Hey guys! I am so sorry for the wait for this chapter! Long story short I got really sick and had to go to hospital but i'm all good. And then I wanted this chapter to be absolutely perfect and I am so happy with how this chapter turned out! And as a special treat it is a whopping 18 pages long, holy hell! You may hate me at the end of this but know that it's done intentionally and all will be good in the end, i promise!
Also, MERRY CHRISTMAS! Hope you all have a safe and happy Christmas and New Year!
REPLIES
HPuni101 - Thank you so much! Yes let's hope he doesn't otherwise she might lose her head! Sorry you had to wait a bit for this one.
FaeLoverMuggleborn - Thank you so much for your review! Past and Present tense are literally my achilles heel :( Sometimes I don't even realise i do it but know that I am desperately working on it! I appreciate the time you took to praise the relationship i've created between these two, it makes me feel like I'm doing something good in the FanFiction world! As for Lucas, I do have plans for him but I'm not exactly sure which path i'm going to go down yet, i'll just have to see where it goes. Thank you so much again! Sorry about the wait and i hope you enjoy this chapter.
Crystal-Wolf_Guardian-967 - Thank you!
Morte.
Cassandra was sitting at the table in the physician chambers, a book was propped up on a page and she had another book next to her left arm and then another one she was writing in. She tucked a piece of her red hair behind her ear as she heard footsteps coming down Merlin's stairs. She glanced over at her friend as he pulled on his jacket and spotted the books and potions around her.
"Got enough knowledge over there?" Merlin said with a grin as Cassandra sighed and looked at him again.
"Some of us actually enjoy learning new things, Merlin, maybe you should try it sometime." She snapped at him as Merlin looked startled.
"What's got your potions in a knot?" Merlin asked her as she twisted in her seat.
"Nothing, leave me alone." Cassandra said as Merlin shrugged. He was used to the snappy Cassandra lately. For the past two weeks she had been snapping at Merlin and Gaius for the littlest of things. He was too scared to actually ask her what was wrong for fear of his own life. Merlin didn't say anything as he picked up an apple and bit into it as he left the room. Once he was gone Cassandra sighed and leant down on the table.
Arthur had been avoiding her for two weeks now; she had no idea why. She wanted to go and speak to him but she was too scared. She heard voices from down in the courtyard, she walked to the open window as she stood on her tiptoes and looked down. She saw Arthur, Merlin and the Knights readying for the hunt they were going on as she watched them for a few minutes before they marched out of the courtyard and towards the gates. Cassandra sighed once more as she went back to her books.
It was only around an hour later when she heard a commotion from down in the courtyard. She could hear yelling from down below as she went to the window once more. She peered down and saw Arthur, Merlin and his Knights yelling to each other about something, they all looked worn out and tired as Cassandra frowned. She watched as Arthur and Merlin ran into the palace. She wanted to know what was going on but she knew Merlin would tell her eventually when he came home for the night, besides, she was in no mood to see Arthur at the moment, he was the one ignoring her, if he wanted to speak to her he knew where to find her.
~21~
Cassandra heard the door open as she stood up from the table as Gaius and Merlin walked in. "This is no ordinary beast, Merlin." Gaius said to Merlin as Cassandra frowned and walked over to them.
"Don't worry," Merlin said reassuringly. Merlin went to walk away but Gaius grabbed his arm.
"No, listen to me, you don't understand. Uther may not respect the Old Religion, but it is very real. To face a beast such as this, you must understand where it came from." Gaius told him as Merlin frowned.
"What do you mean?"
"At the very heart of the Old Religion lies the magic of life and death itself. The Questing Beast carries that power. One bite, you die, and there is no cure." Gaius explained as Cassandra froze.
"The Questing Beast?" Cassandra breathed out as both men looked at her.
"You know of it?" Gaius asked her. Her wide emerald eyes turned to him.
"It's here?" She whispered. Cassandra suddenly had a flashback of when Nimueh had visited her on the night the Black Knight had been in Camelot.
"I've come to offer you one last chance."
"Chance for what?" Cassandra asked her.
"To join me," Nimueh stated. She took a few steps towards Cassandra; Cassandra shook her head at her.
"I already told you that I will never join you again!" Cassandra shouted at her.
Nimueh grinned.
"You seem to misinterpret me…" she began. "You have one last chance to come with me now," Nimueh held out one of her hands to her side and lifted it slightly. "Or something terrible will happen to someone you care about." She motioned her other hand on the opposite side of her as she lifted that one slightly. "It's your choice," Nimueh said, waiting for her response.
"Do you know of a way of killing it?" Merlin asked her as Cassandra shook herself out of her memory and met Merlin's gaze.
"You can't kill it. The Questing Beast is a summoning from the Old Religion by the High Priestesses. To stop it you have to stop the Priestess." Cassandra explained as both Gaius and Merlin looked perplexed as to how she knew that.
"How do you know that?" Gaius asked her, waiting for her answer. Cassandra looked between them.
"I, uh—" She wanted to tell them that she had learnt this from Nimueh, but she couldn't, she didn't want to see the disappointment in their eyes. "The Druids, they told me." She lied. She averted her gaze from Gaius; he would've known she had just lied to his face.
The next morning Cassandra woke early, just as the sun was rising as she dressed in her lilac dress and brushed her knotted hair out. She could hear Merlin and Gaius moving around downstairs as she left her room and joined them. "Remember," Gaius said to Merlin. "You cannot get bitten or scratched."
"I know." Merlin said to Gaius. Gaius hugged Merlin tightly as he went to the door.
"Merlin!" Cassandra called out. Merlin stopped and turned to look at her. "Be careful." She said to him. Merlin nodded as he left the room. Cassandra stood there for a minute as she bit her bottom lip and glanced out the window. She could see the Knights assembling down in the courtyard. She made a decision to go down there and wish Arthur good luck. She hurried down the stairs and stopped in the entrance, peered out into the courtyard.
"You've seen the foe we face." Arthur said as he addressed his Knights, "It's a creature of nightmare, but you are the best Knights in the realm. We can, and we will kill it before it harms another citizen of our kingdom." Arthur said as he looked round at all of his Knights. He drew his sword and held it up. "For the love of Camelot!" he bellowed. His Knights drew their swords, copying him.
