Aaaaaaaad here's Part 2 of The Sword in the Stone. That wraps up S4! I'll be back soon with 5.1.
Mika271170- Thank you! I was pretty nervous about working simpleton!Arthur, then I used my kids to work from LOL!
I looked up after a while and saw the mouth of a cave. I waited a few moments for everyone to catch up. We could hide in there, sure, but wouldn't they figure it out and come find us?
Merlin interrupted my thinking. "I'll hide our trail, you get going!"
I thought that was kind of dumb—what did he know about covering tracks? But he turned away and ran back the way we'd come. After a moment, I turned and headed into the cave after the others.
We waited for him just inside the entrance. He finally ran in, out of breath and holding a torch. "Have you lost them?" I asked.
"We're safe," he replied. That didn't really answer the question.
"You certain?"
He walked past us. "Do I look stupid to you?"
Oh, he did not just say that. Perfect opening. "Yes."
"Doesn't change, does it?" Nope.
I came up behind him. "Now which way?" He looked around uncertainly. I looked at him uncertainly. "Didn't you say you grew up in these tunnels?"
"I did. But—it might be that way." He indicated just to the left of us.
"Or it might be that way." I indicated just to the right of us.
"Yes."
I rolled my eyes. "That's really encouraging."
The two of us stayed at the head of our group, leading them through the tunnels. That, and the excellent acoustics, meant I could hear everything everyone said.
"So you know Arthur?" Tristan asked.
Guinevere replied. "I used to be a servant in Camelot."
"To Arthur?"
"No."
"So why are you helping?"
"He's my king."
"I haven't discovered many regal traits so far." That. Was. Annoying. I rolled my eyes.
"Perhaps you don't know him." Guinevere defended me. Wait. Guinevere defended me? That lightened my heart somewhat but not nearly enough. I walked a bit further ahead.
A little while later, I'd let everyone ahead of me. I heard something behind us and we all stopped simultaneously to turn and look. "You told me we'd lost them," I said.
"I thought we had," Merlin replied.
"They'll catch up before too long," Tristan, eternal optimist, replied.
"I'll go back," Merlin decided. He started walking past the others.
"What will you do?" I asked.
"Invent a diversion." I stopped him.
"It's too dangerous."
"I know these tunnels; Agravaine doesn't. You go on." He handed me his torch and made to leave.
I stopped him. "Merlin . . . don't do something foolish."
He flashed me his goofy, devil-may-care look. "Me?"
I watched him leave, hesitant to leave him behind. I may not ever tell him or even show it, but I did care what happened to him. He never seemed to give up on me and I needed that. I heard the others behind me start walking again. After another moment, I turned and followed them.
I worked my way up to the front again, trying to subdue my concern and anxiety. It didn't work. After a few minutes I slowed to a stop and turned around. I'd sensed something.
"What are you doing?" Tristan, right behind me, asked.
"Shh!" I listened and we heard rocks moving. I looked up at Tristan. "Merlin."
"He knows the tunnels. He'll come back."
"I'm turning back." I walked past the other three, heading back the way we'd come.
"For a servant?" I heard Tristan ask.
"You're wrong about him," Guinevere replied. I seemed to have another tireless defender.
The further I walked, the closer the sounds got. I saw a bit of light around a corner and a shadow cross it. I prepared to attack the approaching figure, but stopped when I saw— "Merlin!" I straightened out of my defensive posture. He looked tired. "What took you so long?"
"You were concerned about me?" he asked.
Oh no, I'd sounded too worried. "No. I was checking to make sure we weren't being chased."
He tilted his head to examine me. "You turned back to find me."
Oh fine. "Okay, you're right. I turned back because you're the one friend I have and I couldn't stand to lose you."
"Oh yeah?" He started to smile.
I turned around—I had to leave before he got the right idea. "Don't be absurd."
We quickly caught up to the others and continued through the tunnel. Merlin was surer about the way now. When we finally walked out of the mountain, it was after daybreak. I was surprised we'd been in there that long.
