Chapter Text
There was no denying it now, the proof was there, for a brief moment, right in front of Arthur's eyes.
“Sire, are you alright?” Gaius asks with all the worry an old man such as himself can muster. Arthur didn’t respond, couldn’t.
‘No Gaius, Do I look alright! MERlin of all people actually has magic. WHAT DO I DO!’ Instead he denied all of this with a swallow, a nod, and a “Yeah yeah, let's go.”
Merlin stood up, cheerful and full of life as ever as he smiled. “Should I pack for a hunting trip Arthur?”
But Arthur wouldn’t meet his eyes, afraid that if he did he’d see the fate of his best friend. Dead on a flaming pyre. So Gaius stepped in. “No Merlin. We’re getting you out of Camelot. Is there anything special you want me to get from your room?”
The warmth surrounding them dimmed considerably. The way Merlin's voice quivered showed his hurt. “You’re firing me, aren't you.”
‘No I’m not, but Uther might. With actual flames.’ The thought rushed through Arthur causing him to shiver. He hated the way Merlin felt in that moment but with one look at Gaius he knew he would do what it takes to keep him safe. “Merlin, the thing is-”
But Merlin never does what he’s told.
“I’m weirding you out, aren’t I?” A sort of realization and disappointment radiated from the spot Merlin stood. For a brief second Arthur thought he might have remembered something. Remembered how unusual it is for there to be a good sorcerer. But it was squashed almost immediately. “And to think I thought you loved me too.”
Alarms rang in Arthur's head and his throat was stuck. “What? No! That’s not what I- You can’t stay in Camelot because of Uther.” His words were a racetrack, each word zooming in and out of range in a blind panic.
“Uther is a hypocrite. He married a troll and has no right to judge.”
‘That's true.’ Arthur thought before shaking himself out of it. Merlin's stubborn stance was very annoying(cute) but they needed to get back on topic. “You have magic, Merlin.”
“What are you talking about? I am magic, kinda comes with being a warlock.” Merlin blabbered on like it was the most normal thing in the world. Well, he didn’t know any better
Then Arthur recalled what was said in his chambers… ‘Why would I hurt you Arthur?’ How Merlin corrected the king without a hint of fear. ‘Warlock, get it right’.
“Yes, I guess I’ve heard you say that before.” Arthur said in defeat. This wasn’t right, Merlin was an idiot but he wasn’t ignorant. “Gaius. What is wrong with him? Why doesn’t he know?” Arthur looked at the older man with a worried expression.
Gaius spoke with hesitance. “I’m not sure yet. Sire, are you sure you’re okay with this?” Arthur looked at Gaius, then at Merlin, then back to Gaius. Then he sighed, stressed and defeated. A heavy breath to temporarily clear his fogged mind.
“Magic has always been a touchy subject. I found it hard to form an opinion without being educated on the matter like my father taught me to do with everything else. But all the same I’ve only ever seen those with corrupted hearts use it. I still can’t make a decision without knowing more. But this is Merlin. I will put off my reservations until he is back to normal. That way we can have an actual conversation.” It wasn’t much but it was the best Arthur could do without lashing out with anger, fear, or confusion. Merlin, ever oblivious, joined in.
“What are you talking about Arthur? We can talk right here right now if you want.” he gave an encouraging smile which the prince grimaced at.
Thankfully Gaius interfered before it could get too awkward. “Merlin. I need to ask you a few questions, okay?” Merlin looked at his guardian and nodded. “Where did you get your magic?”
“I was born with it, the same as my arms and legs. Are you getting an old brain there Gaius?” Merlin quipped back with no hesitation. Gaius only shook his head.
“Why did you come to Camelot?” was the next question.
Merlin brightened and went to happily rant an answer. “Well one day in Ealdor my mother got really angry with me for some reason and she told me she couldn’t help me any more so she sent me to Camelot to stay with the court physician. That's you Gaius. Then suddenly I was a manservant, a physician's apprentice, and had a destiny. It was a little hard to-”
“I’m sorry. Did you say destiny?” Arthur asked with furrowed brows but Gaius only placed a hand on his shoulder as if to say ‘later.’
