Chapter 37: A Father's Love & What Happens To The Sword

Uther placed his metal helmet over his head turning towards his opponent, taking his sword and shield from the guard who then moved away with the cape. Morgana, Gwen and Padme continued to watch on, stunned.

Uther readily himself in his fighting stance, gripping the sword tight in his hands as the Black Knight followed him and moved into his fighting position. Uther's eyes stared out through the small visor of his helmet as the drums beat a deep low sound signalling the start of the fight.

The Knight lunged towards Uther taking him by surprise but he quickly used the sword to clash against the knight. Uther used his shield to bring a barrier between him, their swords clashing together as the knight pushes himself towards Uther. Gaius watches on in silence as Uther brings his sword low before seeing the knight bring his sword down at him just as Uther brings his shield up in front of him hearing the sword hit the shield.

Their swords clash together once more with Morgana, Gwen and Padme continue to look on as Uther hits his sword against the knight's before the knight swipes at Uther once more. Morgana looks concerned startled slightly just as Padme slips a hand into hers for strength.

At the same time...

It was at that very same moment, inside the castle, Anakin slowly opened his eyes. The sound of the two swords clashing down in the arena were echoing into his room as Anakin slowly and still in a daze, pulled himself into a sitting position. He ran a hand through his messy hair as he hears the swords clashing away.

Confused, Anakin springs to his feet and rushes towards his window looking towards the arena - he must be hearing things - he was suppose to be fighting down there, so who was?

Whilst...

Gaius continues to look on, with Obi Wan as the knight aims for Uther once again but he uses his arm to block him before swinging his sword straight towards him, swiping at the knight's metal armour. The metal of the two swords clashes and clangs together as Gwen looks on nervously. She was wondering why neither Anakin nor Arthur were here, knowing their father was fighting this mysterious figure.

Uther ducks just as the knight comes towards him, his sword hitting his shield before the two swords criss cross once more at the very same moment, Merlin arrives. He exchanges looks with Obi Wan behind Gaius's back - they would be talking with Gaius later about the change and why Uther was using the sword.

Merlin watches as Uther pulls back before advancing closer towards the knight, backing him to the arena's wall.

Even as...

Anakin, desperate to find out what was going out down in the arena, races to his bedroom doors, finding himself locked in. He angrily shakes the door's handles hoping to break them open however they would not budge. Someone and by someone, he knew his father was behind this, was keeping him in.

He knew he had to get down to the arena, this was his fight. It was then he remembered the secret passage he had devised years ago, after they were rescued from King Odin. It connected straight to Arthur's chambers. He raced over towards his chest of drawers and pushed it aside revealing the passage way.

Without a second thought, Anakin crouched down and hurried down the hallway. His father may have locked his door, but luckily for Anakin, his father never realized what he had secretly created.

Minutes later, having made it through the passage, Anakin, with all his strength, pushes Arthur's chest of drawers aside and hurries into the room. Quick on his feet, he races towards Arthur's bedroom room, only to find it too, was locked. He violently and angrily shakes on the handles with no success in breaking down the door. He needed to get down to the arena and it looks like he was going to have climb out the window.

But, it was at that moment, Anakin heard a low moan and stirring. Confused as he thought he was alone, Anakin slowly moved through his brother's room. "Who's there?" he calls out as he nears his brother's bed, his eyes widen, for there was his brother, slowly pulling himself into a sitting position, running a hand through his hair

"Arthur?" Anakin speaks out causing him to look over at him

"Anakin? What are you doing here? You're supposed to fighting the Knight" he points out as Anakin scoffs

"It appears that father has found a way to lock me in my room and he didn't want you to help so he locked you in as well" he answers him just as Arthur starts to hear the clashing of swords coming up from the arena.

"Then who's fighting down in the arena?" he asks quickly adding "You don't think father sent another knight in your place?" as Anakin shakes his head

"Why would father do that?" he asks him "I told him I wanted to prove myself to him and to the kingdom and he didn't think I could win" he says as Arthur realized what they needed to do.

"We need to get down to that arena before the fight is over. Whoever's fighting down there, is going to up dead" he insists as Anakin then points out

"Father's locked us in our rooms. I thought it was just my room which is why I used the secret passage thinking I could get out through your room" he admits as Arthur shakes his head

"Seems father was desperate to keep us both locked in knowing I would help you" he replies when Anakin looks over at the windows, hearing the swords clashing down below in the arena.

