Defying Destiny

Author's Note: I will be uploading chapters of this Fanfiction, which I have had the idea for since Episode 1 of Merlin Season 5. I promise you, though, my Bowser and Clawdia Story is going to be rewritten and updated during the 'Big Rewrite', which will take place over the Christmas holidays. Most of this story will be in Mordred's POV, but there will be some OCs appearing.

Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin.

Mordred scowled as the sun set below the mountains. Five months he had been travelling with the opportunist Ragnor and his band of Renegades. He often spent his ill gotten money in the tavern, making him ill tempered. He travelled with a group of Saxons, who would often go into the tavern with him. They had some slaves with them as well, because Ragnor collected them to make more money.

The druid boy refused to take part in such things. It reminded him of the dark times he went through a few years back, when Emrys had betrayed him, when all Mordred wanted was revenge. Such deep, dark rage was all he felt towards the other sorcerer. He had trusted Emrys, and he had turned against him.

I will never forget, Emrys. And I will never forgive.

If it hadn't been for the druid who found him, he would surely have gone mad with rage. But she and her friends quelled his anger; eventually, Mordred knew that Emrys was only doing what he thought was right. But he had left them five months ago, leaving for Camelot.

As darkness filled the sky, he lay back. If he knew how to send telepathic messages over long distances, he would contact his friends. But he still needed some lessons in magic. But for now, he needed sleep.

-xxxx-

The next day, Ragnor continued his journey to Ismere. He wanted to get his money there, after hearing rumours that Morgana was living there, searching for something. The Diamair, which in the language of the druids, meant 'the key'. It was said to be the key to all knowledge. No wonder Morgana wanted it.

Morgana Pendragon.

Mordred had heard of the death and destruction she had caused in the last few years, and it sickened him. She had once been so kind, so compassionate. She and Arthur and Emrys had saved his life. But now she seemed to want only Camelot and its throne.

But until he met her, he would not know how deep her rage had gone.

"Keep up, boy." Ragnor barked. Mordred scowled at him under his scarf. Ragnor never called him or the Saxons by their names. Acting like the thug he was. The only reason Mordred went with him was because he needed to see Morgana. By feigning his allegiance, he would get easy access. Mordred was starting to miss his friends, though, and he hoped that once he got to Camelot, he would be able to contact them.

"Thug!" Mordred muttered under his breath. The sooner he got to Ismere the sooner he could quickly leave and go to Camelot.

Soon, they passed through a village. Mordred watched as the citizens seemed to intentionally avoid Ragnor, which indicated that he had gone through here before. He frowned as Ragnor immediately entered a tavern, the Saxons staying outside. Seeing his opportunity, Mordred decided to go and look around.

Mordred went down a pathway and was thinking about his friend when all of a sudden he heard a shout. Looking up, he yelped and jumped back as a teenage flew through the air and landed in front of him.

The teenager had silver hair and chocolate brown eyes, colours that seemed to go well with his faded red tunic. The boy cursed at his attacker. Mordred watched as another boy came out of the shadows.

"Your magic wasn't useful this time. It seems I am the better sorcerer." The other boy sneered.

"You came at me from behind." The silver haired teen protested.

"Then you should have sensed me, Robert. You're always the peacekeeper around here, aren't you? You're always preventing me from beating up little runts who deserve it."

Mordred had heard enough. He stood up and faced the boy.

"I think you should go now." He stated coldly.

The boy took one look at him and laughed.

"What sort of person are you to threaten me?"

Mordred took a step closer.

"I wouldn't push your chances, boy. Unlike you, I have the guts to actually face my opponents, instead of cowardice like I've just seen."

The boy scowled.

"Try and stop me."

Mordred stood his ground. Then he thrust his hand forward, his eyes glowing gold. The boy was thrown back against the wall, just as a woman came through. She looked at the fallen boy and scowled.

"And to think you are my son! I'm not surprised that's the sort of treatment you get with your attitude." She scolded, dragging him away by the ear. Mordred turned to the boy.

"Are you alright?" he asked.

"I think my arm's broken, but that'll heal quick." The boy – Robert – replied.

"I can fix it." Mordred offered. He gently held the damaged arm in one hand and placed his other hand on top of it. Summoning his healing magic, his eyes flashed gold. A sharp cracking noise made him wince and he looked down at Robert. Robert was moving his arm up and down.

"My magic hasn't reached that level yet. I come from a tribe of sorcerers, and we stopped here to trade." Robert explained.

