Hi again! How are you doing? Chapter eight is about to take off in three… two… one… blast off!
Disclaimer: Do I even have to repeat myself? Yes, yes, I do. BBC Merlin is sadly not mine. The characters are not mine. The plot and my OC belong to me though.
Lancelot said, "Why do you want to know?"
"Well, Sir Lancelot, I have to thank the Once and Future King for be so accepting about magic, making Emrys the Court Sorcerer and his sister Court Sorceress. It must not be easy to forgive the lies and deception." Osric smiled sickly sweet at the two Arthurs. "Say, if Morgana hadn't softened when you stormed into the Camelot castle that she took over, I think today, we wouldn't even be here. Funny, how the smallest decisions, the smallest benefit of doubt, can change the entire course of history."
It was, in a way, true, Merlin thought. It was because Morgana softened under the stare of Arthur in the throne and was reminded of the relationship they had before Morgause came, caused her to back down from taking over the throne. It was because of the reconciliation between the Pendragon siblings did Arthur began to think about freeing magic. Then Merlin revealed himself to be a warlock, which resulted in Arthur regulating magic. Merlin and Morgana were declared as Court Sorcerer and Sorceress, and the conflict between magic and Camelot was resolved. Later, Morgana confessed that she was going to summon the Callieach by sacrificing Morgause, but she didn't go through with the plan. Of course, this deviation probably prevented or caused some things from happening, things Merlin did not want to dwell on. After a few years of magic regulation, Mordred appeared in Camelot. No longer afraid of Mordred messing with destiny, Merlin had welcomed him with open arms. It was giving each other the chance to change that played a part in ushering the rise of Albion. Then Arthur married Gwen. Merlin and Morgana became rivalling friends. The knights continued to train. Gaius was still Court Physician. The kingdoms were uniting. Everything was peaceful. And everything led right to this moment.
The sorcerer waved his hand, "If you people can alter your own destiny, then so can I. Mankind have tempted fate, and I refuse to believe that my existence is less than mundane. So, again, which one of you is the Once and Future King?"
The two Arthurs both answered, "I am. Now let my men go."
"Love the creepy simultaneous speech, but you see, the soul-splitting magic, kind of separated the normal identity, which is Arthur Pendragon, and his destiny, the Once and Future King. That is the essence of the spell. Claiming that you are both destinies is not possible right now. I only need to distinguish between the two identities before I can proceed with my intention. Want to help a sorcerer out?"
"No." Arthur One and Arthur Two said simultaneously.
Osric pouted, "You are not nice, you know that?"
Merlin felt a little better. Still drained, but at least he could focus a bit better. His vision was not too fuzzy and instead of a boulder, he felt like he got dumped in the lake and all his clothes were heavy with water. He wished he could regain his strength at a faster rate.
"The lot of you look anxious. Don't fret. A magician never reveals his secrets. Not yet." Then Osric laid down Excalibur on the ground and fingered the necklace – Arthur's necklace – on his neck.
One Arthur sneered at him. The other simply glared.
"Since no one here is willing to help a fellow sorcerer out, I guess I'll just have to try this." Osric snapped his fingers and released Arthurs One and Two from the prison box.
Osric quietly said, "You see, a soul will bear the mark of the reason why this person died. If you died by drowning, your lips would be blue. If you died by burning, you would have burn marks on your arms and legs. These are all theoretical, because after all, nobody had ever seen a soul without a vessel before. Until now." He approached the two Arthurs and grinned. Merlin heard Osric whisper a binding enchantment and the two Arthurs were immediately immobilized. "Arthur Pendragon was supposed to die at the hands of Mordred at Camlaan, orchestrated by Morgana, by a sword forged in a dragon's breath. A shard of metal was to slowly make its way up and pierce his heart. The Once and Future King is immortal and therefore, will not have a scar."
Arthur One and Two screamed, "Let me go!" The knights screamed threats at the sorcerer and Osric muted the knights with a flick of his wrist.
Osric went to the Arthur on the left, Arthur One, and smiled, "Sorry, Sire. This is going to be a little awkward."
He ripped the nightshirt of Arthur One and underneath was a thin, white scar. It was as long as the width of a sword. The sorcerer also went to Arthur Two, who tried to struggle violently, and did the same thing. Arthur Two had no scar. Everybody stilled. Merlin looked at Arthur Two, the Once and Future King, and met his soulful gaze. This was literally his destiny, staring back at him. He felt his magic swirl with delight, filling him with energy.
Grinning madly, Osric bowed mockingly, "Long live the Once and Future King, Albion's soulful heir." Then with a smirk, "What happens when a man has no destiny? We will find out soon, won't we? You have one minute to say goodbye to your friends."
Merlin cursed silently. He hated countdowns.
(Shudders at the joke.) Horrible attempt at a pun, I know. Sorry. This the longest chapter yet! A feat on its own! Wow! Maybe I do have the motivation to write longer chapters. XD Anyways, what will happen to the two Arthurs and can Merlin save the day?