Before they knew it, the time of their 21st birth anniversary was on the horizon. Uther was planning a grand celebration in their honor during which Arthur was to be sworn in as Crown Prince. Currently, both princes were below the castle Crypts, using Kilgharrah's old cavern as their magical training ground.
"Ok Arthur, I think that's enough for now, you are getting tired and we can't afford you collapsing during this evening's ceremony".
Arthur slumped back against the wall, a sheen of sweat on his brow and neck. His brother offered him a waterskin from which he drank greedily. "How long did I hold it this time"?
"Significantly longer than last week, don't worry you are making progress. For someone with your ability to even be able to execute this complex a spell so fast is commendable".
Arthur couldn't exactly become invisible but when pressed against a wall or similar support surface he could use the spell to assume it's appearance. For it to work he had to keep extremely still and expend energy to hold it in place. He was doing very well but it was still somewhat unpredictable when Arthur would give into exhaustion and the spell would break.
"I just keep getting tired"... He said, his exhaustion clear in his tone.
"That is because even though your magic has the potential to master the spell it's not used to straining itself so... Give it time, it's a slow process".
"I wish there was some way I could gain more strength faster"
"Who says there isn't"?
Arthur's head snapped to look at his brother, casually leaning against a boulder on the other end of the small cliff.
"Well, maybe we could try that".
For some reason his suggestion caused his twin to let out a short laugh.
"What's so funny"?
"Nothing, nothing I just, don't think your honor would allow you to take that route".
"You're not making any sense Merlin, what does honor have to do with helping me gain endurance with magic"?
It's time he learnt a bit about the nature of the power he was trying to wield. "During Belthain and other similar celebratory events, as prescribed in the druidic calendar, a high priest or druid leader would be required to perform a particular ritual so that he may better be able to better commune with the earth and the essence of the old religion. In some cases even the spirit world; for prophetic guidance. This would usually require a large amount of endurance, energy, that could otherwise probably take years to amass. The ritual in question allowed the priest to access this energy quickly but only hold it for a brief period of time, just enough to gain the required answers from the supernatural realm.
The ritual called for a youth from the camp, a volunteer if you will, to couple with the priest in the presence of the most powerful sorcerers within the camp. The release of pure energy from this most natural act would then allow the priest to open magical gateways, to draw strength directly from the earth and from all the participants involved in such a ritual. The more powerful the participants the more successful the ritual and longer it lasted. Any children conceived as part of such an act usually would usually become powerful seers or sorcerers, the ritual also, however, did provide contraceptive measures to prevent such conception if required.
Merlin kept looking at the shifting expressions on his brother's face during the entire explanation and watched fascinated and with some enjoyment as they went from curiosity, to shock to mortified. "Of course there are also certain naturally occurring objects made of certain natural magical elements that have the ability to produce the same effect. Now that I think of it, there might be something in the vaults that can be used to help you". He continued smirking.
"MERLIN!" Arthur shouted at his brother red-faced, now knowing he was being intentionally teased. Suddenly Merlin's entire demeanor changed, his body went rigid as he turned a cold look towards the entrance of the cavern.
That evil witch! He heard his brother's mental voice scream. Ever since gaining the ability to wield his magic Arthur realized he could sometimes inadvertently hear unguarded thoughts, he hadn't shared this with Merlin yet, he trusted his brother with his life but he just wanted some time to explore this on his own. So far his explorations had already revealed quite a lot. For one, he learned that his brother's quite external demeanor told nothing of the constant debate and deliberation being conducted internally. Second, the ability seemed to only work with those, who he suspected, possessed magic. His third and more surprising discovery was the number of people with magic residing within Camelot one of the most significant being Morgana.
"Merlin is all well"? His brother looked back at him
"We need to move, someone is in the crypts and using magic with malicious intent".
"Ok, let's go".
"No. You get back to your rooms, you have a coronation to prepare for, I will deal with this".
Arthur did not like this "You know who it is, don't you".
Merlin sighed but chose to respond "It's an old enemy but I can't face them and protect you at the same time. So please Arthur I implore you to go back to your rooms".
Arthur felt his frustration rise Merlin still thought he was not ready for this. Despite the progress with his training.
After Arthur left Merlin made his way to the Crypts, he navigated past the stone tombs of his ancestors, following the stale residue of the magic. He walked to the far end of the grand room and finally found what he was looking for. It was worse than he conceived; before he lay the broken Coverstone of a recently vacated stone tomb. Merlin pressed the bridge of his nose with his thumb and forefinger in frustration. "I know you're there Arthur". Arthur's concentration broke and the illusion with it, making it seem as if he melted out of the wall behind his brother. He walked slowly as he came and stood by Merlin before the tomb.
"How did you know"?
"I haven't yet taught you how to conceal your power, strong sorcerers can sense the magic of others".
"Why didn't you tell me that"?
"It wasn't important most tend to overlook magic as weak as yours".
"Whose tomb is this"?
"Tristin De Boise" Arthur looked at Merlin in shock.
"Our uncle"?! Merlin only nodded grimly.
"But why would anyone want to desecrate his grave"?
"Look again Arthur, it seems to me more like someone broke out of the tomb rather than into it. Someone has awoken a wraith".
"I'm sorry a what"?
"A corpse brought to life usually under another's control".
"That doesn't sound very good Merlin".
"It isn't but we don't have time worry about this now. We have a coronation to attend".
"You can't be serious". Arthur couldn't believe that is brother was suggesting that they move forward with the ceremony in light of this apparent threat to Camelot.
"Neither the sorceress nor the wraith, are anywhere to be found and I have a feeling they will reveal themselves in their own time and until they do we need to proceed as we would".
A while later, despite misgivings, Arthur knelt before his father and the royal court. Merlin, dressed formally, stood beside Morgana to the left, a few steps behind Uther. "Do you solemnly swear to protect Camelot and her people". Uther's powerful voice carried across the room.
"I pledge my life and limb to Camelot and swear to execute justice and mercy in governing her people" Arthur's response rang out, determined and strong, carried through the regal timbre of his voice.
Uther looked at his son with proud eyes as he placed the golden singlet on his head " Coming of age and heir apparent, with the power vested in me I now name you, Arthur Pendragon, Crown Prince of Camelot". Merlin and Morgana looked at each other pride and joy reflected in their eyes as they joined the applause in honor of their new Crown Prince.
I sudden loud crash of glass shattering brought the celebration to a standstill, Merlin pushed Morgana behind him, closer to the throne and moved forward to stand by his brother. A black knight, appearing from between the wreckage road forward on horseback towards the royals. Merlin surveyed the knight, he didn't even need to look at the emblem on his shield to know this was the wraith of their long dead uncle. The knight stopped short a few paces before the Royals and threw down his gauntlet in challenge. Merlin saw Arthur move with the intention to pick it up Stop! his firm command, unknown to Merlin, penetrated Arthur's mind just as Uther's hand on his shoulder held him still, long enough, to shock the prince into hesitance causing one of the younger knights to accept the challenge in his stead.