Chapter Disclaimer: Scenes from S01E07, S01E10, S01E13,

Prophecy and influence

Merlin gave Arthur a sheepish grin. "Well, at that time, I really thought you were an arrogant prat with no redeeming qualities." At Arthur's indignation, Merlin quickly continued. "Obviously, I was wrong. I learned that you were proud, not just arrogant. Strong in mind, not just body. You have compassion, loyalty and a love for your people that most kings never exhibit."

"As for the 'Once and Future King' bit," Merlin continued as he turned to Gwen, "that is what the dragon told me. Arthur is the Once and Future King of prophecy. He is destined to do great things."

"Prophecy?" Arthur asked. "I remember the creature in the cave, the one that gave me the stone, mentioned prophecies. What do you know of it, Merlin? What did it mean?"

Merlin looked at Arthur for a moment, unsure of how to answer. "There are prophecies of the 'Once and Future King', prophecies that mention he is destined to be the greatest king to ever live. Destined to unite the lands of Albion. You are that King, Arthur. You have united more kingdoms in peace than any king before you, allied with those you would rather see dead." Arthur acknowledged those words, thinking of Odin and the fact that he had entered a peace treaty with him when all he had wanted to do was kill the man. "You are a great king, Arthur. The greatest king that Camelot could ever ask for. Your people love you." Merlin continued earnestly and Arthur felt humbled by what his servant said.

"It might have been the prophecy that inspired me and prompted me to be your servant but it is you, Arthur, who inspired me to stay. Your loyalty and courage made me realize that prophecy or no, you are a man, a King, that I am honored to serve and to follow. One I would give my life for." Merlin ended with an earnest expression and Arthur stood still, regarding his manservant and friend fondly. He gave a regal nod and turned to his wife, enfolding her in a hug. They watched in silence as Merlin collected their dinner plates and left with a bow and a "See you in the morning, Sire, Your Highness."

They stood there, arms around each other for a few minutes before Arthur pulled back. "Has he really changed me that much? Has Merlin really been that instrumental in the King I am today?" If not for the fact that Arthur knew Merlin well, very well, then he might have been more upset and indignant that a servant had played such a big role in who he was today.

"You have to admit, Arthur, that Merlin knows you better than almost anyone. I might even go so far as to say he knows you better than I do. He is with you all hours of the day, he knows your moods and your desires as well as he knows his own. That he has influenced you is no question, for he has been with you for ten years, day in and day out. You are your own man, however, and you do not always listen to him, you follow your heart, which is all that we could ask for."

Guinevere lifted her hand to his cheek and tilted her head up, giving him a soft kiss. "The man you are today, Arthur Pendragon, has been forged not by Merlin's influence or mine, but by that of your people. Camelot as a whole is what you care for, what you love as King, and it is Camelot that has made you who you are today. That your heart is big enough to have accepted this change, that is what is important. No other king I know or have known in the past could compare to the king you are, Arthur. You are the greatest King to have ever lived. The prophecies are right about that."

Soft fingers brushed at his cheeks and Arthur was embarrassed to realize that a few tears had slipped past his notice.

"I would still like to see how Merlin has influenced me into the man I am today. Surely he hasn't played that big of a role?"

Before Guinevere could answer, the stone glowed and a new scene started playing...

Arthur and Merlin enter the Prince's chambers, "Make sure you put her in a decent room." Arthur says as he takes off his gloves. "The one next door is empty." Remarks Merlin. "The one next door is fine." Answered Arthur, "Excellent, in fact." Merlin grins at him from where he stands. "Shut up, Merlin."

"What? I didn't say anything." "You didn't have to. I want to make it clear that my intentions towards Sophia are completely honorable." Merlin nods in mock seriousness. "Put her in the room on the other side of the castle." Arthur says in a resigned voice. "It's warmer, more comfortable." "Of course." Merlin answers. "She, err... is very beautiful." "Yes, she is." Arthur agrees. "And if your intentions are honorable." Continues Merlin. "Oh, they are. Most definitely." Arthur agrees. "Then what's the problem with her staying next door?" Arthur thinks for a while then answers. "There isn't one. You've convinced me. Put her in the room next to mine." Merlin smirks at Arthur and the prince makes a hasty exit.

The next scene starts immediately before Arthur could face Gwen and apologize for any hurt feelings the scene might have conjured.

Arthur is sitting outside Merlin's childhood home, sharpening his sword. Merlin joins him and sits in silence for but a moment before he speaks. "William's father was killed, fighting for King Cenred. So he doesn't trust anyone with nobility." "So do you think the villagers believed him?" Arthur asked. "No. He's always been a trouble maker. They're used to ignoring him."

"And if he's right?" Arthur asked. "He isn't." Merlin assures and the watchers see Hunith listening in the background, something which the two outside the hut were unaware of. "We're treating these men like soldiers, and they're not." Arthur explains. "You've seen them fight, they haven't got a clue." Merlin looks at where Arthur is gesturing and he doesn't deny the words. "You need to tell them all to leave the village before Canen returns." "No, we're going to stay, we're going to fight, and we're going to win." Merlin is earnest in his resolution. Arthur shakes his head, "Merlin, it can't be done. The odds are too great." "It can. We're gonna make Canen rue the day he ever came to this village. All you need to do is get the men ready for battle. The rest will take care of itself." Anyone watching could see that Arthur had serious reservations about the mission and doubted that they would be able to save anyone. "How?" He asked plaintively. "You've just got to believe in them. Because if you don't, they'll sense it, and the battle will be lost before it's even begun."

