Alaia Skyhawk: I'm actually going to write this part with only a loose script to work from. Just a little experiment on my part. So I'm going to be adding lines to that script, movements, thoughts, and once I'm done I'm going to watch the last part of the episode and see how much I managed to change it XD
This should be fun, and of course it means I'll be writing this chapter to some music :D
Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin.
Music: Hunith's Letter To Gaius, The Burdens of Duty (Merlin OST) Undying Faith (Two Steps from Hell)
"Whom History Won't Remember" Episode: N/A
~(-)~
Chapter 51: Excalibur ~Part 3~
If there was one thing that seeing Nimueh in the castle did, it was make Merlin even more determined to wreck this scheme of hers. He'd been upset with Arthur, true, maybe upset enough to walk away... But those thoughts had died the moment he'd felt her intrusion here. A few months ago he hadn't sensed her magic, but this time is was almost like she'd let him sense her on purpose. She was mocking him, challenging him, and quite likely she thought he'd never find a way to destroy the wraith.
Well, he was just going to have to prove her wrong.
Merlin walked among the shelves of books with a determined expression, eyebrows pulled together in a frown as he pulled down one book after another before putting them back with a shake of his head. He wanted to do this, not just to prove he could but because he had to. If he didn't, Arthur would die, but the Hall of Records was so big and he didn't have a clue where to look first. The section with the texts about methods of making weapons was proving useless, most of it was about blacksmithing. He had no doubt in his mind that what he needed was magical, and the chances of finding books about that in here was just about zero.
He was just about to move to another section when a voice of deep disapproval sent a chill of fright up his spine, catching him off guard as it did.
"How did you get in here?"
Merlin spun round, coming face-to-face with Geoffrey of Monmouth, quickly dissembling for the fact that he'd used magic to unlock the door.
"Door was open."
Geoffrey frowned, folding his arms across his chest.
"No, I locked it."
"Then someone else must have opened it then."
Oh the truth of that line, Merlin was almost overcome by the urge to grin at it. But no, he had to keep a straight face of he could find himself in serious trouble for this.
The archivist was still frowning.
"And you thought you'd come in and help yourself? Servant of the Crown Prince you may be, but that does not give you the privilege of coming in here on a..."
Merlin interrupted him.
"I came here looking for something for Gaius. He thinks the Black Knight is a wraith. Arthur's in big trouble, and we need to find a weapon that can kill something that is already dead. That's what I was trying to find." He eyed Geoffrey hopefully. "Maybe you could help. No one knows this library better than you."
There is much that can be said for flattery combined with a mention of one of Geoffrey's most trusted friends, the archivist seemed to stare in surprise for a moment, before speaking in a far more amiable tone.
"I've read of such things in the ancient chronicles. There are several fables that speak of ancient swords that could destroy anything, alive or dead."
Merlin kept his innocent and hope-laden expression in place, but there was still an urgent edge to his words.
"Could you show me these fables?" Geoffrey gestured for him to follow him to another shelf, and then proceeded to carefully peruse the titles of the tomes there until Merlin commented rather anxiously. "I'm sort of in a hurry."
"Yes, you young people always are."
At those bland words, Merlin backed down from trying to rush him and instead planted himself in a chair at a nearby table, watching as the archivist brought over a number of books. He grabbed one of them for himself, flipping through it mindful of the potentially delicate pages. The last thing he wanted right now was to be told off for ripping one.
Watching as Geoffrey moved away to get another stack of books, the warlock sighed quietly and muttered under his breath.
"I could be in bed right now... You have no idea of the trouble I go to for you, Arthur."
He resumed pouring through the book, for once comfortable in Geoffrey's presence since the man wasn't breathing down his neck. He was comfortable enough that despite the boredom of this search the time went by fairly quickly until the lord set down the book he was holding.
"Ah, here we are... 'Sir Marhaus looked upon the great sword, begotten in the dragon's breath, and found it passing good'."
