Dangers in the Path to Destiny

A/N: I'm glad there has been so much love for the excitement. I'm also glad that someone liked the fact that Kay and Galahad are back.


The human soul is God's treasury, out of which he coins unspeakable riches

~Henry Ward Beecher


Chapter 11: Return to Albion

The party traveling to Albion were all alert and more ready than they've ever been in the last week. Now that they've just been attacked, they were now shaken to the core. Now it seemed that they were going to expect an attack with every new distant sound or breeze that blew . What brought up the tension even more was the fact that there was a dragon completely visible to all of them. Merlin could see how most of them refused to take their eye off Kilgharrah so he asked him to move a little out of the way. He wasn't happy about it but obliged the dragonlord.

Yet, for a select few of them, they were too set on their new destination to be jumpy. Soon, they all came to the spot where Galahad and Kay had set up their camp. They already had a fire going with some meat cooking over it. But, they went and gave it to some of the hungry kids in their group as they started to pack up their camp. While they did, the knights all watched them with wonder. While some of them had seen them train on the grounds, they've never actually seen the two of them in actual combat. So many of their men were killed in fighting against those hippogriffs and they weren't able to destroy not one of them. Yet, the two of them destroyed seven of them in barely a moment. Galahad slew one with his magical blade while Kay destroyed a group in just one magical attack. Not to mention how both of them fought against Angus in the air. They never saw people use magic that way and they were suddenly very thankful they didn't fight against them last year.

Arthur went over to them and put his hand on Galahad's right shoulder. "Galahad, thank you for saving Gwen. She would probably be dead right now if it weren't for you."

He packed in some cloth into a bag and looked at him. "Don't worry about it. Gwen is my friend too." Galahad then went back to what he was doing. "I'm just glad that I was able to slay the hippogriff."

Arthur looked over at Galahad's sword. "Your sword could slay them. We all tried with ours but they broke on contact."

"Not surprising," he said gripping it. "Hippogriffs are special creatures that only magic could slay. Magic or magical weapons. Nothing else will effect them."

Arthur's heart jumped. "So that's really true?"

"Afraid so," said Kay.

Arthur nodded. Now he was confused. If that really was the case then how did he slay the hippogriff. He didn't have a weapon like Galahad's and he wasn't a sorcerer. He also knew that Merlin hadn't used magic in his battle against that Ogre or the Hippogriff. Then what made him able to do what his men couldn't? Could...could it be with how he was born? Was that was the reason? Could that have made him a magical human weapon? He wanted to ask them both these questions desperately but he didn't want his men or Gwen to hear them. No one outside their party who went to Albion knew that about him and he wanted to keep it that way right now.

"That was amazing," said Merlin breaking Arthur from his thoughts. "You were both impressive. I couldn't have fought Angus like that."

Kay and Galahad actually seemed a little embarrassed. Kay was rubbing the back of his head. "Well, we did have years of fighting against the Thorns. Especially Angus. He always managed to run away before we could stop him forever."

Merlin remembered the feedback from the evil power that Angus used against him. It kept him from getting to close. However, he remembered how these two fought him. "How did you two fight him? I blocked one of his soul powered magic attacks and I felt the effects quickly. You were practically at his face when he was using his magic and didn't seem to black out but his power made me unconscious. Even after I woke I was still a little weak but you two seem fine."

"We felt the same thing," said Arthur. "When Mab attacked back at the castle, I felt and heard the souls behind her evil magic myself. I felt...cold."

Galahad and Kay didn't answer right away but finished with packing up their gear. When they were done, Kay turned to both of them. "There is a good reason why we're okay. We were protected."

"Protected?" asked Merlin. He had to know what they were protected with. He had been too scared of getting close to Angus during their battle and it nearly got Gwen hurt. "How? I didn't see you place a shield over yourselves before you engaged Angus." Arthur and his knights also listened intently for their secret.

"It was from this," Galahad pointed to his robes. The blue robes of the Order of the Bear. "The fabric of our colors are imbued with protective magic to block out the effects from the Thorns and their evil art."

