?
“No. Not now.”
Arthur decided not to push it. He hated seeing Merlin look uncomfortable. “Okay, what's our next lecture?”
“You know, maybe I should magic our timetable onto your forehead,” Merlin suggested.
“But then I'd lose my dashing good looks.”
Merlin brushed Arthur's fringe out of the way. “Hmm, maybe you're right. It probably wouldn't all fit anyway.”
“See? So, tell me, oh wise carrier-of-the-timetable, what's our next lecture?”
“Professor Muirden's.”
“I'd rather spend the day with Geoffrey in the library.”
“Me too, but if we don’t go Gaius will give us the eyebrow.”
“True.” In just a few days Arthur had learned to fear it. “But it might be less painful.”
****************************************************************************
Arthur hated Professor Muirden's lectures. He always came out of them feeling wrong, and always, always, with a headache. It went away as soon as he was far enough from the classroom, and Merlin touching him always helped, but for some reason nothing could alleviate the growing headache he would have throughout the lecture.
“Maybe you should talk to Gaius again,” Merlin suggested.
Arthur had mentioned his trouble to Gaius who had just frowned and said perhaps more research was needed. “I will,” Arthur said. “Maybe he''ll have a cure in the next few days.”
Today the lecture was about revenge as a source of magical corruption, a fairly light topic as far as Professor's Muirden's lectures were concerned. Only ten minutes in Arthur's head began to pound but he was determined not to admit he was having trouble. Professor Muirden did not like interruptions in his class, as Vivian had discovered when she had simply requested a toilet break.
Poor Vivian had had to stay behind for an hour and apparently, according to her fellow Yarrow College students, was so unwell afterwards she'd had to be taken straight to Gaius.
Merlin, obviously seeing Arthur was struggling, touched their knees together. It helped alleviate some of the pain. He gave Merlin a grateful nudge with his foot. They didn't dare smile at each other, but Mordred turned around from his position at the front and briefly frowned at them. Sophia was also glaring at them, as if she didn't approve.
“Feeling better?” Merlin asked, as they walked out of that lecture and headed to their next one, one of Professor's Mandrake's Magical Creatures lectures. It was one of Merlin's favourites.
“Yes. Thank you,” Arthur said, gratefully. “It helped.”
“Pity we don't know why.”
“Yes,” Arthur said, wondering. Maybe it was just the fact he was Merlin and he was an excellent distraction. He casually took Merlin’s hand as they walked along and Merlin smiled.
******************************************************************************
The next morning Arthur had been hoping for a lie in considering they had no lectures for a couple of days due to the Fresher's Fayre. Arthur had discovered there wasn't a Fresher's Week as such at Camelot, since the first year students had all arrived a few days before everyone else. However, there was a Fair, or Fayre as it was spelt on the banners, which had mead, entertainment, and the option of joining extra-curricular activities.
Merlin was so excited by the possibilities that he dragged Arthur out of bed at their usual hour. It seemed Merlin wasn't the only one really looking forward to it, as the hall for breakfast was full of their fellow students. Elena and Gilli had saved them a couple of seats, which was a good thing as space was at a minimum.
“What groups are you thinking of joining?” Elena asked over their bowls of porridge.
“I quite like the Magical Creatures Protection Society,” Merlin said.
“Oh me too!” Elena gushed. “That, and the horse riding group, what are they called? The Magic Saddle?”
Arthur groaned at the cheesy names these groups seemed to have.
“What about you, Arthur?” Elena asked.
“I don't know. I'm just going to go and see what there is. I don't think I'll be familiar with most of it.”
“We do have a chess club,” Gilli spoke up. “I'm hoping to join that.”
“I'm useless at chess,” Arthur said. “My father always wanted me to be good at it, thought it was good strategy, but I think a good strategy would be to have pieces that could move all over the board.”
Merlin smiled. “You've never played the magical version of chess then.”
From the mischievous looks his friends were giving him Arthur wasn't entirely sure he wanted to.
After breakfast they all headed out to the fair, which seemed to be all over the place, haphazardly taking over the castle and grounds. There were ribbons decorating the corridors, stalls all around the courtyard, and even on the steps. Most of the activity was centred in the Great Hall, and in the training field next to the castle.
“We should see Morgana first,” Arthur said to Merlin.
“She'll be in the hall,” Merlin replied.
“Why don’t you go onto the field?” Arthur suggested to Elena and Gilli. He didn't want to inflict his sister on them yet. Plus he wanted a bit of time alone with Merlin to try and find out if there was anything they could do together.
“What a brilliant idea. We'll stop at the chess club stall on the way. Won’t we, Gilli?”
“We will. Have a good time.”
Arthur nodded as Elena gave them a wave and hauled Gilli off. She seemed to have appointed herself his personal tour guide from the way she was pulling him along.
“Right, let's find Morgana,” Arthur said, determinedly, not in the least bit overawed by the huge number of stalls.
He and Merlin wound their way through the hall. It wasn't too busy, but the odd explosions were distracting. Apparently the potion society was very eager for new members, even to the point where they risked blowing them up.
They found Morgana at the Crystal Eye stall at the far end, in the quietest part of the hall. There was nothing on the stall at all, not even a crystal ball, which Arthur had expected for some reason. All there was was Morgana, and several banners with an odd eye-like symbol upon them.
“Morgana,” Arthur greeted.
She offered a slight smile. “Hello, Arthur, Merlin. You're enjoying the Fayre?”
“You're actually the first stall we've visited,” Arthur admitted.
“Arthur, I'm flattered. Of course you're not a Seer.”