Merlin jolted at the word 'dragon'.
"What did you say?"
The archivist began to repeat it.
"Sir Marhaus..."
"No no, not about him. The dragon."
Merlin's almost irritated wave of a hand as he made the correction, had Geoffrey frown a little in disapproval before he read the part requested.
"The great sword, begotten in the dragon's breath, and found it passing good."
He raised his head, expecting another question from the young servant, but found him to be absent from the chair. He looked around in puzzlement, turning just in time to catch a last fleeting glimpse of Merlin striding out of the archive.
As for the servant in question, he was already making plans. Get a sword, a good sword, and go visit the dragon... And pray the creature was in the mood to be helpful. He slipped out of the castle with ease, it wasn't that long after the Great Bell. With luck, he could be back in the castle before he had to worry about avoiding anyone noticing his late return.
He hurried through the town, arriving at his friend's door and knocking lightly upon it. Gwen answered within a few moments, smiling in surprise at his late but not unwelcome visit.
"Merlin. This is a bit unexpected."
Merlin returned the smile, before his manner then became serious as he glanced past her to see if her father was in.
"I um... I've come to ask a favour, and I'm not sure how to ask it."
She shook her head a little at his awkwardness.
"Ask, Merlin, you know I'd grant you anything." She paused, realising how that might be misinterpreted and correcting herself. "Well, not anything. But, you know what I mean." She continued to fluster, and quickly turned the subject back to the matter at hand. "What is it you want?"
She gestured for him to come in, and he did so, entering the house to find that Tom wasn't in. That would make this a little easier. He liked Tom, but to ask a favour like this to him and not Gwen would have been uncomfortable.
"I've come to ask for a sword. The strongest sword your father's ever made."
Gwen frowned.
"What for?"
"To save Arthur." Merlin began to pace. "The Black Knight isn't a normal foe, Gwen. You saw what happened today. I saw Sir Owain stab him too, yesterday, but neither strike killed him. Gaius thinks the knight is a wraith, and to defeat it Arthur is going to need the best sword I can get him."
Gwen stared at him, shocked by the revelation, but it spurred her into action. She went to her father's bed, hesitating briefly before kneeling down and reaching under it. She pulled out a long bundle, laying it on the bed and unfolding the cloth to reveal the blade concealed within.
"My father's been saving this. He's always said it's the best sword he's ever made."
Merlin picked it up, examining the perfectly polished steel and razor-sharp edge. Hefting it a little to feel its balance.
"It's perfect."
"He'll be furious if he finds out I've taken it."
Merlin frowned a little at her troubled tone, kneeling down as well so that he was at her eye level.
"He'll understand. You did it for Arthur. You have my word that this will make a difference. I wouldn't ask it otherwise." He looked at the sword again. "I wouldn't ask it if it wasn't worth the risk."
She looked at him, a small smile of knowing touching her expression.
"I knew you were proud of him really."
Merlin wrapped up the sword again, returning the smile before heading for the door.
"Just don't tell him I admitted it."
~(-)~
The door of the chamber opening caught him by surprise, Gaius rising to his feet when Uther strode into his rooms. The king looked tense and pale, like he'd had some form of fright as was still shaken by it.
Concerned, Gaius moved towards him.
"Sire, what is it?"
The way the king looked at him in the next moment had him stop in his tracks, Uther's eyes as haunted as his tone.
"I should have listened to you, Gaius. I should have listened when you told me that no good would come of using witchcraft for Arthur's birth." He bowed his head for a moment, then raising it to look Gaius in the face. "I cannot let Arthur die. I am the one Tristan wants, not him... I will take his place in the fight tomorrow."
The physician stared in disbelief.
"Do you know what you're saying?"
The king remained solemn, completely serious.
"Ygraine gave up her life for him. So must I... My death will stop the wraith, and Arthur will live on."
