The Gathering
Arthur slept for the rest of the night and well into the morning, in fact later than he normally would have. Usually someone would have woken him up if he was late even on a Saturday because he still had work to do, but on this day that didn't happen.
Arthur rolled over onto his stomach with Copper at the foot of his bed. The Coonhound stretched his legs and yawned in his sleep but his stretching caused Arthur to wake up.
The boy picked up his sleepy head and looked around, first to his desk where a clock was. It read '10:20' but Arthur looked away drowsily. But then he shot his head back and looked at the time with full consciousness. And his eyes did not fool him, the time was accurate.
With a spring in his step Arthur jumped out of bed, awakening Copper who barked as Arthur jumped up and down the room, tripping over himself as he tried to get dressed.
"Oh they're gonna be so mad." Arthur said aloud. Copper barked." Leon hates it when I'm late." He flung his shirt over his shoulders and ran out the door with Copper running along with him. Arthur then grabbed onto the railing and stomped down the steps. He could only mad how made they'd all be. He'd be surprised if they weren't all standing there with scolding looks on their faces. Arthur jumped down from the steps and with Copper next to him ran into the kitchen." I'm sorry I'm late!" he hollered as he ran in." I-" He stopped because much to his surprise there was everyone sitting around the kitchen table all looking at him with plain faces, not scolding or angry at all. The head of the table was empty but on the right was Leon and Tifa, across from them Cid and Yuffie.
"Sup." Said Yuffie casually. Arthur looked around confused.
"Sit down boy." Said Cid." Grab some grub." Arthur looked over to the stove where fresh eggs and bacon sat.
"Oh." Said Arthur." Alright." He grabbed himself a plate and began filling his plate. It was now that Copper got curious. The hound leaned against the counter with his nose in the air smelling the pleasant air of the food.
"You got a dog!" shouted Yuffie. Leon jumped up in his seat.
"Dogs." He groaned." I hate dogs." Arthur and Copper walked over to the table where he sat at the head with Copper next to him.
"Yea." Said Arthur." I found him on my patrol last night."
"Oh we looks like a sweetie." Said Tifa as she began petting Copper on the head and ears, much to his enjoyment.
"Speaking of last night." Continued Arthur." I heard the strangest noises." Tifa shot up wide eyed but pulled on Copper's ears causing him to yelp. She looked at Leon who had the same look on his face.
"What are you talking about?" asked Cid with a smirk on his face.
"When I was out on patrol I heard some strange noises." Arthur told causing Leon and Tifa to sigh in relief.
"Best put it out of your mind boy." Said Cid as he picked up a piece of bacon and tossed it to Copper." We've got more urgent matters at hand."
"More urgent?" questioned the future King.
"The old loons called together a big magical meeting." Said Cid wiping his mouth with a napkin, getting up and putting his dishes in the sink.
"What?" questioned Arthur.
"Lot of magical big-wigs gonna be here." Told Yuffie. Then at that moment Merlin walked through the door and heard what was just said.
"Not just any magical 'big-wigs'." He said walking into the room." There will also be representatives from the respective Kingdoms of each world."
"Really?" asked Tifa." And what's the topic of discussion." Merlin tensed up and his eyes scanned the room cautiously.
"Strange occurrences." He responded. And his vague answer caused heads to turn.
"Where are you meeting Merlin?" asked Arthur." I'd like to see this meeting."
"And perhaps you will my boy." Answered Merlin." We'll be meeting in the castle later today." Merlin turned and pointed out the window. And even from their far distance and the town's houses they could still see the castle poking out from overhead." But for now I must prepare for their coming. And I can't do it alone." He turned and faced those in the room with a smile.
So whether they liked it or not everyone was to work for the rest for the morning and the better part of the afternoon.
So the group began moving what seemed to be everything and anything into the meeting hall of the castle.
There were two levels in that room the ground floor, and then the 2nd floor which was a balcony. So spaces were divided up and to be taken up by different representatives of each different world. Nobody really knew the details but Merlin said to prepare for between 1-6 people from each world. And after an extensive afternoon everything was finally ready.
"Well what now?" asked Arthur to Merlin after the work was over.
"Now my boy." Said Merlin as he pulled his pocket watch from his coat and looked at it." Now we wait."
