The call seemed to have so hard a grip on Arthur that occasionally he tried to get through walls to reach where he was going. If that was the case the previous night, Merlin did feel surprised that no one had seen him before he had reached the sword. Tonight's celebration was the most significant, where everyone would usually attend, on the night of the Equinox, when night and day were in balance. The night before, people would have been around the castle. Yet Arthur seemed to have encountered no one, until he disturbed the barrier.
Merlin wondered if the power of the Equinox itself, had any significance, or would it not have mattered when he brought Arthur. One of Merlin's roles appeared to have been bringing Arthur close enough to reach the sword.
Any further investigation into the matter was pointless. Arthur would not remember if any of his previous night-time wanderings occurred during significant times, when magic doers were prominent on the Isle, and so many elements would have made the power spread. Arthur as a child would probably have no self control over it. Until he had been able to suppress every natural instinct that he had as an individual, and he had become whoever the person who owned him wanted him to be.
"Merlin!"
He jumped at the voice, wondering if it had disturbed Arthur. His head turned but Merlin lifted his hand, warning Morgana to remain quiet and Arthur's head turned back as he padded off down the corridor, his bare feet silent on the stone floor. If Arthur felt the cold he gave no indication and Merlin guessed it was not even registering. Morgana frowned as she watched Arthur take the corner and she followed Merlin as he stayed behind him.
"I thought you weren't going to let him wander."
"I said I'd contain him. I'm with him, so he's contained. I want to know what's happening, the quickest way to ascertain that is to let it happen."
Morgana lifted her skirts to keep pace with Merlin. Arthur's pace had started to increase, as if he knew he was close to what he wanted. Once he reached the end of the corridor and went down the short flight of steps he just needed to pass through the cloisters and it would take him out through the archway into the courtyard where Excalibur stood.
Merlin reached out and Morgana's hand slipped into his as she walked with him, both of them staring at Arthur as he went down the steps and turned. They jogged down and followed him as Arthur wandered along. When he reached the archway he hesitated.
This moment was something Merlin had been waiting for. Arthur had somehow got himself in. Merlin wanted to know if Arthur did have some magic, or if something else had occurred. Morgana jumped, putting her free hand to her chest and turning as she heard two more pairs of footsteps. Merlin glanced round in irritation as Percival and Lancelot came into view.
"Sorry My Lady," Lancelot said in a low tone, as he realised they had startled her. "We thought it might be better if we help."
Merlin shrugged and instead turned back to Arthur. He had paused at the archway and Merlin waited to see what the magic would do. Although he couldn't 'see' the magic in an entirely literal way, he had a strong sense of it. Carefully he relaxed his eyes, taking them out of focus. The shimmering barrier rippled as it touched Arthur. An Arthur who appeared to be momentarily hesitating, so Merlin assumed that Arthur sensed it was there. Presumably he also had last night.
Making sure he didn't blink and lose concentration he watched as the magic spread, pushing against Arthur, causing him to sway back, rocking onto his heels. But it didn't force him away, Merlin watched the flickering shimmer of the power reach around Arthur, brushing against him and almost wrapping him up. Arthur took a step closer, the magic engulfing him, gently encouraging him into the courtyard. He took several stumbling, hesitant steps, the magic staying around him, easing him forward, until he passed through the barrier, and it returned to it's usual flicker. Merlin blinked, the barrier almost vanishing, but it felt stronger, strengthening itself. Whatever Arthur was to do had been interrupted the previous night, now it had him back the magic wasn't about to let him go.
Next to him Morgana gasped with shock as she watched Arthur simply walk through the magic. Merlin glanced at her.
"It wants him in there."
"Will it let you?" Lancelot asked. "He shouldn't be alone."
Merlin shrugged. "Let's find out."
Morgana stayed at his side, her hand clenched in his, feeling hot and clammy. As they reached the archway both of them tensed as they felt the pressure of the magic. Lifting his hand Merlin reached out, pressing his own power against it, feeling the pressure as, for a few seconds, the barrier repelled him. Then suddenly, without any warning, he tipped forward, as it disappeared. Once moment the power held them back and the next it had gone. Merlin glanced at Morgana, who frowned, looking back and she took a careful step forward, inhaling a short breath.
