When had the boy grown up? Merlin sat and pondered the young king standing there, surrounded by his noble knights. He remembered sitting with the boy in the forest or in a meadow, telling him stories about wizards he had known or learned about growing up, about the wars from history that had formed the current nation, about the animals that they would spot when they sat silent long enough, the stars shining brightly above them in the sky, or about the forest that grew around them.
Now Arthur, the boy he had taught, was reflected in the mirror lake, defiantly ignoring Merlin’s words from that afternoon, days before. Arthur would not listen when Merlin told him to turn the lad out of the castle. Young Mordred would only bring about the downfall of all that Merlin and Arthur had worked for all these long years!
Arthur had found Merlin in his room one day, years before.
“Merlin, you would never believe what I have found out this beautiful day. I have a son!” exclaimed the man, who had believed that his line would end with him.
“Arthur, you speak not of young Mordred do you?” inquired Merlin of the enthusiastic man before him.
“Yes! How did you know?” asked Arthur. They stood silently facing each other Arthur’s look slowly darkened and a troubled frown formed upon his face. “You knew, didn’t you? All these long years you allowed me to despair, wondering what would become of my kingdom when I finally left this world, when you knew full well that I had a son! How could you? How could you betray me like that?” Angry words flew out of Arthur’s mouth, his voice rising steadily, echoing throughout the room.
Merlin hung his head, knowing that there was no stopping the vision that played through his nightmares - the prophesy that young Nimue had prevented him from sharing by entrapping him in his cave all those years. He had only escaped by luck, and then the damage had been done. Arthur had lain with his sister, unknowingly; but the sin had been committed. The child conceived from their union could never bring about any good! Morgan had known who it was that she seduced, but she was power-hungry, wanting for her son that which could never be her own. What better way to obtain power than to raise the heir of the High King?
“A son conceived in sin this night;
A sister with her brother lay.
A leader in a circle of hope, of power, and of might
Holds the darkness at bay.
Hidden in shadows all his life,
The lad is filled with hate,
Hatred that will just lead to strife.
To murder his father is his fate.
Power from a king to steal,
A father’s heart to pierce.
Lies and treachery the deal,
His mother made him fierce.
A stolen weapon to pierce the chest,
Of his father brave and true.
The murder will defeat the best
Of the noble knights, the king’s honored crew.
The kingdom, in ruin, will be no more,
But its legend will not be forgotten.
King, wizard, and knights forevermore
Remembered in history by men.”
Merlin recited as tears filled his eyes. “A prophesy inscribed in my heart during those long months when I was trapped. Nimue wanted me gone to allow you to lay with Morgan. Did you not know she was your sister? Of course not, for then you knew not that Uther was your father. No good can come from that child, Arthur; he was evil from the night he was conceived!” pleaded Merlin.
But Arthur had heard enough. “Leave my sight, Merlin. You are not welcome here. You knew he was my son. He is an innocent boy! How can that harbor evil? I know not why you jealously guard my line, but enough is enough! Leave Camelot with dawn’s first light. I wish to never see you again!”
Merlin had left that night, but had kept vigil. Merlin had hoped that his vision would not turn into truth, that the prophecy was just a nightmare. But as he looked at the scene that played out before him on the beach, he knew that the fulfillment was at hand. Mordred stood, pointing Excaliber at the breast of his father. Manic laughter arose from the youth, and Merlin’s heart broke. Suddenly Lancelot was there and threw Arthur his sword, but it just brought about two deaths, as Arthur and Mordred each landed a mortal blow. Lancelot collected Arthur and Excaliber into the boat on the shore, hoping that Arthur could be healed by taking him to the Lady of the Lake. Merlin knew that that Arthur would not make it across the lake; the boy he loved like his own son already had his foot in the next world. At least Excaliber was not left for unholy hands to steal. Lancelot took up the sword and heaved it into the waters of the Lake. Perhaps someday it would be found by another as true as Arthur.
Arthur had done so much to allow Muggles to see that wizards could live side-by-side with them. A Muggle himself, he was raised by a wizard and showed that all could benefit from the magic of the wizards if only understanding and harmony could be created! But power-hungry witches like Nimue and Morgan would never allow that to occur. Merlin understood that wizards and witches such as they would always strive to show the superiority of the wizards over the Muggles. The worlds needed to separate, the wizards hiding themselves from those who had no magical ability.
The hope of the Camelot experiment was lost forever, as was Camelot, for without a king to reign, the castle was nothing. Merlin watched as the castle was destroyed, unable to take his eyes away from the lake that showed him all he had wished was never to come. Trapped now by his own despair, Merlin sank into legend and mystery. Death was a welcome friend when it finally took its hold.
