Fanfic: The Offer

[magog_83]

This is my first attempt at Merlin fanfiction. I wrote this for my friend Rachael (a fellow Merlin/Arthur fan) who was stuck on a ship off the coast of Norway, and she encouraged me to post it.  I'm working on a few others so any constructive criticism is very welcome!! I found Arthur and Merlin really hard to write, so I hope this is in some vague way in character :)

This has since been beta'd by the wonderful vensre - thank you! Also posted at merlinxarthur.

The Offer
or
How Merlin Got To Be Royal Sorcerer After All 

 

Morgana couldn't believe it had taken Arthur quite this long to see what was going on. Of course this was Arthur so it was perhaps useless to expect razor sharp comprehension. But normally, and especially where Merlin was concerned, he was usually a little less oblivious. As it was, the royal party from Deheubarth had been in Camelot for four days before someone was foolish enough to mention Prince Owain's 'other mission' within earshot of the new King. Luckily Morgana had a rather good view for the whole event, having circulated graciously through the banqueting hall before coming to rest in the group that included Arthur, Sir Kay and a somewhat inebriated (and unfortunately indiscreet) Royal Envoy. She had been feeling rather sorry for the man. The most High and Mighty King Arthur had been like a bear with a sore head for the past six days, since last Thursday in fact when he had suddenly and inexplicably fired his manservant. Standing in front of her, wearing his best clothes and his most fearsome scowl, Morgana wondered if he would appreciate her pointing out his sudden likeness to his late father. She considered his frown for a moment, and decided: no, probably not. It was almost pointless to follow his glare to its inevitable subject, but she did it anyway. And there he was, Merlin, leaning against the far wall and chatting to Gwen, for all the world like he was in a village tavern and not in the great hall of a Palace. She sighed, but before she could speak the Royal Envoy took what he would later come to remember as one of his less successful forays into the world of diplomacy. 

 

"We must thank you again, your Majesty, for this most gracious entertainment." The Envoy swayed a little and Arthur reluctantly dragged his gaze away from the far wall and eyed the man with irritation, as if wondering why he was still there. Really, Morgana thought, he could at least pretend to be interested in his guests. "I know I speak for Prince Owain when I say that your generous welcome has only served to reinforce the already strong kinship between our two great kingdoms and that can only continue in the great future that you doubtless have before you..."

 

Morgana thought that Arthur might actually pass out from sheer boredom if the man didn't get to the point soon.

 

"…and if I might take it upon myself, in Prince Owain's place, to thank you also for your understanding and generosity with regard to our ah, small request," with  this the man attempted a knowing look and went cross eyed instead. "Only a truly great King does not fear the sharing of his power with his friends."

 

Ah, thought Morgana.

 

Oops.

 

Arthur was now staring at the man as if he had wandered into the wrong conversation. Sir Kay suddenly spotted a long-lost friend at the far end of the hall and made a rapid exit.

 

"What are you talking about?"

 

At finally getting a response from his Royal Host the envoy bent nearly double, before he replied, "The small matter of the Warlock, your Majesty. Believe me when I say, the Royal Court of Deheubarth appreciates the great honour you do it by considering our request so carefully. We can only hope that your decision, and his, is in our favour."

 

Arthur had remained mercifully silent throughout this extraordinary speech, but his face had darkened alarmingly.

 

"Perhaps you would care to remind me of this 'request'?"

 

Yes, Morgana really did feel sorry for the man now. Even through the comforting haze of wine the Envoy could not fail to have noticed the rapidly cooling atmosphere. He swallowed visibly, his voice suddenly less assured.

 

"The…er… request for your Warlock to return with us to Deheubarth, to be appointed Royal Sorcerer to the Court" - the man seemed to be wilting before Arthur's furious gaze – “with all honours of course and our…er… eternal gratitude to Camelot?"

 

Hmmm. Not the best speech he could have made perhaps. But given the King's rather narrow vision where certain people were concerned it probably wouldn't have made much difference if he had presented the request in an epic poem. 

