Well folks, once again I must apologise. I was really hoping to have this story finished by now but it's been another crazy couple of months and I haven't had much time to write. I'd just like to say a wee thank-you to everyone who's kept up with the story and especially to those who have sent their reviews. I really hope you've enjoyed the story, I was going to write a separate epilogue but instead I've just decided to tack it onto the end of this final instalment. Anyway, thanks again for reading.

Chapter Fifteen

While the Queen slipped into a restful abyss all those still in the midst of the violence abruptly froze in an unexpected terror. For a brief moment complete silence descended as the clang of weapons halted and even the shouts of warriors were stifled. Merlin lifted his gaze skyward at the familiar whooshing sound, like a giant bat but this bat had begun flaring the field with blasts of blistering white heat from its nostrils. Kilgarrah swooped majestically, yet almost mockingly over the pathetic trivialities of human conflict, setting the woods aflame thereby cutting off any salvation the Saxon masses may have sought through the thick forestry, filling the air with a thick, choking smoke that burned the lungs of anyone who dared fulfil the necessity to breathe. The enemy was now completely trapped. Arthur's Army had coordinated a pincer movement in tandem with Bedivere who had brought Morgana's own forces under his own banner, pulling their widespread array of bodies into two tightly formed phalanxes.

On the secondary front Morgause's phantom army had managed to fight their way back over the ridge to the clearings and had begun to knock out some of the Saxon fire power. They punched holes through the enemy archers, burnt trebuchets and finally it seemed the tide was beginning to turn, it was now no-longer a question of if the Celtic forces could survive but rather how longit would take to eradicate their attackers; "Battle" became "Rout". Still, Arthur had not yet caught sight of Cadeyrn himself and he secretly could not help but wonder if he had even bothered to turn up. Perhaps cowering somewhere in the background but just as the thought was crossing his mind he caught a the flash of Cadeyrn's armour. Over by the edge of the woods, illuminated in Great Dragon's fire, his horse rearing and his sword dripping with crimson brandished high above his head was the man himself, supposed great Saxon chief that he was. With nothing left to follow but sheer animal instinct Arthur charged, tearing a strip straight through the field, leaving a great roar from the militia in his wake.

High up on the hill Merlin gave himself a kick of frustration. He may have called Kilgarrah but he needed to dosomething. Amidst the chaos there was no way of picking out even Arthur's familiar form. With nothing else springing to mind he leapt off in the vague direction of Gaius, hoping and praying to any god that would listen that the stubborn old goat was still alive.

Somewhere on the other side of the battlefield the spirit of Morgause felt an icy blast ripple the air around her, powerful enough to knock her down to the churning sludge below her feet. On her knees and gasping heavily one hand clutched at her abdomen as a sudden searing pain shot through her. Surely she had never felt such an agony, even when she had been alive! All coherent thought fled from her mind save for one, if one could even call it a thought. All she knew in that moment was a dire compulsion to find Morgana.

She winced, struggling to her feet and began frantically searching for a way back through the mixed throng of man and wraith. Her guts twisting and bent double she ran for all she was worth leaving only a streak of cobalt blue behind her. She had no idea where she was going but somehow her body, insubstantial as it was, knew exactly where her sister was. That pulling sensation led her straight to Gaius' Surgical Tent and suddenly heart-wrenching fear became overwhelming dread at the sight which greeted her entrance. In the middle of the giant enclosure on a tired old bedstead that had seen far too many a campaign lay the Queen of Camelot and High Priestess of Avalon, surrounded by attendants and of course Gaius himself.

Her mouth suddenly very dry, Morgause could only look on in sheer horror when behind her the figure of Merlin came bursting in;

"Gaius, they told me I could find you..."

He trailed off as the ancient physician met his own startled gaze as he sidled past the shadow of Morgause to the make-shift table. Despite his evident dislike for the so-called "Queen of Camelot" his voice when he finally spoke up was gentle, almost caring...almost;

"What happened to her?"

But before Gaius could respond Morgause, who had thus far been contained in a silent stupor stepped forward;

"More to the point what can be done?" Her voice was sharp but impassioned.

When Gaius finally managed a response his voice sounded tired, an old man who was more than past being fit for the duties of field surgeon though he, himself, would never have admitted it;

"My lady," he began, sounding surprisingly deferential, "I am afraid there is nothing to be done. The wound is too deep..." but Morgause was insistent, her tone rising less in panic than in anger at this physician's defeatism;

"I can feel her life slipping away! I feel her pain as if it were my own but she is not ready to follow me into the dark, Gaius, not yet..." she looked around in desperation, "there must be something!"

Merlin had heard enough, rage bubbled to the surface on hearing his mentor spoken to as nothing more than some disobedient peasant; "Well if you're so bloody powerful then why don't you do something about it! There are others who need Gaius' attention, people who haven't killed innocent victims just because it suited them! Maybe it is Morgana's time to go, maybe for once in her life she can do something selfless!"

