Sorry for the slow update, life and work and urghhh...other boring stuff. Anyways, thanks for all the follows and reviews! Without further ado, chapter six!

DISCLAIMER - I do not own these characters, they are rightfully owned by the BBC.

Chapter Six - The Sword in the Stone

Gaius put down the wooden bowl down in front of Merlin and the smell of burnt porridge immediately hit his nostrils.

"So..." Gaius said calmly. "How does it feel?"

Merlin prodded his porridge suspiciously with the spoon. "How does what feel?"

Gaius sat opposite him, a knowing smile spreading across his features. "You know exactly what I'm talking about. How does it feel now that Arthur knows about you?"

Merlin tried to keep his face solemn but, as always, his cheerful nature got the better of him. "It was terrifying at first..." He said, grinning. "And I was worried that he wouldn't accept me but...I think Arthur is going to come around."

"Careful Merlin." Gaius warned, "Arthur has been taught to hate magic his entire life, don't expect him to change overnight."

The young warlock shook his head furiously. "I promise Gaius, I am not expecting anything from him, not anything that hasn't been foretold anyway." Merlin winked conspiringly at him and Gaius groaned.

"Merlin..."

"What?" Merlin exclaimed, still smiling. "Arthur is the Once and Future King, he is destined to bring back magic to Albion."

Gaius folded his arms across his chest and gave Merlin a stern glare. "I am warning you now Merlin, do not try and push this on him. Do not try and force him to accept magic sooner than he is ready."

Merlin nodded mischievously, swallowed one last mouthful of porridge before getting up and swinging his bag over his shoulder.

"And where are you off to in such a hurry?" Gaius asked.

Merlin swung open the door and raised his eyebrows. "To show Arthur something...magical."

And the door swung shut behind him.

_page break_

The light shone through the trees, highlighting every fleck of dust and every leaf.

The knights and Arthur followed Merlin through the forest, the sound of cracking twigs alerting all the woodland creatures that they were there.

Eventually they made it to a clearing and in the clearing, there was a stone.

Merlin turned around to see the Knights and Arthur all standing behind him. The Knights still looked wary of him, he sighed, he hoped that one day that would change.

Slowly, purposefully, Merlin made his way to the sword in the stone, he closed his eyes and looked up at the sky, letting the sun bathe his face. When he opened his eyes he saw all of the Knights and Arthur staring at him with barely concealed anticipation.

"This sword is the greatest weapon any man can wield." He said clearly. "It has been forged in a dragon's breath, and only the one true King can pull it from it's stone."

Arthur faltered. "How can you possibly know that?"

Merlin grinned impishly. "Because I made it that way."

A chorus of muttering swept through the Knights, only Arthur remained silent. He stood there, mouth agape.

"You made it that way?" He repeated, dumbfounded.

"Yes," Merlin replied. "I enchanted it so that only the one true King of Camelot could pull the sword from the stone. So...after you Arthur." He motioned to the sword.

Arthur remained firmly where he was. "That sword is stuck fast in solid stone!" Arthur exclaimed.

"And you're going to pull it out."

"Merlin...it's impossible." Arthur looked from the sword to Merlin and back again.

"Not for you." Merlin said and then he moved away from the stone, making the way for Arthur.

Arthur looked behind him to see the eyes of his Knights watching him. Sighing he made his way nervously forward. With shaking hands Arthur gripped the hilt of the sword and pulled with all his might.

Nothing.

He looked warily at Merlin, who nodded in encouragement. Arthur pulled again, his face going red with the effort.

"You're destined to be Albion's greatest king." Merlin urged him. "Nothing, not even this stone can stand in your way."

Arthur's grip tightened and then orange sparks flew from the stone and it slid out with an impossible ease. Arthur staggered backward, his eyes wide in awe as he held the sword high above him in his hand.

Sir Leon stepped forward, "Long live the king!"

One by one each of the knights cheered for Arthur until it was a unified chorus.

Arthur turned to Merlin, wonder filling his eyes. "Why are you doing this Merlin?" He whispered.

"Because you are the king, Arthur." Merlin said simply. "And it is my destiny to serve you in whichever way I can. Whether you like it or not."

Arthur nodded slowly, still admiring the sword. "I think, maybe, I have underestimated you."

Merlin snorted. "Don't worry, you aren't the only one to have made that mistake."

Arthur sheathed the sword and clapped a hand gently onto Merlin's shoulder. "Let us hope, that Morgana has underestimated you also."

Despite the continuing cheers from the Knights, Merlin could only hear silence. Morgana...it would not be long until he had to face her, and this time there would be no mask to hide behind and no convenient way to end the battle before it starts.

Merlin sighed and watched as Arthur re-joined the rest of the Knights, they all seemed so happy but Merlin felt as though something heavy was weighing on his chest.

He was going to have to fight Morgana in three days time.

He wasn't sure if he was ready, maybe he would never be ready.

He watched as Arthur hugged Gwaine and felt his eyes watering at the sight.

Camlann.

He most definitely wasn't ready to watch Arthur die.

Waheyy!

I think there will only be three more chapters, hope you guys have enjoyed it all so far!

MsDeacs xx