Arthur went and sat down preparing to do just that with Copper to keep him company. Merlin turned and looked out the window, seeing the pleasant little town below and beyond that the dark forest and even beyond that the mountains. There was a great deal of unknown out there and right now Merlin needed as many eyes as he could. That was when Merlin turned to Archimedes.
"Archimedes." He said getting the Owl's attention." Archimedes." The owl fluttered over and to the hand that was extended for him." I have something very important for you to do."
"Ha, don't you ever." Mocked the Owl." What is it this time?"
"Dash it all, this is serious!"
"Alright, old boy." The Owl calmed him." Settled down, settle down. What is It you need?" Merlin cocked his head over his shoulder, looking to see if anyone was listening. When he realized it was safe to speak he leaned in and whispered in the Owl's ear." Fly into the forest, see what you can find."
"The forest?" asked Archimedes turning around and looking out the window. He looked out and saw the very same forest Merlin was just looking at. The Owl turned back to his master." It's getting that bad Merlin?"
"It very well might." Nodded Merlin. The educated Owl took a deep breath.
"Alright, alright." He said." I'll see what I can find."
"Good luck." Said Merlin as Archimedes took into the air." And take care of yourself!"
"Ha you don't have to say that to me. You need more luck than I."
"Then you'd better wish it on me!" Merlin called back.
"Even if I did it would do you little good." And with that Archimedes flew up and out the window, turning back to see the disappearing figures of Arthur and Merlin behind him." Good luck you old fool." Archimedes whispered as he flew off towards his destination.
As the Owl went about his task everyone else waited. But after a time their patience began to wear thin after a time and eventually they left to go about their own tasks. But Arthur stayed with Merlin at the castle waiting to see the new visitors.
And at about four o'clock the first visitor showed up. Merlin looked at his clock and then looked outside recognizing the first visitors.
"Ah, just on time." He acknowledged.
"Somebody's here?" asked Arthur running to Merlin's side as they headed to the door with Copper following after Arthur.
"Yes, yes lad. The first of many great visitors." Merlin swung open the door and there were the first visitors but to Arthur they didn't look so great. They were dressed in the same fashion he was, a bald old man and a young boy of near his own way." Dalben!" Merlin greeted with his arms open.
"Merlin." He replied. And the two old friends hugged.
"I'm glad you could come. Was it a hard getting here?"
"No, no, quiet alright." It was then that Dalben looked past Merlin and saw Arthur. At the same time Merlin looked past Dalben and saw Taran.
"Oh I'm sorry." They said at the same time."Let me introduce my student." They reached back and grabbed the young men.
"Arthur." Said Merlin.
"Taran." Told Dalben.
"H-Hello." Said Arthur.
"Hello." Said Taran.
"I'm Arthur, Merlin's student." He extended his hand.
"My name's Taran, I'm an assistant pig keeper." And they shook. And when their hands clasped they looked each other in the eye. The student and the pig keeper regarded each other and for a fleeting moment they felt between them a common calling, a common destiny.
"Well do come in, do come in." said Merlin as he put his arm around Dulben and walked them inside." You're the first to arrive you know, the first of many great guests."
"So what is it you study?" asked Taran to Arthur as they followed their masters down the hall.
"I'm studying to be the future king of my own world." Told Arthur.
"Really?" asked Taran stopping and looking at him. Arthur nodded.
"Here you are." Said Merlin as he handed a cup of tea to Dalben." Arthur." He said turning around but surprised at not seeing him. The two young men were several feet behind their masters." Arthur!" he called getting his attention." Manners boy, manners ask Taran if he'd like a drink." Merlin reached over for more refreshments.
"Oh I'm sorry." He said to Merlin before turning to Taran." Would you-"
"No, no." he waved his hands." I'm alright."
"Merlin." Said Arthur." He says he doesn't want anything."
"What?" asked Merlin as he was pouring another cup of tea." Oh, oh alright." And using his magic he transported the tea back into the tea pot. Just then there came some knocking at the door that got everyone's attention. Merlin quickly pulled out his watch and looked it over." Oh right, I'd nearly forgotten about the time." He turned to Arthur." Arthur my lad, could you let the guests in."
"Yes, sir." Arthur turned and ran for the door.
"Hold on." Said Taran. He turned and ran after him." I can help you."
"Oh okay." Said Arthur with a smile. The knocking continued and the two ran off to their duty.
"Ah what a nice young lad." Remarked Merlin as he and Dalben watched them go off.
