Hi all and welcome to my fic. I've wanted to try my hand at something like this for a while, so here we are.

This will be a watching the series type of thing though that will come later as there are other things I want to put in as well. The divergence point from the series is quite obvious, during the last episode of series 3.

As well as everyone discovering Merlins history I'm planning to put in some history for the rest of the round table as well, especially as at this point in the programme many of them don't know each other that well.
What do you guys think? Would you be interested in me continuing with this idea?

One final thing - The updates for this won't be that regular, I'll do my best but sometimes things just get in the way. Keep bugging me and I will update eventually.

Anyway, on with the story and I hope you enjoy :) Oh and Merlin does not belong to me... Unfortunately.

Merlin ran his hand over the rough surface of the table, tracing the runes etched in the wood. He smiled slightly, glancing over to where the rest of the party still slept, though he knew it would not be for much longer. Soon they would wake and the plans would begin for the reclaiming of Camelot from Morgana and Morgause.

His eyes darkened slightly as he remembered his own plans, his hand flattening unconsciously over the symbol that was etched in front of the seat he had occupied the previous evening. He knew that if he failed, his friends would all die, that Camelot would fall. He knew so much rested on his shoulders that none of the others, not even Gaius, knew. He also knew that should he not survive, which of course was a very likely outcome, that most of the people he cared about would know nothing of the sacrifices he had made, would believe the idiot servant just another casualty of war.

The words Arthur had said last night, when he had discovered the round table, echoed through his head

Here! Come and join me. This table belonged to the ancient kings of Camelot. A round table afforded no one man more importance than any other. They believed in equality in all things. So, it seems fitting that we revive this tradition now.

He had been so proud then, he still was proud. He could see more clearly than ever the great king that Arthur would be, that he was already well on the way to becoming. The word equality had struck a chord, for that was his dream, an equality between all the people in the kingdom, magic and non magic alike. He knew that thought would not have even crossed Arthur's mind, especially faced with the current attack. But it gave him hope, hope that one day he would be able to use his magic freely and without fear.

I want to thank you all for staying loyal to me in Camelot's hour of need.

He would always be loyal to Arthur, to Camelot. Not because of destiny, not any more. But because Arthur was his friend, and his king, a man he believed in with his whole being. One day he would be able to show the true extent of that loyalty, using all that was given to him, working in light, not shadows. But until that day he would continue to protect his home and his friends in secret, to the best of his abilities.

Merlin sighed softly and turned away to wake his friends, his hand sliding off the table. However, as he turned away he failed to notice the rune his hand had covered glow gold for a moment before fading back to the natural darkness of the wood.

It didn't take long for Merlin to wake his friends; Arthur's shout as he had dripped water on to his face had woken the others quite effectively. Of course Merlin paid for that little piece of fun by being made to cook breakfast for the entire party, but he thought it was worth it, besides, he would have cooked breakfast anyway.

After they had all eaten their fill Arthur recalled them to the round table to begin their planning. Merlin smiled as one by one everyone took the seats they had been sitting in the evening before, Arthur waiting until everyone was seated before taking his own.

It was when Arthur had sat down that he felt it, a shiver of magic running through him.

He frowned slightly, tuning out the knights who had started discussing the best way to get back in to Camelot and concentrating on the magic he had felt.

'It's the table' He reached out a hand, letting it hover slightly above the table top, 'no, more precisely the rune on the table.'

"Merlin!" The sound of his name made him jump and he let his hand fall to the tables surface, covering the rune in front of him.

"Are you even listening to me?" He looked at his friend, a reply on his lips, just in time to see Arthur lean forward and one of his hands land on the table, covering the rune that sat in front of his chair. Merlin felt the magic run through him like a shock wave and with a start realised that every person sat at the table had a hand on a rune. He tried to pull his hand back but it seemed to be stuck to the table, he heard the frown in Arthur's voice as he tried to lift his own hand from the table and found himself unable.

"What on earth…"

Then the magic seemed to explode around them.

Nobody moved as one by one the runes in front of their seats began to glow, the gold encircling each persons hand, until the circle was complete. They couldn't have moved even if they had wanted to.

Merlin gasped as he felt the magic pulse and swirl around him, warm, gentle, but powerful. He could feel that it meant no harm; there was no evil intent behind it. It was old, old magic.

Around him he could see his friends worried and fearful looks. Gaius caught his eye, silently asking if they were in danger but when Merlin very slightly shook his head his mentor visibly relaxed.

Finally the gold threads seemed to settle. Around them they could see nothing but the soft golden shimmer of magic, each other and the table they sat around, the runes still pulsing gently.

Suddenly a voice broke the silence, a deep rich voice that seemed to resonate around them.

"The time of Albion draws ever closer. The time of the Once and Future King is soon."

Merlin could see the confusion on his friends faces even as Arthur spoke

"Who are you? What magic is this? I demand you release us from its grasp!"

The golden threads of magic seemed to vibrate with laughter as magic swirled in the centre of the table and a figure came in to view. A tall, regal looking man cloaked in colours of red and blue turned to face Arthur before bowing his head in respect.

