Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin
They traveled through the castle again, with Alison leading the way, Iseldir supporting Merlin's weakened form, and Arthur and Gwaine flanking the group with their swords drawn at ready. They had remained at Gaius' chambered for a short while longer after the girl's appearance, enough time for Alison to heal many of Merlin's small wounds while also, under Iseldir instruction, began healing the warlock's shoulders. The incantation required to fully heal the damage done was a long and complex procedure; however, Iseldir knew a few basic incantations that would help start the healing process. If Merlin were going to have a chance to do the incantation to stop the chimeras, then he should be in his best physical condition.
Once Alison had finished, Merlin had regained a bit more mobility of his arms. His left was still, for the most part, paralyzed, but he was able to somewhat lift his right arm, about chest level, and wiggle all his fingers while his wrist was able to bend further than before. The damage done still restricted the man's movement, but Merlin was grateful that the damages to his shoulders wouldn't be permanent. The servant, healed of minor wounds and bandaged, was able to stay on his feet with some aide. Before they left, Alison disappeared and returned quickly from the back room and found a threadbare red tunic to replace the ragged mess of his old one
Together the group walked deeper into the castle, descending staircases after staircases. They drew closer to the dungeon, to everyone's unease, but continued forward for they must get to the anchor. It could only be found in the deepest part of the castle, a place few would go or even dare to enter without permission years ago. It was set in the caverns that lied beneath the citadel that had once years ago, housed the Great Dragon. Not only was it easily hidden from most but also its one entrance was simple to guard.
Argument erupted when they first left on Alison's further involvement; however, she managed to get them to agree for her to lead them through the citadel by reminding them that of the five present, she was the only one who knew the location of most of the guards that made their rounds around the castle. She led them through odd ends and corners through the most indirect routes to the caverns below. When they arrived at the corner that led into a downward staircase to the entrance, she stopped and raised her hand towards the others. With a nod of her head, Alison indicated towards the bend just ahead.
"Down there is the entrance to the caverns and it's guarded by a half a dozen men and two chimeras," Alison whispered to the men behind her.
"The soldiers we can handle, but how are we to bring down the chimeras?" muttered Arthur as he mentally calculated their odds of surviving against the creatures of magic.
"Well, Sire, if you can't handle them, I can slay them for you," Gwaine smiled, a glint in his eyes showed his excitement to the upcoming battle. Since finding Merlin, the knight had been itching for action to release all his pent up anger against Morgana.
"Gwaine, now is not the time for jokes."
"I am not joking." Arthur looked at Gwaine, discerning the serious tone his voice took while the knight continued, "You're right, we can easily take out the soldiers but you need someone to distract the chimeras long enough to destroy the anchor. Once you take out the anchor, I can kill the chimeras. Until then, I'll distract the two."
"Alright then," the King said after he hesitated, "let's go."
"Wait," Iseldir called, "Emrys, you need to drink the draught."
Before they left the chambers, Iseldir and Merlin agreed to hold off on drinking the potion to ensure its effects would last long. They did not want to chance it in case the servant could not destroy it himself. It was also agreed not to release the magic suppressing chains from his arms. At the decision, his magic raged from within, as if with a mind of its own, it fought and tempted him into breaking the chains. With freedom so close, it riled up him with a force he had never experienced before. He wanted to tear the metal from his skin, but he kept his control as always. As soon as he reached their destination, Iseldir would remove the chain with hopes that Merlin would be able to direct the power against the anchor.
Iseldir drew the potion from a pocket inside his cloak. He unstopped it and handed it over to the servant who stared at it with distaste before he threw back his head and drunk the liquid in a single gulp. He grimaced as he handed the empty vial back to the druid.
"Why are all potions so awful, do you purposefully make them that way?"
"No, it is because they're not made with taste in mind," Iseldir smiled. "I don't know how long this potion would last so we best being going in case you can't immediately destroy the anchor, I will take over."
Merlin nodded, "I'll allow you to direct my magic but unless that happens, I will destroy it."
"Are you ready for this?" Arthur asked , his eyes meeting that of Merlin's.
"No," Merlin said, "I'll rather just take a nap"
"Well you don't have much of a choice."
