The carriage stopped in the courtyard of Camelot castle after three days of travel. Inside, Arthur Pendragon sighed and tried to relax his nerves...
He was nervous, because he knew that shortly thereafter he would have to wear a mask, he would have to lie and to plot against his father ... a part of him was scared, but he knew it was the right thing to do if he wanted to free his people and sorcerers from Uther's tyranny.
"Are you okay, Princess? Looks like you are about to throw up!"
Arthur glared at Gwaine in front of him. He and Lancelot were with him as his personal guards, although he would tell Uther that they were two noblemen he had met during the return journey - Merlin had falsified the documents of nobility.
The blond was so glad of their presence, because in the last year they had become two of his dearest friends and in the coming months he would need friendly faces, for until he becomes king, he would be forced to consider the inhabitants of the castle as his enemies.
"Thanks, Gwaine…You really know how to reassure a person"
The brown haired knight raised his hands, "Hey, mate, if I had my way, I would drag you to the local tavern and show you my magic trick to relax oneself: it's called alcohol"
"Gwaine, we are here to protect Arthur and I doubt that making him drunk means protection! If something should happen to him, you know what Merlin will do to us!" Lancelot scolded his friend.
Both of them shuddered and Gwaine instinctively touched his hair.
Arthur laughed, having witnessed the lecture that Merlin had done to the two men before leaving... and above all, he remembered that Merlin had threatened to turn Gwaine bald if anything were to happen to his darling.
He looked outside through the window of the carriage and sighed once again when he saw his father and Morgana just appearing from the main door and positioning themselves on the stairs to wait for him, like two predators, to exit the carriage. Seeing them after what he had found out about his father's crimes against magic and his mother was making his blood boil with rage in his veins…that man would pay for what he had done!
Sure of himself once again, he got up from the sofa he was sitting on and straightened his back and clothes, looking exactly like the king Merlin had made him and that he would soon become. At the thought of his love, Arthur caressed the crystal pendant tied to the necklace around his neck…even then he could feel Merlin's magic giving him strength.
Then, he looked at his companions, asking, "Ready?"
They smiled and got up too, "Oh yes... let's go meeting daddy!"
Arthur smirked, as he saw them moving to open the door…
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Morgana was patiently standing beside her father on the stairs, waiting for her half-brother to get off the carriage that had returned him to Camelot. She was very curious to find out about this supposed new Arthur, to see if and in what way he may have changed and whether this would bode well for her, because in the past year, she had dealt with the duties of the heir of the kingdom…and she had loved it!
She had spent those past months gaining power and authority among the people with her kindness and among the noblemen of the Court with her cunning and strategic mind, which had also ensured her a seat in the Council, more precisely the seat at the right hand of the king, usually reserved to the Heir to the throne. And to be completely honest: she had become addicted to all that new power in her hands…after Uther, she was the most important person in the kingdom and everyone had to bow to her…besides, she was also the voice of magic in a court that hadn't fully accepted magic yet, only on paper…
Because of all this, she wasn't ready to give up her power – and maybe she never will – especially since some months ago, Uther had confessed to her that in the case Arthur wouldn't return as the perfect Prince, he would appoint her as his heir! Needless to say, she was overjoyed, not only because of the news itself, but also because she was one hundred percent sure that one day she would be Queen, because she didn't believe, not for a second, that there was hope for her brother. He could change as much as he liked, but he would always be arrogant, insolent, conceited…weak. Unlike her. She was so confident about this fact that she had even already told her maidservant Gwen to be ready, because soon she would have to move all her mistress's possessions in the chambers belonging by tradition to the Crown Prince – well, Princess in this case.
And this was the cause of her curiosity and nervousness in those moments of pause…she couldn't wait to see her certainties and ambitions confirmed.
First, she saw two strangers exiting the carriage, a tall brunet and a bearded brown-haired one, who kept the carriage door open. Then, it was Arthur's turn to get off…
…and Morgana couldn't help but gasp at what she was seeing!
