10/14
Merlin
The Third Sibling
Part 3
"Tear them apart" the leader of the Skree Growled, even as he himself lifted Merlin higher. Around them the battle commenced, Arthur's sword ripping through Skree Flesh, even as Skree talons ripped at flesh.
"How Ironic, you get to see them die again" Said the leader as it began to close its massive hand around Merlin's throat. Merlin's eyes glowed and he brought up his own hands, gripping the leader's arm. The leader's sneer fell away as his arm began to burn. He dropped Merlin suddenly, roaring in pain, even as Merlin looked up from where he had fallen and sent the leader hurtling away from him. The leader roared then took flight, swooping towards Merlin, talons extended, sharp teeth bared. Merlin stood up and looked at it, closing his eyes, across from him Arthur spun around, eyes going wide.
"Merlin! Move!" he roared. But Merlin just stood there, slowly raising his hand. The leader roared again, then screamed as Merlin opened his eyes which glowed brightly, as Merlin suddenly closed his fist. The scream from the Skree became louder and more pained as it flew into the air, smoke rising from its body, and with one final roar, it became a series of blazing remains as its blood boiled, skin caught alight and it exploded. The other Skree stopped their attack to watch the remains of their leader plummet around them.
"I suggest you go… Now" Merlin said in a tone that chilled even Arthur. The Skree looked at each other, and then with hisses took to the air, flying away. Merlin and the others watched them go, all of them battered and bloody from the brief but fierce battle. Slowly Arthur turned to Merlin.
"Could you always do that?" he asked slowly. Merlin looked at him, and nodded.
"I could, but I chose not to" he said, turning away. Arthur's gaze following him. He had been half convinced the previous night had been a dream, but no. Merlin had Magic. And for better or worse, Arthur was going to have to deal with it. Merlin seemed to sence his thoughts for he turned back to him.
"Don't be scared Arthur, I would never hurt you or any of the others" Merlin told him. Arthur looked away briefly, then back at the man he had thought he'd known, but now realised he had not known at all.
"We should get moving" Arthur said softly, walking past him. Merlin's gaze followed him as he trudged past and mounted his unicorn.
"Yes, I guess we should" Merlin replied.
Anhora was concerned, not because of the current situation, but of something else. He hadn't dared broach the topic the previous night, the emotions had been too raw, but now he found himself wondering if he had erred too much on waiting. Arthur had been brought back, resurrected and sent to them. Who, or why, that remained a mystery. One even he in his infinite years could not have hoped to comprehend, so he had done a spell the night before, a spell on the sleeping form of Arthur, the results were positive, this was Arthur who travelled with them. Possibly the man who would be Merlin's greatest ally, in the times ahead. And he knew from the whispers in the shadows, from the mutterings of the voices in the dark, that no sorcerer remained alive in Camelot, save for the three sisters. So why would they bring Arthur back? He was interrupted by Freya as she rode up beside him.
"Will they be alright?" she asked her chin moving to indicate Merlin and Arthur. Anhora glanced at her.
"That depends on them. Arthur has a lot to digest, Merlin's magic a large part thereof, but Merlin must also come to deal with the fact that Arthur knows" Anhora replied. "In truth, neither may be the same again" he admitted.
"But they need each other don't they?" asked Gilli, joining the conversation.
"That much is certain, but there are many forces at play, Morrigan is but one of them. As the revalation unfolds they will each face choices that will either bring them closer together…" his voice trailed off slowly.
"Or?" asked Freya.
"Or they will come to be the most bitter of enemies" Anhora said.
"Impossible, they would never turn on each other" said Gilli. Anhora looked back at him and raised an eyebrow.
"So certain are you?" he asked. "My friend, there are no longer certainties for the times ahead" Anhora replied, before turning away from him.
"So what do we do?" asked Freya.
"We hope child, hope and pray their love for each other is strong enough to survive what is coming" Anhora replied, before falling silent.
Ahead of the others, Merlin and Arthur had trotted side by side, silently. For once neither of them having anything to say.
"You seemed more accepting last night" Merlin suddenly said softly. Arthur glanced over at him.
"I was a lot of things last night, dead for one" he replied. "I saw it, I don't deny that, but… part of me… rebelled" he admitted.
"I can't help what I am" Merlin said.
