Summary: They failed the former quest... Will the Round Table be able to recover the mistake in the epic battle following the events that left Morgana Queen of Camelot, Arthur and his allies in hiding, and Uther suffering in prison?
Details/Disclaimer: Merlin, and anything from the series, including characters and items, belongs to the BBC.
This is the 'threequel' (my word! xD) to It's So Good to Not Have to Hide, and the sequel to The Rise of a Queen. The latter MUST be read beforehand.
Part Three (the final part) of The Rise and Fall of a Queen.
Enjoy!
Tazz~
The Fall of a Queen
Chapter Seven: Thoughts of a Black-Mailing Witch
Word Count: 1,166
"Merlin, you idiot."
"Me?" the idiot in question asked innocently.
"Yes, you! Were you trying to get us killed?"
"No, I was trying to get us onto the battlements. And it looks like I succeeded." Arthur looked around to realise that the smirking warlock was right. He ignored the smug expression.
"Let's go."
They grew silent in the castle, not wanting to alert anyone to their presence, and also finding it hard to break the unnatural stillness. They only came across a few guards, and Arthur easily got rid of them using Excalibur – he liked this sword.
After a while, Merlin stopped them, seeming disturbed.
"The Cup – it's this way," he declared. He moved to continue, but noticed Arthur was staring at him. "What?"
"We were already going that way, idiot!"
There were only six guards. That was nothing; they were easily dealt with.
But then Morgause had walked in.
With a few muttered words, she had Merlin away from the Cup of Life, and halfway across the room, struggling to his feet.
And, naturally, away from Arthur.
"Emrys," She smiled. "I've been waiting for you. Oh, don't look so surprised," She almost chuckled as she found herself repeating Morgana's words and seeing Emrys also had a look of shock. "I've known for quite some time now."
That, of course, was a lie; she had hardly known for two days, but there was no need for him to know that.
"Oh really," he spat out. It almost pained her to see the look of loathing on his face when he looked at her. But, she reminded herself, that would be remedied, and soon his loyalties would lie with her.
"And Prince Arthur!" Her smile brightened. "This could be more perfect." She grew smugger when she saw the prince stiffening at her words. With fear, she interpreted.
"You see, Emrys," She walked around the room, and took pleasure from the fact that their eyes followed her warily. "I've realised that Arthur Pendragon wouldn't make a good King... in fact, I'm not entirely sure why you've been helping him...?" Morgause paused, cocking an eyebrow in confusion. He gritted his teeth as he answered.
"Because he is my King. And, more than that, he is my friend."
What? Had she heard him right? She let out a chuckle at the absurdity.
"I'm sure you're mistaken – Emrys, friends with a Pendragon? And not just any Pendragon, but son of the one who slaughters innocent members of our kind." She laughed again, even as Emrys shook his head.
"We are," he insisted.
"Really? Even though he'd have you executed if he knew the truth?"
"He already does."
"Really?" Now, this was getting very amusing. She turned to Arthur.
"Did your father know that you were harbouring a sorcerer? That you were, in his eyes, committing treason? Did he know that before he died?"
She had to admit, she was surprised at his reaction, or lack of – it was obvious he had already known of his father's death. How disappointing.
"As, I was saying, Emrys," She turned back to the more important of the two. "This child is much too weak to be King; he has no power... unlike you."
"What?" Well, he was obviously surprised.
"Yes, Emrys – you should be King. You have been prophesized to be the most powerful man – who else should take the throne?"
"I refuse." His eyes hardened. Morgause smiled.
"Well then your 'friend' shall lose his life." Her eyes flashed gold and Arthur, who had held his sword up in a defensive position, now pointed it at his own throat.
"Arthur!"
"You can stop his death, Emrys, you just have to agree."
"Don't listen to her, Merlin!" Arthur called desperately. The sword inched closer to his neck. He swallowed.
"Stop killing yourself then!"
"For heaven's sake, Merlin, do you think that I'm doing it on purpose?!"
"Well you're holding the sword!"
"And she's making me point it to my throat!"
They both turned to Morgause, who was smirking at them and the situation.
"Your choice, Emrys."
Strangely, they ran into no more of Morgana's soldiers on their way through the castle. It was easily assumed they had all gone outside to join the battle, but none of the small group had dropped their guard, nor were they planning to. They traversed the silent corridors stealthily, checking each corner before advancing.
It was slow progress.
They needed Emrys to act soon – everyone knew it. They continued fighting although it was hard and they were finding it difficult to see an end to the immortal legions. The confidence that had been instilled by the Once and Future King was slowly leaking away, each injured soldiers becoming a scratch in their formerly solid morale, each death denting their stimulus.
"What about Morgana?"
"Morgana will understand."
"So she doesn't know of your betrayal?"
"I have betrayed no one – it is you who has betrayed our kind, protecting Uther as you have. I am giving you a chance to redeem yourself."
The sword got closer to Arthur's throat. She emphasised her point by pressing it close enough to break skin. The blood welled into a bead, until it grew too much wait, and spilled.
Merlin saw red. His eyes flashed gold.
Arthur wasn't entirely sure what happened; it had taken place within seconds. All he knew was that Merlin had Excalibur, and he had thrust it through Morgause.
She let out a choked gurgle, looking up at Merlin with disbelief. Arthur saw him look back impassively before murmuring something in a way that had even the prince shuddering.
"You should not have harmed my King."
"Morgause!" As Morgana watched her sister's descent to the floor, Morgana's heart twisted the same way. She didn't notice Merlin empty the Cup of Life of blood, didn't see the explosions of sparks that the guards behind her had become, didn't hear their swords clash to the ground, only saw the glint of steel in her sister's eyes dull, becoming iron, only heard the rattle of her last, faint breath.
And there was Merlin, murdering again. Not satisfied with killing just Morgana, but he had to take away her salvation as well, all she truly had left.
"How dare you?" She glared at the stupid excuse for a warlock, gathering Morgause in her arms and backing away.
"How dare you?" She hated that face, and that expression – she could see how smugness on it, how he revelled in her sister's murder.
Mordred was glaring at Emrys too, not because of the loss of Morgause, or even the spoil of their plan, but for past grievances that he held him responsible for to this day. Then, unexpectedly, his mouth stretched into a sinister grin.
"Emrys, finally, my chance to kill you." Even Morgana shivered slightly at his tone. His glance flickered over to Arthur, and his malicious expression intensified. "And the prince, too. It seems the perfect time to fulfil my destiny."
"Not if I fulfil mine."
LOL, Morgause is dead, Mordred and Morgana are crazy... :D Finally, a major fight!
And yes, 'smugger' is a word... I was surprised too xD
Had to rewatch The Nightmare Begins (season two, episode three) for this - not that I'm complaining xD – as I'd forgotten why Mordred was mad at Merlin... Kind of a sucky reason to be honest – it's not like Merlin knew he was leading them to the Druids, if it was even his fault xD
Five Reviews = Update (I was surprised how quickly they came last time xD) And that reminds me, I have to finish it xD
EDIT: BTW - this was something one of my reviewers asked about – Merlin is not happy about Morgause's death – Morgana's just stupid, and imagined that he was. *rolls eyes* honestly!