Uther was now pacing, Gaius not sure how to react to this.
"But, Sire, surely there must be another way."
The king sighed.
"When I am gone, you will be the only person left who knows the secret of Arthur's birth. I ask you to swear to keep your oath that it remain secret."
Solemn silence fell, lasting several moments before Gaius finally nodded.
"I shall take it to my grave."
The look of relief in Uther's expression was palpable, as he then smiled sadly.
"You have always been a good friend, despite my temper."
Gaius returned it with equal regret. Uther, for all his faults, was a good man. Yes, he was prone to anger and rash decisions with regards to magic, but it was the strong love he'd still had for Ygraine and his son that drove him to it... For retribution for the past, and to try protect the future. It was moments like this when he could see the man Uther used to be, before rage and pain made him what he was now. A just king, a great leader, a kind soul... and of course, one with a bit of a temper.
He sighed.
"I always did think that would be the death of you."
Uther nodded in amusement at that, expression distant until he spoke again.
"I have one last favour to ask of you."
~(-)~
"Merlin... You come to me again, I see."
The Great Dragon eyed his visitor with a tilt of his head, Merlin staring back. How many times had he made this trip now? How many more would it be in the future? There was almost an irresistible pull between the two of them, two creatures of magic, and yet in their hearts they were oh so different.
Him, young and hopeful. Heading for a bright future. The dragon, ancient and bitter. Tied to the past despite placing so much faith in those foretold days the other would bring. The similarities brought Merlin to him for advice in times of need, but the latter always made him hesitant and wary. He was never sure how the dragon would react to each new question or request.
Merlin took a deep breath, speaking out clearly.
"Do you know why I'm here?"
The dragon eyed him, with the patience of a parent talking to a child.
"It may surprise you, Merlin, but my knowledge of your life is not universal."
All right, so that was a start.
"Arthur is in danger, and I need your help to save him."
Now there was the key words. 'Arthur', 'danger', and 'need help'. The dragon nodded.
"So what have you come to ask of me then?"
Merlin unwrapped the sword he had tucked under his arm, reacting in surprise when it floated free of his grasp to hover before the dragon. Watching as the creature regarded it, he spoke.
"Will you burnish it? To save Arthur?"
Golden eyes turned to look at him.
"And for what purpose do you ask this. Tell me, why do you need this?"
Merlin gulped under the pressure of that stare.
"There's a wraith. I need that sword to kill it."
"And who has it come for?"
Golden eyes met blue, the latter looking away.
"It's come for Uther."
The dragon snorted in derision.
"Then let it take it's vengeance. Let Uther's time end now, and Arthur's time of destiny begin."
"But it is Arthur who is to fight it tomorrow!" Merlin's shout rang out, his tone desperate. "If he fights it with a normal blade, he'll die! Camelot will have no heir, Arthur will have no destiny, and neither will I!"
Solemn was the reply.
"A weapon forged with my assistance will have great power."
Merlin nodded.
"I know."
The dragon shook his head, frowning.
"You do not know, you can only guess. You have not seen what I have seen. What has happened in the past. If you had, perhaps you would not ask this of me... You must understand, that in the wrong hands such a sword could do great evil... If I do this, it must be wielded by Arthur, and Arthur alone."
The way the dragon said it made it clear he was serious, it was also clear he was going to agree to do this. Merlin made sure his reply was sure.
"I understand."
The dragon regarded him sternly.
"You must do more than understand, Merlin. You must promise me."
"I promise."
Seeing Merlin's unwavering regard, the dragon looked at him one last time before turning his flame upon the blade. Merlin was forced to shield his eyes from the light, only able to look again once it had begun to dim... The plume of fire fading away from what had been an ordinary steel blade with a gilt and leather hilt. But now...
Steel shone like polished silver, the gold with an equal sheen. A strip of gold now extended down each side of the blade.
The dragon regarded it solemnly.
"It is done."
