Fear


Chapter 12 ~ The Last Showdown


Mordred was heading back the house when he heard voices from the distance. He stopped indicating the three men he was with to do the same and beckoned them to be silent. The young druid recognized the voices. It was Arthur and Guinevere.

How did she escape? How did Arthur know she was here?

" Be prepared to fight," he ordered to his men who immediately reached for their swords.

They hid behind trees waiting for Mordred's next orders. At his signal, his men would come out of their hiding places ready to fight.

" Well, well where do you think you're going with her, Pendragon?" Mordred asked as he saw Arthur and Guinevere approaching on their horse.

Frightened, the horse stopped abruptly sensing danger.

" Guinevere, go back to the castle. Please do not stop until you have reach the kingdom!"

" No Arthur, I am not leaving you," she replied firmly.

" Please, Guinevere I need you to be safe"

" Then who is going to make sure you are safe. Arthur I am not going anywhere"

Arthur jumped off his horse and Guinevere did the same. He withdrew his sword out of its scabbard holding the weapon skilfully. The King looked at Mordred straight in the eyes. He felt nothing but hatred towards that man and this time he wasn't going to let him escape. Au contraire, Arthur wanted to finish him off.

Mordred was laughing cynically. He placed two fingers over his lips and whistled thereby producing a loud and shrill sound. Less than a second later, three men surrounded Arthur and Guinevere. Arthur realized that they were not going to get way easily, that if they wanted to go home they would have to fight.

" Guinevere, take my sword," Arthur said handing her the weapon.

" Arthur no you need it. How are going to fight without your sword," she replied taking it reluctantly though.

" I am a warrior. I can disarm a man in no time"

Guinevere and Arthur stood back to back both facing their foes. He grabbed her free hand and squeezed it reassuringly.

" Are you frightened?"

" Not in the slightest"

Suddenly, one of the men decided to attack, but Gwen successfully managed to parry deflecting his shot. Gwen took few steps backward her eyes connected with her assailant. The man raised his sword and the blade hissed as it cut through the cold air. A clang a metal resounded through the night as she parried his blade. The man riposted and the sharp blade penetrated through the thick material of her gown right below her ribs. Gwen let out a loud cry of pain alerting Arthur who was busy fighting with the two other men at the same time. He quickly got rid of the two of Mordred's men pushing one with his foot violently landing him against a large tree and nudging the other one right in the back of his head.

Picking up a sword, Arthur rushed towards his wife's assailing thrusting the weapon in his back then pushing himself aside letting the men collapse forming a puddle of blood on the ground.

Arthur lifted Guinevere in his arms and they were about to leave when Mordred appeared in front of them.

" Not so fast Pendragon. I am not done with you. You may have defeated my men, but let's see what you can do against me," he challenged.

Arthur carefully set Guinevere down the bottom of a tree and reached for his sword.

" You and your sword won't stand a chance against my powers!" Mordred extended his arms and Arthur found himself blasted away. " This for my father who was killed by Uther! It is time for payback. I will kill you Pendragon. I will..."

Suddenly, the wind started to blow ferociously swirling the leaves that were covering the ground, thunder rumbling furiously, trees breaking. The forces of nature were unleashed.

Merlin came into view one hand directed towards the druid.

"Inferno Seri Gratas, Disasustos Vom! Mas Pro Jeta Sue Te! Victas Et Melam,Phesmatos Viva Di ! "

Mordred's body was breaking down from the inside. His organs, bones and tissues grinding and ripping within him making him experience the pain of a thousand men. The young sorcerer was screaming, howling and squirming as the atrocious pain became was begging, imploring for the pain to stop, but Merlin kept going, repeating the same words over and over again as all he wanted was the druid to die even if he knew that spell he was casting could have cost him his life. Using all his powers at once was indeed extremely dangerous, but Merlin didn't care.

Mordred slumped down on the floor… dead.

Moments later, the forest regained its composure, as if what happened minutes ago was only the fruit of their imagination.

