A/N: Whoo, that took a lot of concentration but chpt5 is complete! I did my best to read over it and edit it
but this chpt is un-beta'd cos I wanted it uploaded as soon a possible.
chpt1+2 are beta'd, the others aren't. But I'll get on that!

also, my brain kinda shorted out half way through and the present tense/past tense POV gets all switched.
the story is supposed to be written past-tense. Uther said "sdjlkajdlsajdla"
Merlin replied, "djlsajdsjdjkfjreiljc"


It's as if the day didn't have enough in store for Arthur already, things just kept coming at him, events spinning round and round into place. Or maybe out of place. Pulling the sword out of stone wasn't enough. It also happened that he managed to attract a large enough crowd with that stunt that the current king would notice and get involved with it. With that he was whisked away into the Great Halls of Camelot where he was questioned, prodded at, scrutinised, and judged continuously by the nobles of the court and the members of the council before the King and Queen.

"So what you're saying, boy, is that you just waltzed up to the statue, which I might remind you is an important and valuable piece of historical property belonging to Camelot, and just pulled the sword out of the stone?" asked a noble. The man was round, and draped in oily furs making him look like a great greasy badger.

"Yes sir" answered Arthur a little miffed at being called a boy; He was 18! "I walked up to the statue and pulled the sword out. I'm not sure what else to say."

"Hmph. Sounds like foolish juvenile vandalism to me." huffed the Badger man.

"I didn't intend to vandalise anything!" replied Arthur.

"Then how did you manage to pull out a sword that was lodged in stone, boy? You don't look exceptionally strong…you expect us to believe that it just slipped out from its place?" said the Badger man.

"Well believe it or not, it is what happened. I'm not sure of how. I would very much like to know the answer to that question myself!" retorted Arthur.

"Do you have magic, boy? Are you a sorcerer?"

"No I am not! I do not have magic."

"How else would you have done it?"

"I don't know I just-"

"Just what? That it was just a coincidence?"

"Yes!" said an exasperated Arthur. The badger man sneered.

"Maybe not so much a coincidence as you may think, Lord Claudas." said another man. He was taller and thinner but had a hardened air about him. His hair had streaks of grey and was pulled into a short clean braid.

"Oh, what do you mean to say, Durnure?" asked Claudas.

"Have all of you not heard of the prophecies?" asked Durnure of the entire court, "It is said and written that whoever pulls the sword from the stone is the one worthy to rule this land of Albion. Whoever pulls out the sword is the one who shall be the Once and Future King and will sit on the throne of Camelot." At this, the atmosphere grew stiff and those who were whispering amongst themselves stopped. Kay was tenser than an overly taut bow and Arthur was filled with fear enough for the both of them with a basket left over for next year. Claudas' sneer grew ever wider on his chubby face.

"Careful there, Durnure, you're bordering treason with what you're proclaiming."

"I am perfectly aware of the words coming from my mouth Lord Claudas. And I mean not disrespect or any form of treason, sire." Durnure replied evenly with a small bow towards Uther. "But what I do want you all to know is that if these prophecies are true, than this young man here should be the Crown Prince of Camelot, heir to the throne."

"But he is not King Uther's heir." said another voice. This one belonged to an old man. He wore long robes and was completely bald.

"Yes, Lord Edern, but considering the-"

"But consider nothing Durnure, I think I speak the voice of the court when I say that we will not have some common countryman sit on the throne of Camelot. I would not have it!" cut in Lord Edern angrily. Claudas nodded at the elder.

"Good. I think taking into account what Lord Edern has said that-" begins Claudas but Durnure cuts him off.

"However that may be-"

"Listen to me Durnure. You may be a member of the council but I am a Lord and I have served this court since the day you were conceived, I will not-"

"Enough!" barked Uther, rubbing his temple. "I grow weary of this argument. Geoffrey, as the official record keeper, librarian, archivist, and historian what have you to say?"