When the sword drifted back to his hands, Merlin was able to see what was written on it. He murmured those words aloud.
"Afehest me... Awierpest me..."
He nearly flinched when the dragon brought his head close to regard him.
"It is a lesson that must be heeded. This is not a blade to be wielded on a whim. It must be used, only when it must be used. To do otherwise, is to court destruction and darkness... Go, take it to the young Pendragon, and remember my words."
Merlin nodded one last time and wrapped the sword again, turning and leaving with the weight of his promise on his mind. He would heed the lesson, and let Arthur use the blade... And then he would take it back and hide it until it was needed again.
~(-)~
He stood at his window, watching the silent figure of the Black Knight... Just as silent himself in his vigil.
Arthur's expression remained fixed in a frown, his thoughts haunted by not only his father's and Merlin's warnings, but by the tearful ones of Morgana as well. She'd come to him, to his chambers, fearful for him. It was rare for her to show her emotions that way, especially to him, but he'd remained stubborn to his decision. He would not back down from the fight.
But still, their fear edged at his fear, making it grow and eat at his nerves. It would be a fight in itself to be mentally composed tomorrow, he should really rest, but he could not bring himself to go to sleep.
How can you sleep when everyone is warning you that if you go through with this, you'll die?
The door of his chambers opened, causing him to turn. He'd expected it to be Merlin, coming to try convince him again, but instead it was Gaius. The old man had a vial in his hand, and headed for him purposefully.
"I've brought you something that might help you sleep."
Arthur glanced at the vial, before returning to looking out the window.
"I'm fine. I don't need it."
He found a hand being placed on his shoulder, and and old hand pressing the vial into his. Gaius' tone brooked no refusal.
"Here."
With a sigh Arthur downed the contents, grimacing at the taste.
"I wouldn't drink it for pleasure."
Gaius started to guide him towards the bed.
"Why don't you sit down for a moment."
Arthur sat, starting to feel comfortably light-headed, like his cares were floating away. Allowing himself to be lain flat by the physician as he mumbled on the verge of sounding drunk.
"Mind you, if you... forget about the taste... The after-effect is... quite pleasurable."
The last syllable was barely understandable, his suddenly fuzzy world fading away. Gaius watched him slump unconscious, waiting a few moments to check the drug had indeed knocked him out. He then headed for the door, picking up Arthur's keys from the table and using them to lock the door. With luck, Arthur would sleep through the duel. If he didn't, he still wasn't going to be going anywhere.
~(-)~
"There's no need to go to Arthur's chambers, Merlin. The king has arranged someone else to do it. You're to go to the armoury and prepare Arthur's weapons."
Merlin paused in his stride towards the door of Gaius' chambers, frowning a little. He had the wrapped form of the sword tucked under his arm again, but his mentor hadn't questioned it. He probably assumed it was Arthur's usual sword, and that he'd been trying to 'improve' it last night.
He sighed, resuming his walk with resignation.
"Thanks for letting me know. Saves me waking him up. He's going to be cranky, for sure, and I don't envy whoever gets to do it today instead of me."
"Merlin."
The young warlock glanced back at him, unaware of the real reason for Gaius words. He had no idea his mentor was lying to him.
"Come on, I'm allowed to tease, aren't I? I'll see you later, after Arthur defeats that wraith."
He had a smile on his face as he said it, a confidence that gave Gaius pause. But before the physician could query what he'd meant by that smile, the warlock was already darting down the tower steps.
Merlin took a direct route to the armoury, briskly setting about preparing Arthur's armour. He spent those hours between dawn and noon, checking every inch of the metal, every strap, every rivet. He did the same for the shield, making sure that straps and handle were secure. And then he checked the armour all over again, with the only thing he didn't check until the last minute being the sword.
He lay the bundle on the table beside the armour, unfolding the cloth and marvelling at the blade concealed among the folds. It was beautiful, awe inspiring, a flawless form in gold and silver. He read again the words written on it, tracing a finger over them until a voice interrupted him.
