I don't own Merlin or the Inheritance Cycle.
(Prologue)
(Merlin Point of View)
The snow was on the ground. An old looking man walked down the highway where a few cars passed him. But as he paused, he glanced at a lake to his right.
Merlin sighed. It was over a thousand years later and yet his king still had yet to return.
'How did it go so wrong?' he thought.
He'd had many years to think about it. Some part of him wondered in hindsight if it was Uther that had actually started everything. The king had become furious with magic because he'd lost his wife, and then the persecutions came.
Many, not just sorcerers, had perished. Magical creatures had perished. And a family was torn apart because of it.
But what if it didn't have to be that way?
Going over to the lake, wondering about his late lover, now known as the Lady of the Lake, he spoke a soft spell.
Visions of the bleak future filled them. And Merlin didn't like it.
But what if he could change it?
Vaguely, a spell came to his mind.
Arthur was the once and future king. But as it was, his visions had shown nothing of the king coming back. Surely that meant that something was supposed to happen to change this?
But this spell had a chance to change everything, at a price that was.
It would be a risk. But it was a sacrifice he was willing to make.
Looking right and left to make sure no one noticed him, he spoke a vast spell.
The world changed.
He was back in Camelot.
(Nimeuh Point of View)
The high priestess was disturbed. As she paced around in the forest, not sure what the future held, she considered every possibility. King Uther, desperate for a child, was willing to use magic to ensure his wife could conceive. And who knew the consequences.
The queen was pregnant. A child was on the way. But the debt of life had to be repaid.
A flash of light appeared in front of Nimueh, and she turned around swiftly. An old man stood in front of her.
Holding out her hands, not sure if her life was in danger, she warned the man, "Step no further. I am a high priestess of the Triple Goddess, and if you value your life, you will maintain your distance."
The old man chuckled. "It's been too long, Nimueh."
Nimueh stiffened. "You know me?" he voice was sharp, wondering if she'd even seen him before. He wasn't familiar to her. And it wasn't something she was comfortable with.
"I do, but you don't," the old man correct. Then, speaking some words of power, a pool with water appeared, and figures appeared. "These are some of my memories."
Nimueh's eyes widened, especially upon seeing that young Morgana was the king's daughter, and a high priestess in the future.
The images disappeared. "But that doesn't matter anymore. That will not happen, for I have used the ancient spell of old religion."
Nimueh's eyes widened further in dread at the implication of this. This man had used the forbidden spell that no one knew the consequences of, so severe that the Triple Goddess had banned it. "Have you any idea what you've done?"
"I've changed things," the old man confirmed. "And as such, I am dying. But that matters not, for I am to be born in two years. What matters is this: what I do with my dying breath." The man paused. "I know what you have done, Nimueh. I know of the king's stubbornness to have a son. But know this: if I do not do what I am about to do, it will lead to the persecution of magic doers."
"And what will you do?" Nimueh was cautious.
The old man stepped closer, leaning an a staff that appeared out of nowhere. "You have the power of life and death in your hands," he said simply. "It matters not if I die. I am from the future. I will be born again. What matters is that the future be changed. The Queen must live, and magic shall prosper. Exchange my life for the Queen's, for I have very little life left. I know you have power to command who lives and who dies."
Instantly, Nimueh was disturbed. She knew what was being asked of her. The man wanted her to use the cup of life so that the future could be changed.
But as she paced, the man cautioned her. "Do not be disturbed, Nimueh. I have the same capability and could easily do it myself, however I don't know where the cup is. I only wish to see a different future play out."
"You have no idea what you've done!" Nimueh snapped turning around, cringing on the inside.
"I know I don't know," the man replied simply. "But I know what I have prevented."
"This spell does more than send one back in time. It splits the world!" Nimueh cautioned.
"Then consider this exchange of life an execution and payment for my crimes," the man remained calm.
"I cannot," Nimeuh warned. She backed up, somewhat fearful of the implications of what the man had done. "I will have no part in what you have done."
The man stepped forward. "Then before you decide finally, consider this."
Her world disappeared, and Nimueh was surrounded as if in Camelot, the visions so life like. Nimeuh saw a great purge of magic, the suffering of many, and herself being cast out, the queen dead.
The visions changed. Countless people were dead, millions suffering.
