Hello people!

Thank you a lot for your reviews! Special thanks to Merlinslover, SeverusHermioneForever, Maya, Chris and Someone from Ireland. Thank you too for the messages! =)

And now... a ruby claims to be destructed!

Have fun!

Previously...

"Now, Emrys, if you don't break the ruby, so the spell will be stronger and stronger, because the jewel absorbs the energy around it, as I believe you have already noticed."

"I did." Merlin confirmed.

"By now I wouldn't be shocked if I saw how the traitor believes to be in love with the sorceress." The dragon continued. "The sorceress may be victim of her own spell and of her own ambition. She will be deluded by her own tries of delusion." He declared. "Now, Emrys, you must hurry up and do what you have to do!" He opened his wings. "This bright and golden Camelot you've been constructing is in danger. Go and fulfil your destiny, so Camelot will be forever remembered as a fair place, a place where magic is respected as it must be. A place where people, magical or not, royalty or commoners, are worthy of live a peaceful and happy life!" He flied away. "Fulfil your destiny, Emrys! Only so magic will remain free!"

Chapter 24

When Merlin finally organized his ideas and went to talk to Arthur, he found him training with the knights.

"Arthur!" He said running to meet his friend, who was concentrated in a sword fighting with Sir Leon.

"What, Merlin?" The prince said with a tedious voice, never stopping his training. "Can't you see I'm busy?"

"Well... yes, I can." Merlin said with a big smile.

"Then?" Arthur defended Sir Leon's attack.

"I need your help."

Sir Leon gave a sign he would stop fighting, so Merlin and the prince could talk, but Arthur shook his head, telling the knight to keep going.

"It's important, Arthur." Merlin said ignoring the fight.

"Oh, of course it is! Just like last week when you interrupted my paperwork to tell me that Morgana and my father were planning to arrange the baby's cradle in their chambers."

"That was important." Merlin said, making Arthur look at him. Sir Leon took the opportunity and beat him.

"Merlin!" Arthur exclaimed furious, getting up from the floor. "Good, Sir Leon, you're always careful to notice every distraction of your opponent and use them in your favour." The knight bowed and went to practice with another mate. "Happy now, Merlin? You made me lose!" The prince said sounding like a spoilt child.

"So you can talk to me now?" Merlin said hopeful.

"Whatever." Arthur said never looking to his friend. "So, Merlin? What's the important topic today?" He said after some moments in silence. "Let me guess... Morgana has just decided she wants a pink blanket to the baby!" He said angry.

"Oh, Arthur... are you jealous of your little sister?" Merlin asked very amused.

"What?" He looked at Merlin. "No! Of course not! Me, the prince of Camelot, jealous of a little baby girl? No way! It's just... people talk only about her..."

"And not about you." Merlin said what the prince thought but hadn't dared to say.

"Well... yes." He confessed looking at his feet ashamed. "I understand Morgana is radiant and my father... oh, I had never seen him happier! But... come on!"

"Arthur... you're a great prince. And, when you're ready, I bet you'll be a great king. You have a destiny to fulfil."

"It's foolish, I know, Merlin." Arthur said. "I'm a prince and it seems I'm doing well." He said. "But when I look to Morgana caressing her belly I... I feel so hurt! I had never had a mother, Merlin. Never. Ever." He said very sincerely. "Of course I'm happy for them and I'm excited to meet my little sister... but... I had never seriously thought about how would it feel."

"What?"

"Having a mother. Even if I'm adult and technically don't need someone to take care of me."

"Be sure, Arthur, anywhere your mother is, she's proud of the man you became." He sounded like Emrys, making Arthur look at him while he talked and nod. "I never met my father. It always made me feel better thinking maybe somehow he's just at my side, helping me and taking good care of me." He told Arthur, watching some knights fighting some feet away from them.

"I had never thought I'd even say it but that was very helpful." Arthur realised for the first time how their life stories were similar in a certain way. "Your father surely is very proud." He tapped Merlin's back. "So?" His voice was excited again. "What did you come here for?"

"I have something to ask you." He said mysteriously. "But not here. Let's go to your chambers."

"My chambers?" The prince said louder, making some knights look at them curiously. "You keep practicing!" Arthur said to them and the men promptly obeyed.

"It's particular. A very delicate topic, which I don't want nobody to know about. And I bet you'll prefer like this."

"Whatever, Merlin!" Arthur said.

They walked in silence to the prince's chambers. When they entered, Gwen was there, sat in front of the fire embroidering a nightgown.

"Hello, Gwen." Merlin greeted the lady.

"Merlin!" She smiled. "Nice to see you."

"Yes... uh... I've been busy with a problem." The lad told his friend.

