Dangers in the Path to Destiny

A/N: I love the response generated from the last chapter. I'm happy to see that so many are excited about the turmoil heading for everyone. Well, here it is.


Hope. It is the only thing stronger than fear. A little hope is effective. A lot of hope is dangerous. A spark is fine, as long as it's contained.

~President Snow, The Hunger Games


Chapter 9: Vortigern's Victory

People were being frantic as they quickly moved their loved ones and what little they could carry into the sanctuary of the citadel. While they were moving about into the castle, soldiers and guards were leaving it to get to the walls and gates defend them. Gwen moved about trying to get the panicked people to be calm. Elyan and Gwaine were with her to help take care of and protect all these people. Arthur was with Leon and they were overseeing the defense and security of the city. Percival was with some other knights and were joining the men in the front lines of the city's defense. Overall, the city seemed secure enough to Arthur.

Tristan was in the physicians' chambers next to Gaius as he flipped through some books.

"No," he said as Gaius stopped at a page. He then turned it. "No, the head was more eagle like."

Gaius squinted his eyes and then frantically turned several pages. "What about this one?"

"That's it," he said pointing to it. "Those are some of the beasts we saw. What are they?"

"Hippogriffs." he said somberly. "Relatives to the griffins. Head of eagles and the body of stallions with clawed front feet and horse hind feet." He read some of the text. "It would seem that Arthur's hunch was right. Like the griffins, they too can only be destroyed by magical means. Ordinary weapons won't work which is why they snapped like they did."

"Sir Tristan," Eli said as he had himself over another book. "Is this the big creature you saw?"

Tristan went over to the open book and recognized the giant in the picture with a club. "Those are it."

"Ogres," said Eli. "Not very intelligent creatures but very strong and savage," he read aloud. "Strongly resistant to pain but highly susceptible to magic and enchantments."

"Which means that conventional weapons will be of little use against them too." finished Gaius. "It seems magic is their only real weakness.

"Terrific," said Tristan with little humor in his tone.

Gaius breathed a little somberly. "Now for those last batch of creatures you saw...from what you described. It seems those are gargoyles. Camelot suffered an attack from them a few years ago when Cornelius Sigan's spirit was set free. Magic is their weakness as well."

"Then how did they get beaten?" he asked. Gaius looked to Merlin, still unconscious on the bed. "Oh...of course."

"He's been through a lot for Camelot despite what all the people may now think of him."

Tristan looked down to the young man that he and Isolde had run into in the woods. He seemed so carefree and even now, on that bed, you would think that he hardly has any cares in the world. But the sad truth was that the weight is overwhelming. "Now it seems that we're now going to have to pay for that soon. One slogan I learned in 'free trade'" he said using Isolde's favorite word for their work. "is that when you don't appreciate the value of any vitals you have, then you're asking for it to be taken away. Now, because of that shortsightedness, we've lost the vital assets we needed to overcome this army."

Gaius felt his knees suddenly getting heavier and went to sit down. "Throughout the Great Purge, I as well as Uther and all the assembled people, always heard the sorcerers up for execution say that Camelot would one day pay for what we were doing. Yet, everyone ignored it. Arrogantly assumed that this kingdom was invincible and there was no power in those warnings. Now, I believe that overtime, all those statements did have some power and they built on top of each other until they finally manifested in all of this trouble we've been facing." He looked over at Merlin. "Merlin has been doing what he could to protect us all and push the danger back...but I suppose it was only a matter of time before it became too much for him."

"It seems that Camelot now has to settle its debts the hard way, like all of us who take without giving back," said Tristan. "Uther took away any real magical defense Camelot may have had and now Arthur will be the won to suffer the price for it."


"Fall back!" Arthur shouted as he parried a blow from a Viking and then kicked him away.

