HIiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii! Here is another chapter. i'm almost sure the next will be the last one. I'm planning on a two-shots after this, kind of a sequel, telling about the consequences of the lifting of the ban and Merlin's new position, but I'm not sure when I will start writing that. So, for now here it is. Enjoy it and pleeeeeeeease, REVIEWWWWWWWWWW!

Thanks for reviewing!

Previously.

The Councilors gasped, all but Geoffrey, whose smile grew wider, as the King's manservant came forward holding in his hand a bright red flame that kept changing shape: a deer, a horse, an eagle, finally the Pendragon crest. Then he extinguished the flame and fixed his golden eyes on the flabbergasted Lords.

"My name is Merlin. Nice to meet you."

A-n-n-o-y-i-n-g. Those Lords were really annoying. How could Arthur put up with them? Neither Merlin showed such insolence… Lord Doulby then seemed Uther reincarnated: the King wants to give a possibility to magic!? The King is enchanted! Come on…

And then he heard his challenge: they would give their support if the sorcerer introduced himself. Okay. For this prat of a Lord he could accept Arthur's suggestion. To hell with anonymity. To hell with fear.

They wanted the sorcerer. They get the sorcerer.

Thinking about that, their expressions after his little display were worth his decision. What to do now?

After the minute of absolute silence, chaos erupted in the hall. Merlin remained unaffected while taking his place, standing at the right of the King's throne. He and Arthur exchanged a meaningful glance and then the King rose.

"SILENCE!" he bellowed. The chattering stopped. Then Lord Kent spoke:

"Sire, do you really mean that your manservant is a sorcerer more powerful than Morgana? I mean… he is so young and…"

"That's not the main issue!" exclaimed vehemently Lord Doulby. "Powerful or not he has magic. Let's call the guards and give them orders to prepare the pyre!"

"Last time I checked, Lord Doulby, I was the King." Said coldly Arthur. At that the Lord went stiff on his chair.

Then Merlin intervened, after asking Arthur for permission. "My Lords, I know that this is a shock for many of you" he glanced at the old librarian. "But yes, I have powerful magic and yes, I will serve my King till my last breath with all my abilities, magic or otherwise. And for the fact that I may be more powerful than other sorcerers… well… let's put it this way: I am the only warlock born with magic in all history, and my powers had helped me survive odds that would have killed even the most experienced and oldest Priests of the Old Religion. My power exceeds even theirs. I don't have magic: I am magic." Then he addressed the grumpy Lord. "As for the stuff about guards and pyres…" suddenly he disappeared from his position only to reappear at the other side of the room, eliciting shocked gasps from his audience. "… I don't think they would be able to catch me, not their fault, of course, but I really don't want to lose my head, nor to get roasted in the main courtyard. So no. You can call all the soldiers you want, but I receive orders only from the King. If he wants me to die, then I won't complain. Until then, here I am. I can not ask for you to trust me, for I'm sure that my image of helpless servant has just shattered, but I ask to trust your King. He has chosen to give to my kind a chance to prove ourselves and we will be forever grateful for this." He felt the shining eyes of his friend on him and, meeting them, understood what the other wanted to say: there's nothing to be grateful for, idiot.

The Lords now were hesitant. His words had breeched most of them, but they were still unsure. He sighed, considering the possibility of asking Arthur for the permission to turn them into toads. But they needed their approval. Even if they were obnoxious pompous men, the King needed the approval of his High Council.

Then Lord Kent spoke: "Everybody in Camelot know the King's manservant, and I agree with Lord Geoffrey that I have never met anyone more dedicated and loyal to his master. For this reason I give my support." Arthur smiled and nodded slightly his head.

After him, one by one the other Councilors rose and pledged their allegiance to their King. Only two Lords remained stubbornly sat, one of them directing sharp looks at the Warlock.

"Lord Doulby, Lord Killian" said the King, "what is your decision?"

Lord Killian seemed greatly troubled, but then he sighed and addressed his colleagues: "I see that my approval is not necessary for the acceptance of the new laws. As most of my peers stand by your side, so will I. I accept that I could be wrong about my conception of magic, and I would like to see the results before giving you my full support. But I'm ready to give magic a chance."