"Of course, you prat," Merlin rolled his eyes before turning to Alison. "You must go and hide now."
"Hide? I'm not going to hide," Alison said, determined.
"We can't protect you in the middle of a fight and you will be helpless against an attack. You need to find a safe to place now to hide in until the battle is over."
"I am not a child, I know how to fight."
"You are still a child and I will not be responsible for your death."
"I can't sto-"
"Enough!" The two stopped in their argument to glower at the one who interrupted them. Arthur glared at Merlin then turned to Alison, his eyes softened. "Merlin is right; this is no place for you."
"But I want to help," Alison retorted, irritated at the whine her tone took.
"You have helped," Merlin murmured, "You have done so much for us. Without your help, we wouldn't have made it this. I wouldn't have made it this far."
Alison looked down, "I just don't want to let anyone get hurt when I can stop it."
"Hey," Merlin called softly, waiting until the girl looked up at him from where he stood supported by Iseldir, "You have done quite a lot. You are no fighter, not like us; your job is to heal, not to injure. When the battle is over, you will have more than enough to do, but until then hide, save your energy for those who need your help the way I did."
After a few seconds Alison mumbled, "Fine."
"Good," Merlin smiled.
"Then let us get on with this," Arthur said, motioning for Iseldir, with Merlin, to stand aside so he and Gwaine may squeeze pass, blades in hand. Merlin looked back at Alison, before they went too far to see her. The girl wore a somber face while her hands fiddled with the fabric of her skirts. It was for the best that they left her out; she would have no place once the sword begun swinging.
Up ahead, Arthur reached the foot of the steps with Gwaine at his heels. He poked his head around the corner and noted the location of the guards. A small table sat to the side surrounded by four guards playing a game with dice. They tossed coins in a haphazard pile on the center as they placed their bets for the next round. Torches brightened the small chamber all around while the last two guards stood at the entrance on the opposite end of the room that led further down into the cavern. Arthur's eyes searched the room longer, unable to spot the location of the chimeras, to which he glanced at Gwaine about. The knight merely gave him a shrug and gave his sword a shake as if to tell Arthur to get on with it; there was no point in waiting any longer.
After another nod to indicating the guards on the other side of the room for Gwaine to handle, Arthur charged into the room at a sprint to knock out the guards at the table before the other guards could give so much as a shout of warning. He brought down the hilt of his sword on the first guard's head then swung it to the side and took out the second with a slash as he was pushing himself from the table. Across the room, Gwaine lunged his sword into one of the standing guards and parried the attacks of the other, exchanging blows as each tried to gain an advantage.
The king barely had a moment to check his knight was fine when the last two guards finally made their way around the table and attacked him. He felt his arm jar with the force of the attack when he blocked the first guard's attack and shoved him back to block the other guard before he slipped his blade between Arthur's ribs. He forced the tip of the blade with the base of his own away from his body while he also brought the point of his sword to jab at the guard's hand. The guard dropped his blade and only had time to give an astonished look before Arthur knocked him out with a bash in the head. Behind the King, the other was about to deliver a fatal blow when he came to a sudden stop; the blood covered tip of a sword poked out from his chest. He gave a stutter, slid off the metal, and slumped onto the ground.
While Arthur had been busy fending off the two guards, Gwaine had taken down his opponent. The guard proved to be skilled enough in swordplay to stand his own for a while; however, he was no match for a Knight of the Round and Gwaine found it effortless to cut down this particular fighter. The knight glanced back and noticed the opening Arthur left, distracted by his opponent. With a few quick strides, Gwaine crossed the room in time to stop the last remaining guard.
"Thank you," Arthur said as he nodded to the downed guard.
"You know me, always saving damsels in distress. What I don't always do is find lost pets," the knight said as he looked around the chamber for chimeras.
"They must have been called out to help in the battle," Iseldir said from the foot of the stairs. Once they took out the guards, he led Merlin to meet up with the other two at the center of the room.
"Then let us not waste time," Arthur said.