"That's a fine blade."
Merlin flinched in surprise, looking up to see Uther stood there dressed in chainmail. The king walked towards him, and he set the sword down again with care.
"It's for Arthur."
The next few words almost made Merlin's mind freeze in its tracks.
"He won't be needing it today... I will be taking Arthur's place."
Wait, what?
Merlin stared at him.
"But, Sire."
The king ignored the protest.
"Prepare me for battle."
Merlin felt like he had something stuck in his throat, something that fought his ability to speak until somehow he spoke around it.
"But, Sire, it's Arthur who should be fighting today."
"The grievance of that knight is with me... The fight is mine."
There was no arguing with that, and Merlin knew it. He quickly threw the cloth back over the sword, turning as though to look for something.
"I don't have your armour."
A hand was waved idly at the set that was already prepared.
"That will do. It's likely to make little difference."
Merlin reluctantly started to reach for the first piece, those words sinking in as he realised what it sounded like. Uther sounded like he believed he was about to die, and that he accepted that fact. Was this really happening, did Uther truly and willingly think he was going to his death?
He hastened to begin fastening the armour in place, starting to stammer when the king moved the cloth and picked up the blade.
"I-I'll get you your sword."
"This will be fine."
Merlin felt like a block of ice had just been dropped into his gut.
"No, Sire. Y-you don't understand. That one was made specifically for Arthur."
The king seemed transfixed by the blade in his hand.
"Who made it?"
Merlin wanted to cringe, even as he began lifting parts of armour into place.
"Tom, the blacksmith."
"It's worthy of a king."
Merlin moved around behind him, to fasten the straps of the hauberk and voiders.
"You would be better off with a sword you've trusted."
Uther frowned a little in though, giving the sword a small swing.
"It has almost perfect balance... Tom isn't the royal swordsmith. I'm surprised Arthur went to him."
Merlin explained, still trying to figure a way out of this.
"That was me." The king turned his head to look at him questioningly. "I felt... he needed a better sword."
Both their eyes went to the blade, Uther once again thoughtful.
"You show him the most extraordinary loyalty. Far beyond what I would expect even given your background."
Merlin was now fastening the wrist guards into place, trying to remain calm.
"It's my job, Sire."
"It's beyond the line of duty."
Merlin found himself with the king looking him in the eye.
"Well, you could say there's a bond between us. As long as I'm his servant, I'll always do my best to keep him safe."
Uther continued to regard him.
"I'm glad... Look after him."
The king, now fully clad in armour, walked out of the armoury picking up a helmet as he went. There was nothing else Merlin could do, short of knocking him out and taking the sword that way. What was he supposed to do? Uther had the sword!
He followed the king out and to the arena, noting the guilty look on Gaius' face when he walked past him at the arena edge. Gaius had known about this, had sent him to the armoury on purpose... And he had no idea what his actions had done.
Merlin forced himself back to calm, determined that no matter how this fight went he would get the sword back after it. His promise to the dragon was already broken, though no control of his own, but that didn't mean he was going to let it get any worse. But then he saw something, and those thoughts had to wait, for there among the crowd at the far side of the arena... Was Nimueh.
Merlin found himself frowning at her smile when the crowd gasped at their king being the one to fight. She looked like she'd already won.
'Don't take victory for granted.'
He saw her smile falter for a moment at his silent words, her eyes meeting his while between them Tristan and Uther, wraith and king, readied their weapons.
She smirked.
'I told you, you are not the one I am after this time. There is nothing you can do. Uther will die, and his son will become king, and then magic will have a chance of return. Rejoice. This will be for your benefit.'
The first crashing blows were exchanged, Merlin giving the fight a moment's concerned glance before turning his attention back to her.
'I don't care who it is you're really after with this. Using the dead as pawns for your games isn't right.'
