Summary: Merlin attending the council session on the day magic banned is to be lifted is just a coincidence, right?
OR
a not so normal council session through the eyes of Lord Ector
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Lord Ector de Maris is the oldest in the council of the current king, His Royal Highness King Arthur Pendragon of Camelot. The previous king of Camelot was not loved by anyone bar his son, so he was very wary of King Arthur because well the apple doesn’t fall that far from the tree and everyone has witnessed the madness that was Morgana Pendragon who he until her attack thought to be very level headed and political minded but she became the second person to fall under the Pendragon Madness™, so really it was natural to feel vary but he quickly found out his worry to be naught, Arthur Pendragon was level headed if not a bit unsure but that was to be expected, Ector mused as he reached the citadel.
It’s been a year since the death of Uther and what a year of traitors and secrets and siege and recovery has it been, the people looked happier than ever so it’s their responsibility to make sure the stability continues and his and other lords estate’s become more fruitful and stable and perhaps it is time to start changing and amending some of old laws.
As he took his seat on the newly furnished round table, his eyes swept to survey the room which is almost full of its occupants, he finds Gaius’s gaze and nods his acknowledgement to the Court Physician, all of them had lost their people to the purge but none more than Gaius, he spots other advisors on the table and Lady Guinevere and her husband who were conversing with other knights with Sir Leon on the left hand of the king while the king and his right hand’s seat remains empty for now, though it wouldn’t take a scholar to guess who would occupy the king’s right hand other than the insolent but lovable Merlin.
Ector was, in some part immensely grateful to Merlin for the positive effect that he had on the previously Prince Arthur who grew up being a spoilt bully eager to do his father’s bidding. Merlin’s presence had done wonders to him and helping Arthur grow from the boy he had been to the man he is today and finding his footing in the kingdom, never had he ever seen the Prince disobey Uther like he had whenever Merlin was concerned whether it be hairbrained quests to save his manservants life to going to another kingdom to fight local bandits, in return Merlin would stick to the Prince like a shadow whether facing assassins, sorceresses or dragons.
‘Dear lord’ Ector sighed ‘They are as bad as each other’
It was hard not to overstate Merlin’s importance in Camelot though some lords may not agree out loud, Merlin came like a thunderstorm stirring everything in his wake, and everyone ranging from the people in lower town to the knights adore him and are quite protective of him.
For a moment the room reminded him of old council. It was rather sad to see Uther go from a good king that cared for his people to the tyrant who overnight enforced laws without discussing it with anyone else and committing genocide of thousands of magicals and non-magicals alike. It was barbaric that the magic that created and nurtured Camelot was burned. After the dastardly Purge the soils became less fertile, crops less green, harvest declined significantly, death rate of people tripled and infant mortality rates increased. He pities Morgana; perhaps had the circumstances be different she would have joined this meeting, so much potential destroyed, but not anymore he supposes.
One of the biggest instances where Arthur openly defied his father’s law was knighting Sirs Lancelot, Percival, Elyan and Gwaine who were commoner by birth. Everyone was skeptical when they were knighted but they quickly proved themselves to be more than capable Knights regardless of what the ‘First Code of Knight’ might say. This caused a new wave of realization amongst them all that The Knight Code is faulty and therefore needs to be amended.
Lord Ector is brought back as the council chambers door opened and King Arthur and His Merlin entered the chambers with Merlin following His Highness in new-er clothes. Ector covers his small smile, ’ahhh so Merlin is finally getting a seat at council it seems, well it was about time.
Although the King and his manservant cum advisor aren’t in typical master/servant relationship, only a fool would think their feelings for each other are strictly platonic. Anyone in room with them for ten minutes can figure it out.
A decade ago it may have bothered every council member including himself, but now the knowledge that the King is not alone and he has His Person with him who would always make sure the king doesn’t act harshly and someone to criticize him where everyone else had failed is enough to be happy for them.
Their level of communication rarely requires words and seemed to mostly rely on expressions and gestures, a quirk of head and a whole conversation in blink of eye, ah to be young and in love.
*
Merlin takes his place besides Lady Guinevere and the right of the king and finally the King takes his seat, “Everything in order, lets commence today’s session. First order of business Head Knight report”
Sir Leon stands up and gives his reports about the activities of bandits on the western border and new knight training regime and the session progresses.
