Chapter Twenty-Seven, Close Calls

The following day Merlyn was helping Arthur get ready for the tournament while Gwaine had Hope and Arthur was quizzing her about what happened in the Armoury the day before.
"Why did you never say anything last night?" Arthur queried, hurt and concern clear in his tone.
"Because it was handled and besides, you wanted me to serve you, Morgana and your father last night." Merlyn reminded sharply.
"You know that wasn't me. Besides, you still should have told me, Gwaine and Leon. What if they-" Arthur trailed off as the reminder of what the fake Sir Oswald and his companion had done to Merlyn swirled to the surface in both their minds.

"Sorry." Arthur muttered apologetically. "I just don't want to see you or Hope hurt. I'll have to thank this... Gilli when I see him."
"Arthur-" Merlyn started hesitantly.
"What is it?" He asked concerned.
"I think, no I know, he has magic." Merlyn whispered so quietly that Arthur barely heard her. Arthur froze as he looked over Merlyn spotting the fear in her eyes for her kin.
"I won't do anything as he hasn't done anything but wish to fight in the tournament. Funny how father states it's open to all comers but yet doesn't think some Sorcerers may try out." Arthur shakes his head, slipping some armour onto his wrists.
"Thank you Arthur." Merlyn muttered gratefully, holding the other one in her hands. "If he does start to show signs I'll talk him out of it." Merlyn promised. "Anyway, how are you feeling?"

"Confident." Arthur stated, but Merlyn knew him well enough by now to know when he was scared or at least worried.
"Are you sure? It's okay to be afraid sometimes, Arthur. I know your father puts a lot of pressure on you for this thing." Merlyn questioned sadly.
"Yes, Merlyn." Arthur answered in a slightly clipped tone. "Sorry. Don't worry, I'll be fine." He assured, giving her a brief side hug before they headed towards the arena on the outskirts of the citadel.

However, upon arriving there was a confusing surprise awaiting for them. Frowns appeared on Arthur's, Merlyn's and Gwaine's faces from where they stood in the arena and on the outskirts respectively as Morgana made her way to the Royal Box instead of the King. Merlyn and Gwaine shared a confused and worried look with Gaius before returning their attention to the arena as Morgana started speaking.
"It is my pleasure to welcome you all to Camelot." Morgana welcomed. "This is a contest like no other. It is open to all comers.." she paused as a fanfare started. "Including our reining champion, the King." As she finished speaking Uther made his way into the arena waving and smirking to his people, to the horror of Arthur.

"There are no rules." Morgana continued. "No weapons are banned. The last man standing takes the prize. Let the tournament begin!" Morgana announced to an ear-splitting roar from the crowd as they cheered with a blood-thirsty excitement for the long anticipated tournament. The first to go into the arena was Uther against a Saxon, causing Arthur to bite his nails nervously, worried for his father.
"Shall we have a cuddle with Uncle Arthur? Yes we shall." Merlyn cooed to Hope getting a beautiful smile from the baby as she giggled while attracting Arthur and Gwaine's attention to them from the tournament.

"Here we go." Merlyn carefully placed her daughter in Arthur's arms, who hurriedly supported his niece properly, smiling tightly as Merlyn kissed Hope's head as the baby looked up at her Uncle. But if you looked closely enough, and for those who knew Arthur well, you could see that his bright sky blue eyes and lightened and the tension had bled from his shoulders.
"Thank you Merlyn." Arthur whispered softly, smiling as Hope played with his fingers trying to put them into her mouth. He can't believe it took him so long to realise and actually appreciate all that Merlyn does for him, despite everything that she's gone through, she still stays loyal to him and he'd forever be in her debt.
"You're welcome." Merlyn stated happily, sighing in bliss as Gwaine massaged the tension out of her shoulders with skilled hands.

"Seems Arthur's not the only one tense, huh?" Gwaine whispered into Merlyn's ear causing a shiver to dart down her spine as he slowly kissed his way down her neck from behind her ear.
"Please do not do anything where I can see and hear you!" Arthur grumbled, a disgusted look upon his face causing Merlyn to blush and Gwaine to laugh, pressing another kiss to Merlyn's neck.
"She's my wife, if I want to kiss her I will." Gwaine stated, shrugging his shoulders.
"Yeah, and she's like my sister." Arthur argued.
"Please, don't fight! I can't take that on top of everything else today. Especially as Morgana is planning something. You heard how she goaded Uther last night, Arthur." Merlyn interrupted their argument before it could get too heated.

