Golden Oldie Prompt #1 "Your Sorcerer" Arthur/Merlin PG
This is a response to a Golden Oldie request at my LJ. I'm answering all KKM prompts, starting with KMM1, but would like you lovely anons to request old prompts with no (completed) fills for me to write ahead of schedule! I'll be writing the top five most popular (just +1 the ones you like, and I'll tot them up!) or any that are asked for, if there's less than five. Please go here to post any requests! (You can post as many as you like!)
*
This fic is in response to this prompt on KMM32: Arthur/Merlin -- Merlin tells Arthur that there is a benevolent sorcerer living in Camelot, and some of what the sorcerer had done or helped with(Valiant's shield, etc.), but refuses to say who it is.
***
"No good could come of allowing magic into Camelot," Lord Monmouth said, from his place at the council table. "Sire, you know that magic and sorcery can only be used for evil. If there were a benefit to it, don't you think your father would have allowed it?"
"I wasn't thinking of legalising it," Arthur replied, after a number of minutes thinking through his response. "I know that sorcery can be used for evil. But Gaius has confirmed that the old wizard didn't kill my father - that the talisman was Morgana's work. I am merely thinking of a way to have a peaceful resolution. We could let the Druids live here, should they wish to. Not ban any form of magic. There has to be some hand of peace we can offer magic users."
Then, as with every attempt Arthur had made to talk to his council, the room dissolved into arguments. Really, Arthur would never be able to figure out what to do at this rate.
*
"You're right, you know," Merlin tells him quietly, as he's helping Arthur out of his armour.
"I usually am," Arthur mocks, knowing Merlin is the only person in Camelot who would suggest otherwise, and feeling grateful for it.
"About the magic, you clot," Merlin smacks his hand lightly against Arthur's shoulder, a gesture of familiarity that Arthur has seen ladies of the court offer their husbands. Arthur can't help wishing for that familiarity with Merlin, the right to tease him for wearing the skirts in their - sadly non-existent - relationship.
"What about it?"
"That there is use for it. I... I know someone, in Camelot. A benevolent sorcerer. He... he protects us, rather than harms us."
"You what? You know of a sorcerer, and you haven't told me?"
"Well, I had to know you wouldn't kill him, you see. Ever since I came here, I've only known him do good. Like with Valiant's shields."
"What about them?"
"I'm betting Valiant would have waiting until he'd killed you before revealing them. If the sorcerer hadn't done what he did, you wouldn't have known or been able to stop him. Then there's the thing with the Griffin, or defeating Catrina, even the goblin! Arthur, he's done so much, but you know so little about him."
"Tell me, then," Arthur said, softly. "Tell me the things this man has done, and I shall judge him. If he is worthy, then he could be my proof."
"I will. I'll tell you everything. But not right now," Merlin said, smoothing Arthur's night shift down. "Now, it's time for sleep. It needs to be gradual, Arthur. I won't tell you who he is until I can be sure he's safe."
*
"What about Nimueh?" Arthur asked Merlin, coming to a halt. They'd been riding for most of the day, and this was a beautiful spot for them to have some lunch, for Arthur to hear yet more of the wonderful things his sorcerer had done, for Arthur to pretend not to fall for Merlin as he talked, becoming more animated with each telling. "What did my sorcerer do to Nimueh?"
"Arthur, how many times do I have to tell you? He's not your sorcerer. I don't think. He does it for Camelot."
"And by extension, for me. When I find out who he is, I'm going to give him the greatest of honours. He's clearly worth his weight in gold, and Camelot needs a bit more intelligence. What? What's so funny?"
"Nothing," Merlin gasped, trying to get his laughter under control. "I was, er, telling you - oh hell, intelligent! I can't wait until you meet him! Intelligent! My gods, Arthur, you're going to eat your socks. And put him in the stocks, most likely. But yeah - Nimueh. That was... a while ago, he hasn't really talked about it for a long time, so I'm not sure how much I remember. He killed her - you remember the Questing Beast? Well, he and I... we care for the same things. We knew that the only way to save you was for someone to offer their life for yours, an-"
"What? Merlin, please tell me you didn't - gods above, you did, didn't you? That was when you were being all strange, and telling me you'd... you were going to die for me?"
