A/N: Thank you for not murdering me...except you, Juxshoa.

The throne room doors opened. A pair of soldiers escorted Sir Leon into the room and shoved him to his knees in front of the throne.

"Tell me, Sir Leon…how have you enjoyed the first week of my reign?" Morgana asked.

Leon said nothing, glaring at her.

Morgana suppressed a sigh; she would have expected nothing less, but she had to keep up appearances. "Speak up. Are you and your fellow knights ready to honor and serve me?"

"I would rather die," Leon stated coldly.

Morgause smirked. "That can be arranged."

"My loyalty is to the king and princes. There is nothing you can do to change that."

"We shall see," Morgana said icily. She jerked her head at the guards. They picked up Leon and hauled him back to the dungeons.

Morgana took a deep breath, reining in her frustration. She might be queen in name, but the soldiers were bound to Morgause. If Morgana were to issue any anomalous orders, it would likely cause more problems than it would solve.

Arthur ran through the woods, fleeing soldiers yet again. Finally, he made it back to the ravine that concealed the cave entrance. He hurried inside, set down his pack and accepted a waterskin from Elyan. Unfortunately, he quickly discovered that the waterskin was empty.

"I'll get some more," Elyan offered.

Arthur shook his head. "It's too dangerous."

"What happened?" Gwaine demanded.

Arthur grimaced. "Morgause's men, they're everywhere."

He sighed and glanced at the corner of the cave. Merlin and Gaius sat huddled against the wall, staring blankly into space. Although the whole group was mourning, Merlin and Gaius had taken Will's death much harder than the others.

Morgana stood with Morgause on the balcony above the courtyard. The few remaining knights of Camelot stood in a row facing the witches. A large crowd of townspeople had gathered to watch.

"I will give you one more chance to pledge your allegiance to me," Morgana announced haughtily. A row of soldiers aimed crossbows at the knights.

Leon lifted his eyes to the balcony and smiled. "Long live the king!" The other knights all chorused the cheer.

"Perhaps this will help you change your mind," Morgause said coldly. She lifted a hand, then brought it down in the signal to kill. The soldiers turned and fired into the crowd of innocent bystanders.

"No!" Morgana cried, magically halting the arrows in midair. She let them fall harmlessly to the ground, then rounded on Morgause. "This was not the plan, sister! If they pledge allegiance purely to protect the people, they will turn on us the first chance they get!"

"Very well," Morgause agreed, giving Morgana a shrewd look. She raised her voice again. "Return them to the dungeons." The soldiers moved to obey her orders.

"I was under the impression the knights themselves were to die," Morgana said cautiously, afraid that Morgause would change her mind.

Morgause shook her head. "Without their allegiance, the people will not yield."

"Nor will they yield if we slaughter them unprovoked," Morgana pointed out.

Guards opened the door of the cell. Morgana walked in and smirked. This particular prisoner's fate was the one good thing to come of the invasion. "Father."

Uther turned away from the window, looking haggard. "Why are you doing this?"

Morgana raised an eyebrow, regarding him with a cold look. "Why would I turn against the man who has slaughtered so many of my people and forced me to live in fear?"

"They bring their fates upon themselves," Uther argued weakly. "They practice evil."

"We," Morgana corrected. "I have magic, Father. You condemn your own daughter."

Uther shook his head, desperately trying to cling to the views he had held for so long and yet unable to hate his little girl. "Why take up magic? I taught you of its evils. I fought so hard to protect you from its clutches…"

"You cannot protect me from myself," Morgana snapped. "I did not choose this. Magic chose me, as it chose so many others that you put to death. You left us no choice but to rise up against you in order to survive." She smirked again. "And now, finally, you know what it's like to be alone and afraid. To be disgusted with who and what you are. You suffer…as we suffered." She turned around and headed back to the door.

"Do you really hate me so much?" Uther called brokenly.

Morgana looked over her shoulder at him. "You cannot begin to know how much I hate you."

Arthur took a bowl of stew over to Merlin and set it down in front of him. "Come on, Merlin. You need to eat."

"What's the point?" Merlin asked dully.

"Do you think Will gave up his life so you could waste away in the back of a cave while Morgause oppresses our people? Honor his memory by getting up and doing something to save our kingdom!"