"So, now where?" Tristan asked.
"To the plains past the mountains," I told him.
"You certain? That's Lot's territory. He's no ally of the Pendragons," was his comeback.
"So perhaps we could stay somewhere close. A place where we could rest," Guinevere added.
"We're outcasts and dangerous to whoever protects us." Tristan again.
"He's right. We need to go back toward Camelot," Merlin suggested. Everyone has an opinion.
"No, we must keep moving," I reiterated. Who's in charge here anyway?
"If we take cover in the Forest of Ascetir, we'll be safe—at least for a time." Merlin again.
"No." I disagreed.
"If anybody survived the attack, they'll be hiding there." Merlin had a point.
"I know what I'd do. You're the king, Arthur, our ruler . . ." Was Tristan trying to irritate me?
"Fine. Forest of Ascetir it is," I decided. Everyone headed down the path ahead of me.
We doubled back, going around the mountain this time. It took us most of the day to get back there. I wasn't sure how I felt about being back in Camelot. What was I supposed to do now? Guinevere and Merlin were setting up a campfire, so for the immediate future, I decided to gather firewood.
Tristan had already started. "Well, hey, look at you. First you turn back to save your servant, now you're working like a slave. And why shouldn't you? You're exactly like everybody else. There isn't anything special about you, is there?" Ouch.
I couldn't show him how far my self-esteem had sunk though. "Okay, perhaps you're right. Perhaps I'm not worthy to be king."
"Yeah, that's fine, 'cause you're not. Not anymore."
He strutted off while I tried to accept that fact. I hadn't really thought of the situation that way. I walked away, up the hill bordering our campsite. I tossed the wood aside as I heard footsteps behind me. It was one of two people and I knew which.
"Arthur?" Yep, I was right, but I kept walking. Guinevere jogged up to me anyway and touched my arm. "Arthur . . ."
I stopped and turned around. "Don't." I sounded harsher than I meant to be; she pulled back. "What happened in Ealdor was a momentary lapse." She flinched. That hurt me too. "Your actions . . . all I treasured between us, all we shared, it's in the past. That won't change." Years of controlling my expression helped me look calm. I was anything but calm.
She looked devastated. "I'm so sorry." As she turned to walk back to the campfire, I saw her fighting tears. I did that to her. Again. But I couldn't let myself give into those feelings. It still hurt too much.
I decided to hunt us some supper while I was wandering. The pickings here were a little better; three rabbits this time. Probably Merlin could scare up a few herbs for seasoning. Normally the thought of food would perk me up, but I didn't feel any perkier.
After we ate, I lounged against a tree by the fire. I crossed my arms, and settled into my new favorite activity—brooding.
Of course Merlin had to interrupt, again. "Go on, I'll stand watch." He sat down against the tree next to me. I didn't dignify him with a response. "Arthur, what's wrong? Don't believe Tristan, he doesn't know you."
I looked over at him. "I believed in the wrong people."
He shook his head. "They betrayed you. You're not to blame." Unless there was something about me.
"No. I was an idiot. I misjudged everybody . . . Agravaine . . . Morgana. Every decision I've made has been incorrect." I'm a terrible judge of character; I trust the wrong people.
"You're being too rough on yourself." Was I?
"I ought to be more perceptive, wise . . . a statesman, a sovereign. Tristan's correct; there isn't anything special about me. I'm exactly like everybody else." No standout qualities.
"You aren't. You're an excellent king." To say he disagreed would be an understatement.
"I'm decent with a sword. That's it." The sum total of my skills.
"Your people love you." What people?
"Nearly all of them are dead. Thanks to me." And my ignorance.
"No, nearly all of them fled. They're here in the forest, I'm certain of that." How did he know?
"Sure. If they are, they'll need to find themselves another king." I was done with this pep talk. I got up and walked away.
"Arthur . . . Arthur!" He sounded like a frustrated parent. I walked to the other side of the fire and laid down with my back to it. I hoped I projected a "do not disturb" aura. I wouldn't react well to being disturbed.
xxxXxxx
I felt a familiar presence shaking me awake in the morning. Uhhhh. "What?" I asked, startled.
