I'm so sorry this is so late, please don't hate me! Things have been majorly manic. Hopefully this chapter makes up for it and I'm on my summer holidays now so updates should be more regular. As always thanks to all you wonderful people who are still reading and reviewing, I love you guys. Also huge thanks to Roses-as-lips for her awesome beta and who's probably sick of my nagging for her help but we all appreciate it. I hope those of you who are still with me enjoy this. x

Chapter 21

Morgana was once again sat by Merlin's bedside; it seemed that she'd spent most of her time there over the last six days. Gwen and Gaius were often there too but they both had duties to attend to. As the king's ward her main job was to stand silently and make Uther look good, a role she despised, so no one really noticed that she had been absent. She had still attended any dinner or meeting that Uther had commanded of her but they felt empty without Arthur's solid presence next to her and Merlin's clumsy smile radiating from the row of servants.

Sighing deeply her gaze fell on the fragile figure in the bed next to her. It pained her to see Merlin so lifeless when he was usually so full of energy. She bit her lip in worry as Merlin continued to toss and turn, his face contorted in pain. Gaius had told her all about the poison that Merlin had ingested and she knew that he would be feeling as if his insides were on fire as the poison was pumped through his blood stream.

She had been counting down the days since Arthur and Isabelle had left and knew they only had four left before Merlin's time was up. She prayed every night that they would make it back in time. She had tried using her dreams to see if she could see anything. She wasn't stupid; she knew her dreams were visions of the future despite Gaius trying to tell her otherwise. But she didn't know how to use her gift, or curse depending on how she looked at it. All she got was disjointed images, nothing that told her whether Merlin was going to make it.

Snapping out of her thoughts she focused back on her surroundings and shifted her gaze back to Merlin. However what she saw made her sit bolt upright and clutch at his hand. As opposed to the writhing in agony that Merlin had been doing for the last six days, he was suddenly lying completely still, his brow furrowed as if in concentration. Morgana gazed at him in shock, half hoping he was about to wake up.

"Merlin?" She asked tentatively.

However he made no indication that he had heard her. Morgana placed one hand on his brow and felt the raging temperature that was unchanged. She cast round the room but didn't have a clue what she was supposed to do in situations like this. She wished Gaius was here, he would know what to do. But the elderly man was in the lower town where there had been some outbreak or another, and wouldn't be back for a while.

Morgana was about to summon someone to fetch him when Merlin's eyes shot open. However this wasn't what made Morgana cover her mouth with her hands in shock. Merlin's usually calm blue eyes were blazing gold. Morgana knew magic when she saw it and this was definitely it. She could see the power in Merlin, fiery in his eyes, and she glanced at the door fearfully. She knew Merlin would never hurt a fly but if anyone caught him like this he would be executed for sure.

Practicality took over and she hurried over to the door, swiftly locking it. She highly doubted anyone would come in but it was better to be safe than sorry. Seating herself back in the chair Morgana watched over him worriedly. Part of her was still shocked that clumsy, optimistic, terrible liar Merlin was a sorcerer but she had always known there was something strange about him, something he was hiding. Arthur had always claimed his manservant was an open book when she had brought it up, but she sometimes caught him watching Merlin in confusion and knew he saw it too.

A soft cry left Merlin's lips and she wiped the sweat that was swiftly forming on his brow away with a damp cloth. She wished she knew what Merlin was doing. Gaius had told her he would be getting steadily weaker as the poison worked its course and she knew he couldn't have much energy left for magic. Another desperate cry in a language Morgana didn't recognise tugged at her heartstrings and she clutched his hand between hers, trying to comfort him.

However the moment their skin touched she felt something tug deep within her. The feeling felt familiar yet alien at the same time. She closed her eyes to try and focus on it but before she could she found herself being pulled inwards towards something she didn't understand.

Images flashed across the inside of her eyelids, too fast for her to recognise any of them. The colours seemed too bright and she found herself flinching away from them from them as they burned themselves on the back of her eyes. Eventually the painful colours faded away and she was left with the image of a clearing in a forest. She could just make out three figures in the middle of it. The figures drew closer as the image seemed to zoom in on them but Morgana was distracted by the surroundings. She could see everything pulsing with life, the trees, the bushes; she could even see signs of animal life pulsing between them.

As the figures came into focus she could see the two females were pulsing with magic, it was running through their veins as readily as their blood. She glanced at the male to see that he didn't have any magic in him but she could see his life force pulsing at his core.

