Legends of Camelot

Chapter 8

The day had been long, Arthur was stunned and speechless, and Merlina guided him gently back to Ector's home. The full consequences of the day's events hadn't truly registered with him. And Merlina left him to think about it as she tackled the problem of how they'd survived Morgan's last attack. By that time, it had been only herself and Arthur still there. And she knew, didn't just think, but knew, that she didn't have nearly enough magic to have done something like that. In fact, she knew she had no magic whatsoever. So what had happened?
She continued to muse as they finally came home, Ector greeted them, and sent the both of them to bed. Arthur gave a distracted good night, and Merlina responded. Then she entered her room.
Merlina fell asleep rather quickly. She dreamed. She walked down a pathway to the lake, Arthur at her side. She carried a staff in her hand, white with a blue gem. The color of the gem didn't seem right. But she ignored it as she and Arthur walked side by side. As they got closer to the lake, it started to glow, and ripple as someone came out of it. But before Merlina could see who it was, the dream shifted, only showing a brief glimpse of a familiar looking sword. Suddenly, she was walking alone down a different path at night. A path that lead to a man. A blonde haired man, who smiled up at her. He held a staff in his hands. White with a blue stone. The words "You are more powerful than you know" reverberated in her head.
Merlina woke with a start. She sat up, rather than going back to sleep, and tried to figure out if it meant anything. Her instincts told her the dreams meant something. She was so sure, she got up, and sneaked out of the castle. She found herself walking she knew what where, following her instincts. She followed them all the way to the path in her dream. She followed it. It took much of the night before she found herself approaching a small hut. As she got closer, a man with blonde hair came out. He didn't seem to notice her. At least not at first.
Suddenly, the man straightened and turned to Merlina. "Well, well, you are more powerful than you know. I never thought I'd live to see the day. Welcome, welcome. Please, come sit down. What can I do for you, young one?"
"I had a dream that led me to you. I think you can remake my staff?" Merlina tried to sound confident, but couldn't help a small, plaintive sound in her words.
The blonde haired man smiled at her. "Of course, your staff. Describe it for me."
Merlina described her staff as she'd owned it. Then, she described the staff she'd seen in her dream. The man nodded his head, thoughtfully as she spoke.
"I see, I see. So what you want is a seeing gem and releasing gem combined into one."
"Releasing gem?"
"You don't know what that is? It's a stone specially enchanted so that it allows one to use magic inside them naturally that, for one reason or another, has been locked away. It's supposed to bring that magic out naturally, gradually. Mostly because typically the reason magic is sealed away is it's too powerful for a child to understand how to control. So the idea is that they will gradually come into their power as they start to understand magic and it's rules, and their own power. Eventually, the magic user no longer needs the gem."
Merlina could not speak. The idea that she had magic all along was ridiculous. Her parents would have told her, or lady Nimue or someone. Then she asked, "How powerful does one have to be in order to need one of these stones? To need magic to be sealed away?"
"I've never heard of it happening," the man admitted. "Oh, there have been parents who have feared the power of their children, but sealing away magic takes quite a lot of magic in and of itself. An Archmage, a dragon, or an especially powerful fairy could do it. A lesser mage, and most magical creatures don't have enough energy or control to do such a thing. There are no Archmages. Or at least their weren't..." he trailed off glancing at Merlina, then continued, "Dragons don't use their magic frivolously, especially taking into account that not even dragons have complete control of magic. They do things on instinct mostly. As for fairies, they're another group that doesn't use magic for no reason. And they always have their price. They don't do favors for free."
Merlina raised an eyebrow. "What if you're half fairy?"
"Well," the man mused, "a fairy might do something like that to protect their child."
Merlina nodded. She'd begun to suspect he was right. That must have been what happened. And it explained everything. She'd told herself that it couldn't have been her that cast that shield, but it explained the energy running through her. She hadn't been tired the way she might have been after such a fight. Even this late at night, she was more awake and energized than she'd ever been. She'd never felt this much energy before, and she was sure now that it was magic, finally released, running through her after so many years. "Why would someone do this? What power level causes someone to do this?"
"Well..." the man hesitated. "That's a bit tricky. I'd say someone destined to be an Archmage would be about the right power level, but sometimes parents think that their child is going to be too powerful for their own good. That's actually typically parents without magic having a magic child. They don't understand it, and it frightens them.
Merlina couldn't speak. Both her parents were magic users. Her father was a fairy. Neither of them would have made that assumption. But that meant...It couldn't be!
"I'm...an Archmage?" she asked, not even wanting to voice the thought aloud, but being unable to help herself.
"Are your parents mages?"
"Yes. And I'm half fairy..."
"Then I'd say that's very likely." The man smiled. "That's the power level I'm sensing from you anyway. Considering there can only be one Archmage at a time, I didn't think I'd ever meet one."
Merlina was stunned. It couldn't be. It just couldn't.
"Anyway!" the man clapped his hands together. "Come in, come in. I have a staff I need to make for you. I think I have a Releasing Gem somewhere in the house. I found it one day and kept it in case I'd need it later. The chances were slim, but so are the gems."
Merlina followed in stunned silence, contemplating all that had been said, and grappling with the idea that she could have such power. The power of Merlin.