"Like what?" Merlin argued wearily. "We cannot defeat an immortal army."

"We don't know until we try," Arthur countered.

Arthur waited, but Merlin said nothing further. He sighed and walked away. After a few moments, Merlin picked up the bowl and started eating.

Morgana watched Gwen make the bed. "Gwen…" Morgana said quietly. "I think you should get out of Camelot."

Gwen tucked in a stray corner and turned around. "Why?"

"Morgause doubts your loyalties. She already knew about your relationship with Arthur, and you made matters worse when you begged to give Will a proper funeral."

Gwen bowed her head, a tear forming in the corner of her eye. "Thank you for insisting on it."

Morgana sighed. "If Morgause had any idea whose servant he was, I doubt I could have talked her into it. We're lucky she hasn't guessed who he was fleeing the castle with. But back to my point…I don't think you're safe here, Gwen."

"All right, then." Gwen lifted her chin. "But I'm not the only one in danger. Let me break Leon out and take him with me."

"Will he trust you, after he's seen you at my side?" Morgana asked worriedly.

"My mother was a maid in his household. We grew up together. He'll come around," Gwen declared confidently.

Morgana nodded. "Then I will procure a key and arrange for you to meet with him under the guise of talking sense into him."

"Gaius," Merlin said quietly. "Arthur's right. He'd want us to pick ourselves up and keep going."

Gaius shook his head, his expression devoid of hope. "But how?"

"Come on, Gaius, there must be a way to render the army mortal once more," Merlin urged. "And if anyone would know it, you would."

Gaius sighed and nodded. "The Cup of Life has to be emptied of the blood it contains. Once that happens, the enchantment will no longer hold."

"Then that's what I'll do," Merlin stated, his voice full of determination.

"They're immortal, Merlin," Gaius fretted. "You don't have the power to defeat a soldier, never mind an army."

"I have to try."

Morgause approached Morgana near the dungeons. "Sister. How brilliant you are."

"What are you talking about?" Morgana asked, confused.

"Letting your maid speak with Sir Leon," Morgause explained. "It is the perfect opportunity to watch and see where her loyalties truly lie."

Morgana pasted on a smile. "Of course." She reluctantly followed Morgause to a concealed grate that looked into Leon's cell.

A few minutes later, Gwen entered the cell with a loaf of bread. Leon promptly stood up. "Guinevere!"

"It's all I could get," Gwen apologized.

Leon took the bread. "I don't understand, what are you doing here?" He began wolfing down the bread before she could reply.

"Morgana sent me," Gwen answered. Leon stopped eating and looked at her with horror. "All is not as it seems, Leon, listen to me!"

Leon spat out a mouthful of bread. "I'd rather starve. Guards!"

Gwen stepped closer to him and lowered her voice. "I'm going to help you escape." Leon stared at her in shock.

A guard approached the cell, and Gwen turned around. "It's all right. Get me some water." The guard hesitated. "The queen has instructed me to give the prisoner food and water!" The guard left.

"You know what will happen to you if you're caught?" Leon demanded in a hushed voice.

"We have to find Arthur," Gwen replied.

Leon nodded. "I have a good idea where he'll be hiding."

"Then I need to get you out of here," Gwen concluded.

"How? It's impossible, surely."

Gwen smiled, holding out a key to his cell. "I'm a trusted member of the court. Obtaining this was simple."

"It is as we suspected," Morgause said calmly. "She has betrayed you. She shall be executed at dawn."

"No," Morgana objected quickly. "This is good. Let her run along to her beloved prince. She will lead us straight to him."

Merlin opened his bag to take out his spellbook. To his surprise, he discovered another, smaller object inside. He pulled out the vial of water from the Lake of Avalon and broke into his first smile in days. "Thank you, Morgana," he whispered.

He cast a spell on the vial. Nothing happened. He tried another spell.

Morgana entered her chambers as Gwen was lighting candles. "Gwen, I'm afraid we have a problem."

"What?" Gwen asked warily.

"Morgause spied on your conversation with Leon. The only reason you're not in the cells awaiting execution is because I persuaded her to follow you to Arthur."

