Arthur had been asleep when the knock on the door came. Listening to the man tell him that there was someone wishing to speak with him, Arthur wondered what could be so important to wake him up at this time of the morning. Throwing some clothes on, he went to the hall where he found his father stood looking grim and yet still half asleep. It was obvious that neither of them had been expecting visitors at this time of the night but before Arthur could ask what was going on, a wounded soldier was brought before them. One look at him and Arthur knew that this man would not see the morning sun. Listening to what the soldier said, Arthur's mind immediately raced with thoughts, especially at the mention of a sorceress and how the evidence was explained. Arthur gulped. Perhaps Merlin had been right after all. Running from the hall to wake his men and prepare them, Arthur took a quick detour. Going to Alethea's room, he knocked lightly on the door and when he got no answer walked straight in. He found no sign of her and the bed had obviously not been slept in. Could she really be Nimueh?

Inwardly cursing himself for not having noticed and for having ignored all the warnings, Arthur finished the task of getting his men together. Half of them were wide awake from having been on watch, a few of them were merry and the others were still rubbing sleep from their eyes. Seeing that they were all gathered and that they were armed and ready to fight, Arthur smiled slightly. It seemed he had trained them well.

"I suppose you're wondering why you're gathered here at this time in the morning." There were murmurs from the men. "We have received news that an army is coming to attack Camelot at first light. We need to be ready. We cannot have a repeat of last time. They may try to distract us, but this time we will not fall for it. I need you men to defend the town when the army attacks, but before that I need you to round up all the men, women and children. Give the able men weapons and put the women and children in the great hall. They will be safe enough there."

"Can we not take them to another village?"

"It's too late and too risky. The castle is the best chance of surviving they've got."

"Sire, what if they use magic?"

"They will not win. They will weaken from its use and we can use it to our advantage. Now come on, we haven't much time. Get to it." As the men got to work, Arthur headed back to the castle, bumping into Morgana as he ran down one of the corridors.

"Arthur? What's going on?"

"The castle is about to be attacked. I need you to do something for me."

"I am not leaving you to fight on your own!"

"No. I need you to stay here and look after the women and children. It's too late and too risky to evacuate them, so they're coming here. I just need you to look after them."

"But…"

"Please Morgana." She didn't look too happy but she reluctantly agreed. "Thank you."

"Just go safe." Arthur smiled before heading to Gaius' chambers. He needed Merlin to help him into his armour and to ask if there was a way to rescue Alethea. Knocking loudly and incessantly on the door, Arthur felt his patience desert him. Every minute lost now could cost Camelot it's downfall. A tired eyed Merlin opened the door and Arthur knew that he himself must still look pretty tired.

"Arthur?"

"I need you to help me into my armour."

"Why?"

"Very soon Camelot will be attacked, and Nimueh is leading the army. That soldier over there brought us a warning and it seems you were right Merlin. I was a fool for not listening to you."

"Oh."

"Now hurry up. Get something proper on and meet me in the armoury."

Five minutes later, and Merlin arrived at the armoury to help Arthur get into his armour. Looking outside, the night sky was beginning to pale. Any time soon and the battle would begin. Arthur just hoped that half of Camelot wouldn't be destroyed like it was last time, and that he could rescue the real Alethea.

"So you believe me now?"

"I'm just sorry that it's too late. Has Gaius said anything?"

"Just that shape shifting is possible."

"Anything about how to rescue the true version?"

"Nothing without the use of magic."

"Then there is nothing I can do."

"Not as of yet Arthur. What will happen to the villagers?"

"They're going to be kept safe here in the castle. All of the men are being equipped ready to fight whilst the women and children are…"

"But if they use the dragon then surely…"

"The dragon is safely guarded and cannot escape. Besides, they would not use the same trick twice, and even if they do we're ready for them."

"I just hope you're right." Merlin said as he put on his own suit of chain mail ready to fight. Looking at each other, both of them were grim as they thought back to what had happened a few months ago. It seemed that more blood would be shed just for revenge.

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As dawn broke and the dark night sky splintered into a pale purple, Sir Ethelbert's army approached Camelot, ready for war. Their strategy known by all of them, they were expecting to surprise Camelot and had thought that the traitor was dead. No one could have survived that arrow long enough to warn the kingdom, and even if they had there wasn't much time to be prepared. Approaching the town, the army broke into their formations and began the attack. Flaming arrows were fired into the thatch roofs of the cottages, the fires spreading quickly across the town, but no screams were heard. Ethelbert knew that he had been tricked then as the village was empty. Approaching with caution, he looked around and didn't notice the men hidden in the shadows until it was too late.

