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Chapter 6: The Trials of Excalibur

The next day would prove the most intense day that Harry had ever experienced. Today was the day that he would be taken to the Stone Chapel were he would have the Trials of Excalibur. It was through these trials that he would be proven worthy to ascend to the throne of Avalon. According to Avalonian law Harry would have 3 days to pass the trials given by the Lady of the Lake. If successful Harry would have his coronation on his birthday. Much in the same way King Arthur was anointed King on his 16th birthday.

Harry had asked Darius and Sorian several times about what the trials would entail. Unfortunately the knowledge contained within the Trials was known only to the King. It was forbidden for any King to ever speak of the trials.

So at dusk Harry made his way to the Stone Chapel located on the outskirts of the Palace grounds. When Harry approached the great monolith the Magical Energy was so intense that he created a gentle breeze that never subsided. Sorian had told Harry that when King Arthur died the Lady of the Lake placed Excalibur within the great Chapel and swore to protect it until Arthur's rightful heir could take it from the Chapel. This test had become a right of passage for all of Avalonian's young Kings who had to pass this trial in order to ascend to the throne.

The Chapel was in sharp contrast to the white marble of the Palace. The chapel was constructed in a black stone that looked almost like it was constructed out of black onyx a type of black stone often found in the deepest forests at the base of large mountains. Just as the Palace of Avalon was awe inspiring the Stone Chapel inspired fear in all who stood before it. For it was within these laws that greatest power in Avalon rested. The power of Excalibur.

Harry approached the great doors that separated the outside from the impressive interior. As Harry approached a loud and thunderous voice cried out from all directions. The voice which was that of a woman's caused all in attendance to jump.

"Who dares to enter the resting place of Excalibur" The Voice said

"I King Harold of Avalon seek the blade of power." Harry said in a shaky yet confident voice.

"King in name you may be, but after tonight we shall see if you truly are worthy of such a title." The Voice cried out

With that the large doors swung up revealing an enormous inner chamber. Then with all of the courage that he could muster Harry stepped forward into the great Stone Chapel. As Harry entered he noticed that a series of torches had lit up before him almost showing him a path that he must take. Below him was a great seal. One that he recognized as the great seal of Avalon. Then as Harry crossed the great seal the doors to the outside slammed shut causing Harry to jump.

"Bloody Hell! What do I do now?" Harry exclaimed as he continued upon lit path before him.

As Harry continued up on his path he observed that there were many statues lining the walls. All of which appeared to be of his ancestors. Then just as Harry was beginning to question the logic of coming into such a place he came to a door. Similar to the door to the outside above the door was an inscription that while legible appeared to have faded somewhat over time.

Only those who possess the strength of the Dragon will proceed

Harry knew that what ever lay behind the door would certainly be something that he most likely would not want to encounter on a bad day. Although he was scared he mustered all of the Gryffindor Courage that he possessed and pushed open the great doors and carefully stepped inside. Once Harry was through the doors just like before the doors slammed shut. Unlike like last time there were no torches lit that would light a path for him to continue.

Instead of lit path for Harry to follow a dim glow came from a corner of the enormous chamber. The room was massive and void of anything that could be considered architecture. In fact it resembled more of a cave in the mountains than a room inside a great building. Believing that what ever it was that he was supposed to find probably lay near the soft glow coming from the opposite corner of the room.

As Harry came closer and closer t the strange glow. He had hoped to at least gain a better idea as to what was inside of the room. Then just as he was about to give up hope he began to make out what the strange golden glow was. It was a door. Harry knew that there had to be more to this test than just finding a door which glowed in the dark. Sure enough Harry would be proven correct.

As Harry approached the door he could hear a strange sound coming from near the door. Then without warning Harry unceremoniously tripped over something on the ground.

"Bollucks what now?" Harry said as he looked up he instantly wished that he had simply kept his mouth shut.

When he looked up the only thing he could see was a giant eye. He didn't need to see the rest of the eye's owner. Lying before him was the largest Dragon that he had ever seen in his entire life. Holding his breath he prayed that perhaps that monster in front of him by some miracle didn't see him. This of course would be futile. For as soon as Harry let out the breath which he had been holding the dragon stood to its full height.

As Harry stood up he noticed that this dragon was 3 times larger than any other dragon that he had ever seen in his entire life. The dragon and Harry stood simply staring at each other. Harry wasn't sure what he should do now. His overwhelming since was to just run away. Then with a powerful roar the dragon let out a blast of fire in the air. This was all the prompting Harry needed and began to run for the glowing door.

When Harry got to the door the he began to shake and pound on the door. The door wouldn't budge. Harry began to look around for perhaps some kind of key. As Harry examined the door he noticed that in the center of the door was a space for what appeared to be a small crest. Frantically Harry began to look around the area near the door. Then on instinct Harry leapt away from the door as ball of fire came flying towards him. Without further prompting Harry took off running towards the center of the chamber. With mammoth Dragon firing fireball after fireball.

As Harry was running he saw a stone out cropping and dove underneath it. Harry then spied that attached to the underside of the great dragon was a small glowing piece of medal. It was of the same material as the door. With courage that Harry didn't even know he had ran forward avoiding the fireballs that the dragon was sending towards Harry. Then in a feat of pure courage or stupidity depending on how you look at it. Harry dove underneath the dragon and grabbed the glowing piece of medal from underneath the dragon. Without missing a stride Harry took off towards the door at dead sprint. Knowing that the Dragon was now only a few meters behind him Harry flung the crest towards the door. With skill that appeared almost super human the crest snapped into place causing the doors to open, and Harry to dive forward and through the door. As Harry cleared the threshold the door slammed shut. Harry could hear the dragon behind the door cry out in anger.

