The trek back to the castle was done in happiness, the knights were laughing for the most part to the stories that were begin shared between them. Anyone with two eyes could see that Arthur was relaxed. He looked slightly happy.
When they finally made their way back to the castle where they met by a guard who looks unsure, the lower city was in chaos. The people were running about trying to get away from men who were killing everyone they saw, and they could hear some sort of explosive going off in the castle. The knights did not try and figure what was going on, they run straight to where the battle was taking place.
An army was trying to take the Kingdom, and Arthur knows that he would not allow it, not know, not ever.
The battle took for hours before the knights were finally able to make there way closer to the castle. Arthur knows for a fact that the knights had seen Merlin do magic, he knows that there is nothing that could be done now. Arthur was slightly worried, that his knights were badly injured in the process.
They were a lot less than they were normally, unfortunately, is there nothing that they would be able to do about it. It is something that every knight and guard knows when they signed up for the training, that they will lay down their lives for the kingdom.
Arthur and Merlin rushed to the throne room, where a sorcerer was standing behind Uther. Arthur could not help but to freeze up when he saw the man, it was the same one as a few weeks ago. He could feel the horror turn in his stomach. He could not find the words to say anything. He was part of the reason why Uther had killed even more magic users.
The mage lifts his hand swiftly, his eyes flashed gold, Merlin did not even think of saying anything, he just willed his magic to form a shield around them, the blast made objects fly around them. Arthur could feel Merlin magic calming him down slightly, it was as if he was back to a friend.
"Go to your father Arthur." Merlin's voice was soft. Arthur could feel himself slowly making his way over to his father. The fear was slowly growing. He knows that there was nothing to fear, the mage more than likely did not put an enchantment on Uther again. Not if Merlin wants him to go to Uther.
Arthur crouched down next to his father. Uther could see the terror in his son's eyes. He gave a groan where a stray spell had stuck him. Arthur helped him away from the mage. They had their eyes on the battle going on between Merlin and the mage. With a shout, suddenly Merlin pulled thunder from the sky, breaking open the castle roof, struck the mage dead.
Merlin froze where he was, he turned slowly his head to the two men standing off to the side, before Uther knew what was going on was Arthur making his way up to Merlin. Arthur turned around to face his father, his hand on the pommel of his sword. He was not going to allow his father to hurt Merlin.
Merlin reacted first. His hand slowly made its way to Arthur's back. "Arthur, calm down," His voice was slightly winded from the battle, the mage was strong. Arthur stood up slightly taller. "No, he will not hurt you." Uther flinched slightly from the terror and anger he could hear in Arthur's voice. He knows it is time for a change.
Uther showed his hand to Arthur, making sure to kick his dagger away from him. "I will not harm him." His voice was even. Arthur's eyes showed clearly how unsure he was feeling, the feeling of this is his father, he can trust him but at the same time the other voice in his head, telling him to make sure he keeps his guard up at all times.
Merlin gently put his hand over Arthur's hand holding onto the pommel of his sword. "Arthur, calm down." Arthur's eyes swept to Merlin. Uther slowly stood up. "Arthur…" Uther's hands were still open showing his palms. Arthur did not look up again. Merlin just gave his hand a slight squeeze. "Son, you are bleeding," Uther said it urgently.
Merlin immediately moved forward to inspect his body, when he saw the blood seeping out from his shoulder. Artur realized suddenly that he had not even felt the pain since the battle started. "Come." Merlin's voice was gentle. He gently moved Arthur to his chambers, Uther following them. He knows he would more than likely not be allowed to stay, but he needed to make sure Arthur would be okay.
Merlin grabbed a cloth and put Arthur's hand over it. "Keep pressure on it, I will be right back." His words were slightly rushed but they need to heal the wound as soon as possible.
Arthur looked at his father warily. "You promise you will not execute or banish Merlin?" His voice was soft as if he was scared to voice his question. Uther gave his son a long look. "I am not going to do anything, I think it is time for you to step up to the throne." The words were slightly rushed. But Uther knows deep in his heart that Arthur would make a better king.
Arthur looked up when his father said that, unsure if he was playing a joke. "Why?" Arthur could not understand why Uther would want to give up the crown, he loved to rule. "Arthur, I have caused damage to you and the kingdom. The kingdom would prosper under your rule." Uther sounded so sincere that Arthur was unsure what he should say.
"In two weeks, you will be crowned king," Uther said it just as Merlin came back into the room, he had a basin and some clothes. Uther just gave them a nod and then left the room. Merlin gave Arthur a questioning look as he started to get the amour of Arthur.
"I am to be crowned king in two weeks." His voice was slightly panicking. Merlin only hummed at him, his focus on the wound. Arthur hissed out when Merlin started to clean deeper into the wound. At least the blood had stopped flowing.
The two weeks had flowed so fast past, that when Arthur saw again, was he in front of Geoffrey begin crowned king. The night flowed with a feast big enough that everyone was part of it, tables were set up in the lower town, all of the people feasting.
Arthur looked at everything with a slight sense of wonder, he could not help but feel as if it was a dream. Suddenly he hears Merlin voice next to him. "So how is it to be king?" Arthur could hear the teasing in his voice. "Asked me that when I had a day behind me from beginning king." His voice was soft.
Arthur knows if it is not for Merlin support every day, that he more than likely would not have been able to keep up the appearance. His hand slipped easily into Merlin's.
In the last two weeks, Arthur had come clean with his feelings for Merlin, and they had decided to give it a try. A blush made its way over his face when Merlin kissed him on his cheek. They listened to the cheers going up in the room.
And this is the end of Empire, for now, I am planning on writing a sequel to this. I hoped everyone has enjoyed the story as much as I have. Thank you for everyone who left a comment and kudo.