The Nightmare Begins pt.11
Hello, hope you are having a good day.
"I'm sorry, Merlin." Morgana said. Arthur came in.
"Well, maybe it was meant to be this way. Maybe Arthur is just like his father." Merlin sighed.
"You don't believe that."
"Who knows. Maybe one day he'll change but I don't think that it'll be me who changes him."
Meanwhile, in Camelot, Leon came out of hiding. He had hidden behind Gwen's house where no one could see him. He went inside Gwen's house and saw Gwen enter.
"Leon are you alright?" Gwen asked.
"I'm fine. We must get out of Camelot and find Arthur. He'll need our help." Leon answered.
"I think I might know how."
She grabbed a dress and threw it at Leon.
"Here, put it on." Gwen ordered.
"What? No." Leon replied.
"We can't let everyone see you. They'll know that you're a knight. Now, hurry up. We don't have much time."
Leon got dressed. He put his armor in a bag and Gwen handed him a cloak. He put it on and they left. When they were out of Camelot, they walked till morning. Then they dressed into their other clothes.
"Do you know where they could be hiding?" Gwen asked.
"In a cave. I know one near here. Arthur found it only a couple a weeks ago. He didn't tell anyone but me about it." Leon answered.
"We should hurry."
They walked to the cave. Merlin woke up and saw Morgana sleeping. Gwevian was awake. Merlin smiled and held her tiny hand.
"Go back to sleep, little one." Merlin whispered. He kissed Gwevian's forehead and watched her go back to sleep. Then he kissed Morgana's forehead and covered her up. He sighed and went outside. He saw Gwaine at the entrance. He sat down next to Gwaine.
"I'm sorry about you and Morgana. I wish there was something I could do." Gwaine said.
"I know." Merlin sighed.
"What will you do after this?"
"I'll probably take Morgana and Gwevian to Ealdor. It's my home and I know a place where we can live."
Then they heard noises. Gwaine and Merlin looked to see Gwen and Leon.
"Finally, you two show up." Gwaine teased.
"Shut up. Where's Arthur?" Leon answered.
"Inside."
They all went inside and saw Arthur waiting. Arthur and Gwen hugged each other. Everyone greeted each other. Merlin looked over at Morgana and saw that she was awake and that their things were packed. He sadly looked at Morgana who angrily looked at Arthur. Gwen and Leon were briefed on everything.
"After breakfast, Merlin and Morgana will be leaving. They're not needed here and even if they were, they broke the law. They're lucky that I'm not having them executed." Arthur explained. Merlin angrily looked at Arthur but before he could say anything, Gwen spoke up.
"What right do you have to banish the very people that kept you and your father alive?" Gwen asked.
"They practiced sorcery. They committed treason."
"Did they? All I see are three people who were born with magic. I see three people trying to make do with something that they have been gifted with."
"Guinevere, it's already done."
"No, if you are going to banish them, then I'm going with them."
"Me too. Merlin is my friend. He doesn't have an evil bone in his body and I know Morgana and Gwevian look to him for guidance. They follow his lead." Leon stated. He went to Merlin and they shook hands.
"Magic is only as evil as you make it seem. I see no evil in sorcery, but I do see it in you." Gwaine hissed. He stood next to Merlin.
"I've seen many things, been to many places. I've seen magic used for good and bad. I've seen a sword be used for good and bad. Magic is like a sword. It can be used for good or for bad. I see nothing but good in Merlin and Morgana." Elyan sighed. He went over to Gwen and stood next to her. Gaius went over to Merlin and looked at Morgana who walked up with Gwevian in her arms.
"I have cared for Morgana since she was a young child. I have watched her grow into the woman she is now. Merlin is my ward. I have watched him grow from being a vary naive boy to a young man who knows what his duty is. I have watched both of them suffer through their magic and yet they have come out even stronger than before. I am very proud of them. If you want Camelot back, you will need Merlin and Morgana to help you." Gaius explained. Merlin and Morgana smiled at the people that were supporting him.
"So, if Merlin were to lead, what would he do?" Arthur asked.
"I wouldn't lead. I'm not the king and I have no intention of overthrowing you. I do know a few things that we can do. But first, I have to talk to a good friend of mine." Merlin answered. "Stay here."
Merlin walked out of the cave. Arthur followed and stopped at the cave entrance.
"What? I know I'm not the only one who wants to see what he's planning."
They all followed Merlin. When Merlin reached a clearing, he roared at the sky.
"What on earth is he doing?" Arthur wondered.
"Merlin isn't just a warlock. He is a dragon lord." Gaius replied. Then they saw Kilgarrah land in the clearing in front of Merlin.
