Chapter Text
Arthur’s birthday was going smoothly. Which was surprising considering all the uproar that had come with the recent legalization of magic. Arthur had taken the month after the nightly attacks of the doracha and had started to compile enough evidence to revoke all laws regarding magic. It helped that Merlin was there to give firsthand accounts and also took Arthur and the others to see the druids under the guise of hunting trips with the knights. As long as they brought back something as a trophy none were much the wiser.
After everything that Merlin had done for him, this was the very least he could do. Very slowly they start dismantling every law cutting strings to anything that could make magic users seem evil.
First, it’s the druids. The non-magical groups are welcomed into the castle as representations of their group. They are treated like any other dignitaries and can commonly be seen being paraded around by Arthur showing off the castle. After they leave a week later Arthur starts writing up a treaty between Camelot and the druids. It’s incredibly easy to convince the council to set it up especially after reminding them how many times the druids have saved the knights. Finally, the council is fully on board with the idea except for Agravaine who is adamantly against Camelot having anything to do with the druids, magical or not.
He is exposed as a traitor to Camelot a week later.
His body is found a mile away from Morgana’s hut two days after. Attached to his body is a letter for Arthur. It reads:
Dear Arthur,
While I’m sure you believe me to still be evil incarnate, which is a fair assumption, because of all that I have done to you, I am truly sorry for all of the troubles I have caused you. I am moving away to a different kingdom to not cause you any grief. You are not like your father and I should’ve seen that sooner. I hope that while you live the kingdom has much prosperity.
Sincerely, Your Sister
Without the looming threat of Morgana attacking hanging over Arthur’s head, he settles into creating peace with the surrounding kingdoms. The kingdom has never been more jovial. Magic users are finally realizing what the King is doing and Arthur has never had so many people smiling when he walks through the market. The druids offer to teach him about how magic works, he would decline -telling them that that’s what Merlin helps him with- but since he gave the servant two weeks to go visit his mother, he accepts and thus the lessons begin.
This is how half a month later Merlin walks into Arthur’s room to see him surrounded by druids talking avidly about how magic works.
The druids see him and immediately stand up to bow. Arthur doesn’t think he’s ever seen Merlin so flustered and uncomfortable before when the druids start calling Lord Emrys, so as soon as they are done saying their hello’s, Arthur makes as many excuses as possible to be alone with Merlin to discuss something. They finally get the group out of the room and Merlin sends him a grateful smile before collapsing onto the fur pelt by the fireplace.
“How was your trip?” Arthur asks while trying (and failing) to finish some paperwork. Merlin only groans in response and refuses to lift his head from where it burrowed into the pelt. The thought that he would like to stay here forever with the warmth of the fireplace and the softness of the fur and the soft humming of the maids singing working songs outside preparing for the upcoming celebration definitely crosses his mind. “That bad? Did your mother hate Gwaine that much then?”
Merlin raises his head to scowl at Arthur. “No. Worse. They got on wonderfully and spent the entire time baking and telling eachother stories about me.” Arthur can’t help the smile that comes and Merlin just scowls more because of it. “It is not funny Arthur.” His voice is muffled as he drops his head back down.
“No, not funny at all.” The statement is betrayed by the smile that only grows.
“I hate you.”
Arthur snorts before he can reply. “Really, well if I’m that bad I’ll just tell the kitchens to not bring up the food I ordered for your return.”
Merlin scrambles to his feet clumsily and it takes a lot of willpower for Arthur not to laugh at the sight. “No wait, you're great, I don't hate you-” Merlin pauses for a few seconds to think “-did you actually order food or are you just joking?”
Arthur scoffs before realizing just how many times he’s done something like that. “No,” he continues more sincerely to show he is not in fact just pranking Merlin “I actually made sure the kitchen brought some food up for you and Gwaine when you arrived.” Arthur pauses and realizes what’s missing as Merlin settles against the pelt once more. “Where is Gwaine?”
“I killed him in the forest last night because he knew too much.” Merlin deadpans.
“How sad. Do we need to find the body to hold the funeral?” Arthur is trying so very hard to hold back a smile.
“No, I don't think so. We don’t need to hold a funeral for a traitor anyway.”
“Right, and what traitorous activity did he commit? I have to know to tell the court, of course.”
Merlin hesitates as he thinks. “He was conspiring against a member of the royal household.”
“And how exactly did he do that?” Arthur smirks. This is one of the stupidest conversations he’s ever had and that says a lot because he frequently talks to Merlin and Gwaine.
“He just was,” is all Merlin gives in response. Gwaine decides to walk in at that exact moment and Arthur only barely glances at him before turning to Merlin.
“Is that just a ghost then?”
