Game of Choices

"Gaius! Have you seen that fool of a manservant?" asked Arthur walking to stand by the old physician who sat on a bench outside in the sun. Gaius gestured ahead. Indeed there was Merlin leaning over a man with a vial in his hands.

"…are those the people who were stuck in the stable that burnt down earlier this morning?" asked the young king.

"Yes they are. No one was hurt too badly so we decided to treat them outside rather than make them to walk all the way from here lower town to my chambers."

"So what is Merlin doing over there?"

"He is helping Leonard with his burns. He is the last one."

Arthur turned to look at Gaius clearly confused. "Merlin is helping him?"

"Yes, my lord. He has been here treating the burns since we were told about the incident few hours ago. I have only just arrived."

Arthur frowned. "What? Do you mean to say Merlin has been helping the injured – alone?"

"Yes. This fool of yours has treated much worse burns several times in the past. He did not need me to watch and slow down his work." Said Gaius amusement in his voice.

"You can't be serious, Gaius. It´s Merlin!"

"Exactly – Arthur, I have trained Merlin myself. At this rate his skills would be considerable enough to take my post in a year or so – which could happen only after my retirement of course."

Arthur stared at Gaius with wide eyes. "Are you honestly recommending Merlin as the next court physician of Camelot?"

"Not necessarily, no. With my recommendation he could choose the kingdom he wants to work in. I would however advise you to consider trusting in Merlin when you need medical help outside of Camelot in the future. He will most likely be there wherever you are. You are a young king and a physician with their alliance with another ruler is always a risk to seek out when you are already vulnerable. Merlin´s loyalties lie with you so it would be wise to choose to leave your life in Merlin´s hands on such cases."

Arthur blinked and turned to watch Merlin who was now helping the man up on his feet. A smile, shake of hands and a vial were changed.

"You can view him as a fool – I do too, from time to time. Should you not acknowledge him as a skillful one you will be wasting an amount of knowledge you find with the best of your counselors. He can be a walking miracle, in good and bad. He is also yours – now you are using him to clean after you which is a skill in itself but he could do much more if you just asked."

"Try it Arthur. When you next time glance over your shoulder to the figure following you, see a physician instead of a servant. I dare say it would make both of you feel more confident should it become a habit. You would have a skillful physician trailing behind you, having your back instead of a servant. And instead of a master Merlin would have a man who acknowledges and trusts in his skills to follow."

Arthur knew for a fact it was usually unwise to ignore Gaius´ advices. He watched how Merlin gathered his belongings, ridiculous amount of different vials and pouches from the grass bathing in sunlight. He wondered if this was how Gaius had started his journey to become a physician – under the watchful eyes of both the strange city and the wise mentor doing other scores on the side. Arthur knew Merlin didn't really think about a possible change in his position in Camelot – he might be just as clueless to his chances as Arthur had been until minutes ago.

Could this be the moment of change? Had Uther as a young king followed the work of his friend Gaius as Arthur was now gazing at Merlin? Had the young king seen the possibilities in the movements of the inexperienced physician, the sure hands and the burning compassion to help those around him?

Uther had built something great around him. He had made choices during his journey to the throne and even more when finally on it. But looking at Gaius Arthur couldn't help but to feel that his father had made the most important choices well before taking the rule.

Arthur would eventually inherit a kingdom from his father but a reign and the future he would build himself. The time was different, the people would be different and Arthur was different. But just like his father Arthur would not do any of this alone – he would gather the pieces for his kingdom as he went. Important pieces, that would keep him and his kingdom from falling.

Merlin turned to look at Gaius and Arthur. When he caught the prince´s eye he looked both familiar and new. Arthur couldn't help but smile at the expression of his easiest choice.

It´s been forever since last posting anything but I´m still writing. Comments would be highly appreciated :)

I hope you are having a good day!