"Well... no. The sorcerer was going to die for you. He's destined to unite all of Albion by your side, I've told you that already. But he's always known that you could do it on your own. You don't need him, but he'd be... helpful. So he offered up his life to the gods, but Nimueh stepped in. Tried to take his mother. Then his... well, sort of his father. So the sorcerer took her life. Magic doesn't work the way it's supposed to. The person who offers their life in exchange for another's - usually, it's the person they love most that they take."
"Like with my mother," Arthur said, still feeling a gut deep terror at the thought of Merlin willing to exchange his life, at the thought of another man Arthur knew very little about willing to do the same. "That's why she died. Though... yeah, that's a bit sickening, isn't it? That my mother was the person Nimueh loved most?"
"I think they might have taken your mother because of Uther, actually," Merlin said, softly. "He was the one doing the demanding. My understanding is that Nimueh offered herself on Uther's orders."
"Oh. I... I don't really know what to say to that."
"Then say nothing. Tell me, Arthur - any closer to finding a wife?"
"I'm not looking," Arthur said, not meeting Merlin's eyes. Why should he look, when he wasn't going to fall in love with someone with regular sized ears, average intelligence and anything other than a messy head of short black hair? No, for him it was bright blue eyes, idiocy, and massive ears.
"Your council won't like that," Merlin told him.
"Maybe not, but I shall manage to secure an heir, one way or another. I'm not - I'm not so worried about continuing my bloodline."
"Oh, Arthur," Merlin said, almost pityingly. "Okay. Take your time about it. But you really do need to meet some nice ladies, you know."
*
"Merlin! Tell me who he is!" Arthur demanded, as soon as he could open his eyes.
"Not until I'm sure," Merlin replied, the same as every morning for the past few months.
"Fine. Tell him... I've a test for him," Arthur said, having thought it through thoroughly.
"A test?"
"Yes. Something that will help Camelot a great deal, prove that I don't disapprove of magic, and give me another thing to bait the council with the next time I'm forced to suffer their dreadful meetings."
"Is there anything specific you would have him do?"
"It's nearly harvest season, and the past few years have been... it has been difficult, making it through the winter. There have been too many diseases and too few medicines. Food has been scarce. Hunting has been impossible because of the weather changes, and it has been difficult keeping the buildings in repair. Ask him if he will help with one of those problems. I think food is most important, as we've not enough to keep our army ready to defend against Morgana's well fed soldiers. But whichever he can help with would be good."
"I'll tell him."
*
"Merlin! You really need to tell me who he is," Arthur said, staring around himself in shock. "If only so I can Knight him, or give him something. Anything he bloody wants. I said one thing! Not all of them!"
"Well, I told him what you'd said, and left it up to him," Merlin replied, though Arthur noticed a definite blush. Yet one more thing to add to the 'Merlin is my sorcerer' list he was resolutely not keeping.
Arthur could do little more than gape at the castle surrounding him. There would be no need for repairs this year, or the next. Everything shined like new. There had been long lines of commoners reporting to the guards that not only were their houses in a better state than they'd been in years, but they seemed larger, and warmer. The roofs were no longer thatched, but made of stone. Windows were no longer covered only by shutters, but a film of what could have been animal hide, were it not for the faint blue flickers that made Arthur think they were made of pure magic.
That wasn't the only thing that had changed. There was a new pen out near the training field, in which twenty cows were happily grazing. The pen next to it contained three bulls, and the one next to that more sheep than Arthur could count. They'd need to employ some people to keep the animals fed, and butchers for when the time came, but suddenly, Arthur was less worried about hunting.
"He, uh, he said that there are pigs in the forest tame enough to come out for a certain sound. You'll still have to hunt for deer and such, but you can get plenty without. And birds are easy - there are new traps in the kitchens, and I think he said something about chicken huts for the eggs, but I'm sure Cook will tell you about them. And the harvest - well, it certainly looks like it'll be bountiful, doesn't it?"
Arthur eyed the distant fields, and couldn't help feeling slightly gleeful. They would need everyone to pitch in to bring all of the harvest in this year, and everyone's tables would be so full, none would need to worry about starving before Spring.