The men with him, who weren't dead, started to pull back for the citadel. Arthur and his men had been prepared to fight Vortigern's men but they hadn't been prepared for the tactic they used. Everyone was confident that even the Vikings would have to suffer some losses before they were finally able to infiltrate Camelot. They had the entire city secured but the Vikings were able to bypass into it without a fight. They had flown on the backs or carried by the hippogriffs and gargoyles they had at their command. When they flew overhead, they were dropped into the city and then engaged the men while the creatures attacked with them. Any man unfortunate enough to engage the monsters were ripped apart or cut through by their teeth and claws. Their weapons broke or shattered after every attempt to strike at them. The ones engaging the Vikings hardly fared better. These strong and savage men took any small wound inflicted and nearly always brushed it off and kept up their brutal assaults.

Then there were the trio of Mab, Angus and Nemain. They were in the air casting spells to further harm their enemies' chances of defending their city. Nemain went and broke the crossbows of the men as they held them and sent splinters into their hands and face when she made them shatter. Angus was just zipping about and randomly sending spells of varying degrees at houses or groups of soldiers to hurt and/or kill them. Mab went to different parts of the outer and inner walls of the city and sent bursts of power and blasted giant holes in them and knocked out sections of it to leave them open for infiltration. She had blasted two big holes in the outer wall on either side of the main door with a laugh to herself.

Arthur finally called the retreat when he was up on the wall and saw that Vortigern's main force marched within sight.

"Head for the citadel!" he shouted as he jabbed his sword into a Viking's heart and made sure he stayed down.

Everyone started to run to the citadel which was thankfully still untouched yet. The doors opened and the remaining men were let in by the castle's defense. Knights, soldiers and guards ran into the safety of the citadel with grim relief setting in as soon as they were in. Arthur was one of the last to go in. He wanted to make sure as many men got into the safety of the castle as possible. When it became time to close the doors, he could vividly see Vortigern enter Camelot arrogantly from its main door even though there were two holes where his men were coming through.

He went into the throne room and found Guinevere among all the citizens that were housed there. She went and hugged him, relieved that he was still okay. "Thank goodness you're safe."

"Is everyone alright?" he asked after they separated.

Gwen nodded her head a little. "So far the castle has yet to be touched but we could feel and hear all the damage from here."

"It's unbelievable. They infiltrated Camelot and tore at our defense with little trouble. Those creatures with them went through our men one after the other like parchment."

"Arthur!" He turned around at the new sound and saw that it was Tristan. "Vortigern is on his way. He's already about to pass the lower town."

"We...the people can't stay here," he said looking at his people. "They were able to enter the city too easily. The castle won't stop them."

"Arthur," said Guinevere. "How can we get all these people out now?"

"The tunnels," he said quickly. "Underneath the castle. The ones that lead to the waterways beneath the city. Gwen, take as many of the people as you can and have them leave the city."

"What about you?"

"My men and I will stay and try to hold off as long as we can."

"Arthur," she started.

"No, just take them and go Gwen. We'll go to the tunnels when we can."

Outside the castle, the Vikings broke into house after house as they marched for the castle.

"There is no one here sire," said one soldier. "The houses are empty."

"It seems that Arthur moved the people out of the city." said Mordred.

"No," said Vortigern turning to look to the citadel. "There is no way that they could've moved all the people out of the city without us noticing. My guess is that they were placed in some kind of special space within the city. Most likely, the castle," he said pointing it out.

"That won't keep us out."

"No Mordred, it won't." Vortigern looked up at his three friends hovering above him. "Nemain send in your ogres and shatter their primary defense. I"ll send in a wave of Vikings after them. I want Arthur Pendragon. Send an order to your beasts to capture him if possible. However, if it's too much trouble you have my official permission to kill him."


"We need to leave now," Gaius said as he shut the door behind him. He had been with the people in the castle observing what was happening until the point when the Arthur started to have their force fall back into the castle. Now, Arthur has sent word for the people to leave for the tunnels beneath the castle to try and have the citizens leave the city for their own safety.

Eli had been watching over Merlin in his stead. Right now, he was looking through Gaius stores to see if there was anything that could wake the warlock up faster. "How?"

"There are tunnels beneath the city that lead to areas of the city and forest. We'll have to use those." He went for a bag. "Any change with Merlin?"

"The color is nearly back in his face. Still out though. I've been looking for anything to wake him faster. It would be easier to move him if he was conscious."

"Unfortunately, I don't have anything fast acting."

