"This is pointless." Arthur grumbled as they made their way slowly through the large, rectangular room.
The museum had launched the new exhibit two days prior, and it was now full of excited kids, intrigued students, and tired parents. Arthur wasn't sure which category he himself fell into, what with the pit in his stomach mixing with the strange excitement rushing through him.
"That wasn't even mine." The blond pointed to a case that held a dinged up silver crown. Merlin merely rolled his eyes, and Arthur stopped in front of a torn tapestry hanging along one wall. "That wasn't mine either. Look at that thing, it's ugly."
"I don't think they were too worried about what the decorators here might think." Merlin stated, stopping next to Arthur and squinting. "But you're right, that thing is ugly."
Crossing his arms, Arthur moved to a display holding a torn robe, with the plaque underneath reading that it belonged to him in his later years. "Doesn't this look like something Gaius would have worn?" The man hissed, urging Merlin to move closer.
"I think he did wear that." The warlock frowned, peering closer to the glass and causing it to fog up from his breath.
"They didn't exactly do their research, did they?" Arthur scowled, eyeing the tapestry again with distaste.
"Would you like to find the curator so you can complain about the exhibit based on legend and myth?" Merlin asked, standing upright and moving out of the way of a teenager with a notebook.
"No." The man sighed, eyeing his friend with an annoyed glare. "I suppose they wouldn't take that very well."
"What, being told that their exhibit choices are wrong by a man claiming to be King Arthur reincarnated?"
"You've made your point, Merlin. Let it go." Arthur huffed, striding away across the room before stopping at a long, low case that held a variety of gemstones and rocks. "Are these even real?" He asked, bending over to peer at a dusty emerald that had been split in two.
"That is." Merlin pointed, his finger jutted out to a small blue sphere at one end.
"What is it?" Arthur asked, stepping closer as two laughing children chased each other around a podium.
"It was attached to a staff once, quite a long time ago. Used correctly, it helped to channel a person's magic and focus it into a stronger spell."
Leaning closer, Arthur studied the spiderweb of cracks that spread across its surface, diving deep into the very center of the sphere. "Would that thing even still work now? It looks like it's one touch away from shattering."
"No idea, though I don't see why it wouldn't." Merlin shrugged, standing up straight and looking around the small room over his shoulder.
"See anything?"
"Nothing like Mordred spoke about." The warlock frowned, pushing his hands deep into his coat pockets. "I was expecting something bigger with the way he kept talking about the world ending."
It was clear the other man was frustrated, and as Arthur stood upright, he found he was angry as well. The whole trip was pointless, just like he knew it would be. Letting out a sigh, Arthur began to turn just as the children from before let out a screech and darted past him while a shouting parent hurried to catch up.
"There are too many people here." Arthur cursed, his hands balling into fists while Merlin smirked beside him.
"They've got an interest in you and your past, Arthur."
"They didn't even remember my past correctly, let alone make an accurate exhibit. Besides, my life wasn't all that exciting when I wasn't on an adventure."
"True." The warlock nodded, causing the blond to dig his elbow into his side. "Ow!" Merlin complained, edging away from him while protecting his sore spot with his hand. "You said it, not me!"
"Shut up, Merlin." Arthur scowled.
"Merlin!" A young voice shouted the name, and Merlin's head immediately turned towards the sound. A boy no older than thirteen ducked around a young couple and headed for the back of the room where a few more displays stood.
"Come on." Arthur encouraged, beginning to follow after the child.
"Why?" The warlock asked cautiously, though he trailed behind all the same.
"If we had to see what was recovered from my life, we have to see what was recovered from yours as well." A triumphant smile rested on Arthur's face, and he was pleased to find a frown firmly on Merlin's as they walked.
The back of the room had the same set up, with podiums and wall hangings and long, low cases covered in glass. The first podium held an old, tattered book under the glass, with a light shining brightly inside to illuminate the fact that none of the words were legible.
"That's one of Gaius' books." Merlin noted, pausing to lean in as his eyes darted over the pages visible.
"There's an old necklace of Morgana's." Arthur pointed, gesturing over to a simple golden chain in the next case that he recalled his father gifting her so many years before.