Gwen gasped. "So then what do we do?"

Morgana sighed and held up a potion. "This will allow her to track you. I'm sorry, you must drink it, else she will know something's off." She pulled out a second potion. "This will cancel the spell. Take it once you are a fair distance outside Camelot."

"All right," Gwen nodded. "Thank you, my lady."

Morgana shook her head. "Morgana. I've lost the right to be 'my lady'. I'll be lucky if I'm not executed when this is all over. If it's ever over."

"Arthur and Merlin won't let that happen," Gwen said quietly. "They'll smuggle you out of the city if they have to. And some day when Arthur takes the throne, I'm sure he'll want you back at his side."

Morgana smiled sadly. "I wish I shared your faith."

Merlin had lost track of how long he'd been casting various spells on the vial, all without effect. He was exhausted; he could feel himself beginning to nod off. A noise behind him startled him into dropping the vial. It shattered.

"Sorry," Gwaine said, heading toward the entrance of the cave. "Nature calls."

Merlin ignored him, staring in horror as the water trickled down a crevice in the cave floor. To his surprise, the water began to glow and soon formed itself into a puddle. A face appeared in the water. An achingly familiar face. "Freya?"

Freya smiled. "I've missed you."

Merlin shook his head, still dazed. "No, you…"

"Merlin, we don't have long," Freya interrupted. "I swore that one day I would repay you. Now is the moment."

"I don't understand," Merlin said, confused.

"There is but one weapon that can slay something which is already dead. That weapon lies at the bottom of the Lake of Avalon, where you hid it."

"But Morgause's army are not dead, they're very much alive," Merlin argued.

"Anyone who toys with the Cup pays a terrible price," Freya revealed. "The moment they entered their pact with Morgause, they became the living dead. You must come to the lake."

"And you will give me the sword?"

Freya nodded. "In your hands, it has the power to save Albion."

Merlin smiled. "Thank you."

Freya smiled back. "No. It's given me the chance to see you again."

"That's better," Gwaine said. Merlin looked over his shoulder and saw Gwaine returning to his sleeping spot. "You all right, Merlin? You look like you've seen a ghost."

Merlin grinned broadly. "I'm fine. Really." He turned back to the water. "Freya?"

There was no response. The water had become an ordinary puddle.

Merlin went to a nearby clearing and roared a summons. He expectantly watched the skies, then jumped when a twig snapped behind him. "Arthur?"

"You seem better," Arthur replied. "I'm hoping this means you finally have some sort of plan?"

"Yeah."

Arthur waited for Merlin to say more, but Merlin didn't volunteer any further information. "And are you going to share this plan with me, or are we back to the secrets?"

"It…" Merlin trailed off and swallowed. "Can I tell you in the morning?"

"And then have you put it off till evening?" Arthur said skeptically.

"I'll tell you, I promise…just let me do this part alone," Merlin pleaded.

Arthur sighed as Kilgharrah flew into view. "Fine. But I'll hold you to that." He returned to the cave while Kilgharrah swooped low and landed in the clearing.

"The other side of your coin does not wish to speak with me?" Kilgharrah asked curiously.

Merlin glanced over his shoulder. "It's complicated." He looked back at Kilgharrah. "I have to cross twenty leagues of hostile territory. I need you to take me."

"I am not a horse, Merlin!" Kilgharrah cried indignantly.

"If you do not help me, then Morgause will have won, unless that's what you want!" Merlin snapped.

"My allegiance has never been with that witch," Kilgharrah growled.

"I know. But is it with me?"

"Yes, young warlock," Kilgharrah said seriously. "It is with you."

Gwen paced in her house, anxiously awaiting Leon's arrival. Finally, the door opened and Leon ducked inside. Gwen handed him a garment and closed the door behind him. "We haven't got time to waste."

Leon unfolded the garment and held it up to his chest. "You-you can't be serious."

"Just hurry!" Gwen urged. "Every guard in Camelot will be looking for you. They won't be looking for two women courtiers!"

In truth, she just wanted to make their escape look as authentic as possible so that suspicion would not fall on Morgana. And, admittedly, she could do with a laugh.

Leon sighed and walked behind a curtain to change into the dress.

