Well. Hello everyone. Lookie here. Wooooooo.

Yeah, so, this chapter is friggin' long cause I don't want more than two chapters dedicated to the Excalibur arc.

But yay, Balinor!

Both of the princes walked numbly to their chambers. Sir Owain had lost. The black knight had thrown his gauntlet once again, over the dead knight's body, and stared pointedly at Uther. But yet another knight had scooped the gauntlet from under the king and accepted the challenge in his place. Sir Pellinor was the next to fight.

"I can't believe it…" Arthur muttered. He was more devastated by Owain's loss than Merlin, most likely because he had personally trained the knight to win. "I've never seen anyone move like that man…"

"If it even is a man…" replied Merlin. Arthur huffed.

"You're letting that voice get to you; he is just a man, not a monster. He can be beat," Arthur said, but it sounded more like he was talking to himself. "Sir Pellinor is a fine warrior… He can beat him."

"Didn't you see it, Arthur? Owain struck the knight a killing blow, but he didn't even flinch!"

"You might have just been seeing things!"

"My eyes are faster than yours," the younger said caustically. "I know what I saw; that man should be dead, not Owain! You just refuse to believe me because you think I'm going mad!"

Arthur stopped suddenly, making Merlin go on a few steps before he stopped as well. The older prince wore a weary expression. "Look, Merlin: how about this? If Sir Pellinor manages to lose tomorrow, you can go to the city walls at night and see if there really is a man waiting for you. If there is- and I'm emphasizing the 'if' here- I will never doubt you or that weird voice in your head again." He stuck out his hand to his stunned brother. "Deal?"

Merlin quirked a tiny grin and grabbed Arthur's hand. "Deal."

"Good, now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to find Sir Pellinor." Arthur took off down a different hallway. Merlin ambled about, not wanting to go back to his own room. He knew that Morgana was busy with Gwen doing, well, whatever it was that girls did, and everyone else was tense from Owain's defeat. Finally, he decided to head to Gaius's chambers; perhaps helping the physician with work would clear the young prince's mind.

He bumped into the physician just as he was leaving his workshop.

"Gaius!"

"My Lord," he bowed hastily. "What can I do for you?"

"I… wanted to see if I could help you with work?"

"Ah… That's very kind of you, Merlin, but I'm afraid I have other business to attend to first…" He tried stepping aside to brush past Merlin, but the prince took a step too and blocked him.

"Anything I can help with?"

"Ah…" Gaius sighed. "I suppose it would be convenient to have you along… Come on."

He followed Gaius down the hallway, heading towards a part of the castle Merlin had rarely explored, even during all the games of hide-and-seek he and Arthur played as children- they were headed towards the tombs.

"O-Okay, so… Why are we down here?" asked Merlin as they descended the stairs, Gaius holding up a torch to light the way. Gaius smirked at his trembling voice; who'd have thought, a powerful sorcerer and prince, scared by the tombs?

"You'll see… I'm curious though, Merlin, as to what you think of the black knight."

"The black knight…? He's pretty suspicious, but I can't really say why… It's like he's not even human…" Merlin's voice dropped as they reached the bottom of the stairs and lines of graves came into view. Gaius only hummed and crossed over to one particular grave. Merlin followed him reluctantly; he gasped as he saw the tomb the physician was focused on. While the others had a stone likeness of the departed they housed, this one was broken entirely- there was no remnant of the statue that once rested on top of the poor man's resting place.

"Who would rob a grave?" the prince asked.

Gaius sighed. "It isn't who broke in… It's who broke out."

Before Merlin could ask what he meant, a woman's voice rang right beside him. "So it's true then, eh Gaius?"

The prince nearly jumped out of his skin, but Gaius only seemed slightly surprised.

"Nimueh," he remarked, "What are you doing here?"

The High Priestess grinned, mostly at Merlin, and walked around to the other side of the broken grave. "Did you not ask Uther and Ygraine to call me?"

"The king did not seem particularly keen on that you would come."

