400-word Merlin ficlet: "High Destiny", Merlin/Arthur, PG
Title High Destiny
Fandom: Merlin
Rating/Warnings: PG, future!fic
Pairing: Arthur/Merlin
Disclaimer: Eventually, everything ends up in the oceans, or belongs to the BBC.
Note: Inspired by this quote from Einstein: The high destiny of the individual is to serve rather than to rule
From King to Prince, it was power of the land, the crops and the animals that flourished there, and the people who lived off the land. From Father to Son, it was the power of the blood, to uphold the family name and create an heir. From Sovereign to Subjects, it was the power of responsibility, to be kind yet just, firm yet tolerant, and, above all, wise. It was the transference of power, and King Arthur knew it well. He’d sworn to serve the people as they served him. A kingdom did not flourish by one man alone. From this, he received the respect of his knights and the worship of his subjects.
There was but one man in the whole kingdom who the king felt at odds with. The title of Court Magician was not enough for this man to praise the King, neither was the position of Chief Advisor. (Merlin bowed and smiled each time, mocking the formal titles.) Gold didn’t work. Neither did rare herbs or crystals. (Merlin tossed all gifts into a corner of his rooms and promptly forgot about them, never expressing gratitude.)
“I don’t know what you want, Merlin,” the King spoke one night. “I want what you want, sire,” his advisor answered with his head bowed low. So the King locked himself in his chambers and thought.
The answer came to his as he prepared for bed, removing his jewels and his crown. He called for Merlin, but the man was already waiting outside.
“You told me once that I was a wise man to think that a King did not rule, but served the kingdom.” Merlin shrugged, answering not. “To be King is but one path,” Arthur continued, “The heart of the man is another way, in which he may only serve.”
Merlin nodded, his shoulders hunching in a familiar manner: An important question was to come. The magician circled around the wide table. “And which does he serve: his own heart or another’s?”
The King had pondered this very question; he’d known Merlin would ask it of him. He spoke his answer with haste. “If his heart is true, it matters not. They are one in the same.”
His advisor peered closely at him, and the king allowed his secret thoughts to be shown. Merlin, his closest friend, smiled. “It took you long enough, you prat.”
And Arthur smiled, too.
Fandom: Merlin
Rating/Warnings: PG, future!fic
Pairing: Arthur/Merlin
Disclaimer: Eventually, everything ends up in the oceans, or belongs to the BBC.
Note: Inspired by this quote from Einstein: The high destiny of the individual is to serve rather than to rule
From King to Prince, it was power of the land, the crops and the animals that flourished there, and the people who lived off the land. From Father to Son, it was the power of the blood, to uphold the family name and create an heir. From Sovereign to Subjects, it was the power of responsibility, to be kind yet just, firm yet tolerant, and, above all, wise. It was the transference of power, and King Arthur knew it well. He’d sworn to serve the people as they served him. A kingdom did not flourish by one man alone. From this, he received the respect of his knights and the worship of his subjects.
There was but one man in the whole kingdom who the king felt at odds with. The title of Court Magician was not enough for this man to praise the King, neither was the position of Chief Advisor. (Merlin bowed and smiled each time, mocking the formal titles.) Gold didn’t work. Neither did rare herbs or crystals. (Merlin tossed all gifts into a corner of his rooms and promptly forgot about them, never expressing gratitude.)
“I don’t know what you want, Merlin,” the King spoke one night. “I want what you want, sire,” his advisor answered with his head bowed low. So the King locked himself in his chambers and thought.
The answer came to his as he prepared for bed, removing his jewels and his crown. He called for Merlin, but the man was already waiting outside.
“You told me once that I was a wise man to think that a King did not rule, but served the kingdom.” Merlin shrugged, answering not. “To be King is but one path,” Arthur continued, “The heart of the man is another way, in which he may only serve.”
Merlin nodded, his shoulders hunching in a familiar manner: An important question was to come. The magician circled around the wide table. “And which does he serve: his own heart or another’s?”
The King had pondered this very question; he’d known Merlin would ask it of him. He spoke his answer with haste. “If his heart is true, it matters not. They are one in the same.”
His advisor peered closely at him, and the king allowed his secret thoughts to be shown. Merlin, his closest friend, smiled. “It took you long enough, you prat.”
And Arthur smiled, too.