Fic (Merlin): The Willful Slaughter of Hope
Title: The Willful Slaughter of Hope
Genre: Gen
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: I don’t own Merlin.
Wordcount: 3,020
Spoilers: The entire first season, especially 1.13
Summary: AU after the end of the first season. Uther finds out. First in the "Chained" fic 'verse.
Notes: Betaed by the amazing Lilith_lessfair. She truly helped make this story what you see here. Also, due to being an American, I’ve been unable to see the new season and am therefore trying as best as I can to avoid spoilers. I watch the new episodes on YouTube as soon as they're uploaded, but consider anything that isn't yet up there a spoiler. Concrit is always welcome.
The Willful Slaughter of Hope
Uther pushed open the wooden door and looked around. “Gaius?”
Maybe the physician was simply out visiting another patient, but if that were the case, where was Merlin? The boy hadn't been with Arthur and if he wasn't there, he should have been here. So where were they?
Uther stopped halfway through the room and picked up a piece of parchment that had fallen underneath a table. Merlin, he read upside down, and he flipped the letter over. Dear Merlin, my life is already near to its end. There has, for the most part, been very little purpose to it. Very little that will be remembered. In contrast, Merlin, your life is destined for greatness. Live by the tenets I have taught you and I believe you will, in time, become the greatest warlock ever. To have known you has been my greatest pleasure and to sacrifice myself for you is but an honor. You are, and always will be, the son I never had.
Uther reread the letter, a red haze slowly clouding his vision. His son's manservant was a sorcerer. And Gaius had kept it secret. But what was this nonsense of sacrificing his life for Merlin? Uther stared at the letter, remembering that Merlin had disappeared and then returned with absolutely no explanation. And then there was the miraculous tincture…
Uther closed his eyes, letting the letter drop to the table. He knew enough of the old religion to recognize what happened. Merlin had traded his life for Arthur's, and Gaius had refused to accept it. So he had gone to renegotitiate. What made Merlin so special? Or did the physician simply feel guilty after all these years and decide to make up for his deeds?
He rubbed his forehead and opened his eyes again, staring at the parchment, choosing to ignore Gaius’ betrayal for now and focus on the sorcerer. Merlin: the idiot, one of the worst servants in the castle, and one with a propensity to end up in the stocks. How had he managed to keep his magic secret? But there was no doubt that Merlin was loyal to Arthur. How many times had Merlin saved him since the latter's arrival at court? How many times had a loyal sorcerer saved Camelot, at risk of his own life? Now he had tried to trade his life for Arthur’s. Could he afford to waste that resource? As much as Uther hated to admit it, he could not.
Uther grabbed the letter and spun on his heel, striding out of the room. He tucked it into a pocket and nearly ran into Morgana's handmaid as she came down the hall. He continued to the treasury, where he retrieved a small locked chest, and then returned to Arthur's side. Satisfied his son was merely sleeping, he unlocked the chest and pulled out two iron cuffs, leaving their key inside for now. Originally made in a time when magic was permitted, for powerful sorcerers who committed crimes and therefore needed restraints to mitigate their magic in order to provide a fair trial, now they would serve a far different purpose: to contain a loyal sorcerer so that he could not use magic without Uther's permission. Now he just had to confront Merlin.
* * * * *
Merlin could only suppose that most assassins wanted audiences, for this was yet another banquet-- celebrating Arthur’s return to health, of all things-- where someone wanted to kill the king and his son. The man moved forward and as people jumped up from their seats, shouting and pulling swords, glasses of wine jostled. So with a slight gesture and quiet words, the cup nearest the assassin tipped, spilling its contents on the table and the floor. With another quiet word, the man with the knife slipped in the wine, crashing heavily to the floor where Arthur and a couple of guards grabbed him.
Merlin smiled slightly, before glancing up at Uther, who-- contrary to expectations-- was staring straight at him. That wiped the smile from his face, and as the room slowly calmed down with people filing out, he shoved his jug of wine into Gwen's hands and slipped out of the room. He ran his hands through his hair and headed to Gaius. He burst into the room, and Gaius looked at him.
“What have you done now, Merlin?”
“I… I think Uther knows.”
“Good heavens! What happened?”
“There was a man… He tried to kill Uther, but he slipped on the cup of wine I spilled.”
“And you think Uther saw?”
“He was looking right at me.”
