AN: To start sorry that I have not been able to update as often as the last few chapters, life just got in the way, and in all honesty I got caught up in being lazy. To the person that guess that it will be a while before Arthur and Gwen reunite, you are very correct. My goal is to write about how each fuel the other's will to do better and live. Also I think Gwen's strength is underestimated by many so I thought I'd write something where a woman is more powerful than a man-the tiny feminist in me came out!

By the way I have no idea the extent of Merlin's power, i.e. just how much he knows on his own, and how much is spells and incantations, and have to be studied, but I'm assuming that at this point he can do quite a bit with his powers. Just thought I mention it if my interpretation of his magic is completely wrong. Also I will periodically mention this-the lake of Avalon is not on the Merlin map of Camelot, but I'm assuming that it's the white mountains you see as the backdrop of the lake, so the lake of Avalon in this story will be located between/ part of the southwest side of the Darkling woods and the White mountains. The last chapter and this chapter was hard for me to write since I kept wanting to go back and start over, but once again I hope that it is somewhat enjoyable. Please leave a review!

"And is it worth the wait
All this killing time?
Are you strong enough to stand
Protecting both your heart and mine?"

-Heavy in Your Arms by Florence + The Machine

Chapter 6

They walked for what felt like hours, Arthur watched Merlin closely, how he stopped at every fork and somehow knew which trail to take, he wondered why they were walking so far from where the sword would've been discarded after he fell, but after having Merlin around for as long as he did, he learned to let the strange young man lead, for most times he did not disappoint. Excalibur was different from any sword he'd ever used, he could feel the sharpness of the steel when he cut through something, he could feel the strength that the sword exuded almost as if it had a soul and he felt the kinship as if the sword was made for him.

Though this last battle against Morgana, not even Excalibur stood a chance. His mind once again wondering, how he watched his men fall. Elyan and Leon two of his best knights fallen, but he didn't know if they were truly gone. He almost praised Merlin's cowardice because if he hadn't been hiding then he wouldn't have found him and he wouldn't be alive now. Merlin was such a mystery sometimes, he was there in the right place at the right time. The he couldn't really call him a coward when on so many occasions he'd readily tried to give up his life for him, no there was something more to Merlin.

"How did you escape?" He found himself stopping for a second watching Merlin stop as well to turn to look at him.

Merlin's eyes every once in a while took on such strength that Arthur forgot who he was talking to, "I didn't almost, Leon distracted the guards long enough for me to pull Elyan's body away from harm, it must have been Leon who bought you to that clearing. Morgana's stronger now, far stronger than I've ever seen her."

Arthur's brows knit together, "Elyan is alive?"

Merlin gave a slow nod, "He was knocked unconscious but he wasn't hurt as badly as you were, I hid him well, when he comes to he should be able to fend for himself until we find him. I had to leave him to come looking for you." He didn't mention that he had healed Elyan as well, and made sure to put him in a deep sleep as well, if his magic was good for something it was making sure people slept well.

Arthur stood there and looked at his man servant pressing his lips together at the words that fell from his lips, the fact that he was so casual about coming to find him. Merlin never hesitated risking his life for him, had unbelievable faith in him, and probably saved his life more times than he gave him credit for, but somehow just how much this small person could do made him thankful that not all deceived him, that there were those who risked everything for him everyday. Not by order, or bound by duty but from simple honest loyalty and friendship. "What of Leon?"

Merlin sighed, "I don't know, I couldn't find him when I was searching for you, I didn't see him fall, I don't know the extent of his injuries."

Arthur thought for a moment his hand going to his side, he was definitely sore, and there was dry blood on the broken chain mail but he didn't know if it was his or someone else's. "I could've sworn I took a blade to my side." Yet he couldn't feel the pain of a wound there.

Merlin nodded, "maybe it felt like that. But when I found you, you were bruised badly but nothing life threatening." He shrugged and turn to walk again.

Then why did it feel like he was going to die? He remembered thinking that he was going to die, had he become so weak that a few bruises stopped him from fighting? Then suddenly he didn't know why but he stated, "like when I thought I was pierced by an arrow but you told me it missed me."

Merlin kept walking almost unfazed, "yea, like that." At this point lying was becoming second nature, not his proudest achievement but there was just too much at stake for him to falter now. It's was his hesitation in the past that put them all in this situation the first place, had he just let Morgana die then she couldn't have hurt any of them. He wondered if Arthur was beginning to notice these oddities in his stories, if he was questioning his words and how absurd they seemed even to him at times. But he supposed if he kept brushing with death that he wouldn't question too much how he avoided it.

Arthur watched him for a while, his hand still where he thought he was struck, watching as the distance between them grew and he stood rooted. When had he become so fragile? There were many times when he doubted himself but lately that doubt seem to grow bigger and bigger within him. Everyone knew what they had to do, knew their strengths and weaknesses and in that he no longer knew where he stood. It was when Merlin spoke again that he snapped out of his reverie, "we're waking towards the lake of Avalon if you're wondering."

"Why there?" asked Arthur finally taking strides to catch up to Merlin, "Is that where you put Elyan?" Thinking that it was quite far of a journey to put him to safety.