"For the love of Camelot!" They chorused.
"Arthur!" A hysterical voice calls out as Cassandra looks to the entrance of the palace and sees Morgana rushing down the stairs in her nightdress.
"Morgana, what are you doing?" Arthur asked in surprise as Morgana reached him. She was crying as she tried to grab onto him.
"You cannot face this!" Morgana cried as Arthur tries to pry her hands away.
"Morgana, go back to bed. There is nothing to be afraid of." Arthur tried to reassure her.
"Please, Arthur. I have seen terrible things! You cannot go!" Morgana exclaimed. This peeked Cassandra's interest, she remembered Gaius telling her that he thought Morgana was a seer; maybe he was right. Cassandra saw Merlin approach Morgana and thought that she should intervene as well. Cassandra hurried over to Merlin and Morgana.
"No! I will not let you go!" Morgana cried out as Cassandra reached them. Arthur glanced over at her and did a double take when he saw her, he didn't expect to see her. Cassandra went straight to Morgana, ignoring Arthur as she took her arm.
"Morgana." Cassandra said her name as the woman turned her gaze on her.
"Cass! Please you can't let them go! You have to stop them!" Morgana begged her as Cassandra frowned; she looked over her shoulder at Arthur as he was staring at her. She looked back to Morgana and began to drag her up the stairs.
"Come, My Lady." She said as she motioned for two guards to come help her.
"No!" Morgana protested as the guards took her by her arms and swiftly walked her inside. Cassandra heard someone move beside her as she looked up at Arthur.
"Take care of her." Arthur asked her, turning his head to look down at her.
"Of course, My Lord." Cassandra replied very formally. Cassandra took to the stairs and stopped at the top and turned to look at him. "Be careful." She told him as Arthur nodded. Cassandra disappeared into the castle as she followed the sound of disgruntled screams, which she knew would be Morgana.
Cassandra arrived at Morgana's chambers; the two guards who had taken her were standing outside her door while she continued to hammer the door with her fists. The guards allowed Cassandra to enter as she opened the door and had to shield her face from Morgana.
"Morgana stop! It's me!" Cassandra said as Morgana faltered and whimpered.
"Cass? Did you stop them?" She asked her, gripping her arms. Cassandra looked into her eyes and saw the desperation and fear in them.
"I'm sorry but—"
"No! You don't understand!" Morgana screamed as she paced back in her room. Cassandra followed her. Morgana went to her window as Cassandra looked around her shoulder and saw the hunting party leaving. "I've seen a terrible thing that will happen." Morgana mumbled.
"What?" Cassandra asked her as Morgana turned around.
"You'll think I'm crazy, I know Gaius does." She said bitterly as she moved passed her and sat on her bed. Cassandra followed her again.
"I am not Gaius." She said. "I have lived with the Druids, Morgana, I know a lot more then most people." Cassandra said softly as Morgana lifted her head to look at the young redhead. Morgana remembered Mordred, and how Cassandra had known him. "You have no reason to fear me." Cassandra said reassuringly as Morgana bit her lip hard.
"I have visions." She said. Of course Cassandra already knew this but she had to play along.
"Visions?" Cassandra asked her. Morgana nodded.
"Of things that have not yet happened. It has happened a few times but last nights was the worst." Morgana said as she held her head in her hands. "I saw a great dragon, and I saw Arthur getting bit by that beast," Morgana said as she lifted her head slowly, she looked at Cassandra. "I saw you."
"What?" Cassandra said in surprise.
"You were somewhere, I think it was an alter, you were standing next to a woman and you said something but I couldn't hear it…and you looked—angry." Morgana said as Cassandra froze. Morgana had to be talking about Nimueh, and the alter; it had to be the Isle of the Blessed. This was telling Cassandra that her showdown with Nimueh was coming to a head. Morgana rubbed her eyes.
"If Arthur gets hurt because I failed to stop him I'll never forgive myself." Morgana said as Cassandra shook her head.
"Morgana no. Arthur is strong, and these visions are not set in stone, they can be changed." Cassandra tried to reassure her.
"You wont tell anyone about this, will you? Uther would have my head if he heard me talking about visions." Morgana said worriedly as Cassandra nodded.
"Of course, you have my word." Cassandra stood from the bed. "I need to go and take care of something, I'll be back soon." Cassandra said as Morgana frowned.
"That woman in my vision, who was she?" Morgana asked. Cassandra knew that she couldn't tell her, but she had to give her something.
"She's an old friend of mine."
"You aren't leaving us, are you?" Morgana asked. Cassandra faltered for something to say.
"No, I'm not leaving." Cassandra said hesitantly as she left Morgana's room.
~21~
Cassandra walked down the long staircase with the flaming torch in hand. As she got further down into the cavern she could feel the increasing chill and wind. She emerged onto the outcropping of Kilgharrah's prison as she looked around, trying to see the Great Dragon. She hadn't visited him in a long time, and because of the circumstances, she needed some of his advice. She didn't even have to call out his name as she heard the loud beating of wings as Kilgharrah appeared and landed on the large rock before her.
"It has been some time, young Priestess." Kilgharrah said to her.
"Yes, I know." Cassandra agreed.
"What is it you want from me?" Kilgharrah asked her. Cassandra sighed.
"Do you know about Morgana?"
"I have known about the Witch for many years." Kilgharrah said.
"Witch? So she's not just a Seer."
"Morgana's magic comes from the Old Religion; same as yours and Merlin's. But I sense a darkness in Morgana."
"She fears it." Cassandra told him.
"Because she does not know."
"Maybe I can teach her?" Cassandra offered as Kilgharrah made a sound in the back of his throat that sounded like a scoff.
"Your journey does not end in Camelot, I sense a great disturbance from the Isle of the Blessed."
"Nimueh has summoned the Questing Beast." Cassandra told him, which Kilgharrah nodded.
"Then you must stop her."
"How? She is the High Priestess." Cassandra exclaimed; Kilgharrah 'hmmed'.
"You have yet to reach your full potential, when the time is right, go to her, there you will learn the truth about yourself and Nimueh. But be warned, as powerful as Nimueh is, you must be stronger."
