Sorry for delay in posting, life got in the way.
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On the journey to the castle Merlin explained that when they returned from their visit to England Hunith had had a persistent cough that had turned into bronchitis then pneumonia. After this she had seemed to have developed a weak chest. "It comes and goes but at the moment she is just getting over a chest infection."
He looked at the two Pendragons who had become friends with him since his visit keeping in touch "The doctors think the visit made an underlying condition worse. When Mum was younger she smoked. She stopped when she moved here, and they think that when we visited London, and she was used to non-polluted air it just triggered her body"
"Oh god Merlin I'm sorry" Morgana said guiltily.
"Don't be, no one blame you or your country, it's just one of those things." Merlin promised her.
As they got back to the castle Merlin took Morgana and Arthur straight up to see his mother. Hunith was in her private sitting room sat out in a comfortable chair. As she saw who had arrived Hunith went to stand but Merlin told her "Mother please stay seated Morgana and Arthur don't mind"
Hunith sank back in her chair, the two Pendragon's looked at the Queen and were surprised at how pale and weak she looked since they had seen her last. But it was clear that she was pleased to see them. The chatted for an hour before going to get ready for the evening meal. It was to be a private affair with just the King and Queen Merlin and their two guests. There were so many banquets planed for Merlin celebrations that they were all keen to keep it low key for now.
As they left the dining room Morgana asked her friend "Is there any treatment the Queen needs that she can't get here?"
Merlin looked at the Princess with a hurt expression "Don't you think if there were she would be getting it? We are all devastated, my father has had experts from all over the world look at my mother. They all agree that the air here is the best for her and what we are doing is the best." With that he stomped off clearly both offended and upset.
Arthur turned to his sister "And you say I'm insensitive! I was clearly the polluted air in London that set all this off"
"I didn't mean it like that!" Morgana protested "I was only going to offer to make enquiries, after all they are a bit cut off here"
The next week was spent in a relaxed manner when Merlin wasn't taken off for various rehearsals and appointments for the main event. Arthur went round the island with Merlin to see how the kingdom ran. Some of the time Morgana went with them although she also spent time with the Queen. Arthur became fascinated with the differences between their two lands and soon realised he didn't miss the technology he was used to. Although it was not all plain sailing as he seemed to clash with Will, Merlin's friend come protection officer. Arthur asked as many questions as he could and meted as many people, in the evenings he would talk to Morgana. By now they both had a better understanding of the issues and realised that something did need to be done back in the UK but how would be the difficult part. Arthur was amazed to find hardly any plastics on the island, other than those that were difficult not to use, like oxygen tubing in the hospitals. He found out that even these were not burnt but melted down and recycled. The recycling was amazing with barely anything being bumped. Even broken pottery was collected too use as hard-core. They both realised the more consumer generated world couldn't turn the clock back but needed different solutions.
The last day before Merlin's birthday saw ships arriving bringing people for the celebrations and Merlin was busy all day but that evening after the banquet he dragged Arthur outside into the grounds and made his friend lay on the grass and look up at the sky.
"This is what I missed the most when I visited you" he said honestly
"What lying on the grass? We could have if you had asked" came the puzzled reply from Arthur.
"No you prat! Look up!" he paused "The stars, you have so much light pollution you can only see a few, but look at that, they always help ground me, I feel so small and unimportant under them." he pointed upwards at the mass of stars "Them and the air, I hated the smell and feel in my lungs when I was in London. I know you can't change everything but…" he stopped as he thought of the problems.
Arthur looked up in silence for a moment marvelling at the sky "Your right….just this once. I went to one of the few 'dark sky' areas in the UK once and we should do more."
"Can you tell me why do all your buildings have lights on all night? And why all the lighted advertising? The amount of wasted energy as well as light pollution." Merlin asked "I asked someone and they said that insurance was the reason for the buildings but surely if they weren't lit and a torch was seen inside, or someone put a light on that would show it had been broken into"
"An old argument. But I agree it should be looked at. It's hard to change things."
"But not as hard as destroying our planet" Merlin said.
