Next chapter's here =D Sorry for the wait, my computer broke down completely and I had to get something to write on for now, just to make it even more fun the replacement has no working spell-checker... so really sorry for any typos.
Hope you'll enjoy it anyway! :D thanks for the lovely reviews and a special Thank you goes to FireChildSlytherin5 for great ideas and help! Thanks =D
Discl.: Stíll don't own anything...
Chapter 7
Dumbfounded Merlin gaped at the sight before him.
Where there had been just an empty area before now stood hundreds of knights in orderly rows, all of them wearing pendragon-red capes. Slightly in front of them were five knights with a different insignia on their capes, marking them as the elite, and before them was their leader.
Clad in splendid armour, and wearing a crown atop his blonde head, he looked like a being of heavenly origin, especially as the sun had risen behind him and illuminated his features. And had he not addressed his future self like that Merlin would have had a hard time believing this was really Prin- no King Arthur. Their appearance was basically the same, with the only difference being their age, but at the same time they were nothing alike. Surely he was still the same arrogant, pompous prat, however, on a deeper level he was more restrained.
There was a darker feel to him than to his younger self, as if the weight of the world had been put upon his shoulders, made him harder and…
"Looking as dumb as ever, eh Merlin?"
…or maybe not.
"Don't tease him Arthur, he's probably just realized he'd have to deal with your even bigger ego in the future." interfered Emrys on his behalf. "And we have other things to worry about right now than my brains or your lack thereof."
Laughing out loud Arthur turned around to his army and shouted "Secure the castle." Sprung into motion all soldiers, except the five elites, efficiently organised themselves into groups and hurriedly disappeared into all directions.
"Uhm.." Past Merlin started uncertainly "I don't really think Uther will be very happy with that."
"Why? Because his castle will be actually secure for once?" countered King Arthur. "But I guess you're right, then let's visit daddy dearest, shall we?"
Starting into the direction of the throne room Arthur was halted by Emrys, with nothing more but the sound of his name, and a discerning look. He stopped briefly and returned his friends gaze, before he abruptly nodded and left, followed close by his five men. Emrys only sighed in relief and made to follow, when he noticed that Merlin was still rooted to the spot looking completely bewildered. Waving his hand in front of his past self he snapped him out of his stupor and asked if everything was alright.
"Ye-eah…" staring after the king, then Merlin exclaimed shocked "Did he just freely admit that I was right?" smiling Emrys only replied "Well, like Arthur always says 'Wonders never cease'."
Throne room
Uther had been contemplating on what to do about the whole situation, when the door was flung open and a hysteric guard rushed in screaming "They're taking over the city!"
"Who is?" bellowed Uther
"Th-he knights."
"That's ridiculous." Countered Arthur, who had just entered the room with his ever present bodyguard behind him, "Why should our own men take over the citadel, when they're tasked to secure it to begin with.?"
"But they're not our men." Uther was about to shout in outrage when another, well-known voice entered the fray.
"No, they're mine." stated someone from the entrance.
Uther whirled around and upon seeing who had spoken he completely froze and gaped, much like Merlin had done before. Close to the doors stood Arthur, but unlike his son this one wore a magnificent crown and exuded an aura of confidence and authority. Uther had met many kings during his rule, however, none of them had ever looked like his son did now, as if he had been born to rule.
The strange silence, which had descended upon the room, was then lifted as Galahad rushed forward exitedly to greet his king. Also, five knights entered and positioned themselves behind Arthur. Four of them were completely unknown to the people at the present time, only the fifth knight was familiar. Sir Leon, currently one of Camelot's most trusted knights, was standing there, watching Arthur's back like so many times in the past.
Uther, who had in the meantime recovered from his shock, hastily sent the guards and other spectators out, before demanding an explanation for this new development. And especially why there were 'future' soldiers replacing his men.
Waiting for an answer Uther looked at his son stoically, but to his surprise Merlin took the lead instead.
"As I'm sure Galahad informed you the situation has changed drastically. An army from the future arrived last night. It appears that nearly all our adversaries have come to the past, so I decided to get back-up in order to fight them efficiently.
Of course, upon hearing that Uther was close to break into another rant about magic, but fortunately he was stopped by (present) Arthur's reply.
"That was a little rash, don't you think? There are enough able knights and soldiers to protect Camelot. We don't need help, thank you very much, but we can deal with the threat ourselves."
For a split second it was gravely still in the room, that was before King Arthur burst out laughing, soon joined by the chuckles of his men. Arthur, short-tempered as always, cut in angrily "I don't see what's so funny?" Pulling himself together King Arthur replied jovially " Let me put it this way, neither you nor any other warrior in this citadel, hell probably even in the entire realm, would be able to beat Merlin here."
'Oh dear..' Emrys thought darkly, as he could easily see where this was going, judging from the mutinous look on Prince Arthur's face. And yep, moments later a gauntlet, which had been conveniently close to hand, hit the floor in front of him, courtesy of the younger blonde.
He looked at it with disdain, before glaring at his Arthur murderously. 'He so did that on purpose!' When he didn't respond immediately the younger prat boasted gleefully "Scared Merlin, don't worry I'll go easy on you."
Galahad, his ever faithful son, promptly came to his defence with a "Don't be ridiculous, he's going to wipe the floor with you." and then realising he had just addressed his future king like that he turned to the older blond and smiled sheepishly.
Incidentally that was the moment Merlin, the younger, entered the throne room, completely oblivious of the strained atmosphere. Well until he got The Glare from his master and subsequently stumbled over his own feet, and he could have sworn he heard Arthur mumble scoffingly "Wipe the floor with me, hah, hilarious."
On the other side of the room Emrys rolled his eyes in exasperation and bent forward to pick up the offending gauntlet, accepting the challenge. Before he could even right himself again Arthur bellowed "Noon, today, on training fields, be there...punctual." Then he swept out of the room without another word, only shouting for Merlin to follow. Exchanging a confused look with his future self his servant hurried after him.
.
Now with the distractions finally over Uther took control of the conversation and asked the most important question, "Why for god's sake are you allowing and using magic in my kingdom?"
In an instant the nice, jovial, future king was gone and in his place stood an entirely different person. His whole demeanor was suddenly frosty and distant.
"Don't you dare.." he started angrily, before cutting himself off. Taking a deep breath he continued in a more restrained manner "You have no right to question my decisions."
"I'm your father, I have every right to.."
"No you don't, not anymore. I'm no longer the clueless boy who idealises and looks up to you, I know too much for that." And with that puzzling claim the blonde left the throne room with his guards and Merlin trailing behind.
Uther alone remained there, seated on his throne and worrying over what he'd just heard. It seemed as if his worst nightmare had come true.
His son knew the truth...
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