"I know that, I just… why didn't you think you could tell me?" Arthur asked him.
"Would you have believed me?" Merlin said.
"Probably not" Arthur admitted.
"And then there was the fact I had kept this hidden for so many years, not just from you, but Gwen, Uther, the other knights, I suppose in a way it became my own task, to keep you from discovering the truth" Merlin replied.
"But I don't understand why" Arthur said.
"If your father had found out, we wouldn't be having this conversation" Merlin said.
"This isn't about my father Merlin, this is about us. Our friendship, our trust" Arthur said. Merlin shook his head sadly.
"You have no idea how much I wanted to tell you" Merlin admitted. "But then you became king, and to start with, you were no different to Uther" he said.
"How could you even think that?" Arthur asked, sounding truly hurt and offended.
"Amy, for a start" Merlin told him. "and then last year when Morgana summoned the magical creatures to attack"
"I didn't see you use magic then" said Arthur Frowning.
"No, I wiped it from your mind, instead Emily died, saving you" he said.
"You altered my mind?" asked Arthur, shaking his head in disbelief. Merlin shot him a glance.
"I had to, You'd just had Morgana nearly bring the entire kingdom to its knees, then I used Magic to banish her, and the look on your face. The hatred, the contempt I saw there. You weren't ready to know back then"
"Well thank you for judging me Merlin" Arthur snapped harshly.
"Oh come on Arthur, put yourself in my shoes, what would you have done? Seriously?" Merlin asked him. Arthur looked away, but remained silent. Beside him Merlin waited, then shook his head sadly.
"I take it others know" Arthur said, not looking at him.
"They do" Merlin replied.
"Who?"
"does it matter?"
"It Matters to me" Arthur replied with a snap. Merlin shrugged.
"Lancelot, he knew, Gaius of course, The Great Dragon" Merlin said. Arthur looked at him.
"Two dead people and a Dragon?" he asked.
"And Thomas and Rory" Merlin said. Beside him Arthur shook his head.
"I see" Arthur said softly. Merlin glanced at him out of the corner of his eyes.
"You don't sound surprised"
"I'm not, not now. I remember you and Thomas rushing out to 'investigate ' a sighting of Morgana and coming back with Rory" he said.
"That was the Dragon, doing his bit to save her" Merlin replied.
"And I knew they knew the Dragon" Arthur added. Merlin smiled and shook his head.
"Is this about me or them?" Merlin asked. Arthur shot him a look.
"You I suppose" Arthur said.
"Arthur, I don't know what you want me to say, or to do. I didn't ask for magic, I didn't go out and learn magic, I couldn't even read until I was sixteen, I was born with it" Merlin said.
"No one is born with Magic Merlin, it takes years of practice, of dedication, I know that much" Arthur responded as he guided the Unicorn over a small brook.
"I know, that's what makes me the exception" Merlin replied. "My father never had magic, not like me, and my mother, she is just an ordinary woman" Merlin explained.
"Merlin, you never even knew your father" Arthur said frowning.
"No. not until he died" Merlin replied riding on ahead, Arthur watching him, deep in thought.
The Goblet crashed against the wall of the throne room, causing both Morgana and Morgause to jump, Morrigan turned to glare at them.
"So the castle is empty save us" she said, her voice a barely controlled whisper.
"We have found nothing, whoever it was that resurrected Arthur is long since gone" said Morgana. Morrigan looked at her, eyebrows raised.
"Really? Is that so?" she asked. "Or could it be perhaps that one of you two resurrected him" she stated.
"Don't be absurd, I would spit on his grave than resurrect him" Morgana sneered. Morrigan nodded, and looked away.
"I suggest you look again and find me the person responsible for this outrage" she said. Morgause looked at Morrigan, then they turned and left the room. Morrigan turned back to scrying pool.
"Now Merlin, what are you up to" she whispered softly.
The group left the confines of the forest at last, reaching the rocky pass that would lead them to the trail to Dolgos's tower.
"The Unicorns will remain here" said Anhora as he dismounted the magical steed. The others doing the same.
"If we hurry, we can reach the tower before nightfall" said Arthur, looking up the steep, rocky slope.
"Then we had best hurry" said Freya, starting forwards. Merlin climbing up just behind her, Gilli after him. Arthur went to move, but Anhora put a hand on his shoulder.
"What?" asked Arthur looking at him.