“Oh, Merlin. Go. Pack. If you hurry…”
But Merlin didn't need to be told further, bounding across the room and up the stairs to his room. He grabbed his pack and began to stuff clothes inside it. Before it was even halfway full, there was the unmistakable sound of a pair of guards entering the workroom. “Where is Merlin?” one of them asked. “The king wishes to speak to him.”
Merlin's hands stilled and he closed his eyes. They had to have followed him. Why had they even asked where he was? He walked to the door and opened it, so Gaius wouldn't be forced to lie. “I'm here.”
Strangely, the guards weren't scared, or even terribly threatening. Did they not know? Merlin glanced over at Gaius, who simply raised his eyebrows. Merlin left the chambers between the guards and they walked silently to Uther's chamber. They closed the door behind him, leaving him alone in the large, almost empty, room with the king. “Your Majesty?”
Uther turned around and stalked toward him, and finally stopped, laying one hand on the back of a chair tucked under a table. In the other, he held a piece of used parchment. “What happened at the Isle of the Blessed?” Before Merlin could say anything, Uther continued, “The truth, warlock.” And only then did Merlin recognize the handwriting, and what the parchment was.
“It was the Questing Beast, sire. I knew that Arthur couldn't survive, so I asked the dragon what I had to do, and he told me to go to the Isle of the Blessed. I traded my life for Arthur's, but Nimueh tried to take my mother's instead.” Unable to stop the words tumbling from his mouth even at the anger that was growing in Uther's face, he continued, “So I was going to return to force her to take mine, but Gaius left before I could. And he left the letter. Where'd you get it?” Receiving a horrible look, Merlin frantically continued. “So I went after him. I… I killed Nimueh. And Gaius and I returned. I couldn't let Arthur die, sire. It was the only way he'd survive. Gaius and I had tried everything else. It was the only way.
“I promise, your majesty, I'd've never hurt Arthur or anyone in Camelot. I've been protecting you and Arthur since I arrived.”
“So you admit to using magic?”
Merlin gulped. “Yes, sire.”
Uther began to pace. “How many times have you saved his life?”
“Well, there was the Questing Beast, and the Sidhe, and the Afanc, and--”
Uther raised a hand. “How many times?”
“I… I don't know.”
The king finally stopped pacing, crumpling up the letter and throwing it to the table, where it came to rest next to an open chest containing two iron cuffs and a key. He stood staring at Merlin, but the latter didn't move. He knew it would mean his death, if he hadn't already sealed his fate.
“You should have burned the letter. It was on the floor when I came looking for Gaius.”
Merlin paled and stared at the parchment. How could he have been so stupid? But he hadn't stopped to think. Had just left, chasing after Gaius. Uther stepped forward and picked up one of the cuffs.
“You know that those caught using magic in Camelot are condemned to death.” Merlin nodded, glancing curiously at the cuff. “These were made decades ago, when criminals could also be sorcerers. They prevented the use of magic while they are worn, for use in trials and in prison. They have been unused for nearly two decades.” Uther caught Merlin's gaze. “Your choice is simple: wear these or be executed.”
Merlin blinked. “Sire, I…”
“Exile, given your knowledge of the castle and its inhabitants, is not an option. Choose.”
Merlin gulped and nodded. “I'll wear them. I can't protect Arthur if I'm dead.” He slid the sleeves of his shirt up and held out his arms, wincing when the cold metal touched his skin. First one cuff and then the other were placed on him and locked in place. And the cold didn't leave. The world spun slightly around him, duller than it had been before the cuffs were on. He lowered his sleeves, fighting the nausea that had begun the instant the first cuff snapped shut.
“Merlin.” He looked at the king, trying as best he could to keep his balance. “I have the only key. If I feel you need to use magic to save the kingdom, I will remove them. Do not ask me to with the appearance of every problem, and if you feel a situation requires it, I require more proof than your words alone.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” Merlin bowed, fighting the urge to rub his cold forearms.
“Do not tell Arthur.”
He bowed again and left the room, recognizing a dismissal even though he was a terrible servant. He would be an even worse one now that he had no magic. He glanced behind him and barely held back a shudder at the hatred he saw in Uther's eyes. Merlin knew he was alive solely because he was the only protection Uther had against magic. Solely because he had done so much to save Arthur since his arrival.