Cassandra called out as Kilgharrah beat his giant wings. "Wait! Why can't you just give me a straight answer?" He didn't reply to her as he flew off. Cassandra huffed as she turned on her heel and left the cavern.
As she reached the top of the stairs Cassandra heard the bells go off as she frowned. She hurried through the castle and ran through the palace doors, she reached the stairs when she was brought to a standstill, her eyes widening and her stomach dropped. Before her were four Knights carrying a body up the stairs, she looked beyond them, and saw King Uther kneeling to the floor, weeping with Gaius by his side, comforting him. Her gaze moved back to the body as the Knights slowly passed her, she had to hold in her scream when she saw that the Knights were carrying Arthur into the palace. The Prince was unconscious and had blood running over his neck and chest. She felt a hand come to rest on her shoulder; she looked to her left and saw Merlin standing next to her. Merlin held out his other hand and Cassandra saw that he had her necklace that she had given Arthur in his hand. She took it from him, trying to ignore the blood splatters on it as she held it tightly and to her chest.
"What happened?" Cassandra asked her friend, she noticed her voice was cracking.
"The Questing Beast, it got him, I tried to save him." Merlin said sadly. Merlin watched as Cassandra hurried back into the palace.
Cassandra followed the Knights up the stairs and to Arthur's chambers, they walked in as they headed to his bed and placed him on top of the sheets gently. Cassandra walked up to his bedside and saw his sweaty face. He was mumbling and whimpering in pain, she looked up at the Knights.
"I'll take it from here." She said to them as they bowed their heads at her and left the room. Once they were gone Cassandra turned back to Arthur. She brushed her hand over his sweaty forehead and brushed his damp hair away from his face. "Arthur I'm so sorry." She whispered gently. "This is all my fault." Arthur groaned in pain as Cassandra grimaced. She reached over and unfastened his armor and pulled it off him, dropping it to the floor. She moved his shirt out of the way and saw the festering wound. The skin around the bite was turning black and the skin was flaking around the bite. Cassandra looked down at the necklace in her hand. "This was meant to protect you." She closed her fist around it tightly. Cassandra now knew what Kilgharrah had been talking about; this was the time for her to confront Nimueh. He had told her that when the time was right she would need to go to her and learn the truth, the truth about what she didn't know but all Cassandra knew was that Nimueh had finally crossed the line and she needed to be stopped. She could hear the voice of the king coming closer to Arthur's chambers as she quickly pressed a kiss to Arthur's cheek. "If I don't return…" She whispered, her voice timid. "Know that I—I love you." She said. She stepped back from the bed as Arthur's chamber doors opened and the King walked in, followed by Gaius.
"Physician." Uther said to her as Cassandra curtseyed to him.
"Your Grace, I was just tending to his wound." She explained, pointing to his dropped armor. Uther nodded as Gaius walked forwards with his medical bag. Cassandra adverted his gaze as she allowed him to pass by her, once both men were occupied with Arthur; Cassandra quietly crept out of the room.
She entered her room and took her backpack from the wardrobe and began to stuff clothes and a blanket in it. She changed out of her lilac dress and donned her black shirt, tucking it into her trousers and slipping on her old boots. She felt more at ease in these clothes as she braided her hair down her back. She heard her door open behind her as she looked over her shoulder. She was surprised to see Gaius. Gaius looked at her backpack and attire and raised his eyebrow.
"Going somewhere?" He asked her. She was at a loss for what to say. She continued to stare at him with a blank look. "Going back to your former master?" He said with a sly smirk. Cassandra's eye widened as her mouth hung open.
"Wha—how did you…" She tried to speak but was completely dumbfounded.
"You must think me very old or very stupid to not know about you and Nimueh." Gaius said with a chuckle as he walked further into her room and sat on her bed, he patted the spot next to him as Cassandra hesitantly sat down.
"You knew this whole time?" She asked him. Gaius nodded.
"I knew from the moment you had gone to Nimueh back when you were a child, what were you, ten?"
"How?" She asked him. Gaius shrugged.
"Word gets around, I had heard whispers of a powerful apprentice at the Isle of the Blessed. The druids spoke of a young girl with the gifts not seen since the great High Priestess Tamara."
"My mother…"
"Yes, and also that fact you knew so much about her." Gaius said with a chuckle as Cassandra pursed her lips.
"Are you disappointed in me?" She asked him. Gaius placed his arm around her shoulder and pulled her to him.
"Of course not. You are a wonderful girl, with the heart of gold." He said as he flicked her small nose gently. "Though I am upset that you thought you could not trust me with this knowledge."
"I wanted to!" Cassandra exclaimed. "I just didn't know how, or what to say. I was worried you wouldn't accept me here for all of the terrible things she's done."
"Nimueh once used to be a very good and honorable sorceress, that was until the purge when she changed. But that is her, and I am proud to see that even the time spent with her she did not change the goodness in your heart."
"She almost did." Cassandra muttered. Gaius looked at her, silently telling her to explain. "I came to Camelot because she gave me a quest, to kill Arthur and Uther." Gaius was silent as he listened. "I had a lot of chances to go through with it. But then I got to know Arthur, and see who he really was, and he wasn't anything like how Nimueh described them. He is a kind, honorable and wonderful man who cares about every person in his kingdom." Gaius nodded in agreement. "She did this because of me." Cassandra said angrily, balling her fist up.
"What do you mean?" He asked her.
"I betrayed her." Cassandra said as Gaius' face remained emotionless. "I left her, I didn't want to kill anyone, I'm happy here, I would do anything to stay here. She gave me a choice, to side with her or someone I care about would die; and I didn't listen to her." Cassandra said as she felt the sting in her eyes as the tears rolled down her cheeks. Gaius pulled her to him again as she folded up into his chest as he held her tightly. "It's all my fault!" She sobbed.
"Hush, Cassandra, none of this is your fault." Gaius tried to reassure her but she wasn't having any of it. She shook her head.
"It is! If I had just gone with her when she told me! None of this would've happened! Arthur wouldn't be lying on his deathbed."
"You would've been a slave to her wishes."
