The sword in the stone
Arthur was still sitting outside the cavern, staring forlornly into the distance when Tristan walked up to him.
"We've packed up and are ready to go," he said calmly.
"Go where?" Arthur asked without looking up.
"Isolde and I have decided to accompany you and Merlin to the Forest of Essetir. We've lost our cargo, so that's as good a direction as any, I guess."
Arthur scoffed: "Merlin never gives up."
"You're lucky he doesn't. And you're lucky he believes in you as much as he does. You can't be that bad of a king if your servants are willing to die for you."
"I'm no longer a king. My sister has finally won. It's over. I have to accept my defeat. And so does Merlin."
"I don't know you but I think you don't mean that. I know I said some awful things about you but you aren't half bad, if I'm being honest, you know? Not like your average royal who's living comfortably off the hard work of their subjects and who doesn't care about anyone but themselves."
Arthur finally looked up. "Thank you, I guess. But that does not change anything. I can't take it anymore. Every decision I make only leads to more betrayal and death. I can't even trust myself at this point."
"I know what you are going through. Nothing can ever prepare you for the pain you feel when someone you would have trusted with your life turns on you and stabs you in the back – both literally and metaphorically. But that doesn't mean every decision you have ever made becomes suddenly wrong. Just because you were burnt once or twice, doesn't mean you should trust nobody anymore. Nobody cares how often you stumble and fall. The only thing that matters is that you get up again and do better the next time."
"I don't know if I can," Arthur admitted meekly.
"Small steps, Pendragon. Come on, let's go. The others are waiting," Tristan said and reached out his hand to help Arthur to his feet.
Arthur took it hesitantly and nodded as he stood up.
They reached the outskirts of the Forest of Essetir just as the sun was setting on the third day since they had set out from the caves. Merlin could not say from where he had taken the strength to keep up the pace the way he had done. His wound was healing as well as could be expected given the circumstances but it had cost him a lot of willpower to resist the urge to just lie down and sleep. So he smiled thankfully when Arthur ordered him to sit down and rest while Arthur and Tristan went to collect firewood for their camp. Merlin was surprised at how the relationship between those two had changed over the past few days. Though they all had been sparse with words, there seemed to be a new acceptance between them. But whatever had happened between them had not been able to remove Arthur's self-doubt. He still did not want to reclaim his place on the throne of Camelot. Merlin sighed. It would make his mission of saving him a lot easier if Arthur was not so stubborn. But he knew he had the means to convince Arthur.
So early the next morning, Merlin shook Arthur awake.
"What?" he asked grumpily as he opened his eyes and found Merlin leaning over him.
"There's something I need to show you," Merlin replied ominously.
Then he walked off. Arthur hastily grabbed his sword and followed.
"Where are the others? Tristan and Isolde, I mean," Arthur asked as he had caught up with Merlin.
"They are already there. So hurry up."
"This really isn't the time for one of your ridiculous games," Arthur mumbled ill-humoured.
"I was thinking about what you were saying back at the caves. How you wanted to abandon your people because you were a poor leader and a terrible king."
Arthur scoffed in indignation.
"Well, it reminded me of a tale Gaius once told me."
"Merlin, I'm really not interested in your favourite bedtime stories," he said disparagingly.
Merlin started to lose his patience. "For once in your life, just...listen."
Arthur held up his hands in defeat, signalling him to continue.
Merlin inclined his head slightly as if to sarcastically thank Arthur for his permission. "Many years ago, before the birth of the five kingdoms, this land was in an endless cycle of bloodshed and war, but one man was determined to end all that. He gathered together the elders of each tribe and drew up plans for the lands to be divided. Each would respect the others' boundaries, and drew it over the land as they saw fit. That man was Camelot's first king, ancestor to all that followed, including you, Arthur."
"Bruta."
"You know the story."
"Yes, every child in Camelot does. Can I go back to bed now?" Arthur asked impatiently.
"No. Because there's another part of the story that you haven't heard."
Arthur raised his eyebrow sceptically.
"When Bruta was on his deathbed, he asked to be taken deep into the forest. There, with the last of his strength, he thrust his sword into a rock. If his lineage was ever questioned, this would form a test. Only a true king of Camelot could pull the weapon free."
Arthur stopped. "Are you making this up?"
"Of course not."
Merlin kept walking oon briskly so that Arthur had to run to catch up.
"All right. If it's true, why haven't I heard this story?" he asked.
"Well, history isn't really your strong suit, is it?" Merlin replied with his typical wide grin.