She raised her head a little, letting more light reach her face in the depths of her hood.
'I do what I must. Sometimes a price must be paid, a small sacrifice required.'
'So Owain and Pellinor were a small sacrifice?'
Both of them were distracted, when with a thrust of his shield Uther struck the helmet from Tristan's head. The crowd gasped in horror at the shrivelled and blackened face that was revealed, the wraith hissing at the king and renewing his attack.
Merlin's eyes went back to Nimueh, and she smiled.
'Uther cannot win. No weapon made by mortals can slay that which is already dead... He is doomed, Merlin. Nothing you can do can change that.'
The crowd rose to their feet in the stands, as Uther was disarmed and knocked to the ground. The wraith let loose with a brutal overhead swing, its sword becoming jammed in the rim of the king's shield. Uther shoved that barrier into the wraith's chest, raising a foot and kicking it away from him. And then, while Tristan fought to free his sword, Uther lunged to and grabbed that which he had dropped.
Seeing him rush at the wraith to strike him through, it was Merlin who found himself with a sudden and victorious smile.
'Something I already have is just about to...' Uther ran the wraith through, and was thrown back when it roared and a flare of smoke erupted from the point of the strike. That wound began to burn like the embers of a fire, ripping outwards through Tristan until he exploded into shreds and ashes. Merlin watched Uther regain his feet as the people cheered. 'I win.'
Nimueh could only stare in disbelief, her expression becoming tinged with anger. And then in a swirl of her cloak she was gone, for now at least.
Merlin felt the tension drain out of him, his mind back on the matter of the sword that Uther still held. He could only watch as Gaius led the king back into the castle to check him for injuries, and pray his mentor would realise where it had come from.
As for him, he had a dragon to go apologise to... And he was dreading it.
~(-)~
Arthur's armour lay upon the council chamber table, his father's chainmail laid beside it as the man in question winced at the bruising and strains he'd sustained. But even now he was thoughtful, the thoughts that had been on his mind since that moment of victory in the arena. And so he looked to his physician, and spoke those thoughts aloud.
"I thought you said a wraith couldn't be killed."
Gaius looked up from the jar of salve he was holding, remaining apparently unperturbed by the comment.
"Yes, it was quite remarkable. The only explanation that comes to mind is that, because you were the one to originally kill him, when you defeated him again it set him free. Perhaps Tristan is finally at peace now."
Uther frowned a little.
"Yes... Perhaps."
Gaius looked past the solemn king, to the sword that also lay on the table. It wasn't one he'd seen before, and he was starting to have suspicions about where or rather who it had come from.
"Is that a new sword, Sire?"
The king turned to look at it, picking it up and handing it to the physician.
"It's the best I've ever fought with." He watched Gaius begin to inspect it. "I was intrigued by those markings."
Gaius had to do his best not to drop the sword in shock when he got a closer look, and be thankful Uther knew little of runic text. Both sides of the blade were marked with a phrase in the Old Tongue, and reading them aloud he marvelled at the lesson.
"On one side it says 'Take me up', and on the other 'Cast me aside'. May I ask who made it, Sire?"
"Your ward gave it to me. It was forged for Arthur."
Gaius' eyebrows were raised, and he quickly contrived a reason to keep the sword in his possession.
"Merlin?" He looked at the sword, as though just recognising it. "Could this be? I knew he was planning to give him this, but not this soon. He's never even let me look at it."
Uther started to look somewhat puzzled.
"What did he have planned?"
Gaius now looked a little bemused.
"Something he and I arranged a while ago. He wanted to get a special sword made, for Arthur. As a present, I believe, not that he would admit it. He got it not long ago, with a little financial help from myself, but wanted to save it for an occasion other than Arthur becoming Crown Prince. I wouldn't be surprised if he was planning to keep it as a wedding gift, or maybe even a coronation gift. Although, if it is the latter, he's going to be waiting a long time, I think."
