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It's only been a few days since he and Merlin returned from their journey to the disirs cave. Yet he hasn't seen Merlin since, actually now he thinks about it, Arthur hasn't seen him or Mordred since Merlin had dragged the knight off to talk to him!
Its something he's actually quite pleased about, because it gives him the chance to think about all that transpired in the woods. It gives him the chance to actually mull over the things that Merlin had said regarding magic. It shouldn't have been as big of a suprise that not only is Merlin pro magic, but also has magic himself, which had helped him explain the different ways that magic can be used.
In all honesty, Arthur knew Merlin could be wise and give pretty good advice when he put his mind to it. But he hadn't known just how much he'd been paying attention during meetings over the years. Hell he's pretty sure Merlin payed more attention that Arthur himself did with the way he worded his advice!
Arthur's always quietly known that Merlin was far too intelligent to just be a servant. Its that thought that sets a plan into motion, he puts a quill to parchment paper and sets out to write a promotion letter, something Merlin has never seen before, because Arthur didnt want the people he was promoting to find out from Merlin's incapability to shut up when he was excited.
It takes a few hours, because he not only writes Merlin's promotion letter but also a declaration that magic was no longer punishable by death. That would be announced at the next round table meeting, where he hopes Merlin will be sat at his right side, where he belongs... if he accepts that is.
By the time he finishes both, Guinevere has come back to their chambers. He asks her to read both Merlin's promotion letter, something that makes her face light up with happiness, before tears come to her eyes. Both happy and shocked that it took so long for her friend to get promoted.
When she sees the magic was no longer punishable by death declaration, she was cautious for all of a few seconds before pulling him close and bursting into tears, because she had been on the reciving end of that part of the law one too many times.
She reads Merlin's promotion letter twice more, before she tilts her head and looks mischievous "will you make him wear a hat?" She asks, giggling quietly when Arthur's eyes light up and he smirks quietly to himself as he can already hear Merlin's complaining and almost feel the glare he got last time he made him wear a hat... now that he thinks about it, Arthur never saw that hat again afterwards.
Its a few days later that Arthur presents the letter to Merlin. He'd wanted to do it the same way he's promoted everyone else in the castle, but then decided against it. He'd noticed very early on in their friendship, that Merlin tended to shy away from things to do with him if too much attention was put on him or whatever was happening, so Arthur decides to do it in his chambers when its just him and Merlin.
He watches his friend pottering around the room, doing chores for what he hopes is the very last time, before he pulls out the letter from where he'd hidden it a few hours before. He opens his mouth, clearing his throat of the nervousness he been feeling and finally says "Merlin, come sit down" the nervousness he's been trying to hide slipping in to his tone, which Merlin hears instantly as he stops what he's doing and turns to look at his king.
There's a small amount of wariness as he comes over, probably because he's never been able to sit down when Arthur's asked in the past. But when he gets to the table and Arthur nods at the chair beside him, he tilts his head curiously and makes himself comfortable, before his attention is drawn to the rolled up piece of parchment that Arthur has begun to roll between his hands just so he has something to do.
It takes a few seconds for Arthur to find the words he wants to say. It doesn't matter that he's gone over it again and again since he finished the touch ups on the letter, it's all flown out the window in the here and now. He takes a deep breath and notices Merlin doing the same beside him "I've been thinking about what you said in the woods" he begins, watching as Merlin's body language and expression chance to that of being attentive and serious.
He isn't sure what Merlin is expecting him to say, especially because the man's nervousness appears to be rising, but he seems taken aback when Arthur says "i want to go through with it. Ive already written a declaration saying that having magic or helping those who have magic will no longer be punishable with death" Merlin sits quietly for a few seconds, before he begins to smile, tears welling up in his eyes.
Arthur can't help but smile back at him "so you do listen to me occasionally" Merlin says, that cheeky tone thats been missing for months finally appearing once again. Now that he's told Merlin his plan surrounding the magic ban, he's starting to grow nervous that the second part of the conversation is drawing closer "more than occasionally" he reveals, before holding out the promotion letter out towards his friend "I'd like your input in things more often actually" he continues as Merlin unfurls the paper and begins to read it.