"It's still here, but it's letting us through."
"We're meant to witness this," Merlin said. He glanced back at his two friends behind him. They followed on Merlin's heels, looking nervous as they crossed the threshold of the courtyard, unsure if they would be granted access. Neither of them sensed the magic, Lancelot only picking up a shiver as the hairs on the back of his neck rose. Percival felt nothing. Merlin's head turned as the barrier flickered back into life, less powerful than before. All four of them turned back as they heard the sound.
"Is that singing?" Percival whispered.
Merlin frowned, listening intently to the sound. The light rippling sound, almost like a voice, but not, echoed around the small space. He couldn't describe it, a times it sounded like flowing water, then the gentle tinkling of metal, after which it almost sounded like a voice cresting over high notes, the sound light but true and sweet. Merlin couldn't fathom it, but he focused on the source.
In the centre of the courtyard the sword embedded in the stone echoed it's song out. Arthur had crossed the short space and now stood in front of the stone, his head tilted to one side, giving the impression of listening intently. Merlin stepped as close as he dared, but remained ten or so paces away from Arthur, not wanting to disturb him. Not that he thought Arthur was aware of them. All his focus appeared to be only on Excalibur.
The moon had risen high in the sky, lighting the courtyard and illuminating Arthur, the beams of light seeming to concentrate on him. His hair glinted, lighting him like a halo, sending his blond almost silver. And in the same way his skin seemed so pale, the silvery scars on his back glowing with the moonlight. In contrast the collar around his neck retained it's colour, the gold a contrast against Arthur's paleness. All of it served to give Arthur an ethereal appearance, like a creature of legend. Merlin gave a shiver and he flinched as Arthur's fingertips brushed the hilt of the sword. His first gesture tentative, hardly believing that he could connect with the weapon.
At the touch the subtle song rose, the tone lifting. The four of them gathered in the courtyard reacted, flinching at the strength of it. Merlin felt the triumph in the sound. Arthur didn't appear to be affected by it, but Merlin realised what it meant as several other people drifted into through the archway, some of them looking bemused as they passed through the barrier which they normally had to force. Merlin didn't feel any surprise as some of the druids started to gather, and he turned back to Arthur.
His fingertips traced over the markings on the hilt, moving down to the section of exposed blade. Arthur's head moved again, his gaze remaining on Excalibur.
The room around quietened as Arthur shifted position, hand reaching to grip the sword, and the song changed again. Arthur's grip tightened. The sounds, Merlin guessed, were not only a call but instructions. It talked to Arthur, telling him what it wanted him to do, coaxing Arthur to retrieve it.
The muscles on Arthur's back slowly tensed, and his arms flexed as he tugged. Nothing happened and Merlin saw the strain as Arthur increased the pressure, giving a whimper of frustration as he struggled. Merlin clenched his jaw as the sword seemed to refuse to move, however hard Arthur struggled with it. Several of the blood guard were moving closer, although easing their way through the crowd slowed their progress. Many before now had tried to remove the sword, no one believed that such an act was possible, and there was no reason to start now.
Then the sound of the song abruptly stopped as a harsher sound cut over it. Arthur's arm jerked dramatically and the silence that followed lay heavily for a moment. Everyone in the room held their breath watching as Arthur's grip loosened. The sound, however, had been unmistakable. The grating of metal on stone. Arthur hesitated for a moment until he tightened his grip again and several people winced as the rattling screech occurred again. Arthur's arm lifted, muscles rippling as he pulled Excalibur from the stone. As the tip came free Arthur turned his hand to hold the blade up in the air. Moonlight caught the metal sending shimmers of light across the walls and the crowd, who gasped in astonishment.
The noise brought Arthur back to himself, he turned, looking wide-eyed at the crowd that had gathered, seeing them for the first time. His expression flickered with panic, until he turned and realised Merlin stood closer than anyone. Then he looked at the sword, and he turned back to stare at the stone, then he went back to Merlin again, trying not to take in the whispering crowd at the same time.
"What did I do?" Arthur asked, tone low.
"You have retrieved Excalibur from it's prison," Aglain announced.
Such an explanation meant nothing to Arthur. He looked at the druid and then back to Merlin.
