Chapter Thirteen

Hope

It was if they had just returned from a field of battle, exhausted and traumatised by all they had seen. At first Merlin, Freya and Gwen desperately searched the cave and the surrounding area, but they all knew Morgause and Morgana were now far away. They had probably already returned to Camelot, which was now under their rule. Merlin did not know any transportation spells, or how to take so many people back to Camelot at once. Without this knowledge it would take them days, if not weeks, to return. And if they did their welcome would be from soldiers surrounding every inch of the border. Morgana and Morgause probably had an army at their disposal, Merlin did not.

After the frantic searching petered out into listless wandering, finally the four remaining companions sat down on the ground or surrounding rocks in front of the cave, as if they were completely lost. Gwen and Arthur probably felt their best friend had just died, and in a way she had, for the Morgana they knew was no more. What's more they could have saved her, but they didn't have the chance. Merlin however knew that he had a chance, but had done nothing. It didn't matter that Morgause had saved Morgana after he had poisoned her, she had died that day. All they had seen was her vengeful ghost, and she would never stop haunting them until her and Morgause got what they wanted. But now Camelot was theirs, Merlin supposed that they had achieved their goal, so he would probably never see Morgana again. She and her sister had left the Prince out here to die and his friends to become outlaws.

Everyone was silent. Gwen was crying, Arthur looked as if his heart had been broken, and Freya had a face of stone. She looked as if she somehow knew something like this would happen, and she hated the fact that it had. She had warned Merlin of Morgana, but still Morgana and Morgause had won in the end.

No one was sure how long they sat there. Merlin tried to rekindle some hope inside him, but all sparks and fire had died. Camelot was fallen and Arthur had no cure. What could they do now?

But there was one that still might be able to help. Merlin had not seen or heard from him since his attempted destruction of Camelot and Arthur's curse had happened so fast he hadn't had time to think about it. But perhaps Kilgharrah could help them, if he was willing to save the Prince he had tried to kill.

The sun was beginning to set. A chill was coming over the valley. Merlin quietly suggested that they make camp. Everyone nodded, but didn't seem to have much motivation. Freya was the only one who seemed determined to do something to get her mind off what had happened. She started unpacking their belongings that had been left scattered around the valley after the fight began, and found some rations for everyone.

Arthur stood up to help Freya, but suddenly he stumbled and clutched his forehead, disorientated and in pain.

"Arthur, what's wrong?" Gwen asked quickly. Merlin rushed to the Prince's side, Gwen was already there.

"Nothing, I'm fine," Arthur gasped, but he was deadly pale and covered in sweat. He seemed to be losing his balance and when Merlin put his hand on his arm to steady him he felt the Prince's skin burning.

Arthur had been the worst affected by Morgana's betrayal, the curse was finally beginning to consume him.

"We should keep him cold," Merlin suggested. It was the only thing he could think of, Gwen nodded.

Freya handed Arthur one of the water skins, it was half full, the Prince poured water over his face and drank the rest in one go. Steam rose off his face and he seemed to feel a little better, but it wasn't enough and their water supply was now running low.

"We should find a stream," Merlin suggested.

"I'll come with you," said Freya, "will you be all right with him?" She asked Gwen.

Gwen nodded as she helped Arthur sit back down. "I will do what I can," she promised.

It didn't take Freya and Merlin long to find a stream after they climbed out the valley. Through the tense silence of the forest they soon heard the sound of trickling water.

"Did you know this was going to happen? Did you know about Camelot?" Merlin found himself asking suddenly when they reached the stream. He stared into the fast moving water, distorting his reflection.

Freya shook her head, then hesitated and shrugged. "I was simply told that Morgana was not an ally and that she and Morgause were dangerous. They wanted Arthur to die, and I had to stop it in any way I could."

"This person you talk of seems to know an awful lot about where we were going and who we could trust, yet you haven't told me anything, not even who they are, and they didn't know that there was no cure for Arthur." Merlin snapped, finding himself suddenly angry.

Freya however remained calm and took his hand, she still felt cold. "I owe that person a great deal, they brought me back to you, even if I still have a price to pay, so please understand if I can't tell you everything. I'm just happy to be by your side and I promise I will do anything to help Arthur."

Merlin said nothing, he just pulled Freya into a tight hug. He felt like he was drowning but if he clung onto Freya she might be able to pull him back to the surface. She was here and that had to mean something, there was someone out there who thought Arthur could be saved, or at least helped. Perhaps it was even the Great Dragon who had brought Freya back. Either way, Merlin knew that he couldn't give up and the sooner he talked to Kilgharrah, the better.

They filled up the water skins and returned to the valley, Arthur was sitting silently with his head in his hands. They gave him plenty of water to drink and Freya even spent half an hour with her hand on the Prince's forehead in an attempt to keep him cool. It worked at first, but never for long.

When night finally enveloped them Gwen, Arthur and Freya fell into an uneasy sleep, exhausted by the day's events. Merlin however lay wide awake and once he was sure everyone else was asleep he sneaked out of the valley. He wasn't sure how long he walked through the trees, surrounded by darkness, until he broke out into the fields once more. As soon as he did so he began calling out to the Dragon.