“Well we all know Gwaine hates you enough to haunt you. You’ll be stuck with him forever. ”
That does it. Arthur snorts out a laugh and Merlin starts giggling. Gwaine just stands in the doorway confused until three kitchen maids ask to get past him. The food smells delicious as it's brought in and Merlin would be lying if he were to say his mouth didn’t water at the sight of it. The amazing aroma of herbs and meat wafts through the air and both Gwaine and Merlin scramble to sit down in front of plates. They end up sitting opposite each other with Arthur at the head of the table. They talk idly(mostly Arthur as both Gwaine and Merlin are hungry. Hunith’s porridge is filling but it’s nothing compared to the palace food.) It isn’t until Gwaine stretches his legs and hits Merlin’s under the table that the moment becomes more filling than just a dinner with Arthur. Merlin manages to continue eating like the touch in itself doesn’t set his body alight. Merlin does not manage to hide a blush when Gwaine hooks their legs under the table.
That’s nice. Gwaine is nice.
That's all Merlin can come up with to pass as a thought because Gwaine still has their ankles tangled up. It’s adorable.
“Are you alright Merlin?” Arthur asks. “You’re a bit red. You’re not coming down with anything are you?”
Merlin blushes even harder and Gwaine just smirks into the goblet he’s holding. “ ‘M fine, my lord.”
Arthur looks like he wants to push the topic but relents and says instead, “Fine, but make sure you get Gaius to check you out, we don't need you to be sick for my birthday.”
“Don’t worry I’ll make sure he gets checked out. I’m sure he’s just running a bit hot.” Gwaine interrupts. He’s very steadily moving his boot up Merlin’s legs and it’s all Merlin can do to not squeak.
-------------------------------------------
Arthur’s birthday feast is going splendidly. At the very least Arthur thinks so. That could be attributed to the copious amounts of wine he’s had. He’s pleasantly buzzed and the performers are doing amazing. There are a few jesters and Merryman but the group is mostly consisting of sorcerers and the like performing astonishing tricks with their magic. He all but begs Merlin to show off and finally, Merlin agrees.
He starts small. A group of yellow primroses and forget-me-nots is wound in Gwaine’s hair, braiding it in intricate knots, and he preens as he shows it off to Lancelot. Lance himself adopts a similar expression as a magnolia winds itself around his arm bracer. Elyan becomes elated as purple iris glides up his arm and settles on his shoulder. Leon smiles softly as a hydrangea flower crown floats down onto his head. Percival’s grin couldn’t get wider as a sunflower grows out of his shirt pocket. Gwen beams at him when a lily is tucked in her hair. Lastly, Arthur finds a zinnia blooming in his open hand. Soon the entire room around them blooms into flowers and vines and forestry. The candles are floating through the air, visions of dragons swooping through the air, and wisps of gold dance around them in intricate shapes before moving to the next person in the room. Merlin doesn’t even try to hide his smile as his eyes glow gold.
Once the entertainment slowed slightly, people were settling into their seats, bellies filled with wine and good food. Everyone was in a good mood talking amicably and it wasn’t until Merlin went around filling the tables with even more drinks that it went bad. Gwaine smiled adorably and so when Merlin went to fill the person’s goblet next to him he spilled almost the entire jug on the table and it dripped onto the noble’s, very expensive, set of robes. The man, who Merlin vaguely recognized from seeing around the castle, but couldn’t put a name to, was in outrage. In a fit of red-faced rage he moved to hit Merlin and the slap resounded around the room. Gwaine hopped up from his seat so quickly that Merlin didn’t know he was even up until he was being moved behind Gwaine who looked outright murderous.
“Don’t touch him again.” Gwaine growled out, practically spitting at the offending noble.
“He is just a servant. I don’t even know why his kind is even allowed to live. Sorcerers are good for nothing but soldiers in a war.”
Gwaine didn’t even pause and before he could blink his fist connected soundly with the noble’s face. The old bugger called for the guards to restrain Gwaine but Arthur held up a hand for them to stop.
“Your Highness, this is outrageous behavior. They should be thrown in the dungeons. Your father's knights would have never behaved like savages.” He spat out the last word and turned to the king.
“You’re correct. They shall be punished accordingly.” Arthur soundly ignored the death glare that Gwaine was sending him. “Gwaine you are being moved in position.” Arthur didn’t listen to Merlin’s spluttering and continued, “To Merlin’s personal guard.” Gwaine stopped his death glare very momentarily to flick his head back to Merlin in confusion. “After all, we can't have our Court Warlock walking around defenseless. Guards please arrest this man for assaulting and threatening a member of the royal household.” Arthur sat down and simply smiled into his goblet as the room went to hell.
The knights cheered loudly over the yells of the court who were protesting that they couldn’t possibly have a servant in a position meant for nobles alone. Not like there were many if any nobles with magic but they didn’t exactly stop to think about that. Gwaine and Merlin were still standing in shock until the knights got out of their seats to clap them both on the back.
Merlin stumbled when Percy clapped him on the back and luckily Gwaine was right there to catch him. Merlin stood up but stayed right by Gwaine’s side. It’s not like the knight minded as he wrapped his arm around the warlock and pulled him closer.
And if the next day Merlin woke up with Gwaine's limbs tangled around his and had to tie his neckerchief around his neck higher than ever, well that was really no one's business.