 

"I see." Arthur's voice was chilly. "And what is the Warlock's answer to this 'request'?"

 

"He is... Well… he said." Morgana gave him a sympathetic look as he finished in a rush, "He is considering it, your Majesty." The Envoy managed a last, somewhat wobbly, bow.

 

There was a dangerous pause.

 

"Oh is he indeed." Abruptly Arthur swung round. "MERLIN!"

 

It was a testament to how well his people knew their King and his Court that so few of his guests managed more than a cursory glance towards the source of the shout. Across the hall the cause of all the trouble straightened up and turned, craning his head above the crowd to locate his King. His gaze quickly took in a red-faced Arthur, a now-terrified Envoy and Morgana's look of warning before he began strolling towards them, his expression an odd mixture of exasperation and apprehension tinged with just a little amusement. If Morgana ever used such terms (and she didn't, of course) she would have thought the word Merlin was searching for was 'bugger'.

 

He came to a halt opposite the rapidly sobering Envoy and cast an all too innocent look at Arthur.

 

"You shouted, Sire?"

 

Morgana couldn't be sure, but she thought she heard the sound of Arthur's teeth grinding together. In two strides he crossed the small space and grabbed Merlin by the arm, hauling him in front of the Envoy.

 

"This, Merlin, is the Royal Envoy of Deheubarth." Morgana couldn't help but wince a little at his sarcastic tone. "But then, apparently you already know that--" 

 

"Everybody already knows that." 

 

Arthur glared at the interruption. "--apparently you already know that because you have been making plans, without even consulting me, your King, to sneak off to God knows where--"

 

"Deheubarth," put in Merlin helpfully.

 

"--to God knows where to use your magic to help a rival Kingdom--"

 

"I thought we were united in brotherhood now?"

 

"Will you shut up!"

 

"Sorry." 

 

"As I was saying - to help a rival kingdom at the expense of Camelot!"

 

"Not really."

 

"Excuse me?"

 

"I mean, it's not going to cost Camelot anything. As I understand it, King Llewelyn's going to pay me."

 

Morgana had to admire his courage. If looks could kill, Merlin would be a scorch mark on the flag stones by now. 

 

Arthur took a deep breath, as if to summon every last vestige of patience, before he answered. "Well it doesn't matter who is paying you because you aren't going. You're my servant and I--" 

 

"No I'm not."

 

"What?"

 

"I'm not your servant. You sacked me, remember?" Arthur looked a little stunned at this rather unwelcome piece of information. Merlin took advantage of his temporary silence to wrench his arm free and step back to what he evidently considered a safe distance.

 

"Well… you're my subject! I am your King."

 

"I'm not that either." Morgana couldn't help but note the unholy amusement now lurking in the back of the younger man's eyes, "As your father once pointed out, Ealdor lies outside your borders, so technically you can't order me to do anything, which means technically I can go where I want… Sire," he tacked on almost as an afterthought. "And as I seem to be between jobs at the moment…" He let that one lie there for a moment before turning to the Envoy. "Lord Myrton, Prince Owain tells me that in your Kingdom Sorcerers are held in the highest honour?"

 

"Er… yes…" the Envoy floundered a little on how to address Merlin before settling for "sir". He looked as though this was turning out to be quite the worst evening of his career. "That is to say, we regard magic, and those who can harness it, with the greatest respect."

 

"So I'd have lots to do, then?"

 

The Envoy cast a worried glance at Arthur's frozen face.  "Yes, of course. And you would have all the apprentices and supplies you require for your work… sir."  He added a small bow for good measure, trying to aim it at both the King and the Sorcerer and missing both. Somewhere behind them Lord Beldon bowed in reply and commented to his wife that the Deheubarth Royal party certainly had excellent manners). 

 

"Well that really is a more than generous offer." At this Arthur seemed to be remembering how to move again, "You may tell your Prince that I certainly--"

 

But neither Morgana nor Lord Myrton, the Royal Envoy, were to find out what Merlin wanted to tell the Prince because at that moment King Arthur unfroze, seized the Warlock's arm and proceeded to haul him from the room, to the astonishment of the visiting Court and the somewhat resigned amusement of his own. 