"Who brought you back?" Anhora asked. Arthur frowned, and shrugged.
"I don't know" he replied.
"There must be some reason you were returned to him" Anhora said. Arthur looked at him angrily.
"Look, I told you, I don't know okay" he snapped.
"And that, is what worries me" Anhora replied, his voice cold.
"Why?" demanded Arthur.
"Because, Arthur, only a high priestess of the old religion can bring someone back from the dead like that without a death in return, and the only high priestess left is Morgana, so tell me why are you back?" he demanded.
"Your lying, Morgana hates me and everything about me, she would dance on my grave first" Arthur replied coldly.
"Believe what you will, but she has brought you back, and for a reason. And until we know that reason, you are not to be trusted" Anhora stated before he brushed past him, nimbly climbing the slope. Arthur watching after him, furious with the old man.
"Maybe your wrong old man!" Arthur called up after him.
"I truly wish I was" he called back. Arthur glared after him, then with a roar punched a large boulder in rage, cutting the skin on his knuckles. He looked at his hand then, at the blood on them, then glared up after the others, before he set off after them.
In the throne room Morrigan's eyes went wide, hearing what had just transpired between Anhora and Arthur, and her eyes glowing she screamed.
Walking along the path, Merlin shivered slightly, Freya taking his arm.
"Are you okay?" she asked gently. He turned to look at her as he walked and nodded.
"I just felt something" he said.
"Felt what?" she asked. Merlin shrugged.
"I'm not sure, but I think we should hurry" he said.
"Soloma Zendi, shanamr, tose rels, nydan sint" Morrigan muttered as she glanced at the scrying pool.
"If they are so desperate to see the people of Camelot again, than they shall" she muttered.
"Merlin slow down!" shouted Gilli as Merlin picked up the pace, the others hurrying to keep up.
"Something is wrong, the balance is being tipped again" said Anhora beside him.
"You can feel it?" asked Merlin, looking at him. Anhora nodded, but Gilli, Freya and Arthur just shook their heads.
Kilgharrah looked into the sky, his eyes closing in sorrow.
"What have you done Morrigan" he whispered.
The group were running now, when suddenly the sky darkened and beams of orange light began to thump into the ground with thuds all around them.
"What is that?" asked Arthur looking around.
"Morrigan" replied Merlin, looking directly at him. Before the beams stopped, and all went silent. Slowly the group turned around, the sun shining down again. Then there was a slow rumble, and where the beams had hit, the ground began to bulge, before a silver gauntleted hand punched through.
"What the hell?" breathed Arthur.
"Run" said Merlin.
"What?" he asked.
"RUN!" Merlin yelled again even as more hands burst through the soil, before a figure climbed out from the hole it had dug and spun around.
"Sire" lisped Sir Leon, his eyes glazed as he pulled his sword and began to advance on the group, Behind him, Percival, and Gwaine.
"no.. stop this.. STOP THIS!" Yelled Arthur, looking at them, even as in front of the Group Thomas, Elyan and Rory tore free from the earth, Merlin and the others skidded to a halt, and then, right beside Arthur, Came Gwen, grabbing his arm.
"wraiths" said Freya, looking around as behind the knights, guards, servants and even citizens of Camelot tore up from the ground. Merlin was looking around, as were the others, Arthur shoving the dead vision of his wife away.
"How do we stop them?" asked Arthur, backing up, sword at the ready. Merlin looked over at him.
"You don't" he replied even as the corpses advanced around them. Anhora raised his staff and then with a roar thudded it to the ground, there was an unnatural echo and the corpses fell back, stumbling as they fell, only to begin to right themselves.
"RUN!" yelled Freya, the group doing so, aware of just how many of the undead Wraith's moved around them. Suddenly Arthur gasped as he was grabbed from behind and lifted up. He swung his sword, only for it to be deftly deflected, and he was turned around, to looking into the rotting, unseeing eyes of his father. Arthur began to scream in rage, hacking out, as best he could, the sword being parried easily. The others skidded to a halt, turning and running back to Arthur's aid.
"I told you boy, magic is nothing but evil" Uther sneered.
"You are not my father" Arthur spat into his face.
"So, true" the Wraith replied, then growled as it pulled its own sword back.
"NOOOO!" Screamed Merlin as the sword appeared through Arthur's back, blood dripping from it.