"I will always come when they call," she shrugged, and peered into the hole.

"Wait," Merlin stuttered, "Nimueh? As in, the High Priestess?"

Said woman looked up and smiled. "That's right. We haven't met face-to-face before, have we, Prince Merlin?" She held out her arm; Merlin shook it warily. His mother and father often told him about the sorceress, but ever since he became a Pendragon, there was no need to call her, so he only knew her from their stories. He knew that she was among the last of her kind, and she and the rest of the High Priestesses lived in the Isle of the Blessed. He also knew that she was partly responsible for persuading Uther to adopt him.

"No, but it's nice to finally see you. I was starting to think you weren't real."

She laughed and ran her fingers along the stone coffin.

"So, has Gaius asked for your help with the wraith?"

"The what?"

She looked between the two men, who both appeared very confused. "The wraith. That's what I believe the black knight is."

Merlin vaguely recalled such a creature mentioned in his Grimoire. "But… isn't a wraith a resurrected human?"

"One without a soul," Gaius answered grimly.

"But which human is he?" He tried observing the tomb for a name, but there was only the same white bird that was on the black knight's shield.

"Tristan de Bois," replied Nimueh. When Merlin showed no recognition of the name, she elaborated. "Your mother's older brother."

Merlin frowned. "I only know my uncle Aggravaine…"

"I don't believe Arthur knows Tristan either. The queen does not speak of him, and to spare her pain, the king has asked everyone else not to either." The Priestess cast her eyes down.

"Why not?" The prince held back a shiver. "How did he die?"

"Merlin, I'm not sure now is…" Gaius began, but Nimueh held up a hand to stop him.

"No, Gaius, the boy deserves to know. As does his brother, but I trust he will tell him later…"

Merlin was getting a bit frustrated by then. "Tell him what?"

The adults shared a glance. "Ygraine… originally, she could not conceive. So, desperate for an heir, she and Uther came to me for help; I allowed her to become with child, but there were repercussions to such magic… In order to create life, life must first be taken."

Nimueh flicked her gaze to the prince; he was paling with realization.

"I was not sure whose life it would be, but we feared it nonetheless. Arthur's birth was complicated; I even thought perhaps Ygraine would be the one to pay the price, but the moment Arthur opened his mouth to cry…"

"… Tristan de Bois died instead," Merlin concluded. He took a shaky breath. "And now someone has brought him back to life."

Nimueh reached over the tomb to hold Merlin's hand. She sent him a compassionate look. "I fear so. And that person has disillusioned Tristan to believe that Uther killed him- he seeks revenge."

"But who did it is the question." Gaius held his torch over the hole to illuminate it. There was nothing inside.

"Why…?" Merlin hissed. "First Valiant, now his brother-in-law… These can't be coincidences…"

"Do not dwell on that, Merlin," said Gaius. "For now, we should think on how to defeat the wraith before it faces Sir Pellinor tomorrow."

"And magic won't work, before you think of it." Nimueh had retracted her hand from Merlin's and heaved a groan. "No mortal blade can kill it, either."

Merlin suddenly looked up, as if an idea struck him. He spilled out his dream- the voice's message- to the adults, who looked on with shock.

"You have been hearing a voice in your head?" Nimueh asked.

"The same voice from when you were a child?" followed Gaius. Merlin grinned sheepishly.

"I didn't want to tell you that the sleeping draught didn't work… So…"

Instead of appearing upset, however, Gaius seemed pensive. Nimueh spoke his thoughts aloud.

"If the sleeping draught didn't work, it means that the voice is real, Merlin. Gaius is the best physician in the lands; only magic could pervade his medicine."

Merlin was going to bring up Morgana's nightmares, and that the draught didn't work for her either, but the Priestess spoke again. "Are you going to listen to the voice?"

"Yes, I was planning on it. Arthur promised that if Sir Pellinor loses tomorrow, he would let me go."

"Brotherly concern; adorable," Nimueh smirked. Gaius rolled his eyes.

