So here is the chapter you have all been waiting for... THE BATTLE!
Chapter 51
The next day, everyone could feel the tension in the air. Merlin's tent was gone and now in its place Merlin stood. Alone and staring of into the distance, his back to Camelot. No one dared approach him; everyone could see that he was deep in thought.
Finally the moment came. Trumpets sounded and everyone came to watch as Morgana swept into the crater which had been decided as the location for the duel. She stopped near the side and waited as Merlin slowly turned around to face her, determination in her eyes.
Percival, Elyan, Leon, Gaius, Gwain, Lancelot, Mordred, Gwen and Arthur came to stand behind Merlin. Before any of them could say anything he spoke "Whatever happens today, I want to tell you this. Don't ever stop fighting. Not even if you end up having to fight me." He said it quietly so that only they could hear him. Then he turned his head slightly towards Mordred "You know the rules, make sure no one interferes" he said before he took a deep breath and stepped forward.
"Good luck Merlin" said Arthur and Merlin hesitated before continuing in the circle. Morgana and Merlin faced each other. "We could end this peacefully" said Merlin. "Now that would be no fun" answered Morgana with a smirk on her face. With that they slowly began to circle each other.
"Why do you fight Merlin, is it because you are Arthur's PET?" she asked spitefully. "No it's because even if you won the battle against your brother you would still come after me. Too many people have already died for your pathetic cause, I can't let it go on" he answered angrily.
"Oh so it is for the innocent lives of those around you. How pathetically honourable of you" she scorned. "You also once cared for the lives of those around you, what happened to you to make you this." Merlin asked. "I don't know, maybe your friend POISONING you changes your perspective a little" replied Morgana.
"I had no choice, it was you or Camelot. What would you have done." said Merlin which surprised Arthur as he didn't know that Merlin had poisoned Morgana. "You could have tried" she said viciously. "It's too late now, I can't help you" said Merlin sadly and Morgana laughed "I don't need help" she said "It's you that needs help, if you think you're ever going to beat me!"
Then she fired a spell and the fight began. Merlin easily deflected her spell and sent one back of his own which Morgana also easily deflected. It went on like that with them easily deflecting each other's spells until Morgana gave a frustrated growl and sent two quick spells in succession which Merlin only just managed to avoid. She smiled and While Merlin was still recovering sent a powerful dark spell towards Merlin whose eyes widened as he quickly put up a shield.
Morgana kept the spell going, hammering it against Merlin shield and, as time went on, everyone could see Merlin was beginning to struggle. Merlin's eyes wandered over the crowd, resting on each of his friends in turn, studying their fearful expressions. He fell to his knee's still fighting Morgana's spell and she laughed and said "The mighty Emrys, brought to his knees. Not so powerful after all. Did you really think you could beat me? Did you really think you could kill me?" then she laughed again.
Then his eyes turned to Arthur's. He looked into them and saw worry and sorrow and regret and it seemed like the seconds turned to days as he looked into Arthur's watery eyes. Then something changed in side him, like the penny finally dropped. Memories of his times with Arthur flooded back as the dam of anger broke. He forgave Arthur.
Then, like the Memories, Magic flooded through his body and he felt refreshed and powerful. He sent out a wave of energy, destroying Morgana's spell and knocking her back slightly while he kneeled, breathing heavily before he stood up.
He raised his head and his eyes were glowing gold. He got to his feet and he pushed Morgana he spoke. "I never thought I could beat you Morgana. I always knew it. I just needed to believe in myself." Morgana's eyes widened in fear as Merlin pushed her back with his magic until she stumbled and fell to the ground.
Then, standing above her he spoke again, this time in a softer voice "Killing you however, I know I could never do. We have been through too much for me to be able to do that. I know you think I am meant to be the one to kill you but I changed destiny, maybe if I hadn't I would kill you, and maybe more of us would be dead."
"Then what do you plan to do with me" she spat viciously. Merlin sighed and his tone became harsh again "Firstly, with my powers of Emrys I take away your magic for the crimes you have caused against the old religion" Merlin closed his eyes and raised his hand and out of Morgana came a shimmering light that hovered before going into Merlin. Morgana gasped as this happened and squeezed her eyes shut then opened them as Merlin continued.
"Secondly I hand you over to Arthur Pendragon for him to decide your punishment for the crimes against Camelot as it was said in our agreement." Merlin turned towards Arthur who blinked in surprise at being called upon but stepped forward in front of Morgana.
"Morgana Pendragon for the crimes you have caused against Camelot, all claim to the throne you have is removed and you are to be locked in the cells until it has been agreed what we are to do with you." Arthur announce to the crowd.
The crowd cheered as Arthur continued "Sorcerers who sided with Morgana of their own free will shall be punished while those of you who remained loyal to me, you are Free once again" Another cheer went up from the crowd and everyone began to move. Guards came and dragged Morgana and a few other sorcerers of and Percival, Elyan, Leon, Gaius, Gwain, Lancelot, Mordred and Gwen went up to Arthur. Gwen gave Arthur a big hug. Then Citizens and Druids and Knights started coming up to Arthur to express their excitement of being freed, many of them saying that a massive, city-wide feast was being planned for everyone to attend. Arthur nodded happily and when it was all over he looked around for Merlin. He wasn't there. He saw the dragon landing a little way of in the woods and decided to try there.
"He told his knights he would be back in a bit and heard Mordred stop Gwain from following him. He walked into forest and went to find Merlin. 5 minutes later he could hear Merlin talking to Killgarah and paused "She's beaten merlin, you did it" said Killgarah. "But I nearly didn't" Merlin replied dismally.
Killgarah gave a frustrated sigh "Merlin, it's over, you DID beat her and that's what matters" he said. Merlin lowered his head "But..." he began but was stopped by Arthur who had entered the clearing and coughed.
Before anyone could say anything Killgarah flew away and Arthur walked to sit down on the rock next to Merlin. Arthur looked at merlin who was avoiding Arthur's eye. Eventually Arthur said "Merlin, look at me" and merlin did as Arthur continued "You saved us all today. Without you there would have been a massive battle where most of us would have died." He said.
"You defeated Morgana, you saved me, Gwen, all of us, and we owe you our lives" He continued. Merlin lowered his gaze "I nearly lost, It was so close to me being under her control" he said. Arthur shook his head "You DID beat her and we ARE alive. Why can't you accept that we won." He asked.
Merlin looked at Arthur again before saying "Because I'm an idiot. If I hadn't been so self-centred and forgiven you then a lot more people would have been saved. Morgana wouldn't have even had the chance to take Camelot" Arthur gripped Merlin's shoulder "you're not an Idiot, and you are the least self-centred person I know. You were just afraid." said Arthur.
"I was a coward, afraid that you would hurt me, it's why I never revealed my magic." said Merlin. Arthur sighed "You are no coward Merlin, you are the bravest man I have ever met, you were afraid that I would hurt you and, at first, I would have. You did what no man could have done. You forgave me, even when I didn't deserve it." Arthur said comfortingly.
Merlin smiled slightly "You did deserve it, you deserved it weeks ago." He said. The men sat in silence for a while before Arthur nudged Merlin "Enough of this sappy stuff, let's go back to the castle." He said.
Merlin Laughed and the two men walked back towards Camelot.
Not sure how good you think that was but I hope it was ok. *Sniff* just a few more chapters to go till this story is brought to a close. I hope you are all there to read it. I've become close to this story and I'll be sad to see it end; But also happy that I've finished my first ever fanfic. See you next chapter. THANKS