The sun had risen by the time Kilgharrah landed at the Lake of Avalon. Merlin slid off his back. "Thank you."

Kilgharrah did not acknowledge the thanks. "The time has come, Merlin. Arthur must take up the sword."

Merlin nodded. "He will get it, I swear."

He turned to the Lake and saw a boat floating near the shore. He climbed inside and used a spell to set it in motion. Once the boat reached the middle of the Lake, something shiny broke the surface of the water. The dragon-forged sword rose point-first out of the Lake. A woman's hand gripped the hilt. Merlin smiled, bittersweet tears gathering in his eyes.

Gwen and Leon finally stopped for a rest. Leon ducked behind a tree to take off the dress while Gwen drank the second potion. When Leon did not emerge after a few minutes, Gwen spoke up. "What's taking you so long?"

"I'm a woman," Leon grumbled, stepping into view as he struggled with the gown.

Gwen stifled a giggle. "Here, let me help you." She unfastened a button on his back.

Leon went back behind the tree. "From here, we need to take the path heading north. There's a cave in the Darkling Woods, five minutes due east of the—"

"Fallen oak?" Gwen finished. Leon poked his head out, looking confused. "Morgana told me Arthur's probably hiding there."

"Morgana knows about the cave?" Leon yelped.

"Of course she does. She, Arthur and Merlin have always been thick as thieves, they tell each other nearly everything. She'd never betray them."

"But…why…"

"It's a long story. But Morgause is the real power in Camelot. Morgana is playing along so that she can best protect the people. Think about it, Leon. She froze the arrows, remember?"

"She did," Leon conceded.

"And she provided the key that I gave to you," Gwen continued.

"Why didn't you tell me before?"

"I was afraid you'd think it was all a trap," Gwen admitted. "I couldn't risk you losing faith in me before we were out of the city."

Morgause cursed when the magical trail faded. She'd told Morgana that they should have hunted down whatever sorcerer escaped Camelot that first night. Now the princes had slipped through their fingers again.

Morgause was about to turn around and return to Camelot, but then she noticed a broken branch. The fools, they were still leaving a normal trail. She smirked. "This way!" she called to her men.

Shouting sounded from outside the cave. Arthur went to investigate, followed by Gwaine and Elyan. Footsteps approached from around a corner of the ravine. Arthur darted out with his sword raised, but quickly lowered it when a woman gasped.

"Guinevere!" Arthur exclaimed. He hugged her, then turned to clasp arms with Sir Leon.

Before they could say anything else, Merlin rounded a corner and ran toward them. "We've been found! They're almost upon us!"

"Get Gaius," Arthur ordered. Merlin headed into the cave while Arthur turned to the rest of the group. "We need to get out of here. Run!"

Inside the cave, Merlin approached Gaius. "They've found us. We need to go."

"I'll only slow you down," Gaius objected. "You and Arthur are the important ones, not me."

"I am not losing anyone else, Gaius!" Merlin exclaimed angrily. "Go, that's an order!" Gaius reluctantly left, Merlin right on his heels.

Once outside, Merlin noticed a soldier approaching them from another direction. He changed course and attacked the man. They briefly dueled, then Merlin succeeded in slashing the soldier's chest. The man exploded into smoke.

Merlin looked at the dragon-forged sword in his hand, grinning. Then he ran to catch up with the others.

Merlin found the group farther down the ravine. Moments after Merlin's arrival, more soldiers entered the ravine from the far side, blocking their path. Then there was a shout from above them. Several large boulders tumbled into the ravine, cutting off the soldiers from the fugitives.

Once the rocks stopped falling, the group looked up at the spot where they had fallen from. Two armored figures emerged into view. One was a tall, muscular stranger. The other was more slender and very familiar. "Lancelot!" Gwen gasped.

Lancelot smiled at her. "We need to hurry."

The group took a different route out of the ravine and soon met up with Lancelot and his friend. Arthur stabbed his sword into the ground and grinned. "I take it that rock fall wasn't an accident."

"This is Percival," Lancelot introduced, clapping his friend on the shoulder. "It was his strength that brought them down."

Percival nodded deferentially. "Your Highness."

