Chapter 35

The quiet that followed the prophecy was intense; all in the Hall stared at the Earth Harp waiting to hear Her next words, of how Her prophecy would be brought about. But there were none. She did not speak; She did not proclaim Aerona as the Anointed One and She did not sing.

The elders of the Deceangli began to murmour; they had come expecting Aerona to be acclaimed but instead they got silence. Doubts began to once more assail their minds and with them came a lessoning of their fear of the woman before them. If the Harp did not speak for her then was she really as powerful as they had supposed?

Aerona was incandescent with rage. Why had the Harp stopped? She looked around the men gathered below her, saw them shuffling and exchanging glances with each other and knew she was on the point of losing them and their armies. That could not happen; she was the Anointed One. The Harp just needed more power that was all; afterall She had been asleep for over one thousand years. No, she knew what to do; quick to think on her feet as always she began to talk her way through the problem.

"The first part of the Ceremony is over; our Beloved Harp has spoken the Prophecy of my coming and the future I will bring. But now She needs more. She needs blood to bring about the death and destruction. Blood will lead to blood and betrayal always leads to more betrayal." Aerona glared at the men as their mutterings ceased; she was winning them over, pulling them back from the brink of disobedience. "Bring forth the servant and the King."

Arthur and Merlin were dragged nearer the dais and thrown onto the ground by the now fully recovered guards. Their heads were pulled up and they were forced to look upon Aerona as she towered high over them.

Actually, she thought as she took in their battered and beaten bodies, this had worked out well. Although she would have preferred the Harp to speak at once the silence had given her the opportunity to play a little more with these worthless specks of humanity and also to advance the next stage of her plan. The absorption of the servant's magic, his death and that also of his King. All in all it was better that this was done now, in front of the elders. Let them really see the extent of her power and the death of the Pendragon dynasty. Plus, she allowed herself a little indulgence, it was such delicious fun making these two hurt.

"Stand" She ordered the two prisoners, wanting the joy of being able to bring them to their knees one last time. "I told you, Servant, that Arthur's death would not be enough for me and now is the time that you and he must face the truth."

She stepped down off the dais and walked towards Merlin who was just staring at the ground. "After you were free of my possession spell Dera and I spoke often with our minds and she was oh so willing to pull you in and hurt you even more. Were you not my dear?"

At these words Dera moved forward and stood proudly beside her Queen.

"More than willing my Lady; it was the culmination of all my hopes and dreams. To be working for you in the destruction of Camelot and its citizens. Breaking Merlin was a pleasure."

"You stood no chance against her Merlin; she always had my protection around her. No danger, magic or otherwise could touch her. She was shielded. But you loved her didn't you? And look at what that love has brought you. You deserted your guardian, your brothers and your Citadel; you hurt and betrayed your friends and loved ones. And now that love will take the life of your dearest friend and King. Was it worth it Merlin? Does the love you felt balance out the pain it has caused?"

Aerona looked at the young man as he stood in front of her; there was no reaction, just dead eyes staring back at her. And she wanted more, she longed to see the realisation and the pain reflected in those blue depths so she continued.

"And the pain does not stop with your deaths; no I will do as I promised. Once the last breath has gone from your bodies and the dogs are feasting on your cold flesh I and my army will descend upon Camelot and decimate it."

Arthur's head rose in an attempt at defiance, thinking of Gwaine's escape; but it seemed as if Aerona could read his mind.

"Oh, you are expecting that long haired pretty one to come to Camelot's aid? Do you really think that my Dera would have let him escape? No, his body lies broken at the foot of a cliff not far from here. Perhaps even now an animal is gnawing at his bones or a crow is eating his beautiful eyes. I hope he lived long enough to feel the first bite and to know the agony of his death."

Arthur shut his eyes and tried hard not to vomit; Gwaine was gone and with him Camelot's last hope. There was no time to properly grieve the dead knight; but even so Arthur sent up a silent message wishing his soul peace.

"Once I am Queen the people of Camelot will rue the day their King ever met you Merlin; for it was you who lead him to this and brought about their doom. They will suffer under the yoke of my tyranny for many lifetimes. Freedom will be but a long ago dream and peace and happiness just words of bitterness. And all this is your fault, Servant. If you had been stronger, able to resist my spells or even able to kill your King then some of this would have been avoided."

In her glee at finally letting go Aerona began to move and sway as if dancing to some inner satanic music. "I would still have ruled; but the people would have had some modicum of peace and Guinevere would have lived. Oh, she would have been imprisoned of course but I would have granted a little mercy. But now she will die in agony; and it will take such a long, long time. She will know as she suffers to whom she owes all this. She will take to her grave the knowledge that the death and destruction of all she cares about was caused by an insignificant servant who pretended to be a friend to all."