Merlin came to his senses breathing heavily. He had just cast the most powerful spell he has ever known and was physically and mentally exhausted.

He walked towards Gwen who was struggling to keep her eyes opened.

"Get away from her!" Arthur yelled.

Startled, Merlin stepped back holding his hands in front of him.

" Arthur I have to heal the wound. "

" Do not touch her," Arthur whispered harshly.

" Arthur if I don't act now it Gwen could die, please just let me. I swear I won't do her any harm."

Arthur looked at Guinevere's wound, which was bleeding severely. Reluctantly, the King nodded in approval for Merlin to do whatever he had to do in order to save his wife.

Slowly, Merlin bent down, "Asinta Mulaf Hesta Eros Mitle Denz Sho Bala," he muttered and the wound immediately closed itself.

~۩۞۩~۩۞۩~۩۞۩~۩۞۩~۩۞۩~۩۞۩~۩۞۩~۩~۩۞۩~...

Back to the castle…

Merlin nervously knocked on the royal chambers' door staring at his feet, his heart beating fast… very fast.

" Come ," Arthur called sighing as he saw that it Merlin who was entering.

" Can we talk?" he asked quietly closing the door, but hovering close to it.

" I'll go see how Isolde is doing," Guinevere whispered kissing Arthur's cheek. She squeezed Merlin's arm slightly, smiling reassuringly as she passed near him then left the room.

Merlin and Arthur stared at each other in a deep and heavy silence in which none of them dared to speak.

"Who else?" Arthur whispered finally breaking the deadly silence after what seemed like an eternity to Merlin.

"Who else what?"

" Who else knows or knew about this secret of yours?"

" My mother, Gaius… Lancelot also knew-"

Lancelot, even he knew his secret… Why on earth did he tell him?

" Tell me Merlin, did you ever at some point planned on telling me the truth or did you just think you could hide something that important from me for the rest of your life even dragging Gaius in this lie with you "

Arthur was trying very hard not to lose his mind. He was shocked and hurt… so hurt.

" I-I'm sorry Arthur. I just, I didn't know how-"

" All these years Merlin. All these people you've watched my father kill because they had magic. You could have been one of them."

" Arthur, listen when I first came in Camelot, I didn't even know magic was banned here, but I can't help myself. I didn't ask to have magic. I-I was born with it… It's a part of me."

" You should have told me the truth Merlin"

" I was afraid of your reaction, afraid it would have affected our friendship, afraid you would have banished me or worse execute me," Merlin whispered quietly tears slowly starting to form in his eyes.

" You thought me that cruel"

" No! Arthur of course not!"

Silence.

" I want you to know that I never have and I never will use my powers to harm someone. I have chosen to use magic for good and for good only"

" How can I be sure of that? I mean you just used your powers to kill Mordred, didn't you?"

Arthur's words were like a knife in Merlin's heart.

He doesn't trust me anymore?

" I did it to protect you and Gwen. You know me Arthur. I would never hurt someone for no valuable reasons."

Arthur sat down at the dinning table burying his face in his hands.

"Leave"

" Arthur wait you have to understand that I did it to protect you. It is my duty"

" For god's sake Merlin I am asking you to leave! I have to think about all of this," Arthur snapped.

Merlin nodded blinking his eyes quickly as stubborn tears tried to escape. He exited the room, pained, more than he cared to admit.

Guinevere came back to the bedchambers few moments later. There she saw her husband who was lying on the bed, eyes opened staring at the ceiling deeply absorbed in his thoughts. Gwen lied down beside him resting her head on his chest.

" Why do I feel so betrayed and hurt?" Arthur asked quietly.

" Merlin is your friend Arthur. It is completely normal for you to feel that way, but try to understand him. What if the situation was reversed? You saw what he did today. He did it for us, to protect us from someone who wanted us dead."

" I know," Arthur whispered stroking her back now.