"Really?" Merlin looked their robes over. He focused his senses on their clothes and he could indeed feel something dormant within. It actually made him feel warm inside, the opposite of what Angus had done to him. "Great foresight to wear it."

"The protection is in every uniform of Albion," explained Kay. "Even after the war was over, we still kept it on everyone's colors so they're always protected because you could never be sure. We knew that the Thorns were still out there and there were those that were drawn into their blasphemic power."

"We should get moving," said Galahad. "We don't need Angus to bring an entire legion of his creatures with him. We may be good but it would only be two of us." He looked over to the people watching them. "If any of you want a safe place to stay, you can come along with us to Albion. You should be safe there...as long as you don't cause trouble."

"What do you mean by that?" asked one of the older knights.

But he didn't answer and he and Kay took off down the path. Merlin asked Kilgharrah to stay a little back to watch for any chance of pursuit. Arthur ordered everyone to move on and follow the two Albion warriors. Most of them stayed a good respectable distance from the two Albions as they moved on.


Over where Camelot once stood was now just a pile of rubble over the entire city limit. Nemain was with their other sorcerers they had on their side and clearing away the rubble by making it all vanish into nothing. They were right over where the castle was and were trying to make their way to the vaults. They wanted to see what magical devices the Pendragons had collected that could be of use to them. Some were bound to be objects of great power that would've eluded Uther and Arthur's attention as they were ignorant of anything of magical nature.

Mordred was overseeing all of their prisoners, captured from Camelot's forces, they were stripped of all their weapons, armor and mail but they still had the colors of Camelot on. They were made to wear them to mark them as eternal slaves to the new kingdom of Wirtgernesburg. They were clearing the rubble from the destroyed homes of Camelot by hand. Placing them in carts and moving them away from the city. Any remaining sorcerers not helping Nemain were taking the stones and changing them to building materials to fashion a new castle that they would build for Vortigern. Mordred smiled as he saw the men all toil and work with their new 'vermin' status. The same status that his kin had been given by their former kings was now their status under their new king.

As for King Vortigern, he was meeting with his allies nearby. Alined, Bayard and Odin were watching the site of Camelot in awe. They had delivered all the captured forces of Camelot they had to Vortigern per his request and now were admiring his victory.

"To think," started Alined. "You actually destroyed Camelot. I was here years ago and thought it was almost impossible for the city to fall but you made it fall in all ways possible."

Odin nodded and gave a satisfied grin to Vortigern. "I wanted Arthur Pendragon to pay in all ways possible for the death of my son. First he suffered the loss of his father and now he's lost his kingdom. I hope his suffering will now match the suffering he gave me these years tenfold."

"Trust me Odin," said Vortigern. "I think that now Arthur's suffering will be without end, at least, until he has his life end."

Bayard had been speechless this whole time but he felt that he had to say something. "I-I can't believe what has even happened. You took one of the greatest kingdoms and crowns in the land and defeated it in under a week."

"And you were worried?" he said with a smirk. "Camelot's great army is now my kingdom's slave supply. And this is only the beginning."

"Yes, that's right," said Alined. "We still have Annis, Olaf and Godwyn's lands to conquer."

Vortigern held up a hand to calm the war hungry king. "Patience Alined. Patience." he said patting his arm to keep him from jumping. "We'll get to them soon enough. Don't you worry about that. There is no need to hurry."

"Are you sure about that?" asked Bayard. "Delays will only give them time to strengthen their defenses."

Vortigern then let out a small laugh. "They can strengthen them all they want. No defense they muster will hold against the forces of magic under my command. And, it will only get stronger. By now, not only is word of Camelot's fall reaching the corners of this island. So is the news that I've ended the Great Purge of magic permanently. Sorcerers from their lands will soon make their way to me to swear loyalty to their new hero. They will add power to my already formidable forces and combined with yours, it would be amazing if the defenses the others amass could stand for more than a few days."

"I suppose," Bayard said becoming a little more convinced.

"What about Arthur?" asked Odin. "He still is on the run. That could still spell some problems for us."

"Don't worry about him Lord Odin. He's most likely trying to head towards one of his three remaining allies for help. When we swoop them all, there will be no place for him to hide."