"There, more books." Merlin pointed, maneuvering around a few teenagers before pausing at another case. "These had to have come from the hidden library." He whispered, gesturing to the old books that had strange symbols carved in their spines.
"Is that a list of magic spells?" Arthur asked, pointing to a scroll with hurried, slanted writing that he couldn't make out.
Merlin stepped closer to inspect it before he let out a quiet laugh. "No, that's a list of herbs. Probably one that Gaius was going to give me at one point to fetch for him." The warlock's smile faded gradually, until a sad expression was all that was left in its place.
Arthur watched him study the papers for a moment longer before he cleared his throat. The noise drew Merlin away, and he looked up with a forced smile.
"I'm surprised so much of this has remained intact over all these years."
"They've got an interest in you and your past, Merlin." Arthur answered with an arched brow as the warlock let out a laugh.
"Funny, Sire."
"Are those important?" The blond pointed suddenly to a case at the very end that held small potion bottles that were cracked and covered in dust.
"Doubtful," Merlin shook his head. "Those look like the jars Gaius used to give medicine out in."
"Not a weapon."
"No." The warlock sighed, reaching up and scratching the back of his head. "I don't see anything here that could even be considered a weapon."
"So, this was all for nothing then." Arthur grumbled, stretching his arms up over his head just as two of the teenagers sped past them, their heads pushed close together.
"I'll bet I get on it more." One of them bragged quietly while slipping around a display.
"No way, the camera loves me more." The other boasted as the two men glanced at each other.
"Camera?" Arthur mouthed at the warlock who just shrugged as the kids disappeared into the front of the exhibit.
Just then, maneuvering what looked to be a television camera, an older man in a baseball hat stepped into view. Behind him was a younger man carrying a stand with a light fixed to the top.
"Looks like they're going to be doing another story on the new exhibit." Arthur commented, turning to look over his shoulder only to find Merlin ducking behind him to cross the room out of view of the camera. "What, you don't want to be on film?" The man mocked, wandering after the warlock who scowled in his direction.
"Not particularly, no."
"Afraid some long lost enemy might surface?" Arthur continued to tease, walking leisurely by the two men setting up in front of a lit, but empty, case.
"I wouldn't joke, Arthur." The warlock warned, sliding up against the wall as he turned to watch the set up.
"Emerys." A cool voice uttered the name behind the camera crew, and Merlin froze where he stood, his entire body going rigid.
Arthur's mouth turned dry as he slowly looked over his shoulder and spotted Morgana standing in the doorway of the exhibit. She was dressed in a dark gray suit, with her long, dark hair pulled delicately over one shoulder. Beside her stood another woman dressed in black, with a microphone held loosely in her hand.
"At least, that's the other name that I've heard Merlin referred to as." Morgana spoke, her body turned towards the other woman. "He was quite powerful, really. Everyone imagines him as old and frail, but I like to think of Merlin as young. Devious. Deadly." She continued to speak, gesturing to the exhibits around them, until her eyes fell to Arthur.
Cold, calculated green eyes stared hard at him, and there was only the slightest hesitation in her words before she continued. "He was often referred to as the protector of the Great King Arthur." Morgana stated, her eyes flitting to the warlock next as Merlin's breath shuddered out. "And of Camelot. Of course, he failed, which is such a shame."
Merlin tensed at the statement, and Arthur scowled at the woman when her eyes returned to him.
"Some have even said that this great warlock, failure though he might have been, walks the earth to this day, awaiting Arthur's return." A chill raced down the blond's spine, and the crew members chuckled as Morgana turned her full attention back to them.
"No debate on if she remembers or not." Arthur muttered as the cameraman readjusted his equipment.
"Do you really believe that, Miss?" The man asked, peering around at her with a curious expression.
Morgana flashed a wide smile and smoothed down her jacket. "I do, in fact." Flipping her hair behind her, the woman laughed. "Of course, if it is true, then what an absolute shame it is that it would be for no reason. Camelot is dead and gone, and there is no kingdom for Arthur to reclaim."
"You stand very firm on your beliefs." The reporter beside her pointed out before gesturing towards the empty case where the camera and crew were now set up.
"Come on, we need to leave." Arthur murmured, glancing at where Merlin still had his eyes glued to Morgana.