"Arthur knows my secret. Morgause has overthrown Camelot. I'm not sure what I should do." Merlin said.
"Cenred's men are immortal. To stop them, you must find the Cup of Life and rid it of the blood inside. Without the blood in the cup, the men will be destroyed and Morgause will have nothing." Kilgarrah replied.
"But how do we get through them? There must be a weapon that can stop them."
"There is, and you know what it is."
"What is it?"
"The sword, Merlin. The sword that I forged with my own breath."
"It's at the lake of Avalon."
"Which is only a few miles from here. Go and bring it here."
Merlin did as he was told. Everyone was about to follow but Kilgarrah cleared his throat.
"Young king, we have much to discuss." Kilgarrah said. Everyone came out of hiding.
"I killed you." Arthur stated.
"No, Merlin controlled me. He stopped me from harming Camelot. Even though he was the one that released me."
"Why would he do that?"
"Because he promised with his mother's life. You have a choice to make. Accept Merlin for who he is, or you will lose everything that is dear to you. Without Merlin, you have nothing."
"Why does everyone think that my life is in his hands?"
"Because it is. You are the once and future king. Merlin is Emrys. Your destinies have been written since the dawn of time. Together, you will build a new world. The land of Albion but you face many threats from friend and foe alike. Merlin is destined to protect you."
"Did he always know?"
"No. He knew nothing till he met me in Camelot. After the two of you had first met. At first, he hated you but now, he considers you a brother. Now, you have a little brother who needs to know if he is accepted by his family."
"How do I know that he has actually protected me?"
"Look at Morgana. The prophesies said that she would turn against you and Camelot and that a boy named Mordred would join her. Mordred would kill you at the battle of Camlann. Morgana would have been the darkness to Merlin's light. The hatred to his love, but he became to light to her darkness. The love to her hatred. He has kept her from turning against you. He has kept her safe from the hands of Morgause. Give me your sword, Arthur."
Arthur did as he was told. The sword lifted into the air and Kilgarrah breathed on it.
"This sword is now forged in my breath. It is only to be used by you and you alone. It will be useful in your fight against Morgause." Kilgarrah said. Arthur took the sword and looked at it.
Merlin reached the lake and looked around. He used his magic and could feel the sword in the water. He made it more towards him. When he felt the sword in his hand, he heard twigs snap. He looed around and saw no one. Then he heard another twig snap.
"Who's there?" Merlin asked. Then Lancelot came out of the shadows. Another man was with him. Merlin smiled and hugged Lancelot. "It's good to see you, again."
"Well, we got a message telling us to come here." Lancelot answered.
"What message? I didn't send a message."
"You didn't see a raven with a note attached to its leg?"
"No. Come on, let's go back to the others."
Merlin, Lancelot, and Percival went to the clearing. When Merlin saw everyone talking to Kilgarrah, he stopped.
"What's going on?" Merlin wondered.
"Oh no. We're just learning about you." Gwaine answered. Arthur came over and greeted Lancelot.
"It's good to see you again." Arthur greeted.
"Same to you. This is Percival. He's a good friend of mine." Lancelot replied. Percival and Arthur shook hands.
"Sire." Percival said.
"It's good to have both of you. We'll need all the help we can get." Arthur answered.
"Now, what do I do Kilgarrah?" Merlin asked.
"Now, all of you must journey to the castle that is west of here. There, you will find something that will later help shape the kingdom that will be formed." Kilgarrah explained. Then he took off.
"Cryptic dragon."
A few of them chuckled slightly.
"Come on. Let's get our stuff and go." Merlin sighed. They grabbed their stuff and traveled to the castle. When they went inside, they got settled.
"I'm going to feed Gwevian." Morgana whispered as she kissed Merlin's cheek.
"Ok. I'll be doing something."
Morgana went over to a corner and fed Gwevian. Everyone found firewood and whatever else they could find. Merlin made lunch with Gwen's help. He went to Morgana with a plate of food. Morgana ate while she finished feeding Gwevian. When they were done, Arthur searched around and found a table. He took the cover off it and found a small round table.
"Come here. Join me." Arthur said. Everyone sat at the table. Gwen sat next to Arthur on his right. Elyan sat next to Gwen, Leon sat next to Elyan, then Gwaine, Percival, Lancelot, Gaius, Morgana, and Merlin. Arthur looked around at the table. "Many years ago, the kings would sit around this table as they discussed their treaties and alliances. They believed that every man was equal. That no man was of any less worthy and the next. They believed in the equality of all things which is why, I think it is only fitting that we sit here, right now, because without each of you, we wouldn't be here. Tomorrow, we are going to attack. Everyone of us must be ready. I know that I have made many mistakes and I will do everything possible to change that. As soon as Camelot is ours, I will sign a peace treaty with the last dragon lord and warlock, Merlin and Morgana. Will anyone join me?"