A young woman was brought grieving into Camelot. She suffered nightmares, but as she spoke of them, Nimueh realized this young noblewoman was a seer.
She saw the woman change. A young child who looked like an older Morgause came to Camelot, plotting against it. It was then she realized the identity of young noblewoman from before, Morgause's sister.
The scene changed again. Morgana turned against Camelot, found out she was the king's daughter, and waged war against it.
Except, the war got nowhere. Camelot got destroyed, it's final queen being a young woman named Guinevere, but when she was dead, the kingdom quickly dissolved. Moreover, magic was extinct, Morgana, the last High Priestess, dead.
The war had gone nowhere.
The visions faded, and they were now in the isle of the blessed, the old man trembling. "Now do you know what will happen if the queen dies?"
The cup appeared on the altar of it's own accord, as if summoned by the Triple Goddess. And Nimueh trembled, knowing what she had to do. The Goddess had spoken.
It was not a future she wanted. She couldn't understand how she had been so vengeful, and yet she could.
"At least tell me your name," she begged the old man.
"Emrys," the man said simply.
With a tear at his sacrifice, Nimueh reluctantly took the cup and spoke words of power.
The old man fell dead at her feet, his life exchanged for the queen's. The queen would live. The man's staff clamored to the ground.
Nimueh was wrought with guilt.
She had murdered a man.
Chapter One: Valient
(Vanir Point of View)
Four dragon eggs. There were four dragon eggs, two male and two female. And yet, according to Arya Drotting, the thief that had been employed to the Varden had only gotten one.
Vanir watched with frustrations as the endless negotiations went on. As it was, magic had been acting strange, sometimes not functioning properly at all. It was something the elves were concealing, and yet the Varden were hopeful for a dragon rider.
It was ridiculous! The elves could handle such a volitile magic situation. They knew magic in and out. What made these humans think that a human rider would be able to?
And so an exchange was agreed upon. The purple egg would go back and forth.
But years went on, and the egg never hatched. Vanir had tried himself and was rejected. He'd admit he was a bit disappointed and soured.
'Stupid thief,' he thought. 'Couldn't that human have done the job properly?' Maybe then he'd be a rider.
That was until the three remaining eggs had mysteriously vanished, like all the other mysteries that had happened.
Rumors had it that Galbatorix was searching for the four eggs. The Varden were searching for the three remaining eggs. And Vanir was left wondering how incompetent the humans were.
On his way through Ellesmera, Vanir passed Oromis. He briefly exchanged greetings with the rider. "Any news?" he asked.
Oromis shook his head. "So far, it appears that this shimmering light is physical. But what it's meant for, no one knows."
"It's appearing all over the place," Vanir cautioned. "Shouldn't are wards be preventing it?"
"That's the thing," Oromis stressed. "If it's magic, it should be."
Just then, Glaedr plopped down from the sky. 'You'll be happy to know that Arya Drotting is on her way back. I spotted her.'
"Good," Oromis spoke out loud for his benefit. "Islanzadi will want to know if this phenomenon is happening in other parts of Alagaesia."
Vanir nodded to Oromis and backed away. With his elvish speed, he raced to the the knotted throne in time to see Arya give her report. "Then it is happening outside of Du Weldonvarden?" Islanzadi was asking her daughter.
"Yes," Arya acknowledged her. "And the humans have been pestering me on what it is."
Vanir snorted. Of course the ignorant humans were.
The rest of the meeting was mundane, and Vanir watched as Arya left to put he purple egg back in one of the vast hallways made of shaping several trees together. It would only be a matter of time before more elves appeared to try the egg.
(Some time later)
His nightly trance was disturbing. Scenes flashed in front of his eyes, and he heard whispering as he tossed and turned. A woman with dark hair and a red dress was speaking to him in words that he didn't understand.
Scenes of violence raged before his eyes, and Vanir noticed troops wearing armor he didn't recognize. Armies clashed.
Somehow his mind was brought to a man with dark hair sitting on a throne. A massive black dragon was behind him, and he yelled at a red haired man, "Find the eggs!"
The shade bowed to Galbatorix. "I try," the shade tried to appease. "But they have just disappeared!"
Vanir groaned and the scene changed. But before he could do anything, he toppled of his bed, panting.
He took a minute to calm down. His dreams had been intense the last few days, something that was abnormal.