"Next you'll tell me Gaius has found himself completely restocked."
This time, Merlin more than blushed.
"Actually, his chambers have completely changed. It's like they're bigger. They're definitely bigger - we each have our own room, now. The shelves aren't completely restocked, but you should see it, Arthur! It's amazing. I bet he'll keep making things as he can. There's this weird cooling chest which I think is supposed to keep the herbs fresh, and it looks like he's imbued some of the vials with properties that will make their contents stronger."
"I wish I knew him, so that I could thank him," Arthur said, watching Merlin. Merlin looked away, and that's when Arthur knew it was definitely him. He didn't feel anger, or need time to adjust. It was like Merlin had told him - he needed to gradually accept Merlin's magic to truly understand it. "Thank you, Merlin. Thank you for... for everything."
"Arthur..." Merlin looked at him, face more than just bright red, and for the first time in a long time, Arthur didn't see any fear in his face. "I'll tell your sorcerer you said so."
"My sorcerer?" Arthur asked, as knowing it was Merlin and hearing Merlin refer to himself as Arthur's... well, that could give a King ideas.
"Well, he does everything he does out of love for you," Merlin told him, looking Arthur straight in the eye.
"And I shall make magic legal for love of him," Arthur promised. "When I do... tell him I'd like to meet him. I think destiny knows what it's talking about. Not before it's legal, though - I have to maintain plausible deniability. Then... then I should like to go riding with him, see if he can't be my sorcerer in every way."
"Yes, sire," Merlin replied, breathlessly. "To... to telling - him, and to being yours in every way. I know he wants it."
"Good," Arthur said, clapping Merlin's shoulder instead of kissing him. He could rush this law through. Nothing would stop him.
*
"People of Camelot," Arthur began, smiling down at the courtyard. "My people. Two months ago, we woke to warm houses, good roofs, and a citadel shining like new. Over night, our homes became bigger, safer and better able to see us healthily through winter.
"Tame animals arrived, ready to be farmed and kept. We now have milk and eggs - cheese is no longer a luxury, but something we can all share in, and their is an abundance of work so all may earn their bread.
"The Royal physician tells me that he has never been so well stocked, nor as ready for winter. He can take on more apprentices and keep us more disease free than ever before."
Everyone cheered throughout his speech, and Arthur couldn't help grinning.
"And then, a month ago, we brought the harvest in. Commoners aside knights, old and young - even I had to pull my weight to bring everything in. We have no fears this winter, no worries to trouble us. But this is not the time to grow complacent. For the past two months, I have been trying to legalise the very thing that brought us such a bounty."
Silence, now, from the crowd, as each of them listened to Arthur as carefully as they could.
"My father was a good man, but he had bad ideas. Sorcery was not, as he claimed the cause of evil. Evil is the whim of man - sorcery is only a tool. As you have all learned these past two months, sorcery is capable of much good, and it is my great joy to announce that magic is no longer illegal. That is not to say that it won't be regulated - as with anything, using magic for evil purposes or to harm others will still be illegal. But all men deserve a fair trials, and any who wish for training may receive it should they find a willing tutor."
The crowd was in uproar. At first, Arthur thought they were angry, that he'd pushed the idea too quickly.
Then the first magical firework shot up, practically a shout of joy, from Merlin. Arthur looked towards him, grin great and beaming. Several others joined Merlin's, and it took Arthur a moment to realise that Merlin must not be the only person in Camelot capable of magic.
"In three days time, there will be a celebratory banquet in this courtyard, so that all who wish to attend may do so. Merlin, who was once my manservant, is to be the guest of honour, as he takes on his new position of Chief Sorcerer. Enjoy the festivities!"
Arthur left the balcony amidst cheers, feeling at once both bereft and joyful. He had never known how much his people hated the ban on magic, or how much good magic could do for his kingdom, before Merlin had come into the picture.
"Arthur!" Merlin shouted, breaking through his chain of thought. "Arthur, I have something to tell you. I am your sorcerer. I have protected you since entering Camelot, and will do so until one of us is dead. And... I am yours. Not just your sorcerer."
