525 AD
Merlin sucked in a deep breath, closing his blue eyes. He tasted the hint of ozone and rain. The storm approached. His horse shifted under him. He opened his eyes, turning his gaze to the King and the Mysterious Queen as they sat upon their horses, talking softly to each other.
“Are you sure, Storm,” King Arthur muttered, giving the mysterious Queen a side eyed look. Merlin frowned. Was that a hopeful look?
“Yes, Arthur,” Storm sighed. Merlin couldn’t see her expression, but Arthur looked upset before he turned away. Lightening flashed, illuminating Storm’s rich auburn hair tied in a high ponytail.
King Arthur and Queen Storm weren’t married to each other, but Merlin noticed the glances his King sent Storm when she wasn’t looking. He didn’t know how he felt about a possible relationship between the two rulers. He wanted to question Queen Storm about what motives she had toward Camelot, its King, and its people, but he hadn’t been able to get her alone long enough to do that.
For some odd reason, she found company within the White Hall Family. She favored them. Lord Samuel and his sons; Godric, Matthew, and Alexander; didn’t mind her presence. There were a few times where he had overheard the four men address her as ‘Sister’ and ‘Daughter’. He didn’t know about the rest of Lord Samuel’s sons, living at the White Hall Estate.
Lord Samuel didn’t have a daughter. Merlin knew that. Lady White Hall had been blessed with sons until her death, three years ago.
However, King Arthur of House Pendragon, son of Uther, the 2nd King of Camelot, First King of the United Kingdoms of Britain; shifted in his seat, staring across the battlefield. His honey colored eyes hardened as he watched the movement of their enemy.
The enemy had been setting up their camp for hours and hadn’t sent an ambassador to discuss their terms for combat or tried to negotiated. It was strange. In the past, Arthur had always discuss and established a set of rules for his men to fight by.
Of course, this particular enemy had to be different. It was a woman, a former Lady of the Camelot Court - Rowena of House Caligula. It was a surprise to many at the Court when she challenged her former Master, Merlin, over the choosing spell. She had made attempt at pulling Excalibur out of the rock. She tried three times before Merlin had intoned the Sword in the Stone had found Rowena, unworthy. She had sworn to get justice, claiming she was worthy and she will be the High Queen of Camelot.
News had reached Camelot after Arthur pulled Excalibur from the Stone and crowned King of Camelot, Rowena had joined forced with Prince Robert Pendragon, Arthur’s eldest half brother. It came as a shock. It was well known that Robert didn’t like sharing power or women having that kind of power. Merlin had seen Robert refuse talk to a Queen about possible trade agreement and that almost resulted in a war between Camelot and the other Kingdom if Arthur hadn’t interfered. The Late King Uther had been furious with Robert.
Now, Merlin questioned Robert’s motives about sharing power with Rowena and wondered who would betray the other first. Movement across the battlefield caught his eye. A moment later, the voice of Sir Lancelot rang, “A Rider approaches.”
Merlin turned his gaze to his King and the visiting Queen. Both sat straighter in their seats, waiting with hard expressions. Silence spread over the forces of Camelot. The Rider, holding a white flag, rode up and stopped several feet away from King Arthur, announcing, “The True King of Camelot, King Robert, would like to set terms of engagement at dusk, this evening. Do you agree to meet him at this time?”
“I agree. I will be bring three advisers and my personal servant with me,” Arthur stated, “Will Robert limit his advisers to three and a personal servant?”
“I will ask him,” The rider turned and rode back to the far side. It was few moments before the rider returned to Arthur’s side of the field and replied, “He agrees to the limits on advisers and a personal servant.”
“We have an accord,” Arthur said, “I will see him at dusk.” They all watched as the rider returned to Robert’s side of the field.
~~~ Dusk~~~
Queen Storm eyed the setting sun, watching the horizon darken from the bright blue to shades of pink before it slowly faded to a black, star filled sky. She sighed and turned her gaze to the scene in front of her. Servants from both sides of the war camps had been busy for the last couple hours, preparing the evening meal. She didn’t commented as a table was carried to the middle of the field and dressed in formal wear nor when King Arthur had approached her to be one of the three advisers he would bring with him, stating her knowledge would highly valued. She had agreed.