Lancelot stood up and said, "You let me go when your father would have killed me. You gave me a chance to fight and I am grateful for that. As a knight of Camelot, it was my duty to protect Camelot and I will gladly do so again."
Percival stood up and stated, "Your enemies are my enemies."
Leon stood up, "You know that I will allows stand with you."
Elyan stood up and sighed, "You need all the help you can get.
Gwaine stood up, "If it's more exciting than this, then I'm in."
Gaius stood up wisely, "If you need an old man."
Gwen stood up and looked fondly at Arthur, "You know where I stand."
Morgana stood up and smiled teasingly at Arthur, "I can't let you get yourself killed. Brother or not."
"Merlin?" Arthur teased.
"No, I don't fancy it." Merlin answered.
"You don't have a choice."
"Ok."
Merlin stood up and smiled at Arthur. Arthur nodded at Merlin.
"Tomorrow, we fight. When we fight we will stand as equals. I believe that this table is what the dragon wanted us to find. Over the past few days, I have learned many things and now I'm about to do something that my father would not approve of." Arthur said. Lancelot, Elyan, Percival, and Gwaine stood side by side and kneeled in front of Arthur. Arthur took his sword and tapped both shoulders of all four men. "Arise, sir Lancelot, knight of Camelot. Arise, sir Elyan, knight of Camelot. Arise, sir Percival, knight of Camelot. And arise, sir Gwaine knight of Camelot. When you fight tomorrow, you fight for your fellow knights. You fight for your kingdom. You will be able to stand strong knowing that you are fight in the greatest army the world has ever known."
Then Arthur came over and took Gwevian from Morgana's hands. He smiled down at her.
"Gwevian, will grow up not as the daughter of a lady but as a princess. Were my father would allow it but just barely. I am making Gwevian a princess now. She will grow to be strong for the very people that she will soon be chosen to protect. Her birth was the beginning of a new era." Arthur said. He handed Gwevian back to Morgana.
"Thank you, Arthur." Merlin answered.
"I have one last thing to take care of."
He took the sword that Merlin found and handed it to Merlin.
"You are no longer my servant. As of right now till the day you die, you are Lord Merlin of Ealdor." Arthur said. Merlin took the sword.
"I accept that honor." Merlin replied. That night, Merlin and Morgana were resting. "Hopefully, we will win the battle."
"We will. You know that." Morgana answered.
"I know but what if we don't. Morgause has many men. There are only a few of us."
"Merlin, you have beat the odds many times. You will do so again."
"I hope so."
"I know so. Come here."
Merlin allowed Morgana to pull him close. He put his head on Morgana's shoulder and tried to sleep. Merlin looked at Gwevian who laid beside them sleeping. He played with her tiny hand and smiled. Morgana hugged Merlin close to her and Merlin did the same. The next morning, Merlin woke up to someone shaking him.
"Merlin, it's time to go." Gwaine said. Merlin sat up and saw that Morgana was awake. He got ready, ate breakfast, and said goodbye. He kissed Morgana passionately.
"Stay here. You have to watch Gwevian." Merlin whispered.
"I will, but if you are not here by tonight to come get us, I will find you and I will kill you." Morgana answered.
"Consider me warned."
Gwevian started crying and Merlin picked her up.
"It'll be alright, little one. Everything will be just fine. Soon, you'll be home." Merlin whispered. He rocked Gwevian back and forth and watched her fall asleep. He kissed her forehead and then kissed Morgana again. Then he left with the knights. They traveled to Camelot and arrived a few hours later.
"Lancelot and I will try to find the Cup of Life. The rest of you should go to the cells and free the knights and Uther." Merlin said.
"What about the men? You can't them all on your own?" Arthur answered.
"I have magic, remember."
"I'm not king yet, remember."
"I won't use it unless I have to."
"Let's go."
Meanwhile, back at the castle, Morgana was trying to calm Gwevian who was screaming loudly.
"Gaius, she won't calm down. I know she misses Merlin, but I can't handle it." Morgana said.
"DO you have something of Merlin's?" Gaius wondered.
"Yeah. A few things."
"Maybe she will calm down if she has something of his."
Morgana sat down and went through Merlin's bag. She found the wooden dragon and gave it to Gwevian. Gwevian calmed down immediately. Morgana smiled down at her. Then she saw that Gaius was gone. Gwen came in with firewood.
"Where did Gaius go?" Morgana asked.
"I don't know. I thought he was here." Gwen replied.
"He was but now he's gone."
"Do you think he went after them?"
"Yes, I think he did."
TBC