The Charcoal Business [Arthur]

[em]

Ok, this was going to work. Merlin would make this work for Arthur. For Camelot. As much as he knew of the risk that he was taking, he was determined to make Arthur see that magic could be used for good – rather than the wrongs that Arthur had seen during his lifetime.
Today Merlin would turn himself back to eighty years old and help Arthur to heal his father. He could change Camelot for the better if Arthur was willing to receive his help (which by the sounds of it – he really was).

After having some sort of heart to heart with the Prince the night before, Merlin knew he had to help. Had it have been his own father, he would’ve tried every way possible to save him, and Merlin wished he could have done more when his father died.
Now they were riding to find the ‘sorcerer’ who lived in the forests. Merlin remembered the charcoal makers’ cottage in the forest, It was perfect as now it was uninhabitable and Merlin could easily sneak round the back to change himself without Arthur noticing. Of course he’d have to come up with something so that Arthur didn’t suspect, but he’d cross that bridge when he came to it.

He’d now prepared the horses and was waiting for Arthur to appear so as they could ride out and track down the sorcerer.
“It’s a big day today” he told the horse and stroked its mane; the horse butted Merlin lightly with its head, as though it were responding. Merlin patted it’s back and waited. It was a big day, everything that happened would be once again on his shoulders, and he was prepared to mess it up.

Tagged:Arthur Pendragon
Timeline: Season 4 – EP 3
Setting: Starts in the courtyard but then moves to the forests – early morning

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur couldn't believe he was doing this. For over twenty years, his father had been striving to eradicate all magic from the kingdom and now, Arthur was using that very force to save him. Did this make him a hypocrite? He was unsure. He did not believe that everyone who had magic was evil; but nor was he blind to all the cruel ways it could be used either. Agravaine had been strongly opposed to this, and after having told Guinevère . . . he felt confident in what he had to do. She told him to trust and follow his judgment and instincts. And right now, that was what Arthur was doing. He was an extremely desperate man, but if this worked . . . then perhaps it could change his perception on magic. If he could see it used for such good as to save a life, rather than what all his years of life had shown him in the ways it had taken lives, then perhaps it would be a chance to rectify magic. To acknowledge that it could be good; that there was another side to it.

He bid all those he needed to farewell, only having told a couple of people of his intentions. He did not want the whole castle to know, so he told only two people that he trusted: his uncle and the woman he loved. And then of course Merlin, but he was coming with him so the man already knew of his intentions. Even if he was not coming, he would have told Merlin. He was one of the people that he trusted with his life, hence the reason he was accompanying him now. Him and no one else. When he walked into the courtyard, he saw Merlin by the horses and prepared to go. He walked at a hurried pace, knowing time was of the essence. "Come on, we've no time to waste," he said, already mounting on his horse. His father grew weaker by the hour and he needed to find this old man before all the life left his father's body.

[em]

Arthur was hurrying towards Merlin, looking more like a man on a mission by the moment. This had to go right. This had to be the only way. Merlin knew he could do it. He had the power to heal Uther and that he would do. He wouldn’t let Arthur down – not this time. The conversation they’d had the night before had been heart breaking enough, without having to watch Arthur lose something of the same importance. That was why this alone was important to Merlin.

The Prince had already mounted his horse by the time Merlin had even finished saddling his own! "Come on, we've no time to waste,” Merlin quickly pulled himself onto his own horse, almost falling straight off the other side in an attempt to be quick. “I’m pretty sure an old man won’t have got far where we’re going” Merlin told him and straightened himself up. “What with all the hills and all”. Just trying to run down the corridors of the castle and escape the guards alone – last time – had proved to be tricky. He couldn’t wait to see the look on Arthur’s face though.

“Come on then carrot brain, we’re not going to get anywhere if we sit here on the horses all day” Merlin raised his brows.
Dragoon was back in business!

