I'm not going to excuse my absence... Just know it's been for a series of very good reasons, and I just haven't had the time or the energy to do any writing... I'm just really sorry this has taken so long, and it's still so short. I ended up dividing this chapter in two.
On a brighter note, I got into my first choice University, so that's me off in just under three weeks! Really looking forward to it!
On with the chapter!
XxX
The Final Battle
Arthur pressed Iyla into the wall, shielding her from Morgana, as the two magicians circled each other.
As soon as he had hit the wall, Merlin had regained his bearings and was on his feet, defending the Knights and his wife against any attack Morgana might make. But she had waited as the Warlock stood, advancing towards her.
"Are you threatening me, Merlin?"
"You know I have no need for that Morgana,' he hissed. 'Be grateful I'm even giving you a chance to fight back against me, for I am very displeased with you."
Morgana laughed. "I suppose I should be afraid. But you forget, Merlin; you have also taken someone I love away from me. And, unlike your beloved Iyla, I won't be getting him back."
"Then you should have left my wife alone!" There was a bluntness in Merlin's tone, but Arthur could hear the twinge of guilt and sadness in his friend's voice. That was one of the main factors that made Merlin and Morgana so different; where she gloated and revered every death, Merlin felt sorrow and regret, even over an enemy like Mordred, who would've killed him without a second thought.
"So you did kill Mordred," Morgana spat.
"You thought it was one of the Knights?"
The witch didn't answer for a moment, instead pausing in her circling, her eyes flickering to the crouched form of Arthur. "And yet, I did not touch your wife. Although the damage was already done when she arrived." There was a sick gleam in her eyes, and Merlin started forward with a snarl.
"What did you say?"
She let out a cruel cackle. "But of course, you don't know! Yes, your wife is ruined, damaged beyond repair."
"Shut up!" A wave of pure energy burst from Merlin's hands, propelling the witch backwards, towards the exit. Barely glancing in Morgana's direction, he turned back towards his wife. "What did she do to you?"
Iyla gave Arthur a gentle shove so she could reach her husband. "Nothing, Merlin. There's nothing wrong with me. She's trying to bait you!" Just as her hand reached out to touch his face, he felt an invisible rope catch him around his middle.
Merlin was yanked backwards, tumbling to the ground as Morgana pulled him from the cave.
"Merlin!" He just caught sight of Arthur grabbing Iyla, holding her back.
Morgana was waiting for him, her eyes already blazing gold, and Merlin barely had time to throw up his shield before a wall of fire hit him. He could feel the burning heat against his skin, and his brow was slick with sweat but the torrent was unrelenting. In the back of his mind, Merlin worried about the trees, and forced himself to glance up, making sure the witch had not set the entire forest ablaze in her rage. But no... Morgana was focused solely on the Warlock, and the rest of the woodland remained untouched.
" Alise forbearnan!" The fire swelled, rushing back towards the witch in a great fireball. Morgana let out a scream, diving to the side, forcing the Warlock to dissipate the inferno with a wave of his hands. Her beautiful face was twisted into her signature sneer, and Merlin would have rolled his eyes had his blood not been boiling with rage. "You did not have to do this, Morgana. We could have been great; brought back magic together. Isn't that what you always wanted?"
"I want what is rightfully mine!" she spat. "Arthur has no right to the throne of Camelot!"
He stepped towards her, and she took a step back, her eyes flickering, for just a moment. "Camelot was never yours. Even if Uther had acknowledged you, Arthur was the first born male heir. That's the law."
"Laws can change."
"If there is a stronger leader to guide them in! You were never strong enough, Morgana. That was evidenced by Arthur successfully ushering magic, and you failing during your brief, pathetic reign. You were never meant to be Queen, Morgana, and I am giving you one last chance. Turn around; walk away. Never come back."
The witch let out a shriek of laughter. "You honestly believe that I am going to give up on my dream when I am so close? You are more of a fool than I thought, Merlin Emrys."
The Warlock shrugged. "So be it then." And promptly raised his hand.
Morgana flinched, covering her head, before realising nothing had happened. She let loose another cackle. "Do you fear me, Merlin?"
Merlin shook his head sadly. "No, Morgana. I pity you. And I wish it didn't have to be this way."