There was suddenly a giant boom sounding through the castle that shook it to it's very foundation. Eli just threw caution to the wind and grabbed the smelliest thing on Gaius' potion rack.

"Eli?"

But Eli didn't listen and then tipped the flash over Merlin's face and let the smelly liquid splash on Merlin's face. "Wake up!"

"Eli!" Gaius scolded.

But then there was some slight coughing and Merlin sat up hastily and began wiping his face. "Pfft, what is on my face? And what is that smell? It smells like the stables mixed with rotten fruit!"

Gaius looked at Eli with a pointed look and Eli just raised his shoulders. "Well, it worked."

"What happened?" Merlin said as he tried to get back to his feet.

"Easy Merlin," said Gaius as he went to steady him. "Merlin, you've been bedridden for most of the day. Yesterday, you were struck down and you've been out since then."

"What?" he said processing the news. He thought back to his battle with Angus. He remembered that cold feeling flowing up his spine from Angus' spells and it made him shiver in Gaius' warm room. "I remember...that sorcerer, Angus. He used magic that I've never seen before."

"How?" Gaius asked. After everything they've encountered, for Merlin to say that then it must be something to worry about. "Was it powerful?"

"No, it wasn't the strength that I mean. I was actually able to stop it. But...when I did, this feeling came over me. And I heard...things."

Now Gaius was confused. What kind of attacking magic could make someone hear things? "What did you hear?"

"It was...voices. Like they were in the distance and they were screaming. And it made me freeze inside. It was as if it was the aftershock of the spells he used. And...his eyes. For a moment, I could swear his eyes glowed green instead of gold like I've always seen before. I've never felt magic like this."

"You've never faced anyone like the Thorns," said Eli.

"Thorns?"

"We'll have to discuss this later," said Gaius as he looked at his window. "It looks like the Vikings have begun their siege on the castle."

"They're here," Merlin said clenching his fist. "You should've told me that from the start."

"Merlin, you just got back up." Gaius started. However, Merlin already made his way out the door. "Of course. I forgot who I was dealing with."


The steel doors rattled as the clubs from the ogres slammed against them. Dust flew off from the hinges as the doors shook and rang through the castle. Behind the door, the knights were waiting with heightened anticipation. Arthur was with them watching the doors shake more violently with every hit. Then one of the had a dent in it where there was a peek of the outside.

"Get ready!" Arthur shouted bringing his shield up.

The door was then bent forward revealing fifteen foot beast men with grey skin. Their hands wrapped into the doors and began pulling at them. They left finger welds into the door as they pulled on them. Some knights went forward and struck at their fingers with their swords and while they did manage to make the hands bleed a little, it did little to halt their efforts. Then the doors suddenly came loose and the Ogres threw them aside. Two ogres came tumbling in and started whacking at the sight of all of the men. They raised their shields to block them but they went flying backwards anyway. Arthur looked behind them to see three more of them and some Vikings getting ready to come in after them. Arthur went and jabbed Excalibur into an ogre's heel. It let out a roar at the hit that seemed to work better than the ones his knights were delivering. Four more knights struck the ogre that Arthur was fighting making it wobble. Arthur then went and jumped toward's the creature's chest and struck it with his sword. The ogre staggered back and then fell with a shaking flop. Yet as soon as it fell, the other ogres outside started to get in.

Arthur took a look behind him and saw that the other ogre was still whacking at his men. Left and right were a few of them looking broken or knocked out. All of this was from just two of these things and now three more were coming in. "Regroup. Into the corridors."

Arthur got into the corridors and he was then joined by his friends. They turned back and saw that the corridors were too narrow for those creatures to follow. But, not narrow enough for the Vikings as they came after them with excitement and triumph in their shouts.

"Torri o dan" The torches ahead of them grew brighter and the fire from them flew off and went for the Vikings. The fire split off into ropes of flames and seemed to form a cage around these men. "Heddlu yn ol!" Then the Vikings suddenly flew backwards and went down the corridor out of sight.

"What was that?" asked Percival.

"That was magic." said Arthur. "But who did that?"

"Arthur, come on. Isn't it obvious?" said a new voice.

Arthur and the others looked behind them and saw the one who had done the magic.

