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Heavy is the Crown (Harry Potter) Chapter 26: The Lord's Ring
🕑 Added 2025-04-11 18:02:44 +0000 UTC[Third Person's PoV]
Merlin watched the scene unfold with a serene smile gracing her lips. She resisted the urge to roll her eyes at Arthur’s dramatics, though a gentle softness lingered in her gaze.
Arthur held the blade in his hand, examining it carefully. He traced a finger along the flat of the blade. The silver luster had shifted upon forming its connection with him—it now gleamed with a golden hue, a vibrant blue streak running down the center, thinning out before stopping just short of the tip.
It was, without a doubt, the most beautiful sword Arthur had ever laid eyes on.
“Marvelous. Absolutely divine…” he murmured, his British accent slipping through in his awe.
“If you’re so in love with that thing, why don’t you just marry it~” Merlin teased.
Arthur’s cheeks colored faintly. “Oh, shut it, Merlin,” he shot back with a smirk, his accent more pronounced in his embarrassment.
Clearing his throat, he changed the subject. “Anyway, does Caliburn have a sheath? As much as I’d love to carry it around everywhere, even swords need a place to rest.”
Merlin chuckled, her grin growing unnaturally wide and mischievous.
“Want to know something funny?” she asked, lips twitching like she was bursting to let him in on a joke.
Arthur tilted his head. “I suppose?” He said, unsure of what it had to do with his earlier inquiry.
“Throughout the Pendragons’ history of wielding Caliburn, none of them had a sheath for it. They tried to make one, but they always shattered. Caliburn’s power resisted containment. It became known as the Sheathless Sword. However… Pfft… they never realized it did have a sheath. The real one was in front of them the whole time. Whenever the wielder’s time came, they were unknowingly returning it to its sheath.” Her shoulders shook with contained laughter.
Arthur stared at her, blinking, then slowly glanced down at the stone beneath him. He pointed. “You mean to tell me…”
“Hahahaha!” Merlin burst out laughing, nodding. “That’s the official sheath of the sword! And those idiots never figured it out!”
Arthur raised an eyebrow. “Is the sheath really just… a rock?” He awkwardly pictured himself walking around with a boulder strapped to his back, sword sticking out of it.
Merlin shook her head, still laughing. “No, silly. It’s under a bewitching charm I cast.”
She stepped forward, summoning her silver scepter into her hand with a shimmer of magic. With a tap of the staff against the stone, she dispelled the enchantment.
The mossy rock began to glow. Light particles lifted into the air, revealing the true form hidden beneath—a magnificent silver-gold sheath.
Arthur blinked. It was just as stunning as the sword. A golden cross rested near the base, golden diamond-like patterns trailing up its length to the tip.
“Accio,” Arthur murmured, and the sheath flew into his palm.
Carefully, he aligned the now golden blade and slid Caliburn into the sheath. The sword’s holy aura dimmed as it was fully enclosed, disappearing entirely.
“Wait a minute…” Arthur said, pausing. “I never asked—do the blade and sheath have any special powers? I feel like they do, but I can’t quite place it.”
“They do,” Merlin confirmed. “But your bond with the sword is still young. You’re not ready to sense everything yet. The sheath has the power of size alteration and accelerates magical recovery.”
“And the sword?” Arthur prompted.
Merlin grinned. “It can cut through space.”
Arthur stared. “I’m sorry, wha— That’s insane!”
“It’s not as overpowered as you think,” she explained. “At the moment, you could only manage two slashes before draining your entire magical reserves. But that won’t always be the case. As for the sheath, cutting your recovery time in half isn’t flashy, but it’s invaluable.”
“Size alteration, huh…” Arthur muttered, focusing. The sword rapidly shrank in his palm, afterimages trailing behind its movement.
Now resting in his hand was a tiny version—smaller than a dagger.
“Hey, Mel,” Arthur said, lifting it with a finger. “Think you could make me a chain so I can wear it around my neck?”
Merlin held out her hand. A single golden coin zipped into her palm. With a motion of her other hand, she gestured for Arthur to toss her the miniature blade.
He did so, and she clasped both items together. A faint magical glow pulsed around her hand. When she opened it, a golden pendant rested in her palm, the miniaturized Caliburn now embedded within it.
She walked over, fastening the chain around his neck from behind.
