Chapter 11

Merlin studied the box carefully and could feel that the Ice Diamond's cold was already starting to bite into the metal despite the fact that his strong shield was apparently still working well.

"But, Kilgharrah, I have already tried to pour my magic into this piece of diamond and I couldn't destroy it."

"No, because you did not have my help and you did not know the story of Branwyn and how to focus your thoughts when you cast your spell." The dragon paused – eyeing the young warlock again. "However, you appear to have managed some control over it, which is a surprise to me, I must admit. What were your thoughts during your spells? Were they similar to Branwyn's?"

Merlin thought back to that time in Gaius' chambers, holding Sara in his arms and pushing his magic into her. He smiled slightly. "I suppose they were and now I know that I can direct them more precisely; lost love, friends, family and Albion's future … that will be easy … seeing they're on my mind all the time anyway."

"And there we have the answer as to how you have held this enchantment at bay so far. You have been using your ancestor's spell without even knowing it, and were probably even dreaming of these things which allowed your magic to protect you subconsciously."

"So …?" Merlin asked, placing the tiny pill box in-between them.

"First you will need to take it out of the protective box from which it is imprisoned."

"Yes, of course ..." Merlin undid the lid and tipped the small diamond onto the grass before automatically pocketing the box again. Instantly the blades surrounding it started to show signs of frost.

"Quickly, Merlin, remember the story and think of those things as you cast your warming spell, come around to my side so that my flame will not injure you."

Glad of that timely reminder, Merlin skipped in-between Kilgharrah's tree-like front legs and started to focus his spell on the diamond at the same time as the Great Dragon's aimed his flame at it. Freya was never far from his thoughts but he usually worked hard not to dwell on the memories; now he had no choice but to re-live them, the lovely kisses, her beautiful smiles, the conversations around magical candles and the joy and pain of talking to her again so recently.

But it was not to be all about her. He thought of his family too; Gaius, his dear mother and his father – the Dragonlord – and the gift that he had given to his son which was, yet again, saving everyone's lives.

His friends; Will now also gone, Lancelot and Gwaine and ... perhaps Sara … if he was very lucky. Of dear, sweet Gwen and how she had already forgiven him for keeping such a great secret from her for so many years.

Of Arthur … a man that he sometimes didn't like very much, but always loved in ways that he didn't fully understand even now. He was the closest thing he had to a brother and … despite his small blood family, Merlin realised that his true family was now much greater than he had thought … so many friends that loved him, cared for him and meant so much more to him than he had ever believed friends could.

And Arthur was the true embodiment of Branwyn's spell, Merlin realised with a sudden clarity, and it was only now that he was fully able to admit just how much he cared for the man … despite everything.

Love – Friendship – Kin - and Albion's great future and hope.

During all of these thoughts Merlin continued to cast his warming spell at the small piece of diamond, even as Kilgharrah threw his flame at it. As before he could feel the cold constantly battling against their warmth but he kept thinking of all those he loved and all the positive feelings he could muster … everything that the ancient sorcerer and Morgana could not hope to understand.

He shook his head as a high pitched ringing started to vibrate in his ears.

"Focus, Merlin, not much longer." Kilgharrah voice sounded in his head as the dragon was still blowing his flame and magic at the stone.

The ringing got louder and was no accompanied with a high pitched squeal that hurt his ears and made it difficult to concentrate on the spell. He shook his head again, focused harder and then, suddenly, the diamond cracked - and then exploded. He felt it as well as heard it and, as icy pieces of dust filled the air, a scream wrenched through his mind … the angry yell of a long dead sorcerer that thought his magic would last forever.

Merlin shook his head in an attempt to stop the ringing in his ears as well as remove the numerous pieces of icy dust out of his hair. "We did it?" he asked surprised.

"Yes. I have to admit that it was a most interesting experience to use my magic alongside yours, Merlin."

"Interesting?" Was that a compliment he wondered. It was so hard to tell with Kilgharrah.

"Yes, and I hope that will not be the last time."

"I somehow have a feeling that it won't be," Merlin said with a wry smile.

"I believe you are correct, young warlock," Kilgharrah laughed.

"Right, I should be getting back, I don't think this problem is over yet. I expect there will be an army coming to attack Camelot soon, believing it to be weakened by the diamond's spell and no doubt there will be sorcerers with them too."

"Including the witch?" Kilgharrah gave Merlin that very familiar, very annoying smug look which he tried to ignore.

"It can't just be her," he said. "Either Morgause is still alive or she has found other, more powerful sorcerers to assist her. There is no way that Morgana has the kind of power needed to enchant that diamond."

"She did not need great power to create that spell any more than you did to break it," Kilgharrah said impatiently. "I keep telling you, Merlin, it was the thought as much as the magic that controlled the Ice Diamond. For all of your power, you would never have been able to control the diamond because you do not hate in the way she does but, for her, the enchantment was simple - it was made for her."

"Yes, I see. I did think of Morgana when I first sensed the diamond's true nature … it somehow reminded me of her." He sighed, a tear of regret threatening to fall. She had been his friend and, as he had hinted to Gwen earlier, in his heart, so very much more to him than that. Once.

"I have warned you time and time again about her Merlin and wishing her to be good will not change the fact that she is not."

"Ha! You can't throw that, 'I told you so', at me this time," said Merlin gleefully, waving a long arm at Kilgharrah. "If I had done what you had asked and willing let Mordred die, let Morgana die, let Uther die … If by my action or inaction I had used my magic for those ends then I would not be the person I am now, I would not be Branwyn's true descendant and so I would not have had the ability to break the enchantment."

"That may be but then, Morgana would not have been around to cast it either, would she?" Kilgharrah replied calmly.

"Aha, you think you're so clever but … but ... someone else would have found it, someone else would have worked it out. Thanks to Uther there are enough sorcerers with vengeance on their mind and hatred in their hearts who would have that control and ..." Merlin continued quickly when he thought the dragon was about to come up with another 'but', "... and you can't blame that on me either … he's been filling sorcerers' minds with hate long before I had any power to stop him." There was a satisfyingly long pause before the dragon spoke again.

"That may indeed be true, young warlock; the fact that you have not let your very great power corrupt you is probably the only reason you and the young Pendragon are alive today - the only reason he stands a chance to become King but, that does not alter the fact that Morgana and Mordred are fated to bring about yours and Arthur's doom and that has always been the destiny that I have sought to change."

"Perhaps it already has changed. You cannot know for certain what other things might happen in the future to alter those paths. There is hope for both of them, I have to believe that."

"You have seen his heart reflected in his eyes, Merlin, and you have seen her heart reflected in the diamond. I think, deep down, that you know I speak the truth." Merlin shook his head, refusing to even entertain the thought that she could truly be lost forever. "Is there perhaps somewhere else you should be right now?" Kilgharrah finished in a lighter tone.

"Oh yes … right, of course. Ah, can I call on you again later if I need you?" he asked politely and the dragon laughed loudly at the question.

"You ask me that as a favour? Even with the power to command me to do your will? You truly do carry Branwyn's blood in your veins," and with that he flew off, his laugh still echoing across the field.

"I'll take that as a yes then, shall I?" Merlin asked slightly bemused. He watched Kilgharrah fly for just another few minutes before picking up his jacked and running back towards Camelot as quickly as he could.

~o~0~o~


A/N Now the main threat, the reason for the story title, is over, I have started to worry that these next few chapters could feel like a very short sequel and stick out a bit. There's also something about the last chapter which is worrying me too but ... well, I'll get to that one later!

Please R & R