Alaia Skyhawk: Here's the next one :)

Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin.

Music:

"Whom History Won't Remember" Episode: N/A

~(-)~

Chapter 50: Excalibur ~Part 2~

The sight of that broken coffin still lingered in their minds when they arrived back at the physician's chambers. It clearly troubled the man, as evidenced by Gaius informing his ward just who's grave it had been.

"Tristan Dubois was the brother of Ygraine, Uther's wife. Ygraine died in childbirth, he blamed Uther, and he came to the gates of Camelot and challenged him."

Watching Gaius retrieve a book from the shelves where tomes about magical creatures were kept, Merlin nodded in understanding.

"Single combat."

Gaius nodded, setting down the book.

"Uther won. But in his dying breath, Tristan cursed Camelot to one day suffer his return... I thought it was the ramblings of a dying man."

Merlin frowned.

"Well men don't just rise up from the dead, no matter how angry they are."

Gaius now had the book open, stopping at a page depicting a skeletally thin figure with shrivelled skin. He pointed to it.

"It's my guess we're dealing with a wraith."

"Wraith?"

Seeing the term had no meaning for his ward, Gaius explained it to him.

"The spirit of a dead man, conjured from the grave."

Merlin began to feel a sense of dread.

"So this is the work of a sorcerer?"

Gaius expression was grim.

"Powerful magic can harness the grief and rage of a tormented soul, and can make it live again."

"How do we stop it?"

Once again Gaius found himself gazed at by a young man who believed he'd have all the answers, and once again he was forced to admit he did not.

"We can't... Because it's not alive, no mortal weapon can kill it. The Black Knight cannot be stopped until it has achieved what it came for."

Merlin was still staring at him.

"And what's that?"

"Revenge... I'm afraid it doesn't look good for Sir Pellinor."

Those words proved to be an omen, for the following day they bore witness to the death of Sir Pellinor. Once again the Black Knight was stabbed, this time clearly, yet once again it did not fall and resulted in the demise of his opponent... It was all too much for Arthur.

Merlin could almost have screamed at him for being so stupid when Arthur threw his gauntlet down and made his challenge, the prince's voice cold.

"I, Arthur Pendragon, challenge you. Single combat. Noon tomorrow."

The Black Knight answered before turning away.

"So be it."

It was too late. Merlin could only watch as Arthur strode back into the castle, the king hot on his heels.

~(-)~

"How could you be so stupid? I will revoke the challenge."

Arthur's deep frown remained in place as he watched his father enter the council chambers, his arms folded stubbornly across his chest.

"No. The Knight's Code must be upheld. That's what you told me."

Uther jabbed a finger at the surface of the long table.

"This is different."

Arthur remained unmoved by his father's words.

"Once the challenge has been laid down it cannot be rescinded."

"You are the Crown Prince!"

Only now did Arthur once again look at him.

"There cannot be one rule for me, and one for all the rest. Two nights ago I vowed to uphold the laws of Camelot. I will not betray that oath."

The king stared at him, hesitating a moment after his son's words.

"I forbid you to fight."

Arthur didn't move an inch, just kept looking at him.

"You want me to prove I'm worthy of the throne. I cannot do that by being a coward."

The was genuine fear for him now in Uther's eyes as he slowly began to shake his head.

"No, Arthur. This will be your death."

The prince sighed, looking away and walking out of the room.

"I'm sorry you have so little faith in me, Father."

"Arthur!"

The prince ignored his father's shout, striding out of the council chambers and returning to his own. He then stood himself at the window, positioning himself so he could just make out the silent figure of the Black Knight standing near the arena. He had made vows to his people, to protect them, and he meant those vows. He would not back down.

~(-)~

The day was coming to its end, dread like a pall shadow hanging over everyone and everything. Hundreds had witnessed the Black Knight today, witnessed the fact that even dealt a mortal wound it did not flinch nor die.

Merlin was pacing, back and forth near the steps to his room, agitated and worried.

"You were right. If Arthur fights that thing, he will die."

At the other end of the room, Gaius looked over and tried to reassure him.

"He is Camelot's strongest warrior. If anyone can defeat it, he can."

Merlin stopped pacing, shaking his head.

"No, you said it yourself. No mortal weapon can kill it. Which means we have to find a way to defeat the wraith ourselves."