Together they descended the next flight of steps. Soon the walls changed from smooth and chiseled to rough and crude stone. The light dimmed further as the torches became few and far in between, forcing the group to stop and retrieve one of the lights from the socket in the wall. They continued on their way and soon the passageway began to widen slightly before finally it opened up to a huge cavern. A few feet in front were a ledge with a steep drop off. Further past was a rocky outcropping that had a flat top, worn down from the times the dragon roosted upon it. Sitting atop stood a staff, straight with no apparent support. It oozed magic and light.
In the limited light, it was hard to discern the carved figures on the lower portion of the staff, but closer to the top the figures were more distinct. There were creatures carved into the dark wood, chimeras with snarls permanently etched in their face. Interlocked in claws and sinew, they played a deadly dance of tooth and nail; at the head of the staff was the largest of them all. It seemed to stand atop the bodies of its brethren and its maw gaped open, mid roar with fangs displayed, not a care to the monsters beneath. Seated between its jaws was a crystal ball, the source of light that allowed Arthur and the others to see the features of the staff. It glowed with a dark purple light that, even from a distance, felt like the frigid claws of the dorocha.
"That's it," whispered Iseldir.
"Yea… Iseldir are you ready?" Merlin asked as he extended his right forearm to the druid. This was his chance, his chance to make things right. He was tired, so very tired to be able to do much in battle. His magic raged through him, ready to be released, to do what it had wanted to do since this had started.
It wanted to fight.
It was a reflection of Merlin's own desire. He longed to fight, to help everyone, to save everyone. He wanted to prove to everyone, to Arthur, that he was not useless.
Worthless.
It was his moment of redemption. Merlin would destroy the staff, close the portal on the chimeras and cut them off from the source of their power. From the corners of the cavern, the shadows seemed to come alive, writhing across the ground. It stretched forward, towards him, with intentions to drag him back into their darkness, into the world of nightmares. Merlin had been holding off the hallucinations with every bit of energy left since he realized that Arthur had finally found him. They stood to the side, ready and waiting for Merlin to slip in his control. Even from his position at the entrance, Merlin thought he could make out familiar figures that stood with sneers carved into their face.
He must ignore them. He had a job to do and he would do it no matter what. Merlin would become the protector, the weapon, for Arthur to command so that Albion may receive the peace that it had sought after for so long. He knew he couldn't resist the shadows, the madness that contaminated his mind, nor did he feel the need to. He was worthless outside his job to protect. The illusions were his regrets and failures and each would serve to be a reminder of what he could lose lest he shirked from his duties. He accepted he was worthless but being worthless did not mean he was to turn his back to the kingdom. Merlin would work towards the betterment of Camelot and everyone in the land of Albion and he would start by ridding the world of the filthy dark magic that Morgana had brought out.
"Are you ready for this," Iseldir asked, meeting his eyes.
"Yes."
"Then everyone, stand back."
Iseldir led Merlin to the edge as close as they could get to the staff, behind them Arthur and Gwaine retreated to the opening and watched as the druid reached for the silver chain that wrapped around the warlock's forearm. Arthur watched with curiosity as a string of foreign words flowed from the druid's mouth and the chains began to glow. They had been told before hand the dangers in releasing the magic, which anyone who was close to the man if he lost control would be put in harm's way. He and Gwaine alike hoped that that would not happen, not wanting not only cause their friend more suffering but also lose the one chance to stop the chimeras.
Merlin's unease grew as the chain began to glow harsher, becoming close to painful on the eyes. It felt warm to his skin and grew increasingly hot, the scorching heat enough to cause the skin beneath to blister. He clenched his jaw and bit into his lips, stopping his groans of pain before they could even begin. Then with one final murmured incantation, the chain snapped; a high metallic screech wailed from it as the enchantment crumbled. With weathered hand, Iseldir pulled it away from the warlock's arm and dropped it to the ground. He then looked at Merlin, ready at a moment's notice in case the worst happened.
Merlin saw none of this nor did he feel the burns for much longer. Once the druid removed the chains, he was left breathless in the power. It slammed into him from all sides, his barriers that he had built over the years of study and practice crumbled before its might. The rage was nothing compared to the whirlwind that consumed him, batted him away like a fly in a storm. Control was but a fleeting thought, the innocent hope that Merlin could contain the beast inside. Panic began to fill him, and in the moment of weakness, his grasp over his mentality slip and another illusion, another ghost from his past began to form behind him. Indistinct and unseen from all, it twisted into existence, its cold breath panted down his neck.