 

………………

 

Merlin was having far too much fun, he really was.  And anyway Arthur had started all this by sacking him. Actually sacking him, and this time he hadn't changed his mind the following morning. Not that Merlin would have minded all that much - whatever Arthur might think, it was not exactly his life's ambition to wash the royal socks - but Arthur hadn't given him anything else to do. Telling him to "help Gaius" didn't really count. Gaius had long since taken on a more apt, and rather more enthusiastic, apprentice and so Merlin was little more than a spare part in the physician's chambers, existing, it seemed, only to get under Gaius's feet and knock things over (at least magic helped with that one).

 

So when Prince Owain and his party arrived four days previously, Merlin couldn't deny he had been quite flattered at their obvious interest in him, and the offer the Prince had made was a very generous one. In Deheubarth he would be the most important Sorcerer at Court, with free rein to explore his powers, to learn and experiment and even to train others (not that he thought he was ready for that quite yet).   He'd known of course that Arthur wouldn't countenance him going, not for a second, but he had been tempted. Well only perhaps a little. The problem with Arthur, Merlin had often thought (and he knew he was not the only one to think this, not by a long mile) was that he was entirely too sure of himself.  He had been the feted only son, the Crown Prince, the strongest warrior, the most handsome (or so he thought). His people had adored him as Prince and now they adored him as King. Even visiting nobles adored him. It was all rather irritating at times. Merlin knew of course, better than most, that this was not all there was to the man, but getting him to admit it? That was another matter entirely. So when he had an opportunity like this one, and they came rarely enough, it was just too tempting not to take full advantage. 

 

Or at least that's what he told himself as he found himself dragged unceremoniously from the great hall into a freezing corridor and pushed against the cold wall, the noise of the banquet fading to a distant hum. 

 

"What exactly are you doing?" 

 

Yep, that was definately Arthur's angry voice. Merlin adopted his best confused expression. "Um… standing in a corridor?"

 

Arthur made a strangled noise that might have been a word, Merlin couldn't be sure. "Are you actually trying to make me insane?"

 

Merlin considered that one for a second, discarding several remarks that would most likely have made things worse, before settling for the truth. "Well you started this. You sacked me."

 

Arthur stepped back from him, the light from the single torch burning in the corridor playing on his hair and burnishing it gold. He looked younger in the flickering light, less arrogant all of a sudden. "I told you why. It wasn't right. Not now we… not since…" he trailed off. 

 

Merlin raised his eyebrows slowly,"Wow, that was almost articulate." 

 

Arthur glowered at him, his arrogance returning in full force. "So that's what all this is for? You want your job back?"

 

Merlin shrugged, "Not particularly." Arthur looked a bit offended at that. "Well, you aren't exactly easy to work for. But I need a job Arthur! I need a purpose. I mean, what do you need me for?" Now it was Arthur's turn to raise an eyebrow and Merlin’s to flush. "er… besides that." He sighed, willing Arthur to understand. "I just need a reason to be here."

 

"Well tell me what you want to do and you can do it. I am King after all." It was almost second nature for Merlin to roll his eyes at that. He considered the other man for a moment, trying to gauge his mood. He seemed calmer now.

 

"Well I was thinking about Prince Owain's offer…"

 

"No!"

 

Ok, so he wasn't that calm.

 

"Will you let me finish? I said, I was thinking about Prince Owain's offer and it occurred to me…" That was putting it lightly, considering the idea had been beating him over the head since Arthur's accession.  "It occurred to me that there might be a similar position here soon." Arthur was silent but Merlin ploughed on regardless, "You've already relaxed the laws on magic.  My powers are an open secret now. Why not make it official? That way I can protect you - I can protect the whole of Camelot. I won't have to hide it anymore."

 

There was a short silence.

 

"No."

