Hellooooooo! Sorry I'm so late. I had some personal stuff going on and I had to rethink what I was going to do with this chapter because of it. No big deal. And besides that my muse was sad with the rest of me. I didn't wait until Halloween but I'm awful close aren't I? :)
Also! WHO SAW DRACULA THIS FRIDAY! THIS GIRL! Katie looks weird as heck blonde but I still has loves for her and wanted to see her more. She's so sassy. It's awesome.
Also ONCE UPON A TIME. I have become an official Captain Swan shipper. Hook makes me all fluttery inside.
Okay…now onto the reviews. I want to thank you guys for your patience. It's so kind of you. You guys are really the best readers out there, you know.
FireyIce107: Thank you! And I do too. I couldn't make it too fast and I had to have her slip a bit. Katie once said before season 5 that she wanted Morgana to be redeemed so dangit I did it. Yay! My fic inspires! Love it!
Lightbane1905: You are fine. Don't feel bad about it. I actually felt bad about posting it after I did so. I hate making people feel bad.
Sjritts: You are fine. And he deserves to be tormented forever. I couldn't decide on a gender for the baby so I just made two. :)
Mrcsfhrrs: Hello newbie and might I say that your name is difficult to write lol. And there isn't much plot left for you to be surprised about. And here it is, albeit a little bit late.
BB: I usually always explain everything later down the line, much like some TV shows. And there will be a bit of reflecting on Merlin's part. Not Halloween! And Thanks for your congrats! It's keeping me busy. And you will continue to love Hunith. In fact next chapter she's going to be so hilariously awesome.
Moon Fox: Not Samhain! And yes he is. :P And Mordred…you shall see.
Helenmorgause: I'm clever is all. And here is your more!
Susant123: I know. :) And don't feel bad. And I'm a fan of happy endings. Teehee! You make me blush.
Shell22: I hope he can too. He's really driven to do so. And I know it's a compliment. I'm just overly sensitive sometimes.
Sofia Lawrence: They will be such a handful. They are, after all, Morgana's babies!
Leather2Lace: Anytime!
Aerist: **Blush** And thank you for your kind words. There's still some story left and sometimes people write characters OOC from some things. It is fanfiction but I also think it should be believable as cannon.
IcarusLSU: I know. You are totally bloodthirsty lol. I had so much more I could have done to toy with your emotions. I felt all powerful when I wrote last chapter. I always have something up my sleeve. And I try to write my speeches well and my dialogue. You are one of my favorites dear!
Mergana456: Good on you to have guessed it. What clued you in to it?
Freckled98: Morgana's too damned stubborn to die. And Mordred….
DeaththeKidbemine9: Alivish is right. And thank you for the compliment. You all are amazing you know.
A Lady of Time: Hello Newbie! At least I think you are. Anyway! And It's almost Halloween and I apologize. And thank you!
AnimeRose93: I contemplated not doing anything like this because I don't like killing off characters and bringing them back (Except in Rory's case….and goku…and Captain Jack Harkness)
MEEC7: Virtual Canadian cookie accepted!
Iricious: I fear for your sanity and life while you read this story dearest. And I agree. And did you see this weeks? EEEEEEKKKKKK! And I like gifts! And the best ones take time! This story is your gift. :) And Merlin was always harsh to Mordred in the series. He never even gave him a chance. But now he did and he got burned. I would be a little harsh with him too. I took a bit of your idea btw. Just a little bit. And I like cheesy too up to a point. I Would never try to kill you! Teehee!
Bri: I hope you like this. And I got a Kia. And your muse will wake up again when you least expect it. Trust me. Once can relax everything will flow.
Rdemon: Lol. You make me feel honored to share my thoughts with all of you. And Arthur would have adorable babies. Merlin will wait for his Queen. Hell she's my Queen too. And you didn't offend me. I just have a thin skin. And no…you aren't a bad person.
Darkangel665: Hello Newbie! And I'm only a week late. And I just baked homemade real cookies. They trump cybercookies. :P
MonsterJunkie: I like reactions. Don't worry about it. You guys are awesome. And sometimes my story lines are all wibbly to me too. Don't feel stupid. And I'm so glad you are back with me for the end! And It won't be quite 60.