So Arthur and Taran headed to the door.
They swung the door open and that's when Arthur saw the group of sailors he'd met from the night before with John Smith at the front.
"Arthur." He acknowledged." How you doing boy?" he patted him on the head.
"Just fine, sir."
"We're here for the meeting. Are we early?"
"No, on just on time." Arthur stepped out of the doorway and allowed them to walk in." Merlin's just over there." He pointed the wizard out to them.
"Thank you." Said John as he walked in followed by Thomas, then Ben and Lon. The four men walked over and towards Merlin.
"Ah John Smith." Merlin said as they approached." And the men of the Virginia Company. So glad you could make it." He put his arm around John and patted him on the back." Right through there my boy, right through there." He pointed into the meeting hall with his cane.
"So you're training to be a King?" asked Taran to Arthur as they stood before the door.
"Yes." Arthur replied." Merlin's been teaching me all about Science and Math and all other things."
"You need all those thing to be a King?"
"Well Merlin says so." Taran nodded." And what about you? How long have you been a pig-keeper?"
"Ha. I may be a pig-keeper now, but one day I'll be a famous warrior, a hero!" He jumped forward and began swinging his hand as if he had a sword in it. Arthur chuckled as he watched him jump around.
"You know." He said getting Taran's attention." Merlin says I'll have a round table full of knights one day and that we'll go on all sorts of adventures and face many trails. I could really use a hero at my side during those trails." Taran smiled at Arthur who smiled back.
But then they were interrupted as there was some more knocking at the door. This time Taran went forward and answered the door. And standing before him were two people one man and one woman. The man was tall and fair. The woman looked just like him. She had lips red as the rose, hair black as ebony, and skin white as snow.
"Oh Hello." She said. She bent over and put her hands on her knees." We're looking for Merlin the Wizard, he said to meet him here."
"Yes." Said Taran." He's right over there." He pointed him out.
"Thank you." She said as she walked in with her prince.
"May I take your coat, ma'am?" Arthur asked her.
"Why thank you, young man." She said and Arthur helped her slide the coat off her shoulders and then put it on the coatrack. Taran did the same with the Prince before they went on their way.
"My dear Snow White." Merlin said to her as she approached. When she stood before him he removed his hat and bowed, Dalben did the same.
"A pleasure to see you Merlin." She said as she went up and hugged him.
"Ah yes." He chuckled." Good to see you too my dear."
"Where do we go for this meeting?" asked the Prince.
"Into the meeting hall, your majesty." Told Dalben." Right through that door."
And the greetings continued like that for the next few hours with each guest being more colorful than the last. There were several animals, people, sometimes even a cross of the two, and so many Princess with their Princes. They would come in and that's when Arthur and Taran would offer to take the respective sir or Madame's coat. And this colorful cast got the boy's attention, surely something with this many different types of people was sure to be important.
Arthur and Taran stayed at the door greeting them all. Then an unexpected surprise came in the form of one quest.
A knock at the door got Arthur's attention and he quickly answered it.
"Hello." He greeted." Welcome to-" He stopped as he realized who he saw there. To his great surprise there stood Alice.
"Oh Arthur." she greeted with a smile." It's good to see you again." She walked in with a smile forcing Arthur to stumble back awkwardly, nearly tripping over himself. But luckily Taran caught him.
"A-Alice." He stammered with a smile. "It's good to see you again."
"Yes it is. And who would have thought we'd met under these circumstances."
"Y-Yes." Arthur said rubbing his head." W-What are you doing here?" Taran just stood back and watched Arthur's strange display before their guest.
"Well I have to be here." Alice told." I am one of the Princesses of Light you know."
"Y-You are?"
"Yes." she nodded." That's why I'm here, I have to be present at all these meetings." Arthur still stood back shocked, not knowing what to say." So where do I go." Arthur turned and pointed her in the direction.
"R-Right down that way." He answered.
"Thank you." said Alice." I hope to see you again there later."
"R-Right." stammered Arthur. Then he watched as Alice walked off to be greeted by Merlin and Dalben.
"You know her?" questioned Taran after she left.
"Y-Yes." he replied slowly calming down." She was one of the first people I met when I came here."
"And is she your-"
"I don't know. I-I-I" The sound of knocking at the door got their attentions.
"Oh leave it alone." said Taran." For now we have work to do."