Fearful looking boys with pitchforks and bread knives defended their homes, but they were no match for Wessex's army.

"Oh look, they've sent boys to do a mans job." Laughing and shouting, the two groups of men came together with swords drawn, ready to fight to the death. Camelot castle loomed over the fighting men and was only a few hundred yards away, but there were to be more obstacles in the way. Ethelbert guessed that the villagers would all be grouped there which would be why the castle would be heavily guarded. Attacking with all of his might, he parried and trusted and stabbed at all those who came close. One by one men fell as the clang of metal and the screams of dying men air. Soon the boys were lying dead or wounded on the streets, laughter ringing in their ears as Wessex's men joked about them being mummy's boys. Very few of the attackers had been wounded, let alone killed, unlike those of Camelot.

"Piece of cake." said one of the men. This just made the rest of the company laugh.

Leaving the dead to lie in the streets, they came to the castle walls. Arrows were fired from the battlements and only one or two men fell, others just tore the arrows from their arms and continued advancing. Faces set with a look of pure hatred, Ethelbert's men met the more experienced men who had swords and some wore chain mail, others wore armour. This would prove to be more of a challenge than the first group, but Ethelbert just smiled cruelly. Camelot would lose most of its men today and Wessex's army would not rest until blood ran down the streets. Once again the sound of metal filled the air and chaos commenced. Swords met swords or flesh. Men either fought or died and many advanced onto the other. Some, either brave or stupid, ran straight into the fray but they were soon put out of their misery. Cold steel was shoved into other people's bodies and they slumped to the ground, their life's blood pouring from their wounds. Not caring to wipe the blood from the sword, the men just continued doing what they did best. They fought to win, and fought to live.

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Inside the Great Hall of the castle, fearful women and children were gathered. Many were sat down, clutching each other for comfort whilst Morgana and Gwen did all they could to reassure the people. It didn't work though. The women were filled with panic and fear for their husbands, sons and brothers, whilst the children wondered if they would ever see daddy again. Morgana knew what it felt like to have your father go to battle and not return, and her heart went out to the children. Some were too young to take in what was happening whilst the older children did their best to comfort their siblings. All had fallen silent when the call came that the army was here and it was then that they could hear the distant sounds of metal and shouts. They had smelled smoke as well and Morgana couldn't help but utter a silent thank you to whoever it was who had warned them. Hearing the noises come closer, she turned back to her people and did her best to reassure them.

Meanwhile Arthur and his men were stood on guard ready for the attack in the courtyard. They could hear the sounds of battle and the screams of the dying and could smell smoke. The village was burning but there was no sign of the dragon. It would seem to be a man only battle but in the sky crows were beginning to gather whilst the soldiers stood ready. Arthur couldn't help but wonder where Nimueh was at that moment in time but he then saw his father come to join the men. All of them went to protest but one hand raised from Uther and they were silenced. Arthur gave his father a small nod before turning to Merlin.

"Ready?"

"As I will ever be."

"Merlin, I'm sorry for not believing you. Forgive me?"

"Of course." Merlin smiled slightly.

"And thank you."

"What for?"

"Just thank you." Neither of them had chance to say anything else for at that moment Ethelbert's men stormed into the courtyard. Covered in dirt and blood, they looked like they had come from the very pits of Hell. Arthur and his men stayed on guard as they ran towards them, swords drawn ready to fight. Clean polished steel met blood stained blades and the knights and trainees fought for their lives. Arthur chanced a look at his father to find that he had taken on the leader whilst Merlin was in danger of being killed. Grabbing the dagger from his belt, Arthur aimed well and threw it at Merlin's opponent, who fell within seconds. Merlin shot him a quick smile before nodding to behind the Prince. Arthur turned just in time to see a man come running at him with a blade ready to kill him. Arthur dodged the blow and stabbed upwards, stopping the man dead in his tracks, quite literally.

A fierce fight ensued with men on both sides falling and blood staining the cobbles until there were very few left unharmed. Some were badly wounded, others knocked out and the rest were dead. Defeating one of the attackers, Arthur pulled his sword from the body before turning to see his father at his opponent's mercy. King Uther was lay face up on the floor with Sir Ethelbert's sword at his throat. Arthur reached for his knife before cursing as he remembered that he had thrown it earlier to save his servant. Running towards his father, he reached Uther just as there was a flash of light and a woman looking very much like Alethea stepped towards them.