“How do you know?”
“I can see it in your eyes.”
Arthur was about to attempt a suitably witty comeback when a woman appeared carrying a glass of water. She set it down beside Morgana. “Here you are, Morgana. I'm going to try and see if I can get some of the pastries later for you.”
“Thank you, Gwen,” Morgana smiled. “Let me introduce you to my brother. This is Arthur and his friend Merlin.”
Arthur held out his hand and Gwen shook it without hesitation. “Arthur, I'm so pleased to meet you. Morgana's told me all about you. Not that that's a bad thing. I mean she's told me things about you. Not bad things. She's very... nice about you. I'm sure you're nice.”
“Pleased to meet you, Gwen. I hope I don’t entirely live up to Morgana's stories.”
“And you're friends with Merlin, that's lovely.”
Arthur rolled his eyes. “Let me guess, Merlin, Gwen is another person you know.”
“Gwen's been in the blacksmith training programme here for years. Her father is Camelot's foremost blacksmith and maker of magical weaponry.”
“You're a blacksmith?” Arthur wasn’t sure what was magical about that but he admired the skill.
“Sometimes people's talents manifest themselves in different ways,” Morgana said, as if reading his mind. “The art of the blacksmith has a magic of its own.”
Gwen blushed. “Yes, well, Morgana's very kind.”
“Gwen's really good at armour,” Merlin said, proudly. “She knows more about it than anyone. Even the knights.”
“Which is kind of sad, really,” Gwen said.
“No,” Arthur said, offering a smile. “I admire anyone who is good at what they do.”
Gwen's smile was genuine. “Thank you. Just don't let Merlin talk up my talents too much,” she teased.
“Oh there’s no chance of that,” Merlin replied.
Gwen hit Merlin on the arm.
“Hey!” he said, rubbing his arm in mock pain.
“So, Arthur, as you're not cut out to be a Seer, what are you going to be doing?” Morgana asked.
Arthur shrugged. “I was hoping Merlin here might be able to give me suggestions.”
“That's a dangerous idea, Arthur,” Gwen said.
“I'll have you know I have great taste,” Merlin said. “I can find something fun for Arthur to do.”
Arthur coughed, as he had a good idea that soon he and Merlin would be finding something very fun to do, and it wasn't going to involve anything but the two of them and a bed. “Yes, well, we should be going to see what we can do. Isn’t that right, Merlin?”
Merlin seemed blissfully unaware of what Arthur had been thinking. “We probably should,” he agreed. “It was nice seeing you.”
“We'll have to catch up soon,” Gwen said, giving Merlin a hug.
“We will.”
“Right, come on, Merlin; if we leave now we might be able to stop at the mead stall on the way.”
As it turned out they didn’t stop at the mead stall. Partly becuase it was ridiculously crowded, and partly because Merlin said he wanted to save the mead tasting until later. He had a gleam in his eye that made Arthur think he had something planned.
Out in the field there were stalls and brightly coloured tents. It didn’t feel as crowded as the castle had, given all the outdoor space. They saw Elena by the Magical Creatures Protection Society stall. The stall itself had a model of a unicorn on it that appeared to be moving.
“Do you want to come and take a look?” Merlin asked.
Arthur decided that, as he was a little bit creeped out by the moving model unicorn, it wouldn’t really be to his taste. “No, I think I'll just... wait here,” he said, awkwardly.
Merlin gave him a smile, and Arthur watched him as he headed over, and saw Merlin pick up leaflets and engage Elena in conversation, feeling a bit of jealousy flare up. Perhaps he should have gone over with Merlin but he didn’t want to pressure Merlin into anything. It was healthy to have time apart.
It didn’t stop Arthur wanting to fume when he saw Merlin laugh at something Elena said. Not wanting to watch any longer he decided to look around at the other stalls. He could see horses next to one; which was presumably the 'Magic Saddle Society' Elena wanted to join. He could see the knights over on one side of the field showing off their swordplay.
Arthur watched, taking note of the movements of the blades. He could see Lancelot sparring with another knight he hadn’t seen before. He watched their footwork, saw how they moved their bodies to dodge blows and land others. It wasn't just about swinging a sword, it was about using your whole body to attack and defend.
He was so engrossed that he barely noticed when Merlin came up and tapped him on the shoulder. “Arthur?”
“Mmmm? Sorry, Merlin. Did you join?”
Merlin nodded and proudly flashed a shiny card his name with a picture of a unicorn on it. “Yes, I'm officially a member of the Magical Creatures Protection Society. They said I was a perfect fit.”
“Why am I not surprised?”
“I don't know. Have you developed psychic abilities?”
“Yes, Merlin, I am famed for my mind reading,” Arthur said, sarcastically.
“Elena's joining too.”
“She is?” Arthur looked over to see her talking to a shy looking dark haired girl. “Maybe I should as well.”
“Are you jealous, Arthur?”
Arthur scoffed. “Me? Jealous? Of course not.”
“You are!”
“Well, Elena's a very nice girl. And I think she's got a crush on you.”
“Arthur, even if she did she's still a girl,” Merlin said, slowly.
“Yes, and... ?” Arthur had noticed that thank you very much.
“You do have gay people in the mundane world, don’t you?”
“Of course we do,” Arthur paused. “I just assumed you were...bi.”
Merlin smiled. “I'm not. Well, I tried asking a girl out once but she told me she knew it wouldn’t work out because I was gay.” Merlin glanced back at the stall.
“And you believed her?”
“She was very wise."
Arthur took a breath. “Right, well, so am I.”
“You’re wise? Or a girl?”