"The evil of magic will be the downfall of this kingdom," it whispered, "whether it is Morgana's or yours."
In a span of a second, the words hit Merlin with a force that combatted his magic. He released his panic and fear and narrowed his mind on that single thought. He pulled at the power, wrestled it into submission until it grudgingly retreated to just below the surface, the energy bubbled at his fingertips. He did not need to contain it completely, only to hold it long enough so he may shape it, mold it into a new purpose, one that would serve the greater good rather than its mindless destruction. Merlin cleared his mind of everything and fixated on control. His previous ragged breaths evened out and after another minute before he opened his eyes, only just realizing that he had closed them, and was met with Iseldir's worried face.
"Emrys?"
"I-I'm fine," Merlin stuttered, "We need to hurry."
Iseldir helped Merlin turn toward the staff while also murmuring quick advice on the spell. By the entrance, Arthur had freed the breath he had been holding when he saw Merlin react to the chain's release. He saw the man tremble as the power tried to rush out and heard the way the warlock struggled to breathe. Gwaine tried to go and help but Arthur stopped him, knowing there was nothing to be done for their friend and that getting involved would only worsen matters. When the shaking stopped and the warlock breathing returned to normal, Gwaine relaxed as well and they watched as the two prepared to take out the anchor.
"Thank the gods," Arthur murmured.
"Not just yet," Gwaine replied.
"And why's that?"
"Because things have been going way too easy than expected and when things get too easy, that is when I begin to expect the worse."
"Why can't you just accept that amongst all the bad we finally struck good fortune?"
"That's because, dear brother, I am not the fool you take me for."
That was the only warning they received before they suddenly found themselves flung through the air and into the ground behind their friends. With a wave of the hand, Morgana against had them flying, this time into the wall. From the shadows of the tunnel, Morgana emerged, beside her slunk two chimeras, the two that were stationed to protect the entrance to the caverns. They approached the sorcerers, forcing Iseldir and Merlin to step away from the ledge, away from the staff. The two snarled and snapped at them but otherwise made no move to attack, not without the orders from their master. Arthur and Gwaine rose to their feet quickly and both brandished their swords against the witch.
"Why Merlin, what are you doing out of your room?" Morgana smiled at the warlock's glare.
"Morgana," Arthur called, bringing Morgana's attention from Merlin to him.
"Arthur."
"Morgana, you can end this, end all this pointless fighting."
"Now why would I do that Arthur? Why should I allow you to go back to butchering my people?"
"What people, Morgana," Arthur asked, incredulous, "What people are you trying to protect. Have you seen what you have done to Camelot?"
"I have brought peace and protection to all those who were persecuted!"
"No. You only struck more fear into the hearts of the people. You have not only caused the people to suffer but also your own kind. Congratulation Morgana, you have brought another Purge on this land. Father would be proud."
Morgana narrowed her eyes, "You will regret saying that." She lifted her hand toward Arthur and prepared to utter a spell.
"I will not touch him if I were you," Merlin called out. Morgana turned back to the warlock as he picked his way around the chimeras. The creatures snarled and nipped at the man but otherwise did not touch him; instead, they stood nearby and kept an eye on both the warlock and the druid. Even from this distance, Arthur could tell that the warlock could barely stand his feet. What little color h regained from Iseldir and Alison's combined ministration was gone as he forced his legs to support the entirety of his weight. It was only through stubbornness that Merlin possessed that kept him standing on his feet.
"And what are you going to do about it, use your pathetic excuse for magic? I hold the power of the High Priestess; trust me, Merlin, this is a fight you can win," Morgana sneered.
"I suggest you learn from past mistakes."
"And what is that? That you prove to be far more irritating than I anticipated?"
"No," Merlin retorted, "that where the Once and Future King walks so too follows Emrys."
"Oh really," snarled Morgana. The witch snapped her fingers and the two chimeras began to circle around Merlin, eyeing him as though he was their next meal. "I see no one but my brother, his knight, a pathetic druid, and you. Last I knew, none of you could possibly have the power Emrys is said to wield."
