“In breaking news, authorities fear a tainted water supply in Tintagel, Cornwall, may be responsible for the thousands of reports of King Arthur sightings over the past three days. Over to Eoin, who is at the scene with some witnesses of the events. Eoin?”
“Thankyou, Anthony. Now, while the local area of Tintagel has always been rich with history and legends, especially of Arthurian nature, and has its fair share of tourism and supposed sightings, there have never been so many in a short period of time, and none of the nature which every one appears to have seen the uhh, the king of Albion, in over the past few days. I have with me Ethan and Amy, two of the first witnesses of the supposed once and future king, and long-time researchers of the Arthurian legends and local legends in the area. Now, would you please tell me, what was it that you saw at the castle?”
“Not what, but who,” Ethan started, before Amy took over.
“It was him. King Arthur. He was in chainmail, and a red cloak, and it was just like the legends said. But then he started walking towards us, and he… he spoke.”
“He spoke?” Eoin queried to Ethan.
“Yes. Right to our group, and we were at the front.”
“But that’s not the issue, you see. It’s what he said.”
“And what was that, Amy?”
“He said, “You all think I’m coming to save you. That when Albion’s need is greatest, I will sit back on the throne. Well, I’ll let you in on a secret. There’s no Albion left. And this world deserves what is going to happen next.” And then he disappeared, right in front of us.”
“It was impossible. Almost like mag—”
Merlin got up from his couch, moving out of the living room and towards his bedroom at the back of the flat. His mind racing at how far he’d come in such a short time. A few key words here, and a bit of magic there, and people were willing to see anything as he wished. It was almost too simple. He
wondered if he should have done this long ago. Now it was happening, it didn’t seem like such a bad idea. But he wasn’t doing it because he wanted to.
No, Merlin was doing this for Arthur’s good.
For Albion’s good.
It was the only way to get him back.
The only way to restore Albion to her full potential.
He only hoped that Arthur would be able to forgive him for the chaos he was about to wreak.
He wasn’t doing it because he enjoyed it – no. He was doing it because tarnishing Arthurs image, and bringing attention to the Once and Future King might finally stir something from the depths of Avalon. It wasn’t because he was mad, or angry, or wanted revenge for all the years he had spent wandering the world alone.
He was doing it because he had tried every other option there was. Because he had vowed to build Albion by Arthur’s side, and they needed to fulfil their destiny.
He was doing it for Arthur’s own good.
For Albion’s own good.
But as he lay down to sleep there was a part of his mind that he couldn’t put to rest. A part of his mind that enjoyed what he was doing. That, if he wasn’t mistaken, had grown to like the power and
control he was gaining over the people. Even if he didn’t want to admit it.
***
Halfway across Wales, a single figure could be seen riding up the narrow pass to a small cavern in the middle of Brecon Beacons, known by the locals as Craig Y Ddinas. Reaching his destination, the figure
slid off his horse, with more grace than one should be able to muster in the dead of night.
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Only For You
Fanfiction"I'm a sorceror. I have magic. And I use it for you, Arthur. Only for you." ~~~ For 1500 years, Merlin has tried almost everything he could think of to get King Arthur to return. Every incantation, every spell, every ritual, during every possible ph...
