Hello my dears. I would like to thank NCVII, Adele Chase, Guest, gaylelbf, OechsnerC, Guest, animerexus, Guest, emrysmorgan, mersan123, Gingeraffealene, Guardian of the Inheritance, and Narya Anima for the wonderful reviews. I would also like to thank those of you who have followed and favoured since my last update.
So here is the next chapter, I hope you like it, this was one of my favourite scenes from Merlin and as such I felt I had to include it, with a few twists of course. Enjoy.
Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin, nor any of the lines I have taken from the show.
Later that morning Arthur had a plan. It had taken hours to devise, but he believed it was sound. Or as sound as any plan that included 10 people taking on an immortal army to regain their kingdom. As such he turned towards the other structures that were left in the castle. He needed somewhere that they could all sit to discuss what was to come, preferably a table of some sort that they could lay out battle plans on. It took a while but finally he found what he was looking for. Though in truth he found something that was so much more than that. It was a relic from days gone by, from when the kings of Camelot numbered many rather than just one. It was something that sat pivotal to the stories he had heard from as early as he could remember. And it represented something that he had never realised that his father's rule had been missing, until now. Until he saw the relic in front of him and those stories came rushing back to him.
Until he saw the round table of the kings of old.
"Come, join Me." He called out, causing all to gravitate towards where he was. He waved his hand, gesturing for those with him to take a place at the table, allowing them to all to choose their own. It wasn't until he noticed only four seats remained clustered together that he realised that he, Merlin, Morgana and Gwen were the only ones left standing. He wasn't sure what to do. He wanted Gwen at his side, in the place he hoped she would one day fulfil, but he knew by rights that seat belonged to Morgana as his sister. He stood frozen as he tried to resolve the unresolvable, before Morgana moved, a smirk on her lips as she took the seat next to Gaius, the one furthest to the left. The others could sit where they chose, but she would not take the rightful place of her Queen. Not when she knew deep inside her that this here was the start of the world she wanted. This was the start of it all. The start of Albion.
When Morgana sat Merlin moved to do the same, taking the seat on the right, leaving the two central seats for the king and his future queen.
Well it seemed the two magic users had solved Arthurs conundrum and as such he handed Gwen into the chair next to Morgana, before moving to stand in front of the one between her and Merlin.
"This table belonged to the ancient kings of Camelot. A round table afforded no one man more importance than any other. They believed in equality in all things. So it seems fitting that we revive this tradition now. Without each of you, we would not be here. My father is dead, but Camelot is not. I am now its king, and it has been held by the enemy army for too long. Tomorrow I make my bid to rescue the kingdom. Are there any around this table who will join me?" At that he stopped speaking.
He had not planned the words he had just said, they came from his heart, and he hoped he could trust those there, those with him, that they would help him regain his kingdom. Would help him make it become the world he wanted it to be. Somewhere that no one had to live in fear anymore. Somewhere that brought back the beliefs of equality and respect, the belief that everyone deserved their freedom to be who they truly were, without worry for recriminations or pain. A place which allows kings to love servants and make them their queens. A place where warlocks and seers were given the respect they were due, and friends could show their gratitude without worry of scorn. A world of peace and prosperity for all.
Lancelot listened to the words and knew he would follow Arthur in the depths of the earth if he asked him to. As such he was the first to rise. "You taught me the values of being a knight, the code by which a man should live his life: to fight with honour for justice, freedom, and all that's good. I believe in the world you will build." He said, pledging himself to Arthurs cause. This was what he was meant to do. This was his reason for life, and he would give his up willing for this cause.
"Even though I was a commoner, a nobody, you were willing to lay down your life for me, Arthur. It is now my turn to repay you." Elyan said as he too stood, nodding at Arthur, promising him to follow him in this battle, even it is their last. It is worth whatever it will cost to return Camelot to the kingdom it deserved to be, under Arthurs rule.
Leon was next to stand, and while he had less to say than the others, he words were no less important. "I have fought alongside you many times. There is no one I would rather die for."
"I think we have no chance." Gwaine said quick on the back of Leon's words, causing all those to turn and glad at him, but he had only eyes for Arthur as he smirked at him and continued. "But I wouldn't miss it for the world." He finished, standing with the others. And in truth he trusted Merlin and Arthur to succeed in this. Because if anyone could, it would be the two of them.
"Your enemies are my enemies." Percival added as he stood. He didn't really think he had anything else to add. He did not have a connection to the king before him as the others here did, but that did not mean he would fight any less for Arthurs kingdom, and for the people in it who deserved peace and freedom.
"If you need an old man…" Gaius said standing as well. He was so proud of the Arthur in front of him, for inspiring these people, these warriors to fight for his kingdom at his side. To face what was to come with such bravery due to his words alone. This was the king he had always hoped Arthur would be, and he was so very glad he was getting to see it.