Just then, there was a furious glint of light and Angus appeared before them with sparks surrounding his body. "King Vortigern, I have urgent news."

Vortigern's eyes caught the small wound that Angus was trying to hide and nodded in understanding. "Excuse me gentleman. It would seem that there is still much for me to still attend to in a newly conquered land." The three of them bowed as Vortigern led Angus away to his personal tent where Mab was enjoying some tea. "What happened to you?" he asked baring his teeth. Angus wasn't the type to just barge in on him with news unless it was bad news.

Angus took a cloth and dampened it before he put it over his wound to start cleaning it. "I found Arthur Pendragon and what's left of his men."

"You mean they did that to you?" he asked a little shocked.

Angus shook his head furiously. "Of course not. I would never fall to the likes of them. Besides it just a flesh wound. Nothing that the energy of a fresh soul won't immediately fix. No, it was...Galahad and Kay."

This made both Vortigern and Mab widen their eyes. "What?!" they both screamed.

"It would seem that Arthur is trying to seek aid from Albion. They were heading for the south. I stumbled on to them with my men and it looked like I might just be able to finally take them until those two showed up. They destroyed the hippogriffs I had with me and that gave Arthur's men the time to slay my men." He looked to his wound. "I wasn't expecting them. If I was, I know I wouldn't have been driven back so easily."

"Excuses Angus," Mab said with a sneer. "That's what you're using to justify your failure to Vortigern."

"As if you would've done better Mab." he shot back.

"You know it." she said leaning in her chair smugly.

"Enough," said Vortigern. "We need to think." He started to pace. This wasn't boding well. The last thing he needed was for the Albions to get involved before he was ready for them. "By now, Arthur would've told those two about us now. He would plead to them for help in reclaiming their land."

"We should attack them quickly," said Angus. "Stop them before they could reach Albion and start to prepare themselves for us."

"Right away, wrong." said Vortigern shaking his finger. "That might come back and bite us."

Mab crossed her arms. "What do you mean?"

"While Arthur may plead to Albion for help, I never did say they would...despite our past with them. Let's not forget that Camelot and Albion aren't exactly friends. The last thing we want is to do anything to unify them. If we attack them now then we would only cause them to join forces with each other over a common enemy. Right now, there is still strong tension between them."

"So, we should do nothing?" asked Angus a little surprised.

"No...but I say let them fight with each other before bringing up the idea of fighting us. Easier to fight Camelot and then Albion then fighting them both at the same time. Separately, we can destroy them. The last thing we want is for all of our enemies to converge at us as one."

"Not to mention that you just announced the end of the Great Purge. It might deter potential magical allies if you were seen launching an attack on a large group of magic users so soon after." added Mab. "You might be made out to be as appealing as the Pendragons for the magical population to serve. If they come to attack us, it would be different though."

"You're right Mab. See Angus, she gets it." Angus turned his nose up while Vortigern looked out of the flap of his tent to see his allies. "Also, we have a schedule to keep with the others. If we break from it then we could lose their confidence and their men are important for our long term plans."

"And who knows..." said Mab. "Camelot is on the verge of being just a memory now. The Albions might decide to finish our work and just kill them themselves as there is no reason to hold their truce anymore. Especially if that traitor Flint or his men get their hands on Arthur."

"Enough about what could happen. Let's focus on what will happen. Conquering the remaining kingdoms. As for Odin, Alined and Bayard. I'm going to suggest they move on in a few days and attack the others soon enough. And I want you two as well as Nemain to go and have each of you be paired with one of them. After you assist them in conquering the last of the rulers here, arrange an 'accident' for them."

The two of them chuckled and bowed. Yet, when Angus left the tent to go and consume a soul so he could re-fuel himself, he grit his teeth. He wouldn't just allow the Albions to have time. Vortigern might be craftier than his father but a little too overconfident. Some of what he said made sense but why should they give them more time than necessary. If Arthur informed the Albions about their presence here then they would move to get ready to fight them. Better make a strike at them before they could become as ready as possible. Allow them the time to possibly kill Arthur and his men in spite and then move in. But how?