"I need to show you something," Merlin said, and walked off.
I hurriedly grabbed my sword and followed. "This had better be worthwhile because this isn't really the moment for one of your silly games."
He followed no discernible path I could see. "I was thinking about last night and how you said you'd given up all hope, how you were a weak leader and a shoddy king." Huh?
"'Shoddy?'"
"Okay, 'shabby,'" he amended.
Not any better. He gets a sarcastic: "Thanks."
"I was reminded of a story Gaius told me once." Oh no.
"Merlin, I'm genuinely not interested in your most-loved bedtime tales."
He stopped and turned to face me. "Just once in your life, simply . . . listen." I held my hands up in surrender. He started walking again. "Several years ago, before the beginning of the five kingdoms, this land was in a continual round of killing and conflict, but one man was determined to stop all that. He brought together the leaders of each tribe and drafted plans for the land to be divided. Each would acknowledge the others' borders, and ruled over their land as they felt right. That man was Camelot's first king, ancestor to all who came after, including you, Arthur."
He woke me for this? "Bruta."
"You're familiar with the story."
Well, yeah. "Yes, all children in Camelot are. Can I return to bed now?"
"No. See, there's one more piece of the story that you haven't been told." He looked back at me.
I didn't believe him in the slightest. "Seriously?"
"When Bruta was on his deathbed, he asked to be carried deep into the woods. There, with his remaining strength, he drove his sword into a rock. If his ancestry was ever in doubt, this would create a trial. None but a true king of Camelot could draw the weapon out."
I stopped where I was. This is utter nonsense. "Are you making this up?"
He made a face like he was deeply insulted. "Certainly not." He continued walking.
I couldn't tell if he was lying or not, but I followed him. "Okay. If it's real, why haven't I heard this part?"
"History isn't actually your strength, is it?" I wanted to roll my eyes.
"So where is this rock?" If it exists.
"Oh, it was lost several years before in the Great Purge, but . . . I've found it." Really.
This was getting farfetched, even for him. "I've never been told this much nonsense in my whole life."
He stopped again. "You're saying Gaius is a liar?"
"No, I'm saying you're an idiot."
"So what's that?" I followed his line of sight and was immediately stunned. Ahead of us stood a sword embedded in a stone. HUH?! Merlin walked closer and I hurried to catch up. I heard footsteps and was surprised to see a crowd of knights and commoners appear out of the forest, Leon and Percival among them. I glanced back at Merlin to see him smiling proudly.
I turned to him. "What the hell are you getting at?"
"I'm confirming that you are their leader and their king." He was so sure.
It looked impossible. "That sword is wedged tightly in solid stone."
"And you will draw it out."
No. No way. "Merlin, it's not possible."
"Arthur, you're the true king of Camelot." I don't know if I've ever seen him so serious.
I glanced back at the crowd of people in the clearing. "Do you want me to look like a fool?" Helluva time for performance anxiety.
"No, I'm trying to get you to see that Tristan's wrong; you're not just anybody, you are special. You and only you can pull out that sword." He had such faith in me—was I worth it?
I thought for a moment, then drew my sword and stuck it in the ground. "You'd better be right." I walked slowly toward the stone and looked up at the crowd hesitantly. I placed both hands on the hilt and attempted to pull it up. It didn't budge.
Merlin spoke from behind me. "You need to believe, Arthur." I kept pulling even after I started shaking with effort. But it still didn't move. "You're fated to be Albion's most noble king." I let go of the sword and just stared at it. "Nothing, not even this stone can keep you from this." I took a deep breath then placed one hand on the hilt and closed my eyes. "Have faith."
I lifted my chin and willed myself to believe. My best friend believed in me, my former love believed in me and all these people are here because of me. Not for a show or a pretty sword. There was no other reason. I felt all that faith in me and suddenly the stone released the sword. I opened my eyes as it slid out. When it was clear, I lifted it skyward and stared at it glinting in the sun, totally amazed.