"You know the answer." Gwen said as she stood from her seat next to Arthur, smiling up at him as she did so.
And with her stance taken, there only left two remaining seated around the table, and while most of the eyes went to Merlin, waiting for him to stand, his did not move from Morganas own. They sat there, staring at each as if they were having a conversation no one else could hear, but also as if they were not saying a word. As if there was nothing more either of them had to say, even as they tried one last time to convince the other to their side. But in truth neither had need for words. Because this was it. The time for decisions to be made, for lines to be drawn, and sides to be taken. It was as if destiny herself was holding her breath as she waited to see the outcome of the non-conversation. As if she waited to see which hand of fate would roll the dice on the story she had spun around these two amazing beings. These two, who it hinged upon. Who the future unfurling, turned around. They, right then were the sun in the centre of the universe and all waited to see if it would shine or implode.
Then Morgana moved and the spell upon them was broken as she turned her eyes to her brother as she rose from her seat like the lady she was. "Arthur, you are the rightful king of Camelot. I know that. I have seen it. I hope you bring peace to my people when you regain your throne." She said cleanly, a challenge easy to read in her eyes. A challenge that none but Merlin and Arthur truly understood. The others thought she meant by changing the laws of magic, but none could imagine him not doing that when Merlin was at his side. But the truth was she meant with Morgause. That she hoped he thought of more than just his revenge when they met in the final battle for Camelot. And she hoped her words reached Merlin, hoped that he would see the bigger picture. The one she had tried to explain to him earlier but he had dismissed. Because this was the last chance she could afford them. Because this was it. The outcome of this battle would determine far more than the throne of Camelot. It would determine its future.
At her words Arthur nodded. He wasn't sure what he was agreeing to, but he knew had to heed her warning. He knew without a doubt that she knew the mind of her people much more than he ever could, more than Merlin could. Because she was the one who had been fighting for them, even if somewhat misguidedly.
With her piece spoken Morgana returned her eyes to Merlin who was still sat, and who was still staring at her. He was torn. Not about joining Arthur, all there knew that was a forgone conclusion, no he was torn about what to do when they won. Because while before he had decided he had already lost, seeing Morgana standing at Arthurs side, hearing her words, he realised there was still hope. If he was willing to risk it all once more… and that was the crux of the matter. To achieve what he dreamed, he would have to risk more than just his heart, risk more than falling in love with some who could one day become an enemy, he would have to risk Arthur's and Albion's very future on the words of another.
"Merlin?" Arthur asked, breaking through Merlin's thoughts and pulling his eyes from the woman he loved and towards the man who was the closest thing he had ever had to a brother.
"Nah, I don't really fancy it." He replied automatically, a smile on his lips as his words broke the tension that held all around the table.
"You don't have a choice, Merlin." Arthur responded with a roll of his eyes. But when Merlin stood he turned to look at him and he saw the smile on his lips, and possibly a slight lightening in his eyes. He was about to nod to his friend and speak again when Merlin forestalled him.
"I will help you bring peace to Camelot, Arthur. Always." He said sincerely, though the last word was directed more to Morgana than the king, it meaning something very different to her than how the men around her took it. For to her it gave hope, that maybe, just maybe he had finally heard her, and that finally, maybe, Emrys was ready to fight for the future of their people, and not just their king. As such she inclined her head towards him, and Merlin repeated the gesture in return. And with that signal destiny started breathing once more, and the wheel of fortune turned slightly closer to the golden age of Albion.
"I want to thank you all for staying loyal to me in Camelot's hour of need. I shall perform my first act as its King." Arthur said to those around him. Because there were things he needed to do, things he needed to say to show those here just what their words, their commitment and their courage truly meant to him.
As such he called forth the four commoners who had pledged to fight by his side, getting them all to kneel in front of him so he could perform a ritual that once was reserved only for those of noble blood. But not anymore. No now anyone who was worthy would receive this honour. Because this was his kingdom now, his army, and he wanted any who wished to, to be able to defend it.
"Arise, Sir Lancelot, knight of Camelot. Arise, Sir Gwaine, knight of Camelot. Arise Sir Percival, knight of Camelot. Arise, Sir Elyan, knight of Camelot." Once done he turned towards the others who had stood witness to the ceremony, as brief as it had been and spoke again. "In front of my most trusted knights, council, and ladies of the court I name my first advisor, Lord Merlin Emrys."
"You what?" Merlin spluttered when he heard the words Arthur had spoken. Because there must be some mistake. This wasn't happening. No way. "Arthur, I'm your servant." He continued once his brain had sort of processed his king's words.
"Yeah, but you were never very good at it." Arthur replied with a smirk on his face.
"But, I'm not a noble." Merlin responded, trying again to show Arthur that this was a really bad idea.