 

"What?" Merlin stared at him, wondering if he had somehow misunderstood. After all, his suggestion was really the most obvious course of action, the inevitable next step in the destiny the Dragon had foretold for them. 

 

Arthur wasn't even looking at him anymore, his gaze was fixed somewhere around Merlin's shoes, a slight frown on his face. "Isn't there something else you want?"

 

Merlin almost laughed aloud at that. What else could he do? He was born to do magic. It had been part of his life for as long as he could remember, a perpetual buzz of energy that crackled beneath his skin, connecting him to everything around him. Pretending it wasn't there, hiding it, had been a constant strain, like denying a part of himself. 

 

"Of course there isn't. This is what I do, Arthur." His tone softened, "I know how your father felt about magic, but you've seen it used for good and this is me. I would never use it against you. Surely you know that?" 

 

Finally that got a response.  "What about the time I made you clean under my bed and you enchanted my mirror to insult me whenever I used it?"

 

Merlin grinned nostalgically. "Yeah, that was a good…" he caught Arthur's rather pointed stare, "all right, all right, I promise not to use it against you unless you really deserve it. How's that?" 

 

Arthur's answering smile faded.  "The answer is still no. I'm sorry, Merlin, but I don't think Camelot is ready for that yet." 

 

Merlin stared at him, there was something else going on here, he could feel it. His Arthur Sense (as Gwen had laughingly termed it) was well and truly alerted.  "In that case I should go." His tone was determinedly nonchalant, "Camelot might not be ready for a Sorcerer but apparently King Llewelyn wants me."

 

He made to walk past only to have Arthur, rather predictably, block his exit.  "You can't go."

 

"Why not?"

 

"Because I say so."

 

"What a devastating argument - I'm convinced." Arthur glared at him. "Look Arthur if you don't want me to go, give me something worthwhile to do here. Let me help you!" He sighed, exasperated, "What's this really about?"

 

There was a long silence, with Arthur looking everywhere but Merlin's face, as if hoping a distraction would leap out and save him from what he evidently considered a painful conversation.  His mouth opened and closed several times, before, finally, "It's dangerous."

 

"Pardon?"

 

"I said it's dangerous."

 

Merlin frowned. "Your sword is dangerous. Everything can be dangerous if it's used wrongly, magic is no different".

 

Arthur exhaled loudly, as if Merlin was being obtuse on purpose. "I didn't mean you would be dangerous. Well, not unless someone actually plans on giving you a sword. I meant it would be dangerous." At Merlin's confused look he adopted a slightly martyred air.  "The moment a sorcerer announces their powers they become a focus for every witch, warlock and" - he gestured rather wildly - "giant two headed beast in the vicinity. If people thought a sorcerer was behind Camelot's power, then what better person to target if they want Camelot to fall?" He paused "What?"

 

Merlin knew he was smirking but he couldn't help it.

 

"What?!"

 

"Arthur, you wouldn't be worried about me by any chance would you?"

 

Arthur responded with what he clearly intended to be a withering glare. "I said 'sorcerers' not 'Idiot ex-Manservants'." 

 

Merlin was grinning now.

 

"And I believe we were talking about my future prospects at the time." His grin became slightly wicked. "Do you know what I think, Arthur Pendragon? I think you're worrying about me. I think you're thinking about how much you'd miss me if I got eaten by a giant two headed beast". Arthur snorted in a very un-Kingly way, determinedly not looking at Merlin, but he didn't back away at Merlin's approach. "But since I'm going to do magic anyway and since you're going to worry about me anyway, wouldn't it be easier to worry about me if I was here? This way you get to yell at me too, and you enjoy that almost at much as hitting people with swords." 

 

Arthur's eyes shifted back to his, warily. "You wouldn't really go." 

 

He had clearly meant this to be a mere statement of fact but that wasn't how it came out at all. Merlin knew that this was as near an admission as he would ever get from Arthur, the real Arthur. He looked at him for a long moment, while Arthur watched him, frowning slightly as he searched Merlin’s face for some clue that he was serious. Whatever he saw there, or didn't see, was enough to decide him. He sighed, finally, in defeat.