Arthur was in the middle of a field where there were creatures feasting on the corpses of his knights and he could see Camelot crumbling slowly before him. There were broken swords and snapped spears everywhere and he could see people running away all around where he was. There was tall flames enveloping the distance and the only place that seemed untouched by the chaos was the spot he was standing in. He just felt the need to just start yelling and then suddenly bits of light erupted from his body and struck down all the creatures. He was shocked of what he just did. He noticed a deep puddle and walked to it and caught his reflection and then screamed even more terribly than before.

Arthur sat up in a pool of sweat. He was breathing very harshly as he took in his new surroundings. He was in the woods with people all around trying to sleep and stay warm by their fires. He caught a glimpse of Galahad and Kay off in a corner of the campsite sleeping with only Merlin, Gaius, and Eli nearby, sleeping themselves. Anyone else was unwilling to be near them. Arthur's most trusted knights were watching over them all a bit aways. Arthur had to get up and walk away these nerves he now had. That nightmare was the worst one yet. His recent unsaid questions about himself and with all of this madness were starting to wear on his mind. The biggest one of all: What was he?

He started to walk farther away from the lights of the camp with no real place in mind for him to go. He was so caught up in his thoughts that his heart almost jumped at the new voice. "Where are you off to?"

Arthur looked around and he caught sight of the glowing eyes of Merlin's dragon. The Great Dragon. The same one that had attacked Camelot so long ago and until last year was sure was dead. Yet, right now it was looking over him with curiosity and...concern? He got over the shock and tried to compose himself.

"I was taking a walk." That sounded lame, even to him.

The dragon didn't say anything about that though. He just lowered his head a little. "You do seem to be a little troubled. Granted, with what has happened, it would be more troubling if you weren't."

"You mean losing my kingdom and my army within a week and now being on the run like a renegade? Now, why wouldn't that trouble me?" he asked in a tone that he usually used on Merlin when he was annoyed with him. Though, Arthur remembered too late that he wasn't talking with Merlin but to a big dragon that would have no qualms having him for lunch. It wasn't his fault, this dragon spoke almost like him.

Yet, the dragon just chuckled to himself. "I can now see why the young warlock gets both concerned and annoyed with you from time to time."

At the indirect mention of Merlin, he was reminded of stumbling on his conversation with the dragon the other night and looked back as if he could see Merlin intruding on his own. Yet, all he could see was darkness and the distant glow of the camp's fires. "Well dragon."

"Kilgharrah," the dragon huffed. "I do have a name Arthur like yourself."

"Right...Kilgharrah." he said. He had clearly annoyed the dragon and didn't want to risk anything. "I'm actually glad I ran into you because I have a few questions and I think you just might be able to answer them."

"With how you've regarded me just now, I don't believe that I'm in the mood to indulge you. While your destiny is tied to Merlin's and he is my dragonlord, I am under no bounds to you."

"Forgive me," he said. "I just didn't know you had a formal name."

"And why wouldn't I?" Kilgharrah asked. "Did you just assume we were referred to as dragon all the time. If I'm not mistaken, I'm sure you did hear my name spoken a few times in Albion before."

While that may be true, the truth was that Arthur really had paid it now mind and thought that it was a magical term or title they had been calling him at the time. So he made no effort to have it placed into memory. "I just didn't think about it."

"Well, I will say that unless you start soon, you will never get the help you need in taking back your kingdom. Merlin could only assist you so far before you have to assure the success of giving your people the help they need."

"What do you mean?"

"In Albion, there are a lot of people there that have suffered because of your father's ignorance and blind arrogance. Both the magical and non-magical alike. In more ways than you could imagine."

"You make it sound as if Camelot hadn't been suffering at all," he shot back. Magic wasn't blameless in this at all. That he knew perfectly. "Magic isn't as innocent as all of you make it sound. Your love of it blinds you to that."

"It's as innocent or guilty as the people who wield it. The same could be said of the swords you and your men put such value in. I'm sure you've seen many evil men use swords to commit evil yet your love of swordsmanship ignores that truth, doesn't it?"