Realizing he wouldn't be able to sleep, Vanir slipped out of his cottage and wandered around. Somehow, he was drawn to the egg. But, before he could even get into the vast hall it was residing in, Vanir encountered Arya.
"Arya Drottingu," he greeted, and put his hands to his lips, saying the accompanying greeting. She did the same.
"Vanir," she greeted, and her eyes were tired. "What are you doing up?"
"Can't sleep," Vanir admitted.
"Me neither," Arya admitted, looking up into the vast night sky through a break in the trees.
Vanir waited politely for her to speak again, but when she didn't, he decided to continue. He was well aware that he was much younger than her, and that he should show deference not just for her status, but for her age. "You said that these mirages are happening all over Alagaesia?"
"Like curtains of shimmering light," Arya admitted, and she looked at them. "So far, none of us know what they are."
"Do you dream?" Vanir asked suddenly, wondering if his dreams were one of a kind.
"You mean unusual dreams?" Arya asked. "No. Do you?"
Vanir hesitated. "I haven't been able to sleep the past few nights. I see things, and I'm not sure what to make of them."
At this, Arya seemed interested. "Tell me the dreams," she requested.
He wasn't sure he wanted to, but Vanir opened his mind and let her see. "It's probably nothing," Vanir tried to convince himself.
But Arya didn't seem so sure. "I've never encountered anything like this before. Perhaps it's something to research."
"Maybe," Vanir replied. "But I don't want to make a big deal out of nothing."
Arya was just about to say something when suddenly the ground trembled. It was like nothing they had experienced before. But as trees started falling, they both looked over and saw the ground begin to crack open. The crack widened, stretching towards the cottage that held the purple egg and their only hope.
Both of their eyes widened and they raced forward. "The egg!" Arya exclaimed.
Vanir had a head start and he made it in the deteriorating cottage before Arya did. A shimmering curtain was in front of the purple egg, and Vanir went close snatch the egg. But he had a hard time getting near it due to the trembling ground.
Finally, he was able to pick up the egg. He turned back and saw Arya holding onto the side of the door post for support, the trembling so intense.
Vanir tried his hardest to walk back, but he was unable to keep his balance.
Suddenly, he felt a surge of power and Arya's eyes widened in horror, looking behind him. "NO!" she screamed.
Looking behind him, Vanir saw the shimmering light increase in size.
With a scream of terror, he was enveloped in it.
(Morgana Point of View)
Morgana sat astride on her horse, her half sister on hers, the blood guard all around them. She starred down the hills, looking at the city of Camelot in the distance.
It was hard to think it had been a year since Uther had revealed the truth of the fact that she was his daughter to her and a select few trusted individuals, including Arthur and some knights. As such, more knights had always accompanied her on her journey. She, despite being illegitimate, was second in line for the throne, should something happen to Arthur.
The relationship between her and Uther had been briefly strained, but it had started to repair. It had been Morgause that had suggested to her father that she take a break on the isle of the blessed. And she and Uther had reached an agreement.
Now sitting atop her horse, she took a deep breath.
She didn't know what she felt about Uther. For years, she had been the King's ward after Gorlois, her supposed father had died. And Uther, having recently lost his wife when Camelot had been attacked, the queen being slaughtered, had taken her in.
Nimueh, who had been trying to warn the king, had been unexpectedly poisoned by magic, and the lower priestesses had striven to save her. By the time she had become conscious with her visions of the future and tried to warn the king, it had been too late. It was because of these reasons that Uther had kept Morgana's magic a secret for as long as possible. Morgana had trained with her magic secretly for fear that whoever had poisoned the older high priestess would make an attempt on her life as well.
Morgause turned to her. "Are you ready, sister?"
"Not really," Morgana replied. She tapped her horse lightly, and they started forward.
As they rode through the gates, everyone turned to her. Nowadays, it was no secret that she was a High Priestess of the Triple Goddess. Because of that, great respect was on her, as well as every other high priest and high priestess of the Old Religion. People sought her for blessings.
But there was always something that made her gut clench. Nimueh was powerful. It made everyone realize that it would take someone powerful to poison Nimueh magically to the extent she had been poisoned. As such, there was great suspicion among the high priests and high priestesses among each other. There was a traitor in their midst.
Uther and Arthur were waiting on their thrones when she arrived, her throne and the one where the deceased queen had sat, empty. Uther and Arthur stood. They were in delight.
