A/N: Hai everyone. So sad Merlin is finishing This is a future fic, so will be when Arthur returns. All mistakes are my own but if there is anyone willing to beta this please let me know
For those reading my Transformers Fic, don't panic I am still writing it, just work eating my time and this one demanded I start it before Merlin Finishes.
Huge thanks to Flyaway213 for betaing this chapter for me.
Disclaimer: Merlin and its Characters belong to the BBC, I am making no money from this. just borrowing the characters. they will be returned in one piece.
Merlin: Shadow of the Dawn
Chapter 1: The End of an Era
The day of destiny had come to pass, but Merlin felt no joy. The field was drenched in blood, the setting sun bathing the land in the same red hue. The great warlock wandered through tattered remains of flags; some the same shade as the crimson drenched earth, others black as the darkness to come. The sullied red flags', upon which the once proud gold dragon had stood to herald the golden age, now seemed to weep, frayed edges fluttering in the breeze. Merlin's tears joined theirs lost in the saturated ground at his feet as he wandered past fallen comrades and headed for the dark haired man on the hill.
Mordred was smirking at a chain-mail form kneeling before him. The man had a hand to his stomach, through which red liquid thickly flowed, his once golden hair sullied by battle. The blood of the Once and Future King joined that of his fallen knights on the ground.
"Why Mordred?" the kneeling blond gasped as the red liquid seeped from between his lips.
"Oh, Arthur. You were no different. I believed in you but you proved me wrong. You are always so blind to betrayal and now even Merlin has abandoned you," he bent down, sneering as he set his greedy eyes on Excalibur.
"No, he hasn't," Merlin whispered, voice full of power and dark fury. Mordred spun around, eyes wide in disbelief as he beheld the greatest warlock that ever lived standing clear as day before him. Merlin was still in his trademark servant outfit, the red scarf round his neck and no signs of harm upon him.
"How? You were bound!"
That moment of distraction was Mordred's downfall. The druid gasped as a bright, singeing blade emerged from his upper rib cage. He looked down in surprise before falling to the ground, eyes closing for the final time.
"You're late…you idiot," Arthur rasped as he pulled Excalibur free and lent back against a stone outcrop.
Merlin smiled before kneeling beside his king and friend. His gaze turned to regarding the king's wound with such sad eyes that Arthur knew is must be bad. He huffed a laugh before looking around the now almost silent field.
"What of the others?"
"Many have fallen. The army of Camelot is defeated-then again, so is Morgana's. Out of your knights, Sir Percival remains alive…barely," Merlin was trying to ignore the mad cackling carrying over the battlefield as a lone figure walked between the ruins, exultant in the massacre.
"Sir Leon? Gwaine?"
"Gone, sire," Merlin replied still watching the figure. Arthur closed his eyes with a sad sigh. How had it come to this? It had all happened so fast. First finding out about Merlin's magic and his own destiny to this moment. They had changed nothing in their fight against their pre-ordained fate but at least Merlin was here; Mordred's shouted words as they had fought were false. Merlin would no betray him.
"Who is that?" Arthur had finally noticed the noise coming from the black figure.
"Morgana."
"Then hurry up and heal me so we can stop her."
"…Not this time," a tear slid from the warlock's eye as he looked back at his friend.
"Merlin…What?" Arthur looked at his servant, betrayal hinting in his eyes.
"Sire! Merlin!" Percavil's voice broke the moment as he ran up. "I am glad to see you both," the knight went to clap Merlin on the shoulder, only to gasp along with Arthur as his hand went straight through the warlock's lanky form. Merlin didn't move or speak as he knelt there, motionless with his eyes locked on the king's. It was then they realised no breeze disturbed the hair on the warlock's head, nor his clothes.
"No…Merlin," Arthurs voice was heavy with pain and a deeper sadness no one could place words to as the realization dawned upon him. Merlin was not really there.
"I'm sorry, Arthur. I saw Aithusa fall...I realised too late that it was a trap from Morgana and Mordred. I thought Morgana would not betray the white dragon in this way; it had become her only friend. I realize now she saw no value in that beyond her desire to rule. I'm not dead, just…bound," Merlin looked to a hill in the distance where the Valley of the Fallen Kings lay.
"But you can break free?" his king asked, trailing off as he let out a moan of pain.
"No, Arthur. I have enough power to do what needs to be done...no more," Merlin looked back at Morgana, eyes swirling with hatred.
"So, I am to die," the king's voice held no fear, just exhaustion.
"Everyone dies, Arthur," Merlin smiled as he turned back to his king. "But your time is not yet."
Merlin leaned into Arthur so he could whisper in his ear, no breath ghosted from his lips but the king shivered anyway like a ghost leaning in to say his last rights.
