YAY! New chapter! I'm currently going in between this and Heirs of the Lost, so it may be a while until I can update this. I'm also sorry that this update's a bit short, but I had to end it before it got down to serious business. Hehe! I'm evil, aren't I?

Chapter 20

The gentle breeze was as cold as the ice that dangled from roofs and parapets, enveloping anyone who went outside in a chill that had them shivering within seconds. The ground was a white canvas that stretched from the city to the forest and beyond, leaving no stone or leaf untouched. Winter had finally arrived and Camelot was preparing for the battle that would decide their fate.

Arthur was currently in the courtyard, trying to ignore the almost overwhelming cold as he watched the many mounts of Olaf's army amass in front of him. The king himself was wrapped in a thick fur, which did not seem to hinder him as he dismounted and walked up to Arthur, his face grim.

"Thank you for coming, Olaf," Arthur welcomed, clasping the elder's arm in a firm grip.

Olaf nodded, a small smile appearing on his lips. "I'm sorry about your father, Arthur. He was a good man. And I was sorry to hear about… ah, his ward."

The pair turned and strode into the relative warmth of the castle, leaving Hoel and Tor to deal with Olaf's army.

"How far away are they?" Olaf asked, whilst shaking off his cloak.

"Our scouts report that they're camping two days away. We need to leave tonight if we are to stop them from getting anywhere near the citadel."

"Arthur." The king stopped in his tracks and Arthur turned to face him. "I have heard about what they have with them- unsavoury creatures, such as giants. Not only that, but they have three sorceresses. Three and all of them are High Priestesses of the Old Religion. No matter how many men you muster, there is no hope against such magic."

Arthur sighed. He knew that he would have had to tell Olaf sooner or later, but he was hoping that Merlin would have been here to help him explain.

"The High Priestesses are followers of a greater power, Olaf. Have you ever heard of Ma'ab?"

Olaf blanched. After he had regained his composure, a hand went to his forehead. "You're not telling me that that witch is fighting against us as well? You should have said. If Ma'ab is involved then we'll all be killed before the battle starts. I'm surprised that we're even still alive."

Arthur grimaced. Yep, he definitely wished that Merlin was here to give him a hand, not that he would ever let the warlock know that. "But you know who she is?"

"The Queen of the Old Religion."

"Not anymore, she isn't. Besides, she wasn't a threat to begin with."

The king frowned.

"Ma'ab may have been the most powerful being ever, but that was the only reason she was feared. She spent her final months trying to help us against an attack from Vortigern and the others. She passed on her powers to her heir, and we're lucky enough that he himself is an ally of Camelot."

"I didn't even know that she had an heir."

"Something tells me that she wouldn't have openly talked about."

"But can we trust this heir? He could easily turn against us and then we would be destroyed."

"I trust my servant with my life."

"Your servant?"

Arthur held up a hand when he saw that Olaf was going to say something that he may regret.

"Merlin has risked his life a great many times for the protection of this kingdom- so many that I think we've all lost count, even him. With him, Vortigern and the others will have a hard time defeating us. I know that he would rather die than let this kingdom fall." He was not sure if the other man was convinced. "Olaf, I wouldn't have asked you to help if I knew that we had no chance of survival against this, but we do. I will still be your ally if you chose to walk away from this, though I implore to stay. If you help then that will save many more lives than if you hadn't."

"My people have never run away from a fight." Olaf shook his head, but beamed at the prince. "I shall help you, Arthur… though I have one issue."

Arthur nodded, inclining his head. He knew what was coming.

"Magic, Arthur. After everything that your father did to exterminate it?"

"He was wrong. My father's beliefs were due to something he had been responsible for a long time ago. I cannot follow his beliefs now that I know what good magic is capable of."

"You forget the evil."

"It is neither good nor evil. It is like the swords we carry- a tool that we can use to protect or to kill. If we persecute magic then we may as well do the same to anyone who has ever handled a weapon or even healed the sick."

Olaf shook his head. "I'm still not entirely sure about this, Arthur."

"I'm not asking you to change what you believe in, Olaf, only that you help us protect Camelot from being overrun by her enemies."

"Very well… I will have my men prepare to leave by sundown."

"No! There is no way in heaven or earth that you're coming!"

"You can't exactly stop me, Merlin."

The grey sky was beginning to darken now and snow was tumbling down in thick pellets. However, Merlin and Freya were oblivious to this as they stood at opposite ends of the warlock's room, arguing. Much to Merlin's displeasure, Freya was adamant that she wanted to help in the battle, a decision that he had voiced against.

"Gwen is not coming and neither are any of the other women."

"None of the other women have magic!"