"I hate to say it, but you will likely see that man tomorrow night. Now that we know Pellinor cannot kill the wraith…"

"But now that we know, we cannot just sacrifice him!" Merlin argued. "I'll tell father and he can call the duel off!"

"He cannot," spoke the Priestess. "The Knight's Code is not revoked for anyone; and even if you persuaded your father to do so, a knight of Camelot will not simply back down."

"That's…" Merlin faltered. It was true, he thought dejectedly. Nimueh regarded the young prince prudently.

"Have you ever contacted this voice?"

"Hm? No, he's always started the conversation. I'm not even sure how to call him."

"Well, I want you to try," she instructed. "Someone with your talent should manage it."

Merlin nodded numbly. "I'll… try."

"Good." The Priestess turned to the physician. "Gaius, could you tell Uther that I confirm his suspicions? I must hurry back to the Isle of the Blessed before my sisters wonder where I've gone." Gaius promised and she was gone in a whirl of air. He turned to the prince.

"Shall we return as well, My Lord?"

Merlin didn't answer.

"What?" Arthur scoffed. "Merlin, that's just ridiculous."

"It's the truth," Merlin grumbled. He'd told Arthur exactly what happened in the tombs, but as he expected, his brother didn't believe a word of it. "Though I guess I'm still unreliable, huh?"

"It's not that, Merlin…" Arthur fell ungraciously on his bed. "I just… Look, let's focus on tomorrow, okay? I spent all day training with Sir Pellinor, I just want to sleep."

"Fine." Merlin threw his covers over his head and turned away from Arthur. He heard his brother sigh before he extinguished the candles and went to sleep.

His mind was racing with the recent events. Not only the wraith, but the incident with Valiant as well. Why was all this happening? He took a deep breath and exhaled; he decided to follow Nimueh's orders and contact the voice…

'Erm…' he began thinking, already feeling silly. 'Hello?'

There was nothing at first; Merlin even began to feel embarrassed.

"Yes, Young Warlock?"

The familiar, deep voice shook the prince from the recesses of sleep he was falling into. 'Y-You actually answered!' he thought excitedly. The voice chuckled.

"It was a quiet call, but I heard it nonetheless. Very impressive."

'Yeah… Um…' Merlin realized he hadn't thought about what to ask him.

"Well?"

It was like he could hear the voice's eyebrow- if he had any- raising. 'I, uh, didn't think this through,' he thought, nervous.

"What do you wish to know? Keep in mind that I cannot answer everything."

'Right… Perhaps, you could…' Merlin stopped for a moment. 'This man I'm to meet… Who is he, exactly? And who are you, for that matter?'

The voice laughed again. "I was wondering when you would finally start asking questions… I am Kilgarrah, Young Warlock."

Kilgarrah. Merlin could already feel the name roll on his tongue. 'And another thing… How do you know I have magic? Where are you?'

"All things will be revealed in good time. Just know that I am on Camelot's side… Now, as for the man, he is called Balinor. You can trust him." There was a hint of melancholy in Kilgarrah's words.

Merlin mused over this, and then suddenly caught himself yawning- he nearly broke the connection as he rubbed his eyes.

"I believe you should rest now, Young Warlock. Remember to meet Balinor tomorrow."

'Wait, what will happen? What will he give… to… me…' Merlin's consciousness dropped into deep slumber.

Miles away, Kilgarrah smiled. At age sixteen, Merlin was already rapidly increasing in skill; yet the dragon would not let his guard down. There were more obstacles standing in his way, and if Albion was ever to rise to greatness, Kilgarrah would make sure they were done away with.

Sir Pellinor had fought bravely, and his battle lasted longer than Sir Owain's, but the black knight triumphed again- but this time, everyone saw Pellinor land a fatal blow before he met his demise. The knight stood as though he was in perfect health. He turned once more to face the king.

Uther braced himself to stand and receive the gauntlet, which the knight- who Gaius confirmed as Tristan- was reaching for. He felt Ygraine's eyes on him; he knew her expression was one of grief and pity.