Arthur knows it off by heart, but hearing Merlin reading "Merlin, it's an honour to ask you if you would become First Advisor to The King. Your years of service, input, kindness, honour and loyalty have not gone unnoticed. You have my deepest gratitude for all you have done to keep this kingdom safe. I cannot wait to see the kingdom we will continue building together, side by side if you chose to accept this promotion." quietly to himself, getting more and mote emotional as he goes is even better.
Merlin is in tears by the time hes finished and he has to put the letter on the table in order not to ruin it. It takes him a few minutes to calm down before he asks "You're serious?" In a tone that Arthur has learned that Merlin is incredibly excited but hiding it, when he smiles and nods, Merlin launches himself at his king and hugs him tightly, a mantra of "thank you, thank you, thank you" being heard as Arthur hugs him back just as tightly.
They stay like this for a few minutes, until Merlin pulls away first and smiles brightly at him for the first time in what must be years "ill be the best First Advisor Camelot's ever seen" he promises in that serious tone that Arthur knows he's going to hear more of over the coming years "i dont doubt it, you have good advice when it all comes down to it, Merlin, very good advice" Arthur responds, making Merlin's eyes light up as his smile gets even wider at the praise.
It isn't until the day of Merlin's promotion ceremony that the clotpole realises he won't be doing anymore chores around the castle, something he complains about very loudly "i still want to wake you and hang around your chambers" he says, causing Arthur to roll his eyes and eventually give in, because even he knows he's alot happier when Merlin wakes him up an hour after he's meant to be up.
He lets out a chuckle as he and Merlin head to the throne room, where the ceremony is being held "You're going to be first advisor to the king" he says, emphasising the word 'king', before he continues "that means you'll get to 'hang around' my chambers because i'll be asking for advice on things" he shrugs slightly "or maybe even asking to see magic and getting to know you better than before" he finishes, watching as his friends face goes through a variety of emotions, mostly happiness, anxiety and giddiness before he relaxes.
Arthur squeezes his shoulder before heading into the throne room. He isn't suprised that almost all the castle, Gaius and Hunith included, plus some of the lower town have managed to squeesze themselves in amonst the nobles in order to see Merlin's promotion ceremony. When he first announced it he's pretty sure he heard the castle go wild and the lower town cheer even louder than the round table knights did.
He and Guinevere watch as Merlin makes his way towards them. Head held high, confident and smiling quietly to himself, before he kneels in front of his king and queen "you have been honoured with the promotion of becoming First Advisor to The King" he says, adding 'and Queen' in his mind and he sees Merlin do the same.
He briefly looks around the room, before taking a deep breath and continuing, "do you promise and swear to advise your king in all laws and customs?" Arthur asks, tampering down his smile as merlin mutters "as well as things you don't know about nor understand" quiet enough for only him and gwen to hear, before he raises his voice for all to hear "I solemnly swear so to do, my lord" his voice confidant and his eyes open and honest as they meet Arthur's.
He nods slightly before saying "will you, to your power, advise with mercy executed in all your decisions and judgments?" Merlin smiles slightly before responding "i will, My lord" Arthur smiles back as he moves to stand "rise, Lord Merlin, First Advisor to The King" he says, shaking Merlin's hand once before turning him to face the crowd "it's been a long time coming, but i present Lord Merlin, First Advisor to The King" the room erupts before Arthur's even finished talking, the round table knights fighting Hunith and Gaius to be the loudest of the lot.
It takes 3 years for the magic ban to be fully repealed, not to mention a further two months for Merlin to finally get through his list of adventures, mostly because he'd get distracted and go off on tangents ranging from a few minutes to an hour, in which Arthur adds Emrys and Last Dragonlord of Albion to the ever growing list of titles Merlin has. But they get through the highs and lows together, until they eventually start Albion's golden age. Its a beautiful sight to see all those years later and Arthur couldnt be more glad that he asked for Merlin's advice at the disirs cave all those years ago.