Merlin

What can I say about this story. The ending of the series left me angry at the writers and wishing they could write it again. Then it hit me...why couldn't I write it again? Who said I couldn't change the ending myself and help other disappointed fans find the closure they needed for the end within a fanfic? No one...so I did. All those late nights when I pondered on how Arthur would find out, who would find out first, what Albion would look like, and what the hell happened to Aithusa to make her so evil may actually have been somewhat useful. I wanted to address these issues in a way which I always believed would be more fitting and hopefully others will agree. So this starts off just after the beginning of the episode, with Emrys killing a bazillion enemies and Mordred searching for Arthur, the impending fatal blow only mere minutes away. And of course it's shorter because I want to get to the meaty bit soon. The layout for chapters and episodes will be explained soon. So here we go.

Season 5 Episode 13

The Diamond of the Day (Part 2)

Arthur was dead-set on a mission of vengeance. This vengeance had surpassed him for the last time as he search the one element which would turn the tides on this wailing battle...the death of Morgana Pendragon. Her perilous attempts of overthrowing the throne continuously left Arthur in a state of frenzy and frustration as he risk his life and the lives of his men to ward off her and her evil followers. Arthur was not frustrated at the idea of fighting for Camelot, he was the King after all, but he believed the time had come for this war between Camelot, Morgana, her followers and most importantly magic...to end.

As their eyes met from the two far corners of the battlefield, Arthur felt his heart increase in weight. Mordred stared through Arthur's eyes and right into his soul. Arthur knew it was his duty as King to destroy any imminent threats to the Kingdom without hesitation, but as this young man- a boy even -began to charge towards him, Arthur couldn't help his desire to let him go. However, he instead mirrored Mordred's stride. Within seconds the two were face to face, separated only by air infused with the smell of blood, sweat and death. Arthur raised his sword, his only thought of the final outcome as he prepared for the inevitable. However, as he thrust his sword...he felt a searing pain course through his body and looked down. Mordred's sword had entered the middle of his stomach. The pain, however, felt different from that of a regular sword. Could this be of Morgana's magic? Responding to this pain, he summoned all his strength in to his arm and surged his sword through Modred's chest. As the sword pierced his skin, Arthur lifted the sword upwards in a rapid movement and it was evident Mordred was drawing his final breath. With this breath, however, Mordred spoke a word in a foreign tongue, which Arthur understood to be magic, whilst thrusting his hand upwards. Arthur's ability to comprehend this situation was shortlived as he was forced in to the air and knocked unconscious. Mordred's face glinted with a smile as he fell to the ground, motionless.

Emrys searched through the seas of the deceased, knowing time was dwindling away as every second past. It was his destiny to protect the king and help him create a perfect world where magic is not forbidden and if Arthur was to die, it will be his guilt alone to bear. He could feel Albion's new beginning drawing near and therefore knew Arthur's death could not possibly occur now. As he searched, his eyes flickered to the limp body which he immediately identified as Mordred. He was too late.

Arthur was a few meters away from where Emrys stood and in his old form he could barely do more than a speed walk, which if anyone viewed would resemble that of a duck. He pondered for only a second on his thrive and hope that one day this change in appearance to hide his true self wouldn't be necessary, but he needed to focus on saving Arthur; for without him every fight, every sacrifice would be in vain. Leaning of Arthur's body, he felt his neck for a pulse...and sighed when he felt it. Using his magic, Emrys did the best he could to heal the wound, which left Arthur with a minor slice in his skin. Within a second he changed back to his true self and carefully lifted Arthur off the ground.

Merlin could see immediately that Arthur's wound was not fatal as he carried him in to the camp, where he was immediately welcomed by an emotional Gwen.

"Arthur!" she cried as she swiftly ran towards them. Merlin was finding Arthur much heavier than his arms could take. He knew a discussion of Arthur's weight would need to come up very soon. Eventually Merlin reached a bed and placed Arthur on it. Both Gaius and Gwen following behind, gazing at their unconscious King. Gaius then turned towards Merlin.

"Is he alright?" he spoke softly, fear imminent throughout his voice. Merlin nodded before averting his eyes from both of them and back to the King. Gaius examined Arthur's and smiled.

"The wound is not fatal. Arthur will arise soon." Gaius turned to Gwen, her face showed a faint smile encompassed in dried tears.

"Would you excuse Merlin and myself for a moment." Gwen nodded and offered to bandage Arthur's wounds. Gaius quickly agreed before turning towards Merlin, and gesturing for him to go outside.

"What happened?" Gaius finally spoke as they stepped though the door of the tent.

"I don't know. Mordred was supposed to kill Arthur and instead Arthur killed Mordred."

"Maybe you were able to stop the prophecy after all?"

"How? I wasn't there to stop it. The vision I saw came true, and yet the prophecy didn't."

"Maybe the prophecy was given so you were able to overcome the loss of your powers. Maybe it was to give you strength?" Merlin pondered this thought for a moment. He mumbled a 'maybe' just as the sound of numerous footsteps approached them.

"Merlin! Good to have you back...but we have a problem" Gwaine spoke in his usual chirpy voice as he gestered towards the other Knights. Immediately Merlin recognised what- or who -they were holding.

"Morgana." Merlin spoke the words with so much hatred that Gwaine seemed slightly taken aback. Behind him Merlin heard a loud groan and he realised Arthur has awoken. As if forgetting about the evil which had been uncovered behind him. As Merlin entered the room, he saw both Arthur and Gwen embracing in a passionate kiss. Arthur, as if noticing Merlin's presence, immediately turned in his direction.

"Heard of my possible death and dropped your herb collecting to make sure I was alright? You shouldn't have." Merlin couldn't help but smile, Arthur was already back to himself.

"Before your head explodes, you should know your injury was very minor and looks much worse than it actually is."

"How is being stabbed through the stomach a 'minor injury'?" Arthur questioned and before Merlin could think of a witty answer to return to the pompous King, Gwaine and Percival entered with an unconscious Morgana. Arthur tensed immediately and Gwen let out a little gasp.

"Kill her...after all the pain she has caused..." Arthur seemed to quiver before regaining his complex. He knew better than to be the one to show emotion to an evil as truly horrible as this, but he stared at Morgana with not only hatred...but pity.

"This is a true example of how magic corrupts the soul and turns even the most true-hearted people in to evil killers. My father sort out to destroy this evil, and now we shall witness the destruction of one of the most powerful sorcerers ever heard of." Gaius stepped forward and began to speak.

"Sire, I know you wish to kill her, however, as she is a High Priestess, she can not be killed by a mortal blade. The only way to destroy her...is with magic."