Disclaimer: All rights to Merlin belong to the BBC.
A/N: As always, thank you for the reviews, favorites, and alerts. Remember, italics = Dialogue from the show, spells, or thoughts; {} = telepathic speech.
I've skipped over some parts of the journey to Avalon; if its not in the story, just assume it happened basically the same as in the show, but with Mordred there.
Chapter Ten: A Fate Challenged: Part Two
When Gaius arrived, Arthur was pretending to sleep. It was easier than facing the two sorcerer's who currently sat a few feet away from him. The fact that Mordred had magic hadn't really come as much of a surprise, Arthur had assumed as much when he had remembered that Mordred was a Druid. But the idea that Merlin, Merlin who had been at Arthur's side for nearly every waking moment for so many years had had magic all along… it was as if Arthur's world had been turned upside down.
Arthur half-listened to the discussion between Merlin and Gaius about herbs. Then Gaius sent Merlin and Mordred to water the horses.
Arthur cracked his eyes open to make sure they were gone, then grabbed Gaius' robes, "He's a sorcerer, they're both sorcerers." Gaius just looked down at Arthur, not saying anything.
Arthur's eyes widened in realization, "You knew."
Gaius sighed, "Arthur, they're your friends."
Arthur turned his head away, "I want him gone; I want both of them gone."
"You have no reason to fear them."
"Have them take word to Camelot. To Guinevere."
Gaius shook his head, "You cannot send Merlin. And Mordred must stay with you, as well, as much for his own sake as for yours. He blames himself for your injury, he will not leave your side until you are healed. I will go."
"I need a physician right now, not a sorcerer." Arthur insisted.
Gaius regarded him seriously, "Merlin can do far more than me, far more than you can ever imagine. Arthur, he doesn't just have magic...there are those who say he's the greatest sorcerer ever to walk the earth."
Arthur had thought nothing else could surprise him after what he had already learned, but he couldn't keep the incredulity from his voice, "Merlin?!"
"If you are to stand any chance of survival, you'll need Merlin to help you, not me."
It was too much to take in, the idea that clumsy, goofy, perpetually late, merlin was the greatest sorcerer to ever walk the earth. It was ridiculous. Then Arthur remembered what the old sorcerer had done during the battle. If that really had been Merlin…
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Mordred kept his eyes fixed on the horse's neck as Gaius approached them.
Merlin turned towards Gaius, "Gaius?"
"He has a fragment of sword embedded in his chest." The physician reported. Mordred flinched.
"Then we'll use magic to draw to it out." Merlin replied.
"It won't work." Mordred said dully, eyes still fixed on the horse, "The sword was forged in a dragon's breath."
Out of the corner of his eye he saw Gaius nod grimly, "Its fatal power will not be easily denied. The blade's point is travelling inexorably towards his heart. Not even you could hope to thwart such magic, Merlin. It would take a power as ancient as the dragons themselves."
"No. There must be something that we can do, Gaius." Merlin's voice was desperate. Mordred turned his head slightly to look at Gaius, hoping desperately that the physician would have an answer.
Gaius glanced toward Arthur, "Only the Sidhe possess such magic. In the midst of the Lake Of Avalon there is an ancient isle. That is the source of their power. You must take him there."
Mordred felt a faint stirring of hope in his heart.
Merlin looked toward Arthur, "He won't allow that."
"He will." Gaius said softly, "I spoke to him."
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Arthur watched as Merlin struggled to light the fire. Their journey had been mostly uneventful. They had had a run-in with a group of Saxons, but Merlin had defeated them easily with his magic.
Mordred stood a few paces away, his back to the others, keeping watch. He had spoken very little since they had begun their journey, but the way he seemed unable to meet Arthur's eyes spoke volumes. Arthur knew he should speak to Mordred, tell him he didn't blame him for what he'd done under Morgana's enchantment, but something held him back, something related to the part of him that was very much Uther's son, the part that whispered that whether he had been enchanted or not, Mordred was a sorcerer and that alone meant that he could not be trusted.
Arthur looked again at Merlin, who still hadn't managed to light the fire, "Why don't you use magic?"
"Habit, I suppose." Merlin looked over at Arthur, a question in his eyes. Arthur nodded, finding himself morbidly curious. Merlin turned back to the fire and an instant later it ignited.
"Feels strange," he muttered.
"Yeah," Arthur agreed. He watched as Merlin stood up and walked over to their bags.
"I thought I knew you." That was the real issue here, Arthur knew, as much as he might try to deny it to himself, not that Merlin had magic, but that Merlin had lied to him from the moment they had met.
Merlin didn't answer for a moment, instead taking his blanket out of the bag and unrolling it.
"I'm still the same person."