"Such a disappointment" Uther said, before he looked at the others. Merlin stood there, looking at his friend on the ground, then he looked up at Uther and the other Wraiths moving towards them. He breathed deeply and lowered his head then he looked up.
"Merlin?" asked Freya stepping back, Anhora doing the same.
"Oh, he's pissed" muttered Gilli. Uther stepped forwards, towards Merlin.
"You think to challenge me?" demanded the dead king. Merlin looked up at him.
"No… this won't be a challenge, this will be a slaughter" Merlin whispered, and his eyes glowed brightly, very brightly. Uther stepped back, and raised his sword.
"Kill him… kill him…" Morrigan muttered as Morgana and Morgause ran into the room.
"Merlin!" screamed Freya. Uther growled and brought the sword around, and it clanged away from Merlin, leaving him untouched.
"What.. are… you?" Uther demanded.
"Me? I'm the person who is going to kill you for what you've done." Merlin replied. The Uther corpse swung the sword around again, but this time he didn't even get half way. Merlin roared, loudly, the sound becoming primal, taking on its own life. And then it exploded outwards from him, incinerating all the Wraiths it touched. The area sounded with their screams, as they were literally torn to shreds.
In the throne room Morrigan jumped back as the scrying pool font exploded, sending fragments everywhere.
Merlin looked around the area, shaking, before he moved forwards, towards Arthur. He got to his friend, then fell to his knees sobbing, angry. The power he had unleashed, the raw anger he had given form too had come from the darkest recess of his soul. Slowly the others walked to him, Freya kneeling next to him, pulling him close to her.
"All this.. all this to lose him again" Merlin muttered. Anhora knelt down next to him, and put a hand on Arthur's wound, slowly he looked at Merlin.
"Not yet" he said. Merlin looked over at him, then at Anhora's glowing hand, a moment later it was joined by Gilli's. Anhora looked at the young man and smiled, even as Freya's hand appeared above Gilli's. Then Merlin also reached out. Under them, Arthur began to stir and slowly opened his eyes, looking up.
"Why are you all standing around me?" he asked confused, sitting up. The group pulled away except Merlin.
"Will you please, for the love of god, stop dying" Merlin told him. Arthur frowned, then looked around.
"where are the wraiths?" he asked changing the topic.
"They couldn't hold it together" replied Gilli. Beside him, Anhora rolled his eyes.
"What?" Gilli asked, even as Freya thumped his arm. "What?" he demanded again.
In the throne room Morgana was clutching at her throat, as Morrigan glared at her.
"I bring you back, I give you the throne you so coveted and this is how I am repaid?" she demanded.
"Put her down" said Morgause dangerously.
"I think not, she has wronged me far too badly to go unpunished" Morrigan said.
"I was the one who resurrected Arthur!" yelled Morgause. Morrigan dropped Morgana to the floor and whirled around.
"You would betray your own sister!" yelled Morrigan, as she advanced on Morgause.
"Against the likes of you, over and over" Morgause replied, not backing down. "You abuse your powers far too much, you are no sister of ours" Morgause said.
"So, it is my power you fear?"
"No, it is your stability… you are insane" Morgause replied.
"I don't think so" Morrigan said, and then with a gesture sent Morgause hurtling to the wall a crackling web of green energy around her. Morgause screamed in pain as the magical net crackled around her.
"Let her go!" screamed Morgana rushing forwards. Morrigan turned to her, and with a gesture plastered Morgana to the other wall with the same kind of magical net.
"If you love your sister so much then you can join her in eternal pain!" Morrigan sneered at the screaming woman. Then with a final glance at the two screaming woman she left the throne room and moved onto the balcony.
"SKREE NISHAN TOR LAVOUR" she screamed, her arms wide, and a moment later the Skree reappeared, diving from the sky.
"Mistress?" asked a Skree flying forwards.
"Find Merlin, find him and his allies.. I don't how and I don't care where, you.. Will.. Kill.. them" she said, her voice angry.
"Last time we met, he killed many of us" the Skree said. Morrigan leant forwards, eyes narrowed.
"Oh, believe me, if he is not dead before nightfall, my rage will be so much more" she promised. The Skree backed away, then looked around.
"Flight" it ordered, Morrigan watching as the Skree took to the air once again.