Arthur broke into a relieved smile. "Merlin." He still looked a little pale and was slightly wobbling but he seemed okay.

"I leave all of you alone for one day and hell breaks loose in Camelot?"

"Well...not anymore right?" said Gwaine as he clapped Merlin on his back.

Yet, when he did, Merlin gritted his teeth and nearly fell on one knee. They all went to him and tried to steady him. "Sorry."

"Merlin, you're still not fully recovered," said Elyan as he took note of how Merlin was moving.

"Not surprising, you were struck by lightning and fell some feet from the sky," said Tristan.

"I'm okay. Really, the physical pain is nothing compared to the rest I felt during that fight."

"What do you mean?" asked Arthur. Had more happened during his duel with that Thorn Angus than he realized.

"Now, isn't the time." Merlin said shaking his head. He straightened himself. "Where is everyone?"

"Gwen is leading the people through the tunnels beneath the castle to try and get away. We're holding off Vortigern's army to buy them as much time as possible."

"The city's overrun?"

"Of course it is," said a new and taunting voice. They all looked back at the direction the Vikings were sent to and saw a vibrant woman in a cloak like Angus'. Her dark hair was long and straight and she was smiling but her eyes seemed to be glaring in at them. "Did you really think that you could compete with our power?"

Merlin went forward and stood with Arthur and faced the woman. "And who are you?"

"I'm Mab...and you must be Emrys. I saw your battle with Angus from afar. You do have some skill but it is quite lacking technique. You should join us. We could bring out the best, maybe even beyond that. You could become a god with our help."

"Forget it," Merlin said almost as soon as she was done.

She just shook her head like a child just misbehaved. "Cut from the same cloth as the Order of the Bear I see. Now, I can understand how you've gotten so high with them."

"Mab?" said Arthur thinking back to earlier in the afternoon. "I know you. You're part of that Thorn Brotherhood."

"Ahh, you've heard of me." she said as a few Vikings came to stand behind her. "The Albions no doubt. I also doubt they painted us very positive."

"The one who told us didn't say much but enough. That you and your cohorts use evil magic."

That seemed to only make Mab grit her teeth but her eyes still looked calm as she glared at him. "Evil magic? Those spineless cowards are nothing but meddling fools. And I'm surprised to hear you say evil with magic. Last I heard, even making a feather fly about was evil in motion to your household."

Arthur lightly bit inside of tongue and glanced a bit at Merlin but saw that he was only staring at Mab. "Things have changed." he said lightly.

"Yet...though it seems it was too little too late. You and your father played your parts well but I'm glad to say that your work is all done."

This made both Arthur and Merlin raise their eyebrows in confusion. "What? What are you talking about?" Arthur asked.

"Don't worry your pretty head about it Arthur. If you don't surrender to me here and now, I'll take it off those appealing shoulders for a trinket."

"Forget it," said Merlin stepping forward. "I won't let you."

Mab just brought her hand out. "Ergyd o Anhrefn!" Suddenly her eyes burned red and a matching red stream of light came for them.

Merlin was ready to react. "Darian Ni I Gyd!" A wall of light formed some feet away from them to intercept it. Yet, Merlin suddenly heard the distant screaming from before. While it seemed fainter than before, it still sent chills down his spine. Although, this time he remained conscious. It was probably because the spell was stopped further away from him than Angus' was.

Arthur and the others felt it too. They heard the screaming just inside their ears and felt themselves go a little cold. They could only find one word for what it was they were feeling...evil. Arthur had been hit with magic before but never before did he feel like this, and he wasn't even hit by the magic this time.

Merlin's shield withstood the stress of Mab's attack. Mab put more focus into it's force to try and break through. The spells were cancelled out and Mab just smirked. "Impressive. You do have power Merlin but you've never faced the great power of the Thorns. Your enemies within the Old Religion have spoiled you." She looked to the soldiers. "Get them. Bring me Arthur. Alive if possible. Dead if necessary."

They came running for them but Merlin sent them all flying back without even gesture. Mab just set up a wall so none would hit her and the ones that did struck it and landed before her feet in a heap. There was distant shouting as some more Vikings were making their way to them.

