Disclaimer: I own nothing, all rights belong to their respective owners.

Figured it was time for a new story. I'll warn you now, I wasn't entirely pleased with how this turned out, but hopefully you'll like it!

Merlin's feet slipped as he skidded around a corner. He shot out both hands, one touching the wall to try and keep him steady and the other letting a spiral of magic to act as a crutch. He was late enough as it was; the last thing he needed was to add dishevelled to the list of insults the king was going to throw his way. A maid giggled off to one side and Merlin shot her a charming grin even as he straightened up. She blushed, glanced away and quickly disappeared. He rolled his eyes at that.

There would have been a time when he could have joined in her laughter. She would have blushed, but only because joking with the manservant to the king of Camelot was the closest she was going to get to Arthur himself. Now – as High Court Warlock – Merlin felt the distance between his new life and his old. He hadn't changed. Arthur hadn't changed. But repealing the ban on magic had changed everything about Merlin's life. He barely even recognised himself as the boy who had stumbled into Camelot all those years ago.

The thought was a sobering one and he slowed his pace. He had only held his new position for a few months and knew it was going to take much longer than that before he felt at ease with having authority. Power he was used to: it had danced from his fingertips since before he could walk. But this was different. People listened to him now. No longer was he brushed off and dismissed as if his opinion didn't count for anything. Even Arthur had been known to seek his counsel. Then again, Merlin knew he had been advised the king for longer than Arthur wanted to admit, it was just common knowledge now.

Merlin had managed to catch his breath and smooth down his tunic – the new clothes had been Arthur's idea – before reaching the Great Hall. He could hear the rumble of people inside and winced. He knew he was late, but it seemed the feast was truly underway. He wondered if he was better slinking back to Gaius' chambers and pretending there had been an emergency rather than face Arthur's wrath. But unless he could produce evidence of said emergency, he knew Arthur wouldn't believe him. Merlin knew he needed to come up with some new excuses.

Taking a deep breath and reminding himself that Arthur had accepted his magic and would have to try harder to find an excuse to kill him, Merlin slipped through a servant's door. The majority of the guests didn't look up from their meal. But Arthur's head whipped and his gaze settled into a steady glare when he saw it was Merlin sneaking in late. Merlin offered him a helpless shrug and a grin before taking his seat.

It still felt weird to be sitting at the feasts rather than serving. Merlin's seat was to Arthur's left. Gwen was sitting on Arthur's right-hand side, her hand lightly touching Arthur's arm even though she was turned away and conversing with Mithian. With no danger looming and no rivalry for Arthur's affections, the two women had become good friends over the last few years. Mithian had the practical mind of a commoner while Gwen could carry off the airs and graces of a princess. It made sense they sought each other's company during times of celebration. Leon sat on Mithian's other side and Merlin's smile turned to a smirk. He wondered how long it would be before the knight would pluck up the courage to voice his feelings out loud. Since Arthur had married Gwen, the boundaries between status no longer seemed important.

Percival was on Merlin's other side, chatting to a noble that Merlin didn't know. He knew the knight still felt the loss of Gwaine and the others deeply, despite the time passing. Merlin knew all too well how he felt. While he might have reached Avalon in time to save Arthur's life, the cost had still been too high and guilt ate away at his soul despite knowing he couldn't save everyone. But despite everyone around them talking, Merlin instantly became aware of Arthur's steely gaze on him and he looked at his king while reaching for a plate of chicken.

"Where have you been?" Arthur hissed, grabbing his wrist. Merlin winced, wriggling his fingers and causing harmless sparks to fall from them. Arthur let go abruptly and Merlin took the food.

"I got caught up," he said truthfully. Arthur lifted an eyebrow.

"I didn't realise asking you to attend one feast was too much of a hardship, Merlin."

"Ask? You ordered me to come on pain of death."

"So dramatic," Arthur scoffed. But he turned away and didn't press the point. Merlin rolled his eyes, settling back in his chair and beginning to eat. He had been helping Gaius and had lost track of time while brewing up some strengthening tonics for children in the lower town who were falling foul of a nasty flu that was spreading fast. He knew Arthur might complain about him being late, but he wanted to help the people as much as Merlin did.

"Did you miss me?" Merlin teased. He reached for his goblet and Arthur snatched it away.

"I'm not letting you near the wine. Do you remember what happened last time?"

"He deserved it," Merlin muttered. The tips of his ears coloured. He had got a little carried away after being proclaimed High Warlock but he still maintained it wasn't his fault that Lord Edgar's hair had suddenly found itself adorned with flowers. He had been insulting Arthur and if even Merlin could pick up the insult – the subtleties of court were lost on him – then everyone could. Merlin might have succeeded in his destiny of getting Arthur on the throne, but that didn't mean he was through with protecting the prat just yet. Still, he dropped his hand and let Arthur win this round.