He stumbled back to Gaius' rooms, barely able to put one foot in front of the other. He opened the door and nearly lost his balance. “Gaius…”
The old man rushed to his side and helped Merlin to his bed. “What happened?” he asked, placing a hand on Merlin's forehead and then moving back a sleeve to check his pulse, stopping when he saw a cuff. “Oh, Merlin.” Gaius sat back and studied him. “You'll adjust. It will take a few days for you because of the strength of your magic, compared to the hours when I saw it used previously, but it will happen. Until then, you'll stay in bed. Right now, the best thing for you is sleep.” He pulled the covers up to Merlin's shoulders. “I'll be right here.”
“Thank you,” Merlin whispered.
Merlin woke up the next morning when he heard Arthur's voice in the antechamber. He groaned, but at least the room had stopped spinning, though he doubted he'd be able to keep any food down.
“What do you mean he's sick? He was fine at the feast!” He heard footsteps coming up the stairs and then Arthur opened the door. He stopped in the doorway, stunned, but then he smirked. “You really are sick. Let me guess: you had too much wine.”
Merlin couldn't help but smile a little. “I wish.”
“You'd better get well soon. I can't imagine what my chambers will look like without your incompetent cleaning.”
With that, Arthur left the chambers and Gaius came into the bedroom with a tray. He placed it on the bed and handed a vial to Merlin. “Drink it down. It should help with the nausea. You do need to eat something.”
But Merlin threw up not half an hour later. Gaius spent as much time as he could with Merlin, but he had his regular duties, so he brought Gwen in. Merlin spent most of the day asleep, waking when Gwen showed someone the iron cuffs. “I can't get them off. I don't know why he's wearing them.”
The bed sank slightly and a softer hand picked up his left hand and dropped it in a hurry when fingers brushed the cold metal. “They block magic. Merlin… Merlin's a sorcerer,” Morgana said.
“A sorcerer… Uther!”
“Uther knows,” Merlin said, opening his eyes. “He gave me a choice: wear them or be executed. No choice at all, really.”
The two women looked at him, Morgana with a hint of fear in her eyes. “How did he--?”
“Gaius'll tell you. And he’ll also say I just need a little time to adjust to them.”
“Which won't happen if your sleep is continually interrupted.” Gaius appeared in the doorway with another vial. “Let's see if you're able to keep down dinner.”
The two women took that as their cue to leave. After he ate, while listening to Gaius explain to Morgana and Gwen in the workroom precisely what happened, Merlin fell back to sleep.
* * * * *
Morgana strode into Arthur's chamber and he looked over at her from his place near a window. “Morgana! What have I done to deserve the pleasure of your company?”
To his consternation, she immediately spun and closed the door behind her before coming far too close for comfort for the mood she seemed to be in. She hissed, “Merlin's a sorcerer and your father has him restrained.”
Arthur blinked and backed up a couple of paces, bumping into the wall. “A sorcerer? Surely you must be joking.”
“Merlin's wearing restraints that Gaius said block magic. It's why he's sick, Arthur.”
“Morgana…”
She shot him a disgusted look. “Merlin has saved your life countless times. And now he's all but helpless. What are you going to do about it?”
“Do about it?” He laughed. “You haven't even convinced me he's a sorcerer.”
She rolled her eyes and strode back to the door. “Talk to Uther if you don't believe me.”
She stalked out, leaving the door open behind her. Arthur shook his head before heading to the throne room, finding Uther talking to one of the minor lords who had been at the feast last night. Arthur waited until the man left the room before approaching his father.
“Morgana said you knew what was wrong with Merlin.”
Uther closed his eyes briefly and reopened them. “Your manservant is a sorcerer and the restraints he must wear if he wishes to live are making him ill.”
Arthur's jaw dropped open. “Morgana was right! I don't believe it.”
Uther stood up from his throne and slowly walked over to his son. “What do you mean Morgana was right?”
“She told me, and when I didn't believe her, told me to ask you. She said she found out from Gaius.”
Uther sighed. “Gaius… If he had Gwen tending Merlin… Yes, it fits.” His eyes grew more piercing than usual. “If anyone else finds out, Merlin’s danger increases. His magic must be kept secret if he wishes to remain alive. Impress that on my ward, Arthur. I had not wished for you to find out yet, and I had hoped to tell you myself.”
Arthur nodded. “I will. Is there a chance that his restraints may be removed from time to time?”
“If the kingdom is in danger and no sooner. I have the only key.”
“And if you are incapacitated and unable to give it to me?”
Uther studied his son. “As long as you swear to me you will not remove the cuffs for a frivolous reason. If I am alive and able to speak, Merlin needs my permission to use magic, not yours.”