Gaius frowned.

"And how do you propose to do that?"

Merlin regarded him, fixed of intent, unaware of how similar this confrontation was becoming to the one held a few hours ago between a king and his son.

"If no mortal sword can kill it, then I will... Mortal magic."

The physician came over, concern written deeply into his expression.

"Merlin, it's too dangerous."

The warlock didn't move.

"We don't have a choice. It's the only other weapon we have."

He headed for the door, ignoring the shout directed after him.

"Merlin!"

Merlin hurried down the tower to the ground floor, cautiously making his way to the edge of the training field where the Black Knight stood. He would have to wait until it was fully dark, and the first night patrol had gone by, but that wouldn't be long. As soon as it was as safe as he could hope for, he would act.

~(-)~

It was in solemn manner that Gaius arrived at the council chambers, finding that once again the king was awake late and lingering in them. He bowed as he made his entrance, the guards closing the doors behind him.

"Good evening, Sire."

Uther nodded in acknowledgement.

"Gaius."

The physician strode towards him.

"There is a matter of great urgency which I must discuss with you."

"Then spit it out."

The tension was evident, only one of them aware that they both faced having a loved one fight something they feared they could not defeat. But even that knowledge only increased the burden of the following words.

"Tristan's tomb is empty... I believe he's been conjured from the dead. He is a wraith, Sire."

Those words clearly disturbed the king, who walked slowly towards him through the chamber's gloom.

"A spirit?"

Gaius nodded.

"He has come to take vengeance for Ygraine's death."

The king flinched, becoming angry.

"It was magic that killed her! Not I!"

"Nevertheless, it was you he blamed." Gaius was grim. "You cannot allow Arthur to fight. No weapon forged by man can kill a wraith. It will stop at nothing until it has accomplished what it came for... Arthur cannot win. He will die."

Uther had almost retreated into the shadows of one of the columns, but his stern and agitated words remained clear.

"He will not listen to me."

Gaius regarded him solemnly.

"Then you must tell him who the knight is. You cannot hide the truth forever."

Uther jolted at those words, striding out from the shadows and advancing on his physician.

"No. I am the king. You will not tell me what I can and cannot do."

Gaius sighed.

"That is your choice, Sire. You tell him, or you let him go to his death."

The king's voice took on a warning edge.

"No one but you or I will ever know the secret of Arthur's birth."

"The boy is of age. He should know."

"Never. You made an oath, and I warn you not to break it."

A long silence hung between them, before Gaius bowed and took his leave.

"Very well, Sire."

Gaius left the chambers, aware of his failure in this attempt, and prayed that Merlin might have better luck.

~(-)~

Wary blue eyes watched the Black Knight, their owner creeping out of the shadows as the sounds of the first patrol faded into the distance.

Assured that he had at least fifteen minutes before any other patrol came close, Merlin advanced toward the gate at the edge of the training field. From its shadows the knight was just a few meters away, more than close enough for him to strike it cleanly with the spell, but that didn't reassure him enough to stop the gut-churning dread in his stomach. But he had to do this, for Arthur sake, no matter what the risks.

He raised his hand towards the knight, taking a deep breath before uttering the spell.

"Cume her forbearnan!"

Flame streaked out in a trail from his feet, circling around the knight until it was surrounded. At his will the flames leapt higher, as high as the helm on the figure's head, but then they suddenly died back as a chill like ice shuddered through the air.

The knight turned his head to look at him, reaching for sword but then stopping, but Merlin didn't hang around to let it change its mind again.

He sprinted back into the castle, heading straight for Arthur's chambers to try and talk some sense into him.

Merlin burst into the room, interrupting a prince who was practicing his sword-work, a prince who frowned and spoke in irritation.

"Merlin, you know that conversation we had about knocking..."

Merlin didn't even let him finish.

"You have to pull out!"

"And why is that?"

"Because he'll kill you!"

Arthur's frown became exasperated and annoyed.

"Why does everyone thing that?"

Merlin had his concern written all over his face. He wasn't going to beat about the bush with this one.

"Because they're right! Just pull out." He shook his head a little. "You're the Crown Prince. No one wants to see you die over some stupid challenge."

Arthur inspected his sword, refusing to give weight to Merlin's words by looking at him.

"I am not a coward."