Night had fallen before they had reached the tower, so the group had made a small camp, and were talking quietly to each other, except for Merlin who was sitting away from them, away from the fire. He didn't look up as footfalls sounded behind him. Slowly Arthur sat down next to him, handing him a bowel of food.
"I'm not hungry" Merlin said quietly.
"As your king I order you to eat" said Arthur. Merlin looked over at him.
"As my king?" he asked. Arthur held the stern expression for a moment longer, then smiled.
"And as my brother, I want you to" he added. Merlin smiled and took the bowel.
"brother?" asked Merlin. Arthur nodded and chuckled.
"Don't get all sentimental now" he warned. Merlin looked up, chewing, and frowned.
"I know why you hid the magic, and why you wiped our memories. And I would have done the same" Arthur said. "It's strange" he said at length.
"What is?" asked Merlin.
"The magic thing, I thought it would have upset me, and it did at first, but now I think about it, why should it, its who you are, my friend, and a person I care about a great deal" Arthur admitted.
"Now who's getting mushy?" asked Merlin with a smile.
"your spoiling my speech here" Arthur told him.
"sorry sire" Merlin said. Arthur grinned and shook his head.
"I often said there was something about you I couldn't put my finger on. At least now I know" Arthur said, standing. Merlin looking up at him, "and if anything, this trip has proved me wrong on so much" Arthur said.
"Like what?"
"Like how I can feel so humble that four magic users have come to the aid of a city that once executed them" Arthur explained. "I can finally say it, I can finally say that my Father's rule was wrong" he said.
"He did what he thought was right" Merlin said. Arthur nodded at him.
"But he did it the wrong way. And it is time to change that" said Arthur, before he turned and walked away, stopping as he saw Freya, Anhora and Gilli standing and looking into the night sky.
"What is it?" asked Arthur, Merlin standing behind him. Before anyone could reply, there came the beating of wings, and the moon above was blotted out as the Skree dived towards them.
"I didn't think we'd see them again" said Arthur drawing his sword as he and Merlin ran to the others. The Skree hissed as they touched ground and the battle commenced, Arthur swinging around with his sword, gutting some, while the others used magic to keep them at bay, however above them the moon was completely dark as it was eclipsed.
"How far is the tower from here?" called Gilli as he blasted a Skree in the face.
"About three miles" Arthur shouted back.
"You think we can make it?" called Freya punching a Skree in the throat with a glowing fist. Merlin looked at them.
"No problem" he said and as one the group ran, the magic users blasting the Skree away from the sides and behind them, while Arthur shopped at those in front. They carried on, never stopping, never slowing. Skree bodies littering the ground around them, but for everyone they took out another two were taking their place. However the group made steady progress until finally Arthur let out a cheer, for just ahead of them, looming from the darkness, was the Tower of Dolgos. With a surge forwards, the group ran in, the Skree outside landing and running forwards. Then something happened, that shocked them all, the Skree moved into the antechamber with them, then began to burn, before exploding.
"The likes of you are not welcome" intoned the voice of the Guardian, the voice of Dolgos. The Skree outside backed up, glaring at the group inside, before they took flight and vanished into the night. Gilli and Anhora slammed the doors closed, and looked around the room.
"The tower of Dolgos, I hoped to never see this place again" muttered Arthur.
"Well considering last time we were here I wanted to kill you" agreed Merlin, stepping forwards.
"Welcome back, young sorcerer" Dolgos's voice said around them.
"You know why we are here?" asked Merlin.
"I do, you require the Sceptre"
"We do, I've been told that it holds the power to undo Morrigan's evil" Merlin said.
"The great Kilgharrah speaks true" Dolgos replied "But when you have finished with the sceptre, what will you do with it?" he asked.
"I will return it" Merlin said.
"You do not seek its power for other means?"
"Only as a means for stopping Morrigan" Merlin replied.
"You are wise Merlin, the Sceptre shall indeed be yours. The balance of light and dark has been too greatly influenced by her actions. And she must be stopped" Dolgos said, as a door opened at the far end of the room. Merlin and Arthur stepped forwards, but Anhora put a hand on Arthur's shoulder. Arthur looked back and Anhora shook his head. Arthur frowned, but nodded, watching as Merlin walked forwards, and up the stairs.
