Merlin had gone overboard with dinner. There was so much food on the table. We would be eating leftovers for weeks.
"I thought you may like options!" Merlin was so proud of himself.
"Why don't you eat with us? We will never be able to eat all of this," I asked.
"I'd be delighted!" Merlin was way too excited. I guess I was full of anticipation… It was now we would find out if Ryan was really Gwayne. Merlin has thought so this whole time because of a vision he had, but wanted to make sure so we knew we would have the right person.
We sat down to dinner and began eating. Pulled pork sandwiches were my first grab. Not a smart food when you are trying to impress someone, but hey! They are delicious. Ryan loved them too.
"Do you have something to drink?" He asked.
Perfect.
"Yes! I will go grab something from the kitchen," Merlin jumped up.
"He's an interesting guy," Ryan laughed.
"You have no idea… He is my only human contact but he is bizarre sometimes," We laughed. It was true, Merlin was weird. Not in the way Ryan was thinking though…
Merlin returned with 3 glasses. All looked different. Smart man. He set them down in front of us.
"Thank you, Marvin. You are great!" Ryan said, "Now a toast to the birthday girl?"
Oh no.… He was going to put off taking a drink.
"That's not necessary, Ryan. Let's just drink up! Cheers!" I said, putting the cup to my mouth.
"Now Ophie, it's your birthday. We need to honor you," Ryan's charm. Damn him. Damn that sexy man.
"I remember seeing you and Julia at the Globe. I remember seeing you black out. Even though we barely know each other, I feel like we have known each other for centuries."
Pause.… Merlin went to drink.
"But you know, I am glad we met. You have brought adventure into my life and I hope this friendship can turn into something more," Okay… He had to be done now.
"Here's the thing. I don't know what it is. I just know I am drawn to you. So Ophie, I'm grateful to be here with you on your 20th birthday. Cheers!"
FINALLY.
He took a drink. Merlin and I both waited in anticipation.
We watched. Ryan's eyes began to go white. All white. The potion was working. He was Gwayne. Merlin looked at me and grabbed my hand. I began blacking out… Except whiting out. We were going into Ryan's vision.
White was all around. This must be what it is supposed to look like. A silhouette appeared. Tall, muscular. The silhouette began to speak, still faded.
"Ryan. My name is Sir Gwayne of Camelot. I was a Knight of the Round Table while King Arthur ruled. It is time for Camelot to return. The Prophesies have said that Arthur is the Once and Future King. The future has come. Your friend, Ophelia, has been given the magic to bring back Camelot. She cannot do it without you," Gwayne paused.
"Is this real? I can't even see your face!" Ryan was freaking out. Understandable. It's quite terrifying to have someone speak to your mind.
"Yes." Gwayne face faded into view. I realized Ryan looked similar. Same dark, shaggy hair. Same smile. Knights really were attractive.
"What am I supposed to do then?" Ryan was still unsure, you could tell in his voice.
"Listen to Merlin. He will help you. The potion is wearing off, I must go. Please though, do not fall in love with Morgana. If you do, Camelot can never return," Gwayne began fading again.
"No! Stop!" Ryan yelled.
The vision ended.
"What the bloody hell did you both just do to me?!" Ryan was freaked out to the extreme. It was expected.
"We thought it would be easier to tell you who you were if you heard it from Sir Gwayne himself. The potion allowed you to speak to the spirits that walk the earth. Sir Gwayne chose you when you were young to be his steward in the Return," Merlin answered.
"So let me guess… You are Merlin?" Ryan was good.
"Spot on the nose!" Merlin jumped up, "Now we have Ophelia and we have Ryan… Now just to locate Guinivere and Morgana."
"What was with the warning about Morgana?" Ryan asked. I wondered too. I mean, we all knew the Morgana of old was an evil hag, but why did Gwayne warn him about her?
"Morgana's powers are great. Whoever has been chosen by her must be located and captured. That one isn't so pretty. There is also her sister, Morgause. We aren't worrying about Morgause quite yet, though," Merlin actually sounded serious
"Okay… Well, what am I supposed to do now?" Ryan was good at acceptance of the impossible. Weird…
"You will be moving into a room here and your training will begin."
MOVING IN?! Merlin never told me that!
"Ophelia, are you going to be okay with that?" Ryan asked.
"Yes. We need to unite the knights, so it makes sense," I said.
It was time to begin.