" My father was killed because of magic. One would think I should hate anyone who performs it, but I know Merlin and I trust him. He is not an evil person. "

" Guinevere, how could you be so sure of that after what Morgana did. I trusted her and she betrayed not only me, but also my father and you"

"Merlin is nothing like Morgana and he will never be like her. I just know it Arthur. I can feel it in my bones and deep down you know it too. You do trust Merlin "

" How is that you always manage to be right all the time", Arthur said smiling slightly.

Gwen just smiled back warmly.

" Does that mean that you are not mad at him anymore? Can you at least try to forgive Merlin?" she asked lifting her head to look at him in the eyes.

Arthur took a deep breath, " It will take some time for me to get use to it, but then I guess perhaps it is time for things to change. I can't always live with the fear of magic. Perhaps it is time for the old laws of Camelot to be replaced."

Guinevere leaned down and kissed him softly and deeply her hands gripping his shirt removing it promptly then tossing it carelessly on the floor. Arthur kissed the sensitive skin of her neck hungrily making her gasp and moan with pleasure.

That night, Arthur and Guinevere made love passionately.

A new era was about to begin in Camelot.


Epilogue ~17 years later

You are cordially invited to the coronation of our daughter Princess Isolde Rosannagh Pendragon of Camelot.

Your presence to this important next step of our daughter's life would be highly appreciated.

Please accept our most distinguished salutations

Guinevere and Arthur Pendragon of Camelot

" Mother! How do I look? I'm so nervous. Look my hands are shaking!" Isolde exclaimed.

Guinevere took both of her daughters hands in hers, " Isolde darling you are perfect. Don't worry everything will be fine. I want you to take a deep breath."

Gwen remembered how years ago she felt the same way moments before she was being crown Queen of Camelot. Fortunately for her, Merlin was there to help her cope with her nervousness. Now, she was doing the same for her daughter.

"What if I trip and fall in front of everyone. What if father says something embarrassing about me during his speech? Mom tell me he didn't write anything compromising about me"

Guinevere laughed, " Isolde your father would never do such thing. He wouldn't embarrass you in public especially not in front of Prince Jeremiah?"

Isolde's bright crystal blue eyes widened " I do not know what you are talking about"

" Well darling, I have noticed the way you two look at each other every time he comes to visit us with his father"

Isolde sighed. " Does father know too? Did you tell him?"

" Of course not! Arthur would kill the poor man. Don't worry I am keeping your secret."

" I love you mom and thank you so much for not telling father," she said reassured.

" Not telling me what?" they heard Arthur call from behind startling them both slightly.

" Nothing," the two women answered at the same time a bit too quickly then laughing nervously as they realized it.

"Fine don't tell me, but I will eventually find out the truth you know"

" Wow! Father you look quite handsome today," Isolde said squeezing his arm trying to change the subject and Arthur just shook his head smiling.

" Before we go I would like to tell you something important Isie" Arthur said his voice serious now. " First of all, I am so grateful that God gave you to me. Today I see my daughter becoming a beautiful young lady. I want you to understand that as your father I want the very, very best for you. Everything you've done to help the people of this kingdom. How much you care about them. It's unbelievable. You have such a good heart Isolde just like you mother," Arthur took his daughters hands kissing them softly, " I am so proud of you princess"

" Thank you so much, it means a lot to me. I love you dad," Isolde whispered genuinely touched by her father's kind words, her voice emotional, her eyes filled with tears as she hugged her father tightly. " Mother, Come!"

Together, the Pendragons were forming one beautiful, strong and united family. Their bond was without a doubt unbreakable.

"Isolde! Isolde! Prince Jeremiah and his family have just arri-... Oh, my lord, my lady I am sorry. I didn't mean to disturb," Hannah, Isolde's maid said interrupting the family moment.

" Prince Jeremiah uh? That's interesting to know,"

Isolde sighed, " Father please do not kill him"

" Kill him? Of course not! I just want to have a little nice and civilized conversation with him that is all"

And make sure he does not come near my little daughter ever again…Arthur added mentally.

