"Arthur, rise and shine, Sire!"
Arthur Pendragon groaned as light attacked his eyelids. He opened his eyes to see Merlin standing beside the window, having opened the shutters to allow dawn light to spill into the king's quarters.
"Merlin," Arthur growled, sitting up and rubbing sleep from his eyes. "One of these days I'm going to have you-." Arthur broke off as he met the warlock's affectionate gaze. He didn't have it in his heart to finish his threat. He would never tell Merlin so to his face… but something had changed between them that day at the lake of Avalon. Merlin had saved his life, getting him to the lake just as the last breaths were leaving his body. He should have died. Fate had decided that he should have died that day… However, Merlin must have power that even fate could only dream off… because he had denied all the prophecies and predictions, and Arthur had lived.
He saved me, Arthur stared at his friend. He's saved me more times than I will ever know… I called him a fool, I called him a coward… and all along…
"You have to be up and ready in a few hours." Merlin said cheerfully. "King Odin and his men are coming to celebrate two years of peace between your kingdoms."
Arthur grunted. While he may have made peace with the older king, he held no love for him. The man had killed his father.
"Odin, right." Arthur murmured, climbing to his feet. Merlin rushed to get a shirt for him. "Merlin, I need to talk to you about something."
Merlin stopped with his hand in the wardrobe. The sorcerer slowly turned to his friend.
"Yes, Sire?" He whispered. Arthur could see the fear in his eyes. The king shook his head sadly. After coming back to Camelot, Arthur had made it known who had saved his life and that Merlin was a sorcerer who was to be welcomed in the kingdom… the only one. He still wasn't sure about magic, but he was sure about Merlin.
"You needn't look as though I've just threatened to chop your head off, Merlin." Arthur snorted. "It's not about that… I want to talk to you about your position as my servant."
"What about it?" Merlin asked.
"It's no good anymore." At Merlin's horrified expression, he quickly went on. "I mean, you could be so much more use to the kingdom if you were in a different position… say… as my sorcerer."
"Your sorcerer?" Merlin echoed, titling his head. "I…I don't understand, Arthur."
"The people know what you've done and who you are… I see no reason why that shouldn't be your title as well. Merlin, you can still work side by side with me… but as an equal, not a servant… that is what I want for us… Do you want the same?"
Merlin's mouth opened and closed in disbelief.
"Arthur…" he breathed. "You don't have too-."
"No." Arthur agreed. "I'm the king, I don't have to do anything. I want this. But it's your decision."
Merlin tossed him the shirt and brought one hand up to run it through his hair.
"What about you?" He said, voice thick. "Where are you going to get a servant as good as me?"
"Good… Merlin, a blind man with a cane could clean a room better than you." Arthur sniffed. "I do believe you are the-."
"Worst servant you've ever had." Merlin finished, eyes sparkling with amusement. "I think you may have said so a time or two."
"So?" Arthur asked.
"So what?"
"Merlin, are you that dumb?" Arthur snapped. "Do you want the position?"
Merlin turned away, a bitter smile on his face.
"Why not?" He murmured. "It doesn't change anything."
Oh, how wrong those words were. For that one decision, made at that exact time, changed everything.
Gwen had been gone several days now, having gone with some of the knights to visit Ealdor, where she stayed for a time during exile. Arthur missed her… but he wasn't worried. Morgana was dead and peace now ruled the land, no harm would come to her.
Arthur stood out on the castle steps, awaiting the arrival of Odin and his men. He drew his head up as the men began to arrive. Odin nodded to Arthur as he approached.
"King Arthur."
"King Odin." Arthur returned the greeting, trying to keep his voice neutral. He hated this man… more than words could ever say. "It is an honor to have you and your knights here."
"It is an honor to be here." Odin returned, the same iciness in his tone as in Arthur's. "It was… a surprise to hear the story of your battle in Camlann. I hear you now willingly harbor a sorcerer here?" Odin's eyes fell on Merlin. The warlock, who stood at Arthur's side, met his gaze with blank eyes.
"Merlin is highly valuable to me." Arthur said, a touch of warning to his voice. "He is much more than a mere sorcerer."
"Your father would not approve." Odin hummed.
Do you think I don't know that? Arthur wondered. For once… I don't care. Merlin has earned my loyalty and his place here.
As Odin's men began to make their way inside the castle, escorted by servants. Something caught Arthur's eye. A little boy was standing at Odin's side. He had blond hair and green eyes that glittered like a pair of emeralds.
That boy can't be more than ten, Arthur mused, eyeing the child. Perhaps even younger…
Seeing Arthur's stare, Odin gave a laugh.
"Ah, yes." He purred. "This is my servant, Callum."
Servant… Arthur nodded quietly, taking in the youth. Callum's head was ducked and he didn't meet the king's eyes. The poor kid was shaking.
"Callum." Arthur allowed. "Welcome to Camelot."
"T-thank you, S-Sire." Callum stammered, still not looking up. Arthur swallowed, heart aching. He didn't want to know what had been done to the boy to put such fear into his heart.
"Don't stutter!' Odin snapped, wacking the back of his head. "Especially not when addressing a king!"
"Sorry…" Callum breathed. The child lifted his gaze and met Arthur's. "I'm sorry."
Arthur's heart thumped as he stared at the young child. The boy had fear in his eyes, yes… but he had something else there too… something raw and real that made Arthur want to speak with him, to know more.
I'll get a chance, Arthur promised himself. They stay a week… I'll get a chance.
A storm gathered over The Isle of the Blessed, sending torrents of rain down from the afternoon sky. The rain pelted the stone walls, and drenched the ground. An old woman was standing in the middle of the stone walls, her hand clasping a staff with a red rock at the end. She glanced around, looking for something…
Or someone.
"Took you long enough." The woman grumbled as a young man stepped from the shadows, a black cloak wrapped around his shoulders. The boy's long black hair was wet and stuck to his forehead, his silver eyes glowing with bitterness.
"It was hard to get away." He admitted. "My father is the leader of the Druids… he keeps a close watch on all of us."
"Well, what news do you bring, Thomas?" The woman coaxed.
"My father met a seer several days ago… it is true, he saw the same vision as you, Wishlin. The boy has come to Camelot… fate is trying to right the wrong Emrys has committed."
The woman, Wishlin, smiled. She knew her dream had been so much more than a dream… but now she had confirmation.
"This boy," she purred. "Could bring about the end of Arthur Pendragon… he could… if he has a little assistance along the way."
Thomas titled his head, rain dripping down his face like teardrops.
"What can I do?" He asked, devotion engraved in every word. "What can I do to destroy the last Pendragon?"
"Go to Camelot… find this boy and begin to shape him, show him his destiny." Wishlin command, voice sharper and more demanding than the thunder crashing around them. "If you do this right, Thomas, you will be a hero to your people. The one to finish the great works of Morgana Pendragon!"