"Let's not worry about it now and just enjoy our time with Hope. Especially you Arthur, you never spend enough time with your niece." Gwaine pointed out annoyed.
"You're right. I'm sorry, I'll try to spend more time with her and you two." Arthur apologised, after a long moment where he opened and closed his mouth several times before letting out a sigh. The time seemed to fly by for the little family, as Uther's match was soon over and it was Arthur's turn, luckily the man fighting against Arthur wasn't very skilled, despite wielding two swords, and only lasted not more than five minutes before he was knocked out by Arthur by a swift punch to the nose.

As the day wore on, the man who accosted Merlyn in the armoury was fighting against Sir Ewan's brother who had come to fight in the tournament, Sir Elliot, and was killed in an underhanded tactic by the thug. Unfortunately, due to the rules of this particular tournament there wasn't much, if anything, that could be done to him to bring Sir Elliot's family the justice they deserve, leaving the man to get off scott-free and advance in the tournament. The final competitor to fight in the tournament was Gilli who was up against a very muscled and skilled Gladiator. As Gilli was about to perish Merlyn saw him look at his ring, only to feel a surge of power as the sword of the Gladiator got stuck in the stands, causing Merlyn to narrow her eyes at him as he knocked the Gladiator to the floor with two hits; one to the back of the knees and another to the back.

"Well, who would have believed it?" Gaius commented surprised to Merlyn and Gwaine. Merlyn said nothing. She just kept her gaze fixed on Gilli as he revealed in the cheers of the crowd. "That was a fine victory." Gaius congratulated, walking over to the young Sorcerer with Merlyn and Gwaine in tow as he left the arena.
"Thank you." Gilli said graciously.
"That'll need treating." Gaius said sternly, pointing to Gilli's shoulder.

"That's all right." Gilli brushed off.
"It's all right, Gaius is the Court Physician." Gwaine informed him, dancing on the spot a little as Hope become grizzly, attracting Gilli's gaze. "I'm Gwaine." He held out his hand to Gilli while the other brushed through Hope's hair softly.
"Gilli." He introduced, as he hesitantly shook hands with Gwaine. "And it's alright, it's just a nick. I'm fine."

"I have to thank you for what you did for my wife and daughter. I dread to think what could have happened..." Gwaine trailed off shaking his head and pulling Merlyn close to him once he let go of Gilli's hand, kissing her temple tenderly.
"You don't have to thank me. I couldn't stand by and let them be hurt." Gilli waved off, smiling tersely he left for the Armoury.
"He's using magic." Merlyn commented quietly once Gilli was out of earshot.
"I thought as much." Gaius sighed. "The ring bears the mark of the Old Religion. Such rings are very rare, but they act as a conduit. A channel for magical powers."
"So I was right. He does have magic like me and Hope?" Merlyn asked, smiling when Hope turned to look at her at the sound of her mother's voice.

Kissing her forehead Merlyn looked up towards the direction Gilli had disappeared.
"He doesn't have either of your powers, Merlyn. But to wield a ring such as that he would need considerable gifts." Gaius explained.
"I don't know whether he's braver than me to use his magic in front of all those people or stupid." Merlyn commented dryly.
"More on the stupid side." Gwaine agreed, looking in the same direction as his wife and father-in-law.
"If Uther finds out, he'll have him killed." Gaius sighed as he went back to his rounds. He did not need someone idiotic putting his daughter and granddaughter at risk.

***

Later that evening after Merlyn and Gwaine had a nice peaceful dinner together in their chambers they were cuddled up on the bed as Meryln fed Hope, relaxing back into Gwaine's arms.
"I'll always keep you both safe. I promise." Gwaine swore, kissing Merlyn passionately causing a soft whine to slip passed her lips and a smirk to grace Gwaine's. They poured their heart and soul into the kiss, kissing as passionately as they could with Hope feeding between them until they needed to breathe.
"I'll keep you both safe too, Gwaine." Merlyn promised as Gwaine took their daughter to wind her. "I love you. Mummy loves you too Hope." Merlyn whispered kissing her daughter's head and Gwaine's lips.