Arthur shook his head and offered a hand. "Arthur."

Percival smiled and shook Arthur's hand. "Arthur it is."

"What are you doing here?" Merlin wondered.

"I received a letter from Morgana," Lancelot explained. "She told me I'd find you here and that you'd need all the help you could get. I see she was right."

"Well, we owe you our lives," Arthur stated. "Thank you."

Lancelot smiled, then looked around and suddenly frowned. "Where's Will? Did he not come with you?"

The shadow that instantly crossed everyone's face was answer enough.

"Oh. I'm sorry." Lancelot bowed his head. "He was a good man."

"He was," Merlin agreed sadly. "Come on, we should get moving."

Morgause approached Morgana in a hallway. "That sorcerer is working with the princes, I'm sure of it," she growled, frustrated. "I'm sorry, sister."

"Even with a sorcerer, what can they do?" Morgana scoffed. "They have but a handful of men. We have an immortal army at our disposal."

"Yes, but while the princes live the people will not yield," Morgause said worriedly.

Morgana said nothing, secretly proud of the people's loyalty to the rightful rulers.

Late in the afternoon, the group of fugitives arrived at an abandoned castle. "This castle belonged to the ancient kings," Arthur stated. "It'll do for a while. Search the place, see what you can find."

Gaius sat at an old, covered table. Percival offered him a cup of water. The rest of the group spread out, searching the dusty room for anything useful.

Gwaine dumped a pile of swords onto a smaller table. "Must have been left by bandits." Lancelot, Leon and Elyan all moved to inspect the swords.

Arthur walked over to Gaius's table and pulled off the cover, revealing an ornately carved round table. "Here!" Arthur called. "Come and join me."

Merlin and Guinevere walked over to sit on either side of Arthur. The rest of the group abandoned the stockpile of weapons and joined them. Once everyone was seated, Arthur continued speaking. "This table belonged to the ancient kings of Camelot. A round table afforded no one man more importance than any other. They believed in equality in all things. So, it seems fitting that we revive this tradition now. Without each of you, we would not be here." Arthur looked around at the group. "My father has languished in prison for too long. Tomorrow, I make my bid to rescue him. Are there any around this table who will join me?"

For a few moments, no one spoke. Then Lancelot rose to his feet. "You taught me the values of being a knight, the code by which a man should live his life: to fight with honor for justice, freedom, and all that's good." His eyes briefly drifted to Gwen, though he quickly returned his attention to Arthur. "I believe in the world that you will build."

"Even though I was a commoner, a nobody, you were willing to lay down your life for me, Arthur." Elyan stood up. "It is now my turn to repay you."

Leon stood up. "I have fought alongside you many times. There is no one that I would rather die for."

"I think we've no chance." Everyone turned to Gwaine. "But I wouldn't miss it for the world." Gwaine stood up.

Percival stood up and smiled. "Your enemies are my enemies."

Gaius stood up. "If you need an old man."

Gwen stood up. "You know the answer," she said softly.

Arthur smiled at Gwen, then paused and frowned. "Merlin?"

"Nah, I don't really fancy it," Merlin said casually.

"Good to see you've got your sense of humor back," Arthur said cheerfully, not doubting Merlin in the slightest. Sure enough, Merlin stood up and nodded at his brother.

Arthur returned the nod, then turned back to the table at large again. "I want to thank you all for staying loyal to me in Camelot's hour of need." He paused. "I'll do something that my father won't approve of."

A couple minutes later, four of their number knelt in a line facing Arthur. Arthur walked down the line, dubbing each man's shoulders with his sword. "Arise, Sir Lancelot, knight of Camelot. Arise, Sir Gwaine, knight of Camelot. Arise, Sir Percival, knight of Camelot. Arise, Sir Elyan, knight of Camelot." Each man rose when Arthur said his name. "Tomorrow when you fight, you can stand proud, knowing you are members of the most noble army the world has ever known."

Once they had all eaten a meager meal, Arthur pulled Merlin aside. "We never had a chance to talk this morning. What have you been up to?"

"There's a sword, forged in the dragon's breath," Merlin explained. "It can kill anything, even Morgause's men."

Arthur furrowed his brow. "Well, it's better than nothing, but we can't take out an entire army one man at a time."