"I know that. I've stood there and watched you overcome every fear you've ever faced."

"That's what's required of me."

He walked away from Merlin, the warlock following him with a frown. Why wouldn't this idiot listen?

"But you are more than a warrior, Arthur. You're a prince, a future king. You've proved your courage, but you must prove your wisdom."

Arthur settled into a stance, to resume his practice.

"I won't back down."

Exasperated, Merlin went to the window and pointed to the figure he'd tried to char ten minutes ago.

"Arthur, listen to me. This is no ordinary knight! He doesn't eat, he doesn't sleep. He just stands there in complete silence. Doesn't that tell you something?"

Arthur swung his sword.

"No one is unbeatable."

"If you fight him, you'll die! I'm trying you warn you, Arthur."

The prince turned on him, sword stopping mere inches from the servant's neck.

"And I'm trying to warn you, Merlin!"

Merlin glanced at the blade and then stared at him, hurt, before clearly fighting back the urge to say something else and storming out... And something about the way he did it made Arthur pause.

He stared at the open doors of his chamber, unable to deny that the servant's reaction had stirred a tinge of regret for what he'd just done. But he pushed it aside and resumed his practice. He would prove he could win this, uphold his vows... and maybe in doing so make up for that guilt.

He was not the only one with troubled thoughts, as another shadowed conversation with entirely different motives took place in the darkened council chambers. There where Uther still lingered in solitude, haunted by the past.

The candles were the only light other than the pale cast of the moon, a hint of warmth in a cold space. Their sinking slow marked the passage of time, but that ceased when chill wind swept eerily though the hall and blew every single one of them out.

Uther flinched, staring at them, before feeling eyes on his back and turning in a mixture of hate and terror. Behind him a woman had appeared, garbed in tattered red dress, her beautiful face tinged by a smile of malice.

He gazed at her in dread recognition.

"I should have known."

Nimueh's smile widened, her tone taunting.

"It is more than I had hoped for, Uther. Soon Arthur will be slain. You will have sent him to his death."

The king replied to that, bitterly.

"Haven't you tired of revenge?"

Her expression turned cold.

"Haven't you?" She glared at him. "You began this war when you threw me from the court and slaughtered all my kind."

"You brought it on yourselves. You practised evil."

There was betrayal in her eyes.

"I was your friend, Uther, you welcomed me here!"

It was no he to turned cold.

"You betrayed that friendship."

"I did as you asked!" Her shouted words held her anger. "I used the magic you so despise, to give your barren wife the son you craved."

Pain flashed across his face, followed by anger.

"Don't... ever speak of her in that way." He looked tormented. "She was my heart, my soul... and you took her from me."

Nimueh stared at him, finding it hard to believe he could do this even after all these years.

"She died giving birth to your son. It was not my choice. That is the law of magic. To create a life, there had to be a death, the balance of the world had to be repaid. You knew this."

Uther glared.

"You knew it would kill her."

She shook her head.

"No, you're wrong... If I had foreseen her death and the terrible retribution you would seek, I would never have granted your wish."

Uther looked away.

"I wish you hadn't."

Her eyes narrowed.

"You wish you didn't have a son?" The malicious smile returned, her manner once again taunting. "Well, your wish will come true tomorrow."

He stared at her again, in warning.

"I will not let you take him."

Hate glittered in her eyes as she stared right back at him as he bowed his head to avoid that gaze.

"I have watched so many people I love die at your hands, Uther Pendragon. Now it is your turn... Unless you choose to do something about it."

He looked up, but she was gone, the room empty and silent again, but he was not the only one her visit haunted. Not far from the council chambers, following the sense of magic that had intruded in the castle, Merlin came to a halt when her eyes met his the length of a hallway away.

She smiled, wrapping a cloak over her tattered red dress, and fading away into the shadows leaving her voice whispering in his mind.

'Don't be so frantic, Merlin... It's not you I'm after this time...'

He sprinted towards where she'd been, looking around but seeing or sensing no further trace of her. Gritting his teeth now he knew who was behind this, he changed direction to resume what he'd been on his way to do... Break into the Hall of Records, and try find a way to kill the dead.

~(-)~

Alaia Skyhawk: I've always felt the writers lost a great opportunity with this one, making it so no one but Uther knew Nimueh was around for this. I intend to take better advantage of it :)