"I'm a druid, but I'm travelling with Ragnor." Mordred replied. Robert's eyes widened.

"I've heard of him. I'm surprised a druid would be travelling with him." He remarked.

"Well, it won't be for long. I plan to go to Camelot."

"Oh, I see. Well, I'd better get going. But I didn't get your name." Robert said.

"It's Mordred." Mordred replied.

"Nice seeing you, Mordred. And thanks for mending my arm." Robert thanked, before he went off and around the corner, leaving Mordred standing there with his thoughts.

That night, Mordred thought about his encounter with the sorcerer. He had sensed strong magic within Robert, but not as strong as his. Then again, the boy was younger and less experienced, so it wasn't really a surprise.

It reminded Mordred of himself, when he was very young. He had always been eager about how magic worked and getting himself into trouble. Then he had encountered Camelot and almost had his life ended by Uther. That had given him some sort of responsibility. Then, his druid camp was attacked by knights from Camelot, after mistakenly thinking that the druids had 'kidnapped' Morgana.

And then, of course, Emrys had betrayed him.

Mordred shook himself out of his memories. He didn't wish to dwell on those days and the dark times that followed, before he saw that there was more to life than vengeance.

He ate the bread in his hands, whilst listening to Ragnor telling the Saxons about one of his traps he had set up. Ragnor would use his traps to catch people to sell on to others. Mordred wished there and then he could bring himself to punish the bastard. But he knew better than to let emotions take control.

Sitting a bit closer to the fire, Mordred stared deeply into the flames. He had so many thoughts about going to Camelot, but the truth was, he didn't know what he would do once he got there. He secretly had hopes of becoming a knight, but he knew it was unlikely.

He yawned and lay back against the earth. Closing his eyes, he let sleep take him.

-xxxx-

Ragnor had decided to go and check one of his traps. They went across the forest, before Ragnor ordered them to stop.

"You two," he said, pointing to two Saxons, "come with me. We'll see if there's any bounty."

Then he left. Seeing his chance, Mordred snuck away and quietly began following Ragnor. For a few minutes, there was nothing but forest. Then they came to the trap and Mordred stopped in his tracks.

In the trap were Arthur Pendragon and Emrys. They were very tangled up and they were sleeping. Then of the Saxons fire an arrow at the rope than suspended them, and both men fell to the ground with a yelp. They both sat up quickly.

"Oh, I'm sorry, did we wake you?" Ragnor sneered.

Mordred watched as Arthur reached for his sword, but Ragnor pushed it out of the way.

"Not so fast. The King of Camelot, Arthur Pendragon; you will fetch a very handsome price when you're in Morgana's hands. Dead or alive. Any last requests?"

Arthur sighed.

"Let my servant go, he doesn't deserve to die like this." Arthur said. Both he and Merlin were stood up.

"No. If you kill him you'll have to kill me first." Merlin protested. His hands were clenched at his sides and Mordred wished he could see what his expression was.

Ragnor pointed his sword at Emrys, making Mordred take a step forward.

"Merlin, for once in your life, step aside." Arthur snapped.

"You should know by now I never do as I'm told." Merlin retorted.

Ragnor looked ready to strike, but Mordred wouldn't allow that to happen. Arthur and Merlin were his friends, they had saved his life. He wasn't going to allow them to be killed. He promised himself that.

"Stop!" he cried out, causing Ragnor, the Saxons, Arthur and Merlin to look at him. For a split second, Mordred saw fear flashed across Merlin's face. But what would Emrys be afraid of him for?

"Shouldn't we leave it to the Lady Morgana to decide their fate?" he asked Ragnor, pretending to be on his side. Ragnor smirked and walked away, his lapdogs following them.

Now that the scum had gone, he faced Arthur, who held a wary look in his eyes.

"You don't remember me, do you? You saved my life once, many years ago when I was just a little boy." Mordred told the King.

"Mordred." He heard Merlin say. Mordred glanced back at Merlin, who was giving a distrustful look to him. He looked back at Arthur's surprised face and smiled a little.

"Hello, Arthur."

End of Chapter

I promise everyone who is reading that my goal for the Christmas Holidays is to get Bowser and Clawdia updated with at least two more chapters. I will probably commence 'The Big Rewrite' in the future, but for now I just want to get it finished.

Yes, you will be meeting Mordred's friends in future chapters. But I will not be giving information on them before they are introduced. Also, I ship Merlin/Sefa, just to let you know.