"No we'll collect him after, assuming he hasn't wondered off, in which case he'll just have to find us, won't he." Said Merlin. "We're heading there because I have a feeling that's where we'll find Excalibur."

"Merlin, really how would Excalibur get that far, did it grow some legs and wonder there?" Asked Arthur questioning Merlin's rational once again.

Merlin turned and smiled that goofy smile at him and simply said, "trust me."

He did, he trusted him more than anyone really- the only other person he trusted was Guinevere. After everything he's been through with the lies and deception he didn't know if there was a way to trust anyone ever again, but Merlin was always consistent in his loyalty. Guinevere, he knew her to be loyal yet there was still that moment in time where Lancelot tore them apart. He didn't think of that much these past few years as he opted to follow his heart which had forgiven her for her betrayal, but he often wondered if he could trust her. She had done everything and more everyday for the past three years to prove to him that he was the only one in her heart. Yet another mystery he couldn't understand, and it was no longer sufficient to just brush it off as something that fates had in store for him. "Trusting you can be dangerous..."

Merlin laughed then, "well if you must have an explanation, Gaius once told me a story-"

"Oh not another story about Excalibur, you've exhausted them all!" exclaimed Arthur almost like a child.

"Well they've all been true thus far haven't they?!" he asked with an ire in his voice. When Arthur motioned for him to continue he did. "Excalibur is an enchanted sword, it's original home being the lake of Avalon, only the person worthy of it can wield it's power and when the sword is no longer in the possession of it's master it simply returns to it's home awaiting it's mater once more, so that it's powers cannot be used for evil. The reason it was stuck in the stone before was because it's last master put it there."

Arthur sighed and raised his eyebrow at him, "really? We're going there based on a bed time story?"

Merlin shrugged, "at this moment anything is possible and we're not that far from the lake."

Arthur had to agree, at this moment he was willing to try anything, and even if he had a hard time believing. Merlin was right about Excalibur being powerful, he needed a sword and Excalibur was the sword he felt most comfortable with now. And he did pull the blade out of stone! "I suppose you're right."

They had been ambushed just as they were entering the Darkling woods, they were so close to home. Morgana had know all along of their route, of their plans, which only assured Arthur that there was another traitor amongst him. Morgana the girl he once thought would be his wife, then he grew up and realized she was nothing more than a sister, later it would be revealed that she was indeed his half sister, and would explain his father's extraordinary fondness for her. But through it all he couldn't understand why she hated him so, what had he ever done to hurt her? Thinking about such things only made him weary. He knew he wasn't blameless in all that's happened, but somehow her claim to the throne didn't seem just about birth right or the vengeance she claimed she had a right to. No, it was about power now, she was consumed with crushing everything and everyone. All he knew was that if Guinevere wasn't alive, there would be no more hesitation in his heart about killing Morgana.

They walked for what seemed like hours, the morning turing to afternoon, talking about idle things to keep their minds from wondering too far. Arthur still felt weak, and he assumed that Merlin was probably just as exhausted if not more as he was, and just as hungry. But neither stopped, and neither voiced their exhaustion. It was just before sunset they reached the lake, watching as the orange, red and yellow hues melted with blues and purples of the approaching twilight. Merlin stood still in front of the lake. These waters housed his first love, and his friend of great nobleness, these waters the gateway to the other side. He focused on Excalibur's magic, but to his surprise when he turn to look at Arthur, it was he who walked forward almost as if something was guiding him.

Arthur felt the pull instantly, he rarely came to the lake of Avalon but whenever he did, there was this feeling of warmth within him, this time however he felt as he felt when he was holding Excalibur in his hand, following the pull he stepped into the water. His eyes searched and finally landed on the glimmering blade, he extended his hand and as if by magic the blade floated to him glowing gold. He grasped it and the same surge of power ran through him as the very first time he pulled the blade from the rock, it was as if a piece of him had been returned to him.

Merlin stood back and smiled, proud of his spell that worked marvelously, when he cast it he had no idea that it would return Excalibur to the lake, but today when he focused on the magic of the sword it had pointed to this direction, but what made him feel hopeful wasn't just that Excalibur was once again back in Arthur's possession but that Arthur felt it, felt the pull of it's magic and maybe even believed in it some. He had no grand hopes of changing Arthur's mind about magic, but he believed that if every day he could do something small to make him see that magic wasn't bad then one day he could tell him the truth.

"I told you to trust me." He couldn't help the cheeky comment that fell from his lips as he grinned ear to ear.

Arthur turned towards him almost in daze, "yeah I suppose you did."

"We'll make camp near by, I think it's a safe a place as any for now, we'll find Elyan in the morning." Stated Merlin. "I'll go look for something to make a fire, and maybe some food. You know I didn't think about it until now but I haven't eaten in like two days." He rambled on and disappeared into the woods.

He sat down against a tree looking at the blade which was still in his hand, his mind wondering far from where he was. He stayed in that trance like state until Merlin came back still rambling on about something. Somehow holding the sword let him see into that battle, he watched himself fight, felt the sweat on his brows, felt the slickness of blood on his gloves, he tasted it too. And he felt the blade that pierced him and the eyes of the man who would be victorious in death as Excalibur cut him back. Everything became real once more, and the weight of what he was to expect crushed him a little. He knew what he felt, he felt his own blood trickle out of him, he felt his knees take the force of his fall.

