Chapter 29
After Merlin had left Arthur sat back at the table, he was quiet, worried about his friend. Estra looked at the young King and felt pity for him.
"Do not worry, Sire, Merlin has faced many foes and although his quest is dangerous I believe he will return," he said. Arthur nodded at him
"I seem to know very little about Merlin..."
"That is the way it had to be in order for you to fulfil your destiny." said Estra kindly.
"That is what Merlin told me" said Arthur with a grimace "It seems like everyone knew about my destiny except for me."
"Merlin has asked me to tell you while he is gone, you are going to need his help and you must trust each other or all will be lost."
"Alright, tell me what you know," said Arthur, he tried to get up but groaned and held his side.
"Give me a moment Sire, and I can show you." Estra left and returned with a small basin similar to the one Merlin looked in the day before. He filled the basin with water from a jug. Then he breathed on it and the water became cloudy. He placed the bowl in front of Arthur. Arthur looked down at it with a frown.
"First I will show you your destiny" Arthur looked up and gave a curt nod, "please" he said.
Estra indicated for him to look into the basin.
Arthur looked and saw a familiar scene, he smiled at the memory, but looked embarrassed at his behaviour as he saw a vision of his first meeting with Merlin. Merlin had called him a prat and Arthur threw him in the dungeons. He saw them fight the next day, and remembered letting him walk free 'There is something about you Merlin, I can't quite put my finger on it' he told him. It seems he had been right, they had met for a reason. The scene changed and he saw Merlin following a voice deep underneath the castle.
He saw the great dragon explain Merlins destiny to him. He allowed himself a small chuckle as he saw Merlin tell the dragon he had got it wrong, 'you are two sides of the same coin' the dragon had told him.
Arthur looked up as the scene faded away.
"I have shown you why, Arthur, and now I will show you what has been." Arthur nodded, he looked nervous.
As Arthur looked into the water he saw Merlin stood in the great dining hall watching Lady Helen sing. He could see himself falling asleep. Merlin used his magic to drop the chandelier revealing the sorceress. Then he slowed down time to save his life from the dagger, it was just as Merlin had explained to him earlier.
The scene changed and there was Merlin using magic to make the snakes appear on Valiant's shield before they could kill him. The water in the bowl swirled revealing scene after scene of Merlin accepting his destiny and using his power to save Camelot or Arthur. A lot of what he saw was familiar to him but only now does he see what Merlin had truly done.
Arthur watched the scenes unfold quickly one after another he was mesmerised unable to look away. There was Merlin standing in front of the high priestess Nimueh and offering to sacrifice his own life so that Arthur would live. His eyes widened in amazement as Merlin killed her to save Gaius.
Next Merlin deflected an arrow to save Gaius when he triggered a trap in Sigan's tomb. Then he was using magic to throw the spear to save Arthur. Merlin did not say a word when Cedric took the credit and was rewarded but he could see the hurt clearly in his face. He saw Cedric take Merlin's place so he could get the key to Sigan's tomb. He looked ashamed when he heard Merlin tell Gaius that all he wanted was for Arthur to trust him and to see him for who he really was. He saw Merlin faced Sigan and refused to join with the sorcerer. After the way Arthur had treated him his loyalty and honour was nothing short of a miracle. The sorcerer's soul left Cedric and tried to take over Merlin's body but Merlin defeated him, trapping in the jewel. He was glad at least that Gaius was there to congratulate him. They should have had banquets in his honour and he should have been thanked by all the people for defeating the sorcerer but if his father had known he would have killed Merlin for using magic.
"Are you sure Merlin wants me to see this?" asked Arthur looking at Estra. He felt uncomfortable watching Merlin in the water; he was able to see and hear things he was never meant to know.
"He asked me to show you. In the days ahead your friendship and trust will be your strongest weapon. The dark goddess will try to put doubt in your mind and she will try to turn you against each other. Her greatest power comes from turning brother against brother, friend against friend."
Arthur opened his mouth to protest, he still looked nervous.
"There is more to see" Estra said simply.
Arthur nodded and looked back into the basin. Scene after scene swirled past where Merlin is saving him, Camelot or someone he cared about. He saw Merlin fall in love with Freya and how upset he was when she died. Merlin is now holding Morgana with tears in his eyes after poisoning her to stop the sleeping sickness. He made Morgause stop the knights so she can save her sister. The scene changed and Merlin was now cradling Balinor, his father and trying to hide his tears from Arthur. Then Merlin was destroying the staff that woke the dead, again he said nothing while Morgana received the credit.
Arthur cannot draw his eyes away as Merlin saved his life time and time again, never getting any thanks or recognition.
The images changed quickly, Merlin defeating the immortal army by emptying the cup of life. He watched Merlin drive the sword deep into the stone and later release it when Arthur doubts himself. He saw himself facing the guardian of the spirit world and Merlin knock him out as he planned to sacrifice himself to close the veil so Arthur would live. Lancelot sacrificed himself for Merlin because he believed in the world they would build. His face fell as Merlin revealed the returned Lancelot as a shade and saw him give the enchanted bracelet to Gwen. They never betrayed him Morgana had just wanted him to think they had. She had manipulated him causing so much pain and grief. He smiled as he now recognised Merlin in his disguise as the Dolma at the cauldron saving Guinevere. How could he have been so blind? He felt ashamed at the way he spoke about him.
Then Merlin was being attacked by a strange creature and his magic taken from him. He watched in horror as Morgana trapped Merlin in the crystal cave leaving him hurt and alone. He watched as the spirit of Merlin's father helped him recover. Then Merlin was sending the message to warn him of Morgana's attack. He understood now why Merlin could not go with him to Camlann. The supplies he needed really were vital.
At last he saw Merlin defeating the Saxons and sending the dragon away. He watched as Merlin picked him up and carried him from the battlefield. The bowl cleared and Arthur looked up at Estra.
Arthur wore an expression of shock on his face. He sat in silence for a long time resting his head in his hands, contemplating what he had just seen.
"You should rest a while and sleep if you can," said Estra standing up to leave.
"No I must stay awake until Merlin returns," said Arthur yawning.
"I will wake you as soon as he returns," said Estra. He passed Arthur a goblet of water, Arthur drank from it and passed it back. He fell into his bed. Arthur was asleep before Estra had left the shelter of the tree.