"What did I miss?"

"Only the part where I was supposed to say how much stronger Camelot was for having a reliable source of magic protecting her."

"Ah." Merlin looked down at his plate before looking up at Arthur. "What did you end up saying?"

"That my useless toad of a high warlock was off gallivanting and we should skip the speeches and just eat."

Merlin rolled his eyes, knowing full well that Arthur had gone through with his speech anyway. The day Merlin was exactly where he was supposed to be at the time Arthur had ordered him to be there was the day Camelot was truly in danger. Merlin had made it quite clear when he had agreed to take the position that he wasn't going to change and a fond look had crossed Arthur's face before he had concealed it. This was who they both were, complaints, insults and lateness included.

Loud and angry voices drew their attention. Arthur was out of his seat, his hand resting on the hilt of Excalibur before Merlin had even identified where the voices were coming from. Two nobles had sprung to their feet, one drawing a knife as both of their faces flushed with anger. Instantly, Leon and Percival rose, hands going to their own weapons. To draw a blade in the presence of the king unless it was to protect him was treason. But Merlin knew this was no act of treachery, just a few insults gone wrong.

"What is the meaning of this?" Arthur bellowed. Anyone who hadn't noticed the conflict now swivelled in their seats. One of the nobles went ashen, realising things had escalated. But the other refused to put his blade down.

"He insulted the honour of my wife!"

Merlin snorted. As soon as the man had stood, he had recognised the noble. His wife had no honour, Merlin would be surprised if she ever had. He heard a soft laugh and glanced around Arthur to see Gwen was clearly thinking the same. More than once this man's wife had tried to proposition Arthur, only to find out that once a servant, always a servant and both Merlin and Gwen had worked together to scupper her plans.

Arthur shot him what was supposed to be an annoyed look and Merlin tried to look contrite. But he had been on the receiving end of Arthur's annoyance. This was not it. The king looked like he was trying not to laugh himself.

"We are at a feast, gentlemen. I suggest you let the matter pass." A suggestion from the king was an order. But the man's grip on his knife tightened.

"I will not…"

Having had enough, Merlin waved his hand. The knife turned into a flower, one Merlin didn't even recognise. Arthur relaxed his grip on Excalibur and sat down, clearly dismissing the confrontation. It took Leon and Percival a few more moments to relax, wanting to be certain the danger had passed. But as the rest of the hall erupted into laughter and the noble slunk out, embarrassment written into the slump of his shoulders, both knights retook their seats.

"What is it with you and flowers?" Arthur asked. Merlin shrugged, grinning as he sat back comfortably in his chair.

"He might need it to woo his wife back after she hears that he didn't defend her honour the way she desires."

Arthur laughed, carefree and light before he could stop himself. The sound made Merlin grin. He never would have thought that Arthur would have found such joy in magic. But the speech Merlin had missed – but knew what it said because he had written most of it – had been true. Camelot was stronger now magic could be used to protect the kingdom and Merlin felt a swell of happiness whenever he thought back to what they had achieved together compared to their first meeting.

"Talking of women," Arthur began. Merlin saw Gwen shoot her husband a look before realising he wasn't about to insult her accidentally. "Aithusa has been seen as far north as Greenhill. Is she supposed to be that far out on her own?"

Merlin didn't attempt to disguise his grin. After Morgana's death and Arthur's near-miss, he had sought out the young dragon. It had taken time to gain her trust, but he wasn't a dragonlord for nothing. Once Arthur was over the initial shock, Merlin had found a fierce protector of the young dragon. Anything helpless and innocent made Arthur pledge to protect them. But Aithusa was growing and Merlin knew she was far from defenceless.

"She is fine," he said confidently. "As long as no one tries to harm her."

"They wouldn't dare," Arthur growled and Merlin laughed. He shook his head when the king demanded to know what was so funny. Their conversation became muted when the servants delivered dessert, but Merlin only picked at it. Even after months of being in this position, he still wasn't used to the unlimited supply of food he was suddenly allowed to consume. Arthur turned to converse with his wife and Merlin took the opportunity to fill up his goblet.

He sat back contently, sipping at it as he watched the guests. For the most part, they looked happy and content. But whenever Merlin's gaze lingered over a few who were talking in tones quieter than required, he used magic to extend his hearing. Twice he gestured to the guards, alerting them to potential problems. A lot of the guards had a small amount of magic nowadays and Merlin could make his meaning clear without having to open his mouth. Anyone who even whispered a treasonous thought would get a visit later that evening. But this wasn't the Camelot under Uther – they would be spoken to and their issues attempted to be addressed before words turned into actions.

Merlin knew that since he had vowed to protect Arthur, he had been protecting Camelot. It was strange doing it so openly. But once he was satisfied that everything was as it should be, he couldn't prevent himself from yawning. It had been a long and trying day and the last thing he needed was to be sitting here late into the night.