"At least he would've been alive! Now he's going to die, because of me!" Cassandra shot up from the bed as she screamed. "I am going to set things right, if Nimueh wants me, she can have me." Cassandra said as she grabbed her backpack.
"Cassandra!" Gaius called out to her but she wasn't listening. As she reached her door she wiped her eyes and looked over her shoulder at Gaius.
"Goodbye, Gaius." She said. And Gaius watched her leave.
~21~
Merlin walked into the chambers after having his talk with Kilgharrah. Gaius saw him. "Merlin, you're back. I need your help. You must get this to Arthur to ease his passing." Gaius tried handing Merlin the vial but he ignored it.
"No, we have to save him." Merlin said. He started to pack food into his backpack.
"You've already tried." Gaius said to him, referring to when Merlin had been using all sorts of spells to try and heal Arthur.
"The beast comes from the Old Religion. The cure must come from there as well."
"There are not many left with such an art." Gaius told him, trying to convince him not to go on the trip.
"You said yourself, the Old Religion is still alive, and there is an island beyond the White Mountains—"
"No!" Gaius interrupted him. He wasn't sure why, Gaius didn't know if he wanted to stop Merlin from going because Cassandra was heading there to try and stop Nimueh or to protect Merlin from knowing the truth about his friend.
"The Isle of the Blessed…you know it?" Merlin asked him hesitantly. Gaius sighed; he knew there was going to be no stopping him.
"It was said to be the center of the Old Religion, the focus of its power."
"Why did you keep this from me?" Merlin asked, offended at Gaius.
"Because it is too dangerous, Merlin."
"It's our only chance! I have to find it!" Merlin cried out, desperately.
"And once you are there, what will you ask?" Gaius asked him, becoming irritated.
"For Arthur to be saved." Merlin said simply.
"The Questing beast chose Arthur. That means the Old Religion has decided his fate." Gaius explained.
"Then I will convince them to change their minds!"
"It is not that simple!" Gaius bellowed, "The High Priests have the power to mirror life and death, but there will be a price to pay. They will demand a life in return. Merlin, please, I beg of you."
"I'm sorry, Gaius," Merlin apologized to him, "Whatever the price is, I will gladly pay it." Merlin said finally. Gaius shut his eyes and took a staggering breath in.
Merlin came down from his room with his bag packed. He saw Gaius mixing up some potions. "Where's Cass? I was going to ask her if she wanted to come with me." Merlin asked Gaius as the old man set down his potions and sighed.
"She's gone, Merlin." He told him solemnly. Merlin frowned.
"What do you mean?" He asked.
"She left."
"Left Camelot? Why?" Merlin asked. Gaius shrugged. He felt bad about not telling Merlin the truth about Cassandra but it wasn't his secret to tell. He would be finding out from her soon thought. Gaius went back to making his potions as Merlin continued to stare at him, he frowned and wondered why Cassandra would have left Camelot. He didn't think she would've left when Arthur was like this, normally when he was injured she was the one staying up all night to try and find a cure for whatever ailed her friends.
~21~
It was very early in the morning when Cassandra pulled her horse to a stop on the banks of the lake. The night was still dark around her and in the distance she could see the old, run down castle where she had spent nearly nine years of her life. There was a small flickering light in a few of the windows that she could see from where she stood. She dismounted her horse and let him wonder where he pleased, she wasn't sure if she'd be coming back for him. She hitched her bag up higher on her shoulder as she walked to the rickety pier and to the small boat floating on the water. She sat down as she muttered the spell to make the boat travel to the castle. While the boat was moving very slowly Cassandra tilted her head back to look up at the stars. She remembered her conversation with Arthur a few weeks ago about how she used to try and count them when she was younger, it brought a smile to her face for a second before she remembered the state that he was in now; and it was her doing. But she was going to make things right.
The boat reached the dock at the castle as Cassandra stepped out, after catching herself from almost falling in the water. The castle was a lot more eerie and deserted than she remembered; even thought this castle had long been deserted there had always been a presence of magic in here when Cassandra had been there. Now it was as if all the good magic had gone and only evil, hateful magic filled it. She shivered, not from the cold but from what lay ahead, she was about to come face to face with her old mentor for the final time. She had no idea what to expect from Nimueh. Cassandra walked through the narrow passageways, which were familiar to her, she wanted to reach out and touch the walls with her hands, why? She didn't know. Before she was about to emerge into the courtyard something made her stop in her tracks, she reached into her pocket and pulled out the necklace she had given Arthur. The blood from him had been wiped off and for some reason; in the darkness it seemed to have a glow around it. Cassandra fastened it around her neck as she dropped her bag to the floor and took a deep breath in, she could sense Nimueh was in the courtyard chanting. She sent a prayer up to the Triple Goddess as she took a large step into the courtyard.
Nimueh looked up from her alter, from the darkness she watched a small figure emerge with a fierce, determined look. Her hair was bright red in the moonlight and her pale skin looked like it was glowing. Nimueh's mouth turned into a smirk as she twirled her fingers in her bowl before her.
"I thought you'd come." Nimueh said quietly, but it echoed around them. She watched Cassandra with narrowed eyes as she walked further into the courtyard and stop a few feet away from the alter. Not once did Cassandra's face change. "You come to challenge me." Nimueh stated with a chuckle.
"I've come to stop you." Cassandra said with hatred in her voice that Nimueh herself had never heard before. Nimueh chuckled once again. "But first," Cassandra said as Nimueh raised a brow at her boldness. "I want you to stop the summoning of the Questing Beast." She demanded.
"The Beast is gone," Nimueh said. "It had done its job when it bit Arthur Pendragon." She said simply. Cassandra frowned and glared once more at Nimueh.
"I'm here then. You have what you want."
"You turned your back on me, I gave you a chance and you refused." Nimueh bit back at her. Cassandra remained fierce.
"Then heal him."
"What?" Nimueh scoffed.
"Heal Arthur, and I will remain loyal to you for the rest of my life." Cassandra bargained. Nimueh tilted her head.