Merlin shook his head. "We won't have to. If we can reach the Cup of Life, empty it of the blood it contains, the enchantment will be broken and Morgause will become powerless."

Arthur's eyes briefly lit up, then he sobered again. "It's still guarded by an army that only one weapon can kill."

"You're the kingdom's best swordsman and I've got magic. We'll reach the Cup," Merlin said confidently.

"You want me to use the magic sword?" Arthur asked, surprised.

"It was forged for you, Arthur," Merlin said seriously.

"Well, I appreciate that, but I think I should hold off on wielding it until I'm king and magic is free." Arthur paused, frowning. "Lancelot knows about you, right?"

"Yes?"

"Take the sword and go with him to the Cup. I'll take everyone else down to the dungeons to rescue Father."

"But…"

"Do you want to explain how that sword can kill the soldiers?" Arthur interrupted. "Or explain why neither of us is part of the attempt to rescue our own father?"

"All right," Merlin conceded, seeing Arthur's point.

"Good." Arthur paused again. "Why didn't you want me to join you for the forging of a sword meant for me?"

"The sword was forged years ago, I just needed to retrieve it from where I'd hidden it," Merlin said somberly, tears forming in his eyes.

"Still not sure why you needed to be alone for that."

"Because Freya gave it back to me." Merlin swallowed hard, then walked over to his bedroll. Arthur stayed where he was, stunned and slightly guilty.

In the morning, Arthur gathered them all around the table to strategize. "There is a tunnel under the northern ramparts that brings us only a few paces from the entrance to the dungeons. It will be well guarded. So, if we're going to break everyone out, we must remain unobserved. We cannot let them raise the alarm. Merlin, you know the castle better than anyone, I need you to take out the warning bell."

"All right," Merlin agreed. "I'd rather not do that alone, though, how about Lancelot accompanies me?"

Arthur nodded. "Lancelot, go with him."

"Happy to, Sire."

Plan now established, the group dispersed. The knights went to sort through the weapons while Arthur spoke quietly to Gwen. "Stay here with Gaius. I want you to gather firewood and make bandages. There may be casualties."

"All right." Gwen nodded and began walking toward the exit.

Arthur grabbed her arm. "Guinevere…"

"They'll see," Gwen whispered, glancing at the knights.

"I don't care," Arthur said seriously. "I want you to know…if I never see you again…"

"You will," Gwen said earnestly. "You will see me." She reached up and stroked Arthur's cheek. "I watched you last night. You gave us hope, something to believe in. I saw the king you will become. I'm so proud of you, Arthur."

The pair stared into each other's eyes, then Arthur leaned forward and passionately kissed Gwen. They lost themselves in the moment, drinking in what might be their last kiss.

Standing with the other knights, Lancelot caught sight of them and smiled sadly. Guinevere was happy; he refused to let himself regret his decision to step aside.

Meanwhile, Gaius spoke to Merlin. "You need to be careful."

"I've got the easy bit," Merlin said breezily. "The warning bell is nothing compared to the cells."

"Merlin," Gaius said sternly. "Arthur went out of his way to separate you from the group. You're going after the Cup, aren't you?"

Merlin nodded, sobering. "I have no choice."

Gaius sighed. "Merlin, many years ago I promised your mother I would look after you as though you were my own. I've already lost one boy who was like a son to me. Don't make me lose another."

"I have to do this," Merlin repeated. "For everyone, but especially for him."

Gaius sighed again and smiled fondly. "I remember the squalling babe I first brought to Camelot. Who would believe?"

Half an hour later, the princes and knights departed. Gwen and Gaius set about making bandages. After several minutes of somber silence, Gwen spoke. "Gaius…you should know, he received a proper burial. Morgana and I made sure of that. Once we've taken back the kingdom, I can show you to his grave."

Gaius smiled sadly. "Thank you, Guinevere. It is more than I had dared hope for."

"He was a good friend," Gwen said quietly. "He always treated me like a sister, even yelled at Elyan for abandoning me. I always knew I could count on him."

"He was very loyal," Gaius agreed. "The arrow that claimed his life was meant for Merlin."

"I can't say I'm surprised."