"I love you too my Merlyn bird and Daddy loves you too Hope." Gwaine whispered tenderly, when there was a knock on the door breaking the tender family moment.
"Come in." Gwaine sighed.
"I'm sorry Merlyn. Gwaine but the King requests Merlyn's and Gaius's presence in hall by the Grain stores." Leon informed them as he popped his head around the door.
"Urgh!" Merlyn groaned in frustration, flopping back on the bed in annoyance. All she wanted was one evening where she could relax with her husband and daughter without being disturbed. "Okay, I'm coming." Merlyn conceded, climbing off the bed after putting her shoes back on.

"I'll meet you in a Gaius's Chambers, love." Gwaine called, gently lowering Hope onto the bed on her stomach for some tummy time as Merlyn headed towards Leon who was waiting for her.
"Okay." Merlyn smiled softly, disappearing into the hall with Leon.
"How's my niece and how're you, Merlyn?" Leon asked concerned, noting the small bags under her eyes.
"I'm okay just tired. Hope has been very clingy and grizzly lately." Merlyn said stifling a yawn.
"I'll speak to Arthur." Leon assured her firmly, not allowing any room for argument. Merlyn was all too used to his behaviour by now just smiled softly and rolled her eyes fondly at the Knight nudging him gently. Laughing Leon nudged her back causing Merlyn to descend into giggles.

As they approached where the King and Gaius were waiting for them they quickly had to sober up and avoid each other's eyes as one look at the other caused them both to descend into laughter once more. Which is something the uptight tyrant King would not appreciate. As they arrived Uther barely spared them a glance as Leon announced Merlyn's arrival with a bow to the King and a look to Merlyn (saying he'll see her when he's finished) Leon left to return to his post.
"Sorcery!" Uther stated, examine a scorch mark upon a door the moment Merlyn had arrived. "It's the only explanation."
"You mustn't jump to conclusions, Sire." Gaius chastised.

"What other explanation could there be?" Uther demanded sharply as he rounded on Gaius. "The guards report seeing an unnaturally bright light with heat so intense, they could feel it at the end of the corridor. These scorch marks seek to support their story."
"Although, they appear to have been there for some time." Gaius countered, examining the door. "Did the guards get a good look at this man?" He asked, turning to face the King when he spotted Gilli's ring on the cobblestone floor just behind the King.
"No. It was too dark." Uther grudgingly revealed.
"Unfortunate." Gaius sighed. "I can see not evidence of magic." Gaius reported.

"There's a strange odour." Uther remarked. "How do you explain that?"
"It's coming from the grain store, there." Gaius informed, pointing down the corridor. As the King came closer to get a good look where Gaius was pointing the Physician darted behind Uther and picked up the ring slipping it into his pocket. "It's, uh, alecost... from the tavern. They use it in their brewing."
"Brewing?" Uther asked, looking over his shoulder at Gaius as Merlyn examined the door to be away from the King as much as she could in the narrow corridor. She hated being in the same and close proximity to the King.
"Indeed, Sire." Gaius agreed. "It requires a special flavour."
"Very well." Uther conceded, leaving for his own chambers for the night.

***

As Gaius and Merlyn returned to her old chambers where Gwaine and Hope were waiting, Merlyn filled her husband in on what had happened while Gaius played with his grandchild.
"It's clearly Gilli." Gaius stated, passing the ring to Merlyn and sitting down on his bench, bouncing Hope on his knee causing her giggle to reverberate around the chambers bringing smiles to their faces. "Judging by the scorch marks and the odour, it was an old healing spell. It's crude but it works. You heat the skin to coagulate the blood and it cauterises the wound."
"His shoulder." Gwaine realised, a frown upon his face. He, like Gaius, hated that another sorcerer was within Camelot. He didn't want anyone to point accusing fingers at his wife. He couldn't bear to lose her or their beautiful daughter. Gaius nodded.

"Well, no wonder he didn't want any treatment." Merlyn commented, relaxing in Gwaine's arms.
"You'll have to talk to him, Merlyn. Before it's too late." Gaius told her firmly.
"I will. I'll talk to him before we retire for the night." Merlyn sighed, she just wanted to go to bed. But she'd never let another magic weirder be harmed if she could help it.