"We'll just have to climb down and by we, I mean just me. I can't risk you furthering your injury by climbing down the side of the castle" Anakin tells him as Arthur sighs

"Anakin, I'm feeling stronger than I was yesterday. I can climb down one wall" he insists but Anakin shook his head

"You already risked your life fighting for me, I will not allow you to strain yourself or your injury by climbing out the castle" he points out. He then moves over to Arthur's bed. "You can help me by tying these sheets together and standing at the window and not letting go" he explains. He then rushes back towards the passage.

"Where are you going?" Arthur calls out to him as Anakin doesn't stop,

"To get the sheets from my bed. It's a long way down and I'm not going to be able to get down with just yours" he calls back to him before disappearing back down the passage just as Arthur started to pull his sheets off his bed and began tying the ends together.

Down in the Arena...

Everyone all watched as the Knight's sword clashed with Uther's once more, Uther. shield in one hand and clasping his sword with the other, wielded the sword to block his attack. He was able to use the sword to parry the knight's sword with his as Merlin, watched on with great intense as the Knight pushed Uther back, causing him to move to his right, still tightly holding onto his shield and sword.

Gaius, too, watched on with intense, whilst Obi Wan kept silent wondering how he could hide the fact that the sword was not been used by Anakin. The Knight raised his sword as the crowd held their breath seeing him bring his sword down towards the King but only to clash with the sword again.

He tried to aim for Uther's head as he only ducked low and slid to the left causing the Knight to turn and advance towards him once more. Uther twirls the sword at his side as the Knight stares back at him, their swords hitting each other once more.

Inside the castle...

Racing back into his brother's room through the passage, with his sheets in his arms, Anakin saw that his brother had already tied two of his sheets together. He drops his sheets on the bed, before he begins to start tying the end of one of the sheets together with the other.

After a few more minutes, Anakin and Arthur had secured all the sheets together to make one long rope. They could still hear the clashing going on down in the arena, which meant the fight was still going on but that didn't mean it would continue any longer.

Anakin hurried over towards the window with one of the sheets opening the window. It was a long way down but this was the only way he could get to that arena. He releases his end of the rope out of the window, watching it fall down the side of the tower. It didn't touch the ground but still allowed for a small jump at the end.

Anakin turns back to his brother, "Hold onto your end as secure as you can brother. Remain here and do not attempt to climb down after me. I cannot risk you hurting yourself any further" he insists in a stern voice. Arthur stares up at him. He wanted to argue but knew they couldn't waste any more time and instead, only nodded in agreement.

Arthur then watched his brother begin to climb out the window, holding tightly onto the sheets as Arthur kept his end strong and steady for his brother. They both tried to ignore the clashing of swords coming up from the arena, for fear it could cause a distraction for Anakin's focus as he started to climb down.

Outside, in the arena...

All eyes were still on the Knight and Uther, as the Knight brought his sword back towards Uther only to have it blocked by Uther's sword. Uther spun around closer towards the Knight, his sword hitting his as Merlin remained glued to the fight wondering just how the fight was going to end.

It is then he saw Uther bring his sword up towards the Knight's head, knocking his helmet off. There is a small gasp from the crowd as they all finally see what is underneath the helmet. It rolls along the ground as Uther grips his sword as he moves towards the creature. It was unlike anything he had seen - a hideous gray coloured face with black eyes. He snarls straight at Uther who stares through his helmet seeing the creature roar angrily.

Whilst...

Slowly, Anakin picked up his pace as he climbed down the side of the castle. He could feel himself getting closer and closer to the ground, until minutes later, Anakin could see the ground within sight and taking a deep breath, he let go of the sheets and felt his feet touch the ground. "Anakin!" he heard Arthur call out to him as Anakin looks up at the window, "I made it Arthur. Stay up there until I get back!" he calls back to him and with that he took off straight for the arena to find out just who had taken his place in the fight.

At the arena...

Merlin, Gaius, Obi Wan, Morgana, Gwen and Padme all looked stunned and horrified at seeing the creature roaring back at Uther. However it wasn't over, he brought his sword towards Uther who met his sword once more as the creature pushed him back further and further towards the edge of the arena at the same time, no one noticed the hooded figure of Palpatine at the back of the crowd, staring with intent at the fight unfolding before him.

He watched as the creature advanced on Uther knocking him onto his back causing his sword to fall onto the ground. He smirked as the creature was standing over Uther. Uther, holds his shield out in front of him just as the knight brings his sword down to kill the King. The crowd, including Morgana all gasp however Uther's shield has blocked the attack.

The creature's sword was now stuck in Uther's sword who was fumbling to remove it from the shield. The crowds including Merlin all watched the creature attempting to remove his sword just before Uther kicks him away. Still holding onto Uther's shield whilst trying to remove his shield, Uther seized this distraction to grab his sword and charges straight towards the ground at the moment the creature finally retrieves his sword from the shield, but it is too late.