"Not yet."
"What, you want to try talking to her or something?" The blond asked incredulously as the warlock barely shook his head.
"I want answers."
"And you expect to get them here? Now?" Arthur stared at Merlin in disbelief.
When he made no move to leave, the man let out an irritated breath and settled back beside him, watching while Morgana posed herself right next to the empty case and waited for the camera to turn on. The reporter straightened up and gave a single nod before the light on the camera turned on.
"The Arthurian Legend exhibit has been quite the hit over the last two days, but there have been plenty of questions regarding this empty case, and claims that you have been holding back the true prize of the collection." The reporter said, her voice strong and clear while a practiced smile settled into place.
"I'm afraid those rumors have been true." Morgana spoke, smiling apologetically straight into the lens. "However, I am pleased to report that after the final authentication, I am now able to display the best piece of this exhibit and perhaps, the best of any."
"Those are some large promises. I hope you won't mind my asking to see this new, or rather old, piece of yours?"
"Of course not." Morgana smiled, turning and waving a hand at an employee near the back that Arthur hadn't seen walk in.
A moment later a door hidden behind a curtain opened and two men in warehouse uniforms appeared, carrying a large wooden crate into the room.
"There has been plenty of speculation about what I could have that would make the museum take such an interest." Morgana continued, stepping out of the way and allowing the camera to follow the unboxing.
"She didn't." Merlin whispered, stepping forward as Arthur hurried to catch ahold of his arm.
"You can't go over there! Now tell me, she didn't what?" Arthur hissed, though his question went unanswered as the interview continued.
"We discovered this beauty not that long ago on what you might call an expedition of sorts. It took a bit to unearth it, as it had been half buried beneath the dirt of a dried up lake from long ago."
"Damn." Merlin cursed softly, shaking his head as all the color seemed to drain from his face.
"You aren't telling me that you have found the Excalibur?" The reporter gasped, and a smile rose to Morgana's face.
"The one and only." She nodded, taking a pair of gloves from the man and pulling them on with a snap that echoed throughout the room.
Once the lid of the crate was removed, Morgana bent down and carefully picked up the blade from inside. Arthur's breath caught in his throat as the sword came into the light. There were no nicks in the blade, and the metal gleamed as it had in the days of its use.
"It looks brand new." The reporter said dubiously, and Morgana held it aloft, one hand gripping the hilt while the other moved just beneath the point of the blade.
"It was thoroughly cleaned and inspected upon finding it. You can see that all the details are still intact and clear. Forged in the flame of a dragon's breath it's said, and this sword has been the thing of many legends. Now, today, it will be put on display as a myth made real."
Setting it carefully inside the case, the two men adjusted the lid while Morgana turned back around. Her eyes darted over to Merlin and settled there, a triumphant gleam in her eye.
"What a magnificent find." The reporter gasped, and Morgana laughed.
"Yes, it truly is. Though I will admit, I always though it was much too fine a weapon for a man who lost his kingdom, or the warlock that was sworn to protect it." Her eyes filled with fire then, and the triumph turned to taunting as Arthur ground his teeth.
"I can hardly believe you found a piece of history that has been debated about for years." The reporter beamed, the excitement in her tone clear as day, and Arthur knew she had to be ecstatic that this was her story.
"We're lucky it is still intact." Morgana said with a sigh, looking back to the reporter as the camera moved to capture her with the sword in the background. "If that blade had ever been, say, melted down, it could be reforged with the darkest of magics, making it even more deadly and powerful."
"Well, aren't we lucky that magic isn't real?" The reporter laughed, and Morgana joined in.
"Quite lucky indeed." The woman agreed, though her eyes drifted back to Merlin for the briefest moment.
"Now we leave." The warlock murmured.
"Finally. Did you get what you wanted?" Arthur asked, pushing away from the wall and slipping out the door the moment Morgana turned back to the display case.
"Yes." Merlin nodded.
"And?" The blond pressed as the warlock strode out of the museum with a level of determination he'd nearly forgotten he possessed.
"And we need to steal that sword."
A/N
Magical and thieving shenanigans seem to be on our horizon, and I can't wait to see them play out! I hope you guys enjoyed, and I'll see you in the next one!