“No, idiot,” Arthur said, giving Merlin a punch on the arm. “I'm gay.”
Merlin looked relieved. “Oh, good, because I thought Elena might try and steal you.”
“I thought she was trying to steal you.”
“So, we're both girl-stealing proof.”
“Yes. You can stay in the magical creatures protection society.”
Merlin mock bowed. “Thank you, Arthur, for being so generous,” Merlin paused. “Now you need something to join.”
Arthur looked around. “Nothing that involves fire breathing,” he said, noticing a rather dramatic example a few feet away. He could feel the heat of the flames from where he was standing. He was about to suggest to Merlin that maybe they should go back inside, when he heard Gwaine shouting from where the knights were training.
“Hey, Merlin, why don’t you bring your roomie over here?”
“You're not going to hit him with a sword, are you?” Merlin asked, as he started to walk over to where the knights were, Arthur following.
Gwaine grinned. “Nah, of course not.”
Merlin turned to Arthur. “Do you want to?”
“We've nothing else to do.”
Anyway Arthur would hate to keep Merlin from his friends. He walked in step with Merlin, hoping that Merlin's friends wouldn't see him as a threat. He hadn't quite worked out if he and Merlin were anything official yet, and he didn't want to have to answer any awkward questions until he was sure. Especially not in front of guys trained to kill, and who were wielding swords.
“Hello, Merlin,” a tall knight, who Arthur didn't really recognise, greeted.
“Arthur, this is Leon.”
“Hello,” Arthur said, shaking Leon's hand.
“And this is Elyan, Gwen's brother, and Percival.”
Percival was also very tall Arthur noted, as he shook his hand. The man towered over even Leon. “Pleased to meet you, I'm Arthur. I share a room with Merlin.”
“We've heard,” Leon said, smiling. He seemed friendly.
Arthur looked at Merlin. “Word travels fast.”
Gwaine looked as if he was about to say something but Merlin interrupted. “You’ve got some new weapons,” he said, indicating a rack on which several swords were placed.
“Yes, all Guinevere's work,” Lancelot said, proudly taking one out of the rack and bringing it close.
“Always the proud boyfriend,” Gwaine said, clapping Lancelot on the back.
The more Arthur stared at the blade the shinier it seemed, almost as if it was glowing. Fascinated, he reached out to touch it. Gwaine's voice startled him.
“So, Arthur, think you’d have any chance with a sword?”
“I've never touched a sword in my life,” Arthur said, pulling back.
Gwaine came over and nudged Arthur. “Come on, have a go. We'll be gentle with you,” he paused. “For Merlin's sake of course.”
“Of course.”
“Hey!” Merlin said, indignantly.
“All right, Gwaine. I accept your challenge. Or do you have to throw down your gauntlet first?”
“Just take the sword,” Gwaine said, grinning.
Lancelot offered Arthur the hilt and he took it. The weight of it surprised him, although it shouldn't have considering it was thick metal. The blade glinted with that odd glow about it. Arthur took a moment to move it about through the air, testing it out to see how he moved with it. He was just getting the hang of it when suddenly Gwaine came toward him, his own sword raised.
Instinctively Arthur raised his sword and the two blades clanged together. Gwaine tried for another blow, but somehow Arthur knew where it was coming from and moved his sword to intercept it. Gwaine looked surprised and Arthur pressed his advantage, trying for another blow. It was strange, he could almost see what Gwaine's reaction was going to be before it happened. He saw the possibilities and changed his movements to fit.
Again he blocked a blow and landed his own. Gwaine was unbalanced, and Arthur pressed his advantage. In a moment he had Gwaine sprawled on the grass. Arthur stopped, shocked that he had somehow bested a trained knight of all people.
“Wow,” Merlin said, as he came to stand next to Arthur.
Arthur offered Gwaine a hand and helped him to his feet.
Despite his defeat Gwaine was smiling. “Arthur, you're a bloody natural. How do you feel about joining the tournament team? Do a bit of training with us?”
“Are you serious?” Arthur had seen the knights train earlier. He'd never even considered doing what they did.
“I've never seen anyone handle a blade as easily as you,” Lancelot said.
Merlin nudged him. “Go on, Arthur, you'd be great at it. I know you would.”
Feeling as if finally there was something he could do, maybe even be good at, Arthur smiled. “All right, what do I do?”
“Meet us in the armoury Tuesday evenings.”
“Your timetable allows it,” Merlin said, playfully.
“Thank you, keeper-of-the-timetable. What are you doing on Tuesday nights?”
“That's when the Magical Creatures Preservation Society has their meetings.”
That worked out well for Arthur then. “I’ll see you on Tuesday,” he said to the knights, who were still looking at him warily. “Thank you.”
As he and Merlin walked back toward the castle Arthur was in a buoyant mood.
“I think we should celebrate,” Arthur said.
“You just want to drink mead.”
“I've never actually tasted mead before, Merlin.”
“Really?”
“Yes, really.”
They met up with Elena and Gilli at the mead stall. They also saw Gwen, who was apparently collecting some mead rations for the knights.
“Mostly Gwaine,” Merlin told Arthur.
“So, Arthur, what did you sign up for?” Elena asked, handing him a flagon.
“Arthur's going to be training with the knights,” Merlin said, proudly.
“Really? That's amazing.”
“I didn't think first years were allowed,” Gilli said.
“I didn't either,” Arthur said, taking a swig of mead. It was really rather pleasant tasting. “They seemed to think it was a good idea.”
“I'm sure you'll be great at it,” Elena said.
