The Return of Arthur

Chapter 6

Merlin turned the amulet over in his hands.

 "You understand the terms Emrys? The amulet harbors Arthur's life source, if broken, your dear Arthur dies." The Shee Queen smiled wickedly at Merlin. Or perhaps it was just the second row of teeth that made it appear that way. He couldn't tell.

"At what cost?" The Shee Queen produced a second, identical, amulet and handed it to him. "In order for Arthur to remain in a state of suspension, he must have a more powerful life source to sustain him. Yours."

"I will die?" The Shee Queen flinched. "You misunderstand me, warlock. You," She explained, "Will carry Arthur's life source. It will be strong enough to sustain you. Emrys, I warn you, you mustn't leave the lake. For when you do and the distance becomes too great, the connection between the twin amulets will break. Both you and Arthur will die." She pushed her vibrant blue hair back. "Arthur will carry your life source, and you will carry his. It will grant you both immortality, so long as you are both alive."

Merlin suddenly understood, "We live off of the others life source, by doing so, our life source continues. It's brilliant."

She laughed melodically, "Thank you Emrys, I thought you'd approve." She snarled again - or smiled. He still couldn't tell. The teeth were just freaking him out now.

Merlin suddenly grew suspicious, "Why help me now? We've never quite seen eye-to-eye." It was true. The Shee, an ancient race, protected themselves at all costs - usually at Merlin's expense.

The Queen nodded, understanding his distrust. "There are things that even you don't know Emrys, but Arthur's revival is the key to the Shee's survival." She was secretive, just as Merlin expected, Just like all Shee are.

"You seem to forget that we possess the ability to read minds." The Shee Queen looked amused, "And I am smiling at you, Emrys."

Merlin nodded, uncomfortable that his thoughts were no longer private. "If Arthur's survival is important to you, why didn't you aid us before?"

The Shee queen waltzed over to a crystal-cluttered table and for the first time since Merlin had arrived in the Queen's palace, he saw the wealth surrounding him. Gold and silver delicately adorning chairs, tables, paintings, and, of course, the Queen herself. Even the chair Merlin was sat in, the simplest he saw, was carved to look like mercreatures rising from a great sea. A carving so lifelike that Merlin was hesitant to sit down in the first place.

"I trust the dragon told you that Arthur's death was predestined," She selected a crystal from the table and hand opposite to Merlin. "The Shee have always watched over you. I dictated it so." To his surprise the Queen was serious. "Though my race has always thought itself superior to mortal man, we have grown very fond of you, and of Arthur. I see why you are so attached to him. You are one and the same." The Shee Queen cleared her throat, "Guinevere was always meant to rule Camelot. She will make a fine queen." She smiled again.

He snapped out of the memory at Kilgharrah's voice, "What is that?" Kilgharrah was standing directly in front of Merlin, Wendy was sat on the couch beside him.

Merlin froze; he knew how Kilgharrah would react. "An amulet," He swallowed nervously, "From the Shee."

"The she?" Wendy furrowed her eyebrows, "That sounds like an all girl punk band."

"Double 'e'," Kilgharrah sighed, "They are magical creatures who can't be trusted. And you should know that." Merlin knew exactly what he was talking about, a Shee had tried to kill Arthur, but that was then, and this is now.

"Kilgharrah, they are the reason Arthur is still alive. You can't blame the Queen for the King's mistakes."

His yellow eyes darkened. "What do you mean still alive? Arthur died at the battle of Camlann. I saw it happen."

Merlin felt like a child with his hand caught in the cookie jar. "He didn't die at Camlann, Kilgharrah, it's what I let you believe. This amulet, it holds Arthur's life source. I live off of it's power. He has an identical one filled with my life source. It's keeping him alive."

"Arthur is alive?" Wendy whispered in awe.

Merlin shook his head, "Not exactly - "

"Not exactly?" Kilgharrah scoffed.

"He is suspended. He is alive, but not living." He snapped.

"And the sword fragment," Kilgharrah said with a cruel snarl. "Still on its way to Arthur's heart?"

"The Shee removed it. They healed Arthur completely" Kilgharrah seemed impressed, but skeptical.

"What did they want in return?" Wendy asked sheepishly.

Both men looked at her in surprise.

Wendy shrugged, "It seems like those amulets are a big deal, and they healed Arthur."

Kilgharrah frowned, "She is correct, Merlin. What did they ask for?"

"Nothing."

"What do you mean nothing?They had to want something."

"All they wanted was for Arthur to live. That's all." Merlin bit out.

"Merlin, that can't be all! The Shee always demand payment."

Merlin groaned. "And saving their race isn't payment enough? Arthur is meant to bring peace to the land. To us and to the Shee and to all magical creatures."

Kilgharrah shook his head, worn out from the argument, muttering about needing some fresh air. The entire house stood still until the door shut behind him.

Wendy let out a long breath that she didn't realize she'd been holding. "That was intense." She stood up, wiping her hands on her jeans, They're probably clammy. "Tea?" Merlin nodded.

He had just gotten himself comfortable when a loud crash sent him venturing to the kitchen. "Are you hurt, Wendy? What's happened?" She was standing over the sink, arms shaking, with a mug shattered at her feet. She turned slowly, holding an envelope with a gold 'W' written on the front. "It's for me this time."

It was another letter.