(Author's Note: Follows immediately from Series 3 Ep. 13 the Coming of Arthur Part 2. So I guess it's what I would like to see happen if Series 3 were extended)

Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin its characters or it's monsters it is the property of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

The Crowning of Arthur

Previously...

Uther Pendragon was a broken man. His son Arthur had but a few days before; rescued him from the evil clutches of his daughter Morgana. She had been plotting against Uther since her return to Camelot, after spending a year with her sister Morgause, a high priestess of the old religion. She had taught Morgana how to control her gift and how to harness its power and bend it to her will.

One

Merlin was in Arthur's chambers completing just one of his many daily chores. As always Arthur had instructed him to Clean his chambers, wash his shirts, dust his sheets, polish his armour, clean his boots, muck out his horses...Merlin shook his head with a half smile as he recalled the almost endless list of tasks Arthur had set him, endless because by the time he had completed them for the first time, it would then be time again to begin them once more.

"Just another day in the life of Merlin" he muttered to himself.

He may mumble and groan constantly about the amount of work that Arthur makes him do but really Merlin enjoyed his work, because he knew that he was working towards a greater destiny.

Day by day the pieces of Albion were fitting together as if they were part of a puzzle creating the beautiful image of Camelot. A land where men, women and children alike were able to live long happy and carefree lives, under the watchful eye of the best king Camelot has ever known, because that is who Arthur was to be become; a man that the people would be proud to call their sovereign.

Arthur was in the King's chambers, tending to his father as he wondered in and out of consciousness. Uther lay almost motionless in his bed with a washcloth on his forehead to calm his fever. He stirred in his sleep "Morgana...No Morgana" he then began to mumble inaudible sounds. Arthur sat up from his drowsy seat at his bedside.

"It's alright father you're safe now, you must rest, sleep father please"

"Arthur..." He muttered

"Yes father I'm here please sleep"

"My son" he whispered as he once again fell into an uneasy sleep.

Gaius the court physician entered the chambers.

"Has there been any change sire?" he asked softly so as not to wake the king.

Arthur turned to look at Gaius as he approached where he sat.

"No, he is the same as before" Arthur replied

Gaius detected a sense of resignation in Arthur's tone. "Gaius do you believe there is any hope of him regaining his strength enough for his duties? " Arthur looked at him half-heartedly as he already knew the answer.

"There is always hope Sire" Gaius replied "The King just needs time"

"It is exactly that that worries me Gaius, just how much time; Camelot cannot go on much longer without a leader"

"I fear you may be right sire" the two men exchanged a resigned look of hopelessness and Arthur let the room.

As Arthur walked the corridors o the castle on his way to the Great Hall to return to court he saw Guinevere walking in the other direction, it immediately brightened his spirits but there were still heavy burdens praying on his mind.

Guinevere also saw Arthur she beamed as they became closer to one another in the corridor. Something was troubling him; she knew it in an instant.

Arthur was the first to stop and speak,

"Guinevere" he said with a half smile.

"My Lord" she said with a slight curtsy

"How are you?" Arthur was trying to make conversation, which for some reason was proving to be difficult which frustrated him.

"Very well thank-you sire" she replied attentively

She shuffled aside a little and Arthur followed her.

"Arthur is there something bothering you?" She whispered gently.

He gave her another half smile.

"Nothing gets past you then" he muttered softly.

Gwen shook her head and smiled.

"Come on, let's go somewhere and talk"

Gwen looked up and down the corridor,

"Let me first finish attending to Morgana's chambers I'll come to you within half an hour".

Arthur smiled and stroked her arm gently as he mouthed "Thank-you and began the walk to his chambers.