“Of course he will!” Merlin said, hiccuping. Arthur put an arm around him. He seemed to be swaying a little.
“What about you, Gilli?” Arthur asked. “Did you make the chess team?”
Gilli smiled. “I did. Practice starts next week.”
They talked a little more about what other things they had planned. Elena had joined the horse riding team, and Gilli had turned down an offer from the mead drinking club. However, by this point Merlin had had three large flagons of mead, and was looking a little bit worse for wear. He really couldn't hold his drink.
“I should get Merlin home,” Arthur said, supporting Merlin, who really did look as if mead didn't agree with him.
“I'm fine,” Merlin hiccuped. “Maybe.”
“Take care of him, Arthur,” Elena said, giving Merlin a pat.
“I will.”
It was quite a feat to get Merlin safely back to their chambers. The walk was a long one, and Arthur was just grateful that nothing actually moved around to confuse him. Merlin was half asleep by the time they got back, and it had been like dragging a dead weight around.
“Come on, Merlin, let's get you on your bed,” he said, hefting Merlin onto his bed.
“I wanted to kiss you,” Merlin said, tugging at Arthur.
Arthur gave Merlin a gentle kiss. “I know, but you're drunk, Merlin.”
“I am aren't I?” Merlin sighed sadly.
“I think you should get some rest,” Arthur said, carefully brushing Merlin's fringe away from his forehead.
Merlin’s eyes were already closed and he looked so relaxed. “Hmmmm, night, Arthur.”
Arthur wasn't tired, and the day wasn't yet over. He was also a little bit disappointed that Merlin hadn’t been able to hold his drink. He had been hoping that a little bit of mead would have led to them finally moving beyond kissing, but it had only led to Merlin passed out on the bed.
*****************************************************************************
Arthur spent the rest of the day reading. He ventured down to the College hall for lunch and dinner. At dinner he was met by Gaius, who didn't seem surprised to hear that Merlin was sleeping off his mead indulgence.
“He's never been able to hold his drink,” Gaius said. “When he wakes up, give him this.” Gaius handed Arthur a small flask.
“I will.”
Arthur took the flask back with him and put it on the desk. He continued reading. He turned down an invitation from Elena and Gilli to visit the fair again, reasoning that he should be there when Merlin woke up, even if he'd be the worse for wear.
It was evening when Merlin finally stirred. “My head hurts,” he groaned.
“You missed lunch and dinner,” Arthur said, getting up off his bed, and heading to pick up the flask from the desk. “You missed a great food fight.”
“There wasn't a food fight, was there?”
“No, but you would have missed it if there had been. Gaius told me you to give you this,” Arthur handed the flask to Merlin.
“Thank you,” Merlin said, taking it. He opened it and downed the contents in one, screwing up his face as he did. “It never tastes any better.”
“Hangover cure?” Arthur asked.
Merlin nodded. “It works but it tastes terrible.” He wiped his mouth.
Arthur leaned in for a kiss. He could taste a distinct bitterness in Merlin's mouth. “Mmm, you're right, it tastes awful. You taste all right though.”
“So do you,” Merlin replied.
“Are you sober enough?” Arthur asked.
“For what?”
“Merlin, I've had to stare at you asleep on the bed for hours.”
That wasn’t technically true. Arthur had managed to distract himself with reading, but he had sneaked long lingering glances at Merlin when the reading got too boring.
“Can you survive another ten minutes?” Merlin asked, rubbing his head. “Gaius's remedy is good, but it's not that good.”
Arthur reached over for one of his books. “I think I can.”
Arthur was very pleased that he managed to hang on for more than ten minutes. Well, twelve anyway.
“Ready now?” Arthur asked, as Merlin got up and stretched.
“Are you going to grab me and rip my clothes off if I say yes?” Merlin asked, smiling.
“Why? Do you know a better way?”
“Oh yes,” Merlin said. He held his arms out and uttered a word that sounded like 'áfyrðan'. His eyes flashed gold and suddenly he was naked; completely naked.
“That's...” Arthur was speechless.
“Amazing? Brilliant?”
“Going to come in really handy,” Arthur said, pulling his own clothes. Why was it so hard to take off a t-shirt?
Merlin, still totally naked, smiled, and walked over. “Let me,” he said. He said the spell again and Arthur hardly felt his clothes disappear before he was naked.
“You could have warned me,” he said, feeling a bit cold. “Do magical people even have foreplay?”
“We do, Merlin said, wrapping his arms around Arthur. “We just prefer to do it naked.”
“That's...” Arthur didn't have a chance to say anything more as Merlin's mouth descended on his.
They kissed, deep and wet. Arthur was certainly beginning to warm up as they did so. He could feel himself getting hard, but there was no rush; he could stand kissing a naked Merlin all day.
“What about foreplay in bed?” Arthur asked, in between kisses.
“Oh, we do that,” Merlin replied.
Their lips barely parted as they stumbled over to Merlin's bed. It was nearest, and the covers were already messed up. They lowered themselves carefully onto the bed, staying face to face. Arthur ran a hand down Merlin's side and Merlin shivered.
“Cold?” Arthur asked.
Merlin smiled and nuzzled Arthur's neck before kissing it. “You wish,” he mumbled.
Arthur actually wouldn’t wish Merlin to be cold. His warm skin was intoxicating to touch. It felt like there was energy running under Merlin's skin that made Arthur's fingertips tingled. Maybe it was magic, or maybe Merlin just felt that good. Arthur traced circles across Merlin's back, trying to find the little sensitive spots that would make Merlin shiver again.