"You have, you pulled the sword from the stone, that's what appeared to be calling you," Merlin said.
Arthur looked at the sword again still looking mildly baffled.
"It was prophesized that the Once and Future King, the Uniter of Albion, would be known because he would prove himself, when the sword chose. I hail you, King Arthur of Camelot," Aglain said in a formal tone, bowing when he had finished. Arthur's eyes widened. The rest of the druids followed his lead. As Aglain straightened up he added, followed by the majority of the people in the courtyard,
"Long live the king!"
Arthur's eyes grew even wider, the only reason he didn't bolt was because he couldn't. The people that had gathered blocked his way. Eyes rolling in panic he shuffled a little closer to Merlin. In response Merlin crossed the last few paces to meet him, putting a gentle hand on Arthur's arm.
"It's all right, just stay calm."
Arthur nodded, taking that reassurance, and he jumped, shifting to hide behind Merlin as Morgause forced her way through.
"This is a trick, he cannot be the rightful king, he is nothing more than a slave!"
Arthur stayed firmly behind Merlin, flinching at the venom in her voice.
"Look at him! How is he going to unite Albion?"
"Are you denying what has just occurred?" Merlin asked her. "What almost happened last night. No doubt you felt it as everyone else did. The sword called him, which was how he walked into the courtyard. He was the one the magic had been waiting for."
"What?" Arthur asked.
"Are any of us going to believe that a Pendragon is destined to bring balance and harmony back to the land? Uther almost destroyed it!"
"Arthur is not Uther," Merlin said.
"I saw it," Morgana added quietly. "The magic chose him."
"You cannot believe this sister!"
"I can believe what I saw," Morgana said.
"And you think he can achieve what destiny says of him?"
"Why not?" a new voice suddenly announced, her sweet innocent tone belayed the maturity that had appeared into her voice. "Why not Morgause? Morgana tested him herself."
Everyone stared at Aaliah in shock. She had worked her way to the front of the crowd, holding Smudge as usual, her cheek resting on the kitten's head.
"He acted selflessly, and bravely. The instinct is there, even if it has not been forged into what it can truly become," the girl paused and smirked, giving Merlin a sidelong glance. "At least, it hasn't yet."
"Because he rescued a pathetic kitten from a tree! That will make him a king."
"Even small acts are significant Morgause, and they make a difference. Such things change history. Even if it is just one little stray rescuing another."
Aaliah stared calmly up at Morgause. Arthur saw the sorceress' fists clench and he felt a vibration of something. Without even realising he had moved he stepped forward, reaching out to take Aaliah's arm and push her behind him as Morgause's malevolent eyes locked on the little girl. Morgause's head jerked up and she glared at Arthur instead. Arthur held Excalibur up in front of him, as Percival and Lancelot had taught him and he looked back at Morgause.
"Don't you go near her," Arthur warned. His voice was stern even though it wavered slightly. Morgause's eyes narrowed.
"Do you think you can take me on?"
Arthur blinked, he didn't feel entirely sure of that. His sword skills were limited, and he didn't have any magic. Aaliah shifted sideways, peering around him. Arthur tensed his arm and stopped her from moving too far from safety. His nerves eased a little as Merlin stepped closer, Percival and Lancelot followed him, standing behind them, Percival moving to flank Arthur's left side where Aaliah stood. For a few moments the only sound that could be heard was Smudge's purring.
"Enough Morgause," Morgana suddenly said. The blonde woman turned to look at her sister. Morgana looked concerned, almost frightened by the confrontation.
"I think that is enough," Merlin said. "Arthur's actions had proved it. He holds Excalibur."
Arthur looked down at the sword, staring at it with mild shock. Aaliah put her cheek back down onto Smudge's head.
"That is only the beginning of your journey."
XxxxxxxxxxxxxX
For Arthur's safety, and perhaps his sanity, Merlin removed him from the courtyard. They tailed back to the room in silence, although Merlin had suspected what would happen, the reality still seemed shocking. Arthur shuffled slowly into the room, shivering slightly. Very slowly he put the sword down on the table, almost reluctantly letting it go. His hand lingering on the hilt as he released it and he only withdrew as Gwaine, seeing the goose bumps on Arthur's skin, grabbed a blanket to wrap around him. Arthur glanced at him, his expression hardly even recognising who it was.