The couple remained silent for a time. Before Arthur said "I am going to get involved, try to change things"
"Good!" Merlin told his friend "Come on I have to get some sleep I have to swear my oath tomorrow.
The next day all the guests and The King and Queen and Nobles from Essetir had breakfast together. There was no sign of Merlin, he was busy preparing. The King and Queen looked proud and happy. Hunith, although taking it quietly was determined to partake in all the events. The first was the taking of the oath, eighteen was a very significant age in the Kingdom when boy became man, and Prince was named as heir and Crown Prince and started to make some of the decisions for his people. Merlin would take over some of his father's role from this day forward, rising above all the advisors and counsellors.
At midday the dignitaries were taken to the site of the ceremony Arthur and Morgana were surprised. The area was attached to the castle and was a large room in a trapezoid shape that had largest side with nothing between it and the outside. It was a glorious day as they sat waiting. Three thrones set slightly to one side so not to obstruct the opening to the outside. In the open air what looked like the whole population seemed to be gathered going right up the large hill set to the back and sides of the open area. Like an amphitheatre. Clearly the whole thing had been built for maximum viewing. None of the visitors could ever recall seeing so many people in one mass before. In the centre of the opening, and just inside stood an imposing irregular shaped crystal on a plinth and by its side someone both Morgana and Arthur recognised at Nimueh the High Priestess.
All of a sudden the trumpets started to play and through the centre of the room the King and Queen walked in their Ceremonial dress. Arthur was surprised to see the colours were much as his own, with red being the dominant colour with Golden embroidered dragons. King Balinor looking like a King from the medieval era and the Queen wearing a long gown and train. Both were wearing simple but stunning crowns.
Once they were in position the Queen sat down and the King walked to the side of the crystal and spoke, as he did so he turned slowly so everyone saw him frontwards at one point.
"People of Essetir and Honoured guests we are gathered here today for the Crowning and Oath taking of Prince Merlin, who in time will become the sixty fifth monarch of our Kingdom, a line that has remained unbroken in all that time passing from father to son since our first leader Merlin Emrys, who himself refused ever to be crowned. History says our people came across the seas from Albion with the last of the dragons when the line of the Once and Future King was no more and Camelot had fallen. Emrys himself had been in mourning since King Arthur perished at Camallan."
Arthur looked at Morgana, neither had heard that story in fact they had always considered the story of Merlin and Arthur to be made up.
"Now we see his name sake take his vows. Your Prince, my son is a fine young man who I have no doubt will rule well. Not only will he take the oath but as all Princes before him will face the crystal, to find out if he is the one that will bring magic back to our land. Our world faces many challenges, but only the gods may decide if the time is right." He turned to the High Priestess and bowed before going to his throne. He did not seat but stood his wife stood at his side.
Nimueh placed both hands on the crystal and in a language as old as time, that only a few in the room knew, spoke up, the doors at the end of the room opened at Merlin walked in alone. He was dressed in the style said to have been what the original Merlin had worn. Brown breeches and blue shirt with a red neckerchief. Although in a very good quality fabric. He walked slowly but surely to the front of his parents where he bowed and kissed his father's ring then looked into his father's face. Balinor looked down at his son. "Now you have reached the age of adulthood do you Merlin Emrys, of the family of Emrys, swear to uphold the values of our family, look after our people to the best of your ability, to defend justice and Mother Earth and all its creatures. To look after those who look to you for support and protection at no profit to yourself. To use advisors wisely, but ultimately take responsibility for the actions taken in your name."
Merlin's voice rang out clear and true "I so swear"
"Do you swear not to allow any favourite to sway you unjustly but at the same time remain faithful to your chosen consort and heart and never allow anger or hatred to sway you? To always think of the greater good."
"I so swear, the gods may so judge me" Merlin's voice was firm and string.
Balinor took a crown from a red cushion and held it high "With the power given to me by the people and Gods, as ruler and King I invest in you the title of Crown Prince of Essetir, with all the responsibility's and duties that so entails. You will from this day forth be my balance and help." Balinor placed the crown on Merlin's head and held out his hand.
