Merlin: *gasps as he finishes reading the last chapter* Nightstar how could you write this? It is so cruel.

Me: It may be cruel Merlin, but it is what happened to Edeline... *sighs sadly* I know it's not sunshine and rainbows but it has drama and it helps us understand Edeline a bit more, and her personality. Besides the BBC plot line is filled with episodes full of your tears, Merlin. This compared to what I saw in those episodes was like a balloon being pop. Disappointing, yes but not to the point where you are still bawling about it years later.

Morgana: *looking shocked at the computer screen and throwing daggers at me* Fix this, now! Even I'm not that cruel!

Me: *glaring at her* I wrote what happened in Edeline's story, Morgana. I can't revive a character for that defies the laws of magic! That's what this chapter is about, an explanation! Now kindly let me finish this chapter so the viewers could see this... where are the others? *all searching the room for any signs of Edeline, Arthur and Gwen*

Merlin: Edeline is resting in your room, and Arthur said he was going to take a shower.

Morgana: And Gwen went into the bathroom to freshen up...

All: *all with sudden realization* OH MY GOD!

Me: Well, Morgana, you got your revenge. Now I have to disinfect my bathroom... *shudders at the thought* Anyways hope all of you like this chapter of Not The Only One, don't forget to comment and review for I am a comment/review junkie. Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin (plot line, character's, music, etc.), the Arthurian Legends, or any of the material I mentioned in this chapter. I am only responsible for my plot-line and Oc's in this story.

Chapter 4~ The Prophecy

(hours later, nighttime, Edeline's chambers)

As Gaius approached pour the liquid into Edeline's mouth I knew that it was my fault that she was in grieving because of me. She drank the liquid and kept thrashing about and soon she began to slow down. "No! Father, please... don't take him... please..." her words fading as the drought took immediate effect on her, and the guilt of not doing more to prevent this from happening was eating me up. I followed Arthur and Sir Leon out, fulfilling the promise I made to the late monarch. As we entered her room saw her lying in bed with the area around her eyes red, wet and puffy from her outburst. She was beautiful, like a tragic character from one of those stories of fallen heroes. Morgana and Gwen soon after entered and all four of us stayed in the room for the remainder of the day. By the time night fell, I continued to replay the events of the night before and this morning.

"Why didn't I do more?" I asked myself out loud.

(Night before, Jayden's chambers)

"If anything happens please come and inform me, Merlin," Edeline requested me, still not really entrusting me with the task.

"Don't worry Edeline, I will inform you if there is any change. I'll take care of him, but go rest up a bit, alright? Goodnight," I reassured Edeline with a smile. Edeline nodded somehow convinced that I would do almost anything to keep her father alive. only knowing the monarch for a few minutes and I could tell he was a kind and understanding king, much different in comparison to King Uther.

"Alright. Goodnight," Edeline smiled tiredly at both her father and Merlin, Merlin walked her to the door and closed it behind her. Before he made his way back to the king, the king spoke to Merlin.

"It would seem we finally get to talk alone, it is an honor to be in your presence," at this Jayden bowed his head to me.

"Your majesty?" I inquired quite astonished and confused with the monarch.

"I finally get to meet the great Emrys," Jayden smiled at me. I froze and looked at the floor trying to figure out how the king knew my other name. It would seem that I stayed like that for a long while because the king started to chuckle at my reaction.

"How-how did you know?" I stuttered.

"Come now, Merlin, surely Gauis told you the 'rumor' of Abolin allowing magic! The only ones that don't know are Uther, Arthur and a few members of the court. Look," Jayden then extended on of his arms and his eyes turned gold showing tiny ice crystals dancing above his hand and suddenly transforming into an image of a Pegasus. My mouth, figuratively and literally, dropped as the monarch performed magic in front of me.

"How does Uther not know and how do you know who I am?" I asked again.

"Uther did not have a good view of magic, do you really think I would show my magic to a man who was killing anything he deemed as dark magic in sight? Uther in his youth was compassionate to sorcerers and warlocks who used it for good but he never trusted them, I couldn't lose his trust. As to how I know you, well the signs were clear plus I saw you use the fire against the wraith."

"I-I but how did you know my identity, I could just be a common sorcerer," I tried to convince the monarch.

"Merlin, I knew you before the fire incident. In fact, I knew of you since Edeline's birth," Jayden stated as he allowed me to treat the wound.

"I don't understand. Who could you-"

"Merlin, what I'm about to say to you is the truth and as unbelievable as it sounds it is the truth. Now the real question is will you listen to me as we continue this revelation of the truth?"

I nodded really not knowing what to do or say after the king's answers. He had seen many of his kind killed by his friend and he couldn't stop that. He was a victim in all this just like Gauis... just like me. I focused all my attention back at him eager for more answers.

"Merlin, I know that you are aware of the Prophecy of the Once and Future King. The Great Dragon must have told you the instance he came in contact with you," Jayden stated rather than asked," However, he did not tell you the other half of the prophecy." As soon as the king announced there was another part to my already difficult destiny, I was extremely shocked. What more do they want from me?