Now, she stared at the three tables as she rode closer to the middle of the field, on King Arthur’s right, puzzled why food and drinks were set out on the middle table as for a formal political dinner. She didn’t understand why they were going to be dinning with the enemy. King Arthur pulled back on the reins of his war horse. Queen Storm did the same, feeling out of her element. A stable hand rushed forward, taking the reins from King Arthur when he dismounted before he turned to Storm and offered to take her reins. She handed them over quietly before she swung her leg over the horse. King Arthur faced her, reached up, and placed his hands on her waist. She slide off the horse with his help, standing too close for comfort.
“I take it we are dinning with Prince Robert, tonight,” Storm stated, glancing up at Arthur as the horses were led away. Arthur offered his arm to her and she took it, following his led. While Storm was born as a Lady of an Ancient and Noble House, she didn’t grow up within it to learn how to be a lady until she was much older.
“Yes, it will help with the negotiations,” Arthur explained, “Your Kingdom doesn’t do that anymore?” They walked toward the chairs set out for them. Her Kingdom. They had agreed to keep her Kingdom a secret, just between the two of them, in case word had gotten out about her origins. Plus, there were two half fae living within Arthur’s Court and Storm’s Court who had long memories.
“Nope,” Storm popped the ‘p’, “If I did, I might have been able to avoid a few battle, but of course, Belladonna might have forced it as a tradition if she had known about it.” She hummed. “There are a lot of things my Kingdom has forgotten about over the years.” She glanced up at Arthur. “Am I rambling? I probably should be quiet. My brother always complained I ramble when I am nervous.”
Arthur chuckled. He paused, dropping her arm, and grabbed a chair. He pulled it out and looked at Storm. She gave him a small smile, stepped forward, and slowly sat down in the chair as he pushed it under her. He claimed the high back seat on her right. She glanced at the wooden plate in front of her. She knew what seat he had placed her in. If they had been sitting in the Seasonal Throne Room in Camelot, the seat she was sitting in would be the Queen’s Chair. She turned her gaze to him and raised an eyebrow at him as he settled into the King’s Chair. He gave her an innocent look as Merlin took the right hand seat and Sir Lancelot claimed the chair on Storm’s left.
Ector, Arthur’s personal servant, lend between Storm and Arthur, filling their goblets with wine. He muttered loud enough for them to hear, “Dinner will be ready shortly, sire, my lady, my lords.”
“Thank you, Ector,” Storm replied. She turned her gaze to the other table where the Enemy was taking their seats.
“Prince Robert is in the middle,” Sir Lancelot lend toward Storm, whispering. He had promised Arthur to keep Storm updated on who was who during the meeting. “He is Arthur’s eldest half brother and has been away at war, protecting the Southern Sea border from the Dans and the Sand Pirates.” There was a short pause as Storm thought about what Lancelot said. Dans, she knew, were the Vikings, but she didn’t know about the Sand Pirates. It would be something she would focus on learning later.
Prince Robert was a handsome man with the golden blonde hair, the same shade as Arthur’s. His dark brown eyes flashed angrily as they swept over Storm before moving on. He took the seat across from Arthur.
A hazel eyed woman with long black hair stepped toward the seat across from Storm and one of Robert’s Knights pulled it out. She sat down as the Knight pushed it under her. She gave Storm an unreadable stare. Her bright red lips was pulled into a frown. The two women sized each other up, silently.
The woman’s dress was unique. Red gems stood out against the black background of the dress and reflected the fire light. Storm frowned, staring at the red gems. She sensed something sinister from them.
“That is Lady Rowena of House Caligula, Recently given the Name Lady of Death, and one of Merlin’s former students,” Lancelot tried to keep his tone neutral, but Storm could tell there was a note of disdain in it. “She specializes in Death Magic.”
She looked over at Lancelot and met his eyes as she said, “I know who the Death Mage is and what she is capable of.”
He nodded in understanding before he continued, “The Knight who held out her chair is Sir Aldric. He is all brawn and no brains as some would say. He earned his knighthood by a jousting match where he nearly killed a neighboring Kingdom’s champion.”
“Who knighted him?” Storm questioned.
“Robert did and Aldric has been his right hand man ever since,” Lancelot replied.
Aldric was built like a linebacker - big and all muscles. His shaggy brown hair brushed his shoulders. His black eyes promised pain as he stared at Storm. She ignored him. He wouldn’t last a minute in a fight against her and what power she tightly controlled. He sat across from Lancelot.
