Mordred looked at the armed forces he and Morgana had assembled, it was a mighty sight to behold. The Saxons were fearsome warriors, which would present a challenge to every one of Camelot's soldiers. The Druids had arrived, there calm was terrifying, they above all others had a desire for blood.
They marched together towards the mountain top. With such a combined force of magic, they were able to disguise themselves to blend into the background. No soldier of Camelot would see the Druids until it was too late.
They made camp away from the Saxons, only communicating with each other.
Still Mordred's mind was not at ease. Mordred looked towards Morgana a strange calmness had taken over her face. You could not see a hint of emotion, it made Mordred very uncomfortable.
"My Lady, we are ready, our scouts say that Arthur is only hours away." Mordred hoped to see what Morgana's mind set was.
Morgana looked over the ridge, she had contingency plans for her contingency plans, for once she had the advantage, there was no Emrys lurking in the shadows, and yet she felt no excitement. Her whole life had been leading up to this moment. Yet all Morgana felt was exhaustion, she had never felt so utterly drained in her life. When she was being held captive, her thirst for vengeance kept her going, but now all she felt was dread. She felt this was the battle that had haunted her. This was the battle her dreams warned her about, and now she could not stop it. She did not want to stop it, tonight this cat and mouse game for power ended, either she would have her throne or she would be buried.
"Let him come, it will all end after tonight." Morgana said ominously, her face never once betraying a hint of emotion.
Over the hill, Arthur rode in front of his army.
Camelot's army was ready, they knew that they were outnumbered and that they would have to contend with magic, but that did not slow their resolve. They were fighting for their families, their homes, they were fighting for Camelot and Arthur.
The Knights had flanked Arthur, they watched their young King carefully, he was always somber before a battle, but this one was different. There was a feeling each soldier and Knight had; this was the final battle between Camelot and Morgana. Someone's body would be carried out.
They sky had darkened the dusk arrived just as Camelot's forces made it to Mount Badon.
Gwaine looked to the peak, he could not see the Druids. Perhaps they had not arrived. Anyhow they had a far greater threat to deal with. As Gwaine looked forward he saw such a vast army, in all his years he had never seen such a threatening enemy. Camelot was out numbered 4 to 1.
Percival looked upon the Saxons, with trepidation, he had known that the odds were not in Camelot's favour and yet he had never expected to be so outmatched.
Arthur took a deep breath, he did not have time to feel upset, or feel fear, for he had to do his duty, he had to inspire his soldiers.
Battle was second nature to the soldiers Arthur gave the signal to set up. The army moved as a well oiled machine. Across the peak, Arthur could see Morgana's forces, but no sight of her or Mordred.
Arthur knew that Merlin did not want him to fight Mordred, but Merlin didn't understand. He knew that he had to be the one to face Mordred, because in the end he was the one who couldn't convince a Druid that he was a worthy king. He was the one that let Morgana turn a Knight of Camelot against him. Arthur knew that Mordred had broken the Knights code, which was a betrayal only a Knight could understand, which was why Arthur had to be the one to face him, Merlin may have been as brave and honourable as his best Knight, but that did not mean he understood. This was his fight. Arthur knew in the end Mordred would face him with a sword, and Arthur knew that he could win.
Gwaine watched Arthur closely, Merlin had warned them all about Mordred, and he would not let Arthur fight him. And Gwaine knew that Arthur had every intention of fighting Mordred. He rode towards Leon.
"Mate, we have to watch Arthur, Merlin has warned us about Mordred, many times. We have to do something."
"Gwaine, I have known Arthur for years, he has always let his heart guide him, and in this case he will do everything in his power to fight Mordred," Leon responded gravely.
"Then we stop him." Gwaine said.
Leon knew that it would not be that simple. He was still considering his options, he knew that all the Knights were going to try and locate Mordred first, but that would not protect Arthur, they needed Merlin for that, the best that they could hope for was to give Merlin enough time.
"When we go into battle, I will be his second skin. Don't worry Sir Gwaine, protecting Arthur Pendragon has been my life's mission. I won't fail." Leon said with certainty.
In the tent Gaius watched another battle begin. They all started the same, the preparations, and the calm. Once the dawn came, he would be surrounded by men who were too young to die, fighting for their lives. Injuries of every level would come to him. In those moments Gaius wished that time would stop. In every battle he would run out of time, he could never save everyone. As Gaius watched the preparations he wondered what good man would he fail to save, what family would be mourning a loss. He wondered if he would see Merlin again. He could not bear the thought that he would not see his boy again.
Gwen walked into the tent; she had been checking supplies when she saw Gaius. It was clear that his thoughts were troubling, Gwen knew Gaius well enough to detect when he was sad.
"Gaius it will be alright, we have to have hope," Gwen said.
Gaius looked at the young Queen, she really was born for the role. Gaius was unbelievably proud of her.
"My dear, I am just too old for this." Gaius stated; he had seen too much.
"We can win this Gaius, and you are nowhere near too old. Why you look as if you could ride out with the troops."
Gaius knew that they would win, he believed in Merlin. "Guinevere my dear, I have faith that we will win, but as a physician the price of victory has always been too high, I see the faces of these soldiers and wonder if they will see another dawn, or if they will have the chance at love and family. I have spent my life watching one war after the other, I wonder if I will live long enough to see peace."
Gwen understood the sadness. She hated watching men die for her and Camelot. "Merlin spoke of Albion, and I hope this is the last battle that is needed, because when Arthur and Merlin create Albion there will be peace. Gaius I promise it will all be ok."
Gaius knew he was just being morbid, but before a war your mind went to dark places.
"You are right my Queen." Gaius said; he saw a smile on Gwen's face and felt a little better. Now if only he could see Merlin.
Everyone wondered where Merlin was.
Arthur couldn't stop pacing, he was waiting for Merlin to ride up. He had not gone into battle without Merlin in 8 years. The thought of going into battle without him was strange. Now that Arthur knew about all the things Merlin had done for him, it was terrifying. He looked towards the peak of the Mount Badon, Gwaine had said that Merlin warned them that the Druids would attack from there. He didn't see any, but there was still time. It was strange to realize that Camelot could be defeated by the very thing that it hunted for years, right at the time the King had accepted magic.
Arthur knew that Merlin would be here in time, Merlin had never let him down. Merlin was the one man that he could confide in, the one person that treated him like a person and not a prince, he was everything to Arthur. And he knew that Merlin would arrive.
The men of Camelot ate and laughed into the night. Trying to enjoy their last moments of peace.
Arthur and Gwen retired to their tent. To spend one last night together.
Morgana, watched unable to sleep, too afraid of seeing the outcome of the battle.
Mordred held Kara, thinking that it was too late, wondering if he would end up regretting his decisions.
The sun rose over the Mount Peeks, the wind was gone, the morning was cool.
The dawn was signalled with the battle cries of the Saxons, and the rage of Camelot's warriors.
The day began with the clatter of swords.
Arthur and Mordred led the charge.
The Battle of Mount Badon had begun.
Sorry for the delay, but I was suffering from writers block. I could see the next few chapters in my head, but I was having difficulty writing, but I finally found some inspiration :)
Anyhow I hope u guys like the chapter
Peacelight