So many paths that wind and wind...

Disclaimer: Merlin and its characters belong to the BBC.

A/N: Dear Readers, we present to you the latest Chapter entitled: "Stuff happens...setting up the potential for more stuff happening in the future." We realize that sounds pretty anti-climactic but just wait till you read this chapter because that is EXACTLY what goes down. In fact, after reading this chapter you will think to yourselves..."wow, I could have just read thesamecoin's title for this chapter and saved myself the time to read the actual chapter." Of course, we don't encourage you to NOT read the chapter because that would just be silly. And we're not silly at all...obviously.

Anyhow, this chapter also features the return of the GBOAT...what's the G-BOAT, you ask? It's the "Greatest Bromance of All Time". As always, we hope you enjoy this chapter and welcome your feedback. 3! We're almost at the end you guys...things could get emotional/more dramatic than usual (oh believe you us, things CAN get more dramatic). Also, who else is excited for the start of Season 4 this Saturday? Doctor Who Finale + Merlin premiere = thesamecoin in coin heaven. We hope to post soon, so stay tuned!

Chapter 20

"Revenge is barren of itself: it is the dreadful food it feeds on; its delight is murder, and its end is despair."

~ Friedrich Schiller

"Nothing is easier than to denounce the evildoer; nothing is more difficult than to understand him."

~ Fyodor Dostoevsky

"Long live the King! Long live the King!"

Morgause awoke with a start and bolted upright.

Was it all a dream?

Panic flooded her veins. She covered her ears tightly with her hands and much to her relief, the chant could no longer be heard. Relaxing slightly, her breathing returned to its normal pace and she uncovered her ears. To her horror, however, the cries resumed, this time even louder than before.

She leapt from her bed and seized the dressing gown lying on the chair near her bed. She hurriedly pulled it through one arm as she ran out the door. She roughly pushed her maids, who had congregated outside her door, out of her way as she raced down the hallway.

With single-mindedness she sprinted along another long corridor, barely noticing magicians and servants fleeing from her path in a helter-skelter manner. Her heart pounded loudly in her ears, along with the clear cries of her oppressed subjects that carried from the courtyard through the thick stone walls.

All logic had abandoned Morgause at this point. Her every thought was focused on arriving at the courtyard and enforcing her rule over the people…not realizing or not wanting to acknowledge that their allegiance had never been hers to begin with.

As she arrived at the foot of the staircase, she took a second to glance outside of the huge glass-stained windows, where she saw a crowd larger than she had ever seen in her entire life gathered in the courtyard.

Her throat tightened.

Just then, she heard hurried footsteps and turning her head to the corridor beyond, she saw her sister, Morgana, materialize before her.

For a moment, the two women looked at each other. They had not spoken to each other since their last bitter encounter, neither one trusting the other…but the truth also was that neither willing to sever their bond just yet.

Both were only in their nightclothes, their hair in disarray, and slightly out of breath, but the similarities ended there. While Morgause's face was drawn with dread, Morgana's was alight with anticipation.

Morgause narrowed her eyes as she noted, with a stab of anger, a slight gleam of triumph in Morgana's eyes. Intentionally brushing past her sister, she continued down the stairs, her sister at close her heels.

Morgause did not look back but recalling Morgana's exultant face propelled Morgause to pick up her pace to the point where she was almost sprinting to the main doors and her younger sister fell behind slightly.

There was absolutely no softness left in Morgause now; she would do whatever it took to quell this rebellion.

The chants had become almost thunderous as the sorceress reached the doors leading out of the castle.

"Long live the King! Long live King Arthur!"

Fuming, she blasted open the door to the courtyard with magic. At once, the crowd fell silent and every eye turned to the castle entrance out of which Morgause emerged, more menacing than ever. There was a maniacal glint in her eye and she looked as though she could and would burn every last man, woman and child with her gaze alone. She slowly raised her hand in front of her and before she had even begun to utter a spell, the crowd backed away, cowering, leaving the space between Morgause and the stone at the centre of the courtyard empty.

A loud cry was torn from Morgause's lips before she could help it when she took in the sight upon the stone…the cursed object that had brought her nothing but misery. She wanted to conjure the spell…she wanted to destroy them all, but the scene in front of her froze her body on the spot.

With confidence and shoulder to shoulder, two young men stood upon the large rock and faced her unflinchingly with conviction.

Excalibur gleamed in the hand of Arthur while in Merlin's hands rested the glittering crystal of Neathid. The glowing pair looked as though they had already won the battle. United at last, they faced their foe.

At that very instant, Morgana appeared beside her sister, gasping for breath. Her eager gaze found what she had been seeking and unable to stop herself, she called in excitement, her voice ringing in the quiet courtyard. "Arthur! You're alive!….I…."

She began to run down the stairs towards her foster brother, but before she had advanced two steps, Morgause's paralyzed mind sprang to life at her sister's overt betrayal. She gripped her sister's arm, yanking Morgana back and pulling her behind her own frame.

