Merlin Fairytale Series

Chapter 8: Merlin Reveals the Truth

Hey! How's everybody doing?
Picture is of Merlin and Arthur because...well you'll see soon.
Summary: Pretty self explanatory.

     The words, "I. AM. EMRYS!" seemed to echo across the palace. Everyone was shocked at the authority that radiated from such a small young man. Without another word, Emrys swept out of the room.
     As he made his way through the corridors, he was joined by Arthur, who called out to him.
     "Emrys!" Arthur called.
     "Merlin." Merlin said as he turned to Arthur.
     "What?"
     "My name is Merlin."
     "I thought your name was Emrys."
     Merlin smiled. "I am known by many names, Arthur Pendragon. I am Merlin and Emrys. I am a prince and the greatest sorcerer in the world. I am a lover, a fighter; I am a riddle wrapped up in an enigma and served with a side of mystery. And I am the one who will bring about the year of jubilee but I must admit I cannot do it without your help."
     "If you have so much power, why do you need me?"
     "Because our destinies are intertwined. This moment has been prophesized for far longer than either of us has been alive. You are to be the greatest king Paradise has ever seen and I am to reveal the truth. Together, we will bring about the golden age where we no longer have to fear."
     Arthur didn't know what to think. "How can you be sure?"
     "Because I believe in your destiny...and mine. I always have."
     "You know that my father is more likely to kill you than to accept anything you say. Even if you solve the mystery, he will execute you for your magic."
     "That is why you are to be the king." At Arthur's confused expression, he added, "Be patient. Soon all will be revealed."
                          * * * * *
     That night, at dinner, Merlin and Rose kept their eyes on one another. It was obvious to everyone that they had a deep connection, all except for Uther who was still oblivious to what was going on.
     Arthur had found what he needed to remove his father from power. He would be sure to do so when the third day came. For now, he had to wait.
     Finally, the hour grew late and the princesses were escorted to bed. Merlin was brought into the small antichamber. Rose came in to say goodnight to her prince and offer him a kiss and a goblet of wine which was laced with the sleeping potion.
     Merlin accepted her gift but only pretended to drink the wine then pretended to fall asleep. Once the princesses thought he was deep enough asleep, Natalia crowed, "The time has come! Make haste! We must get ready for the ball!"
     With that, the princesses chatted and laughed as they dressed in their long, flowing ball gowns and dancing shoes and did each others' hair and makeup.
     They were then joined by their mother who led them to the place where they met up with their princes.
     Meanwhile, Merlin had "woken up" and quickly vanished with a snap of his fingers, appearing with his brethren so he could be with Rose that night.
      As usual, the princesses spent time with their princes, met up at the castle, and made their toast. This time, Merlin had a different toast to make, as he said,
     "The time is drawing near when this place, this "wonderland" of ours shall vanish. But it is all for a good cause because that means that the year of jubilee has arrived. When the third day arrives, I will reveal our secrets and we will have our happy endings. To the year of jubilee!"
     "To the year of jubilee!"
     After this, they danced the remainder of the night away. The next night, Merlin took a branch from the forests of gold, silver, and jewels, and the magical healing water of the lake. On the third night, he retrieved a goblet from the castle and spoke to Anastasia.
     "Before I solve the mystery tomorrow, I need your help. You must show yourself to Uther. It is the only way we can get him to believe."
     "I want my family to be whole again."
     "And it shall after tomorrow."
     "I know it will."
                           * * * * *
     The next morning, the king called Merlin before him. With him came the princesses, Arthur and his family, and all of Uther's counselors.
     "Well then!" Uther called out. "Have you solved the mystery of how the princesses get out at night?"
     "Of course."
     Uther couldn't stand the way this mere boy, this impudent pup, was speaking to him. He couldn't wait for the boy to fail and be executed.
     "Oh and pray tell how long did it take you to figure it out?"
     "I knew on the first day." Merlin stated as if the answer was completely obvious.
     "And why pray tell did you not reveal the oh-so-obvious answer that no other could find?"
     "I had to be certain of what I was seeing and gather up the evidence needed to convince this court the truth of what I say happened."
      "Well then boy!" Uther roared. "Tell me! How do my daughters get out and where do they go?!"
      Merlin looked into the old man's eyes as he answered, "It's quite simple actually. At night, the ghost of their mother appears to them. She has them dance across 12 stones that are set in a circle around their room. A hole opens up in the floor and the girls go down a set of stairs that leads them to a beautiful pavilion. From there they walk through three sets of woods, one of gold, one of silver, and one of jewels."
     At this, Merlin showed the counsel the three branches he had snapped off as proof. "Once past the forests, they reach a lake whose waters have healing powers." He showed them the water he had retrieved from the lake then cut his palm and used the water to heal himself as proof. "12 men, some princes, some gypsies, and one king take the princesses in little boats across this lake to a whole other world. There they are able to do the things they love, including using magic."
     He pulled out the goblet. "At the end of the night, they drink a toast and dance the remainder of the night away. This, and only this, explains the mystery behind the worn out shoes and why the princesses are tired in the morning."
     Merlin put power behind his next words as he stated, "However, none of this would be needed if you, their father, would not imprison them day in and day out! The princesses should be free to marry and to do what makes them happy!
     "Do you know why I know these things?! Because I am one of those princes! Because I myself was involved! And I don't think any of this is justified! But I have endured it! I have endured it because this is how it was meant to be! I had to risk everything so that finally, at long last, I can be free! So make your verdict, Uther Pendragon, but know this: a love like this that my brethren and I have built for your daughters cannot be broken! Not even by death itself!"
     Uther had heard enough. "TAKE HIM AWAY! KILL HIM!!"
     "No!" Arthur yelled out. "Restrain him! He can no longer remain king in his current state of mind."
     "No! I'll never surrender! I've read all those books you thought you'd hidden from me. I can't be dethroned unless I step down and nothing you say or do can make me surrender to you."
     Just as the throne room was about to break out into mass panic, a figure suddenly appeared. And when Uther saw her, he fell onto his knees and did the one thing no one expected: he surrendered.
To be continued....