"Why have you returned?" demanded Morrigan as the Skree
"They have entered the Tower of Dolgos, we cannot enter it" the lead Skree replied. Morrigan was fuming, and then turned away.
"Very well then. If Merlin wants a battle, then he shall truly have one" she muttered, walking away. The Skree watched her go then turned around.
"Prepare for war" it hissed.
Merlin walked up the long flight of stairs, then rounded a corner at the top, entering the chamber where the Sceptre rested on its pedestal. Glancing briefly down at the remains of another adversary. Nimueh, who had attempted to use the Sceptre for her own ends so many months before. Merlin took a deep breath and then took the Sceptre from where it rested.
"Know this Merlin, to use the Sceptre, you must destroy it" Dolgos suddenly said.
"But this is what keeps you alive" Merlin protested.
"And I have lived many centuries already" the voice replied.
"I… understand" Merlin said. "Thank you"
"Go, go and save your people, and know that at the end of this you shall no longer be a knight of Camelot" Dolgos said.
"What?"
"You shall see" Dolgos replied. "Now, go, and prepare your friends for battle will soon be upon you" Dolgos said. Merlin nodded then turned and ran down the stairs, stopping when he finally got to the bottom, seeing a large portal in the middle of the room.
"It just appeared" said Arthur, as he and the others walked around it.
"My final gift to you. Enter and return to Camelot, undo this evil, undo Morrigan's manipulations" Dolgos said. Merlin held up the sceptre and looked at Arthur who smiled and nodded.
"Are we ready?" Arthur asked.
"Our magic is yours, my liege" said Anhora with a bow. Arthur looked at him, and then smiled.
"Your magic is welcome" he replied. And then with a cry the group ran into the portal.
The portal opened up in the audience chamber, and the group skidded to a halt, as several Skree turned to face them.
"To use the sceptre, you must destroy it" the words echoed in Merlin's head, and even as the Skree advanced, Merlin held it high and then brought it smashing to the ground where it exploded in blinding light. The energy released moved out across the city like a tidal wave, and slowly, the fallen defenders of this once proud city began to stir, wounds healing, bodies that had begun to rot repairing themselves.
"What was that?" demanded Morrigan looking around, then seeing the bodies piled up at the back of the throne room beginning to move. Her eyes went wide.
"MERLIN!" she screamed storming from the room, leaving the still screaming sisters where they were.
The light died down in the room, and the group made short work of the Skree there, before from outside they heard the sounds of battle. Arthur ran to the door, pulling it open, seeing Sir Leon battering a Skree with his sword.
"YES!" Arthur shouted in triumph, even as behind Leon, Gwaine hacked another Skree in two.
"Sire!" yelled Leon seeing him, running over.
"You have no idea how good it is to see you" Arthur said as he and the others stepped out of the room.
"And you my liege" Leon replied.
In the Pharmacy Rory, Percival and Thomas were battling the Skree as best they could, Rory had a short sword and was stabbing at the ones trying to climb through the window, while Thomas and Percival held the ones at the door at bay.
"You do realise you stabbed me" said Thomas as he fought next to Percival, the bigger knight grunted and glanced at him briefly.
"You stabbed me first" he protested, Behind them, Rory sent a Skree tumbling to the ground as she threw poison in its face.
"And why is now NOT the time to have that conversation?" she yelled at them.
"She's a firebrand your wife" muttered Percival.
"Wouldn't have her any other way" Thomas replied with a grin even as he hacked the arm off of a Skree.
"Gwen!"
Gwen turned to see Elyan running towards her, wrapping her into a hug, even as around them the Guards took out the Skree, but suffering losses of their own.
"I thought I'd lost you" he said. Gwen looked at him and smiled.
"Where's Arthur?" she asked, even as she hugged him.
"Here" said Arthur, stepping around the corner with Merlin, Leon, Gwaine, the Girl Freya, the young man who'd come to the tournament years ago, and a man she did not know at all. And she didn't care, all she knew was that her husband was alive and well. She ran to him, tears in her eyes and they kissed passionately as they met.
"MERLIN!" Morrigan's scream echoed along the corridor, and the group turned to him.
"Arthur, I have to…" Merlin said looking at him. Arthur nodded smiling.
"Give her hell" Arthur said. Merlin nodded and then turned to Freya, before he kissed her with as much passion as Arthur had kissed Gwen.
