[Merlin's Pov]
By the hairs on Satan's chin… of all the people I thought Lance might bring along, Bedivere was not on the list. In fact, he would've been my least likely guess. If someone had offered me a thousand years to make a wager, his name would not have left my lips.
And yet, here he was.
At a glance, he hadn't changed much since the last time I'd seen him. Same proud bearing, same sharp features, the same serious eyes. Well… except for the metal arm. That was new. But beyond appearances, the air around him was different—subtle, but unmistakable. He seemed more attuned to the flow of nature, like the trees and the wind themselves might answer if he called.
I didn't get the chance to ponder that odd detail for long, because Lance waved him over with casual cheer.
The moment Bedivere's gaze fell on Arthur, though, he froze. His eyes widened. His entire body locked stiff like a statue. Then—of all things—the fool started crying. Crying! And bowing!
Isn't he supposed to be a knight?! Where was his self-control? We were standing in the middle of a crowded station where anyone could see him. Worse, Arthur could see him. And Lance. And Nicholas, who still has no idea about Arthur's true identity!
I nearly groaned aloud. The urge to march over and smack him in the head was almost unbearable. Instead, I scrambled to set up a mental connection before this could spiral any further.
…
'…For I am merely a humble knight greeting his king,' Bedivere's thoughts rang, filled with reverence.
I pinched the bridge of my nose. Even after all these years—after a millennium—his loyalty to Arthur burned as bright as ever. I'll admit, that kind of steadfast devotion was praise-worthy… but this was not the time nor the place.
'If you were truly a knight,' I snapped across the link, 'you would think about what's best for your king. Right now, what Arthur and Lance need is to be children—free from the burdens of their past lives, even if only for a moment. And your little display? It helps no one.'
Bedivere grimaced, closing his eyes in resignation. Slowly, reluctantly, he straightened back to his feet, though the reverence in his expression didn't fade.
Beside me, Arthur remained blissfully unaware, laughing with Nicholas.
"How is it that you came back with more pets than when you left?" Nicholas teased.
Arthur's head snapped around, his eyes narrowing in mock offense. "What? Cosmo and Sylvia aren't pets! They're family." His tone made it very clear that Nicholas had committed a grave sin by suggesting otherwise.
Meanwhile, Lance had turned his attention to Bedivere, his brow furrowed. I sharpened my senses with a touch of magic to eavesdrop more carefully.
"Did you get that weird feeling too?!" Lance asked, his voice hushed but tinged with surprise.
Bedivere, of course, went stiff. "Weird… feeling?"
"Yes!" Lance leaned in, eyes bright. "Whenever I'm with Arthur, sometimes my body feels like it wants to kneel, like… like I should pay respect. One time I actually did. It's so weird. I know there's something special about him, but I don't know what yet. Still, your reaction just now was a lot stronger than mine."
Now that was news to me. When did this start happening to Lance?
"What are you talking about? I was just tying my laces…" Bedivere muttered lamely, trying to salvage his dignity.
Oh, I'd decided. I was going to smack him the very next chance I got.
Lance arched an eyebrow, unimpressed. "I made the same excuse once." His voice was flat, like he wasn't buying a word of it.
'…I am surrounded by idiots,' I thought bitterly. Honestly, what was wrong with everyone?
Before I could stew further, Lance and Bedivere finally made their way toward us. Lance clapped a hand on Bedivere's back, his smile wide.
"Arthur, I wanted to introduce you to someone," he said, a hint of pride coloring his tone. "This is Ivere, my sword instructor—and the best swordsman I know."
Ivere. Really? That was just Bedivere without the "Bed." Did he really think he could fool anyone with that? Sigh. Not my circus, not my monkeys. I'm really in no position to judge.
Arthur, ever the polite one, bowed his head slightly. "Greetings, sir. I am Arthur King." His lips curled into a warm smile. "What a funny coincidence—because I'm here with my teacher as well. This is Nicholas Flamel, my alchemy instructor."
Nicholas blinked, muttering under his breath, "Sword instructor?" as though confused as why a kid would have a sword instructor.
Introductions rolled along smoothly enough, but even as names were exchanged, Bedivere and I kept up a private mental dialogue.
'So… you became the sword instructor to him of all people, huh?' I teased, my lips curling into a faint grin. 'How has that been like? I can't help but be curious.'
I caught the subtle way Bedivere exhaled, almost as though he'd been holding his breath, before he finally replied.
'It has certainly been a challenge,' his voice admitted across the link, grave and measured. 'I will not lie to you, Merlin… I hated the boy. I held so much contempt for him that it was dangerous for me to even remain at his side.'
My brow arched slightly. 'You speak in past tense—as though you don't any longer.'
'That's right,' Bedivere said, his tone softening. 'I've grown… rather fond of the boy. Because that's all he is right now: a boy. To harbor such contempt toward a child would be unjust, even dishonorable. And yet… there have been moments, fleeting but undeniable, when his true self flickered through. Moments that reminded me of the man he once was. The man who was the strongest of us all, who commanded respect without demanding it, whose compassion and nobility elevated him beyond knight or warrior.
'Lancelot…' His thoughts lingered on the name like a bittersweet prayer. 'He was the best of us. The most exemplary knight. The admiration—and yes, the envy—of all who stood beside him. He alone could have borne the title "Best Friend to the King," and none would have found it disrespectful. Only just.'
There was a warmth to his mental voice now, something I hadn't heard in centuries. 'Those qualities that made him a legend… they still live inside him. And I want to help them shine through once again. Properly this time.'
Before I could comment, Arthur's voice cut through aloud.
"Forgive me but have to say, I love your metal arm! It's so cool—and beautifully crafted as well." His eyes gleamed with the same admiration he reserved for works of art.
I couldn't resist slipping in a jab. "I agree, whoever designed it must be a wonderful craftsman," I said smoothly, despite my sarcasm I hid within my words. I knew exactly who had made it.
"Thank you," Bedivere replied, his smile softening into something gentle as he gazed at the polished limb. "It was a gift."
'So Vivienne gifted you the arm, then,' I probed privately. 'How did you even lose it in the first place? Or does it tie into… what you are now? The fact that you're no longer human?'
He lowered his gaze, brushing his fingers across the gilded seams of the prosthetic. 'Yes. She gave it to me in exchange for training Lance. Lady Vivienne wanted me at my peak when I taught him—you know how fond she is of the boy, she expects nothing but the best. As for the other matter… it was a choice I made willingly.'
I felt the weight in his thoughts.
'When I finally delivered the sword back to the Lady, I was shattered. I had fulfilled my duty, but in doing so, I was left… hollow. Lost. Like a sword without a wielder. I knew—knew—my king would one day return when the world required him again. But I also knew I would likely not live to see that day. I was devastated. So I made a sacrifice. In exchange for my arm, I was remade. The Lady granted me immortality. She made me into fae. So that when my King returned, I would still be here… to serve him.'
I blinked, momentarily stunned into silence.
'You do realize,' I said finally, 'it is often said a knight's arm is his lifeline. You really went that far for Arthur?'
Bedivere smirked faintly, lifting his gleaming hand as if to admire it. 'He is my King, Merlin. There is no such thing as too far. My life is his to forfeit, should he choose it.'
'…'
What in God's name has Arthur been feeding these people to make them this obsessively loyal? It's like he slips something into their wine.
********************************************
+10 advance Chapters and my other patron exclusive content on: patreon.com/Shadow_D_Monarch3