Uther started to smile at that, allowing Gaius to retain possession of the sword.
"So it was to be a gift from the both of you. I'm not surprised now that he was so reluctant of me using it... Very well, since my son has not seen it, perhaps it's best it be put away again until the proper occasion comes. I would hate to spoil the surprise."
Gaius smiled at the comment, using the tattered tabard the king had been wearing to wrap the sword ready to take away.
"Indeed. I'm sure it will be an interesting one."
The doors of the council chamber burst open, Arthur striding in. Gaius took that as his cue to leave, hastening to pick up his medicines and leave the room with the blade tucked under his arm.
Arthur waited until he was gone, before advancing in fury at his father. He did not blame the physician, not when he would have been following orders.
"You had Gaius drug me! I was meant to fight him!"
Uther put his shirt back on, being all too prepared for this confrontation.
"No."
Arthur was staring at him, irate beyond measure.
"But the Knight's Code!"
"Be damned!" His father's words silenced him, Uther facing his son. "I believed you would die, and that was a risk I could not take. You are too precious to me. You mean more to me than anything I know, more than this entire kingdom and certainly more than my own life."
Anger faced into astonishment, Arthur standing there almost bewildered.
"But I always thought that... That I was a big disappointment to you."
Uther bowed his head.
"Well that is my fault and not yours. You are my only son, and I wouldn't wish for another."
Awkward silence fell, lingering on until Arthur realised if he didn't want to lost dignity by fidgeting, he had best say something.
He smiled as the quip left his lips.
"I heard you fight pretty well. You should join us for training." He leaned closer. "Sort out your footwork."
The king smiled at that, aiming a small kick at his son but missing when the prince darted out of reach.
"I'll show you footwork."
He winced as the movement pulled at his injuries, and Arthur decided that perhaps he was best left be to rest. By the time he got back to his chambers and found Merlin tidying up the mess in there, he was in a much better mood. However, seeing Merlin picking up things that he had thrown after waking to head the sounds of the duel and find himself locked in, he felt a twinge of guilt. He'd threatened Merlin, and yet the servant still kept coming back. He deserved more respect than that.
"Get up, you can do that tomorrow."
Merlin got to his feet from where he'd been on his knees picking up various items.
"And what would my prince like me to do now instead?"
Arthur did his best not to wince at the rebuff in that formal comment. Merlin only used wording like that when he was still very annoyed. And Merlin had every right to be. Being concerned about someone's safety is no crime, certainly no reason to be threatened with a sword.
The prince got a small wooden box from one of his cupboards, going to the table and starting to set up the board and pieces that had been inside it.
"How about we have our kind of duel... One we both know you will probably win."
At the sight of the little wooden fox and multitude of wooden geese, Merlin managed a smile. Yeah, thrashing Arthur at Fox and Geese would cheer them both up, and it was as close to an apology as he was going to get this time. It also went some way to easing the guilt that burdened him right now. Being called names by Arthur when the prince lost repeatedly, was better than thinking about being told by a dragon he was not ready to be trusted again. It was the price of a broken promise, but he wouldn't break the other one he'd made as atonement.
And so that night, after a rather curious Gaius had handed a certain sword back to him, Merlin evaded those questions and headed out of Camelot. Out to the Lake of Avalon, where he stood on the shore and looked at the blade one last time. And then, with the words of the promise lingering in his ears, with a thrust of magic he threw it far out into the waters.
It sank from sight, lost into the depths... Gone to where no man could find it. No man save him would ever know it was there, and with that knowledge he turned and walked away... Heading back to Camelot and whatever trials would come his way next.
~(-)~
Alaia Skyhawk: Yeah, I skipped Merlin being yelled at by Kilgharrah. I decided I'd prefer dwelling on Merlin's guilt about failing that promise instead. And I hope you liked the little 'confrontation' between Merlin and Nimueh. I found that bit so much fun to write :D