"This is rich, you fell in love with him, didn't you?" Nimueh said with an evil smirk. Cassandra pressed her lips into a firm line. "What did you think would happen between the two of you?" Nimueh said as she moved away from her alter, she walked towards Cassandra as she slowly circled her. Cassandra remained as still as stone. "He's a Prince, and you're a Sorceress. How could he ever love something like you?" She said slyly.
"He's different!" She protested.
"They're all the same, Cassandra," Nimueh said as she circled her again. "They all despise us, because they fear us. What do you think would happen if you told him? You'd still be wonderful and happy?" Cassandra didn't flinch when Nimueh leaned close to her ear. "He'd throw you to the noose." She hissed. Cassandra pushed her away from her as she stumbled back.
"You don't know anything about him! You were wrong about everything! He's a good man, and he'll make a great King!"
"With you by his side?" Nimueh smirked evilly at her. Cassandra looked away. Nimueh laughed at her. "How about I make you another deal?" Nimueh said as Cassandra looked at her. "You pledge you allegiance to me for the rest of your life and I will not kill Merlin when he comes to see me." Nimueh offered as she turned her back on Cassandra and walked back to her alter. Cassandra followed her with her eyes. She was thinking, and thinking hard. But she knew the answer as soon as Nimueh had spoke. If she couldn't do anything to save Arthur then the least she could do was to make sure Merlin would stay alive to save him.
"Deal." Cassandra said. She strode up to the alter as Nimueh grinned at her.
"Excellent." Cassandra was second-guessing her decision when Nimueh thrust her arm out towards her. "Eich meddwl yn fy!" Cassandra held her head as she screamed in agonizing pain. She dropped to her knees as she clutched her head.
"Stop it!" She begged, screaming loudly. Nimueh stood there and grinned as she watched Cassandra's eyes roll into the back of her head and she passed out on the floor.
Merlin disembarked from his boat as he stepped into the castle on the Isle. He looked around in awe, feeling the raw magic that came from within this place. He walked cautiously into the passageways, looking around for anything that might jump out at him. He didn't know where he was going, but something was drawing him deep into the castle, and it was like he knew where to go, like he could feel it from deep within. As he came to a long passage he could see the overcast light filtering in from the exit, and the lush green grass. As she reached the end something caught his eye down on the floor. He frowned when he saw a familiar backpack. He bent down and reached out for it.
"Cass?" He whispered into the wind. He flipped open the bag and looked into it, and sure enough he recognized the clothes and blanket inside it. Merlin frowned in confusion. What was Cassandra doing here? He stood back up, giving the bag one last glance as he stepped out into the courtyard. He looked around the empty courtyard; his gaze was drawn up to the high towers of the castle. "Hello?" He called out into the emptiness.
"Hello, Merlin." A voice said from in front of him. He head shot to where he had heard the voice, seeing a familiar woman before him who had not been there a few seconds ago.
"You." He said, knowing who this woman was.
"Do you know who I am?" Nimueh asked him, a smirk on her face.
"Nimueh," Merlin said to her, Nimueh looked pleased. "You can't be who the dragon meant." Merlin said in disbelief.
"And why is that?" Nimueh said in amusement.
"You tried to kill me." Merlin snapped at her.
"Before I understood your importance." She said.
"And Arthur." Merlin growled.
"Arthur was never destined to die at my hand, and now it seems I will be his salvation." Nimueh said with a grin, which Merlin frowned at.
"So you know what I've come to ask?"
"Yes."
"Will you do it?" Merlin asked her.
"I do not have the power to mirror life itself and yet give nothing in return." Nimueh told him.
"I know that a price will be asked." Merlin said. Nimueh was presently surprised at this.
"To save a life, there must be a death. The balance of the world must be restored."
"I willingly give my life for Arthur's." Merlin said quickly.
How brave you are, Merlin. If only it were that simple."
"What do you mean?"
"Once you enter this bargain, it cannot be undone." Nimueh warned him.
"Whatever I have to do, I will do. His life is worth a hundred of mine." Merlin said with determination. Nimueh grinned as she snapped her fingers. Movement from one of the doorways made Merlin look as his jaw went slack from shock.
Cassandra emerged from the doorway in an elegant blue dress with long bell sleeves. Her hair was beautiful and wavy with silver ribbons weaved through it, her front bangs were pinned to the back of her head as she walked stiffly towards the two of them. Her face was emotionless as she reached Nimueh and held out a large silver goblet to her.
"Cass…" Merlin whispered in disbelief. He was stunned, he didn't know what this meant, and he didn't want to think about what she was doing with Nimueh, of all people.
"I believe you know my apprentice, Cassandra." Nimueh said with great satisfaction. Merlin shook is head.
"Apprentice?" He didn't know what else to say.
"She has been secretly working for me the entire time she has been in Camelot. And it was time for her to return home, to me." Nimueh fabricated as Merlin looked disappointed at Cassandra.
"Cass." Merlin said more loudly. Her head turned to look at him as he frowned, her eyes were a normal bright emerald green, but to his surprise, they were a dark black.
"The Cup of Life." Nimueh announced as she held it out. "Blessed by centuries of powerful sorcerers so that it contains the very secret of life itself. If Arthur drinks water from the Cup, he will live." Nimueh told him as she passed it to Merlin. His gaze flicked to Cassandra as she stood there, staring off into nothing, emotionless. "Tidrenas." Nimueh held her hands to the sky as it began to rain down on the three of them. The cup fills up with water as Nimueh takes the cup and pours the water into a canteen as she passes it back to him. "The bargain is struck. I hope it pleases you." Nimueh said ominously as Merlin hesitantly took it from her hand and tucked it into his pocket. He took another look at Cassandra, he wanted to stay and help her, to break her out of this trance the Nimueh had put her under but he had to save Arthur. He made the decision to leave her as he hurried away from Nimueh.
~21~
"The Prince lives." Gaius said to Merlin when he returned from administering the water from the Cup of Life. Merlin let out a relieved breath as he collapsed down onto the chair. Gaius grinned as he walked over to him; he patted him on the shoulder and knelt down next to him.
"Cass was there." Merlin said to Gaius. Gaius sighed and nodded. "You knew about her?" Gaius nodded again. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"It was not for me to tell. Hopefully now that Arthur is healed she will return here." Gaius said hopefully.
