Defying Destiny
Author's note: Thank you, Laughy-Taffy the Grape, for my first review. Sefa was last seen in Arthur's Bane Part 2, after her father, Ruadan, set her free. But then she went off and no one had seen her since, but she will be making an appearance in my story.
Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin
The icy wind flew along the snowy tundra, making Mordred all the more grateful for his fur coat and scarf. At the same time, it made him feel guilty about the slaves who had nothing but rags to wear. Even more guilt came when he thought about the two new additions; Arthur Pendragon and Emrys.
Ragnor had shackled them and they were with the eight other slaves.
He glanced back at them, for he could hear conversation. Using his magic, he decided to listen.
"Remind how we got here again, Merlin? Oh yes, you were thinking about your stomach. I told you it was a trap." Arthur said angrily. Mordred watched as Merlin gave him another distrustful look, before replying.
"And I told you to go back to Camelot."
"Merlin-!" Arthur started, before Ragnor interrupted them.
"HALT!"
The people stopped. Mordred scowled as Ragnor got off his horse and went towards Merlin and Arthur.
"We can't let them hand us over to Morgana. We need a plan." Merlin said.
"Yes, but-OOF!" Arthur broke off; doubling over as Ragnor delivered a blow to his stomach. Mordred clenched his fists and tried to stop his magic from lashing out.
"You speak when you're spoken to." Ragnor snarled, before going back to his horse.
"FASTER!" He yelled, picking up the pace. Mordred saw Merlin looking at him again before being dragged once more.
That night, Mordred was sitting with Ragnor and the Saxons. Merlin was gazing at him intensely, not taking his eyes off him. Mordred watched as the slaves shivered in their sleep.
"What are you gawping at?!" Ragnor suddenly snapped, pointing his sword at Merlin.
Merlin said nothing. Ragnor picked up a loaf of bread with the end of his sword.
"Is this what you want?" he taunted. Then he chucked it at Merlin, but only so it landed halfway. The Saxons laughed and jeered.
"Maybe we should feed them." Mordred said to Ragnor. The slaves didn't deserve any of this. Least the Saxons could do was feed them.
"Why?" Ragnor demanded.
"They'll be skin and bones." Mordred pointed out.
"Morgana's looking for slaves, not hogs for the fire." Ragnor retorted.
"Then slow the pace." Mordred said, not backing down.
"The sooner we get to Ismere, the sooner I get my money." Ragnor sneered, before turning round. Mordred scowled, before reaching out and sneaking a couple of bread loaves into his coat. Then he lay down and tried to get some sleep.
-xxxx-
Mordred woke up early that day and saw that Merlin was awake too. Getting up, Mordred walked towards him, noticing that Merlin immediately looked up and regained that wary expression. Kneeling down in front of him, Mordred got out the two loaves from yesterday. He held them towards Merlin.
"Here, do you want them?" he asked.
"Why are you doing this?" Merlin asked, glancing down at the bread. Mordred sighed and glanced towards Arthur.
"He once saved my life. I owe him a debt. Don't be so quick to judge me, Emrys." Mordred replied.
When Merlin still didn't take the bread, Mordred frowned a little.
"You fear me, Emrys, don't you? I know the hatred and suspicion with which men treat those with magic. You and I are not so different. I too have learnt to hide my gifts." He said.
He placed the bread next to Merlin and gave him a meaningful look.
"I promise you, Emrys, your secret is safe with me."
Mordred got up and started to leave, when he heard Merlin speak.
"What's Morgana looking for in Ismere?" he asked.
Mordred turned to look at him.
"The Diamair." He replied.
"What's that?" Merlin inquired.
"In the language of my people it means 'the key'." Mordred explained.
"The key to what?"
Mordred blinked.
"The key to all knowledge." He replied, before going over to Ragnor.
A few hours later, they set off again. They walked for a few minutes before he heard Merlin cry out, "STOP!"
Mordred look back and, to his horror, Arthur had collapsed.
"He needs water." Merlin said. Ragnor went over to them and scowled down at the King.
"Get up!" he demanded, before giving Arthur a sharp kick. Then he picked him up by the scruff.
"Not so much of the great warrior now, are you?" Ragnor jeered.
