As it was Foretold (Arthur Pendragon)

Excalibur 1:9 Part 1

  I awoke to the sound of Merlin shouting in my ear which led me to jump up, then resulting in my head colliding with his, hard. "Ouch! Merlin, what on earth do you think you're doing?"
        "You weren't getting up." he dumbly replied holding his hand to his head in pain.
        "So you go shouting in my ear?"
        "Sorry..."
        "It's alright Merlin. Was there something you needed?" I asked, letting it go.
        "Morgana was requesting your presence in the throne room. Everyone is going down for Arthur's coming of age ceremony and I was wondering if you wanted to walk down with Gaius and I."
         Lady Morgana and I have grown somewhat close since the incident with the druid boy Mordred, seeing as we shared quite a few things in common. She has been very kind to me since my arrival, inviting me to all sorts of events around the castle as her guest.
        "Oh, of course. Just let me get ready." I replied.
        "Gaius has your breakfast made, its on the table." he answered simply before leaving the room.

He has been acting odd over the last few days, understandably so, seeing as we have yet to talk about the fact that we are somehow brother and sister. It's my fault though, I have been avoiding it like the plague.

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        "Do you solemnly swear to govern the people of this kingdom and its dominions according to the statutes, customs and laws laid down by your forebears?" asked the king with Arthur kneeling down before him
"I do, Sire." replied Arthur confidently.

I stood to the side of the throne room where I found myself to be nervous as I have been whenever I happened to be in a room with him considering the fact that he is the prince and I haven't really seen him since he returned.

The first few times we met weren't on the best terms either. The first time I fell on my backside and the second I was helping him go against his father as I lied to him about Merlin's whereabouts.
        I averted my attention back on the scene before us as I stood by Merlin who held a proud grin on his face that he couldn't hide even if he tried.  "Do you promise to exercise mercy and justice in your deeds and judgments?"
         "I do, Sire."
        "And do you swear allegiance to Camelot now, and for as long as you shall live?"
        "I, Arthur Pendragon, do pledge life and limb to your service and to the protection of this kingdom and its peoples." He spoke confidently. Even I couldn't help the small smile that appeared on my face as I had hope of him becoming a great king due to all I've heard of him since my arrival."
        "Now being of age and heir apparent, from henceforth, you shall be Crown Prince of Camelot."
        "So how does it feel to be servant to the Crown Prince of Camelot?" asks Guinevere in with a humorous tone. The two of is had been watching him throughout the ceremony and you had to have been blind to have missed the proud smile he was currently holding in his face.
        "Washing his royal socks will be even more of a privilege." I rolled my eyes at Merlin's denial as Guinevere continued. "You're proud of him, really. Even though you complain about him constantly."
        "I am not. " he argues stubbornly.
        "You are. I can see it in your face." I then jumped in, "As can I." He only responded with a shake of his head, the grin still plastered on his face bright as day.
        "Those socks are very clean! Of course I'm proud of them." he finished as I snorted unattractively, quite loudly at that, which caught the attention of the prince and he turned to me. His eyes locked with mine but only momentarily as a Black Knight on a horse burst through the stained-glass window startling everyone in the room.        

Arthur and the rest of the knights quickly draw their swords prepared to fight.
        "What in the devil's name?" exclaimed Uther before the horse walked up to Arthur where the Black Knight throws down a gauntlet.
        Uther examined the Black Knight's shield with a look of surprise, and a glint of recognition in his eyes. Arthur sheathes his sword to pick up the gauntlet, but another knight gets there first.
        One of the knights that I didn't recognize spoke up and surprised all who were standing in the room.
        "I Sir Owain, accept your challenge." he spoke bravely though his voice betrayed him slightly. The black knight answered back with "Single combat. Noon tomorrow. Till the death." My eyes widened tremendously upon hearing that. How could they not? This man who had just appeared suddenly through a window on a horse was here demanding a fight to the death!
        With that said the Black Knight rode out leaving everybody panicked and looking to their prince.

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        "Have you ever seen this Black Knight before?" asked Merlin later on that evening in Gaius's chambers.
        "I don't believe so."
        "I don't see how you'd forget." I pointed out.
        Ignoring my statement Merlin went on. "You didn't recognize his crest?"
        "Crest?" Gaius questioned but I couldn't miss the expression on his face that let me know that he wasn't completely clueless, he knew something and I was going to figure it out. There is the life of an innocent man at stake. If I can save him, I will do all that is necessary.

This led to Merlin throwing off questions at the speed of light resulting in Gaius to respond in an irritated tone, "Merlin, your faith in my all-seeing knowledge is both touching and wholly misplaced. Maybe if you've finished your work, you could go to bed and leave me to finish mine. "
        With one last question Merlin let the conversation drop "OK, I'm going. Gaius?"
        "Merlin." Gaius mocked in frustrated tone.
        "Do you think Owain can beat him?"
        "We'll find out soon enough." That statement did little to calm me. Despite never meeting this knight, his courage and loyalty make it impossible to not worry.

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        That night I found myself unable to sleep so I turned to my side and whispered "Merlin? Are you awake?"
        After a moment of silence I heard the bed beside me shift and he had turned to face me. "Yeah, too many things keeping me awake."
        I nodded my head before opening my mouth to speak. "I know I've only just gotten here but I refuse to watch as that knight gets murdered. I mean that black night has something off about him, I can just feel it."

"Don't worry. I refuse to sit either. I'm going to speak to Arthur tomorrow."

Changing the subject I finally asked what was really on my mind and has been these past few days. "Do you believe the dragon? You know, that your mum really separated us due to a belief in this greater deatiny?"

"I don't know what to believe." Replied Merlin. "I supposedly have this destiny to protect Arthur and unite Albion but I never expected this, to have a sister."

"What is your mum like?" I can't help but ask.

He looks at me carefully before speaking "she's kind, you'd love her. She cares for everyone and treats them with respect. I just don't believe that she would do as she did unless she really truly believed in what she was doing. I'm just curious what it is that you are destined for."

"Me too." I wondered before closing my eyes and drifting off.