Uther acts fast and stabs the creature straight through his stomach. The impact sends Uther back onto the ground as Morgana, Gwen, Padme, Merlin, Gaius, Obi Wan and even Palpatine all watch as the wraith begins to scream out, his body lighting on fire. Uther looks up at the creature seeing it suddenly burst into flames exploding into pieces across the arena.

Confused and unable to believe what they have just seen, no one says a sound allowing Palpatine, annoyed with what has had taken place, to slip away. Uther gets to his feet, removing his helmet just at the moment the crowd erupts into cheers for their King right at the same time Anakin arrives at the side of the arena, skidding to a halt to catch his breath.

He could not believe his eyes - for there was the one who had taken his place - it wasn't another knight but his own father! He looks around at the crowd cheering for his father who drops his sword onto the ground. His father hasn't seen him as he wipes the sweat from his face. His own father had taken his place and fought the fight he wanted to fight to prove himself to him and the kingdom.

The wraith was now long gone, destroyed. Gaius suspected Obi Wan and Merlin had something to do with the sword and would be speaking with them later on, but first he had to tend to the wound the King had sustained on one of his arms during the fight.

They were in the council chambers, Uther sat on the edge of the table, dressed in his black pants, shirt by his side as he watched Gaius tend to his wound. The fight was still on Uther's mind and the outcome - he expected he wouldn't survive and yet here he was.

"I thought you said a wraith couldn't be killed" Uther spoke up as Gaius only nods.

"Yes, it was remarkable" he confesses feeling this sword definitely explained where his friend Obi Wan had disappeared to after Arthur's fight yesterday. He looks over at the sword beside Uther. "Is that a new sword, sire?" he asks as Uther looks down at the sword

"It's the best I've ever fought with" he admits as Gaius finishes tending to the wound before he speaks once more

"May I have a look?" he asks as Uther quietly hands the sword to Gaius going on "I was intrigued by those marking" Uther confesses as Gaius slowly and curiously studies the sword

"On one side, it says 'take me up'" he translates turning the sword around, he then goes on "And on the other 'cast me away'" he reveals as Uther is intrigued once more

"What does that mean?" he asks him whilst Gaius had a question of his own

"May I ask who made it sire?" he asks although he already had his suspicions as Uther starts to put his shirt back on

"Merlin gave it to me" he answers him "It was forged for Anakin" he adds right at the moment the wooden doors opened to reveal Anakin who slowly strolled into the council chamber. He didn't look amused and was keen to hear what his father's response was going to be when he asks him about taking his place.

As Anakin moves around the table towards them, Gaius, sword in hand, moves back to pack away his things. "That should heal pretty quickly" Gaius assures him "I'll re dress it tomorrow" he adds hurrying out the council chamber

"Thank you Gaius" Uther replies "Thank you for everything" he adds watching his friend leave just as his son reaches him and wasn't holding his anger back.

"You had Gaius drug Arthur and I!" he snaps slamming his hand down on the table "I was meant to fight him!" Anakin angrily exclaims as Uther remains composed

"No, you weren't" he only tells him as Anakin scoffs

"But the Knight's Code..." he tries to go on before Uther cuts him off

"...be damned!" he exclaims taking Anakin by surprise. He looks over at his son "I believe you would die and that was a risk I could not take" he informs him as Anakin is confused for a moment

"But you allowed Arthur to fight and if I hadn't intervened he was be dead. How come he was allowed to fight?" he asks. Uther looks down

"I wasn't expecting him to even step up to fight at all. I wanted to stop his fight as well but he was too persistent" he points out. Anakin remains silent as he hears his father go on "You both are too precious to me" he admits "You and Arthur mean more to me than anything I know, more than this entire kingdom" he admitted lowering his head "Certainly more than my own life" he concludes.

Anakin couldn't believe what he was hearing. He always thought he needed to prove himself to his father because he had never seen him show his love or appreciation for them and especially since he was banished last year under false pretences. He slowly starts to reply "I've always thought..." he started to say as Uther looks back at him

"What?" he asks as Anakin swallows the lump in his throat

"That...I was a big disappointment to you, that Arthur and I needed to prove ourselves worthy to the kingdom" he tells him. Uther shakes his head

"Well, that is my fault and not yours" he tells him "You are both my sons" he then places his hand on his shoulder. "And I wouldn't wish for either of you to die" he admits. Anakin stares back at his father. He never thought he would hear these words coming from him and remembering his earlier conversations shortly after this knight had come to the city, this was a turn around.

