I stepped out into street and sighed. It's been thirteen years since my uncle took us in. Thirteen years since my parents got into the car wreck that ended their lives and my American citizenship.
I loved my uncle regardless of his cookie obsession of solving crimes. I looked back to the Ebony door with the bright silver adornments that made the address 221B Baker st.
Last year he gave us a scare. I got a panicked call from his partner John telling me my uncle had jumped. I knew he couldn't be dead. First he was too smart, second cause he was part of the Emrys line.
I turned with my umbrella in my hand and walked to my flat. I was a successful assistant to a wealthy businessman. But my day job didn't matter. I hopped to a bus and rode for a bit. I listened to my iPod and hopped off the bus at the stop closest to lake Avalon.
When I reached the banks of this powerful body, I smiled and stuck my hand into the crisp waters. "Hey freya. Sorry it's taken so long" I smiled to the waters.
See the thing about my family is we are the direct descendants of the great Merlin. I had received my powers from my father and he got his powers from his. My father was the son of Merlin. So when my grandfather died my father inherited the powers as the eldest son of three.
Many covens of these new found "witches" sought me out to join them. I refused. I didn't believe in the falsehood of their "old ways". I scoffed at the thought. Most worshipped my ancestor Merlin as their Dadga. If they and these so called "King Arthur" historians knew the real truth.
I waited the customary hour on the banks for the once and future king as taught by me to my uncle mycroft. I smiled to myself thinking that one day, if and when Arthur returned I'd be struck dead. I looked just the evil witch Morgana. Most of the Arthurian followers would tell me I had the looks of her. Almost the witch incarnate. I stood tall and regal. Midnight hair and angled features. Save for my eyes, I had my grandfather's eye.
I was in midst of my farewell ritual with the lady of the lake when she spoke. "Lady Emrys?" I heard the foretold echo. "Yes my lady?" I answered mentally. "It is time. The pendragon awakes" she told me nothing more. I watched as a single dinghy floated to shore. I closed the umbrella in my hand and drew my hood over my head. I met the small boat a few feet off shore and found a young man with golden hair and skin that had been kissed by the sun as its sole passenger. The great sword Excalibur gently heals against his chest.
The dinghy floated behind me till the boat hit the sandy banks of the park. I heard a groan. "Seriously Merlin, watch the shore" the figure complained as he stood up. Within seconds of eye contact he had hopped out of the boat and had the sword pressed the great sword to my throat. "Morgana" he hissed "I saw you fall to Merlin" I held my head high "Sire, I am not Morgana. I am here to help you when you returned to the realm of mortals." He lowered the sword "Where's Merlin? He best not be at the tavern again I will have him in the stocks for this." He stated as he sheathed Excalibur. "My grandfather passed on" I said curtly. His brows knitted together "Merlin? He's gone?" He fell to his knees and stayed at that level. He looked up to me "Then you are?" I looked at him. He seemed broken and lost. I sighed "Dawn Emrys. Third of my line as your Watcher." He rose and stared at me "Then you already know I am Arthur pendragon. The once and future king. You may look as my half sister but you have your grandfather's eyes." I could feel his eyes burning through me. "I am quite removed from that witch, I assure you." I hissed through my teeth.
We had walked the half mile. Sparing the king the looks of the people on the bus. Most of my neighbors thought I brought home a fellow from a D&D session or some sort of LARP game. I just smiled and walked past. Mrs Eldridge began gossiping to her sister that I must have brought home one of "those boys" as I fumbled with my keys wishing I could find the right one. Just as Arthur smiled and I heard giggles from the two old ladies, my deadbolt clicked open and I pushed the young king in. I waved and they waved unconvinced back.
The swung shut hard. I watched as Arthur walked around the corne. Admiring the paintings of medieval Camelot. I slid my lace up boots off and snatched my mobile out of purse. Reaching over I flicked the light on and laughed uncontrollably as Arthur jumped. Cautiously I slid the dimmer down to a low light. "Sorry, electricity is new to you" I said stifling my giggles. I dialed uncle mycroft's number. "Hello my favorite niece!" I heard cheerily from the other end. "I'm your only niece uncle. The dragon has awoke and nested" I told him. "I am on my way." I heard the chromatic jingle of keys and the line died. "Arthur" I called to the blonde. He turned and I unbuckled his cape. I hung it next to my pea coat. I began unbuckling his armor and stored it in my chest in the entry. I slid his chainmail off while he watched with uncertainty. I placed the chainmail with the armor and in the bench. Wordlessly I took Excalibur to my rooms and placed it in my closet. "There you'll be safe" I murmured to sword and its power hummed back in response. I walked to my doorway to find Arthur staring at the painting of Guinevere knighting Lancelot. "She was beautiful, but never like this one." He said staring. "She reigned justly and proudly" I told him as I led him by a portrait he stopped at and stared "who is this?" Asking while pointing to King Henry the 8th. "Someone is coming who will explain everything" I told him. I grabbed his hand and lead him to the kitchen bar.
Uncle Mycroft was there as soon as the tea was done. After introducing the two, he set about teaching Arthur about history. Arthur learned the pendragon line had continued after he passed and the painting he passed was a descendant that fell to the pendragon madness that claimed his father and half sister. We caught him up to speed on modern technology. I had a giggle when he tried to operate the blender. Soon he had everything under control and I impressed at the ease of his lessons. While my uncle had kept Arthur busy, I order pizza. The laughs didn't stop when he discovered pizza.
"Tomorrow dear boy, we will get you proper close. The Emrys family has no shortage of funds. My dear niece will take you! For now here is some of Shirley's clothes so the public won't think you've come from the loonies! Ta-ta kiddos!" And with that he closed the door. I sighed and fell back in my chair. Arthur standing at the window of my flat gazing over the lake. "That was... Interesting." He added to the sound of the TV. I giggled "Uncle Mycroft's been that way for as long as he can remember. Uncle Sherlock is a work too. I remember my parents bantering amongst themselves about how my dad was the normal one." He turned and grimaced. I rose "I will show you to your room" I told him. I walked down the hall hearing his fingertips sliding along my wall. I opened the second room and showed him in. He ran his hands over one of the pillars on the bed. A large amour stood perpendicular to the bed and the small bathroom was on the other side of the bed. He looked over the accommodations with a lonely and lost look. "Thank you dawn, it's not the bed I had but it will do" he thanked me with solemn voice. I walked to the lonesome king and hesitantly place a hand on his shoulder. "Arthur, it'll be okay. I know you feel alone. But I am here for you." I said as I felt a pull. His muscular arms wrapped around me and his nostrils flared. I felt a hot and slow tear hit my shoulder. I rubbed his back and held the grieving man. I sat him down in midst of his grief. Eventually he pulled us to the bed and I held him as he passed out. Before he passed out, he muttered "thank you dawn, your grandfather would be proud." He begun to snore as I got up. I closed the door and headed to my room. I got into my night clothes and told the picture of my parents goodnight.