Chapter 9

It took most of the night and quite a bit of the day before Merlina could finally head back, new staff in hand. When she got back, she found Arthur frantically searching.
"Merlina!" he cried, happily, "I thought something had happened to you. I didn't know what to do. I need you here. Especially after last night! I was never trained to be a king!" Arthur was babbling, and it was only when Merlina laid her hand on his shoulder.
"Arthur, you have been being trained for nothing but being a king. That's why we put so much emphasis on those lessons I could teach you. You're also a skilled fighter, and a kind man. Now calm down. I'll help you. Don't worry. But before we get started, I need you to come with me."
Arthur nodded, still clearly stunned, and followed Merlina away. She didn't truly know where she was going this time any better than she had when she'd gone to get her new staff. She did know she was going to the lake she'd swum out of weeks ago, possibly even months ago. Time had flown since she'd found herself here. Arthur followed behind, and she could feel his gaze upon her.
They walked together, until they reached the spot where she and Arthur had first met, or at least where Arthur had found her. And as the reached the lake, it began to glow. A woman, blonde haired, blue eyed, and wearing a shimmery blue dress that cascaded from her shoulders, seemed to float above or walk on the water. "Ah, I see I have arrived right on time, and so have you, Merlina."
Merlina nodded.
Arthur looked startled to see the woman and asked, almost timidly, "Lady, who are you?"
The woman smiled gently at Arthur, and said, "I am Nimue. I come bearing a gift."
"And what gift could I accept from so lovely a lady of the lake?"
"Only this sword. It has no scabbard, but it should help you as you come into your own."
"I am speechless. Thank you, my lady."

End chapter 9 part 1

Chapter 9 part 2

"Arthur Pendragon, as the new king of this land, you still have much work before you. Trust Merlina, she will guide you well. Now, leave us for a moment." Nimue said.
Arthur nodded, and backed out of earshot. As soon as he left, Nimue's formal manor dropped away. "Look, Merlina, I'm really sorry about this."
"Lady Nimue, I'm not sure what you mean." Merlina said, wary.
"It was my idea to send you here. I feared your life was in danger, and I had to get you out of it."
"I...see. Lady Nimue, you don't need to apologize. After all," Merlina waved her hand, almost starting at the sparks that flew from them because she wasn't paying attention to keeping all her new power under some kind of control. "I mean..."
Nimue nodded as Merlina tried to find her bearings with her statements. "I always kinda suspected who and what you were, Merlina. You're going to have to stay here while coming to terms with this power of yours. Normally, you'd be trained like everyone else, but things changed quite a bit. Not everything is as it seems at Faeco. I may need you back there to help me one day."
"Of course, my lady."
"No 'my ladies' needed, Merlina. After all, archmages are really powerful. More powerful than most human mages. One more thing though, Merlina."
"Yes, Lady Nimue?"
Nimue glared at Merlina, then sighed, "Be careful what you do here. And be careful where you place your heart."
Merlina nodded. "I understand. If things don't go the way they should, we could change this light in the dark into more darkness."
"Right. Time travel is tricky. It'll be up to you what is the correct path. Guide Arthur be well, and be ready for my call."
"I will."
"Good, then go join Arthur before he comes looking for you."
Merlina nodded, and as she turned away, the light over the lake burst brilliantly for a few minutes, then faded away.
Arthur and Merlina headed back to the castle, each lost in their own thoughts. Merlina considering the best path and how to get Arthur the scabbard. Arthur, wondering if he was worthy of this gift, or Merlina's guidance.