Pushing Morgana aside, she snarled, "You traitor! How dare you! I want you to watch as I take my revenge for your disloyalty towards your only kin."

Morgause raised her hand once again but this time began to chant rapidly, her eyes glowing amber. Above her, a swirling vortex of energy appeared and grew before her hand.

The crowd began to jostle each other nervously and some people began to run in order to escape what they believed to be their incumbent doom, but the courtyard was so cramped that the trampling people just created more chaos.

But then, several things happened at once: as Morgause directed the ball of energy towards Arthur and Merlin, the warlock held the crystal above his head and shouted a booming spell. The crystal instantly shone brighter than before and protective rays of bright, white light emanated from the crystal in every direction. The waves spread out over the crowd and created a silver defense shield between Arthur and his allies and Morgause.

Merlin had been practicing with the crystal day and night since Morgana had given it to him and to his relief, now, in one of his greatest moment of need the crystal had not let him down…he had not let Arthur and the people of Camelot down. The crystal had enhanced the power of his spells beyond his wildest imagination.

Before he could revel in the success of his spellwork, he realized that his shield was not needed after all for Morgana had, at the very last second, flung herself towards Morgause and pushed her attacking arm out of the way, breaking her concentration.

But as Morgause briefly lost her balance and her arm fell away, it hit Morgana in the chest and the very last remnants of the energy vortex radiated from Morgause's hand and struck Morgana. The brave young Seer was flung backwards to the ground forcefully.

Distracted from her initial plan of destroying the threat to her throne, Morgause advanced upon her sister, who though conscious, was weakened by the spell that had just hit her. Morgana was crawling backwards from her formidable sister, but the Queen did not relent and as she advanced upon her sibling, she glared at her through burning eyes.

"This will be the final time you ever defy me!" Morgause shrieked.

Unable to move….unable to react, Morgana closed her eyes tightly, awaiting the blow…

Suddenly, a large shadow swooped over them and the early sun was hidden as blackness fell over the scene. Merlin knew what it was before even looking up and his heart clenched in dread. "RUN!" Merlin shouted.

The crowd didn't need to be told twice as confusion erupted. The Camelot citizens began to run first for their homes, some clutching the hands of villagers from afar to share their shelter with the visitors who had come to support Arthur.

Arthur and Merlin crouched down upon the stone, surveying the people rushing around them. The shadow was moving faster and darkening more and more, every second.

"Arthur!" Merlin said urgently. "You must get out of here!" He looked around helplessly, still holding the crystal, racking his brains for a spell to cast against this new, more formidable foe.

"All this time, Merlin, you never really left me…and I am not leaving you now," Arthur replied, his voice even as he locked eyes with Merlin. He wanted to make sure that they were now together, on the same side, and on the same page, regardless of what happened.

Merlin wanted to argue, but seeing the determined look in his friend's eyes, he fell silent.

Still calm, Arthur gave Merlin a slight nod and jumped off the stone, going first to Gwen and pushing her towards Leon, who quickly directed her towards cover by maneuvering around the panicked crowd.

Arthur directed his gaze to his knights and some of the more resilient townspeople who had not budged. He raised his voice. "This is not the time to fight – for we have not made preparation and a battle without order will surely end in ruin. I know it is hard to conceive – but right now you must run for shelter! Those of you who have homes here, offer your hospitality to the people who have come from the North. I am relying on you, my dearest friends and fellow citizens. Your weeks of training will not go in vain, I promise you! You will be called to fight when the time comes."

He spoke quickly but directly to the people, appealing to their practical nature. Understanding their King's message, the knights bowed and began to direct the villagers and citizens alike towards the gates.

Arthur held Excalibur firmly, an encouraging smile on his face, attempting to maintain his picture of serenity as the people looked to him on their way out for confidence and hope.

Suddenly an ominous thud sounded behind him and he turned slowly to see the anguished face of Merlin looking down at the ground.

Merlin had dropped the crystal and was staring in shock at the body that had been thrown at his feet.

As Arthur watched in dread, the enormous dragon finally landed, making the ground tremble. He clawed up the crystal that Merlin had just dropped, and was about to advance upon the young warlock, but the beast was immediately distracted by the two figures on the stairs leading up to the castle. Ignoring Merlin, who had now dropped to his knees, the dragon pounded his way towards the castle.

…The blow never came. Morgana heard loud noises in the background and hesitantly, she opened her eyes to see Morgause's momentarily shocked face just before a black dragon clamped his jaw around her and threw her away from Morgana with terrible might.

Morgause was knocked unconscious as her head hit the edge of the iconic statue of Camelot…the statue of a man on the horse. Blood trickled slowly from her blond hair and Morgana's heart skipped a beat. Rising up on her elbows so that she could see better, Morgana felt relieved that at least that Morgause's chest was still rising and falling with shallow breaths.

She scrambled clumsily to her feet and began to slowly approach her sister. Her concern for her sister overwhelmed her at this moment and though she was a little surprised by the intensity of her distress, Morgana realized that though she disagreed with her sister on many accounts, they still shared the bond of blood. Morgause had been there for Morgana at a time when no one else was.