Arthur tried not to flinch at that. He didn't want to compare his art of the sword with that of magic. He wanted to move back on track. "What did you mean about Merlin not being able to give us the help we needed?"

Kilgharrah snarled and sharpened his eyes at him. "I believe you just answered your own question. The Albions won't help you and I wouldn't blame them if they took out their bent up rage on you. You have yet a lot to learn of the world beyond what you know."

A riddle? Arthur hated riddles. He wondered if the dragon did this to Merlin as well or he was just trying to be difficult with him. "Well, I'm not going to learn what isn't relevant to our problem if you keep me going in circles. There is time for me to learn about all of this after Vortigern is stopped."

Kilgharrah knew that Merlin often had a hard time with guiding Arthur on his path but he didn't realize that it was impossible. He knew that for Vortigern's evil to be stopped, it would start with him learning some of the most painful truths of all. "Perhaps...but I believe you wanted to ask me something that I doubt has much to do with Albion or Merlin."

Arthur thought back to why he had wandered through the woods at night anyway. "I thought you didn't feel like doing me a favor?"

"I've changed my mind." he said simply.

"Well...it's about something that happened back at the battle. I...slew one of the hippogriffs that attacked us but from what I heard, it could only be destroyed by magic."

"Yes, and?"

"Well...if anything I know I didn't use magic at all. What I want to know is if my...birth is what made it possible? If it did something to me."

Kilgharrah looked at Arthur silently and it only made Arthur nervous, that is until he broke in small laughter.

"This is funny?" asked Arthur.

"Sorry. The thought and idea you just proposed was what was amusing. It is Merlin who was born to be magic itself, but while you were born by magic, you don't have it."

"So...what then? How did I stop that creature? They said only magic or a magical weapon could stop it."

"Then you have your answer again," said Kilgharrah. "Take the time and actually think about it this time."

Arthur grit his teeth. Can't he just tell him? Stupid dragon. 'Okay,' he thought. 'If he didn't have magic then that only left-' "Wait," he said unsheathing his sword. "It was Excalibur?"

"Yes," Kilgharrah said letting out a relieved sigh. "I almost was ready to doubt you. Your weapon is infused with magic. My magic as a matter a fact."

"What? How is that possible? I pulled this out of that stone that Merlin..." Merlin, of course. Why didn't he remember that sooner.

"Long ago, Merlin came to me with a sword and asked me to infuse it with the power to be able to defeat the dead in an effort to save you. I forged it with the power of my breath and made it into the ultimate sword. It is able to slay virtually anything."

A sword that can slay anything? He'd been carrying a magical weapon this entire time? "Merlin made this, for me?"

"Yes. However, when it was made, I warned him that it's power was greater than slaying simple undead creatures. It was made for the purpose of being used for you and only Merlin and yourself can use it without harm coming to anyone. However, it was your father who used it against that wraith you were meant to fight and Merlin hid it away until the time came for it to be passed to you."

Arthur looked the blade over. Now that he thought of it, he couldn't remember asking Excalibur to be sharpened or polished since he'd had it. Also, when he was attacked by that spell in the first battle, he was able to deflect it with this very sword. In some ways, he was relieved that it wasn't him. But now, there was another issue for him to deal with. He was using a weapon of magic and brandished it in battle with his men.

"So, this blade has magic in it. Like Galahad's sword? It can blast creatures and enemies from afar?"

"No," Kilgharrah said shaking his head. "You can't compare the two. His blade was infused by the magic of a sorcerer and while it may be strong, its strength pales to yours. It may not be able to have the tricks that Galahad's has but it is a weapon so great that it doesn't need it. Therefore, you would do well to keep that sword safe."

Arthur felt the sword getting heavier. Just what was he holding? How could he use a weapon like this when magic was something that still made him unsure on some levels. It was one thing for Merlin or the Albions using it, but it was something else for him to be using it.

"Thank you," he said as he re-sheathed his sword and started to walk back for the camp. He hoped to find the answers but he almost wished he didn't get them. Now, he was more confused than before.


After two days of tense travel, Merlin finally broke into the first real smile in days. "We're almost there," he shouted to everyone.