Suddenly she recognised the man, it was Arthur. She swiftly turned her attention back to the females and recognised the shorter one as Isabelle. She stifled a gasp as she realised that Merlin wasn't the only one hiding magic.

She wanted to study the scene closer, as she definitely didn't recognise the other woman, however it was clear she wasn't in control as she was pulled towards Isabelle. She could still see the whole scene but it was as if a link was being forged between her and the younger woman. Suddenly she saw Isabelle's eyes shoot open and she could see the surprise in her friend's eyes.

Merlin? Morgana?

The voice floating through her mind was unmistakably Isabelle's. She didn't know how any of this was happening but Isabelle's words had made it clear to Morgana who it was that had been controlling the image in her mind and had forged the link between her and Isabelle.

Morgana? What are you doing? How are you here?

Merlin's thought was a lot weaker than Isabelle's and she could sense the strain it was taking him to fight the poison. Apparently he hadn't realised that he had taken her along with him, but she wasn't leaving now.

I'm helping you. She thought back fiercely, From the looks of things you need all the help you can get.

At that moment the other woman seemed to strengthen the force of the spells she was firing at Isabelle. Morgana felt the force of it rock through her. She grit her teeth as it shuddered through her body and found herself tightening her grip on Merlin's hand.

x-x-x

Isabelle smiled at the stubborn voices of her friends echoing through her mind. Their comforting presence filled her with confidence and a new wave of energy rushed through her. However no matter how confident she was suddenly feeling; it didn't solve the fact that she had practically no magic left.

That's why we're here, we can help.

Merlin's comforting voice reassured Isabelle but she could hear the strain in his voice and knew he wasn't in a much better state then she was. However by that point she needed whatever help she could get.

How? Merlin I'm new at this, I don't know what to do!

She could hear the desperation in her own voice but couldn't bring herself to care; she needed his help if this was going to work.

Don't worry Iz, just follow my lead. You too Morgana.

Isabelle smiled at the use of his nickname for her. She felt something tug at the small pool of magic left in her and closed her eyes to concentrate on what Merlin was doing. Whatever it was it was taking its toll on her. She could feel the sweat forming on her brow and felt the fabric of her dress sticking to her back.

A shudder racked her body as her magic tried to reject the intruding presence. She squeezed her eyes tighter shut as she felt a burning pain in her chest.

However as soon as the pain started it suddenly died away and she found she could breathe easily again. Isabelle started to relax when she felt the force of Hecate's spells rattle through her once again. She snapped her eyes open and gasped at what she saw. Normally she could see the magic inside people and when it was being used in a spell however now everything seemed to pulse with life; the trees, the wildlife, even Arthur pulsed with his life force.

What on earth? She gasped, Are you two seeing this?

Yeah, it's so beautiful. Morgana breathed, Is it always like this when you do this?

No this is new. Merlin explained, Though I've never actually done this before so it could be normal.

Wait, you've never done this before? Isabelle's eyes narrowed in suspicion, I thought you knew what you were doing.

I do! Merlin protested, Well in theory anyway.

Isabelle heard Morgana sigh in exasperation but she was distracted as a wave of dizziness crashed over her. She staggered slightly and was vaguely aware of Arthur calling her name and Hecate laughing in triumph but it was taking all her energy to remain on her feet. Merlin's voice echoed through her head again but she couldn't work out what he was saying through the fogginess in her head. Her eyes drooped and she felt her body giving up and releasing the spells.

Suddenly the world came back into focus, her head was impossibly clear and she snapped her eyes back open in shock. However the scene in front of her was no different than the one she had closed her eyes on. Hecate was still staring at her manically and Arthur was still watching the exchange ashen faced. She smiled at him reassuringly and turned her attention to her failing spells. But to her surprise they seemed stronger than ever and the look of shock on Hecate's face showed that they were pushing back on her.

"How?" She unconsciously whispered.

The soft laughter ringing through her head sent a wave of comfort through her. She realised with a jolt that she missed them. It seemed bizarre as she was used to spending months without seeing Morgana and had only just met Merlin but at the same time it felt like the most natural thing in the world. There was something between her and Merlin, some sort of bond, which drew her to him despite having only known him for just over a week.

This is your doing isn't it? She asked the pair.

Well we said we were here to help. Came Merlin's cheeky reply.

And suddenly the wash of power increased and she started to push harder on Hecate's defences. Having no knowledge of the type of magic needed in the fight she surrendered control over to Merlin and allowed him to guide her and Morgana. The power washed through her body and out and she knew that she was just the vessel for the power that was glittering in the air around her.