There was a soft thud, the sound of the gauntlet hitting the dirt, but the crowd gasped as if they hadn't seen it before. The gauntlet that lay on the ground was not Tristan's black one, but Arthur's own. Uther snapped his attention to his oldest son, who stood defiantly between the king and Merlin.

"I, Arthur Pendragon, challenge you!"

Tristan paused before answering. "Very well."

"Noon. Tomorrow. To the death," the prince finished, narrowing his eyes.

Tristan spun around and walked off the grounds, leaving the royal family and citizens of Camelot in their stunned state.

Everyone eventually evacuated the dueling pitch, and the Pendragons retreated back inside the peace of their castle. It was a quiet walk, with Ygraine, Merlin, and Morgana throwing cautious glances to the two stone-faced men, Arthur and Uther.

The king stopped in front of the Council Chambers, prompting everyone else to stop. He addressed Morgana in a formal, clipped tone, though its frostiness was directed at Arthur, not his ward.

"Lady Morgana, may I ask you to head back to your chambers? There is something I wish to discuss with my family."

She gulped, uncertain, and looked at Merlin. He smiled softly, gave her hand a gentle squeeze, and nodded. Morgana curtsied to the king, queen, and princes, and trudged quietly back to her room, where Merlin knew Gwen would be anxiously waiting. Both girls nearly screamed in despair when Arthur threw down his gauntlet…

Uther led his family inside and closed the doors, exhaling as the hallway, and by extension, the kingdom, was cut off from the oncoming argument.

"What do you think you're doing, Arthur?" he asked, still facing the doors.

"Taking responsibility as Crown Prince. I will not allow any more lives to be taken by the wraith."

Uther finally turned around and yelled angrily. "So risking your own life is the solution? Arthur, you saw Pellinor strike him; he cannot die! You should have let me collect the gauntlet!"

"And lose the king? I think not."

Ygraine was huddled into her youngest son's side; she was trembling, most likely at the thought of losing two very important people to her. Merlin gripped his mother with as much support as he could manage, but he was also growing concerned with Uther and Arthur's increasing volume.

"Better to lose the current king than the future one!"

Arthur glowered at his father. "What sort of king will I be if I cannot stand up for my men? If I cannot calm the people? Camelot deserves far better."

"Wait…" called Ygraine, ceasing their dispute. "Arthur, how did you know the knight was a wraith…?"

Uther blinked, realizing that Arthur had indeed identified the creature correctly. Arthur raised his head.

"Merlin told me."

Merlin also held his head high as the king and queen observed him with faces of shock. Arthur went on.

"He also told me who he was; Tristan de Bois… my uncle. I know everything, father, mother…"

"Arthur…" Uther's livid tone lessened. Ygraine was still looking quizzically at Merlin.

"Nimueh," he explained, and they understood straightaway.

"He told me all this, and he knows a way to stop him." He nodded to Merlin and the youngest prince explained everything- his dreams, the voice of Kilgarrah, and the man he was to meet that very night. It grew very hard to go on, though, once he saw the concerned faces of his parents. They were upset that he never told them.

"So you're going to do it, then?" asked Ygraine, after she recovered. "Meet this man?"

Merlin nodded. "Both Nimueh and Gaius recommended it. Besides, what other options do we have?"

Uther remained unnervingly quiet. "… Arthur, will you go with him?"

"Of course," he answered with no pause.

"Then… I suppose it is our best shot." Uther reached for Ygraine's hand, which she gladly gave. "Be careful," he pleaded. Both Merlin and Arthur gave solemn nods and left.

They walked silently to the city walls; night had fallen quickly. After the quarrel and subsequent revelation of the truth to their parents, Merlin went to Morgana's chambers. Arthur, on the other hand, left to take care of Sir Owain and Pellinor's funeral rights, telling his little brother to give Morgana and Guinevere his regards.