"Arthur," Guinevere warned as if she read her husband's mind.

" Well ladies, I think it is time to go," Arthur declared. " Isolde are you ready?"

" I am," she answered confidently.

They headed towards the throne room where hundreds of people were gathered. Amongst them, Isolde spotted Merlin who was now Arthur's trusted court adviser. He was grinning from ear to ear with pride as he saw his goddaughter walking confidently and gracefully towards the cleric.

Her long dark curly hair cascading just above her waist, she was clad in crimson red velvet long-sleeved gown. Isolde caught a glimpse of Jeremiah contemplating her and she smiled as she felt he knees weakening. She kneeled down in front of the old man and he started to recite the official sermon.

"… And by the powers vested in me, I now crown you Isolde Rosannagh Pendragon Princess of Camelot,"

Geoffrey slowly placed the heavy golden plated encrusted with rubies tiara on her head. The newly crowned princess stood up and started to walk in the aisle bowing and lifting her skirt slightly as people cheered and applauded loudly.

...

"She's beautiful isn't she?" a voice behind Jeremiah said.

" Very," the young prince agreed not turning to see whom he was talking to.

" Listen young man this is my daughter and I know you like her. I also know that you are decent man, but if you ever hurt her, if you break her heart or if I hear her complain about you. You won't ever be able to recognize yourself in the glass anymore," Arthur threatened.

"I have no intention of doing such things, sir"

" I believe I made myself clear enough."

" Yes, my lord," he nodded.

" Good, now smile. She's approaching"

" What is going on here? Father, what did you do to him?" Isolde said hands on her hips like her mother always did when Arthur was to blame.

" I was just asking Jeremiah what he thinks about the feast," the king replied innocently.

Isolde raised an eyebrow at her father shaking her head.

" I actually came to tell you that mother is looking for you"

" Very well, I will let you two alone. Behave!" Arthur said kissing his daughter's cheek before walking towards the royal table where his wife his seated.

" I'm sorry. My father is quite strange sometimes," she said chuckling.

" No harm done besides he only wants to protect you. I would too if you were my beautiful daughter."

Isolde blushed a bit smiling shyly. " Thank you"

" May I have this dance, princess," Jeremiah asked offering her his arm.

" Of course," she nodded and hooked her arm around his as he led her to the dance floor.

"Arthur, look at them. They look so adorable together," Guinevere said pointing at her daughter and Prince Jeremiah.

" Cleary this boy has never taken any dancing lessons"

Gwen laughed. "Arthur, don't be mean. He is not that bad"

" Not that bad! Guinevere he is terrible!" Arthur argued.

" At least he's very handsome and she looks genuinely happy with him."

Arthur sighed. " She's growing up so fast. I feel like it was just yesterday when I first held her in my arms"

Guinevere cupped Arthur's cheek kissing him tenderly.

" I love you Guinevere," he whispered softly in her ear.

" I love you too" she smiled " Come on! Let's join them," Gwen said standing up taking his hand and dragging him towards the dance floor.

Elyan, Millicent, Merlin and the other knights also joined them and they danced, laughed each one of them enjoying the feast and sharing together a wonderful moment they would remember for a very long time.

Fin


A/N Thank you so much guys for sticking with me through the whole story. I must say I never thought that I would be capable of writing 12 chapters of a fan fiction in English since my first language is French. I would like to thank Lara Smith because she's always giving helpful comments not only to me, but also to pretty much every other authors so for that thank you dear. Also Whitecrossgirl, and

To each and everyone who took their time to read and review I appreciate it A LOT! Thank you thank you

Special thanks to my English teacher Miss P! To my boyfriend who spent hours typing some chapters for me! I love you. And last but not least to Mrs KBrand who just literally inspired me to write fan fictions thank you so, so much you are a brilliant and wonderful writer!

Merlin series 5 is just amazing so far… loving our FLAWLESS Queen!

Tout le monde, Merci beaucoup de m'avoir suivi! Je vous adore.

Ok I'm done now :D