"Can't handle it, Merlin?" Of course, Arthur had seen his moment of weakness despite the fact Merlin believed he had been facing the other way.

"I'm fine."

"Come on," Arthur said. He pushed back his chair and grabbed Merlin's arm. His hand fleetingly touched Gwen's shoulder and she smiled, nodding. Merlin rolled his eyes at how they communicated without words, but then realised he had a bigger problem not tripping over his own feet as Arthur unceremoniously dragged him back out of the same door Merlin had entered by. He knew none of the guests would have even seen him leave.

"What are you doing?"

"With the wine you've had? I don't trust you to get back to Gaius' chambers in one piece."

Merlin gave Arthur a knowing look. "You were bored, weren't you?"

"Shut up."

"You know – being king – you could just skip the feasts completely?"

"It's an important part…"

"Whatever," Merlin said. He tried to cover up another yawn and failed. Arthur prodded him in the arm to make him keep walking and Merlin realised he had stopped again. He doggedly put one foot in front of the other, He had only had one goblet of wine, but he was so tired that Gaius' chambers seemed too far away.

"I really wish you had taken those new rooms," Arthur moaned. Merlin noticed that he didn't move away though, but kept pace with him as they walked down the corridor.

"I don't need them," Merlin said. He made to say something else but Arthur held up a hand, stopping him. Instantly, the tiredness drained away and Merlin felt his magic surge in his body. Arthur was alert and tense, his free hand once again going to Excalibur.

"What is it?" Merlin said, his gaze flickering around them. When all was quiet, Arthur shook his head.

"I thought I heard something."

Neither of them got the chance to take even a step before a tremendous bang echoed down the corridor and both king and warlock were thrown off their feet. Merlin quickly cushioned their fall with magic and sprung up again. His hand was raised, palm facing outwards and eyes aglow. Arthur stood up, but Merlin deliberately stepped forward until he was in front of the king.

To start with, no one was there. But then the same noble from before rounded the corner. Even from the distance he was at, Merlin could see the solid gold flooding the man's eyes. His hand was also outstretched and Merlin heard Arthur curse. Despite having let magic return to the kingdom, Merlin knew that Arthur hated it when threats came from a magical source. The king simply had no way of fighting against that sort of power and Arthur hated to feel out of control.

"Back down, Lord Owaine," Arthur called, "step away now and this can all be forgotten."

"Are you mad? He just tried to kill you-," Merlin's protests died when he glanced back at Arthur. Now was not the time. He had to focus on keeping the man alive and safe. He stopped talking and turned his attention back to the threat, magic dancing from his fingertips.

"You cannot defeat me, Owaine," he said. "Don't try. For your own sake, for the sake of your wife and family, don't try and fight me."

He hated killing with magic. He always had done. But if that was what it took to keep Arthur safe, then Merlin knew he couldn't hesitate. He had hesitated with Morgana. And with Mordred. Everything had nearly been destroyed because of it.

"This isn't your fight," Owaine called. Merlin shook his head sadly.

"You're threatening my king, you have made it my fight." He stepped forward, keeping his hand in front of him. Although he could feel the magic pulsing through him – making him feel alive and vibrant – Merlin was careful to keep it in check until the time was right. Owaine had to be given a chance.

But Merlin waited too long. Owaine shouted a word and Merlin's skin prickled. Dark magic. He quickly drew a shield, wrapping it tightly around Arthur as the magic streaked past him. He was vaguely aware of Owaine making a run for it, but Merlin had other things to worry about. Namely the fact the magic had ratcheted and was heading towards him in a streak. Merlin didn't have time to draft another shield.

"Move!" Arthur's shout filled the corridor and Merlin snapped out of his daze. He threw himself to one side but he was too late. The magic caught his shoulder and sent him spinning into the wall. Merlin formed another shield, blocking the whole corridor, but the magic had already disappeared. It had as soon as it had touched Merlin.

Sitting up, Merlin gingerly felt his shoulder. His hand came away sticky with blood. It didn't explain the way his head was throbbing and his stomach was rolling. For a moment, Merlin felt the desire to laugh; he hadn't had that much wine, had he?

But then Arthur was crouched in front of him, Excalibur in his hand and a concerned look on his face.

"Can you hear me?"

"Of course," Merlin scoffed. He ignored Arthur's outstretched hand and made it to his feet. Arthur shadowed his every movement carefully. Merlin stood upright and grinned at Arthur. "See?"

"Merlin, your nose…"

Merlin wiped the back of his hand across his nose, staring at the red streak on his hand. He touched it again, and again his fingers came away stained with blood. He didn't understand, didn't know what the magic had done.

"Oh," he said. Then he promptly passed out.