"I love you, no matter what" he said. She stroked his cheek gently.
"I'll be waiting when you return" she promised. He smiled back.
"I know" he replied. Then he clasped hands with Gilli, before pulling him into a hug, and then looked at Anhora.
"I owe you so much" Merlin said "how do I even begin to repay you?"
"Stop her, that will be enough for an old man" said Anhora. Merlin looked at the group nodded, then turned and ran from them, down the stairs, even as behind the group more Skree appeared. Leon, Gwaine and Elyan readied their swords, but Arthur looked at them.
"I think our new friends can handle them" Arthur stated. Leon frowned, then his eyes went wide as the Skree began to be blasted back, with magic.
"sire…?" asked Leon confused. Arthur smiled and raised both eyebrows as he readied his sword.
Merlin ran down the corridors of the castle, and out into the courtyard, where Morrigan was waiting.
"Finally, the great Emrys" she sneered.
"And you, the greatest of them all, the lowest of the low" Merlin replied as they circled each other.
"I will enjoy ripping your miserable life from you" Morrigan said. Merlin looked at her and smiled.
"You can try" he replied.
The courtyard was empty save for Morrigan and Merlin, facing off against each other, from the castle the sound of battle issued as the Skree attacked the inhabitants.
"This ends now!" Morrigan sneered, sending a blast of magical energy towards Merlin.
"Yes, it really does end" merlin replied, lifting his own hands, as Arthur and the knights ran out onto the battlements, Skree crashing through windows after them.
"sire… Merlin is…" Leon stuttered.
"Using magic? Old news" Replied Arthur as he ran a Skree through.
"A man dies for five minutes and it all goes to hell" muttered Leon, as Thomas, Percival and Rory joined them, all clutching weapons. The Skree still pouring through the windows, being blasted back by magic or ran through with swords.
"You took your time" said Arthur glancing at them as a Skree was neatly chopped in half.
"Rory was having too much fun killing them" said Thomas.
Below them Morrigan launched a beam of magical energy from her hands, Merlin producing one of his own, they met in the centre of the courtyard, the light blinding, the sound of the magical energy fighting for dominance echoing around. Slowly they advanced on each other.
"Give it up boy, you can't beat me" Morrigan stated.
"Then why are you so afraid" Merlin replied. Morrigan screamed and poured more energy into her assault, Merlin doing the same. Suddenly there was a thunderous roar and the magic exploded knocking them both back.
"What's happening?" asked Gwen rushing out to Arthur even as Anhora, Gilli, Freya and more of the knights joined them on the battlements, below them the fight between Sorceress and Wizard continued.
Below them, Merlin and Morrigan both stood, looking warily at each other, suddenly Merlin was blasted backwards to hit the ground hard, sliding on the snow. Morrigan sneered at him and advanced towards him, making it no closer than five feet before she too was thrown backwards, Merlin glancing at her, his eyes blazing. She landed atop a cart and slowly sat up, before jumping down, and firing out with the magical energy again. This time Merlin moved to the side and the beam hit the wall behind him, causing it to crack and cave in. She turned, too late as Merlin's own blast sent her reeling hard into the wall behind her. She screamed, and fell to the ground, her face scarred and burnt.
"What have you done!" she roared in fury, before she returned the favour.
"MERLIN!" screamed Freya as she watched the battle below, Arthur glanced downwards, seeing his friend sent sprawling along the snow to land by a wall, but that was all he had time for as more Skree appeared, then battle was joined again.
"This is almost fun" muttered Anhora, who stood back to back with Gilli blasting Skree back where they could.
"Fun? You really need to get out more" said Gilli, as he blasted a Skree that was about to gut Leon from behind. Leon turned to him and nodded his thanks.
"You would prefer a Tavern?" asked Anhora, sending a Skree crashing into a wall.
"You have to admit, it's a lot safer!" Gilli replied.
Merlin was in pain, and he could feel it as he stood, watching the disfigured Morrigan walk towards him.
"And now… you die" she said before grinning through scarred lips. She raised her hands but was blown back by Merlin's return assault.
"Not that easily" he shot back, to a cheer from above. Morrigan looked up at him.
"SKREE! KILL HIM KILL MERLIN!" she screamed. Above her the Skree launched downwards, heading for him, only to be blasted away. Morrigan's eyes went wide.