"Here, I'll help him." Merlin offered, taking Arthur from Ragnor. Ragnor laughed, bumping into another slave on his way back.
Mordred soon got off walking again. He couldn't wait to get back to Camelot. Ragnor was starting to make him angry, and if he didn't get away from him soon, Mordred was going to make him fall off his horse. Well, at least think about it, anyway. Taking a water pack, he refreshed himself.
As he put the water back, Mordred noticed the scar on his wrist. That had happened when he stupidly decided it was a good idea to insult one of his friends. It was in defence, though. She had teased him about his old belt not going around his waist, so Mordred had made fun of her hair. That had been four years ago, but the memory was still in his head.
They had been walking for about an hour or so when Mordred heard a crash. Looking round, he saw that the sacks had fallen off. Ragnor went on his horse to see what had happened.
"Who did this?" he demanded.
Silence.
"I SAID WHO DID THIS?!" He yelled. Arthur nodded to Merlin.
"We need to rest." Merlin said.
Ragnor smirked. He got off his horse and went dangerously towards them.
"Sure, you can rest. FOREVER!" He shouted. He drew his sword, but then Arthur delivered a blow to his face. Then all hell broke loose.
The Saxons immediately went for the pair. Arthur disarmed some and Mordred saw Merlin use his magic to frighten a horse. Arthur grabbed a weapon and threw it at one of the Saxons, knocking him out. Mordred watched as Merlin and Arthur broke free of their shackles, grabbed several weapons and run. The Saxons followed them.
Mordred saw his chance. If he could catch up with them, he could help them rescue their men. He had heard that several knights had gone missing. He ran after them along with the Saxons up the hill and down the valley. As he ran, he heard yells in the distance and assumed that they had found them.
He ran down the hill, where he saw Arthur and Merlin on the other side of a crack. Merlin was frantically chopping away at the ledge that gave access to their side. Mordred ran faster, but just as he got there, he heard Merlin mutter a spell.
The ledge broke away and Mordred yelped as he skidded to a halt. He saw Arthur aim the crossbow and he looked up at him.
Then, Arthur lowered the bow. Mordred nodded and walked away. He would have to wait. Then he heard Merlin.
"Why did you spare his life?"
"He couldn't have come after us." Arthur reasoned.
"He was leading us to our deaths."
"Ragnor was leading us to out deaths. Besides he showed us kindness." Arthur retorted.
"You should have killed him!"
Mordred was still a fair distance away, but those words made him stop. Kill him? Since when was Merlin someone to kill in cold blood? What had Mordred done to offend him?
That had shocked him, but he shook himself and went back to Ragnor. He would ignore these conflicted thoughts till a future point.
-xxxx-
It had taken many hours and Mordred was exhausted. They had eventually reached the Fortress of Ismere. He gazed up at its dark, foreboding walls. Morgana would definitely be in there. Of that, he had no doubt.
They gained access and Mordred watch as he saw more slaves unloading sacks. Ragnor would be pleased, like the immoral person he was. Mordred would be glad to be rid of him.
Grabbing a torch, he watched as Ragnor talked with the Saxons about the subject of money. He grew bored and wandered over to a nearby wall. He heard some of the Saxons offer to take the slaves up.
"Let the Lady Morgana see for herself!" Ragnor cried, before laughing. Mordred turned his head to see Ragnor coming over to him.
"Now listen, boy, none of your insolence in front of the Lady Morgana. I want my money and I'll get it." He said.
Mordred then noticed someone in the courtyard. It was Morgana. Her hair was tangled, not smooth as it had been once before, and she wore a black dress. She held a curious look in her eyes and Mordred knew she recognised him.
Ragnor turned and went towards her.
"My lady, I am grateful for this opportunity. I have brought you eight of the finest-!" Ragnor broke off when he saw Morgana wasn't paying attention to him.
Morgana had been looking at Mordred.
She gave Ragnor a dismissive look, as if he were nothing, before coming towards Mordred. She stopped just before him.
"Mordred?" she asked, putting a hand up to his face.
Mordred smiled at her.
"Hello, Morgana."