"Have Percival take you to the lake I showed you. Listen to Excalibur and do as the blade bids. I will meet you there but, for now, I must deal with Morgana," Merlin stood and turned to the confused and lost knight. He could see Percival wanted to call for a physician, someone to help the king, but knew there was no one left. "Goodbye, Percival," he bid the knight as he began to walk towards the dark form. The young servant disappeared and there, instead, stood the old form of Dragoon.
"Merlin," Arthur called and the, now, old warlock turned back. "Save her if you can."
"What?" Merlin exclaimed, his voice old and hacking as his eyes looked on at his king trying to see what his friend was thinking. "After all she has done?! She..."
"Is my sister. Please, Merlin. An order from your King...a final order," Arthur almost begged.
Merlin's face had darkened and Arthur felt he was missing something important, but he couldn't fathom what. "When do I ever listen to your orders?" Merlin spoke, voice impossibly sad. "But, perhaps this time…"
With that, Merlin strode away leaving Arthur feeling more alone than he ever had before. He turned to Percival and told his last knight to carry him to the lake east of the Fields of Camlann as Merlin wanted.
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She had finally won! She had imprisoned Emrys; she could feel the crystals humming with his contained power. There was no one to stop her now, she laughed to the heavens, her power arching and coiling about her...only for it to snuff out in an instant. Morgana stumbled, weak magic suddenly fled from her grasp and she began to fall silent.
"What is happening?"
"You reap what you sow," an old voice snarled out as Emrys walked towards her.
"No...you can't be here! You can't!"
"Oh, but I can. I am always meant to be here. I see now fate cannot be swayed from her course."
"What have you done?" Morgana screamed as pain rippled through her, magic draining to the four winds.
"I did nothing!" Emrys raged, eyes ablaze with fading gold. "You never listened, Morgana; you never heed the warnings in your lust for power, of vengeance. I care nothing for your reasons anymore. You know what the druids say of Emrys, that he is the greatest warlock that will ever live. He is magic, and what did you go and do...you bound me!"
Morgana's eyes widened as she realised what he was saying. She had bound Emrys and so, in doing so, had bound magic. She reached out a hand to the figure in desperation, "Help me, Emrys"
"Was this truly what you wanted, Morgana?!"
"No…I…," Morgana gasped. "I only wanted magic to be free! To make the land free of Arthur's oppression!"
Emrys began to laugh; deep, mocking, almost hysterical laughter when she uttered this. Tears ran from his eyes as he looked at the fallen priestess, "Arthur's oppression? Oh, by the last dragon! His oppression! You are so blind, Morgana. The man that you say has so oppressed you, begged me to save you if I can. After all the pain you wrote, he forgives you and wants to save you!"
The old man began to blend away in the laughter until the black haired serving boy stood laughing sadly before her.
"Merlin? No…You can't!"
"I do so hate the many reactions to me but, I suppose, being a servant had its advantages. Arthur never suspected and neither did you. I am Emrys, the last Dragon Lord."
Morgana screamed her outrage as she tried to reach and claw at Merlin but her hands passed right through. Merlin regarded her with eyes so old and tired.
"Why didn't you tell me?! Why leave me thinking I was alone?"
"I tried, Morgana. When Uther reigned, I couldn't chance it. Then you and Morgause tainted Arthur's view on magic."
"You poisoned me!"
"Only because there was no other choice! Morgause was using you as a vessel and the only way to stop it was to destroy the vessel. I hated myself for it but I had to protect Arthur! It was my destiny, just as it is yours to end here."
Morgana felt the last of her magic leave her body and the world felt colder than before, almost hollow as magic began to drain away. She tried to crawl away from Merlin as he advanced on her, fearful of what he would do.
"Don't fear, Morgana. I will not kill you here. My king has given me my last orders to spare you but you will see and you will learn of your mistakes," he touched a hand to her forehead and she screamed as old magic flowed into her head. She collapsed, her body still, as images ran through her mind of all the mistakes and what could have been. She felt her friends' real feelings for her and learned that all along they had loved her and would not have shunned her had she just trusted them.
Merlin picked up her body and, in a light, swirling breeze, he left the Field of Camlann behind. He appeared on the shore of the lake, just in time to see Percival throw the dully shining Excalibur into the still waters. Just before it plunged into the mirror like water, a hand rose up to catch it then sank below. Merlin laid Morgana down upon the bank and walked to his king. Arthur's breathing was labored and the warlock knew there was not long left.
"Is she?"
"She lives...but she will never come to this land again," Merlin replied, looking to the lake to see two boats coming towards the shore, each had a cloaked form standing serene at the back.
"And me?"
"You are to go on a journey until it is time for the Once and Future King to return."
"Emrys, we have come," an ethereal voice spoke out as one of the robed beings lowered their hood. It was a female so achingly beautiful that men would weep. The boat she stood upon was ornately decorated with a litter in its centre, "I am curious as to why you requested two of us to bear the king from this land."