Merlin had only done this once before, when Arthur went out on a hopeless mission to stop Kilgharrah and his vengeful attack on Camelot. Morgana had vanished, Merlin had just lost his father and realised that he was a Dragon Lord. It was a dark time, but perhaps tonight it was even darker still. It felt like an age ago now, but Merlin somehow knew what he was doing when he opened his mouth. He felt a power churning inside him, such as he had never felt until he first spoke to Kilgharrah in the language of the dragons. He somehow knew every word he was meant to say and when he spoke them his voice changed. It was now deep and gruff, almost inhuman, and so loud every creature from miles around probably heard his call.

Suddenly Merlin fell silent again and waited. It did not take long until he heard the beat of giant wings and looked up to see Kilgharrah flying towards him. The Great Dragon swooped through the air and gracefully lowered himself to the ground in front of Merlin. He gazed down at him for a few moments before speaking.

"It has been a long time since you last spoke to me, young Warlock," he said slowly. His calm, powerful voice was full of wisdom, as it always was. "And even longer since you asked for my help."

"I know," Merlin admitted, staring at his tattered shoes rather than at the Dragon. "I might have called you sooner, but everything happened so quickly and we thought Druids would be able to help us and-"

"And you didn't know if I would help the Prince again?" The Dragon finished for him.

"Yes," Merlin confessed.

"I owe a debt to you for saving my life young Warlock," Kilgharrah remained him, "I would have given you help if you asked for it and I still will."

"Have you heard about what has happened to Arthur?" Merlin asked.

"I have travelled far and explored much of the world since we last saw each other, but over the distances I did hear that the Prince had suddenly fled Camelot and that he is cursed with magic, but little else and I can hardly believe that to be true," Kilgharrah admitted.

"It is true."

The Dragon's golden eyes widened at this and he shifted a little from foot to foot. "I never thought I would ever hear those words, that Arthur has magic. The curse used was an extremely powerful and dangerous one. I thought there was no one left alive who knew that spell, and it would have taken more than one powerful practitioner to cast it. This may be a great day for Camelot and the whole of Albion however, if it had made the Prince see that those with magic are not always evil."

Merlin nodded, "Yes, I think it has helped him see the good that can be in magic, but that doesn't matter, because the curse is killing him. I think...I think he's going to die soon." He felt his throat close up and tears sting his eyes as he said this.

The Dragon was expressionless, but his voice had become more serious. "That is not what I had hoped to hear, although giving someone such a curse would only result in death."

"There has to be something we can do though!" Merlin cried out desperately. The Dragon was his last hope, he had to know something, surely. "Morgana and Morgause have taken over Camelot and Arthur cannot fight back, the curse is consuming him!"

Kilgharrah's eyes narrowed. "I had heard about Camelot's fall, and hoped that that too was only rumour, and I warned you about that witch," he added sternly, but then his voice grew softer. He did not blame Merlin for what had happened to Camelot. "Do not give up all hope young Warlock," he added, as he must have seen the despair in Merlin's eyes. "When destiny is set in stone, it is very hard to change."

"The stone which our destiny is written on is cracking and will soon turn to dust, please tell me there is a way to stop it," Merlin begged.

"I already have." The Dragon spoke as if Merlin's world wasn't falling apart. "I have told you to hold on to hope. As long as you do not give in, then there will be a way for Arthur to survive and your destiny to be fulfilled. You are not alone in this, there are people out there to help you, some you do not yet know about and others who will be of more help to you in ways you do not realise. The days ahead will be as dark as this night Merlin, but do not starting thinking that the dawn won't come."

There was a short silence. The Dragon looked down on the young Warlock, so small yet so powerful, and at that moment so lost. Merlin's eyes had dropped down to his feet again and he kicked at the grass, as if he was trying to control his emotions that were building up inside his chest. How easy it would be now for him to give up hope, but he had to hold on.

"Is there nothing else you can tell me?" Merlin asked, his voice cracking a little.

"I have told you enough. Hold onto hope and nothing has truly fallen, no one will truly die." Kilgharrah unfurled his great wings. Their meeting had been so brief but already he was leaving. "You need to be strong, young Warlock, stronger than ever before, for if you are strong than so will others be. Until we meet again, which I know we will."

Merlin wanted to say so much more, but suddenly he was lost for words. He just bit his lip and nodded. With a great gust of wind the Dragon took off into the black sky.

"Do not forget what I have said young Warlock!" Kilgharrah called out behind him, quickly disappearing into the night and leaving Merlin alone.

Merlin returned to the forest and the valley with a heavy heart. He was surprised to find that when he had returned Freya and Gwen were awake. Arthur was asleep but tossing and turning as if in the midst of a terrible fever. Gwen had her arm around him and looked extremely worried. Freya sat up when she saw Merlin appear.

"Where have you been?" Gwen asked quietly, she didn't sound suspicious, she was probably exhausted of emotion

"For a walk to clear my head," Merlin replied.

"Did it help?" Freya asked.