She had latched onto him the moment she walked through the doors, and if the wet spots left on his shirt had been any indication, she had been crying. Gwen sat motionless on the bed, puffy red eyes telling a similar story. He reassured them that everything was going to be fine, but they doubted him. Merlin even doubted himself at that point.

Even after Gwen left for home, Morgana made him stay as she continued to clutch at his arm, willing the tears to stop.

"Everything will be alright," he had told her. "There is no warrior in the lands equal to Arthur."

She sniffled, mumbled a thank you, and let him leave as the stars were just beginning to peek out. Arthur was waiting for him just outside her doors. Since then they walked in the tense, uncomfortable quietness, even as they left the citadel.

So Arthur's sudden apology nearly made Merlin jump.

"I'm sorry," he bit his lip. "I shouldn't have doubted you, Merlin."

Merlin took a moment to register before coughing into his fist with an unassuming air. "In your defense, I was sounding a bit mad."

"Mad, yes. But you are my brother." Arthur looked him in the eyes, pale ice to deep ocean. "I should have trusted you from the beginning."

"There's a lot about magic even I don't understand, Arthur. I was starting to think maybe I was insane too, if it weren't for Nimueh." Merlin smiled, and Arthur returned it on a lesser scale.

"See? A High Priestess gave you the confidence and support that your older brother couldn't. What sort of future king can't even listen to his own brother?"

"But you owned up to it in the end," Merlin reminded him. "And look, you're apologizing! I don't think you apologized even when you accidently pushed me into the mud when we were kids."

Arthur barked out a laugh. "I remember that! I was too busy laughing! Besides, you pulled me in, too!"

Merlin rolled his eyes, shoving Arthur good-naturedly. "The point being, despite being a jerk most of the time, I know you're a good man. And you'll be a great king, too."

"Thank you, Merlin," he spoke sincerely. The rest of the walk maintained a relaxed mood as they neared the outskirts of the city walls. Uther had sent word ahead to the guards posted there to let the princes pass, so said guards offered respectful bows and left their post, as they were instructed so by the king- no one was to know what exactly what happening.

They stood side-by-side, nervously awaiting the arrival of the stranger. For a while, there was nothing.

"… Are you sure this is the right side?" Arthur asked.

"I'm pretty sure Kilgarrah said the East Gate…" came the reply, although Merlin himself was beginning to doubt whether he had heard the voice right.

"Pretty sure? How useful, Merlin."

"… I take back what I said earlier. You're a jerk all the time."

Arthur was about to retort, but stopped and observed the horizon. A small black figure was starting to emerge from the far-off trees. "Someone's coming."

As it drew closer, it was apparent that it was a man on a horse, with a dark blue cloak billowing behind him. Arthur instinctively reached for his sword while Merlin stood cautiously, ready to cast a spell if needed.

The horse slowed to a trot, and finally stopped in front of the two princes. The man swung down from the saddle and regarded them as carefully as they did him.

"I'm guessing you're the one we've been waiting for?" started Arthur. The man glanced at him.

"I was told I would only meet Prince Merlin. Which one of you is him?"

Merlin took a step forward. "That would be me."

And all at once, the man's somewhat daunting aura changed; he let out a short breath, as if he'd been holding it all his life, and Merlin swore he could've seen his eyes glisten wetly.

"It's an honor, My Lord." The man bowed quickly.

"And, um, this is my brother… Arthur."

Arthur was currently standing, unimpressed, with his arms crossed. The man bowed again, this time more courteous.

"I am Balinor."

"So do you have something, then?" asked Arthur again. "Merlin said you would have something that would kill the wraith."

"Yes; a sword, forged by Kilgarrah himself." Balinor produced the sword from the horse's saddle and presented it to Merlin, who held it tentatively in his pale hands. Merlin pulled the cloth that bound the weapon away and marveled at its beauty. A golden hilt and sharp blade, and strange runes decorated the fuller. Even Arthur went silent, admiring the aesthetics of the sword.

"What does it say…?" Merlin asked quietly.