“I swear it. I will not remove the cuffs without your permission or at utmost need.”
“Then I will have a copy made.”
Arthur bowed slightly and left the room, trying to wrap his mind around the fact that his normally irrational-on-the-subject-of-magic father was behaving quite rationally. But when Arthur closed his door behind him and looked around his room, he couldn't help but both respect and be furious at Merlin. He couldn't even lie convincingly and yet he had managed to keep his magic secret. But he trusted Arthur that little? Well, yes. He had given Merlin little reason to do so on the subject. Still, with everything they had been through together…
Arthur grabbed an empty mug sitting on the table and threw it against the wall. It made a not-very-satisfying clang and dropped to the floor, where it rolled a few feet before it came to a stop. He glared at it and then grabbed his sword. Whacking the hell out of someone on the training field was likely to make him feel a whole lot better.
* * * * *
Three days later, Merlin was finally well enough to resume work. And the first thing Arthur did was sit him down at the table in Arthur's room and study him. “Morgana informed me. Why did you not tell me? You're lucky to be alive!”
Too tired to hide his smile, Merlin said, “I know.”
“Gaius told me not to overwork you, but I fail to see how you could be more abysmal than you already are. Unless you used magic?”
“At times, sire.”
Arthur ran a hand through his hair. “Merlin, Merlin, Merlin. It's a wonder you weren't caught before now.”
“But I was, and now I can't use magic. I can't protect you, Arthur.”
“Protect me? Whatever for?”
“Don't be a prat.”
Arthur smiled and put a key on the table. “I had Father make me a copy. After all, you are my servant.” The smile disappeared from his face as he leaned forward. “Gaius warned me that I can't remove them too often-- and I swore to my father I wouldn't. Your body has to adjust to the restraints. But I promise you, Merlin, once I'm king, I'm repealing the law. And the first thing I will do is to remove them, permanently.” He sat back. “Though I can't destroy them. But they will serve their original purpose, not this.”
“Thank you.”
The two sat in silence for a minute before Arthur finally said, “I think you're even less coherent than normal. We'll talk later.” Merlin nodded. Arthur smiled again. “Now get to work.”
Merlin grinned.
Sequel: Soon Everything Will Be Changing
Genre: Gen
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: I don’t own Merlin.
Wordcount: 3,020
Spoilers: The entire first season, especially 1.13
Summary: AU after the end of the first season. Uther finds out. First in the "Chained" fic 'verse.
Notes: Betaed by the amazing Lilith_lessfair. She truly helped make this story what you see here. Also, due to being an American, I’ve been unable to see the new season and am therefore trying as best as I can to avoid spoilers. I watch the new episodes on YouTube as soon as they're uploaded, but consider anything that isn't yet up there a spoiler. Concrit is always welcome.
The Willful Slaughter of Hope
Uther pushed open the wooden door and looked around. “Gaius?”
Maybe the physician was simply out visiting another patient, but if that were the case, where was Merlin? The boy hadn't been with Arthur and if he wasn't there, he should have been here. So where were they?
Uther stopped halfway through the room and picked up a piece of parchment that had fallen underneath a table. Merlin, he read upside down, and he flipped the letter over. Dear Merlin, my life is already near to its end. There has, for the most part, been very little purpose to it. Very little that will be remembered. In contrast, Merlin, your life is destined for greatness. Live by the tenets I have taught you and I believe you will, in time, become the greatest warlock ever. To have known you has been my greatest pleasure and to sacrifice myself for you is but an honor. You are, and always will be, the son I never had.
Uther reread the letter, a red haze slowly clouding his vision. His son's manservant was a sorcerer. And Gaius had kept it secret. But what was this nonsense of sacrificing his life for Merlin? Uther stared at the letter, remembering that Merlin had disappeared and then returned with absolutely no explanation. And then there was the miraculous tincture…
Uther closed his eyes, letting the letter drop to the table. He knew enough of the old religion to recognize what happened. Merlin had traded his life for Arthur's, and Gaius had refused to accept it. So he had gone to renegotitiate. What made Merlin so special? Or did the physician simply feel guilty after all these years and decide to make up for his deeds?