 

"Fine. I'll do it. You can be Grand High Wizard, or whatever it is you want to be." Merlin grinned and reached for him. Arthur jerked his head back irritably but it was a half hearted gesture, "But I'm bringing Ealdor within my borders, that's the last time you…" he was rather effectively cut off when Merlin kissed him. Arthur resisted for precisely three seconds - because he was King and he was supposed to be the one in charge - before he gave in; because it had been a really long six days and Merlin had never got the hang of the Royal/Subject relationship anyway. 

 

"You know," Merlin commented sometime later, as they made their way back towards the warmth of the banqueting hall, "Prince Owain's going to be very disappointed to lose me. Really, I think I should at least offer to visit or something, as he's going home empty handed." Merlin ducked out of the King's reach before he could respond, voices and heat rushing towards them as they re-entered the hall.

 

"Well if he's that disappointed, we can always give him Morgana."

 

"Hey! I heard that."

 

"Ah Morgana," said Arthur, his usual charming self again, "just the person I wanted to see…"

 

…..

 

And so it was that Merlin got a new job, Camelot got a Royal Sorcerer and King Arthur's bad mood underwent a dramatic improvement. 

 

THE END

 

 

 

 

Comments

[dingogrrl.livejournal.com]

Oh, this is absolutely delightful and so much fun to read!

I love their banter (they seem perfectly in character to me - nothing to worry about at all!) and I especially love to imagine Arthur's reaction to that insulting mirror because, hee!

Can't wait to see what else you're working on, if this is anything to go by.

[magog-83.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I was so nervous about posting this - it's been sitting on my computer for quite a while. I've also put it on MerlinxArthur and had some nice comments there too so I am very relieved.

I'm glad the characterisation seems ok as well. It only occurred to me when I was writing this that I don't know HOW they would speak to each other as a couple because (and this pains me to admit) they are not actually a couple in the show. But then I watched a few episodes for Research Purposes (of course) and realised how totally stupid that thought was when they spend most of the episodes acting like an old married couple anyway. So I settled for them talking to each other like they always talk to each other and hoped it worked!

I'm actually thinking of writing a one shot on Merlin's Great Mirror Prank, I've thought of some excellent insults involving grey hairs and double chins... (I imagine there would be some pretty horrible things under Arthur's bed so Merlin's revenge is completely justified)

Anyway I'm really glad you liked it :)

[lrndng.livejournal.com]

so cute

[shiny4love.livejournal.com]

I read this at work this afternoon and thought it was hilarious.

I love the fact that Merlin isn't beyond a little manipulation :)

[magog-83.livejournal.com]

I still feel very fond of my first Merlin fanfic! And yes, Merlin knows exactly how to get round Arthur, doesn't he :D :D

[e313.livejournal.com]

this is so them i can c it playing out in my head! :D

[snottygrrl.livejournal.com]

i think there should be some requirement that if someone reads a fic and likes it, they have to comment on the first-ever!fic. because this fic deserves so much love. ♥

[magog-83.livejournal.com]

Awww thank you :D I have such a soft spot for this fic, I had been reading Merlin fic for ages, but it took me a while to get my courage up to write some and I felt so proud of it when I'd finished!

[humanoidmegg.livejournal.com]

lol very cute :)

[tama_abi]

The ending was a little rushed, but the talk was delicious and how Merlin manipulates Arthur is marvelous !
Thanks !

[tama_abi]

Reading this again, too, and this is really really great, and confident!Merlin is fantastic, but the end is a bit... abrupt, don't you think? So if you ever feel like going back to your wee hours as a writer of Merlin fanfiction, think about giving this the ending it deserves?

Thank you!!! <3

[ilikecheekbones.livejournal.com]

hehe - i love how this shows the expansion of their relationship without sacrificing the dynamic we know and love. ps i have read everything you have written in the fandom in the last 2 days and enjoyed it immensely. also, lunchee should podfic everything. that is all.