"Acwele!"
The resounding crack as the brutal spell hit the shield sent the ground trembling, and Merlin heard a crash behind him from the entrance to the cave. He dared not turn around, remaining focused on Morgana, who looked innocently surprised.
"Oops."
Merlin let out a growl of anger, knowing exactly what the witch had just done. He thrust his hand forward, a fire ball erupting from his palm, and striking the witch. The smoke cleared to reveal a slightly singed Morgana. She took another step forward, and a movement caught Merlin's eye. He had to keep them from widening as Arthur appeared in the tree line, his sword out. Behind him, he could just make out his wife and the rest of the Knights; they must have escaped whilst he and Morgana were fighting. But Morgana thought she had just trapped them in the cave.
Arthur waved Excalibur, gesturing towards his sister, but Merlin shook his head discretely. There was no way Arthur could get close enough to strike at Morgana; she was far too powerful. And Merlin didn't want to give away the only advantage he really had.
"I am a High Priestess of the Old Religion, Merlin. We are rather hard to kill."
"Then I guess it's a good thing you're not my first High Priestess."
A bolt of lightning struck the ground, and Morgana screamed as she fell backwards. The fear in her eyes was evident as Merlin approached her.
"Your reign of terror is over, Morgana. You will terrorize Albion no longer."
Morgana surged forward a dagger in her hand, screaming in fury. She stumbled, her eyes going wide. Merlin caught her, gazing down in her emerald green eyes. His own stared back, filled with regret and pity as they faded from gold to blue; Arthur's sword embedded in her back.
"I'm so sorry, Morgana."
He laid her down on the ground as her eyes fluttered closed, and she took her final breath.
And then all was still.
XxX
He stayed by her body for a long while, unsure of exactly what he was feeling. He felt a pair of arms wrap around him, and he automatically leant into the embrace.
"Come on, Merlin." At the sound of her voice, Merlin turned, engulfing his wife in a warm hug. Iyla sighed against his skin, gripping him tightly. "It's alright, Merlin. You're going to be alright."
"I thought I'd lost you..." He breathed, pulling her even closer. "I never thought I'd see you again..." he choked, burying his face in her shoulder. Gods, he never wanted to let her go again. She was truly here, and he never wanted to let her go.
Iyla leant back, stroking his cheek. "I'm here, Merlin. I'm safe."
Around them, the Knights began to move, carrying away Morgana's body. Merlin clenched his eyes shut, unable to watch, and his wife pulled his head back down, hiding his face. They stayed that way for a long until Arthur eventually approached the couple.
"We need to move out. You both need to get back to Camelot."
Nodding, Merlin allowed himself to be led away, mounting his horse with Iyla climbing up behind him. The feeling of her arms around his waist was a comfort, and they set off in silence, finally heading home.
XxX
They camped for the night several leagues away from the battle ground. Merlin was shooed away from the fire, Gwaine insisting that he cooked for them all that night. In the end, every Knight ended up pitching in, in order to make the food edible.
Merlin and Iyla remained at the edge of the circle, resting against a tree together. They had travelled to the campsite in complete silence, comfortable in each other's company. Merlin sighed, leaning back against the tree and closing his eyes, his hand entwined with his wife's.
She shifted, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Merlin..." He looked at her blearily. "We need to talk."
XxX
Two more chapters to go! I wonder what Iyla needs to talk to Merlin about... ;) Hope Morgana's death wasn't too... rubbish. They had a decent magical battle before Merlin magicked the sword... I may come back and try to improve it once the story's finished.
Again, thank you all for your patience. I know I haven't replied to the last couple of chapter's reviews, but they still mean so much to me, and I promise to start catching up with them.
Another note, I'm now on Tumblr! Same username, if anyone's interested. I don't have many followers, so I thought I'd take this opportunity for a bit of shameless promotion. I'm new to Tumblr and still working out what does what...
Thank you again, and I hope to finish the next chapter, if not the story, by the end of the weekend. But don't hold me to that... Stuff's still happening and I don't know how much time I'm going to have to myself in the next few weeks...
Please review! They do mean the world to me.
Until next time
TTFN
Valkyriexx