Through the haze of magic she could see Hecate's face was now fearful as she realised that Isabelle was fighting back, stronger than she'd expected. After a brief struggle they reached a stalemate as both party's spells matched the others.

Frustration flashed through Isabelle and she frowned realising that these were not her emotions. She could feel Morgana's impatience and Merlin's exhaustion flooding through her leaving no room for her own emotions. Magic was flowing through every inch of her body and she knew her eyes were blazing gold, stronger than they ever had before.

Why isn't it working? Why aren't we winning?

Morgana's irritated voice made Isabelle smile as she recognised the trademark Pendragon impatience. Although Morgana was not technically a Pendragon, in Isabelle's eyes she shared many traits with the stubborn royal family.

Hang on; I'm still trying to work this thing out. As clever as I am I don't actually know everything.

Behind Merlin's cheeky tone Isabelle could feel the exhaustion the poison was inflicting upon him. However this thought was pushed aside as a new wave of power washed through her and she knew Merlin was the source of this. She closed her eyes and felt the power around her shift.

Despite her lack of experience with magic, having kept it hidden most of her life, she followed her instincts and found herself firing more spells at Hecate. The older woman blocked these but Isabelle could feel the ground she was gaining. She took a step forward and opened her eyes to see a flicker of fear in Hecate's eyes. More spells hit Hecate's defences and this time she was the one to step back as they faltered.

Isabelle could feel magic thrumming through her body and it felt strange to her. She had never explored her magic fully and had never felt it so alive, pulsing through her veins. It felt like the most natural thing in the world.

However she knew the main bulk of this power wasn't hers and she checked her two friends through the bond they had formed. What she saw however made her falter. Morgana was fine but Merlin, who was contributing most to the spell, was looking terrible. She knew that the poison had affected him but she hadn't realised how deeply. She didn't fully understand how he was managing to keep this up when she had been failing at the same point.

In her mind's eye she saw him and Morgana in Gaius' chambers; Merlin lying on the bed with Morgana sat next to him, clutching at his hand. As she watched she saw Merlin's ashen face turn deathly white and his skin start to take on a sickly hue. Suddenly it hit her, the reason he was managing to add more power to the spell, the solution he'd found to his lack of magic, the reason he was looking on the verge of death; he was using his life force

Once Isabelle had worked this out she knew that if they continued like this Merlin would kill himself without the poison needing to run its course; there was no way she was going to let him do that. She and Arthur had come this far, found the antidote and were going to make it back on time to save him; she wasn't going to let him throw his life away before they had the chance. He was too important for that. Too important to the future and too important to her.

She felt determination flood through her and she focused back on the spell, taking control away from Merlin. She felt him trying to fight her but ultimately she was the vessel and had control over the power flooding through her. She blocked off the power coming from Merlin. The spells faltered for a moment but she used her own energy to keep them building. She could feel the shock from both presences in her mind but pushed forward anyway. She knew she couldn't do it alone and she sent a simple plea to the other participant of the spell.

Give us a hand Morgana, I can't do this alone.

After a moment's hesitation from the other girl, Isabelle felt her respond and focused Morgana's energy into the new spells she was creating. Pushing everything she had into it she focused on the pool inside her that was untouched, kept safe by a primal self-preservation. However sheer determination on her part and the desperate need to keep Merlin from harm allowed her to break through and replace Merlin's contribution with her own.

A wave of panic washed through her and it took her a moment to realise that this emotion wasn't her own. She could feel Merlin pushing to rejoin the spell but she strengthened her block and pushed his feeble attempt out. Merlin, never one to give up, tried a different tack.

Isabelle please, you can't do this, you have to stop.

She just smiled at his words and focused back on the spells. She felt incredible. Now the magic flowing through her was truly her own and it felt like she was alive with the power, she was home. But, despite what Arthur would say, she wasn't stupid. She knew that it was her life energy fuelling the magic and that there was a strong chance she wasn't going to make it once it was over. She could feel the dull ache that was beginning to form in her bones but pushed it aside, revelling in the warmth of the magic in her veins, reinforced by Morgana's contribution. She knew that when the spells ended the warmth would be replaced by the cold fatigue that was creeping in but she clung to the heat for as long as she could, using it to banish the cold as well as fuel her spells.

Isabelle, don't do this. I'm begging you don't do this. I know you can feel it slipping away, please stop while you have the chance.

What is it? Morgana's confused voice joined Merlin's, Merlin what is she doing?

She's using her life force to fuel the spell; she's going to kill herself!