"That's beside the point Freya."

"What is the point then? I shouldn't fight because I'm a woman? You think that someone will immediately take advantage of me the moment that my back is turned?"

"You know that's not what I mean."

"Actually, I'm having difficulty understanding why you're against me helping you and Camelot. Every single time that you have gone off recently, you have ended up injured or on the verge of death, never mind that you're the Leader of the Old Religion. If I'm there then I can give you more help against Morgana, Morgause and Nimueh; and that's not even including Vortigern and his sorcerers. What makes you think that you'll be able to take them on all at once?"

"If you're there then you're a target and they'll hurt you and the baby."

"Do you really think that I want to wait here and pray that you come back alive? Not just for our daughter's sake, but for mine as well."

"I CAN'T LOSE YOU AGAIN!"

Freya stood there in stunned silence as Merlin placed his head in his hands. He then walked up to her and leant his forehead against hers. The warlock held her gaze and Freya found it impossible to look away, not that she wanted to. She could gladly swim in those intense depths for an eternity.

"I can't… I will not lose you again. I don't care if I have to tear apart the universe to do it, but I'd do everything… anything to keep you safe. It's you and the others that keep me sane and I know that if I lose you or let you go into harm's way and you don't make it back that will I lose myself. It came so close with Lamya. When I woke up, I thought I was seconds away from having my world taken away from me… I swore to myself that I wouldn't let you be hurt like that again… I don't want to even think what those three would try to do to you if they knew… It's too painful because…"

Freya's felt her eyes widen. Despite the seriousness in his expression, Merlin's cheeks had flushed a light pink and his eyes had now adopted an ethereal shine that fluttered in the dim light. A pale hand went to her cheek and she could feel the thumb stroke back and forth.

"Gods, Freya, I love you. These last few months have been the happiest of my life, even if Vortigern and Morgana keep trying to destroy everything, and I wouldn't change that for the world."

Even as he spoke, Freya felt her face lighten up and her mouth spread into a grin. Merlin loved her. She had hoped that he had and they were going to have a baby. But just by him saying it made it all the more real for her and, even with the prospect of a chaotic battle, she could not stop the rush of joy from surging through her core.

To Merlin's slight surprise, she silenced him with a slow and passionate kiss, clinging to him as if she had never held him before. Allowing instinct to override everything else, the warlock responded, relishing in Freya's presence and the brief peace that had been brought, curving himself so that he wouldn't disturb her round belly.

All too soon, they broke apart, but continued to hold each other close.

"I love you," Freya echoed, her voice barely a whisper, leaning against his chest.

"Then you definitely can't come."

"Merlin, as much as I do love you, you have to realise that you don't have to be the protector all of the time."

"With my life, that's impossible."

"You still need someone to watch your back once in a while."

"I think Safir's got that covered for you."

Freya had to laugh. The friendship between Merlin and Safir had further grown within the last few days and she was glad to see that there was someone else who Merlin could call a friend. Safir had even taken to follow Merlin around when the servant went with Arthur to discuss tactics with Olaf, seeming to think that the warlock would be in danger of attack from the other king's forces. Freya would only ever admit to herself that she and Safir shared their fears in that area- some were still sceptical of accepting the help of the Leader of the Old Religion.

"Gwen will probably need you."

"True... Just… make sure that Gaius is alright as well."

"You can count on that."

The atmosphere was cold as they rode out of Camelot, reflecting the icy chill of the morning as the sun began to creep over the horizon, casting a dim light on the white landscape. The silence seemed to seep through their armour and none of the knights could think of anything to discuss, all of them too engrossed with thoughts of the oncoming battle, wondering what would be facing them when they reached the river.

Merlin rode next to Safir behind Arthur and Olaf, who were at the head of the massive army that had congregated in the courtyard the previous night. The warlock glanced back as the turrets of Camelot disappeared behind the dense foliage of the forest, hiding it from sight. He wondered whether he would see it, and Freya, ever again.

The river where they knew Morgana, Morgause and Vortigern's army was heading was less than a day's ride, which allowed no time for them to brace themselves. The minute that they arrived, they would be enveloped in the battle.

Merlin could sense that everybody else's mood was tense and fearful of what horrors they might face. He couldn't blame them. None here apart from him had magic.

To his surprise, halfway through the day, Arthur called the immense army to a halt.

"I need you, Kay and Safir," the prince muttered to him, leading the way towards a mouldering log, where Olaf was already laying out a map.

Once the other two had joined them, Olaf explained. "If we're correct in thinking, they'll start off on the eastern shore." He gestured. "The ice should be thick enough to allow them to cross as speed along with whatever they've brought, apart from any catapults, which they'd most likely keep near the forest boundary behind them."

