Chapter Text
Lord Vesemir met them as they walked in. His arms were crossed and he raised an eyebrow.
“You just needed a moment, huh?”
Arthur lifted his chin and refused to feel like he was a child hiding from his tutors. He was a king. He'd been raised by Uther. He could handle criticism from one old witcher
“I did.”
“Boy, if you neglect yourself, you won't be able to help anybody.”
Arthur's spine stiffened. Shame crept curled around his heart.
He'd expected Lord Vesemir to comment on his behavior. The obvious concern in his gruff words got a sore spot Arthur tried to keep hidden.
“I'm a King,” Arthur snapped.
“Then act like it.”
“Leave off,” Geralt said. He came around the corner from the Great Hall. He placed a hand on Lord Vesemir’s shoulder.
“He got the privacy he needed.”
Lord Vesemir turned a narrowed eye glare towards Geralt.
“He's human, and not dressed for winter.”
“See!” Merlin poked Arthur in the back. “You should listen to me. Or Gwen.”
Geralt rolled his eyes. “He wouldn't be the first to destroy a few training dummies.”
“You're encouraging the boy’s recklessness,” Lord Vesemir said.
“Arthur can take care of himself,” Geralt said.
“I don't care if the goddess herself comes down and anoints any of ya,” he said. “You're barely out of childhood, and don't know a damn thing about how life works.”
His concern was all that kept Arthur's words behind his teeth.
Geralt snorted. “You're just mad you can't make them run obstacle courses as punishment.”
“I should do it anyway.” Lord Vesemir shook his head and walked away.
Geralt shook his head and laughed. “Forgive Vesemir. He still treats us like his wolf pups and we’re over a century old.”
“I’ll stop when you all manage to grow at least one brain between ya!”
Merlin had to cover his mouth. Arthur glared and turned his attention to his manservant.
“Have you got anything to add, Merlin?”
“He reminds me of Gaius.”
Arthur rolled his eyes and pushed the tension down. He’d deal with it later. Thanks to Geralt and his people, Camelot would have a later.
“Come, we’re having a meeting with all of the schools.”
They followed Geralt through the Great Hall and into the throne room. A massive chair carved with the symbol of the Wolf school in its center sat facing the room. Eskel stood to one side with Lady Yennefer and Lord Jaskier, while Lord Vesemir, Coën, and Lambert stood to the other.
Arthur and Merlin found Gwen standing with Princess Ciri along the side of the room. Gwen held his hand tightly, and Arthur did his best to keep his face blank. Ciri offered a small smile before turning to face her father.
Geralt took his place before the crowd, thorne at his back. He wore no armor, though he was armed. No crown rested on his head, and his clothes were sturdy but old. Arthur had seen the patches sewn into the fabric.
Geralt's presence filled the room. He stood just a bit taller, his gaze a bit sterner. The light reflected off his white hair and the high arching back of the throne loomed behind him. He appeared to be made of the same stone that Kaer Morhen came from. Solid, heavy, and able to withstand all the world threw at it.
He had the bearing of a king, and when he spoke, his people listened.
“Thanks to our allies, we've managed to fix the dam and find out who was responsible.”
A low rumble filled the hall, but quieted at Geralt's raised hand. “It was Helios’s men who placed the spell.”
Arthur swallowed back a curse. Gwen gripped his arm and Merlin turned white. Ciri moved closer and rested her arm along Gwen’s shoulders.
Geralt's voice lowered and a growl carried his words. “We've warned Helios in the past, and he's skirted the line, but now he's crossed it.”
Eskel stepped up and drew everyone’s attention. “Thanks to King Arthur, we’ve got detailed maps of Camelot. Those who have not been there will be paired with someone who has.”
“We’ve been told a lot of the knights were able to evacuate the people into the woods surrounding the castle,” Geralt said. “Some will head there to help safeguard the civilians, others will head into the castle itself and free any who have been captured.”
“We can’t just portal into the castle,” Eskel said. “The Witch will have allies watching for any use of magic. We’ll have to rely on stealth.”
One of the larger witchers in the back grinned showing off sharp teeth. “That’s just how we like it.”
Merlin shifted, and Arthur turned to him with a frown. He leaned forward and lowered his voice. Though the witchers could still hear most of their words, they at least pretended not to.
“What is it?”
Merlin drew in a deep breath. “Don’t worry.”
He stepped forward. All eyes turned towards him and Merlin forced his back straight. Arthur threw his misgivings into a pit, and stepped up beside Merlin. This earned him a relieved smile, and he turned back to face the crowd.
“I might be able to help.”
Yennefer raised an eyebrow and tilted her head. “What do you have in mind?”