End Chapter 9

Chapter 10

The next day, Arthur woke to find Merlina gone once again. He almost panicked, when he saw she'd left a note. It said, "Arthur, don't worry, I'll be back soon. I went to get you a scabbard. Wait for me. I will be back."
A few hours later, there was a knock at the door. Arthur rushed to the door, and opened it. Merlina was smiling at him, and holding out the most beautiful scabbard he'd eer seen. "Merlina."
"A good sword needs a good scabbard. As long as you have this scabbard, you can't get hurt. It's an incantation I did for you."
"I...thank you."
"Also, I did a scan on the new sword. I think it's enchanted too. You should be unbeatable in battle with it."
Arthur stood speechless, and Merlina let him think that through for a few minutes before continuing. "Now, we just need to work on your kingdom. For starters, I found a castle that can fit hundreds of knights, servants, and other people."
"Sound good to me. But I don't have any knights."
"Sure you do. I'm sure Ector would be willing to help out, and you have Kay. It's a start anyway."
"Yeah..."
"And you could have a tournament to find more skilled warriors, and potential recruits. Trust me."
Arthur looked thoughtful, then nodded. "Alright, Merlina. It sounds good to me."

End Chapter 10 part 1

Chapter 10, part 2

Kay and Ector were more than willing to serve as knights for Arthur, and to help him set up the tournament to look for more skilled hands. It took a week to even start to set up, and another three days for people to start arriving. Arthur was discussing details when a young man with grey-brown hair and gold eyes came over and said, "Excuse me, but I here there's a tournament going on. I would like to participate for a chance to become one of your knights. But, King Arthur, I must know, do you accept commoners?"
Arthur looked at the man, then to Merlina, who nodded, and then said, "I will accept those with the skill to do what needs to be done. Those who win will almost certainly be accepted as the best. But, honestly, I think I'm also going to watch for skill even in loosing."
"Should be interesting then." said the man. And he left.
Merlina smiled at Arthur, "Well handled, Arthur."
"Thank you, Merlina, but I could only do that because you were here. You give me strength." Arthur smiled.
Merlina blushed, and was about to respond when a sudden cry went up. "Stop her!"
"Hey! Let me go!" a young woman's voice suddenly cut through the crowd, and she was being dragged over to Arthur and Merlina, red haired, and green eyes panicked.
"King Arthur, this young one was caught stealing bread."
Arthur looked again at Merlina, who shrugged and he asked, "What is your name?"
The woman looked scared, startled, and suspicious all at once. "Gawain." She said, carefully.
"Why did you take the bread, Gawain?"
"I was hungry, sir. I don't exactly have a way to buy food."
"Why not?"
"No one will give me a job, sir. I've been a thief since I was very young, and no one trusts a thief."
Arthur considered that, when Merlina finally spoke. "Gawain, would you say you are a capable athlete?"
"Depends. I'm fast, and I'm agile, but I'm not especially strong with a sword or anything. I'm a different kind of strong from a soldier."
"I see. Arthur, a word."
Arthur nodded, and they talked quietly.
"Arthur, she deserves a chance. A real chance, to change her life around." Merlina stated.
Arthur nodded. "I agree. We can have her participate in the contest that will best compliment her skills. She shouldn't have a problem with it." Then to Gawain. "Gawain, I want you to enter a contest. There is one that tests agility and speed. If you get through this trial and come first, or do especially well while not coming first, then I will offer you a place among my knights."
Gawain's eyes went huge. "What?"
"You deserve a chance to turn your life around, Gawain. If you don't take it, I will have no choice but to let the guard take you to the dungeon. But someone who's never had a chance to be anything other than a criminal deserves a chance to be something more, for once in their lives. Take it, Gawain. It will be the only one you get."
Gawain didn't even need to think about it. "Yes, I'll do my best, sire. I will do my best."
"I'm sure you will."
More and more people came to watch the different events. They were designed to find those who could fill the position of knights, and Merlina had realized, even when Arthur hadn't, that there was more to being a knight than raw strength. Someone like Gawain would never have made it in a joust or with the sword. She was better at being unobtrusive, or taking off like a rabbit to get away from a foe. And when running was no longer an option, she had her knives, and other tools of the thief. In fact, her speed and agility were something to truly behold. But she wasn't the only one doing well. Another woman, also with red hair and green eyes, was almost dominating the sword grounds. And others were doing well. Men and women were either showing well, even when they lost, or were winning. Finally, all that was left was jousting. In all the trials, Merlina had not seen the gray-brown haired man participate. So he must be jousting.
Whoever won the main joust got to go up against Arthur. Arthur was good. Not especially unbeatable, though Kay hadn't managed it in the week that they'd been preparing, but good. But either way, it would be a massive honor for the winner to go up against the new king. And Merlina saw him, the man with the grey-brown hair and the golden eyes. He was winning every bout, and finally won the last joust that decided who went up against Arthur.
They faced each other, and then, when given the word, their horses were away and charging each other. The first pass was a tie. Neither man fell off the horse, and Merlina found herself hoping Arthur would win. The second pass was a tie, and the third. People were cheering, wildly wondering who would win. And finally, it happened, the man unsat Arthur Pendragon. Arthur looked stunned, then grinned. "Well, now that you've one, I supposed you should introduce yourself properly."
"King Arthur, my name is Lancelot Deulock."