Merlin stood silently and some small part of him listened to what Aerona was saying but the rest of him did not need her words to confirm what he already felt. He knew his failings, understood his weakness and believed wholeheartedly in his culpability. This was his fault. All of it; and no good could come of pretending it wasn't. He might as well as burnt down the citadel, sold all Camelot's citizens into slavery and killed Arthur with his own hands. For that was what his negligence and his inability to act had caused.

But there was nothing he could do; comprehension had come too late. He knew now why his magic had never worked well around Dera and how she had managed to fool him. But this knowledge was of little use. Gwaine was dead and Arthur would soon follow. It was all he could do to remain standing but he wanted to cling onto one last remaining strand of dignity and not let Aerona see how badly he was broken. He reached down deep inside of himself and found an ounce of determination left, he had to try one last time. Perhaps it was not too late, perhaps he could convince Aerona. Perhaps he still had a chance to save all he loved. He looked round to Arthur and knew he had to try. Merlin spoke...

XXX

Merlin was still standing. Arthur could not believe it. He had listened to all Aerona had said and it had cut him to the very core. The King felt the same feelings of despair and failure as did Merlin but at least he was not being berated by the witch. At least he was left alone to break silently and was not being blamed by her for all that had occurred, although he blamed himself. Yet if he had been in Merlin's place he honestly did not know if he could have withstood the barrage of anger and accusation.

And yet Merlin was still standing. He was swaying badly and looking as if a small breath of air would be enough to send him crashing to the ground; but he was standing nonetheless. Not for the first time Arthur was astounded by the inner strength the younger man possessed; hidden for the most part, but there to be called on when all seemed lost. Given the affect Aerona's words had had on him Arthur could only marvel at Merlin's ability to remain upright. And then he saw what Merlin was looking at and understood a little more.

Aerona was now laughing gleefully, not in the least bit affected by the sorrow surrounding her. She was almost dancing, moving to and fro to her own inward rhythm. Mocking Merlin. Arthur could see that her actions were directed at the servant and that this was what was giving Merlin the strength to resist falling. Defiance. He was just staring at Aerona, watching her dance. It was almost eerie how still his face was and how expressionless his eyes were.

As he watched Arthur saw Merlin take a breath and gather himself to speak; fighting the overwhelming sadness that just seemed to seep from his bones. Even now the impossible man was not giving up.

"Aerona. It is not you. It is not."

"Oh but my poor boy, of course it is. I have sensed my greatness and my destiny all my life. You would not understand what it is to have a fate beyond the wildest imagination. To be born knowing that great power is yours for the taking yet having to wait so long and be beholden to others who know nothing of your future invincibility. I have waited so long and now it is my time." As she spoke Aerona moved towards the men and swirled around rapturously.

"You are wrong and this is your last chance to stop before you are destroyed. Please think." Merlin's voice faltered but made it to the end.

"You are the cause of this." She crowed "I will take such pleasure in knowing this was your last thought as you died. That you failed, boy."

Aerona was yelling now, triumphantly gloating over the silent figure before her. This time she knew her words had reached him; he was gently shaking and tears filled his eyes. Oh the joy of winning, of finally breaking this insufferable young man was almost greater than hearing the Harp speak. He understood now, she had made him see how all this was his fault. He had betrayed everything through weakness and stubbornness and she needed to drive home her point even deeper.

"I will now have the blood of the betrayer and the betrayed. I have your blood already; your treason against love, friendship and honour. Such strong emotions, so much better than merely deserting a city, leaving a Master and killing a magically induced love. These are real, deep emotions and they will give me such power. Now I will have the blood of the one you care for most; the one who you have destroyed though your weakness. I am going to kill your King now."

Walking up to Merlin she whispered in his ear. "And as his life blood slips away into the dirt I will tell him of your magic and your true betrayal; he will die cursing you as a deceiver and a sorcerer. Think of it as my final gift to you. The man you admire, respect and love above all others will go to his grave hating the very essence of you."

XXX

I just want to say "Thank you" to everyone who has reviewed, read and followed this story. It is dedicated to Scarletpampernel, a great writer, a great friend and the main reason this is being posted and is not just sitting covered in dust in a forgotten file on a crappy old laptop.

I guess I should say that there is about 9 or 10 chapters to go until the end of this...hope they don't disapoint. Thanks again.

Take care,

Zendog