Merlin swallowed and glanced back briefly at Arthur. He gave Merlin another slight nod.
“Um…I can use an aging spell and sneak in.” He swallowed and continued. “I might be able to disable her magic for a short time.” He offered a wane smile. “She’s terrified of me.”
“Why would the Witch be terrified of you?” A witcher with a snake tattoo on his head asked. His words were harsh simply for how he spoke, but they still drew Arthur’s ire. “You're scrawny and can’t lift a sword.”
“He’s Emrys.” Arthur crossed his arms and glared, daring anyone to challenge him.
A hush fell through the crowd, followed swiftly by several shouts of disbelief.
Geralt raised a hand and everyone quieted down.
“He is who King Arthur says.” Geralt let his gaze scan the crowd. “And yes, that means Arthur is the Once and Future king.” A slight smile curled his lips. “For once, Jaskier wasn’t exaggerating.”
Jaskier bowed as if on stage and chuckles broke out. The tension eased and Yennefer came to stand before Merlin, a considering look on her face.
“May I see this aging spell?”
Merlin winced and cast a glance at Arthur.
“Go ahead,” Arthur said. He forced a smile on his face. “I did say your eyes were familiar.”
“Okay.” Merlin nodded and shook out his arms. He closed his eyes briefly, and whispered the spell.
Long white hair grew and fell around his shoulders. Wrinkles shriveled his skin and his back arched forward, giving him a hunch. A long white beard fell to his stomach, and Arthur forced himself not to flinch. This was the face of the man Arthur had wrongfully thought killed his father.
Gwen’s fingers curled around his hand, and he gripped her tightly, allowing the comfort she offered. Ciri stepped back and took in Merlin’s appearance.
Hands flew to medallions and every eye focused on them.
“I’ve never seen anything like this.” Yennefer circled Merlin.
“Well?” he said, voice creaky and rough. “Hurry up. I’m old and my back hurts.”
“Remarkable,” Yennefer said. Geralt came to stand at her side, Jaskier not far behind.
He peered closely at Merlin, taking in the white hair and wrinkled skin. “It’s not an illusion.”
“Of course not,” Merlin spat. “If it was my joints wouldn’t creak.”
Arthur snorted. “He’s even crankier like this.”
Merlin snorted and waved a hand. “You would be too at this age.”
“Can you reverse it?” Jaskier asked. His fingers twitched and he hummed softly as he waited for an answer.
Merlin sighed and muttered another spell. His eyes glowed gold and the aging reversed. He groaned as he straightened and rubbed his lower back to help stretch out the muscles.
“I’ve gotten better at it, but it's still a pain to cast.”
Lambert ambled up and smacked Merlin on the shoulder. He rocked on his feet, and nearly tumbled. Arthur grabbed the back of his jacket and halted his progress.
“We’ll sneak you in,” Lamber said with a grin. A twinkle brightened his eyes, and Arthur narrowed his. He didn't trust that look.
Merlin crossed his arms and scowled. “I’ll make you carry me.”
Lambert waved a hand and his grin grew sharper. “That won’t be hard. You weigh nothing to a witcher.”
“You will make sure no harm comes to him.” Arthur gripped Merlin’s shoulder tight. The thought of sending him against Morgana, magic or no magic, sent his stomach falling to his toes.
Lambert lost his grin and gave Arthur a rare serious look. “We’ll protect him with our lives.”
“I’m Emrys.” Merlin smacked Arthur’s hand away. “I can take care of myself.”
“You fell down the stairs two days ago,” Arthur shot back.
“It would ease our worry,” Gwen said, taking Merlin’s hand. She smiled at him and Merlin’s ire melted away.
“For you, I’ll be careful.”
“Thank you.”
Geralt nodded and he and Lambert walked back to the front of the crowd. Yennefer bowed and dragged Jaskier back to their stations.
Geralt waited for everyone to settle. He made sure to hold everyone’s gaze for a few more heartbeats.
"Tonight, we kill a monster and free a kingdom.”
“White Wolf!”
Anger swelled and filled every inch of the throne room. The pressure crushed Arthur’s chest and shook his fragile control. Sparks lit beneath his skin, and shattered the ice that had encased him for so long.
The call spread through Arthur's soul. His heart hurt and he had trouble breathing. This was what loyalty looked like. This was what a worthy king did. He inspired his people and kept his lands safe.
Arthur trusted too much, and saw too little. His own father hadn't cared enough to support him, constantly reminding him of his shortcomings, and his uncle would rather side with a sister who never believed in him either.
As the witchers separated and began planning their attack, Arthur made a vow. He would do his duty. He would save his people, and then, he would submit himself to their judgment. It was the least he could do for his kingdom.