"Then what is stopping you from attacking us?"
"I like to enjoy myself," smiled Morgana.
"You fear Emrys' presence," Merlin corrected. Sweat broke out on his brow, as his weakened body grew tired, soon he wouldn't be able to stand. "You are waiting for him to make his appearance. This, confronting us down here, talking with us, this is all to stall for time. You are using this to tempt Emrys out of hiding."
"I am not afraid of Emrys," Morgana growled as she gestured to the chimeras. The two turned from the warlock and began to stalk towards Arthur and Gwaine instead. "Do you still believe that silly notion once the chimeras kill your precious King? I already killed his precious serving girl!"
Arthur eyes widened, his hand tightened on his blade.
Guinevere…
"What have you done to Guinevere?" Arthur shouted, he took a step towards the witch, not caring for the chimeras that snarled at him or the hand that snatched at his chainmail and kept him from going further forward.
"I had a few of my lovely pets take care of her, the same way they'll care of you now."
Arthur felt Gwaine let go as he raised his sword before him, just in time to shield his body from the chimera as the two pounced on them. He swatted the first aside with his sword to which the creature pulled back in surprise as it sensed the magic that emitted from the blade; the force caused him to stumble. Gwaine, however, was knocked to the ground from the force of the leap and used his full strength to kick the chimera off him before either heads had a chance to strike. The knight got to his feet and backed up until his back pushed against the wall. Together the two faced the new threat side by side all the while Merlin watched in horror for the safety of his friend.
The warlock knew there was only so long the two could keep up against the chimeras, even with the dragon's fire blade Arthur wielded. His magic rushed forward again, rising to its master's rising emotions, once against battered him. It burned against the back of his eyes, ready to destroy what threatened the life of the King and the witch behind the attack.
As Merlin prepared, a spell upon his lips that would catch the chimeras' attention away from the King, he felt a strange tugging sensation at his core. Its feather touch felt light at first but grew with intensity; it insisted for his magic to follow. The magic sensed it as well but chose to remain for the spell its master was prepared to incant. Merlin, however, identified the sensation from the quick explanation Iseldir had provided about the enchantment placed on the draught. The druid had said he would not be able to use the magic without his permission and the warlock now understood what the man had meant. Faced with indecision, Merlin found himself at a crossroad. He could either allow Iseldir to take his magic and destroy the anchor or kill the two chimeras first then take care of the anchor himself.
Merlin was tempted to take the latter option, more so that he could prove to everyone, to Arthur, and to himself that he was capable of at least that much. It was more than that though. He wanted to show Morgana that he was not one that could be easily toyed with. That he was more than the man who cried and begged every time her knife and magic descended upon him, more than her abilities as High Priestess could handle. He wanted to use his magic to destroy her, remove her from the life she established in Camelot. Even the temptation to kill lurked in the corner of his mind, and option that he would have shied away from before she tortured him.
It terrified Merlin that he entertained such dark thoughts, disturbed him more than when he was ready to give into death. It was that horror that He took ahold and allowed him to decide his choice. With a sigh, he allowed the magic to flow through his fingertips towards, not the chimeras, but to Iseldir who stood with eyes closed before the anchor. He wobbled on his feet, relief shot through his body as the weight of his magic left him and slammed into the druid, who staggered with shoulders hunched before straightening back to his full height. Though unintelligible, Merlin heard him incant, eyes closed and arms held in the air as he swayed in place. His words gave the magic form, a purpose for the first time in a long time, to target and destroy the staff that stood before him.
"Morgana," Merlin called out, his eyes furious, "never underestimate the power of Emrys." Before Morgana could register what the warlock said, the druid had finished the incantation with a cry and collapsed onto his knees while his eyes burned a brilliant gold and the staff trembled. The magic rushed from the druid's outstretched hand, even as Iseldir fell, and enveloped the staff in hues of gold and blue with elements of white, Iseldir's own magic.