"Merlin," Arthur breathed, holding his arms out to him. "Merlin, you are mine, but you are forgetting the most important part."
"What's that?" Merlin asked, looking down at him, fingers ghosting over Arthur's face.
Arthur kissed him, letting his hunger for Merlin show through.
"I am yours."
*
This fic is in response to this prompt on KMM32: Arthur/Merlin -- Merlin tells Arthur that there is a benevolent sorcerer living in Camelot, and some of what the sorcerer had done or helped with(Valiant's shield, etc.), but refuses to say who it is.
***
"No good could come of allowing magic into Camelot," Lord Monmouth said, from his place at the council table. "Sire, you know that magic and sorcery can only be used for evil. If there were a benefit to it, don't you think your father would have allowed it?"
"I wasn't thinking of legalising it," Arthur replied, after a number of minutes thinking through his response. "I know that sorcery can be used for evil. But Gaius has confirmed that the old wizard didn't kill my father - that the talisman was Morgana's work. I am merely thinking of a way to have a peaceful resolution. We could let the Druids live here, should they wish to. Not ban any form of magic. There has to be some hand of peace we can offer magic users."
Then, as with every attempt Arthur had made to talk to his council, the room dissolved into arguments. Really, Arthur would never be able to figure out what to do at this rate.
*
"You're right, you know," Merlin tells him quietly, as he's helping Arthur out of his armour.
"I usually am," Arthur mocks, knowing Merlin is the only person in Camelot who would suggest otherwise, and feeling grateful for it.
"About the magic, you clot," Merlin smacks his hand lightly against Arthur's shoulder, a gesture of familiarity that Arthur has seen ladies of the court offer their husbands. Arthur can't help wishing for that familiarity with Merlin, the right to tease him for wearing the skirts in their - sadly non-existent - relationship.
"What about it?"
"That there is use for it. I... I know someone, in Camelot. A benevolent sorcerer. He... he protects us, rather than harms us."
"You what? You know of a sorcerer, and you haven't told me?"
"Well, I had to know you wouldn't kill him, you see. Ever since I came here, I've only known him do good. Like with Valiant's shields."
"What about them?"
"I'm betting Valiant would have waiting until he'd killed you before revealing them. If the sorcerer hadn't done what he did, you wouldn't have known or been able to stop him. Then there's the thing with the Griffin, or defeating Catrina, even the goblin! Arthur, he's done so much, but you know so little about him."
"Tell me, then," Arthur said, softly. "Tell me the things this man has done, and I shall judge him. If he is worthy, then he could be my proof."
"I will. I'll tell you everything. But not right now," Merlin said, smoothing Arthur's night shift down. "Now, it's time for sleep. It needs to be gradual, Arthur. I won't tell you who he is until I can be sure he's safe."
*
"What about Nimueh?" Arthur asked Merlin, coming to a halt. They'd been riding for most of the day, and this was a beautiful spot for them to have some lunch, for Arthur to hear yet more of the wonderful things his sorcerer had done, for Arthur to pretend not to fall for Merlin as he talked, becoming more animated with each telling. "What did my sorcerer do to Nimueh?"
"Arthur, how many times do I have to tell you? He's not your sorcerer. I don't think. He does it for Camelot."
"And by extension, for me. When I find out who he is, I'm going to give him the greatest of honours. He's clearly worth his weight in gold, and Camelot needs a bit more intelligence. What? What's so funny?"
"Nothing," Merlin gasped, trying to get his laughter under control. "I was, er, telling you - oh hell, intelligent! I can't wait until you meet him! Intelligent! My gods, Arthur, you're going to eat your socks. And put him in the stocks, most likely. But yeah - Nimueh. That was... a while ago, he hasn't really talked about it for a long time, so I'm not sure how much I remember. He killed her - you remember the Questing Beast? Well, he and I... we care for the same things. We knew that the only way to save you was for someone to offer their life for yours, an-"
"What? Merlin, please tell me you didn't - gods above, you did, didn't you? That was when you were being all strange, and telling me you'd... you were going to die for me?"