The people were equally in awe. When Leon proclaimed "Long live the king!" they joined without hesitation:
"Long live the king! Long live the king! Long live the king! Long live the king! Long live the king!"
He was telling the truth, after all.
xxxXxxx
I noticed Guinevere had made it to us. She came toward me at the same time as Leon and Percival. They wanted to know their orders, of course. I walked with them and Merlin to where they and the other refugees were camping. They'd made good use of time while we'd been strolling around Essetir. I assumed they'd been spying on Camelot, and I wanted to know the conditions there.
"How about the drawbridge?" I asked.
"Well manned," Leon answered.
"As are the northern gates," Percival added.
"The southern battlements?"
"Arthur, even if we make it inside, she has an army," Percival warned.
"And we have what? A few hundred?" I looked around.
"And they greatly outnumber us." Practical Percival.
I felt more like myself with every passing moment. "Yeah, but just three to one." Leon chuckled.
"Do you believe they'll fight?" Isolde asked.
"Yes, they'll fight for Arthur," Leon replied.
I disagreed. "It isn't me they need to fight for. It's for Camelot." I'm just an imperfect man.
"No, Arthur. It's you that people love, and you that they will sacrifice their lives for. I know that I would walk into the mouth of hell for you." Oh Leon.
"And I." Percival. Isolde glanced at Tristan, who looked surprised.
"And I." Merlin. Of course. Tristan appeared impressed by the loyalty of my men. After the last few days, I was just surprised they were loyal.
I drew my new sword. I'd have to ask Merlin if it had a name. "Into the mouth of hell it is." I turned to continue walking; my men followed.
We settled down with a group of knights, guards and assorted regulars. A plan was suggested and modified. Tasks were divided up. I gave a short motivational speech and thanked everyone for their loyalty. Soon everything was set and we separated again to organize manpower and supplies. By that time night had fallen and stomachs were rumbling.
I walked by Isolde, who was treating her arm, and Guinevere. She looked like she wanted to tell me something, but didn't speak. Tristan walked by with a bouquet of flowers. For his lady. But I couldn't think about that. Guinevere was so near, yet so far.
I kept wandering slowly, not having any aim beyond making sure my people were all right. Then Merlin jogged up to me. "You okay?"
"Yes," I told him, with some degree of confidence.
"Do you believe there are more than we can handle?"
"Southrons are men like us. Men we can fight. But Morgana . . ." I shook my head at the thought of her. "Her magic is so strong and we've nothing to counter it with."
"I didn't finish Gaius's story." Not again.
"Later, Merlin, please."
"Will you simply listen?" He took up his stubborn posture and I bowed my head to acquiesce. "When the sword was driven into the stone, the ancient king prophesied that someday it would be released again at a moment when Camelot needed it most. The man who drew it out would unify the nations of Albion and reign over the greatest kingdom the earth has ever seen. That man is you, Arthur." I believed him a little more readily than this morning, but still—why me? He smiled and that made me wonder again.
"You're making this up."
"Why would I do that? Your head's already as large as your waist. I believe it, though. And I believe in you. I always have." Interesting juxtaposition of sentiments there, but he walked away before I could comment. I looked at my new sword and pondered what he'd said. Well, it wouldn't hurt to believe him.
xxxXxxx
Everything seemed clearer and brighter after a night of rest. I was finally going to do something about this mess Morgana made. I looked around for Merlin and found him staring off into space. I snapped my fingers in front of his face and walked around to his other side. "Wakey, wakey. You look like you've been awake part of the night."
"I was. Couldn't sleep," he replied. Huh, he usually slept like the dead.
"I thought you said you believed in me?"
"What gave you that impression?" Ha, that's better. I just shrugged and smiled before walking away.
I caught up with Leon and Percival, to make sure they had their orders straight. Then I saw Tristan and Isolde trying to catch my eye and walked over to them. "This is where we part ways," I said.