“Is there any other matters left to discuss?”
And its cue for Ector to put forth his suggestions as he cleared his throat, “Sire if I may?”
The King looks a little surprised but nonetheless grants him the permission to speak.
“I thought perhaps it was time to revise the Knight Code that states that only nobleman can be knights”
King Arthur nodded his head in acknowledgment as others gave murmurs of approval
“Objections from anyone or anything else to add?”
Ector saw Arthur eyeing Merlin as though he’s certain the raven haired man would want to add something and sighed fondly as Merlin cleared his throat slightly before speaking, “If I may you majesty, I think it would be beneficial for training routine to split into two parts after initial assessment as per their skill level because there may be certain people who have the ability to become a fine swordsman but never held a weapon before.”
Merlin made a good point, Ector conceded as he saw the King humming in acknowledgement before saying, “You make a compelling point” to Merlin and then addressing Sir Leon and the knights and telling them to think over it as they will discuss it later in detail before inquiring, “Anything else to add to the matter?” and after a beat of silence, “Excellent, The Knights and I will discuss about the intricate details about training later, from now onwards lawfully anyone regardless of their status can become a knight if they have the skills and values for it and it will be proclaimed to the people tomorrow. Geoffrey I trust you will amend the law as per discussed in today’s session in official records?”
“It will be done my lord.”
“Excellent, is there any other matter you wish to bring to my attention Lord Ector?” The king inquires
“One last thing your highness, permission to speak freely?”
“Permission granted”
Ector takes a deep breathe; here goes nothing, “I wish if we could remove the magic ban placed on citizens of Camelot.”
Pin drop silence. Utter and complete stillness in the chambers. Most of the council members looking at Lord Ector like they couldn’t believe he had dared to say that, Merlin going all rigid and tense and King watching with shock or surprise he couldn’t differentiate
“Pardon?” one of the council member- Lord Lucius, who was appointed after the purge gaped at him.
God Ector is old for this, he can feel headache coming and snapped, “Oh for god’s sake, stop looking at me like I’ve killed your lover. You all have not seen Camelot in all her glory when magic was real, it was a real joy. Besides the crown treasury has been depleting since reward on magic users catcher was taken place and we all know none of those accusations had any proof at all. Most people executed for being a sorcerer didn’t even have any magic, innocents are killed. Besides burning people alive is inhumane and cruel thing to do. What crime is it to heal people or makes harvest thicker, it will also make Camelot’s defenses strong and-“
He abruptly stopped talking or scolding poor Lord Lucius when King Arthur cleared his throat and smiled humorously, “Thank you for your insight Lord Ector, that actually brings us back to the last topic of this session which I wished to discuss which was ironically receding the ban on the magic.”
“But your highness-“Lord Lucius ceased to talk as King Arthur held his hand as a sign of complete attention before continuing, “I realize this may be abrupt change of pace of the laws but Camelot is finally settling down we do not want any more enemies and killing someone’s kin actively makes Camelot enemy to all the magic users instead of being our allies which includes the druids too.”
“If I may your highness while all the points stand we still haven’t seen magic used for good but have seen it cause destructions of hundreds.” Lord Lucius protested smugly but this time it wasn’t the king who countered but rather Merlin, “I find it easy to comprehend that statement actually Lord Lucius, can’t you tell me why any sorcerer who doesn’t bear ill will towards Camelot would heal patients or increase harvest openly when even the accusations of sorcery towards men and women who didn’t even have a speck of magic were burned on stake?” in a duh and bored tone which caused many people to muffle their laughs and Lord Lucius to turn an interesting shade of red and purple fuming in anger and humiliation and dear lord if this doesn’t end in disaster, Ector prays to gods to give Lucius some semblance to reign his temper and not do anything idiotic.
Lucius meanwhile angrily slammed his hands on the table before addressing Merlin in a patronizing tone, “Be careful of your tone boy, and just because you have a seat here doesn’t mean anything you’re still a servant-“
“LORD LUCIUS” His Highness King Arthur bellowed cutting the lord into mid rant, his face set in ice as his eyes promised retribution as he slid his hand around Merlin’s shoulder pulling him closer “Merlin here is my most trusted advisor who has my whole trust and who if you see is positioned on my right hand, you will do well to remember your place within the chambers and maintain proper decorum needed and if you feel like you cannot, you are dismissed. Do I make myself clear?”
