Wants and Needs: Chapter 2
Title: Wants and Needs
Pairing: Arthur/OC, Arthur/Merlin
Rating: NC-17 (for later chapters)
Genre: Angst
Word Count: ~2500
Disclaimer: I don’t own them, I just take them out to play every now and again. No copyright infringement intended
Summary: Arthur confronts Merlin in the dungeons
Warnings:
Wants and Needs
Chapter 2: What Duty Requires
Arthur arrived in the dungeon several hours later. His eyes may have been red, but his face was stony and cold.
“Tell me, sorcerer” Arthur spat. “Who are you, and what do you want?”
Merlin stood in the corner of the cage covered in the magical binding chains Uther had commissioned for just this kind of person. Arthur remembered all of the tirades against magic his father had forced him to listen to. All of the times he patiently explained to Arthur that a King had to be on his guard against magic users at all times.
“Speak sorcerer! You were asked a question!” Arthur barked.
Merlin took a deep breath and tried, as calmly as he could to reach Arthur one last time. “Magic is a tool Arthur, just like that sword you’ve got strapped to your side. What’s important is how a person uses it, not the power itself. That sword you’re wearing can kill a man, or it can Knight him. Magic is the same.”
“A person?” Arthur scoffed. “A sorcerer you mean. Only a sorcerer could hold me against the floor, or enchant my armor. Even before my father’s reign, to enter a tournament with enchanted weaponry was forbidden. You knew this. You knew magic was forbidden here before you ever stepped foot in Camelot, so why would you come here? What did you want here? Tell me, have you enchanted anything else? Have you used magic on me?”
“Arthur, I, well, umm, yes, I’ve used magic, but never to harm you. Well, maybe that first day when you came after me with that mace, but I’ve never tried to hurt you Arthur. You have to believe me.”
“Believe the word of a sorcerer?” Arthur sneered.
“Stop calling me that,” Merlin cried “It’s me Arthur, I’m still Merlin. I’ve always been just me, but I couldn’t tell you about my magic. I tried, so many times, but I just couldn’t. The day I arrived in Camelot, I saw a man executed for using magic. Your father wouldn’t have hesitated to burn me as well. Instead, I found myself ordered to be your manservant. I used magic that first day too, you know. I saved your life from the enchantress during the feast. I’ve always used my magic to save you. I only ever tried to protect you.” Merlin protested.
“Do you think I like lying, hiding who I am too everyone I care about? Do you have any idea how many times I wanted to tell you, I tried to tell you? But you never listen! You’re still the same prat I met in the market place! Listen to me! How could I tell you when every time you’ve seen magic, you attack them with your sword? You’re Uther’s son. I hoped, I prayed that one day, when you were King, that maybe you’d realize … but no, since I’ve known you, whenever you say magic, you make it sound like a swear.”
“Since anyone with magic has been trying to kill me, I think I know just what magic does!” Arthur yelled back.
“Not everyone. Not ME!” Merlin shouted. Arthur took a step back and looked at Merlin with cold eyes.
“Oh, my mistake. That little stunt you pulled back in my room, where you held me on the floor AGAINST MY WILL? That wasn’t wrong? If I’ve learned anything about magic is that it corrupts. It’s not as though I can believe a word you say. You’ve played the bumbling manservant so well; I actually believed you were my friend. I protected you! And all this time you must have been laughing at me. The Great Powerful Wizard, controlling the Crown Prince. You had me wrapped around your finger, didn’t you?” Suddenly Arthur realized, “that wasn’t Will who created that windstorm in Ealdor, was it? It was you all along. You left your friend to die branded a sorcerer. Magic corrupts, you proved that today!”
“Yes, I know I was wrong, but I did it to protect you, to make you listen …”
“No!” Arthur interrupted “Will gave his life for me, not you. You just performed magic to protect your mother and your village. And then you lied to me, again. How many tournaments did you interfere in? How many times did you interfere with my duties, hmm? Tell me Merlin, look me in the eyes and tell me you never caused any harm to Camelot.”
“I… I can’t. I’ve made mistakes, but I never meant to ….” Merlin cried.