The dragon watched Morgana with slight interest for a while until she steadied herself on her feet. At this, the great beast was convinced that no serious harm had been done to Morgana.

The dragon menacingly then turned his attention to her golden-haired kin who had dared to hurt the only person Mordred had ever cared about…Morgana.

Morgana screamed in terror, her hands covering her mouth as Mordred opened his mouth and released a torrent of flames, reducing the defenceless Queen Morgause to mere ashes.

Instantaneously after his merciless deed, Mordred transformed into his human self and turned to face Morgana, worry etched in one side of his face, while the other half remained unreadable because of his scar.

Morgana shakily rushed as quickly as she could towards Mordred. She held his face with both her hands and as if begging him to undo his last action; she kept shaking her head, unable to speak. Finally she asked in utter disbelief, "Mordred…that was…my sister…what have you done…?"

Realizing that they were not alone in this moment, Morgana's eyes focused to Merlin, who was now glaring at the pair of them through his tears, with the most accusatory glower she had ever seen. Morgana had never seen Merlin look so angry.

Keeping her hand on Mordred's chest, she pushed him aside as she took a few faltering steps down the stairs towards the warlock; her eyes which had already been moist upon awakening to the welcoming cries, now overflowed with tears. As though in a trance, she saw the scene before her eyes…

The people in the courtyard had dwindled. Some magicians remained, silent and unmoving, unsure of where their allegiance now lay. Commoners rushed here and there, children were crying loudly and the knights were escorting families out of the courtyard. And amidst it all, in the centre, Merlin, cradled the body of his dead and disfigured mother in his arms, shaking uncontrollably with sobs. Arthur's steady hand was on his shoulder, his own face distraught.

Morgana looked back up at Mordred, who was standing with his arms folded, looking quite pleased with himself.

"How could you?" she cried. She pushed him away slightly, taking another step down, but he did not move.

Mordred looked shocked for a second at her words as though she had lost her mind. "He got what he deserved!" Mordred said spitefully.

Morgana could not believe her ears or her eyes. She could not imagine what had driven the young Druid boy into this…

Trying to compose himself, Merlin wiped his tears with the back of his hand. His devastation had begun to turn into anger. He shouted, his voice cracking, but it was still easily heard over the commotion in the courtyard. "I wanted to save you, brother! But there is no coming back from this…none can save you now."

Morgana was still staring up at Mordred as though she had never seen him before…still questioning his descent into darkness. How could that boy she had thought she knew and loved have killed her sister and an innocent mother without a shred of conscience?

Her heart gave a quick painful spasm, but making up her mind in a split second about whose side she was really on, she ran towards Merlin, tripping over her long dressing gown. She had only reached the foot of the stairs when a powerful arm grabbed her around her waist and threw her over a shoulder, as though she were only a feather.

She struggled to get away, kicking and beating every part of Mordred she could reach, but he paid no heed.

"Don't, Morgana." Mordred tried to pat her comfortingly, while still holding her in an iron-grip. "You're upset…but I am here. I will look after you. There is no need to run to the enemy."

He continued along the path towards where his half-brother and his once benefactor stood.

"Arthur, you had your choice and you chose him," Mordred spat, jerking his head towards Merlin. "Now prepare for battle at dawn." He gave a twisted smile but his bitter voice gave away his inner turmoil. "I am not a monster…I will give you this night to prepare. Prepare to fight for what you believe in, only to see it get destroyed," Mordred said, his chest heaving with anger, but his voice cold and emotionless.

Merlin struggled to his feet, for the first time in his life wanting to physically rip someone apart from limb to limb. "Why wait for dawn, you coward?" He searched wildly for the crystal.

Mordred smirked and held up the glittering stone mockingly and Merlin's shoulders slumped, helpless. "So eager, brother, to meet your mother? Well it was you whodenied me from meeting mine. It was because of you and your mother that my father left my mother! I think I am being more than kind. I am giving you only one night…for you to feel the loneliness I have felt for a lifetime."

Mordred then turned to address the magicians cowering in the background. "If any of you are still with me – and want what's right for the people of magic: dominion over all, then join me beyond the plains where our camp has been set up. Just know this. If you choose to stay here and fight for Arthur and this waste of a man they call Merlin, you are choosing almost certain death." The threat hung in the air and already the majority of the magicians disappeared, evidently teleporting themselves to the other camp.

Merlin swore internally in frustration, disappointed in his magician kin, though some still remained, shaking slightly with fear but with determined looks on their faces.

Ignoring Morgana, who was now screaming for her release loudly in his ear, Mordred transformed into the dragon instantaneously and before Arthur could rush to help her, the large dragon had already taken off, with Morgana clutching helplessly onto its scales.

Arthur watched the skies after them his mind racing with thoughts, plans and fears.

Merlin meanwhile gathered Hunith in his arms, his mind far from thinking of the battle, but dwelling instead on how the warmth of his mother's hand felt as it used to rest on his cheek. But no more…

One way or another, tomorrow, he would have no more kin left…