Author's Note: For the language of magic I decided to use Welsh (except Sidhe magic, which is Finnish for no other reason than it sounds right to me). However, when Merlin speaks to a dragon it will be in Irish. Most of that is probably super inaccurate and a grammatical nightmare but I made do with what I could. I try to stick with established canon as much as possible but there may be some discrepancies or assumptions that I make in order to further my story line and clarify certain concepts or plots. Most of the characters are established in the canon but there will be a few new ones. My story picks up a bit after the series leaves off for the most part so spoilers all. Keep in mind that the characters will have had some development in the time between then and when my story takes place, so some of the characters (mainly Merlin) will have some major personality changes for various reasons. It will be a bit of a darker story in comparison to canon, and I am not very nice to my character; fair warning.
Disclaimer: I do not own anything. Merlin does not belong to me.
Chapter One- Desperate Measures
A screeching owl burst from the canopy of a nearby tree, disturbed by the sudden explosion of hooves sprinting along the rundown path. The two horses ran as though perused by a great fire, taking cues from their tense riders. The constant pounding of the frantic hoof beats and his sleepless state almost lulled Leon into a trance, but the hunched figure he held close to his chest kept him alert and motivated as they road together. He pulled it closer, and a small moan of pain came from her. He recalled Gaius's words from before they departed.
"There is nothing I can do to help her; she is too far gone. However... I may know someone who can."
Everyone knew of the great sorcerer; a wizened old warlock called Emrys who had single-handedly turned the tide during the battle of Camlann. He was a legend, but he hadn't been heard from since that day, and his whereabouts were unknown. Or so Leon thought until Gaius reluctantly told the knights where to find him. Desperate times, he thought.
"You must ride out immediately. Go to the lake of Avalon and he will find you from there. Only he can save her now."
"How do you know of this, Gaius?" Percival inquired.
"Let's just say, He's an old friend who kept in touch."
The whinny of Percival's horse as its reins were pulled back interrupted Leon's thoughts.
"We're here." Percival whispered in an ominous tone. At the end of the road they dismounted their horses and took in the sight before them. The black lake glistened in the moonlight, a great expanse of water churning in the wind that whipped the cloaks of the knights and howled through the trees. A large island was visible in the center of the lake, with a soaring monument that protruded from the thick wood. Leon slowly carried the hooded woman from the horse and leaned her against a nearby tree. She let loose a small whimper as he set her down and let her hood drop to her shoulders. "We made it Gwen. You're going to be okay. I promise."
She smiled weakly at him, but did not reply. She no longer had the strength for that.
He grasped her hand encouragingly, and then stood to address the other knight. "We should make camp. Gaius said Emrys should find us, but I don't know long we'll have to wait."
They silently agreed and got to work on creating a small fire under the shelter of the trees. Percival started off to the horses to feed them and brush them down; they had ridden hard that day. The white horse that he had ridden nickered in greeting as he approached. He retrieved some oats for a treat and enjoyed a moment of silent companionship with the horse. A small rustle in the bushes behind Percival made the horse flicker its ears and give a nervous snort. Percival slowly and quietly drew his sword without turning around, as he secured the horses reigns with his free hand. Leon seemed not to have noticed the noise, or if he did, he showed no sign of alarm. He waited for a moment, listening and ready.
He heard another rustle, this time closer behind him. His sword flew as he spun around, turning to face the mysterious attacker. A hooded man stood before him, hand outstretched and palm open, just inches away from the tip of his sword.
"Why are you here?" A strangely familiar voice from under the hood asked calmly. It was unsettling to Percival how calm and in control the man seemed to think he was, considering who held the sword. He couldn't quite place where he knew the voice from until the man dropped his hood and asked again. "Answer me. Why are you here?"
"M…Merlin?" Percival had not noticed Leon approach behind him until he spoke up.
Merlin looked between the two knights and after a moment, recognition flashed in his lightening blue eyes. He dropped his outstretched hand. "Sir Leon, Sir Percival. Why have you come here?"
"You're dead." Percival replied dryly, his sword still pointed. "You're supposed to be dead."