"The front says 'Take me up.' The back says 'Cast me away.' According to Kilgarrah, that is."

Merlin looked up. "So you've met him in person?"

"In… person, yes, I suppose so."

Arthur, too, tore his appreciative gaze away. "What makes this sword special?"

"The details are a bit… well, remarkable. But this sword, Excalibur, can slay any beast, mortal or otherwise."

The blonde raised an eyebrow. "And we're supposed to trust you on that?" He turned to his younger brother. "What do you think, Merlin?"

Merlin bit his lip. "It's our only chance, Arthur. Otherwise, you'll die. Then father will be next…"

Balinor seemed to stiffen at the word 'father', but both princes ignored it.

Arthur nodded. "Then it will do. We should take the sword and head back as soon as possible."

"I should add," spoke Balinor softly, "that only a Pendragon may wield Excalibur. I imagine, though, that that won't be a problem."

"I will wield it tomorrow and kill the wraith," said Arthur; he mostly spoke it to himself. He held out his hand and Merlin deposited Excalibur to his care. The oldest prince managed a formal bow to Balinor.

"Thank you," he whispered, before turning on his heel and quickly walking back towards the castle.

Balinor and Merlin remained, in silence. The young prince found he did not want to leave; he had so many questions to ask, about Kilgarrah, and his cryptic messages. And there was something off about Balinor…

"Actually," the man started, "I had something else to give you."

"Oh? What is it?"

"A present… From my wife and I." Balinor pulled an object from his pocket and opened his palm. A silver coin strung on a leather necklace lay in it. The coin had a small, yet elegant engraving of a dragon breathing fire, and a small singular sapphire lay embedded where its eye would be.

"It's lovely… Who is it for?"

Balinor laughed. "For you, My Lord!"

Merlin blinked. "What? Why?"

The man pulled back his hand to admire the coin for a bit longer. "Kilgarrah told us about you. You have a great destiny, Merlin." His voice began to tremble. "Though it will not be without its sacrifices. This is a good luck charm- it will protect you from any magic that wishes to cause you harm." He then held the necklace up by two fingers. "It belonged to our son. Please, take it."

"O-Oh, I couldn't possibly take something so precious… Wouldn't he want to keep it?"

"We lost our boy long ago, as a consequence of Cenred's Ban. But it's alright. You need it now, more than anyone."

With reluctance, Merlin accepted the coin and put it around his neck. A surge of warmth coursed through him, despite the frigid air.

"Thank you," he said sincerely, for he could find no other words to show his gratitude for this strange man- one he barely knew, yet felt like an old friend.

Balinor smiled kindly and bowed. "Thank you, My Lord. I hope our paths will cross again." He swept himself onto his horse and prepared to ride off, but Merlin stepped forward.

"I'm sorry about your son."

He was sure a tear slipped from the man's cheek, but he didn't say anything more. Balinor nodded once and kicked the horse, and soon, he was nothing more than a dot on the horizon once more.

After a sleepless night full of anxiety, morning finally came to a grave Camelot. The people dejectedly and almost unwillingly filled the stands at the Dueling Pitch, where Tristan already stood, ready for Arthur.

The Crown Prince himself was waiting in the armory as George secured his armor. Merlin was at his side, looking every bit as uneasy as Arthur felt. Excalibur rested on a table, sharpened and polished just an hour beforehand; Arthur had practiced with the blade for as many minutes as he could squeeze in, surprised at the ease with which he could control it.

George finished adjusting Arthur's breastplate.

"Good luck, sire," said the manservant. He left the two princes in the armory.

"Funny," Merlin commented. "I believe that's the first time I've ever heard George so sad."

"Unless you count the time we forced him to take a day off," quipped Arthur, and they both laughed. Their smiles died, though, as they remembered the challenge that Arthur would soon face.

The armory doors opened again, and Uther stood there with Ygraine. The queen immediately ran and hugged her eldest son, while the king remained awkwardly behind. He spotted Excalibur on the table.

