Chapter Text
Cover Art by the amazing Maryluis!
"You saved my boy's life. A debt must be repayed."
"Ehm. Well-"
"Don't be so modest. You shall be rewarded."
"No. Honestly, you don't have to, your highness." He tried to intervene somewhat respectfully, but was overruled.
"No, absolutely. This merits something quite special!", the king intoned. Merlin had a bad feeling about this.
"You shall be rewarded a position in the royal household."
Merlin had enough. "But I already have a position in the royal household!", he all but shouted.
"What?" The king obviously wasn't used to interruptions. Merlin realized he might just have dug his own grave as he observed the slowly rising fury in the monarch's eyes. The prince however seemed absolutely gobsmacked and just a little bit... impressed?
Thinking it best to clarify things Merlin hastily elaborated: "I'm apprenticed to the court physician."
The king had obviously not expected this. He raised a skeptical eyebrow, looked Merlin over from head to toe and called out to the physician in question: "Gaius! This boy claims to be under your tutelage. What do you have to say to this?"
Gaius came forward from his place at the far wall of the room, respectfully bowed to the head table and explained: "He speaks the truth, your highness. Merlin here has only just arrived in Camelot the day before and I have decided to appoint him as my apprentice this very day. I planned to introduce him properly, but the day has proven rather hectic with all the guests arriving for the festivities. I do hope you can forgive me for my tardiness as well as his impudence."
Gaius threw Merlin a deeply unapproving glare, which managed to properly chastise the boy. Uther, being accustomed to the effective use of his old friends eyebrows, was actually amused by the interaction.
"No offense taken, Gaius. I do however trust that you will implore on him the proper ways to address his betters."
"Certainly, my Lord. I will make sure of that." The relief in both the physician and his new apprentice was palpable, which further amused the king.
"Now... seeing as the boy already has a respectful profession, we will need to find a different reward to give him."
At this Merlin perked up, seemingly alarmed again. "This really isn't necessary, your... erm- highness."
"This won't do. You have saved my son's life. Such an act needs to be properly compensated."
"If I may suggest something, my Lord?" The king gestured for Gaius to speak.
"As he is to become my apprentice he will have a lot of subjects to study and while my personal collection of research material may be sufficient for my day to day use, I do believe he would profit greatly, if he were to gain access to the castle's library as a scholar."
Uther had never fancied himself a passionate student, a trait he had apparently passed onto his son, so he failed to see this as a worthy reward for saving the life of royalty. However one glance at the unrestrained, hopeful look of the boy made it clear that this would suffice in his eyes. So, who was he to look a gifted horse in the mouth. If this was all it needed to make the boy happy and prevent him from calling on a life debt to the crown one day...
"Very well. I shall inform Geoffrey that your apprentice is to be granted unrestricted access to the castle's library."
"Thank you, your highness!", Merlin and Gaius chorused as they both bowed deeply.
"Now then", the king announced to the whole room, "I believe we have a feast to uphold. Let the festivities continue!"
"Seems you're a hero."
"Hard to believe, isn't it?"
"No actually. I knew it from the moment I met you. Seeing as you saved my life as well, you know?" Gaius nudged him good naturedly as he sat down beside Merlin on his bed.
Hearing him say it like this warmed Merlin to his core. He had been so very anxious until now. Here he was at the heart of Camelot and practically the first thing he did was to reveal his magic to this absolute stranger. But ever since... Gaius had shown him nothing but kindness and good advice. Plus, he had bailed him out of whatever plan the king had concocted for him. A position in the royal household? What if he had made him a manservant or something? Surely he would have been dead by the end of the week.
"Seems like we have found a good purpose for your talents."
"What do you mean?"
"I saw how you saved Arthur's life. Perhaps that's its purpose."
Merlin huffed at that. "My destiny."
"Indeed. To save and heal is the sworn destiny of every physician in the land", the old man intoned gravely. He continued in a much lighter tone:
"I have a gift for you, Merlin."
With a kind smile he handed Merlin a heavy tome. The young man held the leather bound foliant reverently as he opened it to the first page.
"Basic anatomy of the human body. Wow. Erm... Gaius, I don't know what to say. I-"
"I thought since you have been officially established as my apprentice, we should start your education as soon as possible. So I chose some light literature on the first subject you should learn."
"This... is light?!" Merlin almost dropped the book that practically weighted more than all his worldly possessions combined.
"Certainly. And here is another one you should have a look at while you study", he deadpaned as he flopped a second tome, which was only marginally lighter than the first, onto his lap. Merlin had serious doubts about his life choices as he noticed the amused smirk of his new master.
"You should open it." He nodded to the new edition of Merlin's workload.
Wearily Merlin opened the offending book and was confused for a moment as he didn't find a title, but instead: "Is this... Is this a compendium of magic spells?! Gaius!"
"This has been in my possession for a long time now. I believe it will be of more use to you than it ever was to me."
Merlin was absolutely overjoyed as he flung his arms around his new mentor. The old man was surprised only for a moment before he returned the hug.