A darken figure appeared from the dark and took the seat beside Robert, directly across from Merlin. He reached up and flipped back his hood, revealing black hair, black eyes, and a pale face. He was tensed.
“And that is Sir Gawen,” Lancelot muttered, “He is Robert’s best assassin. He gained his title by assassinating one of Robert’s rivals to win Princess Annabeth’s hand in marriage. However, a mystery yet be to solved, Princess Annabeth was discovered to be missing a short time later. That was 5 years ago. Nobody has been able to find her. No body, nothing. It was like she disappeared into thin air.”
“And which Kingdom did Princess Annabeth belong to?” Storm asked.
“A small kingdom, North of Camelot’s borders,” Lancelot answered, “I believe it was called Frost Kingdom. I think it was named that after the frost that would show up every morning.”
Frost Kingdom? Maybe when Storm got back home, she would look it up and see what had happened to it. Ector turned and grabbed Arthur’s plate before he started to serve the King.
“Robert,” Arthur started, drawing everyone’s attention to him, “It warms my heart to see you are well. It has been years since we were able to share a meal together.” He paused, watching as Ector returned the plate and grabbed Storm’s, repeating the process. “I just hoped it was under different circumstances, as brothers once again, instead of rivals.”
On the other side of the middle table, another servant with rat face did the same for Robert, then Rowena and the Knights.
Robert snorted, “Is that what we are, Artie? Brothers?” An amused smirk flickered across his lips and he grabbed a knife before he sliced into the large piece of roast he was given. “I thought that was just another story you like to tell yourself, just like the one where you are the King of Camelot?”
“Our Father, may his soul rest in peace, groom me to be his heir,” Arthur narrowed his eyes, “and at my request, Merlin casted the Choosing Spell on Excalibur.”
“A spell to chose the next Ruler of Camelot?” Robert let out a bark of laughter before he shoved piece of meat into his mouth. The juices spilled over his lips and ran down his chin as he chewed. “What a marvelous idea? Why didn’t Father think of that! Oh wait, he didn’t like magic enough to leave that important decision in Merlin’s hands.”
Merlin cut in, “The Choosing spell was designed to pick the best living person within the borders of Camelot to rule the Kingdom. You were given a chance to prove yourself. So did Sir Alric and Sir Gawen. All three of you were found unworthy to rule this Kingdom. The rest of your brothers were tested as well as many of the Knights. All of them failed.” There was a pause as the men tried to ignored that barb. “Even Lady Rowena made an attempt. She was even unworthy to rule. Only Arthur was found worthy to rule Camelot.”
Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
Storm kept her mouth shut.
“This Kingdom has suffered enough, Robert,” Arthur said, bringing the topic back to the discussion at hand, “Our people deserve peace. They have been dealing with bloodshed for many, many years. You have grievances. They are with me, but let us settle them here, with reason, tonight.”
“Reason,” Robert’s voice laced with sarcasm, “Coming from a boy, handed a crown and a Kingdom by a sword? Spare me the sanctimony, Arthur. Father dotted on you, gave you everything you ever wanted and made sure you were highly respected within the Court, while I had fight for every scrap I have, including the respect I’ve earned.”
Arthur’s jaw tightened before he spoke, “The sword did chose me, yet. However, Father’s teachings did not cover the chance I would have to face my own brother in arm combat and be faced with the choice to kill or not. I have spent years earning the trust of our people and rebuilding what you have broken in your raids and the other kingdom’s raiding parties.”
“Earning the trust of our people? Don’t mistake loyalty born of fear for trust. They kneel because they have no choice. Just like I had no choice when Father cast me aside for his Chosen Heir.” Robert sneered. He stabbed his knife down into another piece of meat.
“The choices you make now will determine how History will remember you, Robert,” Merlin said in a calm commanding tone. He lend forward in his chair and took a sip of the wine, watching Robert. His face was emotionless.
Rowena let out a small giggle, jumping into the conversation, smiling “Ah, Merlin, always the wise old sage. Tell me, how will History remember the scarifies of the starving men under Arthur’s reign while he chases dreams of unity or is it just some part of the grand design?”
Merlin narrowed his eyes. Storm’s eyes flickered to the gems covering Rowena’s dress with recognition. Merlin spoke, “Unity requires sacrifice, my former student, you should know this. Chaos only demands ruins. So, tell me, which path does your counsel lead your lord down?”
“The path,” Rowena’s smile sharpened, “where strength wins the day.”