The day continued on and finally the last of the guests arrived and that meant it was time for the meeting to begin.
Arthur closed the door as the last of the guests walked in. This was another pair a demi-god and his mortal bride.
"Take your coat, sir?" asked Taran. Hercules turned around and handed his coat off to Taran.
"Thanks little buddy." He said slapping him on the back, only more roughly than he had intended which sent Taran right to the floor." Heh oops."
"C'mon Wonder boy." Said Meg as she pushed him along and as Arthur helped Taran to his feet. Hercules and Meg walked over to Merlin.
"The Great and Powerful Hercules!" Merlin announced." A pleasure to have you."
"Thanks!" responded Hercules. He reached out and shook Merlin's hand, shaking it roughly. Merlin grunted and groaned as his hand was shook up and down, once it let go his hand was all red.
"Well um.. If you'd please continue into the meeting room." Merlin continued." We can begin." So then Hercules and Meg went on their way as Merlin turned and looked at his watch. It was now seven, dusk." That'll be the last of them." He said to Dalben." We'd best get in there." The old farmer nodded and the two headed off to join their guests.
"Did you hear that?" asked Taran to Arthur." That was the last of the guests. C'mon, we don't want to miss this meeting." And the two boys picked themselves up and ran to catch up with their masters.
Merlin turned around to see both Arthur and Taran coming at him.
"Hold on boys." He said." Where are you going?"
"Coming into the meeting, sir." Said Arthur.
"We want to see what all the commotion is about." Added Taran.
"Oh." Stammered Merlin." Well that's very nice boys but um.. it um.."
"Now is not the time." Told Dalben.
"Yes, yes." Said Merlin." Now is not the time."
"What do you mean?" asked Taran." We've been waiting all day to see what this is about."
"But um wouldn't you rather do other things?" asked Merlin.
"Taran." Said Dalben." I don't believe you've been into town, have you?"
"No, sir." He answered.
"Well that's it." Said Merlin." Arthur why don't you take Taran along on one of your patrols, show him around."
"Oh alright." Said Arthur. Then he turned around and Taran followed him. The two old men watched the boys go before going inside themselves.
Meanwhile Arthur and Taran began their tour of the town.
"This is the town of Radiant Garden." Arthur told as he led the way with Copper at his side." The Market's over there." He pointed." Over there's where I lived along with the rest of the restoration committee." But Taran was only half-interested in what Arthur had to say instead he kept looking beyond the town." Our main duty is town patrols, when we go around and inspect the town. Just the last night I was out in patrol, that's when I meet this guy." He reached down and pet Copper by his side.
"What's out there?" asked Taran stopping and pointing off into the distance. Arthur followed his finger to where he was pointing and saw him pointing out towards the dark forest. The dark tops of the trees poked up seemingly covering the horizon in shadow. Even beyond the forest was the mountains where dark storm clouds loomed.
"That's the dark forest." Told Arthur." Merlin's always told me never to go there."
"Ever wonder why?"
"Merlin never really speaks of it. But he's always warned me about a dark power."
"Dalben's always cautious too. But let me tell you there's nothing there. I've lived on the edge of the forest my whole and have never once encountered something I couldn't handle." He looked out at the forest again." C'mon!" He encouraged Arthur as he ran off.
"Taran, where are you going?!"
"Into the dark forest." Called Taran over his shoulder." To see what all the fear Is about!" He laughed. Before Arthur knew it Copper barked and began running after Taran and the Arthur was forced to follow.
Meanwhile back at the castle the meeting had come to a close for the night and all those involved where ready to leave. They couldn't leave the world of course and were all given appropriate housing, Merlin made sure of that.
But now the old wizard exited the meeting hall with a grim look on his face. The meeting had been spent discussing the topic at hand but not on how to combat it. And to make matter worse Archimedes had still not returned. It was getting close to ten at night now, making him gone for a longer amount of time than Merlin had expected.
The Wizard was then interrupted from his thoughts by a voice.
"Fear not." Said Dalben coming up from behind him and patting him on the shoulder." There's always tomorrow."
"Indeed." Merlin nodded."Come along then, I'll set you and your boy up at my home.
Meanwhile Arthur kept chasing after Copper who was chasing after Taran. The Pig-keeper laughed his way along with the others giving chase, that was until they made it to the very edge of town which was on the edge of the forest.