"I trusted you." Arthur said. But you never trusted me… He shoved the thought away angrily. What did he care whether a sorcerer trusted him or not?
Merlin looked over at him, "I'm sorry."
"I'm sorry too." Arthur said. He wasn't entirely sure himself what he meant by the words. I'm sorry you're a sorcerer? I'm sorry I ever trusted you? I'm sorry that you never trusted me? There it was again, the thought that kept coming back no matter how hard he tried to shove it away.
Merlin walked over to Arthur and began to pull his boots off.
Arthur frowned, "What are you doing?"
"They need drying," Merlin answered simply, as if nothing had changed between them, as if he was the same Merlin he had always been, rather than this stranger, this sorcerer that Arthur didn't know what to think of.
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Merlin brought a bowl of stew over to Arthur. He lifted Arthur's head and held a spoon to his mouth, "This will be good for you." Arthur didn't respond.
"You need to eat." Merlin insisted.
"Why are you doing this?" Arthur asked, unable to stop himself, "Why are you still behaving like a servant?"
Merlin set the bowl aside.
"It's my destiny," he answered, with a faint smile, "As it has been since the day we met."
"I tried to take your head off with a mace." Arthur pointed out, remembering the mixture of surprise, annoyance, and amusement he had felt at the fact that some scrawny peasant had the nerve to mouth off to him.
Merlin's voice was amused, "And I stopped you, using magic."
Suddenly it all made sense, the way everything had seemed to go wrong and what should have been as easy fight had turned into a humiliating near-defeat, "You cheated."
Merlin just grinned, "You were going to kill me."
"I should've." Arthur muttered. It wasn't said in the teasing tone he would have used at any other time, but nor did he truly mean it.
Merlin's face grew serious, "I'm glad you didn't."
He leaned towards Arthur, "I do this because of who you are."
At Merlin's tone, Arthur couldn't help but meet his eyes. It was a tone Merlin didn't use often, but when he did, the words he spoke had a strange wisdom to them.
"Without you, Camelot's nothing," Merlin continued.
"There was a time when that was true." Arthur shook his head slightly, "Not now. There are many who can fill the crown."
Merlin smiled faintly again, "There will never be another like you, Arthur." Arthur didn't k ow how to respond to that.
Merlin reached down for the bowl he had set aside, "Now I also do this…" he spooned some of the stew into Arthur's mouth, "because you're my friend and I don't want to lose you."
Arthur didn't respond, but nor did he protest as Merlin continued to feed him the stew. After a moment Merlin glanced toward Mordred, who was again standing with his back to them, staring into the trees.
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"You should come and eat too, Mordred."
Mordred didn't turn at the sound of Merlin's voice.
"I'm not hungry." he muttered.
"Mordred, come and eat." Merlin's voice was firm.
"I don't have to listen to you." Mordred knew his words were childish, but he couldn't help himself. He couldn't stand to face his friends, to face Arthur.
{Really?}Merlin's voice suddenly sounded in his head, {Didn't you tell me once that the Druids considered themselves honor-bound to obey the wishes of Emrys?} His tone was light and teasing.
{That is entirely unfair,} Mordred protested, but despite himself he couldn't keep a hint of amusement out of his mental tone as he relented, turning and walking over to the center of the campsite.
Merlin laughed, handing Mordred a bowl of stew as the knight sat down next to him.
Arthur's eyes darted back and forth between the two.
"Why do I get the feeling I'm missing something?" he asked, his tone colored with annoyance.
"Arthur, you're always missing something," Merlin retorted, and for a moment everything was normal. Then Mordred's eyes fell on the wound in Arthur's side and he dropped his gaze, once again feeling shame burn through him.
"Mordred." Arthur addressed him for the first time since the journey had begun.
Mordred kept his eyes on the ground, "Yes, Sire?" The words were stiff and formal, not betraying any of the emotions that raged through him.
"It wasn't your fault. Morgana enchanted you." Mordred didn't respond. He heard Arthur sigh in exasperation.
"Do you blame Guinevere for the things she did when she was under Morgana's spell?"
The words surprised Mordred enough that he jerked his head up and met Arthur's eyes, "Of course not! The queen would never do such things intentionally."
Arthur gave him a look that was half triumph, half exasperation, "So how is this any different?"
Because it wasn't the queen's destiny to be your downfall… Mordred thought, but nevertheless he felt slightly more cheerful.
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Gwaine watched out the window as Eira was led to the gallows. He felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to see Percival behind him.
Looking back at Eira, Gwaine felt a sudden reckless anger, "You know what you said you'd do if you ever found Morgana? Well, we've got a good idea where she'll be heading."