Gasping for air Harry sat praying that what ever was next at least game him time to rest. As Harry sat on the floor trying to catch his breath he felt a warm hand rub his back from behind. With a start Harry jumped to his feet. The site before him was beyond anything that he could ever imagine. In front of him was his parents and godfather standing in front of him smiling at him with all of the love that they could muster. Without missing a beat Harry collapsed to his knees.

"Mum….Dad…Sirius?" Harry said now at the point of tears

"Yes, Harry its us." James said

"We've missed you pup" Sirius said as he drew Harry into a hug followed by James

"Mum…." was all Harry could say before his mother grabbed him into a bone crushing hug.

Both mother and son stood there in tears at the happiness that they both now felt. The feeling was absolutely amazing for Harry. Never in his entire life had he ever felt so much love coming from one person towards him. This is the way it should have always been.

"How? I don't understand" Harry stammered

"The magic of Avalon allowed us to return for you my son" James said as he looked upon his boy

"Your time here is done Harry" Lilly said

"Come with us Harry you have done all that you can. We can finally be together you don't have to worry about Voldemort any longer." Sirius said to Harry who had not let go of his mother.

This was more than Harry could ever have hoped for. His family was standing in front of him asking him to go with them. He wouldn't have to worry about Voldemort, Dumbledore, or the fame of being the Boy-Who-Lived he could just be Harry. Harry began to think about all the time he had missed with his family. Then it suddenly hit him….Hermione. What would happen to her. He knew that if he left he wouldn't just stop his reign of terror. He would go after the things that Harry cared the most about. He would go after Hermione, and he wouldn't stop until everything that Harry about was destroyed.

"Mum…Dad…Sirius…I can't. I just can't leave if I left the ones that I love here would suffer. I just can't do that them. I just can't do that to her." Harry said not wanting to look at his parents

"We understand and know that no matter what we will always love you." Lilly said as she gave her son one last hug.

" Stay strong Harry and don't do anything we wouldn't do" James and Sirius said with a wink as they slowly began to fade out of the room.

Then they were gone. Harry knew that he would always miss them, but he knew know that he couldn't live in the past. He had to go on for the ones he loved that were still her. He knew that his parents were at peace. Now he had to bring peace to everyone else. As Harry was thinking this another appeared on the opposite end of the room. Harry saw the door appear and with a new determination Harry stood and walked through the door.

As Harry pushed open the door and stepped through he saw a large lake sitting in the middle of the room. In the center of the lake was a small island. Harry jumped into the lake and swam towards the island. Harry then dragged himself out of the lake and sitting in a block of stone was a sword. The sword was buried half way up the blade. The hilt was beautiful and inlayed with several precious jewels. Engraved in the blade was an inscription.

The land and the King are as one

Harry could feel the power radiating off of the blade it was the most intense feeling that he had ever felt in his entire life. Harry studied the blade unsure as to what to do next. Then on instinct Harry began to reach for the ancient blade of Kings.

"Are you sure you are ready for what it represents" A strange voice said from behind Harry

"Who are you?" Harry asked startled

"I am the beginning…I am the first….I am Arthur of Avalon young one" Arthur said to the young boy

"Arthur…How? I don't understand" Harry asked now more confused than he had been before.

"Like your parents who appeared before you earlier. I am merely a memory of the past. I am the spirit of the sword. I am here to ensure that the one who pulls the sword knows of what it represents and the responsibility that goes along with it. Not just govern over fair Avalon, but to protect the people of Avalon and to bring justice to the wicked. To be King is not all about ceremony and governing. It is also about strength. The strength to do what is right even when it is not popular or easy. The path of a King is a lonely one fraught with many pains and sorrow. Are you sure you are willing to undertake this life.

"I don't' know if I am ready, but I know that I must finish what started. I must defeat someone who would do harm to the ones I love and the innocents who can not defend themselves. Wither I want this responsibility it is the one that I have been given and I must do so that others do not have to suffer like I have." Harry said in a voice that was far wiser than most would believe a 15 almost 16 year old to have.

"Then step forward Harold of Avalon and claim your birth right." Arthur said and then faded from existence once again

As Harry stepped forward a new sense of confidence enveloped him. He knew what had to be done and he knew that he had to be the one to do it. He would not stop until Voldemort was done and that no child would ever have to lose there family at the hands of tyrant the likes of Voldemort again.

Gripping the hilt with one hand Harry drew upon all of his strength, all of his determination, and all of his love and pulled the great stone. When Harry pulled the sword from the stone a great wind began to blow from within the great chamber. As Harry raised the sword over his head he cried out.

"I Am Harold, King of Avalon"

Then from all corners of the room beams of light converged upon the tip of the sword and surged towards him. The power of Avalon began to fuse with Harry. The magic correcting the physical defects of years of neglect. The pain was intense more intense than any that he had ever felt in his life. He could feel the power of Avalon changing him. As the pain increased Harry was determined not to cry out. The pain was more intense than the Crutacius curse. Then when Harry thought that he couldn't take any more pain. Harry collapsed and allowed Avalon to do what needed to be done. It was on this day that Harold of Avalon was reborn.

A/N: Thanks for all of the reviews. I update as often as I can. It kind depends on my work and school schedule, but don't worry I've actually got the whole story worked out on paper so I wouldn't worry about me abandoning the story.