"Sire," said Leon pointing to their approaching shapes.

"We have to move." Arthur said as he tugged to pull Merlin with him.

"Niwl Arllwys Allan" The corridor was suddenly filling with a thick fog right behind him. "That should buy us some time."

"Where should we go?" asked Gwaine. "They're roaming the castle."

Arthur was shaking. His whole kingdom was being overrun within a day by them. He couldn't believe it. He looked as he passed an open window and his heart dropped even further. There were creatures hovering overhead and in the streets trampling houses. He could also make out the Vikings running through the streets as well. This was even more awful then what Morgause and Morgana had done when they took the city. And even more lethal.

He was almost pained with what he had to say. "The tunnels. We have to...retreat."

They looked at Arthur in confusion for a moment before nodding.

"You're calling for a retreat?" Merlin was surprised. Before, Arthur was adamant in staying until the very end unless Merlin was there to drag him away.

Arthur looked Merlin in his eyes. Then he dropped his gaze and closed his eyes like he was in physical pain. "Merlin...look out the window."

Merlin took a moment and looked out the same window Arthur had. He didn't know what had happened while he was out and his own heart built on the chill recieved from Mab and dropped at Camelot's present state. He then understood and he nodded back to Arthur. He didn't like it any better either and knew his pain. His first real chance to openly serve Arthur and...he blew it. Failed. Now they had to leave the city again.

Back behind the fog, Mab looked at it and chuckled. "Childish tricks. Clirio'r Llwybr" The fog started to part and disappear. Soon the rest of the corridor was clear as day. Mab looked to the Vikings still on the floor and approaching. She then stopped being so calm. "What are all of you waiting for? After them!" At her tone, they went and ran down the path with their swords out and roared. "Brainless oafs," she said turning away and heading back to Vortigern.


The people ran into the tunnels and were getting more on edge when the booms over their heads were getting louder and harder. Gwen was leading them off down the path that opened up in the forest behind Camelot. The vibrations were making the people more and more scared but they still followed their Queen...that is until the latest vibration took a chunk of the ceiling and made it fall on a soldier and made him fall down.

At that, all hell broke loose and many people started running for the nearest exits out of the tunnels for the surface. Guinevere put her hands out to try and stop them.

"No, you're all going the wrong way. Stop!"

But they didn't listen. Some may have looked back at her but most of them snapped under the pressure and just ran for it. Guinevere started to move towards the exits after them but one of the knights with her stopped her.

"My lady, the king said we were to get you out of the city."

"But the people," she started.

"They made their choice. There are still some who need you that are still here. We need to get the ones we can to safety."

Gwen looked at the backs of the people still running

The people that ran out of the tunnel exits and came out in various parts within the city limits and ran out to try and escape the devastation. Vikings blocked their paths out of the city and Ogres slammed their clubs into the ground and made them freeze in fright. For a moment, those that had been stopped thought that they were going to be slaughtered by these fearsome enemies. The Vikings and Ogres apparently had that in mind as they approached the citizens with predatorial leers until a bolt of lightning struck in front of them and stopped them.

Angus hovered above them. "No," he said to the Vikings and the Ogres. "Don't kill them. They're not what we're after. Save your wrath for the soldiers and knights. Bring these citizens out of the city and have them watched." He then flew towards the Camelot citizens. "If you don't cause any problems then you will be spared. Be thankful for my king's mercy." The people quietly allowed the Vikings lead them away, out of the city to be under watch by them and the Ogres. Angus watched the proceedings and then smirked inside. 'Mordred, can you hear me?' he thought as he focused on the young man.

"I can hear you." he heard Mordred answer.

"Tell Vortigern that phase three of his plans are commencing. The people are being rounded up and spared."

"I will Angus."

Over in the castle, at the throne room were Vortigern, Mordred, and Nemain. Vortigern was sitting in Arthur's throne and Mordred went down on one knee in front of him.

"Sire," he said as he bowed his head. "Angus has started phase three of your plans."

