Author's Note:

Hey, this is the new chapter, okay so I know it's late and I know it's short but what I've decided to do is write smaller chapters to make it more manageable for myself. I have school, and god knows what else so I've been finding it quite hard but this way I'll be able to get it to you easier. I've already written the next bit, hence why this is so late, so that should be up fairly quickly.

Hope you enjoy this. XD

Please, Review/Favorite/Follow

Please tell me if I've switched tenses as well, because I seem to do that without noticing, hopefully I haven't done it in this one, but y'know, I try.

If you do any of these, if you read it even, thank you! xx

Chapter 2: Excalibur

"The Old Religion is the one thing that binds this earth and all its contents together, without it you and I can only imagine the consequences" Merlin paced the room, his normal, young self-back in play. He hated that old body; it reminded him of how old he really was, and of how many people he'd lost in the process.

"It's the 5th element, of course many none magic folk have never agreed with that for obvious reasons, but the truth is the Old Religion, magic, us, we are all elements." Merlin noticed he'd used the word 'we'. Realising that in actual fact it was true, his magic acted on instinct to protect him, and so had the Old Religion, it had done what it 'thought' to be a good way of protecting itself and its kin, even if it had a weird way of showing the latter.

"I need you to help me convince it to stay." He looked around at the bewildered expressions on the other four's faces.

"And how exactly do we do that?" Harry asked. Merlin linked his fingers round the back of his neck, and trying not to look any of them in the face he said:

"I don't know." He watched as, the other four rolled their eyes and began to sag back in their chairs. Merlin bit his lip; this wasn't going as well as he'd hoped. "But I know where to start." That caught their attention.

"Go on," Said Hermione. Merlin nodded to her in thanks,

"We need Arthur back, only then can we go about, well, whatever we're supposed to be doing." He said, cringing slightly 'whatever we're supposed to be doing'. Rubbish.

"So that's where you come in, have you ever heard of the sword of Gryffindor?" He said hoping these were the right people to ask, there was no doubt they'd know about the sword, but it didn't mean they were willing to help.

Okay, so maybe he could have done this quest on his own, just maybe, but that was doubtful and what if someone at Hogwarts recognised him. No, this way was safer, and in the long run he would need someone like Harry. Merlin himself had seen what the wizard could do.

As Merlin mentioned the sword he saw recognition flash through his associate's faces. Harry nodded,

"What, do you need that for?" He sounded suspicious, like Merlin had come to steal the sword. In a way he had, but it was Arthur's sword, forged in the dragon's breath, it belonged to Arthur, only Arthur, and it was Merlin's job to find it for him.

"Do you know about the history of the sword?" Merlin asked, and out of the corner of his eye, he saw Hermione nod,

"It was given to Godric Gryffindor, by a stranger, who told him to look after it until its true owner has returned. It's been at Hogwarts ever since." At the last sentence, she received a meaningful glare from, her friends.

Merlin ignored them, and keeping his eyes on Hermione, he said,

"So you're probably aware of the legends of the lady of the lake?" He asked, and she nodded again.

"She was the protector of Arthur's sword; the Excalibur."

Merlin smiled, this girl was very well informed for one so young. Then he remembered, she would be in her late thirties. To 'normal people' she wasn't that young, and she defiantly was no longer a girl.

She was clever though, and as a few second ticked by he saw realisation flash in her face,

"You're saying the two swords are one of the same?"

Merlin smiled, "That's exactly what I'm saying." But, in his approval for the young witch, he had managed to forget the trio that looked on in complete bewilderment.

"How is that possible?" Merlin looked round. Raising his eyebrow, he addressed the pretty, ginger women.

"How is that possible?" he repeated, he doubted possible came into it, given all he'd been through.

"How can a sword live through millenniums?"

"A millennium," Hermione cut in, but looking around at her friend faces she said, "Not that, that matters" Merlin gave her a short, tight smile, he wondered if that was her idea of help.

Then, looking at Ginny he said, "The sword's bound to Arthur it will only age when Arthur ages."

"So in a way you and the sword are the same?" the voice belonged to Hermione…..Again.

"What?" Merlin asked.

"Neither of you age, meaning it's not the just the sword that's bound to Arthur, it's you too." She had a point. Merlin had never thought of it like that, he'd never thought of himself as Arthur's, and he didn't like to think he was Arthur's but, even so, she did have a point.

Merlin chewed the inside of his cheek, "I've never actually thought of it like that," he admitted.

"But I'm right though aren't I, it's all to do with Arthur, it always has been, and always will be."

"How can a person belong to another person?" Ron had crossed his arms, as though still denying Merlin was actually there.

"Marriage." Hermione looked over to Ron, a playful smile at her lips.

"I am not married to Arthur!" Merlin exclaimed. No, he wasn't homophobic, he believed all types of people should be allowed equality; anyone would after what he'd been through, but Arthur, really?

Hermione laughed "I was just proving that it is possible!" she said cheerily, seeming to forget what this whole convocation was about, just the possible death of the earth. No bigy.

It wasn't her fault though; Merlin had let it stray slightly away from the point. Maybe he should…..

"We have five minutes" Ginny had just noticed the clock, Merlin had to convince them fast, otherwise in five minutes, they would be gone and his chance with them.

"You need to help me," Merlin said, letting panic resonate in his voice, "if you don't this is over, it's all over,"

Hermione nodded, "I'm in,"

"You trust him?" Ron looked at her, confusion mingled with annoyance.

"Ron we have to, this isn't about us; it's about the greater good!" Merlin raised an eyebrow; that had sounded ever so slightly cheesy.

"But what if he's lying?" Ron again,

"We don't have a choice Ron!"

"Fine." Ron looked like a stubborn five year old, arms crossed, a scowl on his face, "Fine, I'll help"

Okay, so that was two of them, but he could see Harry fidgeting, his eyes flitting to the clock, this holiday must mean a lot to him.

"Ginny?" Harry asked

"I think we have to dear," her eyes were soft, but at the same time firm, she knew what had to be done.

Harry got up, hands clenched into fist. "Right," he began to pace "….Right," then turning to Merlin and he looked him straight in the eye and said, "You promise me this isn't a wind up."

Merlin held his gaze "I promise"

Harry closed his eyes and sighed, and when they opened again, Merlin saw something new, sparkling in them.

Harry took a sharp intake of breath

"Well we better get going then."