"Who dares!" she demanded.
"We dare" replied Morgana stepping forwards, Morgause at her side, as they continued to blast at the Skree heading for Merlin.
"I see it, I don't believe it, but I see it" Arthur muttered, watching two of his greatest enemies, aiding Merlin.
"You will pay for this outrage!" screamed Morrigan, even as she was blasted back again by Merlin. The Skree having no interest in him anymore, now heading for the two witches.
"I don't think so" said Merlin. "Its over Morrigan, and you lost big time" Morrigan looked up at him, at her sisters, aiding him, at Arthur and his damned knights on the balcony, before she looked back at Merlin.
"Never" she whispered, and then blew Merlin backwards where he landed hard. Morrigan stood and then stepped back as Merlin stood up.
"You are one arrogant bitch" he muttered.
"You don't know the half of it. This is far from over Emrys. One battle is not the outcome of a war" she replied through narrowed eyes. Then she leapt up and called out, before she vanished in a whirlwind of magic.
"NO!" Yelled Merlin stepping forwards, far too late. The Skree, seeing their leader abandon them, took flight, glaring at the defenders, at Merlin, at Morgana and Morgause. Above them a cheer sounded, and Merlin looked up.
Ten minutes later Merlin stood in the Throne room with the others. Arthur looking at him proudly.
"I know she escaped, but she will think twice about attacking us again in the near future" Arthur was saying.
"But rest assured, she will attack again" Said Morgana stepping forwards. Arthur turned to glare at her and Morgause.
"Why did you betray her?" asked Arthur.
"Our reasons are our own" Morgause replied. "But know this, she is as much your enemy as ours" she continued.
"No Morgause, I refuse" said Morgana glaring at her.
"Refuse what?" asked Arthur.
"you have heard the old saying? The enemy of my enemy is my friend?" Morgause said.
"You would work with us, against your own sister?" asked Gwen, causing Morgana to glare at her.
"Why she still lives, she is a danger to us all, It goes against my better judgement, but I propose a truce" Morgause said.
"I will have no part of this" Morgana roared.
"you will be silent!" Morgause said rounding on her. "The time for grudges and personal hatreds is not now" she said, causing Morgana to flinch, before she turned back to Arthur. "We are not and never will be friends, but for the moment, while Morrigan still lives, we need each other" Morgause stated. Arthur slowly stepped forwards. "And when this is over I will hunt you both down again" Arthur promised. Morgause smiled, but there was no humour in it.
"Then we understand each other" she said, holding out her hand. Arthur glanced around the room then looked at Morgause, before he shook her hand.
"A truce while Morrigan lives" he agreed. Morgause nodded and stepped back to stand by Morgana who looked like she was chewing a wasp. Arthur nodded then turned to Merlin, Freya, Anhora and Gilli.
"You have my deepest gratitude" he said bowing to them. They returned it, watching him.
"What will you do now?" Arthur asked.
"I must return to my duties as keeper of the unicorns, but if you need me, then you will find me" said Anhora.
"And I'm going with him" said Gilli.
"Gilli?" asked Merlin with a slight smile.
"He finds fighting winged creatures with big teeth fun. Someone's got to teach him" Gilli stated.
"And Gilli has a lot to learn about keeping unicorns" Anhora replied. Causing the room to chuckle. Freya stepped forwards and took Merlin's hand.
"If I am permitted, I would like to remain here, with Merlin" she said. Arthur stepped forwards and smiled at her.
"Freya, nothing would be a greater honour" he replied.
"And I suppose the Pharmacy is in as much of a mess as this place!" said a voice from the end of the room. Everyone turned, jaws dropped open. Merlin slowly walked forwards, breaking into a run as he saw him, standing there at the doors. Gaius smiled at him and opened his arms as Merlin rushed to embrace him, tears streaming down his face, Arthur with him a moment later, then Gwen, then Rory.
"How?" asked Arthur pulling away. Gaius looked at him, a mischievous look in his eyes.
"Magic my Liege, just magic" Gaius replied.
The pain was almost as unbearable as was her rage, but she would heal. She would heal her face, her scars and then, when she was ready she would return. No, Camelot was far from safe. Morrigan smiled to herself.
She wasn't known as the Destroyer of Camelot for nothing.
Merlin will return…..