End chapter 6

Chapter 11

Arthur looked around at the group of 150 people, all of whom had distinguished themselves. And he would have to knight every single one. Then, he'd have to figure out how they would meet. He wanted to be among equals, of a sort. He looked and he saw Lancelot, Gawain, Percival, Bedevere, Galahad and many many others. Some were women, such as Percival, Bedevere, and Gawain. Others were men, such as Lancelot, and Galahad. Ector and Kay stood to one side. The knighting took some time. Oaths were given to always help those in need. Arthur made sure that these people knew what their duty was, before sending them out to protect his kindom.
Merlina slipped away, to look through the book left to her by the old man. She'd barely had time to read it through. She'd been busy guiding Arthur. But she had a nasty suspicion that Morgan was not done yet. She would need to control her magic if he came back to try to "claim the throne" again. She had to wonder what was stopping him. According to most stories, Morgan was not a man, but a woman. And, though in some stories, and she knew these were closest to the truth, women were almost equal, and given similar chances. However, most stories acknowledged the fact that Uther was not necessarily so understanding of equality. Though Morgana was older than Arthur, when she was related to him at all, she was a woman, and Arthur's birth got rid of any claim to the throne that she might have had. So she'd taken revenge. She'd killed Uther and forced someone to take the baby, Arthur and flee. But what was Morgan's motivation. If he was a child of Uther, than he was the oldest male heir. That made him the rightful ruler. So why wasn't he? Did he just want power? Or maybe he was a bastard. She knew that could get in the way sometimes. Maybe she would never know.
Merlina spent the rest of the afternoon practicing. In fact, she was still practicing when Arthur came looking for her.
"Merlina?" He asked gently.
"Yes, Arthur?"
"Um...well...I was thinking, we need a place to meet. Me and the new knights. But I don't want to make anyone feel special, or have them jockiying for position. Do you have any ideas?"
"Um...what about a round table? A circular table. It would be equal in all things, after all."
"Merlina, that's brilliant!" In his excitement, he scoped her up...and kissed her. His lips were soft, wonderful things to kiss. And she wanted to keep kissing them then, but she made herself draw away. And Arthur looked embarressed. "Sorry..."
"It's fine, Arthur. You were excited." Merlina told herself firmly that it had just been excitement. She tried to ignore how nice it had been to kiss him or for him to kiss her. She told herself that firmly, and knew it was a lie. And she couldn't let herself fall in love. But she also couldn't help hoping that if they fell for each other, that maybe, just maybe she could change the fate of Camelot.

