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It's been a long day of hunting and the group just finished their dinner. They've made camp at a nice spot in the woods and are chattering amongst a struggling fire.
“That fire would be a lot bigger if it wasn't raining.” Gwaine says as he looks at the small flames that are still standing. “Merlin, can't your pretty little magic do something about that?”
The group stills. Merlin's newly discovered magic hasn't been discussed much yet. Especially around Arthur, it's a subject to be treading lightly.
“Oh, calm down you lot,” Lance says, “and Gwaine, trust me, his magic is anything but little.”
Elyan frowns at the words.“I'd honestly be a lot more at ease if I heard some of your stories, Merlin. I feel like I don't know you any more, which is what makes it all so… strange.”
“What do you want to know?”
“When did you learn it? And why?”
Merlin sucks in a breath before saying, “I didn't.”
Lancelot shows a proud smile as he sees the group frown in unison. It is an honour to him to be the one who knew Merlin's secret. Not only that, but he's proud of Merlin for opening up. Merlin's been told to hide a huge part of himself his entire life. Talking about it can't be easy, even if he knows now it won't cost him his life.
“I was born with it,” Merlin eventually continues, “Gaius taught me about the old religion, and I've learned a lot since arriving in Camelot. But I could move objects with my mind alone before I could walk.”
Lance puts an arm around Merlin as the group processes the new Information.
Gwaine leans back and grins. “You know what? Elyan is right. I need to hear more of this.”
Merlin gives him a shy look, “I don't mind answering some questions, but if I'm the only one to answer them, it's going to feel like I've been put on trial.”
“Okay, then we make it a game. We all get to ask questions, but we all answer them. Our answers will probably be less interesting, though.”
“I would like to start with the question that Gwaine asked earlier. Could you -or anyone here - actually do something about the fire?” Elyan starts.
Merlin answers with a glow of his eyes.
The clouds move and so does the rain. There are mixed reactions in the group, some laugh, some stare at Merlin or the sky, but they all have something in common. They are not scared, but amazed.
Arthur recovers surprisingly quickly and follows up on the question. “I'm guessing no one else can do that.” He’s supposed to be joking, but he can't help but glance at his knights.
Leon is next to ask a question. “Does anyone's parents have magic?”
Merlin fidgets as he remembers his dad. He's lost a lot of people in his life, but that doesn't make talking about it any easier. Before he can answer, however, Percival speaks up.
“Yes.”
This time both Lance and Gwaine show a knowing smile, but the rest of the group is clueless.
Percival has yet to look up since he spoke, but does continue with an explanation. “At least, the ones that brought me up. My parents died by Cenred’s army when I was young, but a group of druids found me. Two women amongst them took me in and treated me as their son. They turned me into the man I am today.” He smiles proudly as he says the last sentence.
“What are their names?” Elyan asks.
“Alice and Robin”
“You should invite them, once the magic ban is lifted.” Arthur says quietly. “I'd love to meet them.”
Percival gives a quick smile. Arthur's support was unexpected, of sorts. The king has been quiet since Merlin's magic was revealed. But now he's speaking of lifting the ban, and Percy has no clue what to do with that, but be grateful.
“And you, Merlin? What of your parents?”
“My mum doesn't have magic, but my dad did.” Although it’s not news, the use of ‘did’ instead of ‘does’ sits heavy in the air. “Part of my powers are from him. They were passed down when he died. But it’s not why I have magic.”
“How do you know?” Leon asks.
Merlin debates answering. Letting the knights, and lettings Arthur, know what power he holds is terrifying. But that is the entire point of this conversation, is it not? To share more about his magic. They said they wanted to know.
“I inherited my powers as a dragonlord from him. But outside of that, I also have magic that I was born with.”
The group has quieted down completely, with a look of surprise on their faces. Except for Percival, he looks intrigued.
“Do you know of the legend?”
Merlin’s taken aback by the question. Granted, if Percival grew up with druid parents, it wouldn’t be too unexpected that he knows of the legend.
With raised eyebrows, Arthur asks, “Care to enlighten the rest of us?”.
Merlin gives Percy a small nod as permission.
“The legend says there will be a king that reunites the lands of Albion. He is called The Once And Future King and by his side will be a sorcerer.” Percival gives Merlin a quick look before continuing. “He will be the greatest sorcerer to ever live.” Percy then looks Arthur dead in the eyes as he says, “some say you are that king and Merlin is that sorcerer. “
Arthur is at a loss for words. Not for lack of trying, but just the possibility of this legend being true is unfathomable. The others aren’t much better.
“I thought you lot would answer questions as well.” Merlin says in a desperate attempt to move on.
“Right…” Gwaine says, “Who was your first kiss? Mine was when I was young, with this beautiful girl… Sofia? Silfi?”
The group erupts in laughter. This wasn't really the question they were expecting, but no one stops him. Once Gwaine has named five more names starting with an s, Elyan offers his answer.
“Mine wasn't that interesting, just a beautiful girl that I had fallen for when I was young.”
Arthur smiles at him, before a wicked grin forms on his face. “My first kiss was your sister.”
“Same for me as well.” Lance nods. “And you, Merlin? Was there someone in Ealdor?”
Merlin grins, “No. Percy, what was yours?”
Gwaine doesn't let him move on, though. He puts an arm around Merlin. “No, no, no. Hold on. Who was your first kiss?”
Merlin takes quick glances at both Lance and Arthur before facing Elyan. “I mean, Gwen and I did court shortly after I first arrived in Camelot.”
Elyan groans, Arthur's eyes go wide, and the rest start dying of laughter.
“Must everyone like my sister?!”
Gwaine gives Elyan a look. “I may have also flirted with her when I first met her. Sadly, she resisted my charms.”
There's another wave of laughter before Elyan can't take it any more. “Please Leon, save me. Who was your first kiss?”
“I do not like people like that.”
Elyan raises his eyebrows, “Really? Never?”
Leon shrugs. Courting isn’t for him, he realized that a long time ago.
“Okay. Then only Percy is left.” Elyan grins at the man next to him.
Percy gives him a look before he speaks. “My first kiss was Gwaine.”
“That's fair.” both Merlin and Lancelot respond. They all share looks, realizing Gwaine is probably a little too well known in the group.
Gwaine owns up to it with a big smile on his face. “I've had some fun.” he raises his eyebrows, making it abundantly clear what he means. “Was that not part of the knight's code?”