[Arthur Pendragon]

That was true. But then again, Arthur never underestimated anyone with magic. He had seen what it was capable of . . . and perhaps this time, it could be used for something good rather than something dark and evil. "If he has the power to heal my father, I would not underestimate him. Who knows what he is capable of." Arthur still could not believe he was doing this. Yet, after having sought both Guinevère and Merlin's advise -- two people that he trusted above all others -- they seemed to be in understanding, and somewhat support of it. Arthur was however fearful of what the man would ask in exchange, yet he was willing to give it to him; whatever the cost was, Arthur needed to ensure his father lived. He gave Merlin a mocking glare. "Carrot brain?" He repeated with a slightly raised eyebrow. "Will you never mature?" He asked sarcastically. To be quite honest, the humor was helping ease the tension . . . for Arthur was terrified for so many things.

This, was a good distraction and he knew he could always depend on Merlin to ease his mind, as well as depend on him as a true friend. Hence the reason it was him accompanying him on this journey and no one else. In fact, the only people who knew of those were Guinevère, Merlin and then of course Agravaine. If this worked, then he knew he would have a lot of explaining to do to his father. But he also knew that if this worked, it could change his entire perception of magic . . . for the better.He kicked the side of his horse and flicked the reigns so that it began to move across the courtyard and out of the city gates. "What else has Gaius said about this man?" Arthur asked, wondering if he would ask for something extreme in return for his services to heal his father, or if he was one of a more peaceful nature. Either way, Arthur knew it would take some convincing to bring him back to the city to heal the king. But he was willing to do whatever it took. He could not stand by and watch his father die; he refused.

[em]

"Will you never mature?"

Merlin shook his head, “not until you do”. He looked to Arthur and smirked, “at least I know all my name calling his helping you”. He’d seen the faint smile that Arthur had tried to hold back; at least it looked like one had been tugging at his lips anyway. All Merlin wanted to do was make this better, and tonight it would be. Tonight the magic would be back in Camelot again.

They rode some way with not so much as a word to one another. Merlin had no conversation starters and was rather a conversation killer in his view. He wanted to leave Arthur to his own thoughts about the whole thing, rather than try to invade his privacy.
“What else has Gaius said about this man?" Oh. Now it was up to Merlin to actually get past this question without raising suspicion. If there was one tiny detail that seemed it then Arthur would suspect something and the plan would crumble.

“He used to be a healer, back before The Great Purge.” Merlin answered, “When the whole thing started, Gaius said that he managed to escape from the city and hide out in the forest. Apparently he’s moved around a lot but has always stayed close to Camelot” Merlin lied, “as far as I know he had no other family – he was just…alone” hopefully that would do – he’d just have to make something else up if Arthur questioned him again.

[Arthur Pendragon]

"Not until you do. At least I know all my name calling his helping you." That was true. And Merlin knew him well enough to be able to recognize that. There were times where Arthur was in no mood for such things, but Merlin seemed to understand when those times were. When he needed something to lighten the mood and distract his thoughts, and when he needed advice without asking, and when he . . . just needed a friend. Like now. "Thank you," he said to him, as all these thoughts surfaced on his mind. For coming with him. For cheering him up. For trying to make him smile. It was something he appreciated, for during certain times he too used humor as a means to alleviate the tense circumstances. "Not that I condone the names you make up," Arthur quickly added, his own way to lighten the mood. Wanting to be clear that he was not thanking him for calling him a carrot brain.

He then listened to Merlin explain a bit of the old man's history. Arthur knew that the chances of him helping willingly and out of the kindness of his heart . . . was unlikely. Everything came at a price. And he was not sure what this man would ask. Especially since he was someone who was forced to flee his home during the Great Purge. The last time he had needed to seek the help of someone was Balinor. And that had taken a lot of convincing. He wasn't even sure why the man had changed his mind. He had only been grateful that he had -- even if he had not been able to actually stop the dragon. "Does Gaius think he will help us?" Arthur was willing to offer him whatever he wanted in exchange for his father's life. Not that a price could be put on ones life, but surely, this old man would want something. "I know it will not come without a price," he added, hoping Gaius had told Merlin something of this man's personality so Arthur would know whether it was gold and riches he sought . . . or something less materialistic.

[em]

Merlin pondered on Arthur's question. He didn't know why - but he knew he had to in order for Arthur to actually believe this whole cherade that he was going to try and pull off. In the end he nodded. "He seems to think so..." Merlin paused for a moment before continuing. "Gauis says that even though he may appear like a cranky old man, he has some good in his heart." Yes, and magic. "he said it might not be easy to convince him, but with any luck you should be able to make him change his mind." Yes, after an argument or two.