"Another half?"

"Yes, Merlin," Jayden smiled at me and then closed his eyes. He scrunched up his face trying to remember something. Afterwards, he opened his dark amethyst eyes and recited the other half.

A queen born from love and magic shall rise,

Supporting Emrys in his most turbulent times,

Monarch of the past must take his final stand,

Thus only, revealing her powers and uniting the lands,

Both King and Warlock bond to her they'll be,

Ensuring the completion of their destiny,

Icons of legend so young and fair,

Are Albion's only true heirs.

"Wait. Wait. Wait... Edeline is both bound to Arthur and me? How is that possible? And I thought Arthur was suppose to be the one to unite the lands and Albion?" I asked a bit confused with the prophecy.

"I am not finished Merlin," Jayden said as he closed his eyes again and tried to remember the rest of the prophecy.

Guardians of Albion will have both friend and foe,

Peace will rise with four monarchs sharing the throne,

Priestess of Darkness will cause the prophecy to dismantle,

Betrayal, tears and blood will be shed in a final battle...

"That is all I remember, Emrys, but I'm sure that when the time comes the rest of the prophecy will be revealed."

I stayed silent for a long time, processing what King Jayden had recited, and suddenly it all connected. Edeline had been born with both love and magic, though she was not a queen, since she so boldly and bravely revealed to Arthur. Edeline also had intervened in Arthur's outburst while too siding with me. She was convincing him not to fight as I had, but then- my face paled at the revelation 'Monarch of the past must make his final stand' Surely King Jayden can't possibly mean he has to... no it can't be! Jayden smiled at me as he grunted at the pain he was feeling. As he coughed and began to perspire, I quickly gave him a tonic and some water, then he sighed and controlled his breathing.

"Merlin, Edeline is much more than a princess. Edeline is my heir, the future queen of Abolin. She is a character of legend much like Arthur is, and much like you are. Without her, Arthur and you will not be able to complete your destiny. Without her, Merlin, Albion will not flourish and become the place our people have dreamed of since the purge. Without her your destiny will never be fulfilled. She has already formed a bond with you through me. She is to be light in the darkest of times, the reason behind all madness, the hope in all the hopeless, and the protector to all the helpless. She is the guardian of Albion and of you, Merlin, and she (along side you) will lead Arthur to create a new world. A new Albion. For that to happen, Edeline must face the greatest challenge of her life... to live and rule a kingdom. Only then, all of your destinies will be one step closer."

"R-rule a kingdom. Edeline is too young surely you can not mean that you are... you are strong Jayden! You'll make it! You must make it, I promised your daughter I'd take care of you!"

"Merlin, I knew this was going to happen sooner rather than later. I accept my fate, so please accept yours... Promise me one thing Merlin. Promise me that you'll take care of Edeline for me. Promise me you'll accept her in your destiny."

"I promise," I said trying to understand the king. He looked relieved and then in that moment Gaius and Lord Geoffrey busted through the door baring many items, Gaius observed me and gave me his infamous eyebrow lift.

"Merlin, leave us please, I need to examine him properly and Lord Geoffrey needs to talk to King Jayden. I will call for you when we are done," Gaius said as he motioned me out. Just as the door closed I rushed to the depths of the castle to have a council with Kilgharrah, so when I entered the cave I was not surprised to see the great dragon waiting for me.

"Ah, young warlock, I was expecting you," the dragon greeted me as I entered the massive cave. It surprised me how calm he was considering he was nearly going on a rampage a few hours back, but this only made me frustrated with Kilgharrah.

"You knew Uther would take Arthur's place! You knew Jayden would protect Uther! You knew there was so much more to my destiny than you told me there was! Why didn't you tell me?!"

"I knew not of Uther's plan to take Arthur's place, Merlin, but I did sensed the fall of King Jayden's reign," the dragon responded unperturbed by my tone. His calmness made me seethe with anger. If anything happens please come and inform me, Merlin... take care of him Edeline's voice echoed in my mind.

"ANSWER ME! Why didn't you tell me?" I demanded attempting to keep my magic under control.

"You were not ready, besides you did not tell me that the young queen was in Camelot!"

"Queen?"

"Yes Merlin, before noon Edeline de Beauchamps shall be queen and her true powers will appear," the dragon responded.

"No, no it can be! I promise her I would take care of her father! Gauis is doing his best to take care of him it was only a small indentation!"

"Merlin, you cannot stop destiny. Edeline will be queen and she will be a vital part of your destiny. You and Edeline are united in more ways than by friendship. You are now united by destiny."

"Edeline and I are united by destiny? But her father-"

"His time and his destiny has already been written and fulfilled, there was no other way," the dragon stated some while bowing his head.

"N-n-n-no this can't be! Tell me it isn't true, tell me that it's all wrong!"

"Merlin, I already explained to you this. There is no right or wrong, only what is. Edeline is the guardian of Albion, protector of both you and Arthur and she is your destiny. You'll be united in far more ways than you can ever imagine," the great dragon proclaimed as he stood up and flew away.

