Chapter Text
It was ridiculous, really. After the trouble Merlin had caused them, after the years and fury Morgana had pitted against him, after the ranting Agravaine had suffered through, the boy's downfall would be caused by carelessly performing magic in the king's chambers.
Magic.
In the king's chambers.
Merlin.
If he didn't have a specific role to play (betrayed, disgusted, a hint of fear), Agravaine would have laughed aloud as he dragged the skinny, babbling servant through the doors to the council chambers and dumped him before the startled court of Camelot.
"What's this?" Arthur asked, eyebrows drawing together.
"I found him in your chambers," Agravaine said (low, respectful, a hint of sorrow for the betrayal of his nephew's trust). "Using magic to polish your armour."
Arthur glared at his manservant, whose babbling instantly dried up. "You found him using magic?"
(Gentle, regretful.) "I'm sorry, Arthur. I know you trusted him."
Leon cleared his throat. "Is it possible, my lord, that you were mistaken? I can attest that the sun can reflect off armour in a most disorienting manner."
The First Knight of Camelot would be one of the first to go under Morgana's rule. He and Gwen had rebelled against her the last time she was here, and Agravaine knew Morgana would never forgive that. For that reason, and that reason only, he managed to maintain his expression. "Unfortunately not, Sir Leon. The armour was floating and fell with a distinct noise once he saw I had entered the room."
There was a pause. Agravaine enjoyed the furious look Arthur was sending Merlin, who still knelt silently.
"Of course," he added helpfully, when the king did not respond further, "as per Camelot's laws, sorcerers are to be burned. I'm sorry to say it, as I'm sure his spell was merely to get out of his duties, but you do know that magic corrupts. We cannot take that risk, my lord." Oh, Merlin should never have dabbled in things so far beyond his understanding, and now he was going to pay.
Gaius, the meddling old fool, stepped forward. "Merlin has worked loyally in the service of Camelot for years, Lord Agravaine—"
"He has made the first steps into sorcery, Gaius. There is no going back from that."
"Considering," Arthur said, slowly, "how long he has served me, I cannot in all good conscience condemn him to burn. If it was only one spell—it isn't as though he has a history with magic—"
He'd expected something like that. Arthur's feeling of betrayal would be tempered by the weakness in his heart. He would have to push, but not too hard: he had to look sympathetic to Arthur's plight, not as breathlessly eager as he felt. "It is hard to see this kind of betrayal in people close to you, Arthur. Your father himself had many he considered friends turn against him. No one expects you to enjoy it, but for the sake of Camelot, I would suggest that stability—the law—be upheld."
A deep sigh from Arthur as he ran his hand across his face. "As always, I don't know what I'd do without your support and council, uncle, painful though it is. Merlin, you are charged with using magic against the laws of Camelot. Due to the services you have provided Camelot as Apprentice Physician and your years of service towards me, I spare you from the death of the pyre. You are banished from Camelot, to return under pain of death. Leave by nightfall." He took a long breath and stared over Merlin's head at the assembled council. "If you show your face before me again, I will be obliged to execute you myself."
In the resulting chaos, Agravaine allowed himself one small smile and an internal jig.
Watching Merlin led out of the throne room with his arms gripped tight by Arthur's favourite knights was one of the most satisfying moments of his life in Camelot thus far.