"Arthur, all my life I've kept away from other people's battles, and loathed the strength and riches that kings purchase with the lives of men, but you've proven yourself to be unlike that," Tristan said. That was a lot, coming from him.
"You've proven to us that you fight for what is good and just, and that's why we want to fight at your side," Isolde added. She looked at Tristan to confirm their decision.
That left me so surprised I was rendered speechless. I looked between them and said, "I'd be privileged to have you at my side. We'll fight together as equals." Isolde nodded. I turned and walked away. Just a few more things to do before we go.
A few minutes later, I found myself gazing at the new sword. Familiar footsteps approached from behind. "Arthur." I turned to look at her. "If anything happens to us, I need you to know . . ."
"Guinevere—"
"I know why you cannot forgive me. But I never once ceased to love you. Never once." And she walked past me without waiting for a reply. My mouth formed words, but it was too late for now. There was this thing we had to do first.
Once everyone was armed, we stood together. We made sure everyone was where they needed to be. I stood at the front and waited for silence. Once I had it, I lifted my sword and swung it forward as I stepped forward, signaling everyone to move out. Red capes filed towards the castle walls. Leon led one group to take out the sentries on the wall with crossbows and go in. Percival, Tristan, and Isolde were to take out another set of guards on another gate and lead in their group of knights. I led Merlin and Guinevere in another path—directly to the council chamber to hopefully confront Morgana.
I went ahead of the other two, through the back gate and into the tunnels. Morgana should know to station guards here, but there were none until the main corridors. I fought until I reached the corridor outside the council chamber. I waited for Guinevere, Merlin, Tristan, and Isolde to catch up. We rounded the corner and saw five Southrons standing guard. I yelled instructions: "One apiece—choose your man. On me!" I charged the front man and struck him down. One stumbled towards Guinevere and she knocked him out with her sword. Tristan and Isolde took care of a couple of them together.
"What happened to our plan of finding a little land and putting down roots?" I heard Isolde ask her love.
I walked over to Merlin and appraised my sword. "Y'know, this thing's pretty decent."
"I guessed you might like it," he replied. Ha!
And then the moment of fun was over. I looked at each of them before entering the council chamber. "Ready?" That was a cue for all of us to yell, "For the love of Camelot!" We charged into the council chamber, but stopped short when we found only Morgana and Helios present. She lounged on the throne while her boy-toy stood behind it.
"Greetings, dear brother. It's been much too long." She got up and walked toward us. "I'm sorry if you had a rough welcome. It's difficult to find people to trust these days." She stopped in the center of the room; I approached her slowly. I held the sword carefully in my open hand to show I wouldn't attack her. She watched me warily until I slid the sword into my belt.
I met her in the middle and softly said, "What happened to you Morgana?" She looked me directly in the eye. She looked almost regretful, but hurt was dominant on her face. "I believed we were friends."
She responded softly, "As did I." Then her face and voice hardened. "But sadly, we were both mistaken."
"Don't blame me for my father's crimes."
"It's a bit late for that. You've shown exactly what you think about me and my kind. You aren't as unlike Uther as you'd care to think." Is that what she really believes?
My reply came without thought. "Neither are you." Her face became clouded with anger and she backed away.
"I'll take pleasure in killing you, Arthur Pendragon. Even Emrys won't be able to save you." I drew my sword while Morgana smirked. I wish I could pretend this didn't hurt, but I couldn't. "Your blades can't finish me. Hleap on bæc," she said, but nothing happened; she looked totally confused. As I waited, she raised her hand, a little scared, and repeated, "Hleap on bæc!" I think we realized at the same moment that her magic wasn't working.
"Not so formidable now, my lady," I taunted. She stared at me in shock, then Helios pulled her behind him. She panicked and took off. "Get her!" I yelled; Guinevere and Merlin ran after her. And as if things couldn't get any worse, two Southrons entered the council chamber from behind. Tristan and Isolde handled them while I took on Helios. Several more Southrons came in just then. Perfect.