He rubbed his forehead and opened his eyes again, staring at the parchment, choosing to ignore Gaius’ betrayal for now and focus on the sorcerer. Merlin: the idiot, one of the worst servants in the castle, and one with a propensity to end up in the stocks. How had he managed to keep his magic secret? But there was no doubt that Merlin was loyal to Arthur. How many times had Merlin saved him since the latter's arrival at court? How many times had a loyal sorcerer saved Camelot, at risk of his own life? Now he had tried to trade his life for Arthur’s. Could he afford to waste that resource? As much as Uther hated to admit it, he could not.
Uther grabbed the letter and spun on his heel, striding out of the room. He tucked it into a pocket and nearly ran into Morgana's handmaid as she came down the hall. He continued to the treasury, where he retrieved a small locked chest, and then returned to Arthur's side. Satisfied his son was merely sleeping, he unlocked the chest and pulled out two iron cuffs, leaving their key inside for now. Originally made in a time when magic was permitted, for powerful sorcerers who committed crimes and therefore needed restraints to mitigate their magic in order to provide a fair trial, now they would serve a far different purpose: to contain a loyal sorcerer so that he could not use magic without Uther's permission. Now he just had to confront Merlin.
* * * * *
Merlin could only suppose that most assassins wanted audiences, for this was yet another banquet-- celebrating Arthur’s return to health, of all things-- where someone wanted to kill the king and his son. The man moved forward and as people jumped up from their seats, shouting and pulling swords, glasses of wine jostled. So with a slight gesture and quiet words, the cup nearest the assassin tipped, spilling its contents on the table and the floor. With another quiet word, the man with the knife slipped in the wine, crashing heavily to the floor where Arthur and a couple of guards grabbed him.
Merlin smiled slightly, before glancing up at Uther, who-- contrary to expectations-- was staring straight at him. That wiped the smile from his face, and as the room slowly calmed down with people filing out, he shoved his jug of wine into Gwen's hands and slipped out of the room. He ran his hands through his hair and headed to Gaius. He burst into the room, and Gaius looked at him.
“What have you done now, Merlin?”
“I… I think Uther knows.”
“Good heavens! What happened?”
“There was a man… He tried to kill Uther, but he slipped on the cup of wine I spilled.”
“And you think Uther saw?”
“He was looking right at me.”
“Oh, Merlin. Go. Pack. If you hurry…”
But Merlin didn't need to be told further, bounding across the room and up the stairs to his room. He grabbed his pack and began to stuff clothes inside it. Before it was even halfway full, there was the unmistakable sound of a pair of guards entering the workroom. “Where is Merlin?” one of them asked. “The king wishes to speak to him.”
Merlin's hands stilled and he closed his eyes. They had to have followed him. Why had they even asked where he was? He walked to the door and opened it, so Gaius wouldn't be forced to lie. “I'm here.”
Strangely, the guards weren't scared, or even terribly threatening. Did they not know? Merlin glanced over at Gaius, who simply raised his eyebrows. Merlin left the chambers between the guards and they walked silently to Uther's chamber. They closed the door behind him, leaving him alone in the large, almost empty, room with the king. “Your Majesty?”
Uther turned around and stalked toward him, and finally stopped, laying one hand on the back of a chair tucked under a table. In the other, he held a piece of used parchment. “What happened at the Isle of the Blessed?” Before Merlin could say anything, Uther continued, “The truth, warlock.” And only then did Merlin recognize the handwriting, and what the parchment was.
“It was the Questing Beast, sire. I knew that Arthur couldn't survive, so I asked the dragon what I had to do, and he told me to go to the Isle of the Blessed. I traded my life for Arthur's, but Nimueh tried to take my mother's instead.” Unable to stop the words tumbling from his mouth even at the anger that was growing in Uther's face, he continued, “So I was going to return to force her to take mine, but Gaius left before I could. And he left the letter. Where'd you get it?” Receiving a horrible look, Merlin frantically continued. “So I went after him. I… I killed Nimueh. And Gaius and I returned. I couldn't let Arthur die, sire. It was the only way he'd survive. Gaius and I had tried everything else. It was the only way.
“I promise, your majesty, I'd've never hurt Arthur or anyone in Camelot. I've been protecting you and Arthur since I arrived.”
“So you admit to using magic?”
Merlin gulped. “Yes, sire.”
Uther began to pace. “How many times have you saved his life?”
“Well, there was the Questing Beast, and the Sidhe, and the Afanc, and--”
Uther raised a hand. “How many times?”
“I… I don't know.”