Geoffrey stood up slowly. "Contrary to what you may think or believe, Lord Edern, there are many occasions where the seated royalty of a kingdom were overthrown to be taken by someone more common such as a warlord or a noble. In some cases even commoners have governed countries quite successfully. You may wish to consider Rome as an example. I have the full details here if anyone would care to look at them?" No one wanted to. "Ah very well then" he said as if they were suffering a great loss, "moving on to the next subject, concerning the prophecies. I'm afraid that Gaius would be the one to consult on such a topic. His passing is most inconvenient for this matter." Uther nodded his head solemnly.

"Gaius was a good, wise man." said the King respectfully.

"That he was." acknowledged Geoffrey. "Nonetheless, the prophecies do match with the little I have found in the archives. If you want to find out more about them then I would have to suggest going to the Druids themselves or to find someone well trained in the Old Religion…as for the matter of Arthur being a legitimate heir…well…"

"Well?" demanded Uther

-o-

King Uther paced around his throne; he could feel his stress building at the situation. He could already hear what the other kings and lords would say when they find out that a man from the country was to be Crown Prince and heir to the Pendragon line. Ygraine on the other hand was the portrait of happiness. After the mask of shock had been worn off to be replaced by one of joy and wonderment she embraced Arthur tightly.

"My son, my son." She whispered as she wrapped her arms around him. Arthur could only pat her back. At a loss for what to do in the situation he glanced over at Kay, who had been standing silently to one side the whole time, for help. Kay looked just as lost and raised his eyebrows up, "I don't know", it meant.

-o-

Arthur sat in a tired daze on the polished wooden chair in the guest chambers that he and Kay have been assigned. After what had happened he just wants to go to sleep and forget about it all. But his mind won't let him. Images, thoughts, fears, and uncertainties keep swirling around in his head and his conscious is quite battered and beat.

Kay has their belongings out on the table and was sorts through them when he took a peek at his younger brother (step-brother, he realises suddenly). Arthur sitting with a lost expression on his face, still clutching the sword (no one bothered to take it?), and it suddenly reminds him of all the times in their childhood together. He looks like the little baby brother again. Kay places a hand on Arthur shoulder. Arthur doesn't react. He shakes him firmly but gently.

"Bloody exciting first day in Camelot, huh, little brother?" said Kay jokingly.

"Hmmm. If you call it exciting than so be it." replied Arthur tiredly

"Well I'm older than you so yeah, so be it 'cos I say so." Kay smiles, and Arthur manages to smile back.

"Here let me see this sword of yours. You've had your hands over it the whole time." said Kay, grabbing the sword out of Arthur's grasp.

"Hey! Give it back!" cried out Arthur surprised.

"Hmph. Why should I? replied Kay.

"You heard what Lord Claudas said, it 'is an important and valuable piece of historical property belonging to Camelot'" Arthur said this with a deadpan look on his face. It doesn't hold up for long as they both burst into laughter.

Outside their door Merlin listened in, checking up on the two. At their laughter he smiles, relieved, and walks away.

-o-

"Merlin! Explain this! Explain this right now!" cried an outraged Uther, his patience finally breaking. At least they were in his private chambers.

"Uther dear, please, don't shout." said Ygraine soothingly as she trailed behind her husband. Uther, took a large breath. He began pacing around instead.

"Explain the situation. How can it be that Arthur is our son?" he said in a controlled tone.

Merlin closed the double doors of the chambers behind him slowly, locking it in place and then casting a quick ward to prevent people from eavesdropping or spying upon them.

"Sire, do you remember the incident at Cornwall by any chance?" asked Merlin

"Cornwall? You must be more specific."

"Alright, do you remember the…ah…Castle of Tintagel in Cornwall?" asked Merlin cautiously.

"Ah….." said Uther simply.

"Oh!" replied Ygraine. "So that means that you- Merlin- you took- and then that night Uther you- but then…it all makes sense. I mean I'm so glad Arthur is our son. But now I know how it all came to be."

"Yup." Merlin folds his arm across his torso. Uther is leaning against the bedpost rubbing his temple for the hundredth or so time and Ygraine simply sinks into a chair.


A/N: I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Thank you for reading!

It's longer than the others and I tried to make things more interesting.
the pace hasn't really picked up though, imo. 8(