Destined to Rule

CHAPTER 8

Although the trees of Dragonfield had already seen a coronation when Arthur and Merlin escaped to the forest again and Arthur had made a bit askew but still beautiful flower crown to put on Merlin's head, the real ceremony was still due.

Merlin had announced that he accepts the title of being king of Dragonfield. He already started to gather men to be his knights. One evening however, when he moved to the palace and was about to spend his first night there, a knock came on his door.

"Come in!"

The door cracked open, and Merlin saw Arthur standing in the doorway quite nervously.

"Arthur! What are you doing here? Don't you like your chambers? Can I do something for you? Help you with something?"

"Merlin, you are the prince. You are not my servant anymore," he reminded the soon-to-be king. "Actually that's what I want to talk to you about."

"What is it?"

"Look Merlin, I've been thinking. Now that you'll become king, you can't come back to Camelot anymore. You'll have your own duties here. You'll have to protect your people and run your own kingdom. You see, it's not likely that we would meet again."

"I-" started Merlin desperately, but Arthur stopped him.

"So I decided to... To stay here with you."

"What?"

"I resign from my duties as Crown Prince of Camelot, and move to Dragonfield to serve you as your knight. Of course, if you accept me."

Merlin gaped at him. He tried to open his mouth and say something, but no voice came out of him. He couldn't comprehend what he had just heard.

"Er. Are you alright, Merlin?" Arthur asked when Merlin still didn't reply after several minutes had passed.

Finally the raven haired boy broke into a happy smile and flung himself onto Arthur. "Yes! Yes, I accept you! Oh my- Arthur!"

Arthur smiled as he hugged Merlin, then suddenly picked him up and carried bridal style to the balcony attached to Merlin's chambers. Out on the spacious balcony, he sat him down on a little table that stood there, and stepped between Merlin's knees. The sorcerer put his arms around Arthur's neck and pulled him closer.

They didn't know who had started kissing whom, as they didn't know how much time had they spent snogging. The only thing they knew was that that night Arthur would stay in Merlin's chambers (for the first, but not last time), and that next day, after his coronation, Merlin would announce officially that he courted Knight Arthur.

***

"You're nervous," stated Arthur sleepily, although he hadn't opened his eyes.

"Yes."

Merlin stopped fidgeting and moved closer to Arthur. The knight's eyes fluttered open. "Don't be. I'm here with you. And I will be. I promised you, didn't I?"

"Yes, you did. I just still can't believe that you are here. What will you say to Uther?"

"I don't know."

"He will be furious. You're the last descendant of the Pendragon House."

"I don't care. I don't want to be king! Not in a kingdom where people like you are considered to be arch enemies. Ruling is hard, I don't want to do that."

"You know it's not the most encouraging thing to say on the day of my coronation, don't you?"

Arthur laughed and pulled Merlin's head into his chest. "You will be fine."

***

And Arthur was right. The people of Dragonfield shouted "Long live the King" in unison. They all seemed to be relieved and happy. It made Merlin happy, too. The coronation turned into a vast feast and then a ball. Merlin introduced Arthur as his knight and announced that their official status was courtship. He even conjured a magnificent bouquet to give Arthur as the symbol of their love. Arthur took the flowers blushing.

Throughout the night Merlin managed to talk with several people, built his acquaintanceship, but he also made sure to have several dances with Arthur. Although he was still terrified of being king, he felt that this day had been his best in his entire life. He practically danced to his chambers with Arthur, where they both relaxed a bit and kissed each other after the long day.

When they were about to get into bed, Arthur bent his torso a bit and raised his hands looking expectantly to Merlin, just as he did in the old times when he was the prince and Merlin the servant.

"Are you expecting me, your king, to undress you?" Merlin asked laughing.

"Exactly, Sire."

"Ah," sighed the king and pulled off Arthur's tunic. "Some things never change. You clotpole."

"Idiot."

Merlin took off his own tunic and let Arthur untie his neckerchief, then crawled into bed next to his lover.

"Arthur, tomorrow I want to go to the bridge. I need some answers. Care to join me?"

"Any time, turniphead."

"Hey! That's my word! Besides you're insulting your king! That's treason."

"Oh just shut up and kiss me!"

Merlin didn't need to be told twice. He moved closer to Arthur and pressed his lips to the knight's. Their legs tangled under the blanket, their hands roaming up and down each other's bodies, their tongues fighting for dominance.

***

Arthur kept his promise and accompanied Merlin to the bridge. They were standing in the middle of the bridge, Merlin turning his head in all directions clearly for looking something. But nothing had happened for long minutes.

"What exactly are we waiting for?"

"The Lady," said Merlin as if it was so evident. Arthur almost felt bad for asking such a stupid question, though he still had no idea what were they doing there.

But just then, a bluish light appeared under the water, and soon the beautiful woman, with whom Arthur had talked when he arrived to Dragonfield, emerged.

"Emrys, Arthur Pendragon! You have questions," she said in her sing-song voice.

Merlin's eyes lit up. "Yes! I want to know everything about the prophecy. About my and Arthur's destiny. And everything that I need to know as the king of Dragonfield."

The Lady nodded and started speaking. "You wish to know the prophecy. Well, it was born when you were born. It has predicted you a great future. The prophecy talked about the tragic of Dragonfield, as well as about your return. It was written in the stars that you would come back with a Pendragon, nemesis of magic, but lover of you, and together you vanquish the curse. The Black Cloud of Death could only be destroyed by the strong bond of you two. The power of your magic, Emrys and Arthur's courage and love towards you united in the moment your skins touched under the Cloud. But you need to know: such power never comes without consequences. In that instant, Arthur Pendragon, your fate was sealed. As Emrys's powers invested in you, you became immortal as well. You are destined to rule together. As you may already know, Albion will live only because of you."

"Yes, but now I am king and Arthur is a knight. The destiny of becoming the Once and Future King and uniting Albion is Arthur's, not mine."

"Yet, Arthur chose you over his kingdom," smiled the Lady. Arthur and Merlin blushed. "Your fate has been written since the beginnings of time. Arthur will be king, and Albion will live. It is your task to unite the kingdoms and bring peace to this land. You two will rule until the very end of time."

The Lady looked at the two figures holding hands on the bridge. Their faces showed confusion but determination. She knew that no one would have been more suitable to this destiny than Merlin and Arthur.