He began to stride determinedly down the hall. Percival started to follow, then suddenly stopped and caught Gwaine by the shoulder, "Gwaine, wait."
Gwaine turned to him, annoyed, "What?! You were the one who said…"
Percival held up a hand, "I know what I said, but with what happened with the queen and what Gaius told us about Mordred… it just seems to me as if Morgana has become an expert at using Arthur's friends against him."
After a moment Gwaine's shoulders slumped, "All right, all right, I see your point…"
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"Arthur, you need to hold on. One more day." Merlin wiped Arthur's forehead with a cloth.
Arthur turned his head to meet Merlin's eyes, "Why did you never tell me?"
"I wanted to, but..." Merlin trailed off.
"What?" Arthur asked.
"You'd have chopped my head off." Merlin held a waterskin to Arthur's mouth and Arthur drank.
"I'm not sure what I would've done." he admitted.
"And I didn't want to put you in that position." Merlin replied softly.
"That's what worried you?" Arthur asked in amazement.
Merlin smiled a little, "Some men are born to plow fields, some live to be great physicians, others to be great kings. Me, I was born to serve you, Arthur. And I'm proud of that. And I wouldn't change a thing."
Arthur stared at Merlin, at a loss for words.
"Ready?" Merlin asked. Arthur nodded and Merlin helped him to his feet. Mordred came to join them. He had again been standing a little way apart from the others, though this time Arthur had a feeling that it was more to allow Arthur and Merlin a sense of privacy then anything else.
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"Why have they not come?" The anger in Morgana's voice made those around her shuffle their feet wearily and exchange timid glances.
She shook her head in disgust, "the message must have been false. Our spy must have been discovered."
She began to pace, "So then where are they now? How can I find them?"
One of her men, a Druid, stepped forward, clearing his throat. Morgana stopped pacing, her eyes snapping to him, "What?"
The man bowed nervously, "My lady, I just had a thought…"
"Well get on with it!" Morgana snapped impatiently.
The man flinched, "Perhaps the king did not escape the battle unscathed as we believed. If Mordred did indeed strike Arthur a blow with a sword forged in a dragon's breath, then I can think of but one place where Emrys would take him… Avalon."
Morgana's eyes widened, "Of course…" she breathed, a slow smile spreading across her face.
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Arthur was growing weaker by the hour, but Avalon was in sight. The three travelers stopped briefly to rest.
Merlin looked toward Avalon, "Avalon. We'll get there."
Suddenly the horses reared and took off, with frantic whinnies trailing behind them. Mordred and Merlin both scrambled up to try to stop them.
Then a cold voice spoke behind them, "Hello, Emrys." Morgana.
Both men froze. As they turned to face her she threw Merlin backwards with a flash of her eyes.
Mordred hurried to stand between Morgana and Arthur, who was reaching for a sword which wasn't there.
Morgana smirked, "I admit I didn't expect to see you here, Mordred. When I learned my dear brother still lived I assumed you had been cut down before you could fulfill your destiny. Wat a joy it is to know your task was completed after all, or at least it will be soon enough." As she cast a scornful glance at Arthur, Mordred saw a flicker of movement behind her and felt hope flare in his heart. Merlin was awake!
He locked his eyes on Morgana's, knowing he had to keep her talking and focused on him, "You're wrong." he said quietly.
She laughed, "You'll never make it to Avalon, Mordred. I'll make sure of that."
She sneered at him, "You see what comes of choosing the wrong side? There's your great king, dying at your feet. I defeated the great Emrys with a flick of my hand. Oh…" she smiled cruelly, "And your sweetheart, Kara? She's dead. Cut down by one of Arthur's men, the same men you call your brothers."
Mordred swallowed hard, "Kara chose her path, as I chose mine."
Morgana simply laughed again, "You could never hope to defeat me, Mordred."
"Oh, I know." Mordred agreed quietly, as from the corner of his eye he saw Merlin draw Excalibur from among their bags.
"But I don't need to defeat you," he continued in a conversational tone, "I just need to distract you." Confusion crossed Morgana's face.
Behind her, Merlin raised Excalibur, "The time for all this blood shed is over, Morgana."
Morgana turned slowly to face him.
"I blame myself for what you have become," Merlin said sadly, "but this has to end."
"I am a High Priestess." Morgana said coldly, "No mortal blade can kill me."
She gasped as Merlin thrust the sword forward, piercing her stomach.
"This is no mortal blade. Like yours, it was forged in a dragon's breath." Merlin lowered Morgana to the ground and withdrew the sword. He looked down at her for a moment, "Goodbye, Morgana."
Mordred felt a flash of grief as he stared down at the still face of the woman who had once been something akin to a mother to him.
"You've brought peace at last." Arthur murmured as Merlin and Mordred helped him up.