“That's enough Merlin. Last question. Have you ever heard of the purge?” The cells went quiet and everything just stopped.
“I can’t say I have. Why? What is it?” Arthur and Gaius shared worried expressions. This didn’t make any sense. Anyone who had ever lived in Camelot and the bordering kingdoms knew about the purge. It was a slaughter that resulted in magic users hating Uther for generations. Gaius knew it was something Merlin had been scared of since he learned of it. This could only be a result of magic.
“The purge, you see… the purge is-” Arthur struggled to explain and looked to Gaius for help since he was actually there.
“It was a time when Uther declared magic evil and killed anything related to it. Merlin,” Gaius said softly, “Magic is a crime punishable by death. That's why you have to leave.” He looked horrified. Whatever innocence the spell was cast upon him was washed away, and it broke Arthurs heart.
“But I can’t. Why would he do that to innocent people? I can’t be evil. I am magic so it’s not, is it? I can’t leave Arthur- '' They watched as Merlin mumbled these things to himself. Going through grief and fear and anger at what a king could do. What the king accused him of being. They watched as he curled in on himself and sobbed. They watched as the shaking stopped and his breathing became serene. Then they watched as he looked up with tear stained eyes but not an ounce of the horror he possessed before.
“Merlin?” Gaius asked frantically. He had seen this before. Dissociation. It happened when a person saw true horrors. Trauma that could disconnect them from reality. “Merlin, Are you with us?” It wasn’t a good place to be and Gaius worried for his ward. Then as suddenly as it came his far off gaze snapped into focus.
Merlin looked at Arthur and Gaius, who hovered above him with stunned looks on their faces, in utmost confusion. “How long have you been standing there? Is it too much for a man to ask for a little privacy?” He stood up from his position on the floor and patted himself down.
“Merlin…” Arthur asked tentatively. “What were you doing?”
“Taking a nap, I think. You lot work me to the bone so I’m not surprised if I fell asleep but- Wait. Why am I in a cell?” He looks at his surroundings in confusion but not worry. “What’d I do this time?” It was more whiny than anything, like a little kid being put in a corner for unknowingly being annoying.
“You don’t remember?” Gaius’ eyebrow rose higher.
“Remember what.” His words and eyes rang with the same innocence as before. Arthur sharply inhaled as he stood up to pace a little, Gaius remained a calculated calm. The two caught eyes and an understanding came between them.
“We’re going on a trip Merlin !” He tried his hardest to feign enthusiasm.
The servant straightened a little, interest peaked. “Okay, where?”
Arthur took a deep breath, watched as Gaius shrugged, and tried to think hopeful thoughts. “No Idea!” Merlin gave a questioning look. “Pack for a week's journey, We leave as soon as possible.” Then Arthur left the dungeons, positive that Merlin could fend for himself and ready the horses without much trouble. In the meantime he needed a second to think.
He was a little shocked to find Gaius beside him, he thought maybe the man would want to stay with Merlin. When he told the man this he shrugged.
“Gwaine came down with a plan to free Merlin. I told him we had it covered and then he swore to stay with him.” Arthur nodded in understanding. Gwaine had always had loyalty over Merlin more than anything, especially nobles. “Listen sire, I have to know that Merlin will be safe once this is all over. He’s like a son to me. I don’t know what I’d do if I ever lost him.”
“Of course Gaius, but I can’t speak for my Father. He will do anything to eradicate magic. You know how it corrupts.” Suddenly Gaius stopped mid-pace, almost tripping Arthur up as well. Arthur couldn’t figure out what he had said to cause that reaction.
“Is that what you think?” Gaius faced the prince, he looked astonished and a little offended.
“What do you mean?”