"NO! WAIT! YOU CAN'T JUST LEAVE ME LIKE THIS! I CANNOT ALLOW THIS TO HAPPEN!" I shouted at the dragon. I then slumped down and pounded the ground. Merlin... Take care of him. Edeline's voice kept echoing in my mind. I promised I would take care of her father. I promised I would. I cannot face her. I couldn't do anything, but that did not mean I wouldn't try. So as I got off the ground I ran to get Exalibur and keep my promise to the dragon. I ran and ran and completed the task, I hadn't realize how early in the morning it was. I ran back to the castle knowing what awaited me and Edeline. Before noon Edeline de Beauchamps shall be queen.

I kept running and reached King Jayden's chambers, I hesitated at the door before finally entering the room. Gaius was somber looking and so was Lord Geoffrey. Gaius at seeing my face came to inform me of the king's wellbeing.

"How is he?"

"He finally stopped bleeding," Gaius stated as I huffed out a sigh of relief, "but I'm afraid that it doesn't matter anymore. King Jayden's wound hit an organ and the wraith's essence infected it causing it to course his body..."

"Gauis, what does that mean?" I panicked as I realized Kilgharrah's prediction was coming true.

"His body is slowly killing him. He's dying, Merlin. There's nothing we can do now."

"How long does he have?" I asked seeing as it was nearing noon.

"I'd say no more than a few minutes... I am worried for Edeline. Poor girl, she's been through a lot," Gauis responded. And then Edeline came in and my heart clenched. And from there the rest is known. When the King passed no one, except for me, notice the golden light that emitted from his body to Edeline's being.

(Present)

"Merlin, you did your best to keep King Jayden alive. You can't feel guilty for what happened... No one could have known. You did your best," Gwen said as she placed her hand on my shoulder.

"I promised her, I'd take care of him. I can't face Edeline," I said as I felt a lump in my throat. Morgana who had not left Edeline's side since she entered the room, sent a watery sympathetic glance towards me.

"Merlin, no one blames you. If anyone is to blame it would be who ever conjured up the creature or Uther."

"Morgana," Arthur warned as he tried not to show how guilty he felt.

"It's the truth!"

"Morgana, my father did not know what was going to happen!"

"It was still his fault!"

"Morgana, Arthur now is not the time," I reasoned as I kept observing Edeline's form. Both nobles stopped their bickering, but as soon as they stopped Edeline awoke. At first she was surprised to see us all in her chambers, but then the memory of the events of the morning reminded her and she climbed out of bed and tried to storm out of the room but her whole being buckled.

"Edeline!" All three of us exclaimed as we tried to help her to her feet. Edeline's eyes began to water and looked around the room as if trying to find an escape from the reality of her life.

"Tell me it's not true, please tell me that my father is alright. Please tell me it was all a horrible nightmare! Please tell me my father is alive!" Edeline hyperventilated as the tears flowed out. Arthur, being the only one of us to break the news, spoke up and showed the most genuine look of sympathy and sadness he ever had.

"Edeline, I wish I could tell you it was a nightmare but the king, your father, has passed... I'm sorry," Arthur said as he bowed his head down. Edeline's face was expressionless but the tear kept running down her face. She backed away from us and looked out from the window.

"Leave," was all she said. We all were confused with her choice of words, she needed comfort in this time not isolation.

"Edeline? You need-" Morgana tried to reason with her friend.

"Don't you understand?! I said leave! GO! GO NOW AND LEAVE ME!" Edeline snapped as she chased everyone out of her chamber, just as she closed the door I saw the look on everyone's faces. They were hurt but understood her reaction, but deep down I knew she needed comfort. As they started to go on to their way to their own chambers I stood at the door, took a deep breath, and marched backed into Edeline's room. All I heard was a shocked "Merlin!" from Morgana, Arthur, and Gwen, but none of that matter with the sight of the young queen before me. She was on the floor her hands fisting her dress, and slowly bowing her head towards the floor. Edeline whispered a small tune, You were my sunshine, my only sunshine. You made me happy when skies are gray. You'll never know how much I loved you... Please don't take my sunshine away.

The tune reminded me of a lullaby but the emotion that Edeline brought meant so much more. She was in denial but was still saying somehow goodbye to her father. The tears kept flowing and I slowly kneeled to the floor and stroked her hair. Edeline reacted quickly since she thought she was alone, but I removed my crimson neckerchief and began to dry her tears with it. It was my favorite neckerchief, it was the darkest red shade I owned but I had many regardless, but something inside of me instinctively made this decision for me, and it felt right. She continued crying and I continued to dry her tears, and just when I thought Edeline was going to yell at me to leave she pulled me closer and embraced me, clutching my neckerchief that somehow got in her hands. She continued to cry but I kept muttering "I'm sorry", "everything will be alright" and "it's going to be okay, I'm here for you." I adjusted her hold on me and cradled her onto my chest rocking her back and forth. Then Morgana came in and joined me on the floor she embraced her friend (and inevitably me) then Gwen joined in and finally Arthur. We stayed in our massive hug for the rest of the night, but none of us would have it any other way.