"I know, it's a long…" Merlin began. But he was interrupted by a low moan from Gwen. He quickly maneuvered around Percival's sword, and before the knight could react, Merlin bent down to examine her. "She is injured, and very weak." He pulled aside her cloak to reveal a blood soaked bandage around her chest. "Who did this?" He hissed angrily.
Leon flinched at the sight of her wound. "We don't know. Gaius sent us here to find the sorcerer Emrys. He seems to think he might be able to help her." Percival glared at Leon for revealing so much, but Leon ignored him and added, "Do you know where we can find him?"
Merlin only stood and responded "Come with me. Leave the horses though; you won't need them and we shouldn't be gone long."
The Knights quickly packed up camp, but left the horses tied. They followed Merlin to the shore, Leon carrying Gwen in his arms. Merlin raised his hand toward the water and spoke firmly. "Codiad Cwch." For a moment his eyes glistened gold, and the water began to bubble where his hand pointed. A small boat just big enough for the four of them emerged from the water. It was of simple design, circular and made of wood. There were no paddles in sight.
The knights gasped in surprise, but said nothing. There would be time for that later. They hastily boarded the boat, and Merlin once again raised his hand pointing in the direction of the island. "fynd ymlaen."
The boat smoothly moved forward. Merlin turned his attention to the two knights beside him, allowing the boat to navigate itself. He stared at them expectantly, waiting for them to speak first.
After a few silent moments, Leon spoke up. "You have magic." He stated.
"Yes." Merlin answered simply.
Leon paused a moment to consider, then continued. "You must have been learning from Emrys all these years. That would explain your disappearance. Will he be meeting us on the island?"
Merlin's lips raised slightly in a weak smile. "Not exactly." He answered.
"Why don't you give us a straight explanation then?" Percival snapped, breaking his previous silence. He crossed his arms and huffed impatiently.
"Emrys is the name the druids gave to me. The old sorcerer is a guise I used when I needed to do magic publicly." He explained
Percival gave a sharp laughed and raised his brow in disbelief, but Leon only nodded, as if he would believe anything after Merlin's display of magic. It was a strange thing to have the beliefs he held of someone be so utterly wrong. They spent the rest of the journey in silence.
It didn't take long for the boat to reach the rocky shore of the island, but by then dawn was almost upon them. Morning mist twirled and hugged he rocks, and slowly floated over the thick. The forest floor was thick with tangled underbrush, but a small path, hardly more than a game trail, carved its way from the shore deep into the woods. One by one, they exited the boat. Once Leon lifted Gwen out the boat, Merlin spoke up.
"Once we enter the woods, you must be absolutely silent. Whatever you do, do not leave the path. We need to take her to the center of the island, where I will attempt to heal her using a very ancient magic. However, the Sidhe who live here are not going to be happy about that, so as soon as I am finished be ready to run. Understand?"
The knights nodded silently, and followed Merlin as he started up the path. The silence was eerie; not even birdsong could be heard. It was as if the entire island was holding its breath. Twigs and branches reached out at them menacingly. At some points, the path was almost too narrow for Percival's large body and for Leon who carried the barely conscious Gwen, but Merlin's slim figure navigated past the brush easily, as if the path were made for him. Maybe it was, thought Leon to himself.
Finally, they reached a large clearing. It was a perfect circle, with the massive monument rising up from the center. The underbrush was entirely cleared away including any grass, and only a dirt surface remained.
Merlin motioned for Leon to place Gwen at the foot of the monument, and then for the knights to stand back. He kneeled over her and placed both his hands over her wound. He began to chant.
"korjaus haavoittaansä! Poista epäpuhtaus! Antavat elämälle!" His eyes glowed gold, and a blue light enveloped Gwen. The knights started towards her as she began to scream, but Merlin warned them not to interfere with a sweep of his hand and a terse head shake. She quieted, and the light began to fade away from her. A single shard of metal hung suspended above her wound, still slightly glowing. Merlin grabbed it out of the air, and motioned for Leon to grab her.
"Run!" he shouted.