They touched and kissed each other as they would have done had they been wearing clothes, but as they were naked everything felt slightly heightened. They were finding each other’s hot spots but not really exciting them yet. Taking notes on each other's reactions, as bare and naked as they were, and filing them away for later.
Arthur was hard, and knew Merlin was the same from the way. There was a definite sense of anticipation. There so was much to explore but all Arthur wanted to was press himself against Merlin, taste him, touch him, feel him until the two of them were worn out, sweaty and satisfied. He loved the way touching Merlin seemed to make his own skin tingle.
They went back to kissing each other and Arthur pulled Merlin closer. If there was a way to wrap himself up in Merlin Arthur would have done it. They rubbed against each other lazily as they kissed other, Arthur's lips feeling wet with Merlin's taste. Everything felt so good.
At first they moved against each other slowly, gradually Arthur felt them build up; faster and faster. Arthur felt a little giddy about it all. This was something as unknown to Arthur as magic, but it felt just as right. Merlin felt perfect against him.
He clung to Merlin like an anchor, as they moved together like waves; perfectly synchronised. Arthur nipped Merlin's ear and he felt himself building up to climax. He couldn't hold off any longer. His skin practically burned with pleasure and with a final push he came; trembling as he felt something envelop him.
Then he felt another burst of energy as Merlin came moments later. The energy seeped and mixed between them, and it felt so good that, if he could have come again; Arthur would have. Release spent they held onto each other; a tangle of limbs and bodies.
For a while there was nothing but the sound of their breathing between them, before Arthur looked down at the two of them.
“Do you have a spell to clean us up?” Arthur asked.
“áfeormian,” Merlin whispered.
Arthur had a feeling he was going to enjoy sex with Merlin for as often as they could manage it.
*****************************************************************************
For the rest of the Fresher's Fayre Arthur and Merlin didn't actually go and do much visiting. They spent their time in their chambers, enjoying each other's company. Not just the sex either, but quiet moments, when they would cuddle and read together. By the time they made it to dinner on the second day (having missed lunch), it was pretty clear what they had been up to.
“I think it's wonderful you're boyfriends!” Elena said. “And so soon! We all thought it would take you at least two weeks.”
She said it so loudly it was soon common knowledge throughout the whole of Valerian College, and so, within days, the whole of Camelot.
“Is there a spell for making it less obvious we've had sex with each other?” Arthur asked.
“I don't think it matters now,” Merlin replied, as a few students winked at them as they walked past.
“Do you think Morgana knows?” Arthur asked.
Her shout of congratulations across the courtyard made it obvious that, yes, she did know.
“I didn't think you'd be getting together so soon,” Morgana said, as she dragged them to a quiet corner to talk. Gwen was by her side offering smiles and congratulations.
“You saw it?” Merlin asked.
“She saw us...?” Arthur didn't want to think of the implications of his sister seeing him and Merlin doing anything.
Morgana hit him on the back of the head. “Not like that. I have visions, Arthur, but I don’t see the x-rated bits.”
Gwen giggled. “Well, it's not a surprise. A lot of students get together in the first few weeks. Lancelot and I did.”
Arthur was about to ask Gwen more about that when a blonde woman appeared.
“Are you all right, sister?” she asked Morgana.
Morgana offered her a smile. “I'm fine. Arthur was just telling me his good news about Merlin.”
“I heard,” the woman said, her face impassive.
“Arthur, this is my sister, Morgause.”
Arthur thought you could barely tell Morgana and Morgause were related. Morgause's hair was blonde and her eyes a deep brown, quite a contrast to Morgana's dark hair and green eyes, but then he and Morgana had the same father and that wasn't obvious at all.
“I'm pleased to meet you,” Arthur said. He wasn't sure if he should offer his hand to shake, as it looked as though Morgause would cut it off if he did.
“Yes, you are Uther's son, aren't you?”
“Yes.”
“Then let us hope you take after your mother,” Morgause said, with a bite to her words. “I shall see you later, sister,” she said to Morgana before stalking off.
“Is she...?”
Morgana offered a smile. “Don't worry about her, Arthur.”
“Not everyone can love your charms,” Merlin added.
“My charms worked on you.”
“I thought it was mine that worked on you.”
“Boys, I think you should stop flirting and go to your lecture. You do have a lecture?”
“We weren't...” Arthur began before catching the look on Morgana and Gwen's faces. He turned to Merlin. “What lecture is it?”
“Gaius's. Today we're going to collect rosemary.”
“I think I'd rather stay here and flirt.”
Merlin grinned. “And risk Gaius making us re-label all his bottles?”
“All right,” Arthur said. “We'll see you again, Morgana, Gwen.”
“Have fun, Arthur,” Morgana said and she and Gwen smiled at each other.
They didn't entirely stop flirting during the lecture, and several times Gaius told them to focus on the rosemary plants rather than each other. By the end of it, Arthur's hands were covered in the smell of the plant, which was vaguely like pine. So pungent was the smell, that kissing Merlin a couple of hours later he tasted exactly like the herb.
*****************************************************************************
A few more days passed, and Arthur found himself anxious about his first sessions of training with the knights. From what he could gather it was very unusual for any student, let alone a first year, to be allowed to train with them. He'd heard the whispers among his fellow students.
During one of Professor Mandrake's lectures on the phoenix, he could hear Sophia talking behind him.
“I don't know what makes Arthur Pendragon so special he can train with the knights. He can't even set a piece of paper alight.”
Perhaps this knock in confidence was why he struggled to do any magic as he and Merlin practised the latest spell Nimueh had given them; one to move fire from one piece of wood onto another. Everyone else had, of course, managed it in the lecture, but Arthur hadn't, even though he's tried his bestt. So, back in their chambers Merlin was trying to teach him.