"I don't think so." Merlin said. Gaius frowned at him.
"What do you mean?"
"There was something wrong with her, she wasn't herself…and her eyes." Merlin trailed off as Gaius clamped his hand down on his shoulder.
"Tell me."
"Her eyes were black, and she didn't even recognize me. It was like she had been put under a spell or something." Gaius sighed heavily as he ran a hand over his face.
"I can't believe she did that." He muttered.
"What?" Merlin asked him.
"The spell that she is under is a very powerful enchantment. The victim is essentially trapped inside their own body, unaware of their actions, the sorcerer can command them to do whatever their bidding is, no questions asked."
"How do we break the spell?" Merlin asked him. Gaius shook his head.
"There is no way to break this enchantment, the only way is for Cassandra herself to take back her body."
"How can she do that if she doesn't even realize what is happening?" Merlin said to Gaius as they old man shut his eyes, he had never heard of anyone breaking this spell. It was a death sentence for the victim.
Merlin awoke the next morning overjoyed. He had survived the night and wasn't dead, he jumped out of bed and rushed out of his room and downstairs. "Gaius! I'm alive!" Merlin said gleefully as he noticed Gaius was hunched over a body on the floor. "What is it? What's happened?" Merlin asked as he walked over to Gaius.
"Merlin, stay there!" Gaius ordered him but Merlin kept on walking.
"What's wrong?"
"No, don't!" Gaius yelled at him but it was too late. Merlin saw the face of his mother, Hunith, covered in boils and sores, she was struggling to breathe as she lay on the hard floor.
"Mother!" Merlin exclaimed.
"Merlin," Hunith managed to whimper out.
"What's happened to her?" Merlin turned to Gaius.
"She's gravely ill." Gaius said to him.
"Do something!" Merlin pleaded.
"If only I could." Gaius said solemnly.
"Please, Gaius!"
"This is no ordinary illness." Gaius said to him as Merlin finally realized what had happened. Instead if his life, Nimueh had taken his mothers.
"This cannot happen. It was as you said. She demanded a price, but I bargained my life, not my mothers."
"Merlin, I wish there was something I could do." Gaius said sadly as Merlin reached out for his mothers hand and gripped it tightly.
"I will make you better, I will." Merlin said with determination as he ran from the room.
After visiting the dragon and making the decision to go back to the Isle of the Blessed and offer up his own life Merlin went to Arthur's chambers to say goodbye to him. He knocked on the door and entered slowly, seeing Arthur at his table pouring himself a drink with his injured arm in a sling.
"Ah, Merlin." Arthur said as Merlin shut the door.
"How are you?" Merlin asked him, he could hear that his tone was very solemn.
"Good." Arthur replied.
"I'm pleased."
"Yes. I owe it all to Gaius." Arthur said, causing Merlin to smile. He wished he was able to tell Arthur the truth, but he couldn't.
"I need to talk to you." Merlin said to him.
"You still haven't got it yet," Arthur chuckled, "I decide when we need to talk."
"Not today." Merlin argued, causing Arthur to roll his eyes.
"I sometimes wonder if you know who I am." Arthur said sarcastically.
"Oh, I know how you are."
"Good."
"You're a prat," Arthur deadpanned, "And a royal one." Arthur laughed.
"Are you ever going to change, Merlin?" Arthur asked him with a smirk.
"No, you'd get bored. But promise me this, if you get another servant, don't get a bootlicker."
"If this is you trying to leave your job—"
"No. I'm happy to be your servant. Till the day I die." Merlin said ominously as Arthur quirked a brow at him.
"Sometimes I think I know you, Merlin. Other times…" Arthur chuckled and shook his head.
"Well, I know you. And you're a great warrior. One day, you'll be a great King." Arthur looked stunning at his words.
"That's very kind of you."
"But you must learn to listen as well as you fight." Arthur smirked.
"Any other pointers?"
"No. That's it, just…don't be a prat." Merlin finished as Arthur frowned in confusion at Merlin. The young Warlock turned to leave.
"Oh, I was wondering." Arthur said as he stood from his chair. "Could you send for Cassandra, I'd like her to have a look at this wound for me." Merlin felt his stomach drop to the floor. He was at a loss for what to say to him. "Merlin?" Arthur called his name, seeing his servant freeze had him concerned.
"I—I can't, Sire. She's not here." Merlin said, turning back to look at Arthur.
"Well, when she returns then."
"She's not." Merlin decided to just tell Arthur the worst possible news and get it over with, if she did ever return then Merlin could say he was wrong.
"What are you talking about?" Arthur asked, completely bewildered. Merlin sighed and ran a hand through his messy dark hair.
"She left Camelot. When we brought you back she saw you and then Gaius told me she left, and she's not coming back." Merlin watched a few expressions go across the Prince's face. First was shock, then disbelief and finally sadness.
"Oh, I see." Arthur muttered as he sat back down.
"I'm sorry." Merlin said. Arthur waved his hand.
"Don't worry about me, not that big of a deal. She always said she never stayed in one place too long, I guess it was just her time to go." Merlin nodded, he was surprised that he took that so well. Merlin didn't say anything else as he left Arthur's chambers.
Gaius didn't mean to deceive Merlin; he just wanted to save his life. He had explained it all in the letter to Merlin. Gaius stepped off the old boat and onto the island as he looked around and reminisced. But he couldn't stay in the past for too long, he had two lives to save. He walked through the passageways and emerged into the courtyard where Nimueh was waiting for him. He spotted Cassandra standing a little ways off.
"I never thought I'd see you here again." Nimueh said to him.
"My Lady." Gaius bowed his head to her.
"It's a long time since you called me that." Nimueh said in delight.
"I've come to ask for your help." Gaius said to her as Nimueh smirked.
"As you did once before for Uther? You did not like the outcome."
"I offer a chance for you to atone for the death of his wife." Gaius said loudly.
"I have saved the life of her son. And spared the life of Merlin under her wishes," Nimueh pointed to the stone figure of Cassandra. "What more do you ask for?" She demanded.
"That this time, you take a just price. Merlin intends to offer his life for his mother's. I want you to take mine in his place. And release Cassandra from her imprisonment." Nimueh chuckled.