‘Oh there is the protectiveness,’ Ector pondered knowingly, how Lucius didn’t realize the King and young Merlin are lovers was out of his comprehension.
“Now,” King Arthur continued, “As I was saying before I was rudely interrupted as we are all aware Camelot has faced hoards of magical animals and come out victorious without the use of magic but according to every text available all the magical beings can only be killed using magic.”
“So that must mean Camelot has a magical ally willing to save her from the shadows.” Ector mused aloud
“Quite true Lord Ector and that sorcerer has not only aided in killing magical beings but I have it on good authority that he has also saved my life numerous times and thwarted all of Morgana’s plots when she was playing my father’s loving ward.”
King Arthur gave a pause so that everyone can absorb that tidbit of information but Lord Ector didn’t miss the keen blush spreading on Merlin’s cheeks and how he tried to make himself look smaller and his eyes widened with realization.
Of course Merlin was a sorcerer, suddenly lots of missing pieces sorted themselves into place, the reason why King brought Merlin here for today’s session and how the King claimed he wanted to discuss ban repeal today. Oh this was brilliant, no one could ever doubt Merlin’s loyalty to the King and his intentions towards Camelot, Merlin didn’t have a single evil bone in his body.
“My father didn’t discuss the magic ban with the council and enforced single-handedly therefore technically according the Founding Laws of Camelot, the ban itself holds no ground and is lawfully void, publicly the citizens will be informed about the rescind of the law & the ban and the old laws before the purge will be revised accordingly and reinstalled. Does anyone has anything to add?”
“Sire if I may, the sorcerer who helped Camelot all these years should be rewarded for their service to the crown, and I can’t help but wonder if you were privy to his identity?” Lord Chamberlin asked
“Indeed I am aware of the sorcerer’s identity and the said sorcerer is also the last Dragonlord but refuses to take any reward I try to give him, that stubborn man.” The King replied in a fond exasperated tone he always had around Merlin and Ector hides his smile as Merlin scowled at Arthur, “I am telling you he didn’t do it for reward or glory and is very happy by continuing to work from the shadows and currently has all that he needs.”
“Well that may be it Merlin, but the question isn’t if he wants rewards or not, the question is that he deserves getting recognition and respect. Besides I trust him explicitly and I need someone like that for the position of newly opened Court Sorcerer.”
Ector watches in satisfaction all the other members caught on the identity of mystery sorcerer save Lucius (which honestly why is he even here)
“My lord if I may,” Ector interjected before they both get lost in their own bubble and start bickering. He always thought their bickering is a part of their mating rituals gods, “Perhaps it will be beneficial for the citizens to be less wary of the ban lifting if your sorcerer revealed himself so they can understand that this isn’t a trap to bring out all the magic users.”
At this the King gave Merlin a long look and everyone in the room held their breath when Merlin snapped at the King, “Fine! Alright, I have magic happy, I was born with it and was stupid enough to come to Camelot and get accidentally appointed as your manservant and yes I was the one who killed Morgana, Happy?” and threw his hands upwards in agitation and then slumped back when he realized where he said this.
“Well that wasn’t too hard now was it Merlin” the King drawled
“You are such a prat.” Merlin fired back unimpressed
The King huffed out a laugh and turned to address the council, “Right lets adjourn this session here, all of us have much to ponder, the council will be held again tomorrow to finalize the new laws against magic and if there is any doubt left, Merlin is effectively the Dragonlord and Court Sorcerer of Camelot from this moment onwards. The Council is dismissed”
As the meeting is dismissed the King drags his Merlin somewhere, probably to snog, the wonders of love.
‘Today was a good day but tomorrow is going to be a headache’ Ector bemoaned, who knows what all the King will have in store for tomorrow, he is so very old for this.
Fi n
Ector did get a headache from the law fixing and to ‘lighten’ the mood the King announced his engagement to Merlin
Lucius accused Merlin of bewitching the King and that unsurprisingly didn’t go well, He is currently barred from further council sessions for insulting the King’s future Consort
By onceandfuturekid on ao3