The boy, not man that had exited the carriage couldn't be her bother Arthur, who in general was dull in the way he dressed and in the way he carried himself, because the man who was approaching her father was…charming beyond her wildest imaginations. He was taller than a year ago and far more muscular, but not in a bulky way, more in a fit warrior way, who had muscles in the right places, strong, but also fast and elegant at the same time. He had a straight back, wrapped in a bright red cloak and was wearing a so rich armour that it was even shining, lighting his smooth face, his sky blue eyes and his golden hair, making him look like a warrior angel.
In a few words, he was a gorgeous and charismatic man, taking up all the space around him, as if he owned it. All those present in the courtyard had stopped to stare at him, as enchanted, and everyone felt the instinct to kneel at his feet ... everyone, including Morgana, although of course she would never admit it.
She wasn't liking this new Arthur…not at all…he was bad news for her plans…
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Arthur couldn't help but smile in satisfaction at everyone's awe reaction at his arrival. It was exactly the effect Merlin and he had hoped for... the people had to feel immediately his majesty... recognize him as their King, deeply in their souls.
Then, he focused his attention to his father and his heart roared with the want to have his revenge then and there. He instinctively stoked with his thumb the hilt of the sword tied to his side... a sword that his beloved Merlin himself had gifted him...
"Here's your blade, my darling... Excalibur, forged in a dragon's breath. Nothing can survive its touch. A weapon worthy of my king!"
Arthur takes the blade and holds it up, marvelled by the rightness that he feels at having it in his hand, as if it was part of his arm…
"Then I shall wield it in victory and with honour…in your honour, my love…thank you"
A cough from Lancelot woke him from his thoughts and he smiled, moving closer to his father, who was watching him expressionless, as if to see how his son would behave...
The Prince sneered inside, because he knew what Uther had confessed to Morgana a few months before about the change of heir and he knew that his behaviour now was the first test to see if he was mature enough for that role.
"Welcome back, son… and about time" Commented Uther, cold.
Arthur showed his best smile and fell on one knee, taking his father's hand and kissing the ring- royal seal, a very ancient courtly that Alator the Catha had taught him, saying it was a clear sign of respect and loyalty, useful to make your enemy lower his guard around you…
…and it had worked…
Maybe for the first time in his life, Uther bestowed upon him one of his rare smiles, obviously pleased with his son's obedience. Finally.
Arthur got up, "Thank you, My Lord, for welcoming me back…I deeply apologize for the inconvenience I put you through in the past. My behaviour had been unforgivable and the fact that you had been forced to send me away to make me realize that has no excuses. As a token of my gratitude for having welcomed me back here, I brought you gifts: three bears, six deer and different kind of fishes, hunted by myself on the return trip. I hope they can fill both your table and the people. I have also brought the best wine of the five kingdoms, your favourite, My King" Arthur finished, pointing the barrels tied to the carriage.
Uther laughed, patted his son's shoulders and surprised everyone by hugging him, very pleased with his submission and total loyalty to him.
In the meantime, over his shoulder, Arthur smirked for a moment, because he knew that that embrace meant that Uther had lowered his guard and considered Arthur loyal to him – Stupid! – Then, his smiled faded, replaced by a growl he tried to hide by turning his head…he was so disgusted to be touched by Uther, his mother's murderer…all he wanted in that moment was to take Excalibur and use it to run him through.
However, he couldn't and therefore put a smile on his face again the moment his father ended the hug, still obviously satisfied with his son's change.
"It pains me to say this, but that sorcerer, that Emrys really knows how to do things….Now come, son…let's go to my chambers, so you can tell everything that's happened to you in the past year with that man…and tonight, there will be a banquet in your honour!"
Arthur nodded and followed his father inside the castle, ready to tell the lies he and Merlin had studied, not noticing Morgana's suspicious stare on his back.
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Arthur closed the door of his chambers behind him and leaned against it. His shoulders started to shake and then he threw his head back and laughed.
Until then, the plan was going smoothly. During the banquet, Arthur had talked about the strict but efficient methods used by Emrys to help him mature, of course leaving out the part where Arthur had decided to ally himself with the sorcerer against his father. Then, the blond had introduced Lancelot and Gwaine, explaining that they had rescued him from a dangerous beast during the journey and therefore, after checking their nobility documents, Uther had decided to reward them for saving his son by allowing them to become knights of Camelot. Everything had been perfect. The only imperfection had been Morgana, who had watched Arthur like a hawk, as if waiting for the moment when this stranger would drop the mask and returning to be her idiotic brother, who she was superior to…but that won't happen!