Looking back on that day, Arthur realized that even then, less than a year after meeting Merlin, he had already listened to his servant's earnest words and his unshakable trust in Arthur's leadership had spurred him on to face the impossible. Despite the odds against them, they had triumphed that day. Arthur thought back to Merlin's friend, the one who had turned the tide and thought that if it had been today, he might not have reacted quite as harshly as he had then.

Merlin entered Arthur's quarters hesitantly, closing the door behind him softly as Arthur stood at the table and poured himself a drink. "Ah, Merlin." The prince greets. "How are you?" Merlin asked. "Good." "I'm pleased" "Yes. I owe it all to Gaius." Merlin looks down at that, not saying anything but knowing the truth. "I need to talk to you." Arthur takes a sip from his goblet before answering, "You still haven't got it yet, have you? I decide when we need to talk." Merlin looks at Arthur for a moment before looking down. "Not today." "I sometimes wonder, if you know who I am." "Oh, I know who you are." Merlin answered and stepped closer. "Good." Arthur answered, lifting his goblet to take another sip but pausing halfway as Merlin continues. "You're a prat. And a royal one." Arthur laughs softly and places his goblet down on the table, rubbing at his healing arm. "Are you ever going to change, Merlin?" "No, you'd get bored... Promise me this, if you get another servant, don't get a bootlicker." Arthur thinks about this for a moment before answering. "If this is you trying to leave your job..." "No, I'm happy to be your servant, till the day I die." Merlin's earnest tone causes Arthur to look up and the eyes of his servant are earnest as well, holding firm conviction to his words. "Sometimes I think I know you, Merlin. Other times..." Arthur shakes his head. "Well, I know you. You're a great warrior. One day, you'll be a great king."

"That's very kind of you." Arthur says in surpise. "But you must learn to listen as well as you fight." Arthur looks indignant now, "any other pointers?" "No. That's it. Just... don't be a prat..."

Arthur looked at Guinevere in shock. "This was just after the questing beast bit me and Gaius gave me that remedy. Merlin had bargained with that sorceress for my life and he was saying goodbye." Guinevere took his hand and led him to a chair by the fireplace. "It still doesn't make sense though... How could he be alive if he had exchanged his life for mine? We both came out of that situation alive. What are we missing?"

"I don't know, Arthur. We might never know." Guinevere answered and they sat in silence, pondering all that they had seen. "Thank you." Arthur directs at the stone, still feeling silly for speaking to an inanimate object but hoping that it would stop any more scenes from playing. They had enough to think about for now. Guinevere regards him for a moment, "These scenes were all within the first year of meeting Merlin. If there are already three scenes where he had changed or influenced your life to such a degree, I can only imagine how many instances there are in later years."

Arthur thinks about this for a moment before nodding his agreement. "Indeed, it seems even small, innocuous instances where he influenced my decisions had a more profound impact on me and everything I do than I ever realized."

"He is an advisor to you, unofficial as it may be. No, Arthur, don't bother denying it, we both know it is true. Merlin does not seek recognition for the parts he plays, not formal recognition at least. As long as you keep an open mind to what he says, I am sure that he will be happy to serve you till the day he dies. He admitted as much in that scene."

Arthur lay in bed that night, thinking of all they had learned and it was only after the midnight bell had rung that he finally fell asleep.


The days which followed were busy, Arthur and Gwen occupied with the paperwork involved in the new treaty they had signed as well as new trade routes they wanted to open.

Nemeth had been restored to its rightful king and Rodor had agreed that trade carts would be permitted to ride through their land to Odins'.

Even with all the work they had, Arthur thought it a good idea to ask Geoffrey for any records on the prophecy Merlin and the creature spoke of. He just asked for references of the "Once and Future King", not wanting to mention the creature or bring Merlin's name into this.

Geoffrey once again brought a stack of papers to the king and queen's quarters but this time he relinquished them without question. Muttering something about 'strange times afoot' and 'contacting old friends'.

Arthur and Gwen quickly divided the stacks in two, each taking one to work through. It took less than three paragraphs for Arthur to feel the first stirrings of worry and dread. Guinevere looked up from time to time with a worried frown creasing her brow but she said nothing. When Arthur looked up after reading his third scroll, his wife was biting her bottom lip and scanning through the pages as quickly as possible.

"Guinevere." She looks up at him, worrying at her lip for a moment before catching herself and releasing it. "Are there mentions of Emrys in those pages?" The worried frown smoothed out and she nods. "Yes. Every single reference regarding the 'Once and Future King' also makes mention of a powerful sorcerer, the most powerful to ever walk the land. Emrys."

Arthur nods, "It is the same for these," he indicates the three he had gone through before continuing. "They all speak of Emrys and how he would help the 'Once and Future King' unite the lands of Albion." He does not mention the one scroll that also spoke of a druid, a druid who might be the end of the 'Once and Future King' but there were conflicting references so Arthur put it aside for the time being.

"Guinevere." Arthur says once again. "That scene we watched a while ago, the one with no image, just sound. The voice told Merlin that he is destined to help me unite the lands of Albion..." Arthur's voice is soft and lost, he is not sure if he is understanding this correctly, not sure if he wants to.

Gwen stands up and kneels next to Arthur, she had come to the same conclusions but hadn't known how to voice them.

"What do you want to do, Arthur?"

End chapter 9