-xxxx-
Mordred sat at the dining table. He ate the chicken nicely, though it had been ages since he had dined like this. Five months of good food, but not great food; this was because of Ragnor blowing most of his money in the tavern.
"I feared you were dead. No thanks to Merlin." Morgana started, venom filling her voice when she said Merlin's name.
Mordred said nothing, deciding to eat instead of answer.
"It's not been easy for those of us with magic." Morgana continued.
"It's been hard." Mordred replied.
"For all of us." She added.
Mordred sighed.
"Sorcery frightens people. Even some of those who claim to support it." He said.
"You've seen a lot."
Mordred shuddered.
"I've learnt to. I've had too." He murmured.
We had to, Mordred added silently.
"I've had too, if I wasn't to be burnt at the stake or exploited for another man's gain." He said out loud. Morgana gave him a serious look.
"Attitudes will change soon enough. The Old Religion will reign once more." She assured him.
Yes and how many lives will be lost in the process? Mordred thought to himself. He sat back in his chair.
"There will be nothing to fear once Arthur and his kind are cleansed from this earth." Morgana stated.
Mordred froze momentarily at that. He decided he would tell her, and see what her reaction was.
"You know we had Arthur in our grasp." He said. Morgan paused and looked up at him expectantly.
"He escaped." Mordred finished.
Morgana looked up at him, an eerily calm expression on her face.
"Who let him go?"
Mordred frowned.
"He got away."
Morgana scowled a little.
"How? Who let him go?" She repeated.
"It was an accident." Mordred protested.
Morgana slammed the table angrily as she got up.
"KILL HIM! That's all they had to do!" She snarled.
"I am a high priestess-!"
"Morgana." Mordred started, but got ignored.
"-I have the power of the heavens in my hands and yet he continues to defy me!"
Mordred stood up, a determined expression on his face.
"Morgana, calm yourself." He ordered. She looked at him with crazed eyes.
"I want his annihilation, Mordred. I want to have his head on a spike and watch as the crows feast on his eyes."
Mordred had no doubt now. Morgana was beyond saving. She had gone into her own world of darkness. Much like he had almost done. Then the alarm bells rang. Mordred looked towards the door.
"Arthur!" Morgana muttered, before going out of the door. Mordred quickly followed her.
By the time they got down to the caverns, it was utter chaos. Saxons were trying to fight off the Camelot knights unsuccessfully. Mordred heard yelling from down a passageway.
"It seems Camelot will be ours sooner than we though.
When they got to the end of the tunnel, they saw Arthur.
"How good of you to save me the trouble of finding you." Morgana said.
Arthur reached for his sword, but realised he did not have one.
"Oh dear; how remiss of you. It seems your bravery is matched only by your stupidity. What on earth did you would achieve by coming here?" Morgana asked; a mocking tone in her voice.
"I came for my men." Arthur said. He had a determined tone in his voice. Mordred tried to ignore the look of betrayal Arthur gave him, instead focusing on Morgana.
Arthur's half sister gave a smirk and Mordred took a step back as her eyes flashed gold and a dagger flew towards Arthur. It slashed at his shoulder and he twisted around in pain to the floor.
He attempted to get himself back up. Morgana walked over to him.
"It seems, this time, there really is no way out." She taunted. Mordred scowled at her behind her back.
"I'm sorry for what our father did to us, Morgana." He said.
"Uther was never my father!" Morgana snarled. Mordred stopped himself from taking a step back in fear.
"We are brother and sister." Arthur continued.
Morgana gave a cruel smile.
"It's funny how you only remember that with my dagger at your back." She sneered.
Mordred heard Arthur sigh. He looked up and saw that Arthur was now facing Morgana.
"What happened to you, Morgana? As a child, you had such kindness, such compassion. Now, you only thirst for revenge." He said.
There was silence for a moment, and then Morgana replied.
"I grew up."
The dagger slashed at Arthur again and he fell to the floor, grunting in pain. Mordred clenched his fists. He wouldn't allow Arthur to die.
"You are a fool. I am more powerful than even you could imagine." Morgana said.
"And yet, with all that power, all you choose is to do nothing but hate." Arthur muttered. Mordred silently agreed.
"It seems Uther taught me well." She said. She glared down at him. Mordred tried to keep his expression emotionless.