"I am Oswulf young king and I do not hold you here, I am merely a messenger, a shadow, a memory."

"What do you mean?"

"Once I walked the earth, once I lived and laughed and loved. But my time has long gone. What I am now is an echo, left here to help when the time was right, when destiny conspires and should the fates so choose."

Oswulf straightened, lifting a hand towards Arthur.

"Your coming, Once and Future King, has long been foretold, as have the united lands you will build of peace and prosperity, with your kind and beautiful queen and your most loyal of knights.

But in order to fulfil your destiny there is more you must understand, there is one other you need, one who has protected you from the shadows and will help you build the lands of Albion."

Merlin's eyes widened as a feeling of foreboding settled in his stomach. Suddenly he knew where this was going, and from the way Gaius and Lancelot kept glancing fearfully at him, he wasn't the only one.

Arthur however looked slightly ill

"What do you mean?"

Oswulf just smiled "There is another half to the prophesies young king, though all were told long before even my time. You are but one side of the coin…"

That damn phrase! Merlin couldn't help it, he groaned, loudly, causing incredulous eyes to turn towards him. He felt himself flush at the attention even as the man in the centre of the table chuckled.

Arthur scowled "I apologise for my manservant's rudeness" he said stiffly, Oswulf just laughed again, moving suddenly to stand in front of Merlin. He looked down at him for a moment before crouching and looking in to his eyes.

"The servant who sits at the kings right hand." He muttered.

Merlin leant back from him, even though he was prevented from going to far due to the fact his hand still seemed to be attached to the table. Oswulf's eyes glowed gold as he stared at Merlin

"The fates are giving you a chance Arthur Pendragon." He said suddenly, turning his head to the side to look at the prince "A chance to understand a story that, had things played out differently, you would never have fully known…"

"I haven't got time for stories" Arthur growled "The more time we waste here the longer Camelot is under the reign of the witches, the longer my people suffer. Pass on whatever message you claim to have and release us from this magic."

Oswulf sighed "I have already said I can not release you young king. As for Camelot you need not fear. Once the old magic deems fit to free you and your friends, you will find that what seems like hours to you will be mere moments to those outside the circle."

Merlin swallowed nervously as Oswulf turned back to look at him, before reaching down and slowly tracing a shape on the back of his hand. The shape, he realised, of the glowing rune that his hand covered.

He felt the buzz of magic pass across his hand and with a start he realised he had been released from the tables hold. He looked up in to the mans eyes once more.

"Thank you" he muttered.

Oswulf nodded and moved round to Merlin's right, to where Sir Leon sat. He reached down and started tracing the rune that sat before Leons' seat

"This rune stands for loyalty, and so you are the most loyal of knights, to both Camelot and its King." The rune glowed briefly on the back of Leons' hand before he was released.

Oswulf moved round to Gwaine, repeating his previous motion

"The rune for strength, though I'm sure you have heard this before. Strength of heart and mind."

"Strength of stomach too, the amount of ale he puts away." Merlin heard Arthur mutter, causing him to snort with laughter. However, everyone's eyes remained fixed on Oswulf as he made his way around the table, tracing runes on the backs of everyone's hands. Elyan he called faith, Lancelot was honour and Percival was just. He paused longer with Gaius staring at him for a few moments before leaning down and declaring his rune as wisdom. He nodded then moved on to Gwen, giving her a smile as he spoke.

"The Once and Future Queen, your rune is love, for your heart is open to all. You will be a great queen whom the people will love as they know you will love them in return."

Gwen gasped as her hand was released before smiling and tracing the glowing rune etched in the table with her fingers.

"And finally the young king." Oswulf crouched down and looked in to Arthur's eyes "Your rune, Once and Future King, is courage. The courage to face all the trials that have and will come in the creation of Albion. Courage to face not just danger, but the changes you will bring." Arthur's hand was released but he couldn't draw his eyes away from the golden eyed man in front of him. Finally Oswulf moved his gaze away, standing and moving back to the centre of the table.

"The occupants who sit around this table have long been anticipated, the fact the magic has activated once all the members were seated shows the strength of the love and loyalty and belief in each other you all have. Hold on to that.

You talked about equality young king, yet there is much you don't know in order to grant that true equality.

"You have a chance," he said softly, though his voice carried to everyone around the table "a chance to understand more of the past, and to try and change your future. It's a chance that few have been granted, to truly change their fate.

Watch what I will show you, see things you missed before." The magic swirled round the table and the man started to fade from sight.

"Wait!" Gwaine suddenly called out "You didn't tell us what Merlin's rune was."

Oswulf laughed "He does not need to be told, he already knows, and it is for the rest of you to discover on your own."

"Merlin?" Arthur asked as Oswulf fully faded from sight and Magic swirled in the centre of the table.

Merlin just shook his head, dread washing through him as images started to form around them.

So? let me know what you think?

Oh and if anyone can come up with a better title for this tell me, I'm not sure I like the one I've got.

If anyone spots any mistakes, let me know. :)