A/N: A bridge chapter…sigh…Arthur needs one more thing before the fight. I'm pretty sure you can guess what it is.
21
There was only a week left before the final fight.
Arthur lay in bed, his mind full of thoughts.
Would they win? Would he lose anyone? Would the people accept him as their king again?
What if they failed?
They had worked so hard to get to where they were. The feel of his wife's lush skin beneath his hand was a welcome interruption from his prior thoughts. Propping himself on an elbow, he looked down at her.
Guinevere was fast asleep, her features relaxed. He gazed upon her, his heart swelling with love. His other arm reached out and stroked the skin of her bare arm, causing her to stir slightly in her sleep. As he watched her, he thought about what a wonderful woman she was.
He wouldn't be here without her help. She and the Tintagel fighters were the major reason as to why the tide had turned. He was still a bit in awe that she married him. He wanted them to succeed for many reasons.
He hoped that she would be able to be the queen he knew she could be. As he watched her slumber, he wondered why he wasn't asleep by now.
For some reason, he was feeling a bit restless. He figured it was anticipation for the battle ahead. He decided to walk so his tossing and turning wouldn't disturb Gwen. Gently disengaging himself from his wife, Arthur pulled on some clothes. Quietly moving through the castle, he was soon outdoors. As he walked into the dark forest, the restlessness grew.
Looking around, he realized he'd never walked here before. It was as if something was calling him there. After walking for a while he found a clearing. He shook his head in disbelief in what he saw.
The sword in the stone was magnificent. He could tell the blade would be flawless. The light of the moon glinted on the gold-laced handle and shimmered beautifully.
He walked closer to the unusual sight, disquieted by the desire to remove the sword from the stone.
It would be impossible to remove this sword from the stone, he thought to himself as he walked closer.
His hand wrapped around the handle. He was so surprised by the jolt of energy that traveled up his arm from the sword that he let go and stared at it in shock.
What was that? He thought to himself as he stepped back a little. The hum of energy reverberating from the sword swirled around him, and once again, the desire to pull the sword from the stone pulsed within him. He reached for it.
Finding a firmer grip, Arthur didn't think. He just pulled, astonished that the sword came from the stone so easily. It was if he had pulled the sword from butter instead of stone. Holding the sword, he was pleased to see that it was more beautiful than he imagined. Testing it, he was pleased to see that the blade was magnificent, and that it's balance was perfect. It was as if it were made for his hand. Looking at the sky, he realized that morning was approaching. Tucking the sword in his belt, he headed back to the castle.
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Gwen awoke alone. Turning over, and feeling coolness where Arthur usually lay, she wondered what caused him to rise so early. She hoped nothing was amiss. Rolling out of bed, she found her husband's shirt. She found that she loved wearing his shirts. They smelled like him and she liked that something he wore was now touching her skin.
As she walked to the wardrobe to dress, she was surprised to see the door fling open. Arthur burst in, his large eyes filled with astonishment.
"What happened?" she asked, walking to stand in front of him. Her hands reached out to stroke his arms. The fine tremor of muscle beneath her hands caused her to look at him with alarm. Grabbing his arm with a bit more force, she led him to one of the large chairs by the fireplace. She gently pushed him in it. She sat on his knee, her hands smoothing over his face. Quietly she waited for him to speak.
Her husband took a deep breath.
"I was restless last night and couldn't sleep. I decided to take a walk." Arthur leaned back and slowly pulled the sword from his belt.
Gwen gasped. The sword was beautiful. Arthur continued to speak.
"I found this in a stone in the woods."
Did he just say a stone? Arthur nodded, seeing the incredulous look in her eyes.
"But how, how did you get it out?"
"I know this is going to sound strange, but I pulled it out."
Gwen looked at him.
"Arthur you're saying that you pulled that sword from a stone?"
"That's exactly what I'm saying. Guinevere it was as if the sword called me to it. I felt such a jolt when I touched it… and…" His voice trailed off. He knew his tale sounded strange.
Although he had slowly come around to the idea that magic was not inherently evil, Arthur was still taken aback to have participated in it. How else could he have pulled a sword from stone? He looked at Gwen. Her hands were held up in a silent question.
He gently placed his sword in her hands.
She stared at it. The craftsmanship was exceptional, the blade perfectly forged. The sun shining through the windows caused the golden markings on the blade and handle to shimmer in the light. Slowly, she turned it around in her hands, unable to shake the feeling that she'd seen it before.
Impossible, she thought to herself. She looked at Arthur, whose face held a surprisingly vulnerable expression as he looked at her. She knew that this was beyond the realm of what he was used to. Pushing her thoughts about seeing the sword before to the back of her mind, she focused on him.