"Arthur?"

He looked at Merlin then, he didn't voice any of what he felt or saw flashing through his head. He simply just stared at his servant. Then his eyes focused on the piece of meat and a leaf full of berries that Merlin held out to him. He dropped the blade next to him and took the food being offered to him managing a soft "thank you," not caring if it was rat or lizard he was eating.

Merlin watched him for a long while as they eat in silence, he knew there were certain connections that Excalibur had with Arthur, and it made him wonder what Arthur felt at this moment that had him so bewildered. But then it had been an exhausting two days, and even if Arthur had no idea how close to death he'd come, Merlin of course knew better. Then there was Gwen, the one for which he knew Arthur had made it this far today. This was usually when he reassured him of his strength and destiny, but Arthur spoke first.

"If Guinevere got out she would've headed towards Caerleon, so that's where we go. From there we gather allies and send word to any citizen of Camelot who would want to join our fight to take back our home. But first we search for Elyan in the morning." He said looking straight at him with the determination that Merlin had seen on his face countless times.

"Sounds like a plan, a better one than barging in on Morgana." said Merlin stroking the fire.

"We're gonna scout out Camelot before we head west. I want to know whose army I'm up against this time." Said Arthur.

Merlin sighed, "of course, why did I even get my hopes up?"

"Get some sleep Merlin. I'll keep watch first." said Arthur turning to face the lake which glowed eerily even in the darkness. Then he suddenly turned to Merlin and softly said, "thank you, Merlin."

To which Merlin simply replied, "don't mention it."

He watched the knight sky, so peaceful and calm, it had no idea the great perils which those looking up had to face, and he wondered if the gods were mocking him. He wondered if this was another test like the one that Anhora had proceeded over, if so then this one was much harder because he didn't think he could live once he knew for sure that Guinevere no longer did. He stared at the twinkling lights spread across the sky, and found his mind wonder back to a night very similar to this one, but he was safe in Camelot and so was Guinevere.

He was on his way back to his quarters when he saw her leaning against a column looking up. He wondered over. Some time had passed since he had recovered from his fever brought on by the Questing Beast and was on top of his training once more, but there was one particular aliment that wouldn't go away, and that was the soft voice of a certain handmaiden. She haunted him even now as he slept, her words ringing in his head. Though he couldn't remember it all and couldn't get her to repeat them he knew the feel of her touch, the care with which she spoke and brushed his head.

He walked up behind her felt the warmth of her skin radiate towards him, and a lingering flowery scent he can only associate with being female, most specifically Guinevere. He looked up to see what she was looking at and the only thing that came to view was the sky strewn with sparkling beads of stars. "What are you looking for so intently?" he asked softly.

She gasped just as softly but didn't turn to look at him, he took comfort in the simple fact that she'd known it was him. "Just the stars, my lord."

"Arthur"

It was then she turned her elegant neck to look at him, her eyes puzzled, she was so close that he could count the specks of freckles that graced her lovely face. He realized a while back that he found her to be quite lovely, something about her coloring and the tamed wildness of her curls reminded him of Ealdor and her courage, her fire which existed deep within her mask of calm sensibility. "Call me Arthur."

She gave a half smile before she turned back to her star gazing for a moment before looking at him again,"Is there something you needed, Arthur?"

She teased him now, but his name on her lips sounded perfect. "No I simply wanted to know what you were looking so intently at." He answered her, but he wanted to tell her how he needed her to repeat those words of comfort and reassurance to him once more and maybe sing his name.

She smiled gently then, "well if you must know, I was wondering which one of those is my father." Her father, a subject he didn't like to discuss for he knew that there was great wrong doing in that, and that he was partially to blame for that great wrong doing. She was looking at him then perhaps reading his mind like she sort of had the flair for. "When I was younger after my mother died, my father told me that those who we love never really dies, that they are up there in the heavens and those glowing lights are the souls that watched over us, and that it is our memory and thoughts of them that kept them alive and glowing in this world."

"Well then I suppose my mother is up there as well, perhaps your mother and father have met my mother." he said almost in a child like manner. He had no memories of his mother, but he had thoughts of her often, he found himself wondering if his thoughts were enough to keep her glowing in the sky.

"I'm sure she is," Guinevere said softly. "I imagine that up there, they are simple and have nothing keeping them from being with one another, even if she was the queen and my parents commoners."

He looked at her then, and it was in that moment he wondered if she thought him as much as he thought of her. "Have you figured out which one is your father?"

She laughed, "yes! But I suppose I'm wrong and everyone probably feels as I do about their loved ones."

He found himself smile, "well which one is he?"

"The northern star, for it glows the brightest and it guides me." She simply said shrugging her shoulders at him. And he only thought that she looked lovely and her laughter was music.

Arthur looked at the brightest star, the northern star and smiled. He didn't need the night sky to know his northern star, because for him it had been Guinevere from that moment on.

TBC

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