The king finally stopped pacing, crumpling up the letter and throwing it to the table, where it came to rest next to an open chest containing two iron cuffs and a key. He stood staring at Merlin, but the latter didn't move. He knew it would mean his death, if he hadn't already sealed his fate.
“You should have burned the letter. It was on the floor when I came looking for Gaius.”
Merlin paled and stared at the parchment. How could he have been so stupid? But he hadn't stopped to think. Had just left, chasing after Gaius. Uther stepped forward and picked up one of the cuffs.
“You know that those caught using magic in Camelot are condemned to death.” Merlin nodded, glancing curiously at the cuff. “These were made decades ago, when criminals could also be sorcerers. They prevented the use of magic while they are worn, for use in trials and in prison. They have been unused for nearly two decades.” Uther caught Merlin's gaze. “Your choice is simple: wear these or be executed.”
Merlin blinked. “Sire, I…”
“Exile, given your knowledge of the castle and its inhabitants, is not an option. Choose.”
Merlin gulped and nodded. “I'll wear them. I can't protect Arthur if I'm dead.” He slid the sleeves of his shirt up and held out his arms, wincing when the cold metal touched his skin. First one cuff and then the other were placed on him and locked in place. And the cold didn't leave. The world spun slightly around him, duller than it had been before the cuffs were on. He lowered his sleeves, fighting the nausea that had begun the instant the first cuff snapped shut.
“Merlin.” He looked at the king, trying as best he could to keep his balance. “I have the only key. If I feel you need to use magic to save the kingdom, I will remove them. Do not ask me to with the appearance of every problem, and if you feel a situation requires it, I require more proof than your words alone.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” Merlin bowed, fighting the urge to rub his cold forearms.
“Do not tell Arthur.”
He bowed again and left the room, recognizing a dismissal even though he was a terrible servant. He would be an even worse one now that he had no magic. He glanced behind him and barely held back a shudder at the hatred he saw in Uther's eyes. Merlin knew he was alive solely because he was the only protection Uther had against magic. Solely because he had done so much to save Arthur since his arrival.
He stumbled back to Gaius' rooms, barely able to put one foot in front of the other. He opened the door and nearly lost his balance. “Gaius…”
The old man rushed to his side and helped Merlin to his bed. “What happened?” he asked, placing a hand on Merlin's forehead and then moving back a sleeve to check his pulse, stopping when he saw a cuff. “Oh, Merlin.” Gaius sat back and studied him. “You'll adjust. It will take a few days for you because of the strength of your magic, compared to the hours when I saw it used previously, but it will happen. Until then, you'll stay in bed. Right now, the best thing for you is sleep.” He pulled the covers up to Merlin's shoulders. “I'll be right here.”
“Thank you,” Merlin whispered.
Merlin woke up the next morning when he heard Arthur's voice in the antechamber. He groaned, but at least the room had stopped spinning, though he doubted he'd be able to keep any food down.
“What do you mean he's sick? He was fine at the feast!” He heard footsteps coming up the stairs and then Arthur opened the door. He stopped in the doorway, stunned, but then he smirked. “You really are sick. Let me guess: you had too much wine.”
Merlin couldn't help but smile a little. “I wish.”
“You'd better get well soon. I can't imagine what my chambers will look like without your incompetent cleaning.”
With that, Arthur left the chambers and Gaius came into the bedroom with a tray. He placed it on the bed and handed a vial to Merlin. “Drink it down. It should help with the nausea. You do need to eat something.”
But Merlin threw up not half an hour later. Gaius spent as much time as he could with Merlin, but he had his regular duties, so he brought Gwen in. Merlin spent most of the day asleep, waking when Gwen showed someone the iron cuffs. “I can't get them off. I don't know why he's wearing them.”
The bed sank slightly and a softer hand picked up his left hand and dropped it in a hurry when fingers brushed the cold metal. “They block magic. Merlin… Merlin's a sorcerer,” Morgana said.
“A sorcerer… Uther!”
“Uther knows,” Merlin said, opening his eyes. “He gave me a choice: wear them or be executed. No choice at all, really.”
The two women looked at him, Morgana with a hint of fear in her eyes. “How did he--?”
“Gaius'll tell you. And he’ll also say I just need a little time to adjust to them.”
“Which won't happen if your sleep is continually interrupted.” Gaius appeared in the doorway with another vial. “Let's see if you're able to keep down dinner.”
The two women took that as their cue to leave. After he ate, while listening to Gaius explain to Morgana and Gwen in the workroom precisely what happened, Merlin fell back to sleep.