“Come on, Arthur, this is easier than setting something on fire,” Merlin said. “The fire's already there.”
“I can't do it, Merlin.” Arthur sighed as he stared at the stubborn flame that wouldn't budge.
“What's wrong?”
“It's this training with the knights,” Arthur said, quietly. “I can't even move fire about and they're going to trust me with a sword.”
“But you're good with a sword, Arthur, I've seen you.”
“What if it was a fluke, Merlin?”
“It wasn't a fluke. Gwaine and Lancelot have been trying to teach me for years how to just hold a sword. You picked one up and it looked like it belonged in your hand. What did it feel like?”
Arthur thought back to the hilt gripped in his hand, the strength of it. “It felt good.”
“See? I'd come and watch but I've got my society meeting.”
“I think I can manage without you, Merlin.”
“I'm just being the supportive boyfriend,” he smiled. “And because I'm so supportive I'm going to make you try the spell again.
“That's supportive is it?”
“Oh yes.” Merlin gave him a kiss with a quick slip of tongue. “That was encouragement.”
“Astyrung.”
This time the fire leapt from one piece of wood to the other.
“You methods seem to work, Merlin,” Arthur said, happily. “I'm just glad I'm your only pupil.”
“I like to concentrate my resources,” Merlin replied.
With Merlin's encouragement Arthur's mind was taken firmly off training with the knights and put back onto his magic.
******************************************************************************
Tuesday evening came around, and Arthur found himself pacing the floor. Merlin was getting ready for his Magical Creatures Protection Society meeting, which apparently involved him gathering together old scrolls. Arthur had asked what they were, and Merlin had told him they were maps showing the locations of wyvern nests.
“Do you think I should change?” Arthur asked.
Merlin was still rummaging through his scrolls. “Into what? A toad?”
“I meant my clothes, Merlin. Are jeans and a t-shirt standard clothes for training with knights?”
Merlin stopped messing with his scrolls, and came to stand in front of Arthur. “They don't care what you wear. Lancelot will probably get Gwen to put together something for later sessions, but they're not expecting you to turn up in chain mail and armour.”
“Any other encouragement?”
Merlin rolled his eyes briefly before giving Arthur a kiss. “You'll be fine, Arthur. I'd come and watch you but...”
“You have to go and discuss the falling unicorn numbers. It's fine, Merlin. Make it up to me later.”
“I don't know you might be tired from all that training....”
Arthur put his arms around Merlin's waist and smiled. “I'm never that tired,” he said.
Ten minutes later and Arthur was heading to what he hoped was the armoury. It was situated in the main part of the castle, which Arthur had gradually got used to finding his way around. He was sure there were more efficient routes, but the one he and Merlin used would at least get him there without any odd detours.
That was what he had thought before he'd ended up in a dead end. Sighing in frustration he consulted the map he'd brought along, and watched as the lines on it shifted and changed. Arthur doubted he would ever get used to this. His old geography lessons about ordnance survey maps seemed remarkably simple by comparison.
Finally, Arthur made it to the armoury, although a little later than he'd planned. He was glad it at least had a sign on the door. So many of the doors in the castle had no signs, and it was a guess as to what was behind them. Once he was confident he'd found where he was meant to be, Arthur entered to find training in full swing.
The armoury seemed to be set up with training in mind. Weapons decorated the walls, and swords and lances filled several racks, which were placed against the walls and in the corners. The training area was denoted by a few benches, which created the large, triangular shaped area in the centre of the room in which a couple of knights were already training in. Arthur wondered why they were training indoors, but he didn't want to ask and end up offending the well-armed knights.
“So, you decided to turn up after-all?” Gwaine asked as he noticed Arthur.
“The walls changed again,” Arthur said, apologetically. “But I'm here now.”
Lancelot offered him a friendly smile. “Right, well, welcome, Arthur; you've met everyone?”
“I think so, hello.”
“Hello,” came the replies.
Once the pleasantries were over Arthur decided to wait for what could happen next. He didn't know what knights did when they trained.
“Ready?” Lancelot asked.
“Yes,” Arthur said, firmly, straightening himself up in an attempt to at least look like he could hold a sword.
“Good,” Gwaine tossed him a sword.
Arthur managed to catch it one handed, surprising himself, as the hilt of the sword fitted neatly into his grasp. His reflexes had never been that good. Sure, he'd been able to kick a football, but catching anything small or awkward had been a different skill and beyond him.
“Not bad,” Gwaine said, picking up his own sword.
Arthur sensed something behind him, but what it was he had no idea. Instinctively he turned around and held up his sword, the blade clanging against Lancelot’s.
“He's good,” Lancelot said, impressed.
“Are you using magic to cheat?” Gwaine asked.
“I don't really know how to use my magic,” Arthur said, truthfully. “The only time I can really do spells is when I'm with Merlin.”
He could sense Gwaine and Lancelot eyeing him up. He had wondered if news of his and Merlin's tentative relationship had reached the knights, but given the news was all over Camelot, he wouldn’t be surprised if it had.
“You'll be a good match for Merlin,” Leon said.
There was a moment of silence, and Arthur could feel the gazes of all the knights on him. He felt on show, as if they were sizing him up. Whatever test it was he seemed to pass, as the knights nodded and smiled.
“Right. Let's see what you're like with two of us,” Gwaine said, grinning.