"Sit down," Gwaine ordered, backing it up by guiding Arthur into the nearest chair and he went to pour him some wine, putting the goblet in front of him. Arthur leant back slightly.
"Drink it."
Arthur's hand went to the goblet, holding the stem lightly but he didn't take a sip.
"Arthur, it's good for shock."
"Gwaine, I'm fine," Arthur said, tilting his head but not looking up at him. Instead his gaze went to the sword again.
"What the hell just happened?" Percival asked flopping into another chair and pouring himself a drink, taking a large swallow. Arthur almost automatically got up to replenish his goblet and find something for everyone else. Gwaine grabbed his shoulders and stilled him.
"Everyone can look after themselves."
Arthur slumped down again, Gwaine rubbed his shoulders as he felt Arthur continue to shiver. Merlin glared at him in disapproval.
"He's just spent however long wandering around a cold castle half-naked," Gwaine snapped in response to the glare. In response to that Merlin glanced at the fire and it the flames flared up, the heat increasing in the room.
"Maybe you should move nearer," Merlin suggested.
"I'm fine My Lord," Arthur said.
"You're going to have to change that," Lancelot said. "You're the king of Albion."
"I can't be a king!" Arthur said his voice rising as the shock and disorientation slowly started to wear off.
"Why not?" Percival said. "You were a prince."
Arthur gave a light huff which could have been laughter. His hand reached out to touch the sword again, as if it provided some sort of comfort.
"You pulled Excalibur out of the stone. It was prophesized that only the true king of Albion, the Once And Future King, would ever be able to do so."
"What makes the sword so special?" Arthur asked Merlin.
"It was forged in the breath of a dragon. The Great Dragon, Kilgharrah, made it before the five kingdoms were formed, when the land suffered nothing but war," Merlin said. "He also said it was too dangerous a weapon to be wielded carelessly. When peace was formed the sword was sealed in the stone, and left at Camelot as a symbol."
"How did it end up here then?" Arthur asked.
"Camelot fell, the kingdom destroyed. The sword and the stone were moved here for their own safety, when it was placed in the courtyard something happened, no one has ever given me a clear answer. The magic sealed the archway. Those with power could force their way in, but they were not welcome. It was like the sword didn't want to be here," Merlin mused. "The only person it ever allowed in willingly, was you."
"The prophecy stated it would be a descendant of the first king of Camelot. Excalibur would be the light in the darkness," Morgana's voice announced. All of them turned to look at her. She slowly came through the doorway and shut the door that the rest of them had forgotten.
"Why me?" Arthur asked.
"I thought we had just explained that," Morgana said. Arthur took hold of the sword and lifted it again, staring at the shining blade intently.
"After all that time in rock you would have thought it would need cleaning," Arthur said.
"It will never need cleaning, nor will the blade ever become blunt," Morgana said.
"How does it feel?" Lancelot asked. "The sword," he clarified for Arthur. Arthur shifted it in his grip, testing the weight, and he shrugged.
"Fine, it doesn't even feel that heavy."
Percival sat up and held out his hand. "Let me."
Arthur frowned but put the sword back down on the table, looking uncomfortable as Percival reached for the hilt and lifted it. His muscles tensed as he did so, sitting back again he tested the weight carefully.
"That is not light," he said. Gwaine released Arthur's shoulders and moved around the table.
"Give it to me."
Arthur looked increasingly unhappy but said nothing as Percival turned the sword, offering hilt first to Gwaine. As he took the sword his shoulder dropped, the tip of the sword dipping as he readjusted his grip. Gwaine exhaled as he took a firmer hold.
"That feels heavy to me."
During his turn Lancelot agreed, then he handed it back to Arthur, who took it without any effort.
"My guess it, Excalibur only wants Arthur to carry it. The magic within it seems to want to protect not only itself, but him as well," Merlin said.
Arthur slowly put the sword down again, clearly satisfied that no one would touch Excalibur again.
"So what do we do now?" Lancelot asked. Morgana perched on the end of the bed, glancing at Merlin. Merlin shrugged, looking at Arthur, who glanced up at him, also waiting to see what Merlin's answer would be.
"I think that's obvious. We give Camelot it's king."