Uther embraced her. "Morgana. Lady Morgause. I trust things were uneventful?"
"So far as I can see," Morgause replied. "The Druids were kind enough to house us the other night."
"Then I shall have to send them my thanks," Uther replied.
Small talk continued, and finally Morgana announced, "I am tired. May I retire for the evening?"
"Of course," Uther granted her leave.
Morgana and Morgause exited the throne room.
(Morgana Point of View)
The next morning, Morgana went to meet with Nimueh. The woman was in the chambers that belonged to the court sorcerer. As the door magically opened, Morgause nowhere to been seen, Morgana saw Nimueh in a beautiful blue dress, scrying in the water.
There was no traces of the poison that had been used on her when Morgana was but a girl. Instead, Nimueh appeared as healthy as ever. This was her and Morgause's trainer and teacher.
Finally, Nimueh turned to greet her. "I trust your journey was uneventful?"
"Enough," Morgana replied, but lowered her voice. "However, none but you I trust on the isle of the blessed."
Worry appeared on Nimueh's face as she knew what was implied. No one knew the identity of the one that had betrayed her and the king. "I have been worried these past few years," Nimueh admitted. "One moves around the shadows. He or she has the power of a high priest or a high priestess, which means one among our rank has betrayed us. Somehow, they have kept track of the king's armies, and many have disappeared, magical and non magical. But we are no closer to the truth."
"What of Merlin?" Morgana asked, and her heart stirred some. Merlin was not just Arthur's manservant, but a high Priest of the Old Religion training under Alator. Alator was one of the few people that Nimueh trusted enough to recommend Merlin's training out to him. "Has he seen anything?"
Nimueh shook her head. "Nor has Alator. They were attacked, even. A mercenary army was sent after them that included some sorcerers. Fortunately, they were no match for high priests of the Old Religion, and Alator has been wise to take the blood guard with him wherever he goes, instructing Merlin to do the same."
"Someone is murdering high Priests and high Priestesses of the Old Religion," Morgana looked behind her, lowering her voice more. "We're betrayed by someone in the high ranks, and we all suspect each other. But none of us are even close to identifying the cuplrit." She shook her head. "It can't be someone from the younger generations."
"That doens't mean apprentices haven't been corrupted," Nimueh cautioned.
"We don't even know their motives!" Morgana exclaimed. "We live in fear every day, knowing that someone we hold dear is watching us closely, ready to kill us. Shall we always live in fear?"
Hesitant, Nimueh began pacing again. "The future isn't clear to me," she finally admitted. "I've tried searching. There are many possibilities. But I saw a mysterious figure arrive. He's somehow connected to you."
"Me?" Morgana asked.
Nimueh turned back to her and took her right hand. "I saw a mark upon your hand, and a young dragon. Kilgarrah is confused, but he knows stories of other worlds. All the magic seems to indicate that a forbidden spell was used, and that the worlds were split. This would allow others from other worlds to pass through, possibly."
"In what way?" Morgana asked.
"I don't know," Nimueh looked up. "I only know that the visions will become clearer with time. There are possibilities, but no more than that. However, this is certain."
Considering, the train of her red dress fanning out as she went to the window, Morgana peared through the curtains which were shut. "The blood guard is loyal to us. I know my sister would never betray me. I trust Merlin. You trust Alator. However, we can't trust the others." She turned back to Nimueh. "If I know Uther, he's growing impatient. The Druids have sought refuge, and he has no answers. His subjects are dying, and we are being attacked by an unknown enemy. We need answers."
"I wish I could give it," Nimueh replied simply, her face serious. "But I don't have any. I know we've been on edge for years, however, I think only time will make things clear. I can't undo what's been done."
"Nothing is right!" Morgana whispered. "My dreams have only showed a land I know not. Last night, I dreamed of a man with silver hair. There were two dragons. Same with Morguase. She saw a confusing future. She saw a future with a king and black dragon. It's not a future I understand!"
Nlimueh stepped up to her. "I saw hope," she finally admitted. "In what I saw. A possibility. This egg, this mysterious stranger, this will turn the tide in ways that we don't understand. It may expose our enemy. Uther may not like this reality, nor Morgause, because they fear for your safety. But you won't be able to be shielded anymore. You're a high priestess of the Old Religion. Uther can't expect to stow you away and protect your forever, despite being a princess. Your gifts exist for a reason, and only you may be able to solve this."