“However, you should know all about sacrifices, isn’t that right, Lady Rowena,” Storm cut in, “I mean, those beautiful red gems didn’t fill themselves with blood from what I guess thousands of innocents souls in some sort of Blood magic ritual.” She lend back in her chair and crossed her arms over her chest. “From the amount of gems on your dress, Death Mage, I would take a wild guess you are planning to cast a death curse on someone - either on King Arthur or Prince Robert.”
Silence fell over the table. Rowena’s lips part in shock as she turned her gaze onto Queen Storm. Robert’s back stiffen and he stared at her, hard. Merlin let out a gasp as he finally recognized the gems. Arthur raised an eyebrow.
“That is dangerous magic,” Merlin stated, standing up. His hands slapped the table, causing his goblet to tip over and wine spread over the wooden surface. “I thought I taught you better then turn to the vampiric magic.”
Rowena snarled, baring her teeth, eyes flashing as she stared at Storm, “You -“
“Enough!” Arthur barked. “Let us speak plainly. A battle between armies will destroy more then just soldiers - it will tear apart families, villages, the very foundation of Camelot. I propose a simple solution - single combat. You and I, Robert. No armies, no bloodshed beyond our own.”
“And no magical interference,” Storm added, staring pointedly at Rowena. She uncrossed her arms and laid them upon the table.
Robert shook his head, “Why would I wager everything on a single duel, when my forces can crush yours at dawn?”
“With all due respect, Your Majesty,” Gawen spoke up in a steady and firm voice, “asking for single combat is a convenient gamble when your forces are outnumbered. Tell me, is this bravery—or desperation?”
“The offer of single combat is not born of desperation, Sir Gawen, but of compassion,” Storm countered, “War tears apart families and weakens the land we all call home. Surely even you can see the wisdom in seeking another way to avoid needless bloodshed?”
Robert grabbed his goblet and swirled the wine before he replied, “Compassion? Or cowardice? Wars are won with swords, not sentiments.”
Lightening flashed above them as Storm met Robert’s gaze, unflinchingly and stated, “Wars are won with strategy, foresight, and unity, my lord. Qualities that Camelot will not abandon, even if you do.”
Robert lend forward, staring at Storm, and addressed her, “I must admit, Your Majesty, I’m curious. What brings a queen from beyond Camelot’s borders to these negotiations? Surely, your kingdom has its own troubles to manage.”
Storm gave him a grim smile, “My kingdom’s prosperity is tied to the peace of Camelot, Prince Robert. Conflict between yourself and Arthur here spills beyond Camelot’s borders, and it is my duty to safeguard my people from the chaos of war. Advising Arthur in these negotiations serves that purpose.”
She knew her presence could have cause a few questions. Thank God she had thought ahead and came up with a possible answers. She may have to come with a few more.
Rowena’s tone was sharp as she lend forward, eyes flashing as she spoke, “My, what a noble sentiment, but one wonders if your loyalty lies more with your own kingdom’s interests than with Camelot itself. Or is this simply an opportunity to secure favor with Arthur?”
Storm raised her eyes to meet Rowena’s gaze. She didn’t expect that kind of statement. “My loyalty is to peace, Lady Rowena. If ensuring that means supporting Arthur, then so be it. I seek no favors, only a future where our kingdoms can thrive without the shadow of war.”
Arthur shifted in his seat and placed a hand over Storm’s hand. She glanced over at Arthur, meeting his gaze briefly before she turned away, pulling her hand away from his.
Rowena cooed, lending forward with interest, “It seems Camelot’s king has taken quite a liking to his guest. Tell me, Queen Storm, do you plan to return the favor?”
“Enough, Lady Rowena. We are here to discuss terms of combat, not romantic favors,” Arthur commented, “Queen Storm’s presences here is for the good of all kingdoms.”
“Enough of this romantic crap,” Robert rolled his eyes. “We are at War.” He slammed his fist on the table. “We will fight until one of us is dead or admits defeat.”
“Prisoners of Wars will be set free alive after the war,” Storm argued.
“As long as you take them with you when you return to your kingdom, your majesty, or I will kill them,” Robert announced. “I can’t wait to plant your head on a pike, Arthur, and take what is rightfully mine.” He stood, looking at Arthur. Robert’s advisers followed his led.
King Arthur sighed as he stood. Merlin, Sir Lancelot, and Queen Storm got to their feet. “And I won’t let your pride to destroy what little hope Camelot has left.” He extended his arm to Queen Storm and escorted her back to the horses.