Merlin walked to the ornate boat and went to one knee before her, his head bowed low to her graceful form as he knew this to be the queen on the fae.
"My Lady Titania, I would bid thee carry two from this plane. The Once and Future King…and the Priestess of the Old Religion, Morgana Pendragon."
The queen hissed as she looked over at the unconscious form on the ground then turned her fiery eyes back upon the warlock, "You dare ask me this?"
"I do, my lady. I ask you to forgive this, but I must. I ask she remains on the Isle of Avalon and learn the path she could have taken. I ask you teach her as your own."
"You test me, Emrys."
"Forgive me, my lady, but I still request it," Merlin bowed lower while Arthur looked on.
"Your king asks too much of you, Emrys. You know my Lord Oberon will not be pleased and will turn his displeasure to you."
"I know and, yet, I still request it."
"Very well, Emrys. So be it," she turned to Morgana's thin form and, with a wave of her hand, she moved her to the boat that was a little way to the rear. She opened her arms and called to the waters as it began to churn and glow, "I, Titania, Queen of the Fae, summon my Lord Oberon to bid passage for this one to the shores of Avalon."
The water rose and coiled into the shape of a man, his form quivering with power as he regarded his queen. His voice was rich and arrogant as he answered, "Why do you summon me for this, my queen? You know this one has twisted the Old Religion to her purpose and upset the balance. She is not welcome on these shores!"
"Emrys has requested it, my lord."
Eyes of water looked at Merlin, his form bent in respect as he waited.
"Then he will pay the price. I assume he knows this."
"He does."
The Lord Oberon smirked as he walked over to the kneeling manservant, running his hand over his form and, surprisingly, touching him, making him quiver as power flowed through him, raw from is source. It was the beginning of all magic and where his own was drawn from.
"So be it."
"What price?" Arthur croaked as he looked between the magical beings.
"Hush, Arthur," Merlin hissed as he turned to his king and, with a flick of his wrist, levitated Arthur to the boat. As Arthur settled on the litter, his body felt lighter. The pain seemed to flow from his form and he sighed in relief. He felt his eyes getting heavy but they shot open at Merlin's whispered word, "Prat."
"Merlin, what price?"
"Shut up and sleep, clot-pole."
"Tell me, you idiot!"
"For the Lady Morgana to pass into this realm, Emrys will lose his right to pass to Avalon. He must remain bound in the cave, his magic drawn from him until the appointed time. The pain he will endure...will not be pleasant," Oberon replied, his voice almost bored.
"No…Merlin, no!"
"It is too late, Arthur Pendragon. It is done," Oberon disappeared into the water as Morgana's boat followed him.
"Say your goodbyes, Emrys. He must now pass to Avalon if he is to survive," Titania said kindly, her face marred with sorrow at the future Emrys must face alone.
"Merlin, I order you not to do this!" Arthur had a hard time keeping his eyes open.
"Too late, prat. You already gave me your last order," Merlin laughed, placing a hand over Arthur's heart.
Arthur reached up to clasp Merlin's forearm, eyes locking with his friend.
"Please, Merlin."
"Arthur…You can't have it both ways. You wanted Morgana saved and she is but there has to be balance. It was me or her and you chose her," Merlin replied sadly.
"It's not fair, Merlin."
"Life never is."
"But how long will you remain stuck here?"
"Forever, Arthur. I will never pass to Avalon."
"Merlin…I-I'm sorry."
"It's okay, Arthur. I never lied. I was happy to be your servant till the day I die," Merlin laughed. "Guess this means I will always be your servant."
"How about my friend?" Arthur asked.
"That, I can do," Merlin smiled at his king and his friend. "Go to sleep, Arthur. When you wake, it will be a new dawn."
"Will we meet again?" Arthur's eyes were mere slits now.
"In time," Arthur's eyes finally closed, but a tear slipped from one as a choked sob caught in the king's throat. "No man is worth your tears."
"You are, Merlin. Forgive me."
"I forgive you. Goodbye, Arthur."
"Goodbye, Merlin. Thank you," the last was a whispered sigh leaving the king's lips. Merlin had tears streaming down his face as he turned to the Lady Titania.
"Thank you, my lady," he knew it had been she that had given him that moment of touch so he could say his farewell to his king.
She nodded, raising her hood, and the ornate boat turned, the gold catching the moon as it rose before she disappeared into the fog, the waves never making a sound at her passing.
King Arthur Pendragon...had passed from the world of man.
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Percival watched all with silent tears. He felt as if he were intruding on something sacred and powerful, but as Arthur passed from his sight, he turned to the warlock.
"What now Merlin? When will Arthur return?"
"Not for a long time."
