Slip Ups.
Merlin crawled into bed extremely exhausted. He had about five hours before Arthur would want his breakfast and he intended to make sure that he was on time. He had spent the last few hours filling Lancelot and Gwaine in on what had happened while they had been away, Lancelot needing more information than Gwaine. Merlin fell into a deep sleep, only to be woken an hour later by a deep voice.
'Merrlin, Merrrllliiiinn.'
Sighing Merlin rose out of bed, his tired eyes taking in little of his surroundings as he ran out to the opening in the forest.
'You came at last young warlock.' The Dragon spoke to him.
'What do you want?' Merlin asked, not very politely because of how tired he was.
'To warn you young warlock; Uther's time is near to his end, but make one slip up, and your own destiny will fail.' Merlin sighed. Why did the dragon always have to speak in riddles?
Finally nodding Merlin turned and began walking away before the dragon spoke again, 'Young Warlock, Albion's time of need may be over, but another need, Camelot's need is drawing nigh.'
This time the dragon actually let Merlin go as he flew of to where ever he was saying.
In the end Merlin got an extra hour and a half sleep after the chat with the dragon, meaning that he had a total of two and a half hours sleep, not enough though for the young sorcerer.
Thoughts of extra sleep quickly ran away from Merlin however as he realised he was likely to be late to his master.
Arthur had decided that, with his fathers consent, he would re-knight the four knew knights of Camelot and give them a proper ceremony.
-XOX-
Arthur woke up from his sleep as the curtains in his chamber were thrown open and an annoying voice said 'Morning sire, time to get up', however, Arthur didn't fail to notice his manservant stumble as Merlin moved over to the table where Arthurs breakfast was, Arthur getting up and changing into more formal wear.
'Are you alright this morning Merlin?' Arthur asked worried for Merlins health.
'Yes sire, I'm fine, just a little tired.' In reply to Arthurs questioning looks Merlin continued: 'I was up talking to Gwaine and Lancelot late last night.'
'Well wake up, and if they are as tired as you look then they will be in big trouble. Hindering my friend in his duties isn't a good idea.' Merlin looked up at Arthur and smiled. Arthur had finally opened up to him. After Arthur had finished his breakfast he walked round to Merlin. 'After the ceremony you may go back to bed. You look absolutely shattered.' Then Arthur did something Merlin would never have imagined him doing, and he embraced him like a brother would; Merlin returned the embrace awkwardly, but smiling all the same at his friends' show of friendship.
-XOX-
Four knights knelt in front of the Prince who was once again wearing his crown. He smiled as he looked at four of the noble knights before him.
'Rise Sir Gwaine, knight of Camelot… Rise Sir Percival, knight of Camelot… Rise Sir Lancelot, knight of Camelot… Rise Sir Elyan, knight of Camelot.' As each man was knighted a small clap spread through the room. 'These four knights have not been knighted for no reason. While many of the knights present here were locked in the cells, they were with me, having either somehow eluded capture by Morgause or Morgana, or turning up to help me by escaping from the cells, with some help, or by coming because of a friend.'
There was more clapping as the four knights stood up, two of them making there way slowly over to Merlin.
'What made you look so exhausted then?' Gwaine said, embracing Merlin.
'An idiotic friend I have. The dragon decided that one hour was enough sleep for me and decided to call me to him. It was only about what is to come, warning me not to make any slip ups.' He said, shaking Lancelot's hand. 'Anyway, Arthur has given me the afternoon of to rest, so go and enjoy yourselves, but don't get too drunk!' Merlin said, walking away from them.
Merlin left the room, but didn't go back to his chambers. Instead he went a prepared a horse and rode off while no one saw what he was doing.
He had been riding for half and hour when he finally stopped and climbed of his horse, tying it to a nearby tree.
'Freya,' He called out to the calm lake, knowing she was in there somewhere. The mountains behind were reflected in the shimmering lake. 'Are you there, my lady?' There was no reply, not even a ripple stirred the water. 'I just wished to say, thank you Freya, for all your help.' Merlin said, turning away from the lake and climbing back on his horse, never looking back to see the ripple spread across the water, as a signal to the warlock.
-XOX-
The party had been going on for a few hours when Merlin got back to his chambers, the guards pestering him as to where he had gone. Everyone was now checked as they entered the city incase they carried something that may have been given to them by Morgana.
Merlin fell onto his bed, not caring that Gaius had just called out to him, or the fact he could here the dragons faint calls. By now he was ready to collapse.
-XOX-
'I did warn you,' Merlin laughed as Gwaine and Lancelot stumbled into Gaius's chambers for a remedy. The celebrations had gone on long into the night and Merlin had been asleep though out all of it, only waking in time to have to take many of the drunk nights back to there chambers, and arriving in time to see Gwen having to help Arthur through to his chambers, looking extremely embarrassed.
'Yeah well, what's the fun of a celebration if you don't take risks?' Gwaine asked. He had evidently had more to drink than Lancelot.
'Well, it's morning and his royal pratness is going to want his breakfast, so I'd better go.' Merlin said before walking out on the pair as Gaius entered.
He got the Prince a simple breakfast and some fresh water incase he needed to sober up a bit, but arriving at the princes chambers, Merlin found that Arthur was already up and dressed.
'Thank you Merlin,' He said before he sat down to eat and drink.
'No problem sire,' Merlin said. 'Arthur, how is your father now?'
'I don't know. Since the seer arrived at our dinner I haven't seen him. I guess what was said was too much after everything he has been through.' Arthur hadn't told Merlin of what the seer had said, so Merlins next reply was a big slip up.
'As I said Arthur, perhaps we're heading for a new time; the time of the once and future king.'
AN Hope you enjoy. I have no idea what I'm going to put in the next chapter, so I welcome any ideas… :)
Please review even if you don't have ideas.
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