“No wonder. Of course Uther would pass his foolish ignorance to Arthur.” The old man muttered and Arthur was just ready to say how offended he was but Gaius stopped him. “Let me explain something Arthur Pendragon,” Suddenly the prince felt like a child again and the physician was about to lecture him for breaking one of his vials. “Magic is not corrupt. Only the hearts of men when tempted with power. If magic were as evil as Uther says, Merlin wouldn’t be here right now.”
“I mean sure but he’s not corrupted yet. How long has he been using magic? Three? Five years?” Arthur tried to reason, his final wall didn’t want to break just yet.
“Do you know what being a warlock means?” Gaius said with tired eyes. Arthur bit his lip in thought then shook his head. “It means being born with magic.”
A laugh came out of Arthurs throat, “No. That's impossible and ridiculous. I mean, how would that even work. Children having magic? Yeah right.” But Gaius didn’t laugh, he didn't move. He simply stared at Arthur till a drop of sweat rolled down the back of his neck. “You mean-”
The physician didn’t need to hear another word. “Yes.”
Arthur paled. He felt sick. But most of all he felt confused. Why would his father do this? Condemn children who didn’t even have a choice.
“Well, I have to go check Merlin's room for signs of enchantment.” Gaius said and began walking down the hall. “You’ll be fine on your own won’t you sire?”
The prince gulped, “Yes, thank you Gaius.” but everyone knew what a mess he was without Merlin. Without him, he wouldn’t last a day.
Finally finding the motivation to move, Arthur took a step down the corridor before he felt something overwhelming enter his nostrils. Is that, flowers? He followed the smell and began to recognize the route to the kitchens. He had to pause at what he saw.
Maids, cooks, and other servants all struggled to separate vines and flora from the walls and tables. They covered everything and quite frankly, they were beautiful. The colors mesmerize him, strange shades of blue, red, and yellow he had never seen before. Flower buds blooming the size of his head. And the fragrance was enough to entrance him… Wait, hadn’t Uther said that Merlin conjured these? What a girl.
Of course when Arthur found himself enjoying this part of Merlin he had to insult him. It's not in his nature to hand him a compliment. Don’t worry though, it would be forced out of him eventually.
+++++++++++++++
Arthur was in the courtyard looking for Merlin when Gwaine ran up to him. “Sire.” The knight had said and Arthur immediately understood. He led them through the castle and to a specific track to the woods. After about a minute of walking they found a clearing. Arthur rolled his eyes at what was inside it.
“Guys, what do you think you are doing?”
Arthur sighed as he took account of his knights. Lancelot. Percival. Elyan. And surprising Leon. All of them making flower crowns out of fresh field flowers and vines that Merlin was obviously actively growing. They all looked at the prince with wide eyes. Gwaine seemed very much delighted.
“Uh, well sire-” Leon tried to start.
Arthur interrupted. “No no, you can’t come. I won’t allow it.” All the knights' faces fell. The prince placed a hand on his face and sighed. “Look, I don’t know how long this is going to take and I need you to stay here and watch over Camelot. Who knows what my father will do when he realizes Merlin and I are gone.”
“But Sire-” Elyan was about to say.
“No, this is not up for discussion.” He uses his best commanding voice but these are his closest friends before his knights so it obviously doesn’t work. They all share a look and Leon steps up.
“Only if you take one of us with you.” Arthur scanned his knights and they all looked very determined to make his life that much harder. Though he could tell they were on the brink of squabbling who would go.
“Ugh, Fine.” Just as he predicted they immediately got twice as loud to figure out who was going. Elyan made the argument that Gwen told him to. Leon said he needed to protect Arthur. Percival said he was the biggest and could carry Merlin if need be. And Lancelot said he had already known? Known what? But Gwaine just got himself and Merlin on a horse and trotted off smirking at Arthur. The squabbling knights only noticed when the prince himself got on a horse and began riding off. “Be back soon!” He said and left them pouting with their flower crowns in the grass.
It was Strength, Courage, and Magic on a journey again but this time, they would be the ones helping magic, not the other way around.