"With all my powers of prediction, I could never have foretold this; Gaius the hero. Why should I grant your wish? You stood and watched as our friends burned in the Great Purge. You are nothing but a traitor." Nimueh accused. Gaius frowned.
"You call me the traitor yet you are the one who told Uther where to find Tamara after she went into hiding, you are the reason she was murdered." Gaius spoke. Nimueh frowned. "You wanted Tamara dead so that you could be the High Priestess, you had always been jealous of her. But what I don't get is why you sought to have Cassandra?" Gaius asked her. Nimueh's glare was deadly. She was furious that Gaius knew her secret.
"Cassandra's heritage comes directly from the first High Priestess of the Triple Goddess. Tamara was revered among the Old Religion, she was our leader, but she lacked the strength to stand up to Uther when he killed us off."
"And you believe you can?"
"Of course I can!" Nimueh bellowed. "Once Tamara was dead and the other priestesses hunted down and murdered no one knew of her heritage line I was free to practice on my own, and wait until Cassandra came of age so that I could have her as my own."
"She is stronger then you give her credit for." Gaius said.
"Look at her!" Nimueh screamed. Gaius turned his head to look at the young girl, who still had not moved. "Does she look like the Great Daughter of Tamara now? She is under my command and with her power I will destroy Uther and rid the world of Camelot forever." Gaius pursed his lips. He walked over to Cassandra and stood a few feet away from her.
"Cassandra, can you hear me?" Gaius said softly. He heard Nimueh chuckle from behind him.
"You can't save her, no one has ever been able to break free of this enchantment before, what makes you think she can?"
"Because she is Cassandra." Gaius said.
~21~
Cassandra was in darkness, she couldn't see, she couldn't hear, she couldn't feel any of her limbs. She didn't even know if she was alive. All she could do was wait; wait for something she didn't know was going to come. She couldn't even remember what had happened, how did she get in this place? She couldn't remember anything; she only knew her name, what if she really was dead?
"Cassandra? Can you hear me?"
She heard a voice all around her, it echoed softly as she tried to focus on it. She knew that voice, she didn't know how but she did, it sounded familiar to her.
"You can't save her, no one has ever been able to break free of this enchantment before, what makes you think she can?"
Another voices echoed around her, this one was familiar too, but she didn't know why. The second voice had said something about an enchantment, what was that? Was it way she couldn't remember anything?
"Because she is Cassandra."
The first voice spoke again, and they used her name again, they must know her. She wanted to speak but she couldn't find the words, or her mouth. She tried desperately to say something, to call out for help, she wanted to see these people, she wanted to get out of here.
"Remember who you are. Think of Merlin. Come back to us, Cassandra."
The voice said again. Merlin. That name sounded so familiar to her, it was a name she had heard all her life. She knew this Merlin person but she couldn't think of what they looked like.
"Break free of Nimueh's spell, you can do it."
Nimueh. That name…suddenly she was able to see a person, she recognized this person as Nimueh, she didn't know how, but she could feel some powerful emotion towards her. She wanted to break free of this darkness, she needed to confront her about something, but she didn't know what exactly.
"Arthur is alive."
Arthur…that name also brought out a powerful emotion in her, she didn't know what it was but where she assumed was her chest she could feel a warmth spreading through her. And then she could feel her arms; she could move them around. She wanted to feel her legs next so that she could run to this Arthur person.
"Enough of this! Gaius it's time for you to die!"
That Nimueh voice said again. Cassandra recognized a feeling in her chest; it was dread. She had to break free, she had to save this Gaius man, she had too.
"Enough of this! Gaius it's time for you to die!" Nimueh bellowed at Gaius as he turned to Nimueh, his face showing horror. Nimueh didn't want to give any indication to Gaius that her spell was weakening on Cassandra; she could feel it. The bond was slipping, she needed to get this over and done with. Nimueh summoned the Cup of Life as Gaius stood, determined and ready. Nimueh called upon the rain as she collected magic in the palm of her hand as a fiery red-hot ball. "Farewell, Gaius." Nimueh said with a smirk as she threw the ball of fire. The ball was inches from Gaius.
"No!" A scream tore through the courtyard as both Nimueh and Gaius watched as Cassandra threw herself between Gaius and the fireball. Both were stunned as the fireball hit Cassandra in the chest, she cried out and fell back into Gaius as the old man caught her before she fell to the ground. Her head fell back onto his shoulder as Gaius looked down at her, her eyes were frozen open as they black mark on her chest smoked. Gaius felt the tears come to his eyes, he tried to say something, he tried to wake up from this dream he thought he was in.
"No!" Nimueh screeched. Her plan was ruined; she couldn't use Cassandra's magic anymore. Gaius, unable to bear Cassandra's weight standing, fell to his knees as a tear rolled down his cheek and dripped onto her pale face. Her normal emerald eyes were a dull green as Gaius pulled her up to his chest and hugged her tightly.
"Gaius!" Merlin screamed as he ran into the courtyard. He skidded to a stop when he saw Gaius cradling Cassandra's dead body. His gaze turned murderous as he glared at Nimueh. "What have you done?" Merlin bellowed at her. Nimueh was stony.
"The Old Religion does not care who lives and who dies. Only that the balance of the world is restored. To save a life a life must be taken." Nimueh said to him. Merlin looked to Gaius, he had raised his head, and Merlin saw his tear stricken face. His glare turned back to Nimueh. She smirked slightly.
"You should not have killed my friend." Merlin said darkly as he muttered a spell. Fire shot out of his hand and headed for Nimueh as she held up the back of her hand and absorbed it; Merlin reeled back in shock.
"Your childish tricks are useless against me, Merlin. I am a Priestess of the Old Religion." Nimueh said as she began to create another fireball in her hand from Merlin's absorbed magic. "You too are a creature of the Old Religion. You should join me." Nimueh said as she released the fireball. Merlin dodged out of the way as it exploded behind him. He stood back up.
"You think I would join forces with such a selfish and cruel magic? Never." He said determinedly.