Placing the sword in her hands, she presented it to him. He held up his hands, and she deposited the sword in his palms. Her hands gently held his wrists as she looked at him.
"Despite how you found it, I believe that this sword is for you alone, Arthur. Perhaps it is the last thing you needed before we entered into battle. Guard it carefully." Her lips then brushed across his. Rising from his lap, she said, "I'm getting dressed. We have a meeting soon." She left him, instinctively knowing he needed a moment alone to regroup.
Arthur sat in the chair and gazing at the sword, prepared himself for the days ahead.
They were going to win.
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Merlin stared in shock at the sword that now hung at the king's waist.
He'd put that sword in the stone himself. How had Arthur found it?
He was surprised to hear Aithusa's voice whisper in his mind.
It was time for Arthur to find the sword. He will now be victorious and Camelot will achieve it's great destiny.
Merlin nodded, and silently entered the meeting after him.
They had planned, and met, and strategized. A part of Arthur wanted to rush ahead and just finish it, but they had put in far too much effort to rush now. It was just seeing his kingdom in such disrepair broke his heart. He'd heard of the torture Morgana administered to anyone who hinted at resistance. Crops had been burned, and people had lost their homes.
As word spread quietly amongst the citizens in the outlying countryside, hope began to form in the hearts of the people. A revolution had started, where many helped the displaced king by providing extra supplies and food from the little they had. It humbled Arthur that the people still had such faith in his ability to lead. He'd share his thoughts with Guinevere when they lay together, and she reminded him that his heart had grown in wisdom and strength and that he was exactly the king Camelot needed.
He was so thankful for her.
He had to admit though; he was a bit worried about her fighting. It wasn't because she couldn't take care of herself. It was just she was his wife now, and it was his responsibility to look after her welfare. He knew that telling her to stay behind while he fought wouldn't work. She was just as vital to the siege as anyone else.
He decided to talk to Tristan about it. He and his wife fought together. And he respected his opinion.
He found the man sharpening his knives. Arthur sat across from him at the table.
"May I speak to you a moment?"
The older knight simply nodded, and set down his tools, giving the young man his full attention.
"How do you fight without being worried about Isodole's welfare?"
"I don't. There is a part of me that will always worry about her safety, just as I'm sure she worries about mine. I am confident in her abilities. I know that we are always better together than we are apart. Have you talked to her about your concerns?"
Arthur shook his head.
"Ttalk to her then!"
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"It's too dangerous, Gwen."
"I cannot rid myself of the feeling that I simply must master this." Gwen and Alator had met for another session.
"It takes too much from you to shield more than one person, block, and rebound magic," Alator stated. Raising his hands in exasperation he said, "This could kill you! It would destroy us all if anything happened to you," he left the last words especially Arthur unsaid, but Gwen heard them anyway.
"Have you spoken to him?" She shook her head.
"Spoken to me about what?" the sound of her husband's voice was not one she expected to hear at that particular moment.
Both had been feeling tense about the battle ahead, and as a result, the two had been avoiding a conversation that they needed to have.
Husband and wife regarded each other and knew it was time to talk. Alator spoke.
"Gwen, we will meet tomorrow. I have to speak with Gaius."
Now that she was dismissed, the newly married couple left and in unspoken agreement, headed for their room. Closing the door behind them, Arthur looked at her.
"What do you need to speak to me about?"
She pulled him into her arms and laid her head against his shoulder. Arthur's arms automatically closed around her before she spoke softly.
"After dreaming of Morgana hurting you, I asked Alator if I could use my ability to not only defend myself, but shield others if necessary."
"Guinevere, that's far too dangerous! What if you hurt yourself?"
"Arthur do you understand that I would sacrifice my life for yours if needed?" His mouth hung open at her words. He would do the same for her.
"I would lay down my life for yours Guinevere, without question," Arthur said. Looking down at her, he said, "I worry about you being hurt in all this. I know you can fight, and fight well. I just…I need you to live Guinevere. Is this how you used to feel when I went on quests so long ago?"
He felt her nod against him, saying "I would be so happy to see you return."
"When we fight love, I want us to fight together. I'll be better if I can at least see you being so magnificent in battle."
"That won't distract you?" He shook his head, saying, "I'd be more distracted if I have to wonder where you are. If you fight by my side, I don't have to worry about that."
She nodded.
"Just promise me one thing."
She looked at him quizzically.
"Don't take any unnecessary risks."
"I won't if you promise me the same thing." Arthur nodded solemnly as he closed his eyes and placed his face in her hair.
A/N: I didn't like that Merlin had to 'help' Arthur remove the sword from the stone on the finale. Thanks again for reading and reviewing! Happy New Year!