* * * * *
Morgana strode into Arthur's chamber and he looked over at her from his place near a window. “Morgana! What have I done to deserve the pleasure of your company?”
To his consternation, she immediately spun and closed the door behind her before coming far too close for comfort for the mood she seemed to be in. She hissed, “Merlin's a sorcerer and your father has him restrained.”
Arthur blinked and backed up a couple of paces, bumping into the wall. “A sorcerer? Surely you must be joking.”
“Merlin's wearing restraints that Gaius said block magic. It's why he's sick, Arthur.”
“Morgana…”
She shot him a disgusted look. “Merlin has saved your life countless times. And now he's all but helpless. What are you going to do about it?”
“Do about it?” He laughed. “You haven't even convinced me he's a sorcerer.”
She rolled her eyes and strode back to the door. “Talk to Uther if you don't believe me.”
She stalked out, leaving the door open behind her. Arthur shook his head before heading to the throne room, finding Uther talking to one of the minor lords who had been at the feast last night. Arthur waited until the man left the room before approaching his father.
“Morgana said you knew what was wrong with Merlin.”
Uther closed his eyes briefly and reopened them. “Your manservant is a sorcerer and the restraints he must wear if he wishes to live are making him ill.”
Arthur's jaw dropped open. “Morgana was right! I don't believe it.”
Uther stood up from his throne and slowly walked over to his son. “What do you mean Morgana was right?”
“She told me, and when I didn't believe her, told me to ask you. She said she found out from Gaius.”
Uther sighed. “Gaius… If he had Gwen tending Merlin… Yes, it fits.” His eyes grew more piercing than usual. “If anyone else finds out, Merlin’s danger increases. His magic must be kept secret if he wishes to remain alive. Impress that on my ward, Arthur. I had not wished for you to find out yet, and I had hoped to tell you myself.”
Arthur nodded. “I will. Is there a chance that his restraints may be removed from time to time?”
“If the kingdom is in danger and no sooner. I have the only key.”
“And if you are incapacitated and unable to give it to me?”
Uther studied his son. “As long as you swear to me you will not remove the cuffs for a frivolous reason. If I am alive and able to speak, Merlin needs my permission to use magic, not yours.”
“I swear it. I will not remove the cuffs without your permission or at utmost need.”
“Then I will have a copy made.”
Arthur bowed slightly and left the room, trying to wrap his mind around the fact that his normally irrational-on-the-subject-of-magic father was behaving quite rationally. But when Arthur closed his door behind him and looked around his room, he couldn't help but both respect and be furious at Merlin. He couldn't even lie convincingly and yet he had managed to keep his magic secret. But he trusted Arthur that little? Well, yes. He had given Merlin little reason to do so on the subject. Still, with everything they had been through together…
Arthur grabbed an empty mug sitting on the table and threw it against the wall. It made a not-very-satisfying clang and dropped to the floor, where it rolled a few feet before it came to a stop. He glared at it and then grabbed his sword. Whacking the hell out of someone on the training field was likely to make him feel a whole lot better.
* * * * *
Three days later, Merlin was finally well enough to resume work. And the first thing Arthur did was sit him down at the table in Arthur's room and study him. “Morgana informed me. Why did you not tell me? You're lucky to be alive!”
Too tired to hide his smile, Merlin said, “I know.”
“Gaius told me not to overwork you, but I fail to see how you could be more abysmal than you already are. Unless you used magic?”
“At times, sire.”
Arthur ran a hand through his hair. “Merlin, Merlin, Merlin. It's a wonder you weren't caught before now.”
“But I was, and now I can't use magic. I can't protect you, Arthur.”
“Protect me? Whatever for?”
“Don't be a prat.”
Arthur smiled and put a key on the table. “I had Father make me a copy. After all, you are my servant.” The smile disappeared from his face as he leaned forward. “Gaius warned me that I can't remove them too often-- and I swore to my father I wouldn't. Your body has to adjust to the restraints. But I promise you, Merlin, once I'm king, I'm repealing the law. And the first thing I will do is to remove them, permanently.” He sat back. “Though I can't destroy them. But they will serve their original purpose, not this.”
“Thank you.”
The two sat in silence for a minute before Arthur finally said, “I think you're even less coherent than normal. We'll talk later.” Merlin nodded. Arthur smiled again. “Now get to work.”
Merlin grinned.
Sequel: Soon Everything Will Be Changing