"So be it," Nimueh glared, "Acwele!" She yelled as she threw another fireball. This time it hit Merlin in the chest, the same place it had hit Cassandra as he went flying back and hit the ground. Nimueh walked slowly towards him.
"Pity." She said, "Together we could've ruled the world." She turned her back on him and walks back to her alter. Unbeknownst to Nimueh, Merlin stands back up, not dead from her hit.
"Your end is here." He said as Nimueh stopped and turned, surprise on her face. Merlin reached up to the sky, calling on the power of the clouds as thunder and lightening clapped and shot through the sky. A bolt of lightning hit Nimueh as she screamed in agonizing pain and exploded, killing her.
Merlin let out a sigh of relief but then realized Cassandra was still lying motionless in Gaius' arms. "Cass!" Merlin cried out as he ran over to them. He fell to his knees as the rain poured down around them. Gaius met Merlin's gaze.
"It's too late, Merlin, she's gone." Gaius said over the roaring downpour.
"No! Nimueh's life has been offered, she has to wake up!" Merlin said desperately. They both looked at her lifeless body, Gaius had the sense to shut her eyes as they both waited with baited breath for her to make a move.
"Merlin…" Gaius said sadly. Merlin shook his head.
"Do you like your meat smoked or grilled?" A weak voice said.
"Cass!" Merlin yelled in joy. Cassandra's eyes opened slowly, her emerald eyes shining brightly in the rain.
"You gave us quiet a scare." Gaius said as she coughed and held a hand to her chest. Gaius helped sit her up in the mud as Merlin reached for her and pulled her into a bone-crushing hug.
"Merlin!" She gasped out. "I just un-died, lighten up a bit!" She said as Merlin pulled away from her. He grinned down at her as Cassandra threw her arms around his neck and hugged him herself. "Thank you." She said to him. She pulled away and hugged Gaius. "Thank you, Gaius. I never would've broken free from her enchantment had it not been for you."
"I told you I was handy to keep around." Gaius said with a grin as the three of them laughed.
"You think you can stop this rain?" Cassandra asked Merlin as the Warlock scoffed.
"I just saved your life! A little rain isn't going to hurt you."
~21~
"So, Nimueh's the reason my mother was murdered." Cassandra stated as Gaius nodded.
"Nimueh gave up her location to Uther as a bargaining chip, but he still went back on his word and hunted down Nimueh. Your mother wasn't able to get away." Gaius said to her as Cassandra felt her lip quiver.
"How could someone do that?" Cassandra wiped her eyes.
"Nimueh craved power. Before the purge your mother was a very powerful and famous Priestess. Nimueh was her apprentice."
"I guess that explains a lot." Cassandra said with a chuckle. Gaius smirked at her and patted her on the shoulder. "I guess that makes me the only High Priestess left now." Cassandra muttered as she looked around the derelict castle. Gaius agreed.
"It has been in shambles ever since the Purge. And Nimueh corrupted it with her evil and vile ways."
"Maybe it's time for a change. Kilgharrah always referred to me as Priestess, I guess he knew that this was going to happen." Gaius smiled. Merlin walked over to them.
"We ready to go. I'm ready to have a decent nights sleep." Merlin said as he clasped his hands. Gaius and Cassandra shared a look.
"Uh, Merlin," Cassandra said hesitantly. Merlin's smile dropped off his face.
"What?"
"I'm not going to be going back to Camelot just yet."
"Why?" Merlin asked. Cassandra looked to Gaius for help.
"Cassandra is now the only High Priestess alive who knows the ways of the Old Religion, now that Nimueh is gone it is her duty to stay here and watch over this place."
"Can't you do that from Camelot?" Merlin asked as Cassandra laughed.
"No, Merlin. Nimueh corrupted this place, it's full of evil and vile magic, I felt it when I returned here and I know that I need to fix it. The Old Religion used to be the heart and soul of the world, now it's a shadow that needs to be brought back out into the light again."
"You sound just like Gaius." Merlin said as Cassandra rolled her eyes.
"This is what I was trained to do Merlin. If I don't do this, then what good am I?"
"Just try not to die anymore." Merlin said as they laughed. Cassandra reached up to her neck and unfastened her necklace.
"Give this to Arthur for me, and tell him I'm sorry." She said as she handed him the emerald necklace. Merlin nodded as she followed Gaius and Merlin to the boat. "Be safe, both of you." She said to them.
"And you." Gaius said to her. Cassandra smiled as the boat took off. She watched them sail away until they were a tiny little dot before she walked into the castle, ready to start her new journey.
Arthur was walking through the palace; he was in a grumpy mood. His arm was killing him and Gaius wasn't here to help him with the pain.
"Sire!" He heard a familiar and annoying voice call out to him.
"Merlin." Arthur said bitterly as he stopped walking. Merlin hurried up to him.
"How're you feeling?" Merlin asked him.
"Fine, Merlin. Where have you been the past two days anyway?" Arthur asked him as Merlin looked around sheepishly.
"No where. Anyway," he said, "I need to give you this." Merlin held out the emerald necklace as Arthur stared at it with wide eyes. He thought he had lost it when the beast had attacked him. "I gave it to Cass when we brought you back." Arthur's eyes shot up to Merlin's face.
"When did you get it back?" Merlin didn't really want to answer his question.
"She asked me to give it to you, and to tell you that she's sorry." Merlin said as Arthur tightened his fist around the necklace.
"She's really not coming back, is she." He stated. Merlin sighed.
"I'm sorry." He said as he walked off. Arthur was enraged; he wanted to throw the necklace against the wall. He tightened his grip on it a few times before he sighed and opened up his palm, he stared at the necklace then closed his hand over it again.
"I never even got to tell her." He muttered to himself as he stood in the hallway, alone.
Holy guacamole!
So don't kill me about the ending but you just letting you guys know i LOVE drama and angst! But don't fret, this is an Athur/oc so they will be together, everyone has bumps in the road, this one just happens to be three stories high...
Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed the finale! I'm actually pretty proud of this chapter so I'm excited to hear what you all thought as some things got changed up and now Cass is officially the High Priestess! And we found out Nimueh's evil plan she had for Cassandra, she was such a bitch, selling out her mother. glad she's dead now...
Thank you everyone for your support and see you next time!