End chapter 11 part 1

Chapter 11 part 2

Morgan attacked frequently at first, then less and less, as Merlina's power grew. In fact, how little Morgan was trying to take what he clearly considered as rightfully his concerned her. As did the visions she was having. Her dreams were troubled, filled with a woman with dark red hair, and violet eyes. A princess in her kingdom. But not all her visions were dark. With the help of her Seeing Stone, she saw a king coming to Arthur's aid. A black man with darkly gold hair and purple-pink eyes. This one came true after Arthur had his knights working together almost flawlessly. Pelinore, for that was his name, offered an alliance with his kingdom, to bring peace to the differing nations. A year had passed since Morgan's last attack, and Merlina didn't like it at all. One day, it happened.
A man walked into Arthur's court, unanounced and with a full guard. She'd never seen him before, but he looked serious. "King Arthur, of Camelot, I have a proposal for you. You will marry my daughter to bring peace to our two nations."
Arthur looked taken aback. It was so sudden. "Sir?"
"I am the king of my nation, much like you are the king of yours. It's perfect. My daugher holds no place in line, and I wish to marry her off to a king. And this will ensure our people will not fight. What say you?"
For the first time in a year and a half, Arthur didn't even look in Merlina's direction. He simply said. "Is she here?"
"Yes, your majesty." The man signalled, and Merlina gasped as the beautiful young woman walked into the building. Her hair was dark red, her eyes violet. And Merlina's heart began to race. She'd begun to feel that it was time to return home, but part of her had hoped this day would never come.
"My lord," the woman curtsied, and smiled up at Arthur. "Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Gwenever."

End Chapter 11.

Chapter 12

That night, Merlina was visited by Nimue. She said, "Merlina...It's time. It's time to come home."
"Not yet, Lady Nimue. Give me a couple more days. Please." Merlina begged.
"I can't give you more than that. That's a fact. Things have been getting worse at home, and without you..."
Merlina nodded. "A couple days is all I need...to prepare..."
Nimue nodded and said, "Don't do anything stupid, Merlina. You can't change the past. Even if you could, it might make things worse, not better."
"I know, my lady."
"Good. Come home soon."
Nimue left. Merlina spent a fitful night, wondering what she should do. Maybe she could change things...and just this once, she wouldn't mind trying.
The next morning, when Merlina got up, she went to find Arthur. He hadn't consulted her, but she knew he'd spent much of the night making up his mind. That wasn't a good sign. He had relied on her more or less fully for the past year. But she'd also started making him make his own decisions on occasion. After all, she couldn't stay forever. Or could she? If he decided to say no...She shook herself, as Arthur came towards her. "Well?" she asked.
"I'm going to do it, Merlina."
"What???"
"I'm going to accept the offer. You can only protect me from so much, and only for so long."
"But...Arthur! You can't!"
"Yes I can!" His voice was harsher that Merlina had ever heard it. Especially towards her. He shook himself. "Merlina, I'm the king. I have to consider what's best for my people."
"Arthur, if you marry Gwenever, it will destroy everything you've ever built!" Merlina was desperate to make him understand. Her eyes pleaded with him to understand, and he never saw the look there.
"I never thought you would put your own jealousy in front of the kingdom, Merlina. Not after everything we've done to build this kingdom together. We've been so good to each other, and you've been there every step of the way. But this is where I put my foot down. I'm marrying Gwenever, and that is final." Arthur stormed away, and Merlina watched him go, sadly. He didn't need her anymore. And if he was going to marry Gwenever...Merlina walked out of the castle. She wasn't going to the lake. Not yet. As she'd stated before, she'd need at least a day to get what she needed to done. Arthur wouldn't miss her today. He'd assume she was blowing off steam, or reading the book given to her by his old teacher. But instead, she was going to a secluded spot, where Arthur wouldn't accidentally find what she was about to leave. If he did, he might figure out what she was up to. She lay her staff carefully on the ground, and with great care, cast a spell that would only let her pick it up...or one other person. And only one other person. In her mind, was the man with the black hair, who'd given her the staff. He could be its keeper, until she came to claim it again. It took the day, and much of her strength, to set up properly. Then, she went back to the castle. She avoided Arthur, and went to her room, and waited.
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It was night, crickets were chirping, and other night creatures were making their various noises. Arthur was trying, unsuccessfully to sleep. He couldn't get past his fight with Merlina and just how selfish she was being. Couldn't she understand that he was just being a good king? Hadn't she herself taught him that a king did what was necessary to keep his kingdom safe, even when it meant sacrificing what he wanted? Why couldn't she see that? He suspected that he knew. And he knew he wanted to be right. But she'd never shown any sign of affection for him. Ever. She'd always acted the same, been professional, but fun-loving and active. Always happy and upbeat, except when she was protecting him. But now...
He hadn't even realized he'd fallen asleep, but he woke suddenly, with a sudden thought that something might be terribly wrong. Something seemed to be missing...no, that wasn't right, but at the same time...Arthur got up, and went to Merlina's bedroom. He needed to ask her if she could see what was wrong. Her magic had grown stronger over the year that she'd been here. He knocked softly, then more energetically as she didn't respond. Still no answer. Arthur pounded on the door. "Merlina?" He called. Still no response. Carefully, he opened the door, "Merlina, I'm sorry for barging in, but you weren't answering and I need..." his words died in his throat. The bed, Merlina's bed, hadn't been slept in. She was no where to be found. On her dresser, was what looked like a letter. It was addressed to him. He picked it up, hoping that it said she'd be back soon, and not to worry. His eyes widened as he read...

