Arthur ducked and swore as fire crashed against the shield around him.
"It's alright, Arthur," Merlin reassured him. Arthur froze and slowly turned his head in Merlin's direction is eyes dangerously calm.
"Alright?" repeated Arthur. Merlin blinked at him, his eyes fading to their usual blue and lowered his arms. The old fear crept up on him, tightening its vice like grip on his heart.
"Tell me Merlin," the man in question winced at the sound of his name coloured in fury. Behind Arthur, Kilgharrah landed in the clearing, gazing at the scene before him. The King didn't notice, too absorbed in his rant as his world crumbled around him.
""How in the name of all that is good is anything in this god forsaken situation alright? My manservant, my friend has lied to my face all this time! Breaking the law like he's above it, insulting me behind my back every day like he's something special, above jurisdiction. Pretending to be a helpless idiot when all along you're the most protected of us all! How many times have you stood by and watched? Content to stand by as my people suffer while your kind wreak havoc in my kingdom –"
"Enough!" a thunderous voice interrupted. Arthur spun round and gaped at the being before him. His mouth opened and closed as his attempts to speak failed at the sight of the most fearsome beast he'd ever thought he'd defeated.
Merlin, who had stood his ground, ready for Arthur to finish his rant before arguing back, cleared his throat nervously.
"It's alright, because the dragon won't harm you?" he replied, his uncertainty making the response sound more like a question. Arthur stared at him, incredulous.
"The time of Albion is close, young warlock. I will leave you to explain to the king why you have kept your secrets. Be warned, Pendragon," Arthur looked alarmed as the dragon addressed him. "If you kill my dragonlord, I will have vengeance," he threatened ominously.
"No!" roared Merlin furiously. Arthur gaped in shock at his tone. "Kilgharrah, I forbid it," he commanded, his expression one of cold authority.
The dragon's eyes glinted in anger but concern for Merlin lingered. He bowed in obeisance before taking off. Arthur watched him leave, shaking his head numbly. Another shockwave hit him as he turned to see his servant on his knees.
"I know what I've done," Merlin said, meeting Arthur's gaze. "I've always known this had to happen. I knew it from the first time I used magic to save your life, pulling you away from that dagger. I know that, according to law I must be executed." Arthur winced at the word magic, but he couldn't disguise his flinch at the word executed.
"I had hoped to tell you one day," Merlin continued, a resigned sadness in his tone. "I thought maybe you could learn to accept my kind and forgive us the sins of a minority. I don't know my future but I willingly place my life in your hands. It's been an honour to be your servant, Arthur."
They looked at each other for a moment, Merlin in turmoil and Arthur expressionless. Slowly, he drew his sword. Merlin clenched his fists and blinked away tears, determined to see this through to the end. With a fast movement Arthur brought his sword down.
Merlin gasped a shaky breath as the sword was stabbed into the earth in front of him, forcing him to look at the blade. He struggled to regain his composure.
"Tell me about the sword, Merlin. And tell me the truth," Arthur said quietly. Merlin looked back up at him, uncertainly.
"I…well you needed one," Arthur raised his eyebrow. "A better one. You couldn't fight your uncle without a sword that could kill the dead-"
"Wait," Arthur interrupted, confused. "What are you talking about?"
"The black knight that you challenged. He was a wraith, a shade of your uncle, Tristan Dubois. None of the knights could defeat him and you needed to."
"But I didn't, my father fought him."
"Well I didn't know that at the time!" Merlin protested. "I was desperate, I didn't know what Gaius and your father were planning, I just thought if I didn't do something you'd be killed. So I asked Gwen to give me the best sword her father had-"
"You're telling me this was made by Tom?" he asked disbelieving. Merlin shook his head.
"He may have made the weapon but I made the sword. I asked Kilgharrah to burnish it for me."
"The dragon? The dragon that was held under the city and guarded night and day?"
"Not very well," Merlin muttered, remembering the numerous times he'd managed to give those guards the slip. "Kigharrah warned me that the sword was powerful, that no one other than you could wield it. I gave him my word. But then it was Uther that used it instead. It all turned out fine for everyone else but they didn't have an angry dragon to deal with. I'd broken my promise. I hid it, where no man could find it."
"In a stone?" Arthur asked. He could think of more secretive places. Merlin cleared his throat nervously.
"In a lake," he corrected.
"Well how on earth did it get in a stone?" Arthur demanded impatiently.
"I needed it again. I couldn't fight the immortal army without something that could kill the dead."
"When did you fight an immortal army, Merlin? You were meant to go after the warning bell," Arthur said dangerously quiet. Merlin looked uncomfortable.
"I went after the cup." Arthur's grip on the sword hilt tightened. "I emptied the cup of blood. It was the only way to save Camelot. After that I put it in the stone. A promise that one day the Once and Future King would take it up and we'd be free and at peace."
Arthur stared at him, stunned. He'd had no idea that the story of the sword was so close to him. It was one thing to hear about an old legend of a sword, but to hear that he was such an integral part to that legend was indescribable.
"A symbol of hope," Arthur murmured. He pulled the sword from the ground and gazed at it with new eyes. Merlin watched as Arthur turned his attention to him again.
"Thank you, Merlin." He held out a hand for him and Merlin took it gratefully, struggling to his feet after such a long time kneeling.
"Um, do I take it you're not going to kill me?" Merlin asked hopefully. A shadow flitted across Arthur's eyes as he remembered all the times Merlin must have lied to him. Then he felt the weight of his sword, knowing it wouldn't coming close to the weight of loyalty Merlin had for him.
"A good warlock is hard to come by," Arthur said brightly. Merlin's face split with a joyful smile.
"Come on, we've got laws to change."
BriefShiningMoment
Yeah, I finished it. Thanks for the reviews people! Really appreciated them.