Merlin Revealed

"Hmmm," whispered Betty-2. "I think I've seen that one knight somewhere before." She pointed out a knight that stood at Arthur's side. While many of the knights who were closer to him seemed older and almost careworn in spite of their vital energy, much as he did, this one was young and boyish, with long brown hair.

"You're right," said Betty-1. "Where do you think it was? Wait a minute--that's Ancelyn!"

"So that means--do you think he'll recognize us, or is he from a different timeline?" said Betty-2.

"Wait, what--" put in Stacy, but just then Merlin spoke. "I have looked into the souls of these three women with my magic and while they come from a distant pagan land and know only of the faith from rumors they have heard, they are nonetheless virtuous and we should not harm them. They were sent to see me about a private matter. They've had a long, hard day and don't need to be bothered with military rigmarole."

Arthur sighed. "We are only a few miles from Camelot, so the three of you shall ride with knight. Bettania, you shall ride with Lancelot. Ragania, you shall ride with Gawain. Ecstacia, you shall ride with Ancelyn." The three women mounted the horses as assigned. Lancelot and Gawain did not seem happy about riding with sorceresses, but Ancelyn seemed quite pleased with Stacy's presence. "Sorry about all the hassle," said Merlin to his horse. "Giddyup, old girl." And so the knights rode off to Camelot.

The three companions were overcome by awe as Camelot came into view. It was even more beautiful and dignified than they could have imagined. When they were taken inside the castle, they saw a magnificent vision of elaborate tapestries and knights and ladies in magnificent clothing. They hoped they would have a chance to see the Round Table itself. Before long, they were taken up to Merlin's laboratory and there left alone.

The laboratory was just as magical as the rest of the castle, though in a different way. It was simple, unadorned, and somewhat dark and musty. Scattered through it were bubbling beakers filled with liquids and vapors of every imaginable color, dusty ancient tomes, and strange clockwork contraptions whose function the three companions couldn't even guess at. Merlin pulled out three chairs, picking up the scattered papers on them and shoving them into a pile. "Pardon my mess, I'm an eccentric," said Merlin. "Do have a seat. Would you like some tea?"

"You're the Doctor, aren't you?" said Betty-2. "And this is that one Arthurian parallel world from Battlefield. I recognized Ancelyn from that episode, and when you called the horse 'old girl' that was pretty much a dead giveaway."

"What is Battlefield, anyway?" Stacy asked.

"It's an episode of Doctor Who," said Betty-2. "It revealed that the Doctor would one day go to a parallel world where the Arthur of legend existed and become Merlin."

"You're quite right," said Merlin. "I am indeed the Doctor, a future version of the one you three no doubt know. It's good to see all of you again. It's been quite some time, from my point of view at least."

"Thanks," said Stacy. "So what do we do now?"

"If I remember correctly, you three are in the middle of your battle with Scott Chen. I think once you returned you told me that you managed to acquire enough points to win the level you're currently on by carrying out a mission for me--though when you finish this you mustn't tell my past self that I am him, you understand. I'm not meant to know this part of my future until I'm in my seventh incarnation. The web of time has gotten quite tangled enough without--but no matter."

"Some of these things are pretty amazing," said Betty-1. "Could you explain what they do?"

"I haven't the time, I fear," said Merlin. "I doubt you would understand anyway, as good as your grasp of science might be--they are based on a mix of magic and vastly advanced science. As you no doubt know from what Arthur said, things have grown quite grim for Camelot. We are the last outpost of justice and civilization now that the Roman Empire has fallen. Soon, Morgaine and her S'Rax legions will rule this entire world and it will sink into night for a thousand years, although at least the legend of Camelot and a few of its knights will remain to inspire it. Lancelot and Guenivere are having an affair behind Arthur's back, and Gawain is growing more and more unstable. I can scarcely trust anyone, except for Ancelyn. A serious problem has come up which perhaps you could help me deal with. You see,

1. There is a dragon attacking the southern part of Britain."
2. One of my old enemies has recently appeared in this world."
3. A civil war just started in the nearby kingdom of Daria."

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