"A problem?" Arthur thought that so unusual. Of course Merlin probably has his problems, just like anyone, but... come on, Merlin concerned about a problem? "Is that what you wanted to talk about?"

"Well, yes."

"Maybe I should go for a little walk, so you can talk." Gwen suggested getting up. She doesn't want to be inconvenient and maybe Merlin would like to tell Arthur about something too personal... they were best friends after all!

"Stay, Gwen." Merlin asked. "I'd like you to know about it too."

The three of them sat at the table, both Arthur and Gwen looking at Merlin.

"So, Merlin?" Arthur encouraged him.

"Well. Do you remember when I told you about a spell Morgause has done using a ruby?"

"Of course." Arthur remembered the talking they had during a dinner when Morgause was absent.

"By the way, do you know what was the spell about?" Arthur asked curiously.

"Yes. It's a spell to have your uncle's loyalty!" Merlin said as if it were a very usual idea.

"She did what?" Arthur got up in fury and shock. "I hope Morgana won't be too angry if I kill her sister!"

"Arthur!" Gwen got up and embraced him. "It's terrible, I know. But let's finish listening to what Merlin has to tell us."

"You!" He pointed to Merlin, who was watching them with a soft smile. His friend was so predicable sometimes! "Why on earth you hadn't told me that before?"

"Because I knew you would react like a prat!" Merlin said very calmly.

"That's why my uncle has been acting so unusually... kissing Morgana and everything." Arthur said to himself. "When you would tell me?" He sat once again, calmer.

"Oh, I wouldn't." Merlin smirked.

"Merlin!" Arthur said angry.

"Come on, Arthur... I thought it was something more simple... So I'd solve it with no need to disturb you. Just like the old times!" Merlin explained.

"But you obviously couldn't solve it by yourself." Arthur pointed.

"I couldn't. Even if I'm Emrys. The ruby in which the spell rests was programmed to absorb energy from someone who touches it or from spells used against it." Merlin told.

"Maybe if we break it?" Arthur suggested serious.

"Yes this is the point." Merlin continued. "The dragon informed me that you're the only one who can break it, putting an end to Morgause's spell."

"Really you couldn't break it, Merlin?" He asked with a smirk. "Such a girl!"

"Arthur!" Gwen reprehended him.

"Let's do it?" Arthur asked excited.

"Yes!" Merlin got up. "I'll take the ruby in Gaius' chambers!"

"Fine! Meet me in armoury in five minutes!" Arthur said when Merlin opened the door.

Morgana was sat in a chair near the window, looking how the trees danced with the wind while knitting one more little blanket to wrap her baby. This time it was a lavender one. Meanwhile, in the desk they placed in their chambers, so they could spend more time together, Uther was doing some paperwork. He looked at his wife, who was trying the little blanket on her belly and couldn't help but smile. She had no idea how beautiful she was like that!

She suddenly felt warm hands massaging carefully her shoulders. Uther smiled back when Morgana looked at him with a peaceful smile.

"May I help you with that, Morgana?" He asked, kneeling at her side.

"I didn't know you know how to knit." She commented teasing him.

"Oh, I don't." Uther confirmed. "But maybe I could take a look at how lovely it is."

Morgana smiled and showed him the little blanket. He touched it impressed of how delicate it was.

"I put some magic on the clothes and blankets I've been doing. So our baby will be safe and protected." She told him.

"Smart idea!" He was impressed once again. "You're still scared of that sight you had months ago, aren't you? The one about Agravaine."

"Yes." Morgana whispered. "That's one of the reasons why I suggested putting her cradle here in our chambers."

"I know I've already agreed with that but... Morgana, she'll be a princess! She's expected to have her own chambers." He said calmly.

"Oh, and she will." Morgana smiled. "But not now. Not when she's so small... Here she'd be safer." Uther nodded. That was true.

"Well, and if she cries or she needs us at night we'd be near." Uther pointed another advantage. "You're right, my dear, she'll have all her life to be a princess. Let's allow her to be a little child before it."

Morgana smiled at that and kissed him chastely. Uther's hand came to her belly, rubbing it carefully.

"We should start looking for a nurse to take care of her." Uther suggested.

"I'd like to take care of her myself, Uther." Morgana said sweetly.

"Oh Gaius warned me that sometimes maternity makes women over protective!" He teased with a smirk.

"It isn't like that!" She reacted, amusing the king. "I... I just love her so much that I'd like to be near her all the time."

This time it was Uther who kissed her.

"Moreover, I'll have others to help a bit... Gwen is so excited about our baby... and my sister of course." She pointed.

"That's lovely my dear... But maybe someone experienced with young children would be helpful. Even if you want to do everything and stay with our Vivienne all the time... some help is necessary. At least in the very beginning." Uther said always caressing her cheek tenderly. "What about Merlin's mother?" He suggested. "She's experienced, we clearly can trust her and she already loves our little girl."