Merlin took his father's hand and stood. Once on his feet his father kissed both his cheeks and hugged him before Merlin bowed to the people both inside and out. The cheers were deafening and when they finally petered out Balinor spoke once more.
"You are now to take the test of the crystal, and remember there is no shame in failure to pass, as none have since the first ruler, and for two hundred years none have even made the crystal even glimmer. Magic will return when the gods deem it is needed and not before."
Merlin walked towards the crystal and complete silence descended as Nimueh stepped forward her floor length white dress catching the light. "Do you Crown Prince Merlin Emrys swear to recognise the Gods as your guides and the land, sea and air as in need of protection just as much as that of the people?"
"I Crown Prince Merlin Emrys of the family of Emrys have and always will" Merlin said clearly once more.
Nimueh took Merlin's hands "I Nimueh, High Priestess and path to the gods will now give you the test. If you do not pass you have not failed, the time is not yet here. Your oaths already taken stand. If you are the one chosen by the Gods you will have great power and must use it to the greater good, your life will not be easy as your path is Destined, remember always to keep good in your heart and refuse all paths that lead to the dark side, no matter the temptation. The Gods know your heart and soul" Nimueh held Merlin's hands above the crystal and spoke out in the old language
"Test this man and tell all here if he is the one that has the power to do all you require of him. Show all here his heart. Awaken his powers and guide him"
With that Nimueh pushed Merlin's hands onto the crystal removing hers before they touched the object. Merlin stiffened and gasped as his hands touched the crystal. Within seconds gold lines flowed through the crystal from Merlin's hands and the crystal glowed brightly. A stunned mummer could be heard from all the islanders present. Hunith looked at her husband "Why our son, may the gods protect him"
"He is strong" Balinor whispered back.
A gold mist surrounded Merlin and the crystal. Nimueh called out "Merlin Emrys has arisen from his sleep of fifteen hundred years. The time to save Albion has come" she fell to her knees.
As the mist dissipated Merlin looked somehow stronger but at the same time tired. Nimueh came forward with a folded cloak and put it over Merlin's shoulders it was midnight blue, had a hood and reached the floor. He walked out into the open space before the people and raised his head to the sky as the crystal had shown him, and shouted "O dracon, e male so ftengoetta tesd'hup'ananakes!" in a deep voice.
After a few moments one of the large flying reptiles that had been gathering for some reason flew in closer and landed in the open space. It was one of the largest of the creatures on the island, and the eldest. It was a huge white dragon and it bowed and spoke "Such a small creature to hold such a destiny. Our dragonlord has come back to us I never thought I would see it. My father hatched me many centuries ago and I am glad I saw this day before the end of my life. Time for the second prophesy has arisen and the young warlock needs to find the second half of his coin."
The crowds were all silent as Merlin stood in front of the large beast. "Oh Great Dragon can you help in my quest"
Aithusa bowed low "We will help where we can my lord. The second half of your coin is known to you. You need each other if you are to save us all. Albion will return, but this time it will not reach to seas but cover the whole of the lands. But the fight will be hard and long and this time not with the sword." The white dragon paused "You are the long awaited Warlock. But your consort will play an important role outside these lands and together you will save the mother earth. On behalf of the Dragon kind and all magical creatures we plead our allegiance to you"
The white dragon rose into the air and the other dragon circled round breathing fire into the air. They were few in number, never being many but the sight was impressive none the less. Merlin stood facing the people, it was as if he couldn't move. Nimueh moved to one side and Balinor the other. They reached Merlin as he began to sag. Balinor supported his son discreetly and they walked back into the large room and out of the room through a door. As they did every citizen of Essetir no matter their station sank to their knees in homage to Merlin. It was as if they were in the presence of a miracle. Merlin managed to keep it together until he was in private but the moment they were through the door Merlin collapsed and began to fall. Balinor swooped him up into his arms and hurried through the empty corridors to the Princes rooms and lay him on his bed.