Anakin then changes the subject "I heard you fought pretty well" he tells him keeping silent about the part where he had managed to see the very end of the fight. Uther chuckles slightly

"Thanks" he replies as Anakin then had a thought

"You should join us for training" he suggests leaning in towards him "Sort out your footwork he cheekily teases him as Uther looks up at him chuckling once more

"I'll show you footwork" he only replies starting to chase after him but Anakin, cheekily smirking still, was faster and races from the chamber leaving Uther alone. He allowed the smile to stay on his face before he then realized that he still had both sons and once again Palpatine had not won this battle. His secret was safe once more.

Anakin headed back to his chambers where he found he wasn't alone. As he opened the door, he found Arthur leaning against the table, Morgana sitting at the table and Padme standing beside Arthur. She was wearing her long blue cloak over her outfit. They all looked up as Anakin enter the room.

"You look less angry than you were this morning. What happened with father?" Arthur asks as Anakin took a deep breath

"He surprised me. He said you and I mean more to him than his own life. That the reason he fought was because it was his battle to fight. All those times we thought we were disappointments to him brother weren't true" he reveals. He places a hand on his brother's shoulder "Father loves us both dearly and wouldn't want any harm to come to us" he adds as Morgana tilts her head

"And yet he let Arthur fight in your place" she reminds them as Anakin shrugs

"He wanted to stop the fight but someone" he stares down at Arthur "Was too stubborn to back down from the fight" he adds as Arthur was silent as Morgana and Padme giggle slightly. Padme then moved over towards Anakin wrapping her arms around his neck

"At least you're both still alive. It was a tough fight for your father and he put up a strong fight and if he can still fight strong and tough, you both are going to be strong willed warriors who will make your father proud" she tells him as Anakin smiles down at her, placing one hand on her face

"And you still have me" he adds seeing her grin playfully sharing a tender romantic kiss. He didn't get to fight but he discovered that his father cares and loves him and his brother deeply and that has been one of his hardest fights, gaining his father's love.

When Gaius returned his chambers, he found Obi Wan and Merlin already waiting for him. Both of them stood with their arms folded with firm stares.

"That sword saved the King's life" Gaius spoke as Obi Wan shook his head

"Why didn't you tell us Anakin wouldn't be fighting the wraith?" Obi Wan asks straight out as Merlin goes on

"Obi Wan made me promise him that sword would be used only by Anakin and no one else. Do you know how the druids would react if they found out Uther wielded their magical sword?" he asks him.

Gaius looks from Obi Wan to Merlin, "It must be a very powerful blade to slay the dead" he goes on as Obi Wan shook his head but it was Merlin who cut in

"Don't try changing the subject Gaius!" he snaps "That sword was meant only for Anakin. The druids were hesitant to even give Obi Wan the sword in the place and you failed to tell us that Anakin wouldn't even be fighting in the fight" he tells him as Obi Wan nods

"Gaius, you know as much as I do that sword was born of the old magic. You know of its power and in Uther's hands, it will bring only evil. The druids would never trust me again with anything if they discovered Uther wielded such a weapon" he explains as Merlin looks back at Obi Wan

"We need to get it back so we can destroy it" he insists however Obi Wan shook his head

"No magical weapon once it is made, cannot be unmade" he informs him. Merlin sighs

"So, what do you want me to do?" he asks as Gaius looks over at Obi Wan who takes a deep breath. He places one hand on Merlin's shoulder.

"You need to take the sword far from him and place it where no mortal man can ever find it" he instructs him as Merlin is confused.

"Won't the druids want their sword back?" he asks as Obi Wan shakes his head

"Leave the druids to me. They will understand that the sword is best placed where no mortal man can ever find it than in the hands of an enemy" he tells him. Merlin slowly nods.

"I will get the sword out of the city before anyone can discover it was gone" he promises him and with that, Merlin headed past Gaius and out of the chamber leaving the two old friends alone where Obi Wan sensed there was more to why Gaius didn't tell them about the change.

"Uther took Anakin's place in the fight because he felt his secret about him and Shmi would be revealed, didn't he?" he asks him as Gaius gives his friend a small smile

"It was Palpatine who conjured up the wraith and Tristan's spirit. He thought if Anakin was killed at the hand of the wraith, Arthur would be angry with his father and leave Camelot where Palpatine would find and corrupt his mind" he reveals

Obi Wan leant against the table. He now found it harder to be angry with his old friend knowing that Uther was willing to sacrifice his life for Anakin's.

"Palpatine has never taken the ban on magic lightly and seems he'll find any way to get to his sons" he says as Gaius nods.