Morgana was pensive.
"Let's hope."
(Vanir Point of View)
Vanir groaned. His body ached all over. How long he had been unconscious for, he didn't know. But when he opened his eyes, he gasped.
He was in a strange room that was made of stone. It almost reminded him of a castle, except many vials and liquids seemed to be boiling in gas over a fire.
Looking down, he saw he was dressed in strange clothes. An old man was over by the glass bottles, muttering to himself, not having noticed he was awake.
As he looked around the room, he saw the purple egg was on the self on the far side of the room, as if an ornament. He frowned. A dragon egg wasn't an ornament.
Suddenly, in walked a man with a crown on his head and a woman in a blue silk dress. Vanir frowned. It wasn't Galbatorix, he could tell. Could it possibly be King Orrin? Did the humans really dress this strange?
But his question was answered shortly afterwards. "Your majesty," the old man greeted the guests. The woman in the silk dress was staring at him intensely. "Lady Morgause."
'Morgause,' he thought with oddity. The name didn't sound familiar or like what he was used to hearing when human names were mentioned. Then again, he didn't really know much about humans.
"I see he's awake," the woman spoke with authority, but the king ignored her.
"Has he said anything?"
The old man seemed surprised, glancing over at him. "No, sire. He's just woken up."
Sire was a strange title to Vanir, or he assumed it was a title. "Does Lady Nimueh know?" the old man then asked.
"I haven't had time to warn her, and she asked for privacy this morning. However, I intend to inform her as soon as she makes herself available to the council."
"Of course, sire," the old man bowed.
"I desire time alone," the king then announced, and the old man bowed, exiting the room.
Vanir was still exhausted, and he didn't feel in the mood to get up. None the less, as the old man exited, the man with the crown stepped around him and walked up to him, the woman in the silk dress standing tall beside him. And it was as he watched her behavior that he realized with surprise that this woman was somehow here to protect this king. Strange indeed as he was sure it was normally the other way around with humans who were very unlike elves.
"You appeared in very strange circumstances," the king then addressed him, his voice very stern. "While you have posed no threat so far, at the same time your appearance is troubling."
"In what way?" Vanir asked. Already he was irked by the less than friendly greeting. He still had no idea how he got here.
The king watched him for a moment. Then, with hesitation, he motioned to the woman beside him. "Morgause is a seer. She saw you late last night before you arrived. Normally, her visions are of things far into the future. We were expecting time before seeing anyone of your likeness. And yet, you appear a few hours later."
Vanir frowned. The woman had seen him before he arrived? How was that even possible?
To his surprise, the woman addressed him next. "Me, Nimueh, and my sister possess the gift of foresight. Nimueh saw you only a few hours before your arrival like I did. However, my sister's sight has seen other things. You bring war to our land, a war we don't want."
"Since when do I bring war?" Vanir snapped, offended.
"Perhaps I shall rephrase," Morgause replied, and her voice held an edge of coldness. "My sister saw a king with a black dragon and the armies of Camelot fighting against him. I saw my sister Morgana sitting before a silver haired pointy eared man with a golden dragon and a purple dragon. Nimueh saw your very arrival with a purple egg. Most of the times, futures are subjective. However, sometimes things are set in stone, and these things appear to be. You bring a war to us that we do not want."
As Vanir pondered this new news, realizing she was predicting the egg hatching for someone here, the king continued. "As a guest, you have our hospitality. However, I can't allow you to stay past the point of recovery. As it is, we have no wish to enter whatever conflict it is you are bringing."
Some sort of resentment was in Vanir. He was being turned away. He turned to Morgause. "You said it yourself. This is set in stone."
Morgause's eyes flashed. "If I can change the future, then I will. I will not let my sister be put in danger."
Vanir scoffed, laughing a little. "The dragon has clearly chosen a rider. She'll hatch. What makes you think you have a right to deny the dragon her rider?" These petty humans understood very little.
However, Vanir soon found out how little he understood. Both the king and the woman were angry. The king turned on his heel and marched out, but he stopped at the door, Morgause already gone out the door, quiet fury in her eyes. "She isn't just anyone. She's the Princess of Camelot, my daughter."
The door slammed shut.
Vanir smelled trouble on the horizon.
Now he was regretting going for that egg.
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