"Well... no. The sorcerer was going to die for you. He's destined to unite all of Albion by your side, I've told you that already. But he's always known that you could do it on your own. You don't need him, but he'd be... helpful. So he offered up his life to the gods, but Nimueh stepped in. Tried to take his mother. Then his... well, sort of his father. So the sorcerer took her life. Magic doesn't work the way it's supposed to. The person who offers their life in exchange for another's - usually, it's the person they love most that they take."
"Like with my mother," Arthur said, still feeling a gut deep terror at the thought of Merlin willing to exchange his life, at the thought of another man Arthur knew very little about willing to do the same. "That's why she died. Though... yeah, that's a bit sickening, isn't it? That my mother was the person Nimueh loved most?"
"I think they might have taken your mother because of Uther, actually," Merlin said, softly. "He was the one doing the demanding. My understanding is that Nimueh offered herself on Uther's orders."
"Oh. I... I don't really know what to say to that."
"Then say nothing. Tell me, Arthur - any closer to finding a wife?"
"I'm not looking," Arthur said, not meeting Merlin's eyes. Why should he look, when he wasn't going to fall in love with someone with regular sized ears, average intelligence and anything other than a messy head of short black hair? No, for him it was bright blue eyes, idiocy, and massive ears.
"Your council won't like that," Merlin told him.
"Maybe not, but I shall manage to secure an heir, one way or another. I'm not - I'm not so worried about continuing my bloodline."
"Oh, Arthur," Merlin said, almost pityingly. "Okay. Take your time about it. But you really do need to meet some nice ladies, you know."
*
"Merlin! Tell me who he is!" Arthur demanded, as soon as he could open his eyes.
"Not until I'm sure," Merlin replied, the same as every morning for the past few months.
"Fine. Tell him... I've a test for him," Arthur said, having thought it through thoroughly.
"A test?"
"Yes. Something that will help Camelot a great deal, prove that I don't disapprove of magic, and give me another thing to bait the council with the next time I'm forced to suffer their dreadful meetings."
"Is there anything specific you would have him do?"
"It's nearly harvest season, and the past few years have been... it has been difficult, making it through the winter. There have been too many diseases and too few medicines. Food has been scarce. Hunting has been impossible because of the weather changes, and it has been difficult keeping the buildings in repair. Ask him if he will help with one of those problems. I think food is most important, as we've not enough to keep our army ready to defend against Morgana's well fed soldiers. But whichever he can help with would be good."
"I'll tell him."
*
"Merlin! You really need to tell me who he is," Arthur said, staring around himself in shock. "If only so I can Knight him, or give him something. Anything he bloody wants. I said one thing! Not all of them!"
"Well, I told him what you'd said, and left it up to him," Merlin replied, though Arthur noticed a definite blush. Yet one more thing to add to the 'Merlin is my sorcerer' list he was resolutely not keeping.
Arthur could do little more than gape at the castle surrounding him. There would be no need for repairs this year, or the next. Everything shined like new. There had been long lines of commoners reporting to the guards that not only were their houses in a better state than they'd been in years, but they seemed larger, and warmer. The roofs were no longer thatched, but made of stone. Windows were no longer covered only by shutters, but a film of what could have been animal hide, were it not for the faint blue flickers that made Arthur think they were made of pure magic.
That wasn't the only thing that had changed. There was a new pen out near the training field, in which twenty cows were happily grazing. The pen next to it contained three bulls, and the one next to that more sheep than Arthur could count. They'd need to employ some people to keep the animals fed, and butchers for when the time came, but suddenly, Arthur was less worried about hunting.
"He, uh, he said that there are pigs in the forest tame enough to come out for a certain sound. You'll still have to hunt for deer and such, but you can get plenty without. And birds are easy - there are new traps in the kitchens, and I think he said something about chicken huts for the eggs, but I'm sure Cook will tell you about them. And the harvest - well, it certainly looks like it'll be bountiful, doesn't it?"
Arthur eyed the distant fields, and couldn't help feeling slightly gleeful. They would need everyone to pitch in to bring all of the harvest in this year, and everyone's tables would be so full, none would need to worry about starving before Spring.
"Next you'll tell me Gaius has found himself completely restocked."
This time, Merlin more than blushed.