~~The Following Day: Evening ~~
Lightening flashed as rain pelted the ground, soaking it. The howling wind prevent anyone from hearing properly. It didn’t matter to King Arthur as he stared down at Prince Robert. Robert knelt in the bloody mud, looking up at him with hate filled eyes. Arthur couldn’t believed he had bested his older brother. They had been fighting for most of the day. They ignored how the battle progressed around them. Memories flashed in their minds. Robert cracked a smile, “Go ahead and kill me. I dare you unless you are a coward.”
“Unlike you, I do have a problem with killing one of my brothers,” Arthur stated, “However….” A sinister voice rang out over the battlefield, cutting him off. He jerked his head up, looking where the voice came from. The voice was in a different language. It caused the hairs on the back of Arthur’s neck to stand on end. Robert’s back arch back as his eyes widened with pain, his mouth opened in a silent scream. Arthur watched horrified as blood trailed out of Robert’s eyes, ears, mouth, and nose before it floated in the air. He took several steps back. The wind died down, leaving an eerie silence.
“Shit,” Storm yelled, “She casted the Curse!”
The world went dark as the sun disappeared behind a dark wall of black clouds before the sky took on a sickly green glow, above Rowena. She stood on the far side of the battlefield with her dress glowing red. It was an eerily sight before the blood red color floated up to join the sickly green glow. They mixed in a swirl before it shot like an arrow.
“Noooo!” Storm screamed, holding out a hand and twisting her hand. A wall of clouds, twisting around tightly, darted down between Rowena and her target. It didn’t help as the glow cut through the twister and slammed into Arthur, knocking him off his fight. Storm bolted over to him as the glowing seeped into Arthur. She knelt next to him and grabbed his shoulders, lifting his head into her lap, watching with horror as the sickly green spread through his limbs and sinking into the Crown of Camelot, the King’s Ring, and Excalibur’s gem before fading. A tear trailed down her cheek. She knew he was Cursed.
Storm snapped her head toward the enemy. Lightening spread over the clouds, giving light to the battlefield. Portions of the enemy was fleeing into the distance while others dropped their weapons, knelt in the mud, holding up their hands in surrenderer. She struggled to control her rage as a larger bolt of lightening danced in the clouds. Rain started to fall, hard and fast. The wind howled, sharing her pain. She sucked in a deep breath. The wind seemed to still. Storm opened her mouth and screamed. The wind shot forward, knocking everyone over in its path.
~~ Later ~~
Merlin, Lady Morgana of House Pendragon, and Storm worked together in the deepest part of the Camelot Castle on a runic circle. Storm cracked her neck as she slowly stood up, feeling her back ache from bending over for so long. She sighed before she glanced over at the doorway. King Arthur stood there with an unreadable expression, but his eyes begged her not to go. She turned away. She didn’t belong here in this Kingdom. She had her own to run. Hopefully, it was still standing in one piece by the time she got back.
“It’s ready,” Merlin announced. Storm rose to her feet.
“Thank you, Merlin,” she said, nodding her head, grateful for his and Morgana’s help. “Alright, bring in the Prisoners of War, Sir Lancelot, Sir Godric.”
Arthur stepped into the chamber and to one side, allowing Sir Lancelot to led the ones who surrender from the battle into the chamber. He watched silently.
They gathered, standing a few feet away from the runic circle and Queen Storm. She waited until she saw Sir Godric before she started to speak, “Gentlemen, when you walk through this runic circle, you will transported to my Kingdom. Look at this a fresh start on life. No one will know who you are and what happened to cause you to seek a new life somewhere else. Take this chance to get that fresh start. Some of you might claim Knighthood again or join my Military, depending on My Head of the Knights and My Generals say. Some of you may join a village in the nearby forest and live with them, settling down, as contributing member of their society.” She paused for a long moment, looking over each face. Most of the men looked like they had accept their fate. “Or if you have no desire to settle down in my Kingdom or the village nearby, I can see if another Kingdom or village will take you in as a refugee.”
None of them said anything. Storm nodded. She turned to Merlin and Morgana, ordering, “Open the Gate.”
Merlin and Morgana raised their hands and fuel their magical power into the gate. The runes on the floor glowed and a swirling mass appeared. Storm knew despite how gifted both magi were, holding open a portal for any amount of time was draining. She turned to the men, waiting, “Please, hurry through.”