"That is not a part of our deal."

"But…"

"I told you to leave the royals to me." She seemed more concerned with Ethelbert than with Uther and Arthur, so the Prince did what he could to free his father.

"I…I…"

"Our deal is forfeit Sir Ethelbert."

"And what are you going to do about it?"

"This." A flash of bright light enveloped the leader and he seemed to smile for a moment until he turned into a pile of dust. The surviving number of Ethelbert's men stepped away nervously. Arthur, Uther and Merlin just looked on as the supposed Alethea turned to them. Arthur stared at her, filled with hatred for this woman.

"Playing toy soldiers again are we?" She seemed to laugh. "And I suppose you got a warning. Shame you didn't notice them earlier. It was kind of obvious Arthur, but it seems you were too besotted with 'dear Alethea' to notice. And Merlin, how glad I am to see you're recovered."

"What now Alethea? Kill us and get Camelot as your own?" asked Uther.

"How did you guess?" she laughed. "And you still think of me as Alethea? Uther, I thought you were more clever than that." Smoke drifted across and Alethea turned into Nimueh.

"What?" asked the King in disbelief.

"Where is she Nimueh? What have you done with her?"

"Oh, she's safe enough. Can't guarantee that she's still alive but she's safe. But if it wasn't for Merlin here then I would still be trapped."

"What?" chorused Arthur and Uther as they turned to Merlin, demanding answers and thinking that this was all the servant's fault.

"Oops, haven't you told them Merlin? Haven't you told them that it was you who was responsible for my sudden disappearance and sending Alethea home? Or that because of you Alethea was sent straight into my arms and I could return? This is all your fault young warlock."

"WHAT?!" bellowed Uther. Arthur just looked confused before it all clicked. Merlin stared straight back at Nimueh.

"This is none of my fault. I just helped Alethea find a way home and we got lucky, but it seems it didn't work. And warlock? Come now Nimueh, you're the only one in this courtyard who practices magic."

"Merlin, is it true?" Arthur asked him.

"It isn't." he replied, looking the Prince straight in the eyes. Arthur hesitated for a moment before smiling.

"Then she lies. It will not work Nimueh. I know what you've done. Now give me Alethea back."

"I already did Arthur. It's not my fault you didn't notice that it was me all along."

"I want her back!"

"We don't always get what we want Arthur. You of all people should know that. Do you know how boring it is to pretend to be in love with a pompous prat like you? Or how easy it is to get you to turn a blind eye? I tell you this, I will not give her to you freely. Besides, how are you going to make me? It seems you don't have the upper hand."

"Nimueh, please…" He was interrupted by a flash of light and more piles of dust appeared in the courtyard. The army of Sir Ethelbert of Wessex was now no longer existent.

"Tut tut. Looks like I've just saved your lives."

"And that means we save yours? Ha!" Uther said but an angry looking Nimueh turned to him and uttered something before the King toppled to the ground. Arthur and Merlin were by his side in seconds only to find that he was still breathing.

"He'll live, unfortunately. Now, to you two."

"You won't get away with this."

"Will I not? Who's going to stop me? A twit and a prat? Highly unlikely."

"Nimueh, give Alethea back and…"

"I will not. She's probably dead by now, having long given up on you or a hope of a rescue. However, if you are really that desperate to go and meet her then I'm sure I can soon arrange something."

"I don't care. Just give her back."

"You asked for it." Nimueh said with a cruel smile on her lips. A blinding light filled the air before Arthur disappeared, a pile of ash forming on the cobbles.

"Arthur!" Merlin shouted but it was too late. The Prince was gone.

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Alethea was feeling very weak, very cold and very tired when a flash of light filled the clearing. Raising her head slightly, she saw a figure arrive at one end. He was very familiar and seemed to smile slightly as he took a step towards her. His armour was coated in stains and his hair was a mess but that didn't bother her. He had finally come to rescue her. Her heart leapt with joy until suddenly he toppled to the ground, his limbs lying at awkward angles. She tried to shout to him but the gag wouldn't let her, and she desperately tried to free herself, failing miserably. A tear ran down her cheek. Her Prince had finally come to rescue her, but it had cost him his life.