The colors swirled and intertwined with each other. It battled with the purple glow, which lashed out against the energy. The magic was too much however for the brilliant colors struck and tore the purple apart until it drove it to retreat into the crystal ball until it was but a glimmer at the center. The spell then seeped into the staff and crystal alike, no longer having to fight against its dark energies. The wood crackled under the strains a a crack formed its length and radiated from the center of the crystal; the light that invaded the staff now leaked from the cracks. With a loud whine, the crystal burst into dust and shredded the wood into splinters that flew at all directions. The debris bounced off Iseldir's crumpled body, scratching his exposed skin in the process.
The chimeras cried out in pain and stumbled back a few paces shaking their heads. Arthur and Gwaine didn't hesitate to plunge their swords into the chimeras, both struck fatal blows. The bodies fell to the ground dead and the two men stepped over them and leveled their swords against Morgana. The witch throughout it all stood frozen, dumbstruck by the sudden death of her creatures.
"It can't be," she whispered as she stared wide-eyed at one of the splinters that landed near her. "Only one of equal or greater power can destroy that." She looked up at where Iseldir fell to his knees, her eyes widened further, and fear colored her eyes. "You're Emrys."
The shock did not last for long for Morgana, with a snarl, raised her hand and dragged Iseldir's body in front of her. She took ahold of the front of his cloak, eyes still gold with magic, as she forced him into kneel; she yanked his face up until he met her eyes.
"You have caused me so much pain," Morgana hissed.
Iseldir was still dazed from the magic, his mind in pieces from the aftermath. His body seemed to radiate with pain from nonexistent wounds as his mind tried to cope. When he had performed the spell, the magic nearly consumed him for Emrys' magic was more than he had ever believed anyone to possess. He had been told since he was a child of the warlock's power but never had he been so awed as he was when he took control of that magic. Even though he knew the power was tearing him apart, that he would not come out unscathed, Iseldir counted himself lucky to have the opportunity to experience such purity. He pulled the shattered pieces together, enough to look Morgana in the eye and laugh in her face.
"With hatred's blindness, you will never succeed," Iseldir said through clenched teeth.
"You're last words then, Emrys," Morgana sneered as she drew a dagger from within her cloak and plunged it into the druid's gut. She gave the knife one last twist before she threw the druid away from her with magic. Iseldir landed with a thump a few paces away from the edge, a few paces away from the warlock.
"No!" Merlin cried out. Arthur and Gwaine ran forward with swords ready but Morgana laughed and ripped their weapons from their hands, turning the blades against their masters.
Merlin walked the small distance between him and Iseldir, and fell on his knees by the druid's side. With a wince, he drew his right arm form his side and pressed his hand against the wound in a desperate attempt to slow the blood flow. The moment the druid's body landed, Merlin's entire focus zeroed in on Iseldir, unable to stop the constant reminder that he had failed again. All around him, the shadows rose into dark shapes their silent yells surrounded him. They called him coward and pathetic, useless and worthless, but they needn't remind him, he already knew the truth.
He had failed again.
"Ic hæle þina þrowunga," Merlin incanted, but he knew it was hopeless. Of all the magic he had learned, healing was never his strongest and with a fatal wound, Merlin knew there wasn't a chance he could succeed.
"Emrys," Iseldir whispered and his eyes fluttered open.
"Iseldir, I-I'm sorry."
"There is no need to apologize, Emrys," Iseldir mumbled, struggling to remain awake. "You have a great destiny ahead of you and I am proud to be a part of it. Do not fret, with the Once and Future King, you will go far."
With that said, Iseldir eyes closed and he took his last breath. Merlin knelt there for a moment, unable to process the druid's passing. He raised his hand from the wound and stared numbly at the blood that coated his fingers; their metallic scent smothered him. Then he rose to his feet, still staring at the blood on his hand. All around him, the shadows drew closer and pressed against him, half cried of failure while the other cried for revenge. Grief, anger, hopelessness warred in Merlin, pulled him apart and agitated his magic.
Merlin hated the blood that covered his hand, he hated that another was killed in his place. He hated more that people were dying and that he lost another friend. Hunith and Iseldir, even Gwen, no one was safe from the witch's insanity. He was sick of it. All he wanted was the war to stop, to see the peace that the prophecies promised. He was done with it all. He was going to finish it once and for all. There was only one way to finish it and Merlin knew the source of the ire, the hatred that tainted the land with blood and dark magic. He no longer cared for right and wrong.
