Gu Long and MerlinArthur200, thanks for your reviews.

Chapter 4 - Duel to the death

Camlann

The fateful day that would decide the fate of Camelot had finally arrived. Arthur knew that if he lost this battle, it would not only mean the end of his reign but also the destruction of Camelot and the establishment of a tyrannical and evil regime. As such, he was quite nervous and felt that the burden he had to carry was too heavy. But he could not abandon his people to their fate and he had to do his duty.

He was on horseback that day and riding before his soldiers. He was not very good with words but he knew that he had to encourage his soldiers if they were to fight as best as they could. "Soldiers, today we do not fight for a border territory or for glory. Today we fight for our freedom, we fight to protect our homeland and our families and friends. If we lose this battle, Morgana and her goons will usher an era of unprecedented tyranny and oppression and our beloved ones will be at their mercy. We have to fight on and give our lives so that the ones we love may live a peaceful life. For the love of Camelot!"

"For the love of Camelot!", all the soldiers shouted in unison. Arthur could see in their eyes that all of them were determined to either win or die trying.

It was at that moment when the Saxon army began its march against the Camelot forces. The Saxon infantrymen, armed with axes and swords, charged at their enemy with ferociousness and speed. Although not as disciplined as the soldiers of Camelot, the Saxons were brave warriors and more than a match for Arthur's men.

The two armies collided and brutal fighting ensued. Horses and men were being killed in the most brutal ways. The screams of men dying echoed across the battlefield. The ground was filled with dead bodies and pools of blood. For a while it seemed as there was no clear winner but the Camelot soldiers were slowly but steadily pushing back the Saxons.

Arthur, who was fighting on horseback and was in the midst of the action, was smiling. It seemed that the battle was going to be a victory for Camelot. Suddenly he heard Percival shouting, "bad news!". He turned around and saw Percival riding as fast as he could towards him.

"The Saxons have outflanked us!", a sweating and bleeding Percival shouted.

"What?!"

Arthur could not believe in his ears. His army could not fight a two front battle and would surely collapse sooner or later. Would Camlann be the death trap of Camelot's army? It certainly seemed so to Arthur and he was furious. "How could I have not found out that path?!". He felt that he had failed his men and led them to their death. But he was not going to give up.

"Percival", he said, "gather as many of the Knights and elite cavalry forces and follow me. If I am to die, I will at least kill as many enemies as possible."

Arthur and his Knights charged at the Saxons and cut them down in the tens. But they could not defeat an entire army on their own. Their horses were killed underneath them and they were forced to fight on foot. Sir Leon had even had his sword broken and was fighting with his bare hands. Only a miracle could save Arthur and his men from certain death.

Suddenly, clouds blocked the sun and lighting struck the Saxon soldiers. Huge swathes of fire appeared out of nowhere and engulfed the Saxons, burning them alive. Arthur heard the voice of an elderly man chanting spells. He turned his sight to the hills on his left and saw Gwaine and an elderly sorcerer on top of one of the hills.

Gwaine too was impressed with the sorcerer. "That's pretty cool magic you've got.", he said to Merlin.

Merlin was too focused on the battle to hear what Gwaine had said and so did not reply. Instead, he continued chanting spells which brought death and destruction to the Saxon army. The Saxons, panicked and totally scared, began fleeing the battlefield in an attempt to rescue their lives. Unlike the Camelot soldiers, they were not fighting for their homeland and so they were less willing to lay down their lives for a cause which now seemed hopeless.

Arthur laughed and with renewed courage charged at the retreating enemies and cut them down. But his mood changed when he saw Mordred approaching him. Although the young man had betrayed him, they had been friends and Arthur was deeply saddened that he would have to duel with him and was unwilling to kill him. He still hoped that he could somehow persuade him to lay down his arms and come back to Camelot.

"Mordred", he said, "do not force me to fight you. We were friends once."

"Once!", Mordred shouted. "I was loyal to you and considered you to be the noblest person I've ever met. But you betrayed me! By killing the woman I loved, you severed all ties with me. The time for words has long passed by. Now it is the time for action!"

Mordred charged forward with his sword. Arthur raised his sword and the two swords collided. A loud clang sound was heard and it seemed as the earth shook. Their swords clashed again and again, each time more ferociously. It seemed that the duel would go on forever, when a Saxon soldier attempted to stab at the back Arthur. The young King managed to dodge his enemy's sword and killed him, but this distraction cost him; Mordred found the chance to slash with his sword Arthur's chest. Arthur shouted in pain and his sword fell from his hands. He was in Mordred's mercy. Mordred hesitated a bit but when the image of his beloved dying came to his mind, he hesitated no more. He struck at Arthur but before he could kill him a fire ball hit his back and engulfed him in fire. Arthur took the chance to grab one of the many swords scattered on the ground and, with tears in his eyes, stabbed Mordred. He then collapsed on the ground due to exhaustion, both physical and emotional.

The one who had hit Mordred with the fire ball was none other than Merlin. As soon as the Saxon army had begun scattering, Merlin rushed to the battlefield searching for Arthur and thankfully found him just when Mordred was about to kill him.

Seeing his friend lying on the ground, Merlin rushed to his side. Could Mordred have killed Arthur? Were the prophecies of Arthur's death in Camlann true? Those questions haunted Merlin. He was unable to hold back his tears despite his attempt to remain calm. He immediately checked Arthur's wounds.

"You cannot die!", he shouted. "You still have a lot to do!"

Merlin chanted a spell but the wounds could not be healed. The sword Mordred had used was enhanced with dragon's fire. Only a dragon could heal Arthur. Meanwhile Gwaine, who had followed Merlin to the battlefield, rushed too to Arthur's side and frantically asked, "Is he going to be all right?"

"I am going to make sure that he is.", a determined Merlin said. He then shouted words which Gwaine could not understand. Gwaine assumed that the 'old sorcerer' was chanting a spell. Suddenly he saw on the sky a dragon flying.

"What is a dragon doing here?!", Gwaine asked.

"I called him here.", Merlin replied. "He is the only one who can heal Arthur."

The great dragon landed nearby and asked, "What you wish of me young warlock?"

'Young?', Gwaine thought. 'Is this dragon blind or what?'

"I want you to help me heal Arthur.", Merlin said. "He has been wounded with a sword enhanced with dragon's fire and only you can save him."

"I will my best.", the great dragon said. "But success is not guaranteed."

"I know. But please, you must try."

Arthur was more to Merlin than just a mere friend. Merlin's destiny was to serve Arthur. Without Arthur, Merlin could see no meaning to his life. If Arthur died, Merlin would never be able to forgive himself for his failure to protect him. So one can imagine the joy he felt when the great dragon successfully healed Arthur's wounds. He could find no words to express his gratitude to the dragon. He could only say a "thank you."

"It was nothing.", the dragon assured him. "Bring him back to Camelot. He must rest if he is to fully recover."