Arthur smiled and accepted the Councilor's words. He was not the main problem in those halls.

"This is madness!" shouted Lord Doulby. "Your mind has been poisoned by that scum next to you! I will not support you! Considering now your decisions, maybe we should discuss if you are truly the King we need…"

"Watch your words, Doulby" hissed threatening Arthur, all appearances of good-manners forgotten. "You are speaking treason. I should throw you in the dungeons right now. Consider yourself warned and watched. Next time you address me in such a insolent manner you will not be forgiven. Now leave this Council, and think carefully if you want to keep being a part of it or not."

The Lord rose arrogantly from his seat and exited the halls without a word nor other signs of respect towards the King. After the wooden doors were violently closed, the remaining men continued to discuss the new decree in a lighter atmosphere. Lord Killian didn't intervene much, but at least he seemed satisfied by the laws, and he also declared them fair and reasonable. At the end of the meeting, after the Lords had left the Chambers, Merlin let go of his tension and collapsed in one of the empty chairs.

"Well, this is done" said pleased the King. "Now we just need to break the news to the people and introduce you as Court Sorcerer. I'm sorry Merlin" said addressing the Warlock. "I know you didn't want to let other people know about you for now…"

Merlin shook his head cheerfully. "Don't worry. It's fine. I wish I shouldn't have needed to do that, but that haughty nobleman was really irritating me. What's done is done. But I think you should be careful with Lord Doulby. He seemed really displeased with you".

"Merlin is right" said worried Gwen. "What if he is plotting something?"

Arthur sighed, also concerned: "We will keep him under watch. Besides" added with a devilish smile, "I have a powerful Warlock by my side. You have the authority to do everything is necessary to assure mine and Guinevere's safety, don't disappoint me."

Merlin scoffed: "I'll let you know, Sire, that maybe it has escaped your notice the fact that you are still alive…"

"Merlin…"

"Yes, Sire?"

"Shut up, idiot."

"Yes, Sire" he said smiling. Then he made an exaggerated bow and exited the room.

Merlin made quickly his way to the physician's chambers. He couldn't wait to tell Gaius the decisions of the Council. He opened hastily the door while his mentor was dealing with a set of full vials. At the commotion, the physician startled and one of the containers fell on the floor.

"Merlin!" he complained disapprovingly.

"Oops. Sorry Gaius." Said Merlin, too happy to really feel sorry for the old man.

"I'm beginning to dread these entries of yours" the other muttered tiredly. "What has happened now?"

Merlin sat on a bench and told Gaius what happened during the Council. He was more than ecstatic and he showed it. He didn't seem to be able to stay put for more than a minute. After finishing his tale, he hurried to his room, leaving a baffled but amused physician behind, and began packing his few things.

Arthur had promised him new chambers after all.

The King and the Queen entered their chambers, both widely smiling. They were very delighted by the acceptance of the Lords, and couldn't wait for their friend to have the recognition he deserved.

Then Arthur saw that his wife seemed worried and frowned.

"Love, what's wrong?" he gently moved a lock of hair that had escaped her hairdo and then caressed her cheek. "I know it won't be easy, but with time the people will accept the change and…"

"No, that's not the problem" she interrupted him, leaning in his touch and covering his hand with hers. "Sit down, please".

"Guinevere, what-"

"Please, Arthur" said the Queen. "Trust me, it's better if you sit for this."

He was confused but did as she asked. She stood in front of him, twisting nervously her hands. God, why was it so difficult? She tried to speak twice, but she didn't seem to find the voice. At the end, exasperated, she grabbed his hand and put it on her stomach, all the while looking at her husband.

Arthur frowned a moment, then, when he noticed exactly where his hand was, his eyes widened and he searched frenetically her eyes, incredulous, looking for a confirmation. She smiled and nodded her head, while tears began to roll down her cheeks.

"We…" began hopefully the King.

She smiled widely. "We are having a child."