"Actually, his chambers have completely changed. It's like they're bigger. They're definitely bigger - we each have our own room, now. The shelves aren't completely restocked, but you should see it, Arthur! It's amazing. I bet he'll keep making things as he can. There's this weird cooling chest which I think is supposed to keep the herbs fresh, and it looks like he's imbued some of the vials with properties that will make their contents stronger."
"I wish I knew him, so that I could thank him," Arthur said, watching Merlin. Merlin looked away, and that's when Arthur knew it was definitely him. He didn't feel anger, or need time to adjust. It was like Merlin had told him - he needed to gradually accept Merlin's magic to truly understand it. "Thank you, Merlin. Thank you for... for everything."
"Arthur..." Merlin looked at him, face more than just bright red, and for the first time in a long time, Arthur didn't see any fear in his face. "I'll tell your sorcerer you said so."
"My sorcerer?" Arthur asked, as knowing it was Merlin and hearing Merlin refer to himself as Arthur's... well, that could give a King ideas.
"Well, he does everything he does out of love for you," Merlin told him, looking Arthur straight in the eye.
"And I shall make magic legal for love of him," Arthur promised. "When I do... tell him I'd like to meet him. I think destiny knows what it's talking about. Not before it's legal, though - I have to maintain plausible deniability. Then... then I should like to go riding with him, see if he can't be my sorcerer in every way."
"Yes, sire," Merlin replied, breathlessly. "To... to telling - him, and to being yours in every way. I know he wants it."
"Good," Arthur said, clapping Merlin's shoulder instead of kissing him. He could rush this law through. Nothing would stop him.
*
"People of Camelot," Arthur began, smiling down at the courtyard. "My people. Two months ago, we woke to warm houses, good roofs, and a citadel shining like new. Over night, our homes became bigger, safer and better able to see us healthily through winter.
"Tame animals arrived, ready to be farmed and kept. We now have milk and eggs - cheese is no longer a luxury, but something we can all share in, and their is an abundance of work so all may earn their bread.
"The Royal physician tells me that he has never been so well stocked, nor as ready for winter. He can take on more apprentices and keep us more disease free than ever before."
Everyone cheered throughout his speech, and Arthur couldn't help grinning.
"And then, a month ago, we brought the harvest in. Commoners aside knights, old and young - even I had to pull my weight to bring everything in. We have no fears this winter, no worries to trouble us. But this is not the time to grow complacent. For the past two months, I have been trying to legalise the very thing that brought us such a bounty."
Silence, now, from the crowd, as each of them listened to Arthur as carefully as they could.
"My father was a good man, but he had bad ideas. Sorcery was not, as he claimed the cause of evil. Evil is the whim of man - sorcery is only a tool. As you have all learned these past two months, sorcery is capable of much good, and it is my great joy to announce that magic is no longer illegal. That is not to say that it won't be regulated - as with anything, using magic for evil purposes or to harm others will still be illegal. But all men deserve a fair trials, and any who wish for training may receive it should they find a willing tutor."
The crowd was in uproar. At first, Arthur thought they were angry, that he'd pushed the idea too quickly.
Then the first magical firework shot up, practically a shout of joy, from Merlin. Arthur looked towards him, grin great and beaming. Several others joined Merlin's, and it took Arthur a moment to realise that Merlin must not be the only person in Camelot capable of magic.
"In three days time, there will be a celebratory banquet in this courtyard, so that all who wish to attend may do so. Merlin, who was once my manservant, is to be the guest of honour, as he takes on his new position of Chief Sorcerer. Enjoy the festivities!"
Arthur left the balcony amidst cheers, feeling at once both bereft and joyful. He had never known how much his people hated the ban on magic, or how much good magic could do for his kingdom, before Merlin had come into the picture.
"Arthur!" Merlin shouted, breaking through his chain of thought. "Arthur, I have something to tell you. I am your sorcerer. I have protected you since entering Camelot, and will do so until one of us is dead. And... I am yours. Not just your sorcerer."
"Merlin," Arthur breathed, holding his arms out to him. "Merlin, you are mine, but you are forgetting the most important part."
"What's that?" Merlin asked, looking down at him, fingers ghosting over Arthur's face.
Arthur kissed him, letting his hunger for Merlin show through.
"I am yours."