How we cite our quotes: (Book.Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
It was massive, oblong, uncarved, simply a great natural stone on to which now the moonlight poured. It hardly needed the cold at my hands, the hiss of the bleached grasses under the sudden run of wind, the scent of daisies, to tell me that this was the stone. All round me, like dancers drawing back from a center, the silent stones stood black. (IV.10.9)
Merlin doesn't have to do a huge forensic investigation into the nature of this stone to know that it's the king-stone, the powerful object from Killare that must be transported back to Stonehenge to complete the circle of stones there. He knows that this will be the stone to cover the grave of his father, who's about to die. Of note here is the fact that nature speaks up to help Merlin identify the stone, even though his senses have already figured it out.
Quote #8
His battle with the Saxons, his near defeat and subsequent sharp, brilliant victory, was all that the reign needed. Men forgot the bale of Ambrosius' death, and talked of the new King like a sun rising. His name was on everyone's lips… (V.1.4)
Finally, some earthly power. With all the supernatural stuff going on in this work, it's easy to forget that there's a battle for national identity going on as well. Uther's victory against Hengist's kinsmen means that he's won the hearts and swords of the Britons at a pretty dicey time. He's no Ambrosius, but he's a good soldier. The Britons will have to be happy with his ability to protect them on the battlefield.
Quote #9
"As to how this will be, it is with God. I can only tell you what I know. What power is in me now is from him, and we are in his hands to make or to destroy. But I can tell you this also, Ygraine, that I have seen a bright fire burning, and in it a crown, and a sword standing in an altar like a cross." (V.5.72)
Merlin convinces Ygraine to let him act on her behalf and to bring Uther to her bed. He tries to sway her by telling her that their impending hookup is written in the stars. Note that Merlin doesn't tell her everything that he knows. He just needs to tell her enough to get her to go along with the task he has at hand. So now, Merlin isn't just wielding supernatural power; he's using his powers of manipulation to bring everything to its fated conclusion.