Gaius sighed and shook his head. "And now Merlin returns to the lions' den. I fear Will's sacrifice will have been in vain."

"It won't," Gwen promised. "Merlin's special. He can survive anything."

Gaius stared at her, truth slowly dawning. "How long have you known?"

"Ever since he disguised himself as an old man to save me from execution. Despite what the old man said about kidnapping Merlin, I couldn't help but notice that Merlin reappeared almost as soon as the old man vanished." Gwen smiled. "One day I'll thank him. But I'll let him choose to take me into his confidence."

It was nearly noon by the time Arthur, Merlin and the knights reached the castle walls. Arthur waited for a pair of soldiers to leave the battlements, then he signaled everyone forward. They made it to the tunnel without incident and came up near the entrance to the dragon's former prison. Arthur nodded at Lancelot and Merlin. "Good luck."

Merlin led Lancelot up a staircase into the castle proper. Morgana? Merlin called mentally. Where's the Cup?

Merlin! she exclaimed, sounding relieved. It's in the old chambers where Uther used to hold council, why?

I need to empty it, Merlin explained. You keep Morgause busy.

Understood.

"This way," Merlin said out loud. Before either he or Lancelot could move, two soldiers entered the corridor. The pair ducked behind a pillar to let the soldiers pass.

Once the soldiers were gone, Merlin and Lancelot cautiously emerged and continued down the corridor. Merlin froze when he sensed powerful magic—definitely the Cup's power, now perverted by Morgause.

He jerked back to attention when another soldier rounded a corner and spotted them. Lancelot lunged forward and dueled the man. Merlin waited for an opening, then slashed the soldier. He exploded just like his comrade in the woods.

Lancelot stared at Merlin. "What is that?"

"It was forged in a dragon's breath," Merlin explained.

Lancelot's eyes widened in realization. "We're not going after the warning bell, are we."

Merlin grinned. "Nope. We're going to get rid of this army once and for all."

Down in the dungeons, Gwaine whistled at a pair of guards and then ducked into a side hallway. The guards gave chase. Gwaine ran through two doors made of bars that formed a small room. "Now!" he cried when he reached the other side.

Percival closed and locked the door Gwaine had just come through. Elyan and Leon did the same for the other door, trapping the guards.

"Stay there and don't move!" Gwaine taunted. He laughed and headed further into the dungeons.

Merlin and Lancelot reached the corridor outside the chamber where the Cup was kept. Four soldiers stood guard outside the door. "What do we do now?" Lancelot asked.

Arthur and the new knights reached the guard station just outside the cells. Three soldiers were stationed there. They drew their swords and attacked.

After a few minutes, a soldier landed a blow on Elyan's arm. Elyan drew back, and Gwaine stepped forward to take his place. Arthur managed to grab a ring of keys with the tip of his sword and tossed them at the cell containing the other knights of Camelot. The knights quickly freed themselves and charged into the fray.

Lancelot charged out and attacked the soldiers guarding the door. Merlin followed right on his heels, killing a soldier that tried to stab Lancelot in the back. The other three soldiers instantly grew more wary, realizing they could be killed.

Merlin managed to kill another one of Lancelot's opponents, then he opened the door and backed into the room. A few moments later, Lancelot followed. Merlin quickly shut and bolted the door, preventing the two remaining soldiers from following them in.

Six more soldiers were stationed inside the room. They drew their swords.

Arthur broke away from the battle and found his father's cell. Uther sat huddled in a corner, looking thoroughly defeated. Arthur opened the door and knelt at his father's side to unlock his manacles. "Father, we have to hurry."

Uther slowly turned to look at his son. "I'm sorry."

"Please, Father, now isn't the time." Arthur slung Uther's arm over his shoulder and half led, half carried him out of the cell.

Merlin and Lancelot battled the soldiers guarding the Cup. Slowly but surely, Merlin managed to thin their ranks. The warning bell rang out as they fought. Then one soldier landed a blow on Lancelot's shoulder. Lancelot grimaced in pain, but determinedly kept fighting.

Merlin took out the other two soldiers and finally turned to Lancelot's opponent. Lancelot leaned against a pillar and sank to the floor while Merlin briefly dueled and ultimately killed the last soldier. The path now clear, Merlin ran toward the Cup.

