Title: The Chronicles of Merlin
Author:
a8c_sockRating: PG
Wordcount: 1672
Warnings: None.
Disclaimer: They don't belong me but to Shine, the BBC etc. I borrow them purely for fun.
Beta:
archaeologist_dSummary: An excerpt from The Chronicles of Merlin, Court Sorcerer in the Reign of King Arthur (Days 1 - 14) or Fourteen days in the life of the Court Sorcerer of Camelot.
Author's Notes (A/N): Written for
merlinxarthur's fanfic challenge #1. Using this picture:
The Chronicles of Merlin
Day One
According to Arthur the Court Sorcerer is supposed to keep records 'of all the magic he performs in the service of the king'. The prat didn't tell me this for three months. I am not writing up everything that's happened in the last three months. I'm not.
I'm also not going to wear the ridiculous robes Arthur commissioned for me. He might be right that blue is my colour but they look so...girly and despite what Arthur says I am not a girl. I am a very powerful sorcerer who could turn him into a toad if I wanted to.
I suppose I should mention the spell I performed today to make Arthur's pillows fluffier. He sleeps on the ground when we're out hunting but complains when his pillows aren't soft enough. I think that needs writing down for posterity.
Day Two
Arthur looked over my first entry and tried to cross out the bit about the pillows. Luckily I know a spell that prevents someone from trying to alter what I've already written. I shouldn't really mention this as it isn't a spell performed in service of my king. However as the king reads my entries then I think he should know he can't alter what I've written.
I am still not wearing the robes.
Day Four
No magic performed for Arthur, sorry the king, yesterday, although I did come up with a spell to help the kitchen staff clean the dishes. Arthur was busy training a new set of knights all day. I did go out and watch him to make sure he didn't injure himself. The sunlight really brings out the shine in Arthur's hair. He looked wonderful out there he's the king I always knew he would be.
He wanted me to magic an 'extra shine' on his sword and then asked if I could move one of the south walls. Apparently he wanted to make sure the wall didn't interfere with the angle of the sun. I was happy to help.
Just to let you know I am still not wearing the robes.
Day Five
I am wearing the robes.
Arthur read my last entry and laughed so loud half the guards thought he was being attacked. Apparently he thought I sounded like a girl. We'll see if I ever complement him again. However he apologised for making fun of my writing and then said if I wore the robes he would make sure I didn't regret it.
Why is it I can't say no when Arthur says please? Maybe because he doesn't say please that often. For a king he should work on his manners.
I used magic in his service several times today - lighting his fire, cleaning his armour, washing his tunic. I wonder sometimes if court sorcerer is just a title for manservant with magic. Arthur said his new manservant was worse than I was so he fired him. I think Arthur just wants to see more of me. I still didn't clean out his stables. Not even with magic.
These robes itch.
Day Six
I still hate the robes. Do you have any idea how hard it is not to trip over them? I think Arthur should try wearing them for a few days and see how he feels.
Arthur kept asking me to do magic today. He wanted his bed made bigger and then he wanted me to clean his sheets. I told him there were maids for that but apparently he wanted it done to a higher standard. He also wanted flowers in his room; King Arthur wanted flowers in his room. And he calls me a girl.
I conjured him some very nice lavender and some bluebells. I also tried a few lilies but for some reason I got red roses instead. Arthur said it was fine and he preferred the roses.
I am worried the king may be enchanted.
Day Seven
I didn't have to wear the robes today. Arthur asked me to accompany him hunting and even he realised the robes would be useless in the woods. He asked me to wear a particular pair of breeches. They were a bit tight but better than those robes.
It was just the two of us in the woods and Arthur had arranged for a picnic. He obviously wanted to spend time away from Camelot. With all the meetings and training I am not surprised he wanted to spend time out hunting in the fresh air.
I didn't do much magic, I didn't need to. I did heal an injured deer we found. I was expecting Arthur to say something about it but he squeezed my shoulder and said I have a kind heart. When I stood up Arthur was giving me a smile. Then the deer ran away and he coughed.
Tomorrow I am going to try a spell to see if Arthur is enchanted.
Day Eight
Arthur is not enchanted, at least not that I can tell. However he is still acting strangely. Some of the knights said Arthur was humming during training this morning. He kept looking at me all the way through. He looked happy for the first time since his father died.
I had to make Arthur's bed a little bit bigger with magic. He also wanted a private magic show. We ate dinner together in his chambers and I conjured a few things for him. He was very impressed by the two white doves I got to fly around the room.
It was nice spending time together, like we used to, only with less work for me.
Day Ten
I didn't have a chance to write anything yesterday. Arthur and I were busy going over the grain supplies for Camelot and the surrounding villages. I didn't do much magic but Arthur says he valued my opinions as much as my more magical talents. He still made me wear the robes. Apparently he doesn't value my opinions enough to let me wear something else.
Today I was in court listening to reports from knights about a magical beast that seemed to be threatening the borders of he kingdom. Arthur says he and I are to ride out in the morning to fight it. He might be king now but he still has no idea about self-preservation. He's lucky I'm going with him.
Day Eleven
We rode out at dawn. Arthur didn’t make me wear the robes. I helped him with his armour; he says I have talented fingers. He's never told me this before. I wonder if he's had too many blows to the head.
The beast turned out to be a strange creature with the body of a deer, the wings of a crow and the face of a bear. I didn't even know such a thing existed. It was easy enough to defeat it. Arthur dodged the beast's charge and with a touch of magic his sword hit the creature in the chest and delivered a fatal blow.
Arthur was very pleased as we rode back. Although he said he could use a new sword, as the blade on his current one isn't as sharp as it should be. I suggested taking him to the lake but he said - 'Merlin, you can't get a sword out of a lake.'
I told him about Excalibur.
He says we might visit the lake next week - 'If my sword hasn't rusted by then'.
I don’t think Arthur understands the concept of a magical sword.
Day Twelve
Arthur brought me a letter today. He said it was from another kingdom but that it had been enchanted so the words were hidden. I spent all day trying to make the words appear. Arthur sat and watched me but he didn't help; he just smiled and made comments about my magical talents.
I told him I could still turn him into a toad and I was very tempted because he'd made me wear the robes again. Arthur laughed and suggested I should turn him into a frog and that way he'd get a kiss. I might have told him I would kiss him even if he was a toad, but I don't think he heard me.
Day Thirteen
I finally managed to decipher the letter. It was so simple. It had been written with lemon juice so all that was needed was a heat source, like sunlight, to reveal the letters. Not really magic, but then it was Arthur who had written it, not another kingdom at all.
The message read:
'I have been trying to court you. Idiot.'
So it seems Arthur wasn't enchanted after-all. Not unless I put a spell on him accidentally and I don't even know how.
Arthur was in the room when I discovered the message; I had spent all night in his chambers and had fallen asleep at the table. He told me he was worried I'd never get it and had been half tempted to give me the solution last night.
Then he kissed me. There was no magic involved. Well unless you count that thing when...I don't think I should really write that down. And I don't have time. Arthur's giving me that look again, the one where his eyes go all soft and...
Day Fourteen
Arthur says his eyes do not go soft. He read over my entry last night. Obviously they do because I'm never wrong. Well, not about Arthur. Although he did surprise me last night. I had no idea asking me to make his bed bigger with magic was courting me. I mean who courts someone like that. At least now the flowers make sense.
I am writing this in his bed. I've already used several spells to make Arthur's breakfast. My king has commanded we don't leave the room today and I always do what my king asks. Most of the time.
The best part of obeying the king today (apart from the obvious) is that I don't have to wear the robes.