Vortigern gestured for Mordred to rise. "Excellent. One of the things that my father and uncle were blind to is knowing when not to make enemies when they didn't need to. I needed to think outside winning this battle and plan for long term. The last thing I want to do is give anyone outside of this city still loyal to the Pendragons fuel to draw in supporters. If I deliver senseless brutality, then it will make the people believe the only give hope is with our remaining enemies. If I show mercy, then it will bring doubt to the choice of defying me."

Mordred was only getting more and more enamored by Vortigern's brilliance. The leadership of a true king. Something he never got to have. Any king that he ever came across only delivered the promise of death and pain for himself and his kin. Yet, Vortigern praised them even presented him with the chance to delve into a magic more powerful than he ever knew existed. "It is a brilliant plan Vortigern. You've taken Camelot with ease and Arthur's corpse will soon be at your feet."

"You're making me blush Mordred." he said with a chuckle. "Nemain, fan out and help Mab. There is a chance that Merlin might be with Arthur and Mab might not be strong enough to defeat him alone. The lasting effects behind Angus' attacks might have worn out by now and Merlin might not risk underestimating us again. Yet, together you two will conquer him."

"Of course Vortigern," she said with a bow.

But before she could leave, the doors opened and Mab came through them baring her teeth. "I'm afraid that is easier said than done." She walked down to Vortigern. "Merlin did wake and he helped Arthur and his best knights escape."

Vortigern stood up from the throne in complete anger. "What?! My plans relied on him not leaving this city alive. The last thing I want is for a symbol going around inspiring resistance."

Mab visibly winced. "I'm truly sorry sire. Merlin surprised me. I was not expecting him when I confronted Arthur."

Vortigern clenched his right fist but then forced himself to relax. He breathed in and out deeply until he settled back down. "Relax yourself Mab. We can still fix this. Go out and have your gargoyles scout the surrounding area of the city. Have Angus and his hippogriffs help you. Grab anyone that you can and get Arthur back. We can still catch him. And...if we can't catch him now, don't worry about it. I have a new plan ready to crush any hope he and his kingdom have for victory." He then smiled. "If he does escape I will make him wish he hadn't."


Arthur and the others ran down the corridors of the tunnels for a path to the forest. They came upon a stray Viking that wondered down them but as a unit struck them down.

They turned a sharp corner. "We're halfway to the forest," said Arthur.

"You think Gwen got the people out safely," asked Elyan.

"I hope so," answered Arthur. "We bought them enough time to get them through the tunnels before they broke into the castle. I think by the time they went through the castle and realized that the people were gone, they wouldn't be able to catch up to them."

"Well let's hope we can," said Leon.

Suddenly, they came upon a caved in area that blocked their advance. Arthur redirected them to the nearest exit. They came out of one of the secret exits outside the city walls. It was chaos. There were flying creatures about and they were scooping up random people running for the forests and taking them into the air.

"What are those things?" asked Percival.

It was Tristan who answered. After all, he got the lesson from Gaius and Eli. "Hippogriffs and gargoyles, Gaius helped me identify them before we fought. He said that they could only be destroyed by magic. The ogres from before can be taken without it but it's extremely harder to destroy them."

"I can handle them." said Merlin.

Gwaine slapped Merlin's shoulder. "I'm sure you can Merlin but...you can't fight them all at once. Not to mention those three Thorns that Eli told us about."

"I don't have much of a choice."

Arthur stopped him. "Merlin, he's right," They took off for the forest when the path looked clear. "They have an army of magic and we only have you. You're powerful, I know. But, it's not enough. You'll just get yourself killed. Don't be stubborn."

Now Merlin knew things were serious. Arthur was talking to him about being stubborn? The one who he had to turn into a mindless fool to get him out of Camelot to save him? He grit his teeth and surrendered to their fate. "Alright. I get it. I can stop them as far as you could."

'Well,' Arthur thought. 'At least he's has a bit of his humor again.'

They nearly got to the treeline until a hippogriff and a gargoyle came down and blocked them. Merlin looked to the gargoyle and went for it with one of Kay's favorite attack spells. "Awyr Slaes!" He struck up and a slice of air went for the gargoyle and cut into the gargoyle diagonally. It's head and part of it's chest fell off and the whole body crumbled into dust.

