Chapter 2: Merlin's POV
"Come on. There has to be something. " I growled desperately flipping through my spell book. Its been hours since I realized that stupid vow was still in affect. Yet I am as close to a solution as Arthur is at admitting that I am not an idiot. Arriving at the end of the book I slammed the cover shut throwing it against the wall. Burying my face in my hands I allowed a few silent tears to slip down my cheeks. Why did i ever make that stupid condition. I could have asked for anything and yet i choose to kill my best friend. Some friend i am. I am just wiping away the last traces of tears when i feel a hand on my shoulder. Glancing up i grimace as I am met by Giaus sorrowful face.
"What do you want old man. Come to gloat in my misery. After all you were the one constantly wailing on me about one day regretting this vow. Well you were right. The king is dead yet the vow remains, and soon the man i have spent years protecting will be dead. By my hand, and there is nothing I can do about it. Can't even kill myself as the magic won't allow me to die until after I have collected his soul." Burying my face once more in my arms i allowed the sobs to wrack my body as my grief took hold. I expected to hear the sounds of Giaus gloating. Or even to feel the sharp sting as he yelled at me. Yet no harsh words came only his soft gentle hand on my shoulder as he grabbed my attention once more. Looking up once more through my tear stained lashes I was shocked to see a small hopeful smile on his face. His eyes showing nothing but love toward me bringing new tears to my eyes.
"My boy. I find no joy in your grief. I knew from the day i met you and you saved my life that you had a good heart. That's why i knew you would one day regret taking Arthurs life. So i have spent the last few years searching for a way to break this vow for when you finally came to your senses and wished to save Arthurs life." I could feel the beginnings of hope welling up in my heart. Could he mean? Did he find a way?
"So did you... did you find a way to end the vow?" I hesitantly asked my hopeful blue eyes meeting his hazel eyes. I felt my heart shatter as he shook his head. Confirming my worst fears. Arthur was doomed. I was about to sink once more into despair when he smiled once more indicating all hope may not yet be lost.
"I may not have found a way to break it, but i did find a way to change it."
"Change it? What you mean like change the payment required?"
"Yes, though i must warn you it still comes with its own consequences. One's that can not be reversed, but it might save Arthurs life." He warned his smile slipping and being replaced by a stern frown. I know i should have been more concerned about the consequences he mentioned but i didn't care. All i could think was Arthur will live. So smiling a huge goofy grin i met his steady gaze head on.
"Sounds like fun."
"I knew you would say that." He sighed retrieving a book he had hidden from under his bed. Carrying it over to the table he placed it down. Turning to a page he had marked titled The identity vow and pointed to a set of instructions.
"This is the identity vow. It was created as a way to combat the unbreakable vow. Thankfully Arthur is unaware of your true identity otherwise this would not work and all would truly be lost. Though since Arthur is clueless this will work. Its a ritual that combines yours and the participants souls as one in a sense. Once completed you and arthur would become as soul brothers. Your immortality would be tied to his life force and he would have command of you until tbe day he dies in which case you will die as well. In otherwords once done if Arthur is successful he will have power over you. Any command he gives from that day on will become as law and you will have no choice but to fulfil that command. Even if he were to command all breath to leave your bodybyour magic would react accordingly and suffocate you. And once Arthur dies so to will you perish. And if he should fail you will be forced to reap the payment early and collect his soul. Do you still wish to go through with the ritual?" He wearily enquired watching as my mind processed everything I learned. I know i probably should be terrified of the factvthat Arthur would have such power over me but all i could feel was an overwhelming sense of peace. There is no one i trust more with that kind of power than my brother in all but blood.
"What do I need to do?"
Weekly Power Status
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