Morgause paused momentarily, appalled at the behaviour of such a boy while Merlin merely tried to hide his now rather flushed face. When Morgause spoke again she brokered no argument, her timbre bitterly cold, almost spiteful; "even you, Merlin, could not watch another human being die. I know you and after watching you from the echoing vaults of eternity I know what your secret is. I wonder..." she continued in her very most cut-glass tone, "how would Arthur feel if he suddenly found out that his most trusted servant had in-fact been lying to him all this time?" Apparently time in the other world had not faded any of the witch's ire- she was still as guileless as ever!

Merlin was torn. At least part of what Morgause had said was true- he never could watch another mortal die if there was anything he could possibly do to stop it. There again, had he not been in exactly this position before? If he had let Morgana die in the first instance how different would life have been? He turned to Gaius who only gave him that frustratingly unhelpful look of 'it's your decision', then he looked to Morgana; so pale, paler than usual and somehow so...fragile, even. She looked like the beautiful yet scared young woman he had first met all those years ago. "But why can you not do anything, yourself? Why do you want me?" Unsteadily lifting his gave to the older woman's agonized face; "surely you would prefer to save your own sister if you really do love her so much?"...was he taunting her?

It hurt Morgause to say it but yes, she needed this boy; "I need you because I have nothing left within me to give. I cannot breathe new life into this world when my own has been forfeit. Believe me, I would not be asking this of you if I had any other choice. I exist beyond the veil of life, in shadows and that is where my power lies now, not here. I have been given glimpses of the future and whether you would wish it or not, Morgana still has a part to play in this realm- some of it to your own advantage. Arthur will regain his father's kingdom peacefully but this cannot happen if Morgana is left to die. You will play your part now Merlin. You will bring her back and she will live."

"How do I know that what you say is true? How do I know that you're not just saying this to get me to do what you want?"

"I have nothing to lose..."

"...oh but you have plenty to gain!"

"We are running out of time, make your choice!"

Trembling, Merlin shifted back to the Queen's bedside, leaning over the prone body below. He was surprisingly delicate as he trailed the back of his hand over the young woman's forehead, so cold, he thought to himself. Somewhere deeply hidden inside there was a spark of something, something akin to pity. He could do this. He bent down to whisper a few words into Morgana's ear and a gold light crossed soulful blue eyes. The glow spread over the dark-haired sorceress' form, the sight beautiful and tragic all at once. Merlin edged nearer, mindful of the eyes that were carefully examining every move he made, his lips hovered just above Morgana's as he literally breathed the life back into her.

Morgause could not deny herself a flux of jealousy given that some former serving boy was now performing a task that would have once been hers and hers alone and a silent anger, that she was no-longer here in this world with the soul she loved. Outside were cries, shouts of joy. The allied effort must have broken through but the victory seemed hollow. The end of the battle meant the end of her short-lived return. For the first time since that terrible day with Uther's sword plunged into her gut she resented the loss of her mortal existence. She would never regret the sacrifice made for Morgana, she regretted not being able to enjoy the spoils by her side. Just what had she given up? Now seeing this 'Merlin' giving her sister back her future Morgause could only fall back into the shadows in which she belonged. Life was for the Living.

Epilogue

Once again I find myself standing up here on the North Tower, surveying all that is mine, over the green fields on which not so long ago we fought for our very survival but today I dare not look any further. I cannot reach for that horizon for tonight, all I dreamed of will turn to nothing as I relinquish my crown in favour of one more deserving. I had always known in my heart that this day would come. I am not a Queen and as of tomorrow I am merely the Lady of Avalon. Morgause does not come to me so often now and I cannot help but wonder if she is perhaps angry with my decision, angry that her sacrifice was perhaps in vain.

In truth it is my devotion to her which keeps me from being the ruler that Camelot deserves. I cannot bear an heir to the throne as I cannot bring myself to love another and from the gossip of the ladies in court I hear that Arthur may already be expecting the next Pendragon. My only child now will be the continuation of my sister's work. Part of the treaty I will sign tonight is the condition that Arthur will actively aid in the continued revival of magic in this world and that he shall seek counsel from the Land of Avalon whenever our Kingdoms are in peril.

At least it shall be a comfort to know that I will not be travelling alone. I shall be joined, not only by my maids but by Gaius too. It became all too clear on the night of battle that my aged friend was no-longer fit for overworking. I offered him a comfortable place of retirement in the Isle where he may continue his research for as long as he chooses. One concession, unfortunately, was my recommendation that Merlin may be given some higher purpose in Court. He did, I suppose, aid in my recovery though only the Goddess knows how- he is still as much of a great oaf as ever!

Whatever Arthur does I wish him well in the end. It is his Kingdom now...as it always was. He is a ruler and I...well, I shall find my way somehow but I think I shall not be returning to Camelot again.

The End.

Well that's it folks, once again I hope you enjoyed it. See ye again sometime!