Arthur could feel something buzzing in him, like the adrenaline high when he got on a roller-coaster, but with more of a power behind it. It was odd, part of him felt as if he wasn't there, as if he was watching everything in slow motion from outside himself. Every movement of each sword was highlighted, but more than that, he almost seemed to know the path the sword would travel.
He managed to fight off both Gwaine and Lancelot no matter what they tried. His body moved before he told it to, almost as if it anticipated each blow. On the one hand Arthur felt disconnected but on the other hand he'd never felt so alive.
“I think we should try basic sword work,” Lancelot said, panting a little once their sparring session was over. “Teach Arthur the finer points of holding his sword.”
“Good idea,” Gwaine replied.
“You have good instincts but you lack finesse,” Lancelot explained. “Fighting with a sword is about much more than deflecting blows.”
Arthur nodded. He knew it wasn't that easy, despite his early success.
“Percival and Leon will show you,” Gwaine said, as he sat next to Elyan on the bench.
As Arthur watched, the two tallest knights stood up and slowly demonstrated each position of the sword. Arthur noted the way their bodies were positioned, how they moved their feet, much as he had the first time he had seen them training. This time, though, he felt as if he were really absorbing it.
Lancelot then showed Arthur how to hold his sword, how to make it an extension of his body rather than simply a weapon. It felt right in his hand, and his movements flowed more naturally as he moved the sword through the air. It also helped reduce the odd disconnected feeling.
A couple of hours had passed before Arthur realised his arms were aching.
“I think that's enough for now,” Lancelot said. “We'll have Gwen make you your own sword.”
“Can't I just borrow one?”
“Not the way we do it,” Gwaine said, clapping Arthur on the shoulder. “You weren't bad for a first timer.”
“You were very good,” Percival said, and the others murmured their agreement.
“Why am I good at this?” Arthur asked.
“You have a natural talent,” Lancelot told him.
“Why?” he wondered out loud.
The knights shrugged, it seemed none of them knew.
“Who knows,” Gwaine said. “We'll see you next week. Maybe before if we see you around the castle,” he winked.
“Thank you,” Arthur said, earnestly.
“Better go back and tell Merlin about it, he's bound to ask you,” Lancelot said, shaking Arthur's hand.
When Arthur returned to his chambers Merlin was indeed waiting for him, perched on his bed and looking expectant.
“How was it?” he asked.
“Fantastic,” Arthur replied, sitting down opposite Merlin. “This is something I'm actually good at, Merlin.”
Merlin smiled. “I'm pleased for you, Arthur.”
“I just wish I knew why I was good at it. I've never held a sword before in my life.”
Merlin looked mysterious. “I might have a theory about that.”
“Oh you do?”
“We'll need to go to the library to check it though,” he said, teasingly.
Arthur stretched his sore muscles. “I could use a shower,” he said.
Merlin frowned. “A shower?”
“Magical people do bathe don't they, Merlin?”
“Of course we do!” Merlin held out his hand and said a spell Arthur didn't recognise.
There was an odd blue glow as a large wooden bathtub that seemed to slowly materialise out of thin air. Arthur could see steam rising from it, so he assumed that it was filled with hot water. Merlin was looking very pleased with himself.
“Are you going to have a bath?” Merlin asked.
The idea of a bath was very appealing. Arthur tugged his t-shirt off. “I should probably do that as you've gone to the trouble of conjuring one up,” he replied. “Should you have done that?”
“I've got special permission to conjure anything that will help you with your magic.”
“How is a bath going to help?”
“Relax you?”
Arthur shook his head. “Sometimes Merlin...”
“Get in,” Merlin encouraged. “The water's warm.”
Not taking Merlin's word for it Arthur dipped a hand into the water. It was the perfect temperature; not too hot and not too cold. Merlin's magic certainly knew how to please Arthur.
“Are you going to stand there and watch me get undressed?
Merlin folded his arms and leaned against his desk. “Think of it as my reward.”
“You haven't done anything.”
“I haven't done anything, yet,” Merlin amended.
Deciding that Merlin did deserve a reward, Arthur undressed slowly. He took off his t-shirt so slowly he wondered if Merlin might think it was stuck. He casually rubbed his back as he tossed the t-shirt to one side and began unbuttoning, and then unzipping, his jeans. He did it so slowly he was worried he would get cramp in his fingers. He followed that with his trainers and socks and then hovered near the edge of the bath, still wearing his underwear.
The look on Merlin's face was priceless. He didn't think he'd ever seen Merlin look so tempted and frustrated at the same time. He turned around so his back was facing Merlin. He slowly bent over as he pulled his boxers down. Carefully, he stood up and stepped out of them, before turning around to face Merlin with a smile.
Arthur held out his arms. “Do you think I'm ready for my bath now?” he asked.
“Yeah,” Merlin said, quietly.
Still smiling Arthur stepped into the bath, which did look inviting, and then sat down. Whatever other purpose Merlin may have had in mind the warm water was relaxing as Arthur sank down into it. It soothed his raw muscles and Arthur closed his eyes, leaning against the side.
He was woken up by a firm kiss on his lips.
“You still need to wash,” Merlin said, waving a bar of soap in Arthur’s face.
“I'm too tired to wash,” Arthur replied.
“I was hoping you’d say that.”
Arthur watched as Merlin dipped the soap into the water and then lathered up his hands. He began to rub the soap onto Arthur's skin, caressing the skin, and yet still washing away the sweat and dirt. He rubbed Arthur's chest quite vigorously, and neatly massaged his shoulders. He got Arthur to lean forward so he could soap up his back.