"Arthur...I'm sorry, but I have something else I need to do. I have somewhere else I need to be, and you don't need me anymore. You've made that perfectly clear today. You've made your decision, and I must make mine. I cannot stay. I know how this story ends...and I fear that if I stay, I will make it end worse, not better. Please, don't hate me. Please. I've never been in love before. Never knew it could hurt so much. And if you had done as I'd asked, I would have stayed...but...I can't. It would change too much. I'd hoped to change so much pain, so much hate and fear, but I can't. I knew that going in, but that didn't stop me from hoping. Don't come after me. You won't get there in time. I've been called away by Nimue...I love you. I hope to see you again someday. Maybe even in Avalon-Merlina."

Arthur hurried out of the castle.
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Merlina didn't look back as she made her way to the lake where she and Arthur had met. She had made her choice, and she was needed. She found Nimue waiting for her, pure empathy in her eyes. "I'm sorry, Merlina. Where is your staff?"
"I left it behind. It's where it needs to be. And...I don't need it anymore."
Nimue nodded, and Merlina followed her into the portal that was in the lake.
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Arthur arrived, in time to see the shine on the lake. He knew what that meant. "No! Merlina! Merlina! Come back! Please! I still need you...I...love you...Curse you, Nimue, for taking her from me. Curse you..." It was too late. He knew it, as he cried out, in agony. Nothing, he knew, would be the same without her there.

The black haired woman in the blue star-spangled robes walked toward a stone in the middle of seemingly nowhere. There was a stone wall as well, and a building nearby. For now, Uther Pendragon ruled England. But it couldn't be for long. And she knew what she had to do. She was carrying a blade. It read "Whoever shall draw this blade will be the next King of England." As she reached the stone, a young boy ran up to her, staring in awe. "Are you a mage, miss?"
"Yes, little one, I am."
"What are you doing?"
"I'm preparing for the future."
She saw he was about to ask another question. "Don't mind me, little one. Go home, before you worry someone."
The boy nodded solemnly and ran off. The woman watched him go, a sad smile playing across her lips. Then she turned her attention back to her duty. Being her, at this time, made her want to weep for all that she had lost. Or would lose. She had to hurry before she broke down. With words of power on her lips, she plunged the sword into the stone. It sank in without breaking. She spoke another incantation. One that would allow none but one person to draw it from this place. And then, she turned and went back the way she came. There was still a lot to do.