He did not reach it. The door opened and Morgause used magic to hurl Merlin across the room. The sword flew out of his hand. Merlin hit a wall and slid to the ground, gasping in pain.

Soldiers now swarmed the dungeons. Arthur looked around, worried. If Merlin didn't succeed in his mission soon, they would all surely die. Nevertheless…

"If we're gonna go down, we'll go down fighting!" Arthur yelled. "For the love of Camelot!" Many of the knights responded with battle cries.

Morgause smirked at Merlin. "I've a feeling I won't be seeing you again." She held up a hand, preparing to cast another spell.

"No," a voice called from the doorway. "You won't. Ofswinge!" Morgause was blown off her feet to land heavily on the floor a short ways away. She quickly regained her feet and whirled around, looking for her attacker.

"No more, sister," Morgana said coldly.

"Morgana?" Morgause exclaimed in disbelief. "What are you doing?"

"What I have always done. I am protecting my people."

"They are not your people!" Morgause cried angrily.

"Aren't I?" Merlin demanded, rising to his feet. "Bord, wiþ stende hine." The doors swung shut, locking them all in the room. Morgause stared at him in shock. "It was I who reassured Morgana when her powers first awakened. I who taught her her first spells. I who watched helplessly as she poisoned herself in an effort to break a spell you cast on her without her permission!"

"You were never my family, Morgause," Morgana hissed. "You were so focused on your scheming, so convinced that in my heart of hearts I must feel as you did—you never once considered that I might be loyal to Arthur and Merlin purely because they have shown themselves worthy of it! You tricked me into committing heinous deeds. You tried to kill people I love. You forced me into taking a throne I never desired, a throne to which neither of us has any right!"

"Brave words, Morgana," Morgause snarled. "But you forget. I am the one with an immortal army. I will rule alone if I must."

"You won't rule at all," Merlin said, standing by the Cup. He used the dragon-forged sword to knock it off its plinth, causing the blood to spatter a nearby pillar. Morgause gasped in pain and collapsed. The castle echoed as the entire army exploded.

Morgana cautiously approached Morgause's fallen form. Morgause struggled to sit up, obviously weakened from the army's destruction. "This…has just begun…"

"No." Morgana pulled out the jeweled dagger Arthur had once given her. "It's over, Morgause." She plunged the dagger into Morgause's heart. Morgause gasped once, then fell still.

For a few moments, there was silence. Then Merlin spoke quietly. "You did it, Morgana. You're finally free of her."

"Am I?" Morgana said bitterly. "I can't expect to be spared after this."

"Leave," Merlin suggested. "Get out of Camelot. You can't be executed if you're not here."

Morgana shook her head. "No. I will pay the price of my folly. The people deserve justice. Will deserves justice."

"I don't blame you for his death," Merlin assured softly. "And I don't think he would either."

"But I blame myself." Morgana rose to her feet. "I will hide and cower no longer. Whatever the future brings, I will face it with my head held high."

Arthur had fought desperately to survive in the storm of whirling blades. He scarcely noticed as his battle bore him slightly away from his allies. Then a voice yelled behind him. "No!"

Arthur whirled around to see a sword land in his father's chest—a sword that had been moments from plunging into Arthur's back. Arthur dropped his own sword and knelt at his father's side, ignoring the army as it exploded. "Stay with me, Father," he begged.

"It is my time," Uther said weakly. "I know you will make me proud, as you always have. You will be a great king…"

Arthur shook his head. "I'm not ready."

"You…you have been ready for some time, Arthur."

"No," Arthur begged. "I need you."

"I know I've…not been a good father. I…I put my duty to Camelot first…I'm sorry. But know this, Arthur…I've always loved you. Tell Merlin…and Morgana…I love them too…" Uther's eyes slid closed, and he stopped breathing.

"No," Arthur begged. "Please, Father…"

It was no use. Uther Pendragon was dead. It was time for the Once and Future King to come into his throne.

A/N: I'll post a short epilogue next week, and then that will be the end of this fic. I may return to this universe later, but for the moment I intend to devote my focus to my other AU.