Merlin looked at Mordred as they began to walk, supporting Arthur, who was dragging Excalibur.
"I'm sorry." he said softly. Mordred knew he was referring to the news Morgana had brought about Kara.
He shook his head, his voice thick, "The Kara I knew, the girl I once loved… she died a long time ago. The woman she had become was a stranger to me."
Merlin nodded slightly, "We have to make it to the lake."
Arthur stumbled, falling to the ground. "It's too late. We'll never make it… not without the horses."
"Yes, we will." Merlin's face was set.
"No." Arthur's voice was calm. He looked up, meeting first Mordred's eyes, then Merlin's, "Neither of you are to blame yourselves for this, consider that an order."
"Shut up, Arthur." Merlin's voice was thick with emotion, "You're not going to die."
Arthur shook his head, "It's okay, Merlin. And Merlin… thank you." He slipped into unconsciousness and Mordred felt his heart twist in fear.
Merlin felt for Arthur's pulse, "He's still alive, but barely."
He turned his face to the sky, "O drakon! E male so ftengometta tesd'hup'anankes!"
A moment later the dragon Mordred had first seen in what seemed like another lifetime landed beside them.
The dragon's eyes landed on Mordred, "I warned you not to trust the Druid boy, Merlin."
"You were wrong." Merlin retorted, "Morgana enchanted Mordred. She forced him to attack Arthur."
The dragon's enormous eyes widened slightly, "If that is true…then perhaps there is still a chance."
Merlin exchanged a glance with Mordred, "What do you mean? What difference does it make?"
The dragon's gaze rested once more on Mordred, but his eyes had lost their hostility, "A blade forged in a dragon's breath is born of powerful magic. Such magic is bound by ancient laws. To take a life, no matter the circumstances, is the most serious act a man can commit. To force another to commit such an act against his will goes against the most ancient laws. Though still far more deadly than any other weapon, a dragon-forged blade could not obtain its full power while wielded by an unwilling hand. Arthur may yet be saved… but time is running short."
"Then you must take us to Avalon immediately." Merlin hurried to Arthur's side and Mordred followed. Together they lifted the king onto the dragon's back. Merlin quickly pulled himself up, and, taking a deep breath, Mordred followed suit.
Consumed with worry for Arthur, Mordred felt neither fear nor wonder as the dragon began to fly, but only a sense of urgency for the journey to end swiftly.
Dawn was breaking as they landed on the aisle of Avalon. Merlin and Mordred slid down off Kilgharrah's back, then lifted Arthur down. The dragon took off into the sky almost immediately.
They lay Arthur gently in the grass. Something about Avalon reminded Mordred of the meadow he had visited when he dreamt of his mother. But there was no time to think of that now.
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Mordred turned to Merlin, "What do we do now?"
Merlin took a deep breath, trying to center himself.
"Now we hope that my magic, added to the magic of Avalon, will be able to cure Arthur." He could feel the magic of Avalon around him now, powerful and ancient.
"Maybe I can help with that." Mordred ventured, "There is a spell I learned from the Druids, a spell that will allow me to use my magic to strengthen yours."
Merlin nodded. The two sorcerers knelt at Arthur's side. Mordred reached out to touch Merlin's arm, beginning a soft incantation and Merlin felt a surge of magic flow towards him. He opened himself up, drawing in not just Mordred's magic but the magic of Avalon.
He placed his hand over Arthur's wound and began to chant a spell of healing. He felt the magic surge through him and into Arthur. A silver shard slipped from Arthur's side and fell to the ground. Merlin continued chanting. Arthur's wound closed and color returned to his pale face.
Merlin finished the spell and a wave of exhaustion gripped him. Arthur's eyes flickered open. Merlin turned his head toward Mordred and the two sorcerers shared one instant of relief and joy before the exhaustion overtook both and they collapsed back into the grass.
A/N: Okay, I've got a few things to say.
Firstly, confession time: The scene with Mordred's mother a couple chapters back was added almost entirely to provide you all with a hint that Arthur could be saved without making it too obvious. Also, the scene with Gwaine and Percival in this chapter was what I like to call, "How Mordred knowing his fate equates to Gwaine not dying."
Secondly, I hope my explanation of why Arthur isn't doomed makes sense and seems reasonable. I figured I needed some kind of explanation, rather than "Arthur lives because I say so", and that's what came up with.
Thirdly, while this story is far from over, I wrote an alternate ending to it that begins near the end of this chapter. I'll be posting that after I post this chapter so feel free to check it out.
And finally, as always, please leave a review and tell me what you thought! Oh, and this chapter is the longest by far, by the way. I think it's the longest I've ever written, not counting in "Reading the Books" type stories.