It would probably have been easier had Merlin used a flannel or a sponge, but Arthur was grateful he didn't. Merlin’s fingers and hands worked not just to clean him, but also to massage his muscles, working out knots of tension Arthur hadn't really realised were there.
By the time Merlin rinsed him off Arthur felt very relaxed, and he slipped further into the bath. He was closing his eyes again when he felt Merlin's hand on his cock.
“Forgot to wash this bit,” Merlin said.
“Then you better make sure you do a thorough job,” Arthur replied. He kept his eyes closed but sat up a little so he wasn't so submerged.
“I will,” Merlin promised.
Merlin soaped up his hand again, and the touch of a slippery hand on his cock combined with the warm water, made Arthur jump a little.
“You can relax again, you know,” Merlin said.
Arthur did just that, laying back to let Merlin continue, letting himself picture what Merlin was doing. The slippery hand ran up and down his cock, soon bringing Arthur to hardness despite the fact he had been so relaxed. With Merlin it seemed it didn't take much. Merlin's hand was slightly warmer than the water, and Arthur instinctively pushed into its heat.
Merlin’s hand moved faster and faster, to the point where Arthur wasn’t sure where one stroke ended and the next began. He could feel himself splashing out a bit in the bath, the water lapping the sides, as his hips moved in time to Merlin's strokes. His muscles tensed up, but with a very different tension to sword training.
For a moment it seemed as if the bath water was getting warmer but his muscles still didn't relax. Arthur tried not to moan and bit his lip. He tried to focus on the sensations, it was the moment when he pictured Merlin that he finally came. Merlin's hand didn't leave his cock even as he sank down into the bath.
He opened his eyes to see Merlin looking very pleased with himself. “Relaxed now?”
“Yes,” Arthur said. His muscles had relaxed completely now, quite a contrast to a few minutes earlier. “But next time, make the bath tub big enough for two.”
*****************************************************************************
The next morning they were in the library during a study period when Arthur decided he wanted to know what Merlin's sword theory was. That, and the fact he was bored of their assignment from Professor Mandrake; what goblins got up to during full moons. He closed his book and turned his attention to Merlin, who was reading opposite him.
“So, Merlin, are you going to tell me your theory?”
“Theory?”
“About why you think I'm good at using a sword.”
“Oh, yeah,” Merlin said, closing his book and standing up. “Come on,” Merlin said, taking Arthur's hand.
He dragged Arthur away from the table and past the rows upon rows of shelves. They moved deeper into the library where there were fewer students.
“You know if Geoffrey sees us...”
“He won't.”
Merlin pulled Arthur all the way to the oldest part of the library, the part with the most cobwebs, where every book was covered in layers of dust. It was, of course, the part that Geoffrey had warned them they would have no need to go into. The area was empty apart from the two of them.
“You've been here before,” Arthur said.
“Of course,” Merlin replied. “I used to climb the shelves looking for goblins.”
Arthur decided he didn't want to know why.
Merlin was now going along the shelves, obviously trying to find a book. That didn't stop Arthur from asking. “What are you looking for?”
“A book.”
“Really, Merlin? In a library? There's a surprise.”
“Found it!” Merlin said, triumphantly, as he struggled to pull a very thick book off the shelf. After a moment he managed it, but stumbling back under the weight of the large volume in his arms.
“You couldn't have picked something thinner?” Arthur asked.
Merlin ignored him, and set the book down on the table behind them. He started flicking through it, coughing a little as dust flew out of the pages.
“Here,” he said, pointing excitedly to a page. “The history of the mage knights.”
“Mage knights? Sounds like a video game,” Arthur said, coming to peer over Merlin's shoulder. The text Merlin was pointing to was old and, as far as Arthur could tell, wasn't even in English. “I can't read it,” he said, disappointed.
“I can,” Merlin replied, cheerfully. “You see once upon a time...”
“There were three bears?”
Merlin glared. “There were sorcerers who endowed a group of knights with magic that would help them in battle. These knights became known as the mage knights. Their magic gave them more skill with a sword than any mundane knight could ever hope to achieve.”
“What has that got to do with me?”
“The mage knights were supposedly betrayed and killed. All except their leader who escaped death and went on to father several sons who inherited his powers. You must be descended from one of the sons.”
“What was the leader's name?”
“He was known as Riothamus, The King, but he was better known as Arthur.”
Arthur looked closely at the text. “That's ridiculous.”
“Where do you think the legends of King Arthur came from?”
“Even if I was descended from a magic knight, I can't use magic.”
“It's different magic,” Merlin explained. “It's more like...” He pursed his lips. “More like enhanced senses, a sixth sense. You don't do spells or change things, you use magic to enhance your physical skills.”
“I don't know, Merlin.”
“Arthur, believe me, it's true.”
“All right,” Arthur agreed. “If it is true, what do I do with it?”
“Use it,” Merlin said. “You already have.”
“I can see the look on Gwaine's face when you tell him I'm a magic knight. Unless all of Camelot's knights are descended from them?”
“So the legends say, but it's not as strong in them because they don't have any other magic. You do.”
“I suppose your theory makes some sense,” Arthur said, though he wasn't convinced. He went back to looking at the text when something startled them.
“What do you think you're doing?” came the stern voice of Geoffrey.
“Looking at a book?” Merlin offered.
Apparently that excuse wasn't good enough, as Geoffrey grabbed them and marched them both to Gaius, and the pair of them proceeded to give both Arthur and Merlin a stern lecture on the proper care of vital texts.
“Next time, Merlin,” Arthur said, as they went back to the hall, “we make sure Geoffrey isn't in the library first.”
PART FOUR