The warlock turned and approached the witch; her face was ecstatic, happy over the victory she believed to have over her enemy. She was the reason for all the pain and suffering and it was time he ended it. His magic hummed through his body, strengthened his legs and burned through his veins; it chased away the pain and replaced it with energy. The shadows egged him onwards and his hand twitched as he thought of all the spells he could send her way. Still he steadied his hand; there was only one way to truly end this.
All those months she had wanted to know the identity of Emrys. She wanted to find the legendary warlock and kill him to prove there was nothing to stop her. In all that time, Merlin had imagined everything that could happen, from his death and Camelot's destruction to Arthur's victory and the fulfillment of prophecy. He never in all that time imagined killing her. It was something her never considered unless pushed to the choice.
Then again, things never happened the way you expected them.
Merlin would give Morgana what she wanted. She would discover the true meaning of Emrys. He was done hiding; he was done with being tortured. He would show her just how powerful Emrys was.
He would show her just how terrifying he could be.
"Morgana," Merlin called out, ignoring the way Gwaine yelled at him to get to safety and Arthur on not being an idiot. He was intent on only one person, the source of all his suffering. He could practically see her blood-soaked hands.
"Merlin," Morgana smirked, "Are you volunteering to die next?"
"No," he said, his voice flat and his face impassive. "I'm ready to give you what you want."
"And what is that? I don't need the allegiance of a pathetic sorcerer like you. With Emrys dead, you have nothing more to offer me but your death," Morgana's smile widened as she turned the fireball she had prepared to kill Arthur towards Merlin and flung it at the servant. The fireball soared through the air, seeking to burn its target.
Then it stopped, an inch from the center of Merlin's chest. The servant gazed at it, eyes glowing gold, until the fireball flew from his chest and to his side into the palm of his hand. Morgana stared at him surprised; unsure on how such a weak sorcerer deflected her spell without so much as a twitch.
"You killed Iseldir," Merlin said, his eyes still on the fireball.
"I killed Emrys," she corrected, her eyes narrowed in suspicion.
"He was a druid chieftain and the previous guardian of the Cup of Life. He was nothing more, nothing less. He merely wielded Emrys' magic."
"Then tell me, Merlin, where is your Emrys if not here?" Morgana shouted; unease colored her tone.
"Oh Morgana, you should know better than anyone that looks can be deceiving," Merlin admonished. "Look at you, the daughter of Uther Pendragon himself. Who would have guessed you would one day wield magic? Who would have guessed that a mere servant could be the most powerful sorcerer of Albion?"
Morgana eyes widened in shock, "No, it can't be…"
"Yes, Morgana," Merlin gave a mirthless smile. He straightened himself and lifted his chin; his magic brushed aside the pain that radiated throughout his entire body. "I am Merlin of Ealdor and I was born with magic. I came to Camelot to find a purpose for my talents, a purpose that led me to defeating the likes of Nimueh and Cornelius Sigan. I stopped you and Morgause numeral of times and learned of my heritage as Dragonlord. I was the last to meet with the Fischer King and laid eyes upon the beauty of Avalon. As I carried on my duties and defended the kingdom, I have come to learn that I am destined to guide the Once and Future King into a promising future."
Morgana took a step back; her hands began to tremble in fear.
"They call me Emrys and I have had enough of you. You asked for me Morgana, now here I am."
AN: Whew, feels weird posting this fast! It's a nice change from the two week updates ^^ So man was that tough to write and I'm still a little uneasy about it, but either way here it is. Funny enough, I usually write/edit with something on the background, this time I chose Parked since I never seen it before. Lessons learned: don't watch an emotionally engaging movie while editing, they will distract you. Damn you Colin Morgan, you made me feel feelings :( Also sorry for the cliffhanger (again -,-), they just like to pop up in my stories :O
Next update should be by May 16th, I'll see for another early update but classes are starting up again. Thank you everyone who reviewed/favorited/alerted so far!
Reviews and constructive criticism, as always, are welcomed ^^