"She's perfect!" Morgana smiled. "I'll talk to her later, I'm sure she'll like the idea." Uther smiled satisfied for the solution they found. "I didn't want someone we don't know so near our baby... but with Merlin's mother I think I'd feel secure."

Uther sighed. She was still scared of that sight. The one in which Agravaine's voice claimed innocent blood must be poured. He sighed and got up, bringing Morgana to his embrace and caressing her soft dark hair.

"I won't let anybody harm her or you." He whispered in her ear, feeling how Morgana slowly relaxed into his arms. "I love you so much!" He pulled away just a bit, so they could look in each other's eyes. One of his hands put a dark lock behind her ear. "You'll be always safe with me, my dear. You both will."

"My Uther!" She crushed their bodies once again, her head lying on his shoulder. "You're so special, love."

They stood like that for some moments, feeling so lucky and complete for having one another.

"Morgana?" He asked softly when he felt her body relaxing even more.

"Hmm?"

"Are you fine?"

"Yes. Just tired..." She said. As her belly was bigger and heavier, her baby needed more energy now, so Morgana felt frequently tired, even taking her potions.

"Come, my dear. Let's have some rest then."

Uther guided Morgana to the bed and helped her to sit carefully. Then he knelt and took her shoes of, helping her to lie on her side. So he lay at her side, embracing his dear wife until she was peacefully taking a nap. He caressed her and Morgana moaned softly. So Uther knew his life couldn't be more perfect.

When Merlin entered in the armoury with the ruby, Arthur was already there, pacing.

"Finally!" The prince said impatiently.

"Let's do it?" Merlin ignored his comment.

"Fine." Arthur took the ruby from his friend's hands. "Oh!"

"Arthur!" Merlin helped him to sit. He was so pale!

"I feel dizzy." The prince said.

"Of course, you don't have magic!" Merlin said. "Here, I brought a potion in case something like this happens." He made his friend drink and in some moments he was better.

"And how could I destroy it without touching?" Arthur asked angry, feeling his head still aching a bit.

"I'll put it here..." Merlin put the ruby between two heavy stones, keeping it in place. "Now you take a sword or something and crash it!"

"Easy!"

Arthur took the biggest hammer he could find and walked confidently to the ruby while Merlin walked backwards. With a loud scream, the prince used all his strength to hit the jewel. And it was still unbroken. Unusual. With one more loud scream and even more strength, Arthur hit the ruby once again. Unbroken. And again, and again, and again...

"Stop!" Merlin said, but Arthur kept going, probably feeling angry. "Arthur, stop! It's futile!"

Arthur finally stopped, putting the hammer down. Merlin went to the ruby and analysed it.

"Not even a risk!" Merlin pointed frustrated. "Weird. The dragon told me..."

"What exactly the dragon told you, Merlin?" Arthur said.

"Well, that the ruby must be destructed and only a good hearted prince could break the spell." He said.

"Oh, and you just supposed it's me!" He said convinced.

"Well, I can't see any other prince here! And the idea was Gaius'..." Merlin said.

"Maybe you should look for another prince to do so." Arthur said insecure.

"No, it has to be you." Arthur looked at Merlin very hopeful. "You're the one who will unite all the kingdoms, Arthur." He told his friend. "That's your destiny, and only a very fair and merciful king could do so. Only a king who would look for the people's real needs and fears, before his needs. And only a good hearted prince could be that king when the time comes."

The prince nodded and sighed.

"Let's do it!" Arthur said very confidently.

"How?" Merlin asked. "I've tried salt, spells, you tried to hit it... and we hadn't even scratched it!"

"When I was a little boy I dropped my wooden sword from one of the towers."

"A very safe place for a child game..." Merlin mocked.

"Well, what I'm trying to tell you is that when I arrived in the court yard to take it back, the little accident made the sword splits in two." Arthur said seriously. "That was when I learned that nothing survives from falling of the tower."

"We could try..." Merlin said. "You throw it from the north tower and I'll be in the courtyard to take the pieces... Oh, and let's do it tonight. We don't need people looking at it more time than necessary."

They put the ruby inside its leather bag, so Arthur could carry it with no harm to his health.

Merlin was in the courtyard, near of the north tower. Hooping the ruby wouldn't hit him. The night was cold and apart from him, there nobody in the courtyard, only some guards who entered the castle in their patrol moments ago.

Finally Merlin saw a blond head in the tower. Arthur. And soon the shinning ruby left its bag, falling and falling in the night.

"Noooo!" He heard a woman screaming in despair behind him.

Hahaha it seems someone is desperate here around... =P

Has someone else missed Arthur? =)

Have a nice weekend!