He looked around at their settings. Merlin had already chosen a particular area of the forest where he would be able to sneek off, change and sneak back without being seen. The Charcoal makers cottage that he had Lancelot had both hidden in was the perfect hideout for an old man of magic. "Price or not - i'm sure that he'll help."

Merlin wasnt about to let Arthur or Uther down just yet. It was now time for Arthur to see just how much magic could be used for good rather than evil. Somewhere in the Prince's heart he knew that it was an ongoing battle - trying to believe one thing yet see it for another. When Morgause had conjured the image of Ygraine - it had made Arthur re-think about his views, only to have them brought crashing down by his father. Never the less - Merlin believed in Arthur, and he hoped that one day - should magic ever return to Camelot and Albion - that Arthur would believe in him.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur found such a strong comfort in Merlin's words. There was something so strongly genuine about that, that Arthur found himself slightly relaxing. Resting assured in the fact that this man would help them. With Gaius' confidence, the way Merlin spoke about it . . . made Arthur feel more hope than ever that they would be able to save his father. "I don't believe everyone with magic is evil," he admitted to Merlin, knowing that there were very others he had shared this sort of information with. He had expressed such a belief to Merlin on their way to see Morgause, for that had been his first hope that magic could be good. On the return however, it had gone the complete opposite. Arthur had said that all magic was evil . . . but in the following weeks and months, even years, Arthur's mindset had slowly swayed once more. Even after Morgana's actions, he did not believe everyone who possessed magic was evil. He just so desperately wished to see it used for good, so that this belief could be re-enforced. Rather than constantly seen it disproved with all the evil that attacked the kingdom.

"If he has good in his heart, then I hope with some convincing . . . he will prove my father wrong." Prove that magic could be used for good. After all, how would his father be able to dispute it if he was saved by magic? Arthur did not particularly like defying his father. But there were some things that were worth it. Guinevère. The Knights. And now this. "Do you think that I am doing the right thing?" He asked. He knew he had asked Merlin's opinion before, and Merlin had said that he would do whatever it took. But he valued his brother's opinion, so very much. In a way, he felt like some of his decisions were based on Merlin's advice. Not some. Many. He needed to hear words he had to offer. And with this, and the strong conflict he was feeling . . . he needed to hear what his brother of heart thought about it. Just as he had went to seek Guinevère's advice prior to their journey. To see what she thought; to see if she believed he was doing the right thing.

[em]

"I don't believe everyone with magic is evil,"

Merlin looked across at him at this - a little surprised that Arthur had openly admitted this, he'd expressed the question of 'what if' before - when they had met Morgause, but now he appeared to be adament about the subject. Whether it was just because he wanted to save Uther, Merlin didn't know. He knew Arthur wouldn't think like that - he trusted him and now even more so, now that he'd said that. "Really?" Merlin asked, wanting to know a little of why Arthur thought this, "Why?" he now asked it out loud, "I mean...you've always gone along on your father's word - I thought you didn't agree with magic just like him." Merlin knew that Arthur wasn't the typical 'father's son' - that he had seen first hand.

"If he has good in his heart, then I hope with some convincing . . . he will prove my father wrong."

"Oh he does!" Merlin replied almost too quickly and enthusiastically for his liking. "I mean...I've heard he is, so I think he'll be more than willing to help." Yes. Merlin would be willing to help - going to extremes of turning back into an old man again. Arthur would certainly be surprised to see him again. Hopefully that woudn't put him off, given their last meeting with Merlin in that 'physical state'.

Did he think that Arthur was doing the right thing? Of course he did. At this he nodded. "If you believe that magic can be used for the better then I see no reason in judging you now for asking help to use it. After all, it's been around for centuries and surely during that time it wasn't used to cause chaos. We wouldn't be here, right here, right now otherwise." he pointed out. Hopefully that would put Arthur's mind at rest for now. "So yes, I think you are - and even if other's judge you, don't listen to them, because you know your own heart and you know that all the things you have acheived have been through your own choices."