"So? You are the person I trust most, and whose advice I depend upon. Not to mention you have saved Camelot more times than any of the court has." Arthur answered with a shrug. There was no way that Merlin was getting out of this, as his king, he wouldn't let him. It was time for his friend to come out of the shadows, and Arthur would make sure he did, even if he did it kicking and screaming.
"No, no. I refuse." Merlin stated shaking his head as if in doing so it would make his words have more weight. Not that he thought it would work, but he had to try.
"You can't refuse, Merlin. I am the king." Arthur replied with a smug grin. As he crossed his arms. Because this was actually rather fun, making Merlin do something he really didn't want to do was one of Arthur's all-time favourite things after all. It was why he kept dragging him out hunting.
"But-" Merlin started to say, trying to think of something that would counter Arthurs arguments, but he was cut off by Leon.
"Merlin, Arthur is right to choose you. There is no one I trust more to advise our king." The knight said with an encouraging smile towards the younger man. He had after all been following both Merlin and Arthur for years, and even if he had only just learnt of the man's magic, had only just learnt all he had done to protect his kingdom from the shadows, he trusted him to help Arthur build the kingdom they all wanted. He trusted him to advise his king towards peace and prosperity, more than any of the lords that currently existed in the king's council. Merlin would bring fresh eyes to the world, and when magic was once legal, as Leon had no doubt it would be, then who better to guide the king on the laws than one who knew both the good and bad of magic?
At those words Merlin deflated. He really didn't want such a prominent role. Surely there was someone else who would be better at it than him. As such his eyes turned to the one person Merlin thought could do it. The one person who knew magic as he did. He turned to Morgana. Once there their eyes met once more. She did not seemed surprised by Arthur's words, but there was a clear expectancy in them. As if she knew he would take it. And suddenly the reason she had come to him about getting Arthur not to kill Morgause became crystal clear. She had seen this, knew he would become Arthur's advisor, and she trusted him to advise the right course to protect all they hoped to build. And with that he knew he couldn't say no, no matter how much he wanted to.
"I thank you for the exulted position, Sire, and I humbly accept." He finally replied though his tone was vastly at odds to his words, as was the glare he was giving Arthur.
"Excellent. Once we have taken back Camelot we will have a big ceremony to announce it. You will need a new wardrobe of course, oh and a servant." Arthur crowed smugly knowing that with every word he spoke he was annoying Merlin a little bit more.
"Arthur, I do not need a servant." Merlin stopped him. The rest he could accept, barely. But that was too far.
"Of course you do, Merlin. You're a lord now." Arthur replied swinging an arm around his shoulders as he did so and laughing joyfully at the groan he heard from the other man. Oh yes, this was going to be perfect. And at least this way no one will question him when he announced the betrothal of his sister to his first advisor, well if they ever got round to getting back together at any rate. Yes his plan was going perfectly. Now all they had to do was take back Camelot. But they could do that, he was sure. With these people at his side he was sure he could take on the world and win if he had to.
The battle planning itself had not taken long. It was quickly decided that Arthur and Merlin would go after the Cup and try and empty it of the blood, while Leon led the rest of the knights to the dungeons to release their men there, while trying to distract the enemy from the other two. Lancelot offered to join Arthur and Merlin, something they both graciously accepted. As even if their swords could not kill the enemy, two fighting in defence was better than one in Arthur's mind.
It was much later when everyone was asleep that Merlin and Arthur found themselves sat by the fire, as alone as they could be.
"You should take the sword." Merlin said into the quiet, knowing Arthur would understand which sword he was talking about. After all surely in Arthur's hands it would be far more effective than in his own.
"No, Merlin. The lady of the lake gave it to you." Arthur replied simply. Of course he would love to wield a blade that could destroy the enemy so easily, plus it was a thing of beauty. He had seen that when Merlin had first shown it to him. But if he did that then Merlin would have no real protection in the fight to come. He could protect himself with his training. Merlin didn't have that, he only had his magic, and Arthur had no idea if it worked on immortals, and he really didn't think a battle was the best place to find out.
"But it was created for you, Arthur." Merlin responded passionately. It was Arthurs sword, had been from the moment he had taken it from Gwen to the dragon.
"That may be, but it is not mine now. I am sure that when it is, I will carry it with pride. But until then, you keep it safe for me." Arthur answered, he wasn't sure where the words came from, but he knew deep down inside they were true. It was not yet time for him to carry that blade. Was not time for it to be held by the hands of a King. No for now it would stay with Merlin, and when he was ready, he would claim it then.
"I will." Merlin promised in return. He could hear the whisper of destiny in Arthur's words, and while he didn't know when he knew he would know when the time came for Arthur to weld it. But for now it was his to hold, his to use to protect those he loved, and he would use it well, then place it somewhere safe, ready and waiting for the day of Arthur's need.