Shaking his head, Arthur undressed, leaving on only the crystal pendant. Smiling, he walked toward the bowl of water generally used to wash the face and took it on the bed with him.
He took the crystal and, while thinking about whom he wanted to see, put it in the water, which immediately filled with clouds for a few seconds until it cleaned again, but this time showing a beloved face for Arthur.
"Hi, my darling…it has been three days. I missed you" Said Merlin from the water with a sweet expression. He was in his lab at Avalon from what Arthur could see behind him.
The blond beamed, "I missed you too, my love…so much…"
The sorcerer looked the prince up and down, noticing his state of undress, "Mmm…you're naked…you know how much I love you like this!"
Arthur blushed at the I love you part, "I know you prefer me naked. That's why I have undressed before contacting you…"
Merlin chuckled, "You are right….My darling, how have you fared?"
The blond smirked almost evilly, "Camelot has welcomed back its son with open arms"
"Uther does not suspect?"
"He laps up my lies like the snivelling dog that he is…however, I fear Morgana may suspect something" Snarled Arthur.
"How so?" Asked Merlin, frowning.
"She has been looking at me strange ever since I came back ... as if she knew I'm hiding something... is it possible she knows? "
Merlin closed his eyes for a moment, concentrating. Then, he opened them again and shook his head, "No... my spell on her bracelet is still strong and intact. She has had no visions of us... but we mustn't underestimate her..."
Arthur nodded, "Yeah, my sister is very clever and perceptive..."
"Oh, trust me ... I know! Remember that I have already dealt with her in the alternative life... I know very well what your sister is capable of. Therefore, over the next few days, don't do anything suspicious. Stick to the first part of our plan: conquer the love of the people. Show the people the difference between you and Uther... A king is nothing without the love and loyalty of his subjects! And be careful with Morgana ... if something serious happens, contact me immediately, understand?"
"I will…By the way, in two days there will be a Council meeting and I know that Morgana has gained a seat in the past year…" Said Arthur with a irritate sound at the thought of his father giving his seat to his sister while he was away, "…and I will take advantage of this opportunity to keep an eye on her"
"Okay... but remember my teachings and use them to also show the council that you are no longer a simple prince, but the king that they still don't know to want"
"Don't worry, I will not let you down... I really miss you, love ... When can I see you again for real and be able to touch you?" Asked Arthur a bit desperately.
Merlin gave him a sympathetic look and moved a hand toward the water. It came up from the water and started to caress Arthur's cheek, slowly and lovely. The blond immediately covered it with his own hand and started to kiss Merlin's palm reverently.
Merlin sweetly smiled at that, "I can only put my hand though the water, despite the fact that I wish to be there with you with all my heart, darling…these days without you are pure torture…"
The blond nodded in the palm, unwilling to let his love go, "When? When will I see you again?"
"Because of Morgana's suspects, I don't think we should communicate like this again, in case she passes by your chambers and eavesdrops…I wouldn't put it past her! Therefore, I'm telling you now that the next part of our plan, the one involving Morgause, will be ready in two weeks. Meet me in the forest at the old ruins at midnight in two weeks' time, so I can explain…and we'll finally see each other again, my sweet"
Arthur sighed happily at that wonderful news, "Can't wait for it, love…I will count every minute…"
"….and I every second…" Replied Merlin, before sadly removing his hand from Arthur's strong grip and dipping it in the water once more, "I have to go now, darling. Show what you're worth during the meeting in two days; show them that YOU ARE their king, not Uther nor anyone else…Be strong, because soon we'll be together again and no one will stand in our way. You are MINE, you belong to me, Arthur…I love you!"
Arthur smiled, proud to be Merlin's, "See you in two weeks…I love you so much! Can't wait to rule this kingdom with you!"
After a last smile and kiss with the hand from Merlin, the water cleaned and Arthur removed the crystal, that he deeply kissed, pleased to feel Merlin's magic in it responding to the gesture.
"Good night, my Love"
That said, he laid under the covers and fell asleep, resting for his first Council meeting as an unofficial king and dreaming of his meeting with Merlin in two weeks.
