Before Arthur could say a word to his brother, Morgana addressed Merlin in a firm voice. "I know you too well, what is your plan, Merlin?" Merlin's eyes softened before he walked towards her, gently placing his palm on her left cheek.
"Simple, I face the Knight in combat tomorrow".
"So you've got the weapon then"? It was Arthur who asked. Both Merlin and Morgana turned to him, Merlin's hand slipping from her face, he reached for the hilt of the sword on his hip and drew it out.
Morgana's eyes widened, the blade was stunning to behold, Arthur came closer to her right to inspect it as well. She lifted her hand to run it along the surface but something at her core, an instinct perhaps, told her that this weapon was not meant for her hand. As if to echo that instinct, Merlin looking at Arthur's own awestruck expression, spoke: "Meant for yours or my hands alone to wield, Brother".
Arthur looked at him. "It's breathtaking. Does it have a name"?
Merlin looked from his brother to the sword, raising it higher he replied "Excalibur".
"And...? Are you sure it will work against the wraith"?
"Theoretically, yes it should".
Arthur turned to his brother incredulously "Theoretically?! Merlin, you do realize that should this sword fail, you will die".
"I will kill you myself should that happen". Morgana added.
Merlin laughed at that, "If it doesn't work nothing else will". The three stared at the sword in hope and wonder.
That evening, the King of Camelot, with a determined stride, walked towards a familiar tower, he entered the room gently and called softly to the only occupant within, "Gaius". The physician who was at the moment immersed in some evening reading turned, surprised at the call.
Seeing the King he immediately got to his feet taking up a respectful stance "Was there something you needed, sire?"
"I require your help". Will, who was done attending to Merlin for the evening, reached the main door to Gaius's room just in time to hear the Uther's words. He knew better than to interrupt so he decided to to turn and make a quick run to the kitchens but what he heard next made him stop in his tracks "My son is determined to fight the Black Knight tomorrow at dawn. I need you to to make sure he is unable to leave his rooms to carry out this mission".
There was a pause before Will heard Gaius reply, "What is it you expect me to do, Uther"?
Merlin was by the fireplace when Will rushed into his rooms. "Will? What is it?"
Will caught his side, bent over and took a moment to compose himself before speaking. "The King was in Gaius's rooms this evening. Gaius is on his way here right now to administer a sleeping draught to you, under the king's orders. He intends to take your place on the field at dawn". Merlin's brow crumpled in a frown, this was unexpected, his father's actions that is, Gaius, on the other hand, could not help but disobey a direct order from the king and there had been no chance to inform the man of Excalibur's procurement. "Merlin"? He turned his attention back to Will, the boy only addressed him by name when he wished to speak to him as a friend, "Am I going to regret telling you this"?
Merlin smiled at him "No I, promise you there will be no need for regret"
Will nodded "Good".
When Gaius showed up at his door a few moments later, Merlin pulled on his authority as Emrys to override the King's command and instead asked the physician to deliver a simple personal message back to his father - Do Not Interfere.
Early, hours before dawn the next morning, Will was helping Merlin ready for battle when Arthur entered his room unannounced. "Will". Both men turned to look at the Crown Prince, as he walked in and continued to address the manservant "Could you give me some time with Merlin please, do not worry; I will help my brother ready for battle". Will looked back at Merlin for approval, he nodded and the boy bowed to the princes before leaving. Merlin already had his chainmail on so Arthur gently picked up a pauldron from the table and began to place it on his twin's right shoulder.
"You're worried about me". Merlin stated, a matter of fact, to his brother who was currently standing behind strapping him in.
"What gave you that idea"?
"You always get physically forceful when you're stressed or worried, you're not fighting so it can't be stress" Merlin stated stiffly and it was then Arthur realized he had pulled the strap too tight. "Sorry".
Before anything further could be said Morgana's head poked through the door. "Not you too" Merlin sighed.
Morgana entered and shut the door behind her, "Is it so difficult for you to understand that we are concerned for your well being".
Merlin turned to look over his shoulder so that he was addressing Arthur, who was behind him, as well. "I am aware and very grateful for it". She nodded at him and shared a smile with Arthur before she grabbing the vambrace from the table and began strapping it to his left forearm.
When Merlin walked onto the field moments before dawn he looked every bit a Knight of Camelot, a helm held at his waist and Morgana's favor tied at his left upper arm. His opponent was waiting for him at the center of the grounds, Uther, a grim expression on his face, sat at the royal box, Arthur and Morgana seated on either side of him. Merlin inclined his head in a half bow to the three, put on his helm and faced his opponent, sword at the ready.
As the first rays of dawn hit, Tristan attacked and Merlin raised Excalibur in defense, the loud clang of metal reverberated through the field. The battle was intense, there were many instances, as the opponents encountered one another that had Uther almost rising out of his seat. This was the first time he had seen his younger son on the battlefield and Merlin was spectacular, he managed to parry every blow with an equally willful strike.
At one point the knight struck low and Merlin dogged with agility, he struck the opponent hard on the face with his elbow, unmasking the wraith, whose rotted face was left exposed for all to see. Merlin discarded his own helm, his focused gaze not wavering from his opponent, even as the crowds screamed in horror. The wraith roared and attacked again, more furiously than before. In the rain of blows back and forth, the prince finally saw his opening and struck true, driving Excalibur hilt deep into the creature's chest. The next thing Merlin knew he was blown back as the wraith exploded into ash and the crowds erupted in applause for their victorious prince. Arthur and Morgana rose from their seats to join them, pride and relief shining in their eyes, Uther however, sagged further into his own, relieved.
Later as he sat on his throne, the King thought back to the battle, Merlin had been fierce, unyielding, he fought like a King protecting his kingdom. He closed his eyes, breathing hard, rubbing his forehead with thumb and forefingers when his privacy was interrupted by Merlin's voice. "You asked Gaius to drug me and fully intended to take my place in battle, why?" Uther looked up and saw his son, not far away leaning against the closest pillar to his seat, head tilted, genuine curiosity shining in his eyes.
"You are my son, Merlin, you and Arthur mean more to me than this kingdom, more than my own life". Merlin nodded to him "You fought very well today, you might even be able to defeat Arthur".
"I have already" he smirked.
Uther was taken aback at hearing that, he looked at his son shrewdly "How many more secrets have we yet to discover about you?"
Merlin didn't answer he chose to speak of other matters instead. "The next time Arthur or I, are called to battle I must ask you as I did last night; not to interfere. I understand your care for us and you desire to protect us, but in doing so you hinder our growth, especially Arthur's, into a competent ruler".
"What happens if Arthur or you die in the process?"
Merlin replied to his father's question in a firm and confident voice, "As long as Camelot needs us both, we won't, we love her too much to die in battle and leave her defenseless". Merlin moved to leave the room, however, Uther's next words made him pause "I am proud of you Merlin, of both of you".
If you only knew..., Merlin nodded without turning back and walked out of the room leaving his father to his thoughts.