I could not believe it.

Surely, it must be a dream?

At first, I thought I was seeing things but then I determined that I may have gone mad.

The stone said:

ONLY THE KING CAN TAKE THE SWORD FROM THE STONE

But here in my hands was the sword called Excalibur, gleaming in all its glory.

ONLY THE KING CAN TAKE THE SWORD FROM THE STONE

I am king?

___

My chest rises and falls with fatigue, my lungs, desperate to regain the air they had lost from my struggle.

I lift my eyes to the crowd, reluctant to meet their gaze for I knew it would only strengthen my uncertainty.

The crowds watch me in awe, some mouths opened and agape. I searched the masses frantically, trying to decipher any familiar faces, but I knew it was useless. There was at least 500 people here. I couldn't spot Sir Ector or even Kay.

I mean...their was no downside to that.

I see Lancelot's bright brown tresses and smiled at his familiar features. He easily towered amongst the crowds of men and women. He exchanges a knowing glance and begins a slow clap that the man next to him mimics. Another man behind him copies and soon a small rumble of claps turns into a thunderous sound of cheer and jubilee.

The knights traveled from their small circle and walked to where I stood, trying to decipher the severity of the situation.

"Young boy! Is it true what the people say? Did you pull the sword from the stone?"

"Yes...yes sir! I did" I nodded violently. I was fearful they would take my word as corrupt.

"From that stone?" the taller knight points.

"Yes sir" I nodded, standing a little bit straighter.

"He did it sir! I saw it with my own eyes." Lancelot stands to challenge them.

"What is your name" the leader of the knights asks.

"I am Arthur from Cheshire"

"And who is your father boy?" he challenges me. I look to the crowds and spot Sir Ector who has just pushed through the people. His mouth was opened wide from the sight of me with Excalibur.

"I have no father nor family," I confess through a prideful glimpse. Just before Sir Ector could protest, I hear Kay's voice echoing against the silence.

"MOVE! MOVEEEE! GET OUT OF MY WAY YOU HEATHENS" he shrieks, pushing through the people.

His eyes cement onto the sword in my hand. Jealousy was the only thing his eyes possessed. There was no way that I would ever be greater than him. This outcome, where I came out as the hero and he the dunce, did not exist in his mind. "Sir! There must be a mistake! I want a rematch" he taps the knight repeatedly.

"No mistake, only THE KING can pull it out" he chuckles, "are you suggestion he cheated in some way?"

"I am and he did! Arthur meets with someone in the forest every night! He probably gave him a spell or something to drink to have the power to pull it out!!" Kay accuses me.

"And who is the lad?" the knight turns to me, already annoyed by his antics.

"He is a mad man. Jealous he could not pull out the sword" I lied. I had no desire to spare him from the knights' wrath.

"YOU ARE MAD" Kay shrieks, lunging to attack me but before he could, a big cloud of smoke erupts from the ground and Merlin came out, swirling and calming the wind of the skies.

"Merlin!" the knights smile and nod in respect.

"What perfect timing" the lead knight laughed, waiting for him to gather his things. He turns to me and beamed once he saw the Excalibur in my palm.

"Merlin! Can you believe it!" He nodded through a smile and beamed. "I believe it. I heard talks amongst the harmonies and came as soon as I heard! So you pulled it out" he smiled carefully.

"Merlin! But how did you know?"

"I always knew" he smiled warmly taking my shoulder into his palm. "Those trainings in the forest was to prepare you for a moment like this. To take your rightful place as king" he announces.

"See! See!" Kay jumps with glee, "He has been meeting with this magician! Who knows what curse he could have put on the sword to withdraw it!"

"Propesourous!" the knights scoff, "Merlin has served under many King's and priests. He was King Uther's most trusted companion. For you to accuse the grand wizard of England is blasphemy!" one knight yells, withdrawing his sword.

"That is alright Henry" Merlin sighs, signaling him to put his sword away. Merlin looks at Kay carefully, taking in his features and sights. "If you want proof, I will give it to you," he says signaling me to bring the sword. He went back to the place outside the town square and put the sword in the stone again.

"Now pull it out,' he said. I stepped up to the stone and pulled it out again. It came out as easily as a knife out of butter.

Merlin put the sword back in the stone again and picked 3 random lads. "Pull it out" he commanded them and each one came and pulled, but still it did not budge.

"Arthur" he pointed and I came and pulled it free once again.

"Arthur is the true king!!" Lancelot proclaimed to the cheers of the people. The taller knight, who I later learned went by the name of Richard, lifts my hand with the sword and promotes it to the crowd.

"MEET OUR NEW KING!
THE NEW KING OF ENGLAND! KING ARTHUR OF CHESIRE!"

ALL HAIL KING ARTHUR!!

ALL HAIL KING ARTHUR!!

ALL HAIL KING ARTHUR!!! the crowds recite.

Across the fields stood Sir Ector. He looked at the commotion of the people but only stood still as he saw me being carried away. He knew what he had done. All these years, I never understood why he would hate his own blood. For years, I had tried to please him and do what was best in his eyes, but I could never measure up. He did not care for me or my presence, only favoring Kay as his chosen son.

"Wait! Wait!!!" Kay ran after me but I snubbed him. I held no remorse for either of them as I was carried far away to a tent in the distance.

This is where my new life began.

I was free from Sir Ector and Kay forever!

I lifted the sword to the sun and flipped it over, trying to celebrate every crystal molded in place.

I was king!

-----

Author Note

So Arthur is king! Arthur hit them with the

"I DON'T KNOW HER"