"ARTHUR!"
Mordred turned his head; it was Merlin. He came rushing in dressed in Saxon clothes. Mordred drew out his sword - although he would have done anything - when Morgana thrust her hand towards him. Merlin was forced back against the stone wall. He lay on the floor, dazed.
"NO!" Arthur cried.
Mordred sheathed his sword, and reached into his cloak, not taking his eyes of Arthur and Morgana.
"Morgana...please." Arthur pleaded weakly. Then his head jerked back and his head hit the stone wall.
"Don't speak, dear brother." Morgana sneered.
Mordred stepped closer to her. He knew what he had to do. Glancing towards Merlin, he saw that his hand was outstretched. Looking back, he saw Arthur twitch a bit.
"It's too late, I'm afraid." Morgana continued.
Mordred slowly got out his dagger and went closer towards her.
"Heine-AH!" Morgana gasped in pain. Mordred looked at the dagger he had just plunged into her. He took the dagger out of her. She crumpled to the floor, Mordred catching hold of her and she looked up at him, pain and betrayal in her eyes.
"Mordred?" she whispered. Mordred let go of her and she lay in a heap on the floor.
Mordred went over to Arthur and picked him up. He placed Arthur's arm on his shoulder and held the rest of him. Walking out of the cavern, he had faith Merlin would be alright.
When he reached the end of the tunnel, he saw a group of Camelot knights.
"Arthur." One exclaimed, going over to Mordred. Mordred passed Arthur to the knight. He looked back one last time, before going out with the rest of the knights.
-xxxx-
The journey back to Camelot had taken a few days. It was evening now, and the knights had set up camp a few miles from Camelot. Arthur had now regained consciousness and was looking at Mordred.
"Merlin tells me you saved my life by stabbing Morgana." Arthur said.
"Yes." Mordred confirmed.
"What's his name, anyway." The knight called Gwaine asked.
"My name is Mordred. I have been travelling these past few months." Mordred replied.
"We met once before when he was younger." Arthur explained.
Gwaine seemed to accept that.
Arthur sighed.
"I've been thinking about this, Mordred. You saved my life back there, just as I once saved yours. You showed justice and I think you have what it takes." He said.
Mordred frowned, puzzled.
"Takes to do what?" he inquired.
Arthur sat up a bit and looked at him in the eye.
"Mordred, how would you like to be a knight of Camelot?"
The babble of conversation stopped and several heads turned. Merlin held a disapproving look.
Mordred had been caught off guard with that question. But he already knew the answer.
"I would be honoured, my lord."
Arthur nodded.
"You will be knighted tomorrow, when we get back to Camelot."
Then Arthur turned over. Mordred got several congratulations from the other knights, and he felt happier than he had been for the past five months.
-xxxx-
Mordred was knelt in front of the King. All the knights were in the hall for this knighting. The sword was placed on his shoulders and head.
"Arise, Sir Mordred, Knight of Camelot." Arthur proclaimed. Mordred rose. Arthur smiled at him and Mordred returned it.
The applause was thunderous and Mordred was glad to get out of there. He started unbuckling his cloak.
"Here."
Mordred looked around to see Merlin standing by the door.
"Let me help you with that." He said, unbuckling Mordred's cloak.
"Thank you." Mordred said. Merlin put his cloak in a corner and chuckled.
"If Arthur knew you were a sorcerer things would be different." He stated. After he put the cloak down, he turned towards Mordred.
"Can I ask you something?" he asked.
Mordred stepped forward.
"Of course."
Merlin looked at him.
"You saved Arthur's life, even though he hates magic. Why?"
Mordred looked evenly at him.
"I saved him because he is right; the love that binds us is more important than the power we wield. Morgana had forgotten that." He replied.
Merlin looked at him for a while more, before he picked up the cloaks and left the room. Mordred looked out of the window. Here he was, a knight of Camelot. He would never have expected it. He would never have known that his dream would come true.
He started towards his new quarters. Now, he was grateful that he didn't go down a path of darkness. He was glad he didn't end up deranged like Morgana.
End of Chapter
In Episode 5 you will be meeting two of Mordred's friends. No names, I'm afraid. See you then.