"Olaf and I will lead the left and middle flanks," Arthur explained. "Kay, I need you to take your men and support us at the back with the archers and the artillery."

"Of course." Kay gave a firm nod and the two friends shared a brief glance.

"Safir, I need you on the right," Arthur carried on. "Take Hoel and Bors with you and see if you edge your way round to the back of their forces."

"That shouldn't be much of a problem. What about this idiot?" He gestured at Merlin, grinning at the dumbfounded expression on the warlock's face.

Arthur rolled his eyes. "The idiot, as you call him, will be doing all he can to help us defeat the other army."

"I thought we were at war," Merlin sighed. "Clearly not if you have time to boss me around and insult me."

"Well I am your boss."

"And I'm the Leader of the Old Religion."

"And I'm the one who'll have you mucking out the stables without magic for a month if we survive this, if you're not careful."

"You wouldn't."

"Watch me."

Safir was trying his hardest not to laugh, whilst Kay had a hand on his forehead. Olaf, meanwhile, looked nonplussed.

"I've only been around them for a few days," Kay whispered to the befuddled king. "I've heard that this barely scratches the surface- it can be a lot worse."

"You don't have to live with them," Safir chuckled on the quiet, before raising his voice. "Ladies, what was that about there being a war?"

Merlin and Arthur stopped their bickering and turned to face him, their eyebrows raised in a mirror image. This did little to help Safir keep his composure- he had to step away so that they would not see his fit of laughter.

They were about to re-saddle and carry on their voyage towards the river, however Merlin was stopped by Olaf.

"Is something wrong, Sire?" the warlock asked, his brow furrowing.

Olaf seemed to contemplate him for a moment. "From what I've heard, you are equal to any king in the world, and yet you still address me as a servant would."

"I am one. I'm a servant of the Earth and of magic, but more importantly, I'm Arthur's servant and I have no plans on changing that. That means that I should show the same courtesy to anyone who is equal to him."

"It's just… I've never seen a more loyal person, even if your kind has been hunted to extinction."

"I believe that it can change. Arthur has known for a while after all."

"I still say that the pair of you are strange."

"Believe me when I say that you're not the first person to think that, and I know why. Most people don't understand why I'm so loyal to Arthur. It's because I know that he is going to make a better world for all of us and I'd give my life to see that he does it."

Olaf nodded. "When he first told me who you were, I have to say that I was sceptical. I still haven't heard of everything you've done for this kingdom, but there are stories."

"Most of what you've heard is probably just stories. I doubt I'd have made it this far without Arthur, Gaius and everyone else, so I definitely can't take all of the credit."

Olaf regarded him once more. He said nothing more to the warlock, but turned to mount his horse as Arthur called for the men to move on.

The wind was bitter against their faces as the soldiers of Camelot and her allies lined against the one side of the frozen river, their teeth and chain mail chattering and chinking in the cold. Within minutes, their hands were numb; making them wonder what had caused this worse drop in the weather. Was magic at work?

Merlin ignored the murmurs surrounding him, fully aware that this was nature at work and not the forces of Morgana, Morgause or Nimueh- the warlock would have felt such a disturbance. He merely gazed ahead at the other side of the solid body of water.

And waited.

All too soon, they could hear the stomping of the oncoming enemy, which appeared over the brow of the hill as a thick black swarm. Merlin cursed to himself. The other army had a number of Howlers, which would make things a lot worse for Camelot as only he and Arthur would be able to deal with them.

The prince seemed to be in the same frame of mind.

"You take care of the Howlers and leave the rest of the army to us," Arthur whispered to his servant.

"Now where would the fun be in that?" Merlin gave a mischievous grin at Arthur's expression. "Well, I'm not exactly going to sit back once I've dealt with them."

"Funny Merlin- you'll definitely be in the stocks if we get back."

"When we get back."

Arthur caught the now serious gleam in Merlin's eyes and nodded. "When."

The pair gave a final nod to each other and looked back at their foes, feeling hopeful as to what the outcome of this battle could be.

That was when the warlock spotted him. A dark menace against the pale grey sky, Vortigern sat majestically on his horse, surveying the armies of Camelot. His eyes soon found Merlin's and they stared at each other, both unwilling to look away first. The warlock could tell that Vortigern would go for him first, but Merlin did not feel as if he wanted to oblige. He had things to deal with first.

Arthur then raised Excalibur over his head and brought it down past his head. With a united bellow, the men surged final.

All hell broke loose.

Please R&R, I'm open to comments. The next chapter will contain some serious action.

MerlinStar