Fighting Helios was a huge effort with my wounds. He was strong and he fought dirty—he elbowed me in the face and I went down. Another swipe disarmed me. But just as he raised his sword for the final blow, Isolde stabbed him in the back. He looked shocked but managed to sweep around and slice at her as he fell. I didn't realize what had happened until she turned toward Tristan and dropped her sword. When she fell to her knees, Tristan ran to her and I crawled over to help.
He crouched down and pulled her to him. When he couldn't support her, he slowly backed up to a column and pulled her with him, settling her against his chest. "I'm sorry," she said.
"Shhh," he told her. Guinevere and Merlin entered then, but stopped when they saw the grieving couple. All of us stood there, watching them silently. I don't think they knew we were there.
"Our hopes . . ."
"Isolde, don't."
"I wish . . ."
"I wish, too."
"Hold me." Those were her last words. Tristan put his arm around her shoulders and she died. He cradled her face in his hand and kissed her, then held her body as he cried.
I tried to swallow past the lump in my throat and looked up at Guinevere. She looked up at me and we held each other's gaze. She looked like she wanted to say something, but didn't. I wondered if she felt the same thing I did at this moment—how quickly life can change and how cruel it can be. It just ripped Isolde from Tristan, and here was Guinevere, alive and well and here. How selfish of me is it to deprive her of love when we were here together? Suddenly all the reasons to stay apart from her didn't matter any longer.
xxxXxxx
Much later in the day I was finally able to take off the chainmail. There were duties to accomplish that didn't involve swords, but words. And much, much later in the day, I was able to go back to my chambers for something even more important. A little bird told me that was where Guinevere was.
She was setting a fallen chair upright when she caught my eye. My chambers, as a whole, had seen better days. "It'll take a time," she said.
"Merlin can see to it," I replied. She shouldn't have to do any work, let alone his. We smiled at each other for a long moment. But her smile faded as she stepped toward me.
"If you want me to leave, go back to Ealdor . . ." What?
"I want you to stay." She waited uncertainly for me to continue. I walked to her. "Guinevere . . ."
"You don't need to speak," she tried. I didn't stop.
"Whatever's gone wrong between us . . ."
"Please, Arthur, I cannot forgive myself." Oh Guinevere.
"I don't care." I stopped right in front of her; she finally stopped talking. "I don't ever intend to lose you." She smiled a little bittersweet smile. I considered her for a moment and took her hands. She waited with a little more hope in her eyes."Will you marry me?"
There was her smile. "Yes." Music to my ears. "Yes, with all my heart." As I leaned down to her, she wound her arms around my neck. I slide mine around her waist and we kissed like never before.
When we eventually broke apart, we sat and talked. Neither of us wanted to wait long to be married. Too many things had gotten in our way already and we didn't want to give fate a chance to put up another barricade. Her coronation would be the day after the wedding, again to not tempt fate.
Merlin finally came in a few minutes after Guinevere had left. I wanted to ask him more about the history of my new sword while he worked. But the only thing he shared was its name—Excalibur.
xxxXxxx
As beautiful and moving as our wedding was, Guinevere's coronation was much more so. It held more meaning to both of us, anyway. She was regal and beautiful in a rich purple and gold gown. I got to take in every detail as she walked down the aisle between the knights and courtiers of Camelot. She knelt on the dais in front of me and I smiled down at her. I took the queen's crown from the servant who'd brought it.
"By the sacred laws vested in me, I crown you . . . Guinevere . . . Queen of Camelot." I placed the crown upon her head and she smiled up at me. Then I took her hands and drew her up on the dais next to me. I pulled her to me for a brief kiss; she smiled as we parted. We hadn't scripted that part. Then I held her hand and turned us to face our subjects to say, "Long live the queen!"
Everyone present joined in: "Long live the queen! Long live the queen! Long live the queen! Long live the queen! Long live the queen!"
Nothing could possibly spoil this beautiful, perfect day. And nothing did.
I had to put in that bit about Excalibur- one of my pet peeves about the show is they never, to my knowledge, named the sword verbally. I would love to be wrong about that, please let me know. :) I'll post here when 5.1 is up.