"He said he never meant to fall in love with anyone else besides Igraine. He said Shmi gave her life to protect Anakin and he needed to do the same and he made me swear on mine and your behalf that would never reveal the truth" he says. Obi Wan is silent but nods. He would have never revealed his friend's secret anyway fearing what it could do and if it was anything like last year, when Catrina was enchanting Uther and had him reveal his secret which had Anakin banished. He didn't want to even imagine if Anakin found out it was all truth.

"Uther is a tough, strong man but deep down, there is fear. Fear for his sons and what would happen. He never expected to ever know Anakin, something Shmi always felt was missing" he admits.

Flashback

Obi Wan passed a small group of children playing by the side of the path whilst their parents tended to their work in the gardens. He smiled at them as he made his way to his home. It had been seven months since he came here with Shmi where he would look after her and her child when they were born, as a promise to his friend.

He entered his small home where he found Shmi sitting at the table, her hands around her pregnant belly and she appeared to be crying.

"Shmi?" he spoke up as he closes the door behind him and moves over towards her. He places the small bag onto the table before kneeling down in front of her. "Is something wrong with the baby?" he asks placing one hand on hers seeing her lift her tear stained face at him

"The baby's fine, moving around in there but it's just...just..." she pauses before she goes on "I just get emotional thinking my child will never know their father and I always thought when I did have a child, I'd be married and we'd be one happy family" she cries as Obi Wan is silent for a moment before he places his hands on her shoulders

"I know this is hard, giving up the only home in Camelot you had and friends, but this is the safest way. Igraine would be crushed if she were to discover the truth between you and Uther" he reminds her as she shakes her head

"My child is a potential heir to Camelot. How can they live a life out here when they could live the life of a prince or princess?" she asks through her tears. She then grips Obi Wan's arms suddenly taking him by surprise. "Obi Wan!" she cries "Please promise me that if something happens to me, you will take my child back to Camelot. They'll be safe there" she insists

Obi Wan looked deep into her eyes, he sensed she was sincere and pleading with him for him to agree. "What would I say to explain their absence?" he asks as Shmi goes on in haste

"I'm sure you'll think of something, but promise me, if something happens to me, my child will grow up with one of their real parents" she cries. Obi Wan was unable to believe his ears but he sensed she was desperate and feeling vulnerable right now and needed this assurance

He clasped his hands in hers "I promise you Shmi as I promised Uther, your child will be safe always" he assured her. He watched her smile getting up to give him a warm hug. He sighed but he wouldn't break his promises.

End of flashback

"Uther and Anakin are both still alive, thanks to that sword" Gaius points out as Obi Wan nods.

"The family is safe once more, secrets kept and I know that Merlin will ensure the sword is never found" he insists. He begins to move past his friend who turns towards him

"Where are you going?" he asks as Obi Wan only looks back

"To inform the druids of what has taken place, with a little bending of the truth" he replies before he exits the room altogether leaving Gaius to get started on dinner for when Obi Wan and Merlin got back.

Slowly and quietly, Merlin entered the armoury and moved over towards the rack of swords polished and stacked in the rack. The light from the window was shining down in the middle of the room as Merlin spotted the sword he had came for. He carefully removed it from its place in the rack and lifted it up in front of him.

He admired it before he gently places the top of the sword onto the blanket he held in his other hand. He once more stared at the sword's markings. He was holding a magical weapon that had been around for years and in the hands of druids - he may never get this chance again but Obi Wan had asked of him to take the sword far from Camelot and that is what he would do.

The villagers moved about their daily business, the guards stood at their post as Merlin steadily moved across the drawbridge heading from the castle, sword wrapped in the blanket that he was now holding close to his side. He kept casual and calm looking around at the guards and the people as he made his way from the castle and down into the lower town leading out to the forest.

Far from Camelot and close distance to the mountains, Merlin stopped at a clearing in the forest by a beautiful crystal blue lake. He came to a stop just meters from the water and looked out at the stillness of the water.

He then began to unwrap the sword from the blanket, and takes hold of the sword's gold and brown hilt where he raises up in front of his eyes once more. Such a beautiful, majestic sword and yet here he was preparing to hide it for no one to see

Merlin looks out at the water once more and the mountains before he pulls back his arm holding onto the sword, takes a deep breath and then hurls the sword from his hand towards the water. He watches land in the middle of the water where it begins to sink.

It was done. The druids may not see this sword again but Obi Wan would be proud to know it was safe beyond anyone's reach. The sword fell to the bottom of the lake amongst the seaweed and the fishes. Merlin wondered if he would ever need to retrieve the sword but at least, as he took one last look back out at the mountains before turning back towards the forest, the sword was not in the hands of Uther Pendragon.