"Really?"

He wasn't sure who had asked but everyone seemed to be behind the question. Even the ones who were against the idea seemed to actually be glad that they were getting close.

"Trust us," said Kay. "We know this land like the back of our own hands."

Galahad nodded to no one in particular. "We should get to the clearing in a few moments that opens to the village and the surrounding valley."

Everyone started to move quickly down the trail and, like Galahad said, it took only a few moments before they left the woods and came upon a clearing. The village they had found that now belonged to Albion also came into sights. Arthur was glad that they finally made it...though he noticed some changes from the last time he was there. First, there seemed to be a line of stones that seemed to mark a boundary. They were ankle high and were apart about five meters from another like fence posts. The stones also seemed to let out shimmers every now and then randomly. Also, Arthur could see some wooden towers had been built and Albion soldiers were occupying them.

"Home," Galahad said with a smile and it made Kay smile as well.

"Let's move," Merlin said stepping beyond the line and into Albion territory.

When everyone made to follow him, there was a flash and a giant circle of flame appeared out of nowhere in front of them. The knights were about to draw their swords when Kay chuckled.

"Flint. How are you doing?"

Suddenly, the flame died out and left behind a man with red hair wearing the colors and mail of the Order of the Bear. Behind him were about a half dozen other men in the same colors. Arthur, Guinevere, and Camelot's best knights remembered him as the one that welcomed them into the city of Albion before. The knights recognized the first as the firery sorcerer who had launched that giant blast at them back during their first visit.

Flint just smiled at the sight of his fellow comrades. "Galahad, Kay, and Merlin too," he said looking at each of them. "You're back. And early too. I thought you weren't due back for at least another three weeks. Unless, you brought some more guests," he said looking back to the people behind them. "So many?" He then caught sight of Arthur and the knights and his smile was wiped off and replaced by a scowl. "What are they doing here?"

"Seems like there was some trouble back in Camelot and they need a temporary place to stay," started Galahad.

"Why? What could've happened to make them come here?" asked one of the Albions behind Flint.

"Camelot fell to invaders a little over a week ago." Merlin explained.

"Really?" asked Flint with surprised eyes. "Well that warrants action."

"It does?" asked Arthur.

"Yes. This one." Flint brought his hand up and fired a ball of flame that soon exploded in the air and sent sparks everywhere. It was a firework. "It would be much better after the sun goes down." The Albions started to giggle at that one.

Arthur and the knights just glared at Flint for that display. Some of them gripped their swords. Merlin wasn't happy either.

"That's not funny Flint."

"Good, because I wasn't making a joke." he said staring at him with a blank face. "That was the least that this news called for. And my friends here would agree with me." The Albions either nodded or said that Flint was right. "If you want to see the most I can do about this, believe me, I would be more than happy to do so." With that, small flames started to surround his arms and his legs as he started to glare at Arthur. It was even more intimidating than last time probably because they were closer to him.

The people of Camelot looked at Flint and backed away a little in fright. The knights and soldiers however, drew their swords out to be ready to defend themselves. The Albions extended their hands out at them and whispered spells that made their arms and hands glow. Merlin was ready to block anything that either side was going to throw at each other.

"Alirght!" shouted Galahad. "Flint, that's enough. Cool yourself down, right now," he said in a tone that made it clear that it was a direct order.

Flint breathed a little heavy before the flames dimmed out. "Fine, but only because you asked." The Albions followed his lead and calmed down themselves. He looked back at Arthur. "You got off lucky...this time." Arthur glared harder at him but he and his men did put their weapons down.

"Right," said Galahad just shrugging off the fact that he just threatened the king. "We have other things to deal with anyway."

"What is it?" he said looking away from Arthur and his men.

Kay crossed his arms. "We need to have an emergency meeting. It seems that your former pals are in Briton with Vortigern and a new army under their control."

This made all the Albion soldiers and Flint stop glaring and get stone faced instead.


End of Chapter 11

A/N: Well, they made it though their welcome wasn't like their first time. I hope you all have new questions like Arthur now does with Excalibur's secret now known to him. And he's not the only one with secrets to tell.