A/N

So…this is the chapter you've all been waiting for and asking for and pleading for…any guesses?


Arthur agitatedly paced the room, thinking hard. There were too many unknowns for Arthurs liking, and if Merlin was honest with himself for his own as well. They were all on edge, one wrong step could mean the end of the treaty talk, but they had no idea what the right steps were, much less the wrong ones.

"I just wish I knew what to do…" Arthur muttered mostly to himself.

"Well you could start by telling me what about this ring has gotten everyone so worked up." Merlin replied. Gwaine, who hadn't noticed the ring before was now staring at it wide eyed.

"You to?" Merlin asked.

"I umm…" Gwaine began awkwardly.

"Can you tell me what it is?" Merlin asked.

"Not my place…sorry" Gwaine replied hurriedly. Merlin glared hotly at him and began,

"This better not be some sort of…oh I don't know wedding ring or something…"

"No" Arthur sighed, "nothing like that."

"Well then what is it?" Merlin demanded, "something about this thing has got everyone worked up…even King Harding was surprised to see it…"

"He was surprised?" Arthur asked.

"Very" Merlin replied tartly.

"Do you think he knows…" Leon asked.

"I don't know what to think anymore" Arthur admitted.

"Well that makes to of us" Merlin snapped.

"Don't worry about it" Arthur groaned.

"How can I not when everyone's so worked up about it?" Merlin demanded.

"It's not important" Arthur argued.

"Then why won't you tell me?" Merlin countered.

"Look I promise I'll tell you everything later…but right now's just not the time" Arthur begged. Merlin growled in frustration before stomping into his room.

"Now would you care to explain?" Elyan asked. Arthur hesitated before sighing,

"Well…I guess there's no harm but you have to swear not to tell Merlin until we're safely back in Camelot…or at least out of Brandon's reach."

"I promise" Lancelot replied automatically followed by Elyan and Percival. Arthur nodded before beginning,

"Well basically…it's a ring that only members of the royal family can wear…before my father…married the….troll" Arthur shuddered at the memory.

"He married a troll?" Gwaine laughed.

"It's a long story but no one knew she was a troll but…that's not the point" Arthur explained, "Basically it could have made her royalty."

"Right…" Elyan began, not sounding to sure.

"What so it makes people more important or something?" Lancelot asked. Arthur hesitated before explaining,

"Yes…and no…because I gave it to Merlin…it…it kind of…well it makes him a heir to the throne of Camelot."


End Notes

0_0 anyone see that one coming? I was originally going to keep everyone in the dark until much later but…I realized telling everyone but Merlin still would help make the story work much better. Like? Hate? Sorry, I just had to try a cliffhanger. How will the others react to this? You shall soon find out...tomorrow…maybe…review :D. Please don't kill me then you really will never find out.