"Is that it, then?" he asked.

"Yes," replied Merlin.

"Can it really kill Tris- the wraith?"

"It's the only thing we have to rely on."

"I can do it, father," Arthur spoke. Uther smiled.

"I don't doubt you. Never." He reached out and clapped his son's shoulder. "Good luck." Ygraine kissed Arthur's forehead and left with the king, both throwing a look over their shoulders before the door closed.

"You should get to your seat, too, Merlin."

"Right… Good luck Arthur."

"You know," said Arthur suddenly. "Everyone is so scared that I'll lose. Guess no one's keen on you being king instead."

Merlin laughed. "Neither am I, so you'd better win!"

Arthur nodded and watched as his younger brother left for the stands. Then his gaze shifted to his newly-acquired sword. As the quiet chill of the thought of death settled on him, he gripped Excalibur tighter and made his way for the Dueling Pitch.

The black knight, Tristan, stood undaunted on the field with sword and shield in hand. Arthur was opposite him, face stoic but heart racing.

Suddenly Tristan darted forward, lunging with the sword; Arthur quickly sidestepped to avoid the attack, swinging Excalibur in retaliation.

Merlin clenched his fists as tightly as he could as he watched his brother face off with the wraith. Would the sword work? The fight continued as the two men exchanged blows, neither willing to relent to the other. Excalibur glittered with every swing, and it was apparent that Arthur was better than usual with it in his grasp.

Tristan took a huge lunge and knocked Arthur on his back- but not before the Crown Prince managed to backhand the knight. Tristan's helmet clattered to the ground, causing shrieks to emit from the crowd.

His face was shriveled and black, and definitely not human. Ygraine's hand flew to her mouth, trying to keep in a scream.

He let out a deafening roar, bringing his sword up, ready to take Arthur's life; Arthur closed his eyes and braced his shield at the same moment he swung down. There was a loud crack, and Arthur opened his eyes to find Tristan's sword stuck in his shield. Acting fast, Arthur pulled the shield down and aimed a kick directly to Tristan's stomach; as the black knight stumbled backwards, Arthur gripped his Excalibur and pierced him in the heart.

Tristan screamed again, exploding into a cloud of ash. The Crown Prince panted heavily and staggered to his feet, unaware of the thunderous applause. He only stared at Excalibur, which had no blood on its blade, only the wraith's ash.

Merlin, Morgana, and Gwen all but jumped Arthur as the prince walked back to the armory. Surprisingly, he maintained his balance.

"You did it!" cheered Morgana as they separated. "I can't believe you did it!"

"Nice to know you believe in me, Morgana."

"Oh, quiet! I thought you were going to die!"

Arthur laughed and pat Merlin on the back. "I probably would've, were it not for your gracious fiancé."

"Merlin?" Gwen titled her head.

"I just, uh, got the sword he used." Merlin shot his brother a look, which the older boy promptly shrugged off.

"But, I'm still curious," spoke Gwen. "What exactly was that thing? Did you see its face?"

Morgana nodded. "Yes! It was terrible!"

Arthur and Merlin looked at each other, remembering their parents. "Speaking of which, we really must check in with father," Merlin stated.

"Yes, quite right. Come on Merlin. See you ladies later." Arthur made a quick bow, gaze lingering on Gwen, Merlin pecked Morgana on the cheek, and they were off to find the king and queen.

They ran by the Dueling Pitch, not noticing the woman standing quietly, observing the pile of ashes that was Tristan de Bois. Her fists were clenched tightly, and she sent the two princes a menacing glare as they passed. Neither of them even detected her presence.

"Well, I suppose Uther should be proud he has such resourceful sons," she spoke quietly. "This will be harder than I imagined."

She turned and began to walk away from the Dueling Pitch. "I suppose I shall have Cenred pay a visit after all."

OH it feels good to get in this world again.

Next chapter: The kingdom of Camelot receives an unwelcome guest within its walls, and Merlin is more and more at risk with every step he takes.