AN:Sorry about the abruptness of this chapter. I think my muse left me. But, here it is anyway! The title is a play on words from a line from What If the Storm Ends by Snow Patrol.

And, no, I don't own Merlin. I can dream though...


Cold Air and Lightning

He felt her magic, trembling and tentative, as Morgana tried desperately to shift the spell. He wished he could be more helpful, but he hadn't been able to feel it before. Now that he could, it was obvious why the dragon had said he couldn't break it. The spell had attached itself to her magic and only responded to her. All he could do was lend her power and advice.

Not that either were helping. He could feel her exasperation and knew she was giving up. A glance at her face told him far more than he wanted to know. She was prepared to die. The resigned determination and sorrow in her eyes spoke far greater than words.

He felt tears sting his eyes. Could he save no one? He had tried so hard. How was he supposed to be the mighty Emrys if he couldn't even do this? Slowly, he tugged his magic away.

Later, he would look back at this moment and smile. The things he knew now would be incomprehensible to his younger self. But in that moment, all he felt was awe.

For the moment he started to remove his magic from the equation, a wave of power flooded the room. It was as if the earth itself had risen up and challenged their decision. It was the storm driven sea, and the roar of thunder overhead. It was gales of wind and the cry of a thousand men. It was forest fires and earthquakes. Magic itself had deigned to help them.

It wove itself around their faltering bond and with a roar not unlike the dragons of old, Magic ripped the spell from Morgana's person. The power of cold air and lightning forced the spell onto the owl. Golden chains secured the spell so that it could not be shifted again. Then, like someone had taken in a deep breath, Magic disappeared.

It had happened so fast that both warlock and witch would never be able to properly describe it. The only thing Merlin knew for sure was that the spell was now on the bird. The spell could be broken now. And with that knowledge, his knees buckled.

Slumping gracelessly to the floor, he tried to keep his eyes open. He needed to… No! Must stay awake. He needed to tell Morgana some...something…

A sharp crack! vibrated through the room. Sucking in the now cool air, his head snapped up. Standing above him was Lady Morgana, the dead owl in her hands. Her green eyes sparkled with hope and awe. They had done it! The spell was broken, and Camelot was safe!

Except… Arthur! He was still out there! Merlin could only hope that he had managed to stay alive. With a smile in Morgana's direction, he bolted for the door.

Her voice rang out behind him, "Where are you going?"

Without turning he yelled out, "Arthur!"

He heard her gasp as she realized what he had just seconds ago. He unbolted the door and flung it open, ready to go to the prat's defense. But there was no need.

Just as he opened the door, Arthur came striding around the corner. His sword was resting on his shoulder, and his head was raised in a look of the utmost confidence. Merlin knew then that the knights were gone. Somehow Arthur had won.


It was later that evening, by the time that Merlin had finished telling his adventures to Morgana and she in return telling of her interactions with Morgause. Gaius had set out supper for the three of them, as Morgana had claimed a headache as reason to linger in the physician's chambers.

"What I cannot understand is how you managed to kill the knights." Gaius wondered. Merlin and Morgana just looked at each other. How would they know? All they had done was break the sleeping spell, and even for that they had needed help.

"Maybe they really were flammable?" Morgana suggested. When Arthur had reported to his father that he had accidentally backed one of them into a torch and discovered their weakness, both Gaius and Merlin had looked skeptical. Morgana, of course, didn't know enough about magic yet to realize that immortal knights should not be able to be killed in such a way.

But there was no other explanation for it. Maybe it had something to do with the way they were awakened. Or maybe it wasn't a true immortality. Whatever the case, the knights were gone, and Morgause had fled when her spell broke. She knew when she was losing.

Merlin was silent for a moment, then rose from his spot at the table.

"Where are you going?" Gaius asked. It wasn't like his ward to just run off during supper. Not without a major catastrophe taking place. It was a wonder that the boy ate at all.

Merlin glanced back over his shoulder. "There's something that I've got to do."

And without another word, the warlock left the room.


All that's left to write is the epilogue, then this story is done. What do you think? I'd love to hear your comments and theories. :)