Arthur placed a hand over the pendant, glancing back at her and batting his eyelashes dramatically. “Oh gosh, Merlin, it’s simply beautiful,” he said in an exaggerated feminine voice.
Merlin rolled her eyes, chuckling. “Alright, alright. Now go gather the funds we need. We’ve dilly-dallied long enough.”
Arthur nodded and began gathering as much gold as his pouch could carry. While stuffing coins inside, he glanced at Merlin. “Hey Mel, do you think I could also get a suit of armor? This vault has them, right?”
“Yes, it does,” Merlin replied, “but I wouldn't recommend it. Armor needs to be custom-made to suit your needs. You can get one later.”
“Alright,” Arthur said with a shrug. “Oh—and one more thing. Does this place have the Lord’s Ring? I should probably take it to prove my identity later on.”
“Good call,” Merlin said, nodding. “The Pendragon Lord’s Ring should be in this vault. I’ll go fetch it for you.”
She turned and strolled off along the golden path, disappearing into the distance.
Arthur continued stuffing gold into his pouch until it was full and heavy. He admired his haul with a look of satisfaction, then heard someone clear their throat behind him.
He turned to see Merlin—down on one knee.
“Artorius Pendragon…” she intoned dramatically, holding a ring between her fingers.
Arthur gasped and slapped a hand over his mouth. “Oh Merlin~!” he exclaimed, fake tears welling up in his eyes.
Merlin extended the ring toward him, voice thick with mock emotion. “Would you make me the happiest succubus alive and… become the official Lord of the House of Pendragon?”
“Oh Merlin! I do! I do! You know I do!” Arthur cried, holding out his hand.
With a smirk, Merlin slid the ring onto his ring finger. “With this, it’s official. You are now the Head of House Pendragon.”
Arthur held his cheeks and swayed side to side. “Gosh, Merlin—Pfttt—”
He couldn’t hold it anymore and burst into laughter, Merlin joining in right after.
Examining the ring, Arthur noticed the Pendragon crest carved into a brilliant blue gem. He extended a hand to help Merlin up, shaking his head. “Come on, you dork. Let’s go. I’ve got everything I need.”
Arthur led the way back through the golden road toward the entrance.
“You sure you got everything?” Merlin asked.
“Yeah, and if I need anything else, I can always come back,” Arthur replied.
As they exited, the massive Vault doors slowly closed behind them with a deep, resounding bang. The glowing crest above it shimmered, reversed, then vanished completely.
Outside, Seraphinix and Goburk awaited them.
Arthur walked up to the dragon and looked up with a flicker of pity. “Say… do you really have to stay here all by yourself?”
Seraphinix chuckled softly. “I appreciate your concern, young Pendragon. But worry not—I have sworn to guard this vault. It is a duty I am honored to uphold.”
“But…” Arthur hesitated. “Doesn’t it get lonely? Being here all alone?”
Seraphinix’s eyes softened. “I won’t lie. It has been lonesome… but I’ve grown used to it.”
She paused, then added, “Say, young Pendragon—may I ask a favor?”
Arthur straightened. “Anything. It’s the least I can do after everything you’ve done for the Pendragons.”
Seraphinix’s tail slowly uncurled from behind her, revealing a glowing white-and-gold orb nestled at its end.
Arthur instinctively reached out as she lowered it into his hands.
“This,” she said, “is my child, not yet born.”
Arthur’s eyes widened in awe, cradling the warm, glowing egg in his palms.
“I’ve delayed her birth. This vault is not the place I want her to grow. I would be grateful if you took her with you—show her the world, keep her safe.”
“But…” Arthur hesitated.
Seraphinix looked at him with a gentle smile. “Will you do this old dragon that favor?”
Arthur looked down at the radiant egg, thinking quietly. After a moment, he gave a solemn nod. “Alright. But don’t think this is the last time we’ll see each other. I’ll come visit whenever I can. I’m sure this little one will be more than happy to meet her mother when the time comes.”
Seraphinix’s smile grew. She leaned her head down, nudging Arthur gently. He reached up and patted her snout.
“I would appreciate that… immensely.”
Comments
Nazarickk
Thanks for the chapter
Bryan Vargas
Arthur figured due to her being able to enter his dream and her being a known as a devil from his past life.
DJOK DJOK
Wait was it ever mentioned that Merlin was a sucubus to Arthur, i could guess with the hints provided that she was one but I don’t really remember it being confirmed?