You mean like you were doing a minute ago? Isabelle replied, Merlin you can't stop me. Your life is way more important than mine. You have to help Arthur become a great king, it's your destiny.

Screw destiny! He all but screamed in her mind, You think it'll be worth fulfilling without you? I've lost so much; I can't lose you as well.

Isabelle think about this, I'm sure we can fix this together without anyone dying. Please Isabelle, stop now!

But she ignored both of their pleading, knowing there wasn't really anything they could do about it. She had made her decision and nothing they could say would change her mind. She could see it now; this was how it was supposed to end.

Isabelle don't! Arthur do something! Stop her; she's going to kill herself!

Merlin he can't hear you. Isabelle replied calmly.

You want to bet? Came his stubborn reply.

Arthur had watched the events unfold in front of him with a sense of dread filling the pit of her stomach. He had stared wide eyed as Isabelle seemed to fall back, the spells flashing through the air coming mainly from Hecate. He'd seen her close her eyes and registered the look of defeat on her face. He had screamed at her, begging her not to give in, but she seemed not to hear him.

However, just when he'd thought all was lost, something seemed to shift. He could feel the power growing around Isabelle. He watched in shock as she seemed to have recovered enough to push back and start to overwhelm Hecate.

Despite her seeming change of fortune, one look at Isabelle's face showed Arthur that she was having some kind of inner conflict. The spells she was firing at Hecate seemed to falter for a moment before continuing, greater than before.

Arthur didn't have a clue what was going on. He was at a disadvantage, having no knowledge of magic, so he could only watch as the two women fought it out. It didn't help his pride that he was still bound by the spell that held his feet, preventing him from moving.

Frustration was welling up inside him once again but he was distracted from that by a strange feeling in his head. He clutched at his head as the sensation grew. It felt oddly familiar and after a moment's confusion he realised that it was the same feeling he'd had during the druids' trials when Isabelle had been in his head. Just as he grasped this a different voice floated through his mind.

Arthur! Arthur can you hear me?

He frowned as he heard this, recognising the familiar voice instantly and wondering what on earth he was doing in his head.

Merlin? What's going on? How are you in my head?

Never mind that, I'll explain later. Came Merlin's frantic reply, You have to help Isabelle Arthur! She's going to kill herself if she keeps this up.

What do you think I've been trying to do idiot! It's kind of difficult with my feet stuck to the floor. Suddenly he registered what Merlin said, Wait, what do you mean she's going to kill herself?

She's out of magic and so is using her life force to fuel the spells. She won't listen to me, you have to help her.

Arthur ground his teeth in frustration at Isabelle's stubbornness as Merlin's words sunk in. He longed to be able to help but he couldn't see anything he could do.

Are you a knight or not? Merlin cried in exasperation, Use your sword!

Jeeze Merlin, your logic astounds me. Arthur snapped back sarcastically, But that stupid witch fixed my feet to the floor and I can't move!

Oh, well why didn't you say so earlier?

Arthur bit back the urge to point out that he had said this, multiple times, deeming it too childish for a prince. He could practically hear the cogs whirring in Merlin brain as he tried to find a solution and recognised the irony that his idiotic manservant was the one coming up with the way out.

I've got it. Merlin said excitedly, cutting through Arthur's thought, Give me a moment, I'll get you out of this.

Arthur frowned in confusion, something he seemed to be doing a lot at the moment, as he heard words echoing through his mind in a strange language he didn't recognise. However it was clear to him that the voice muttering these words belonged to Merlin. Something clicked in the back of his mind as he recognised a few of the words Merlin was saying; it was sorcery. Shock reverberated through him as he realised what this must mean. However before he had time to register anything other than shock he felt the weight lift of his feet.

There, you should be able to move. Now do something!

Arthur snapped into action, drawing his sword he approached the battling pair. He could feel the magic from the sword he had pulled out of the stone humming through him. He hesitated as he approached them, unsure what to do. Dodging any stray spells Arthur moved round towards Hecate.

Isabelle was completely absorbed in the spells but still managed to register Arthur moving towards them. She fought the urge to turn and stare at him in shock, knowing that would give away whatever it was that he was doing. She pressed harder, drawing all of Hecate's attention away from him.

She knew she was close to her end and took a deep breath, trying to hold on for a few more moments. Suddenly the force resisting her spells vanished and her gaze shot up in time to see Hecate fall forward, Arthur's sword run through her. She took a deep breath and relaxed, letting go of all the spells she had been holding in place. She felt Merlin and Morgana's presences leave her mind and a small smile crossed her face as her head started to spin, before everything went black.