“Mistakes? What kind of mistakes Merlin? How many people have you hurt with your mistakes?” Arthur shouted.
“I, I - The dragon, I had to fulfill my promised to free him from the caves, but I didn’t know he would ….”
“THE DRAGON!” Arthur roared. “You unleashed the dragon upon Camelot? Do you know how many knights, how many good people, died because you chose to protect another dangerous magical beast? Are there any more Merlin? Who else have you hurt?”
“It’s not like that,” Merlin whispered with shame. “I haven’t always gotten things right, but I’ve tried to help you the best I could. I tried to help Freya, but I didn’t know she was a bastet. I never meant anyone to die. I … I’ve used magic to kill sometimes, but only when they were going to hurt you, or Camelot. I never wanted… “
“Wanted? What exactly do you want sorcerer? To protect me, you say? By lying to me since the day we met? How many lies have you already told to hide who you really are?” Arthur paused. “Tell me, were you lying when you told me that magic was evil? That my mother’s life wasn’t taken by magic? Tell me the truth sorcerer. Which is it - what you said then - or should I believe you now? Now that you’re cornered in a dungeon and held with chains that prevent you from enchanting me with more of your lies!” spittle flew from Arthurs lips as he screamed at Merlin, who stood shaking in the far corner of the tiny cell.
“I believed you. I actually believed you were my friend. But now...” Arthur trailed off. He shook himself, then straightened his shoulders and pronounced: “You’ve done your job well. I spent so many years believing you were my only true friend; that you cared about me … Everyone I have ever trusted has let me down, except for you. I thought you were the one person I knew. The one person, in all of Camelot….” He said wistfully.
“And now I have to decide what to do with you. We both have seen just how much magic corrupts. You attacked the King with magic. That is an automatic death sentence. Under the law my father set down you must die.” Arthur declared.
“Your father’s blind hatred of magic is what caused all of this! You’ve only seen magic used against you, because it’s illegal for anyone to use it for good.” Merlin protested. “You can’t even accept that it can be used for good. Uther taught you that magic corrupts. Well, magic doesn’t corrupt, power does. If anyone is the proof of that, it’s your father!”
“MY FATHER WAS A GREAT MAN!!!!” Arthur roared. “He defended this city with his life. Camelot was in chaos until he banned magic. The people loved him!” Arthur stepped forward trying to gain control of himself, trying to remember that he was King here. “Maybe you have used your magic to help me become King, but you will never control me now that I am. I am King here, and I make the law, not you.” Arthur pronounced. He took a deep breath, trying not to remember all of the times Merlin had fought by his side, but failing, he finally decided.
“I know, for the safety of the kingdom, I should order your execution right now, but I cannot find it in myself to kill you. However, I can’t stand look at you traitor. You will leave Camelot and return upon pain of death. That is my decision. Run Merlin. Run, and never stop. If you’re still here by dawn, I’ll light the pyre myself, so run. You have no place here anymore. I never want to see you, or hear of you, or even think of you again. You are hereby banished,” Arthur decreed, his voice shaking with venom.
Arthur leaned towards Merlin, who still stood against the wall trembling, and removed the magical restraints. Merlin felt his magic return with a huge wave, and suddenly his eyes blazed golden. Arthur leaped back, Excalibur in his hand, and stood readied for attack. But the glow in Merlin’s eyes faded as his body slumped forward.
“Please,” Merlin croaked.
“No.” Arthur’s voice hardened. “Leave. Leave now, and never return. GUARDS! Escort him to the gates. Make sure he leaves.” He turned and stalked out of the dungeons leaving the guards to drag Merlin to the gates.
_________________________
As Arthur stalked through the corridors towards his chambers, he saw Gaius standing beside a wall leaning heavily on a column, as though his entire body would collapse any moment.
“Is it true Sire?” He asked. “Has Merlin been found guilty of magic?”
“Yes,” Arthur replied curtly.
“But a trail, surely there will be a trail….” Gaius began to plead.
“NO!” Arthur snarled. “I discovered him myself. There is no need for a trail. He has already confessed.”