Yet, as he did that, the hippogriff lunged for the others. Even though Arthur knew it wouldn't do any good, he couldn't stop his instincts and jabbed his sword into it's head. He and the others expected to see it break like the other swords did but it didn't. Excalibur went into the beast's brain and it flapped around some before just falling down dead as a doornail.

"What?" Arthur said to himself as he yanked his sword out.

"Arthur!" shouted Leon. He pointed up to the sky behind them and saw that a dozen more flying creatures were getting closer. "We have to move!"

Arthur momentarily forgot about what just happened and they took off into the cover of the woods. They jumped logs and brushed off stray branches in their way as they tried to distance themselves from the city. They headed for where the exit within the forest was and eventually found some of the knights and citizens were as they watched the city from afar.

"Sire."

"Your majesty!"

"It's the king."

Those were the reactions as he got to them. There were soldiers and some of the castle staff here also. Arthur even saw that his new servant Gale was there also. He was happy to see so many of his people were safe and sound. But there was one specific one he was looking for. "Guinevere?" he called out.

"Arthur?"

Arthur saw that she was in a far off corner with some knights and Gaius and Eli were by her. They ran for each other and went into a tight embrace. They were right to hope for the best.


"Any sign of the king?" asked Vortigern.

"None." said Angus. "Yet, we did manage to capture quite a few of the guards and knights. They were spotted in some tunnels found underneath Camelot. It's probably how Arthur and the others escaped us." He looked up at the flock of hippogriffs still scouring the area. "Our beasts are trying to capture more stragglers now."

They were out in front of the castle and Vortigern was just informed that the entire area was searched. Angus, Mab and Nemain were hovering over him while Mordred was standing with Vortigern looking over at the castle.

"Very well," he breathed out. "So it would seem Arthur escaped after all."

"This isn't the first time sire," Mordred said trying to reassure his king. "He has a history of doing so with Emrys at his side. They're probably vowing to their fellow men about returning to reclaim their city like they've always done."

"Yes...but don't you worry about me. This is where my plan comes in." Vortigern smirked evilly as he looked to the castle. "You see, all those times you just mentioned, Arthur managed to elude his enemies and triumph over time. They had and still have something to hope for. Both Arthur and his sorcerer Merlin. The hope of taking back their precious city and reclaiming the kingdom. This is the symbol that they keep returning to and fighting for. They draw strength and power from that hope to overcome those odds and build their legacy. If I want to take away the power of their hope...I just need to get rid of the symbol giving it to them. Now you'll see why Arthur will wish he did fall." He turned to his three faithful enforcers. "Mab, Angus, Nemain...Destroy the castle and the city."

"But sire..." started Mordred as they started to head for out of Camelot. "If the city is destroyed, what have we gained?"

"Don't think of it as a waste Mordred," he said as a loud bang roared into the night sky. "Think of it as necessary sacrifice towards our supreme victory. Besides, this castle and city don't match my taste anyway. And, this place could always be rebuilt more to my liking when we've taken the entire island."

Mab, Angus and Nemain were relentless in their onslaught. They lit up the sky as they blasted tower after tower of the once great castle. Every time one tumbled, it sent loud bangs that echoed for miles. The city was lit by the flames caught by the houses where content people once lived in happiness. Within the castle, a part of the ceiling fell to their brutality and smashed down on Arthur's and Uther's throne where they sat and generated awe from their people. The three of them launched one final joint spell and the main part of the castle went tumbling down like high stack of blocks.

It was all witnessed from afar by the lucky survivors of the battle yet, they didn't feel so lucky anymore. Neither did the ones that had escaped into the forest. Both Arthur and Merlin watched in despair as Camelot fell to pieces right before their eyes.


End of Chapter 9

A/N: I hope you enjoyed that one. Vortigern is pure evil isn't he. And he isn't done. This is only the beginning. I'm glad so many liked the last chapter and I hope you liked this one even more. Tell me what you thought.

Torri o Dan - Burst of fire

Heddlu yn ol - Force back

Ergyd o Anhrefn - Shot of Mayhem

Darian Ni i Gyd - Shield us all

Niwl Arllwys Allan - Fog pour forth

Clirio'r Llwybr - Clear the path

Awyr slaes - Air slash