"What shall we do?"
"You will continue on, Percival. There is much before you. I, on the other hand, must do one more thing, one more walk of the world before I pass from its sight," Merlin began to walk to the trees.
"Will I see you again, Merlin?"
"You will, when your time comes. I will offer the same I will offer the others. It will be up to you if you decide to serve Arthur again," with those words, Merlin vanished into the night mist. He walked away, taking his time, now, for who knew when he would see this land again. Would it look the same? He doubted it; the nature of the world was change. That and time were the one things you could never escape. He wished he could check on Gaius and his mother but knew he would not be allowed to stray that far.
White caught his attention as nnicorns galloped past towards the sea, disappearing into the waves, their forms in the sea spray as they, too, left this world. Magic's time had passed and all its creatures were returning. He found himself, once more, on the Field of Camlann, the carrion birds not caring whom they feasted on as they gorged themselves. He moved from form to form, touching the fallen of Camelot. Only a chosen few met his finger until their forms stood before him.
"Whoa! My head is killing me. Merlin, mate! What are you doing here?" Gwaine exclaimed.
"Merlin. What? Where is the king?" Leon looked at the battlefield then looked down, seeing his corpse before him. "By the gods!"
The other knights gasped as each beheld their own body on the battle field before turning to the lanky servant for answers.
"Merlin...are we dead?"
"Yes."
"Oh...so no more ale?"
"No, Gwaine...No more ale," Merlin rolled his eyes.
"Are you dead?" Leon asked.
"No..."
"Arthur?"
"He lives…in a way. He is asleep. His wound was mortal. I have sent him to Avalon. He will return when the land has need of him again. It is this reason I have brought you back from the brink. I give you a choice. You may sleep on the Isle of Avalon with Arthur and return with him, or you may pass beyond the veil," Merlin looked so tired and seemed to be quivering.
"I have served Arthur all my life. I will not stop in death," Leon spoke, standing forward.
"How can we trust this sorcerer?" the youngest knight exclaimed.
"Trust me or not, it does not matter anymore," Merlin sighed.
"If I sleep along with Princess...will we meet again, Merlin?" Gwaine asked of his friend.
"Yes, Gwaine. We will. It will be but a short time to you."
"And for you?"
"A very long time," Merlin said sadly. Gwaine looked at his friend in the eye then smiled.
"Well, looks like I have no choice. Can't have princess pushing you around when he wakes up. Besides, you'll need cheering up," Gwaine's grin was wide but his eyes were full of tears causing Merlin's to water as well.
"Thank you. See you when you wake, Gwaine," Merlin's eyes flashed gold and Gwaine was gone. He turned to Leon who nodded and smiled.
"Thank you for all you did, Merlin. We can never repay you," Leon saluted Merlin with his blade before, with a flash of gold, he followed Gwaine.
Out of the knights, only a Leon and Gwaine chose to sleep with Arthur. The rest, bone weary of magic and battle, chose to follow their loved ones beyond the veil. Merlin let a weary sigh leave his body before walking towards the Valley of the Fallen Kings and the Crystal Cave.
The Cave was now closed, a great oak tree entwining the entrance with its roots, long and deep, hiding the dark cave from view. He passed into the entrance with no problem, the cave growing lighter the deeper he went until he was at the heart of the Crystal Cave. The crystals hummed in power as they called out to him to return. In the centre was a huge crystal, newly formed but no less old. At the base was imprisoned a white dragon, sleeping as its form and soul healed with the magic of the cave wiping away the pain it had felt. Aithusa, the last dragon, would sleep with him in his long imprisonment. Merlin hoped, with what he had set in motion, that when it was time for Arthur to return and for Merlin to be set free, the white dragon would no longer be the last. Merlin's heart ached as he thought of Kilgharrah; the gold dragon had passed beyond Merlin's reach as the light had left his golden eyes and the breath soon followed. Although Kilgharrah had said they would meet again, Merlin did not hold out hope that this would come to pass.
He raised his eyes from the form of Aithusa only to behold himself trapped in the crystal above. His arms were stretched straight as cruel shards dug into his flesh, drawing his magic from deep inside of himself. He did not know why; he just knew it hurt...a lot. He would spend years here? Centuries? Eons? The crystals, this time, keeping their own counsel instead of showing him the future. With one last look at the cave's entrance, his soul returned to his body, and he knew pain...he knew time...and he knew madness. He knew madness of himself...and the madness of man as they destroyed everything with eyes wide open
A/N:
There we go, chapter one done..or prologue depending how you look at it. I, like you will be sad when Merlin ends. This has been bugging me a while but not had the time to write it. I have other fics on the go and I work in a toy store RL. Round xmas it gets mad as you can imagine (am doing 40 hours +) So I don't know when the next chapter will be up.
please enjoy and review :)