“But surely, Sire, you can’t, I mean, you couldn’t sentence him to….” Gaius couldn’t even begin to think the word execution, never mind say it.
Arthur leaned in closely to the physician and hissed, “the only reason you are not being questioned at this very moment, Gaius, is because you are needed here as the Court Physician. If I thought you had anything to do with his magic, I guarantee that you’d live out the last of your days in the dungeons.”
“But Merlin,” Gaius pleaded.
“DO NOT SAY THAT NAME! I know you trusted him Gaius. I know you loved him as a son, but magic is evil and it cannot remain in Camelot. I have decided to be merciful. The sorcerer has been banished, beginning immediately. He is being escorted to the gates of Camelot as we speak. He will never return or I will see him burn for his betrayal.”
“But Sire,” Gaius pleaded.
“No. I will speak of this no more. Return to your quarters Gaius, and never mention his name again. That is an order. He is never to be spoken of again.” Arthur declared. “Do not test me on this.”
______________________________
Arthur walked away, down the corridor until he reached his quarters. Only when he passed his guards and closed the door behind him, did he allow his body to sag against the door frame. He flinched as Gwen voice called from their bed.
“Is it true?” She asked softly. “Is Merlin…?”
“No! Don’t say that name. I never want to hear that name again. Never.” Arthur barked.
“But, is he, are you going to … what are you going to do Arthur? This is … I mean … he always … he’s been by your side, fighting to save you, save Camelot. How can he be …? There must be some kind of reason … Arthur he has stood by you, he has been one of your most loyal friends. He fought beside you - he sat at the round table… “
“So did Lancelot.” Arthur snapped. Gwen shrunk back as though he had hit her. Arthur regretted his words, but he had to make Gwen understand.
“He’s a sorcerer. That’s what he is Gwen, a sorcerer,” Arthur explained tersly. “The one person I trusted completely is actually the greatest traitor in the kingdom. How could I ever trust … No, I love you, and we forgave each other, but this … No - I can’t forgive this. I wish … but it’s impossible now. I couldn’t have him killed. I know my father would have. I know I should for the safety of Camelot, but I just couldn’t do it. He’s been banished,” Arthur said turning toward Gwen. “He is being escorted to the gates, and he is leaving Camelot forever. I never want to think of him again, Gwen. Don’t ever mention his name again. He is dead to me, and to all of Camelot. I am the King here, and I have decided.” He said desperately, praying for Gwen to understand.
Gwen quietly rose from their bed and laid her hand upon Arthur’s arm. “I’m so sorry Arthur,” she whispered. “I don’t understand, but I will do as you ask. Let me help you, please,” she entreated.
_______________
Word of Merlin’s banishment quickly spread throughout the castle, and then the realm. The knights gathered, and argued, but they obeyed their King’s command and never mentioned Merlin’s name where anyone could overhear them. Gwaine, perhaps the most vocal of Merlin’s supporters, was almost placed in the stocks, but Sir Leon, the Head Knight, interfered, and over a tankard of ale, managed to calm Gwaine, and explain that Arthur had to act for the good of the kingdom. Leon showed Gwaine that Arthur had in fact shown mercy, since the law stated that Merlin should have been executed immediately. Arthur had been lenient, even if Gwaine couldn’t see it. If Gwaine wanted to remain a Knight in Camelot, then he must accept his King’s decision. It was a very long evening, but in the end, Leon’s reputation, and long history of good judgment made Gwaine see reason. Sir Leon also made sure that Gwaine was assigned to the next mission outside of Camelot, and out of the King’s hearing.
At first Merlin’s magic was the talk of the lower town, but soon, everyone in Camelot stopped talking about Merlin at all, as though his kind, gentle presence amongst them had never happened. The old physician Gaius quietly packed Merlin’s belongings and placed them in a small box in the corner of his room. Only he knew that Merlin would not only be missed, but his absence could spell disaster for the future of the entire kingdom. He didn’t mention Merlin, ever, but he still thought of him often, and prayed to all the gods he was safe.
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