"And where is this rock?"
"Oh, it was lost many years ago during the Great Purge, but...I've managed to find it."
"I've never heard so much rubbish in my entire life" Arthur exclaimed
"Are you calling Gaius a liar?" Merlin asked indignantly.
"No, I'm calling you an idiot."
Merlin's grin widened as he pointed ahead. "What's that then?"
Arthur followed Merlin's direction. He couldn't believe his eyes. In the middle of the clearing in front of them was a huge rock which was surrounded by a ray of soft golden sunlight shining through the green canopy. And into its centre a sword was thrust. They walked closer and to Arthur's surprise, a crowd of knights and peasants appeared out of the forest, Leon, Percival, Lancelot and Gwen among them. Tristan and Isolde stood a little apart. Arthur glanced back at him and saw Merlin's proud expression.
"What the hell are you playing at?" he muttered under his breath. Merlin could see the fear and anger in Arthur's eyes.
"I'm proving that you are their leader and their king" Merlin replied, the smile vanishing from his face. He was completely earnest now.
"That sword is stuck fast in solid stone," Arthur said, a slight panic ringing in his voice. He paused after every word as if he doubted that Merlin was in his right mind.
"And you're going to pull it out," Merlin said unimpressed.
"Merlin, it's impossible."
"Arthur, you're the true king of Camelot."
Arthur looked back at the crowd of people surrounding the sword in the stone. His heart sank.
"Do you want me to look like a fool?" he whispered angrily.
"No, I'm going to make you see that you are wrong; you are the Once and Future King of Camelot. You and you alone can draw out that sword."
Arthur gave Merlin a disbelieving look. Steeling himself, Arthur heaved a sigh and slowly walked up to the stone always eyeing both the sword and the crowd carefully. As he reached the stone, he looked up at the crowd hesitantly. He placed both hands on the hilt and tried to pull it up. Naturally, the sword didn't budge an inch.
"You have to believe, Arthur," Merlin called from behind him.
Arthur started trembling with the effort, but still, the sword didn't move. Merlin looked at the crowd as Arthur struggled.
"You're destined to be Albion's greatest king," he said. He saw that Arthur had let go of the sword, so he continued more imploringly: "Nothing, not even this stone can stand in your way."
Arthur looked from Merlin to the sword again and repositioned himself. This time he only placed one hand on the sword hilt and closed his eyes with Merlin watching closely. He knew this was it. The moment had come.
"Have faith."
Lifting his chin, Arthur took a deep breath, willing himself to believe. Discreetly, Merlin's eyes glowed and the stone released the sword. Arthur pulled it out and stared at it. He was as much in awe as the people of Camelot who had been watching all this in utter silence. But now, there was nothing to stop them. Taking up Sir Leon's cry, everybody in the clearing repeated the shout: "Long live the king!"
As the cheers quieted down, Arthur turned to look at Merlin.
"Come here," he demanded calmly, carefully keeping any emotion from his voice.
Merlin suddenly felt an icy lump in his stomach that started radiation through his whole body. He could not have seen, could he? He forced himself to step up to Arthur. He looked at Arthur who still had not lowered the sword and swallowed hard.
"Kneel down," Arthur ordered.
Merlin looked at him incredulously.
"Arthur..." was all he managed to say.
"Merlin, you had faith in me when I had lost mine. You have fought at my side in so many battles I have lost count. You were prepared to die for me when you threw yourself in front of that dagger. Tomorrow, when we fight to take back our home, I want you to do so as a Knight of the Round Table." He touched Merlin's right shoulder with the tip of Excalibur.
"Arise, Sir Merlin, Knight of Camelot."
Again, the clearing erupted in cheering and applause. With shaky legs, Merlin got to his feet and looked at Arthur in disbelief.
"Arthur, I am not a knight. We both know that. All I wanted was to be your servant," he said in a quiet voice so that only Arthur could hear him.
"Merlin, we both know that you're rubbish at being my servant," Arthur replied straight-faced but then he broke into a laugh.
Merlin shook his head disapprovingly but then he joined in the laughter as Lancelot, Gwen and the others came up smiling happily and congratulating him. They had a chance tomorrow, Merlin realised at that moment. Arthur had found his confidence again and that in turn had rekindled the spark of hope in his people.
Author's note: Thanks everyone for the lovely reviews. I'm trying to keep updating this story more regularly, probably one chapter a month. I currently don't have a lot of free time but I like this story so I'll do my best to do it justice.