Merlin shrugged, "It made me realise we have to hold onto hope," he muttered, though the others could tell he didn't believe his own words. Freya lay silently back down, it was too dark for Merlin to see the tears drying on her checks. He lay beside her and, despite everything, found himself falling into a deep sleep.

The next morning all four were awoken by a sound that might have come out of their nightmares: pounding hoof beats. A horse was galloping through the trees and it was coming closer. All four of them immediately stood up, Merlin leapt to his feet, his hands balled into fists, ready to defend the others if necessary and wondering who could be charging towards them on horseback. One of Morgause's men? A bandit?

Everyone was frozen to the spot as they heard the hoof beats slow, and could see a chestnut brown horse through the trees, and on top of it a figure wearing a red cloak with tightly curled blond hair.

Arthur recognised him first. "Sir Leon!" He cried out.

Sir Leon immediately pulled his horse to a stop and looked around. He saw Merlin and Gwen standing in the valley and dismounted, rushing towards them.

"Thank goodness I have found you!" Said Sir Leon as he descended into the valley, almost falling over in his rush to get to them. His expression of joy quickly turned into one of worry when he saw the sweat covering Arthur's brow and how pale he was. Even the act of standing seemed to have exhausted him. "I've been searching for you for days," he explained.

"You search may have been in vain," Arthur admitted. "But there are more important things to worry about - Camelot. Is it true?"

Sir Leon didn't need to ask what Arthur meant. He nodded. "It fell the night I was returning to the castle to tell the King of our progress in searching for you. We were attacked by some of Cenred's soldiers on the way back, I only just made it to Gaius to beg for his help and to learn that the King no longer sat on his throne. I left as soon as I could, hoping that you might be able to help us."

"My father...is he alive?" Arthur asked.

Sir Leon nodded, "As far as I know he is. He is very weak, but I think the new rulers are keeping him alive for some reason. Perhaps just to show him what work they are making of his Kingdom before...before they put him out of his suffering."

Arthur put his head in his hands. He had hoped that perhaps Morgause had lied to him to make him weaken to the curse and stop him from returning home, but it was true. Camelot was gone.

"I'm sorry Sir Leon, I cannot help you or Camelot. I am dying. I have been cursed by someone I loved like a sister and she left me to die. I am glad to see one other friend before I go, though," he tried to keep his voice steady but it sounded weak and hopeless.

Sir Leon looked devastated. "Is it true?" He asked quietly, looking round to Gwen, Freya and Merlin as Arthur lowered his head.

Gwen nodded silently, she put her hands on Arthur's shoulders, her arms were trembling.

There was a long silence, where Sir Leon looked as if he too was on the brink of despair. He held a hand to his head as if he had a fever as well, but he didn't let go of his hope so easily. "But you might still be able to help." He said.

Arthur looked up at him, "How?" He demanded.

"I heard rumours on my journey here, I questioned people I passed, even bandits who tried to ambush me as I travelled to find out if they were true. I saw peasants as well, marching in the direction of the castle with pitch forks and scythes in their hands."

"What rumours? What's happening?" Merlin asked quickly.

"They say that they have been told that Arthur is dead, but they don't believe it. The peasants do not accept their new rulers. They are rebelling and demanding the return of their Prince."

There was another pause, "That's good!" Said Gwen suddenly, "surely that's good, Arthur?"

The Prince nodded. "It is. But how can I return to them? I am dying."

"But if you give the people hope still, they might be able to overthrow their new rulers," Freya pointed out. So much was going on Sir Leon didn't care to ask who this stranger was.

"Morgause and Morgana will not win," Merlin added. And now he knew why the Dragon told him to hold onto hope.

Arthur thought about this for a moment, then said in a voice that sounded much more decisive, "Sir Leon, go back to Camelot and tell the people that their Prince is returning. I don't know if I will be able to make it back, but the news will give hope to some and fear to others, and maybe it will be enough to overthrow our enemies. I may have given up hope, but I will not let others do the same."

Sir Leon bowed low to the Prince, "I will, Sire," he promised. Merlin gave a small smile, once again he could see the man who was to become a great King.

They would have asked Sir Leon to stay a little longer and ask him for more information, but they all knew the sooner he left for Camelot the better. Merlin made sure that Gaius was well though and Gwen went to re-fill the Knight's water skin for his journey.

Just before Sir Leon left Freya spoke to him. "Not far from Camelot's castle there is a lake in the East surrounded by forests and mountains, called the Lake of Avalon. If the people need salvation, if they are thrown out of their homes, tell them all to head there. They will find help and refuge there."

Sir Leon looked a little confused but nodded and gave a small bow, "I will, my Lady." Freya gave a small smile, it was the first time she had ever been called a Lady.

And with that Camelot's final hope returned to his horse and galloped off into the trees.

Originally I hadn't intended to have Kilgharrah in this story, but as it went on I realised it would be unrealistic for Merlin to go through all of this and not once at least consider to talk to the Dragon, so I squeezed him in here, I hope it worked well. And our characters finally met up with Leon, hooray!

Anyway, thanks for reading, I hope you enjoyed the chapter :)