One of them, Sir Aldric if she remembered correctly, stepped forward. He glared at her with mistrust and muttered, “If there is a sneak attack on the other side, I will be coming for you.”
She frowned, thinking. He may be right. Depending on which alarm bells the portal set off, her generals, magi, and knights would be rushing to the chamber to fend off any intruder. She held up a hand and placed it on Aldric’s chest as he tried to pass her. “Hang on. You may be right. Take these items.” She took her royal ring before she handed it over to Aldric. He blinked at her shocked. He held up his hand. She set her ring in his hand. She reached up and undid her necklace. Her house crest caught the torchlight. She set it in his hand.
Aldric’s eyes widened as he recognized it. He half turned to one of the Camelot Knights, opening his mouth. She cut him off, “He knows. So does King Arthur.” He turned back to her, eyebrows raised. “You may go through. If you do see a group of human warriors on the other side, tell them that their High Queen would like General Gen-Gen to wait before he explodes his pants and causes more headaches for his sister.” She patted his arm. “I will explain everything on the other side.”
Aldric curled his fist, holding the two items tightly before he nodded and walked through the portal. One by one, the group of Prisoners of War went through the portal. Storm watched as the last one entered, disappearing. She glanced at Merlin and Morgana. They were paling with strain. She walked to the portal, glanced over her shoulder at Arthur, before she walked through.
“Close the Portal,” Arthur bit out. He watched as the portal closed behind Queen Storm. His heart ached. Both Magi closed the portal and went to their knees. He walked away from the room. “Once they are recovered, seal this room.”
~~ 10 years later ~~
The Flags were flown half staffed. The Court of Camelot wore black as they walked through the streets of Camelot, heading to God’s Holy Light Church. On either side of the street, villagers and other members of the Kingdom stood, wearing black. They all mourned the death of King Arthur.
Merlin wrapped an arm around Morgana as she tried to not bawl. He glanced around. The woman Arthur had eventually married hid her face behind a black veil, walking ahead of the parade. At her sides, her children walked with her, upset. Sir Lancelot and Sir Gawain flanked her. He knew Lancelot was her lover and fathered both children.
On Arthur’s death bed, he had confess to Merlin many things. One of them was the fact he knew his Queen was not loyal to him and only gave him one child. Unfortunately, that child died in an accident 4 years ago. The rest of them were Sir Lancelot’s children. Normally, a slight like that would cause a normal King to cast out his Queen and her lover, but Arthur apparently didn’t mind the betrayal. Merlin didn’t understand why.
Another thing Arthur had told him was to re-cast the Choosing Spell on Excalibur; A choosing spell that would last a very long time. He didn’t want his Queen or any future Queens to be taken advantage of during her mourning period and be protected. Merlin did cast the Choosing Spell again and informed the Court of Arthur’s will. They would be holding a Choosing Ceremony, tomorrow to see who the next King would be.
Merlin didn’t understand why Arthur had requested a long term Choosing spell. However, he would worry about that later. He had to focus on who would be Camelot’s next King and how break the news to the New King about the curse. Arthur also had informed him and Morgana of it, citing Queen Storm’s warnings of it.
Merlin pushed the thoughts of Queen Storm out of his head. There was no way of contacting her or her mysterious Kingdom. The White Hall Family had been closed lip about her as well. She was a just a mystery left to the past.
The Funeral went off without a problem. The Knights returned from Camelot’s Tomb and Merlin watched as they shut the doors with a loud bang. He glanced down at Morgana. She stood there, refusing to move as the rest of the Court slowly moved away, heading back to the Castle. He turn his thoughts back to Arthur’s reign. He was glad he was privileged to witness Arthur’s journey from a simple favored Prince to King.
Arthur united kingdoms, forging alliances with those who once called his enemies. He was a king who wielded Excalibur not only to defend Camelot but to uphold justice. In court, he was steadfast, valuing truth above all, even when it tested his loyalties. In the end, his light burned too brightly to last, extinguished by treachery and the curse that claimed him.
Merlin didn’t know how long he stood there with Morgana, but she eventually moved, turning away from the Tomb and walked away. He moved to follow her when he caught sight of something out of the corner of his eye. He turned his head to get a better look, but it was gone. Maybe it was his imagination, but he could have sworn it was a shadowy figure wearing the crown of Camelot.