Phhsdj: I know.
Thewolvesaremyfamily: You'll have to read to find out what I did.
MICKEY.G.B: You will have to read on my dear.
Tigmeyers: You guys are so awesome. Don't be sorry. I have so many people who are begging me not to wait and it makes me feel a little evil. And thanks for the congratz and yeah. Just know that you will get through it and study hard for the NCLEX…but not too hard.
Annoymous: Waited a bit longer than I wanted to. Sorry.
Bgeiner: Read it quickly! Keep those fingers crossed.
Emrysdestinydoom: Hello newbie! And Morgana is my fav too and you are very clever with your assumption. And not quite Halloween.
Lily: Understandable. :)
Guest: Yes ma'am (or sir). And I have named them. I think you will like the names.
Scarletbanner: I need you this chapter. Stat. :P
Magpie09: I hate waiting too. And thank you for your kind words. I think that Merlin is far more bright than Morgana. And I love Morgana. I have done a lot of studying of her character and I used to watch lot of interviews with Katie about her. I think I understand her better that way too, the way that Katie looks at her. And She had a terrible ending and story arc after season 3ish. It was terrible.
Merganfan98: I've taken your advice. And here is your chapter!
OneFairMaiden: Hello Newbie! And awwww I feel honored! Thanks! And you are right about Mordred.
AJsRandom: Yes. It is evil lol. Don't go insane. That's where the bad people go.
Elizabella: I was sobbing mess during the seventh book in that series and I almost chucked the book across the room several times while reading it. I like constructive stuff. And I also like happy endings. So…..
Guest: If you read my other story "Morgana's Servant" that's where things started. They were connected after that but there wasn't really a bond til later in this story.
Live-In-tardis: EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK! YOU IS BACK! And I'm so glad you are back for the end. And I hated that they just kept Merlin doing the same exact stuff over and over again. It was old and he needed to be an equal to Arthur. And I thought of it a while ago after I watched a deleted scene from season 4. And I give you a girly squeal! I love to write love stuff. I'm such a girl. And I want some of this to be cannon. Hell…I want some of the other stories on this site to be cannon too. And you need to read to find out everything my dear! And I actually started to write my own book a couple of years ago. I just haven't ever tried to pick it back up again. I need constant support to finish things. I'm so surprised I'm finishing this. I never finish anything like this. And you spell wonderfully! And you would have to get in line behind a couple of my other readers for a copy of my stuff lol.
You know…after reading all of this stuff you guys wrote to me I feel terrible for even posting that A/N in the previous chapter. I think you guys are the most amazing readers out there and I literally couldn't write without you. Just so you know. :)
And now! I don't own Merlin or SoT!
XxOxX
Gwen watched her husband as he pulled his undershirt over his head and began to tuck it into his leather trousers. "It's today?"
"That's what Merlin said. It has to be today if it's going to happen at all. It was something about the veil and magic and lost souls. He didn't really explain it all to me, or maybe I just didn't listen very well. The point is that Merlin needs me and I want to be there for him. You understand, don't you Gwen? No matter how I feel about this I need to be there. To save Morgana if I can." He reached down for his vest to put it on and his wife's hand closed over his fist.
"Yes, of course I do, but I've only just gotten you back." Gwen turned her husband to face her and laid her free hand over the scar on his chest, "And I'm terrified of losing you."
Arthur put his hand over hers and gripped it before lifting it and kissing her palm, "And I of losing you. I will be in no danger, Guinevere. And if you are that worried then you can come as well."
"And who will watch our children if you and I are away for the night?" Gwen released the hand she had over his and Arthur released her hand before putting his jacket on.
"Bring them. There are plenty of people who can keep an eye on them on the Isle." Arthur replied nonchalantly. "Hunith is there too. I'm sure that she would be more than happy to watch the girls."
Gwen looked at him wryly, "I know she's there. She did so well with them too."
"Besides, my Queen, I don't want to do this alone. Even though I do not hate magic like my father, a place like the Isle of the Blessed still sends shivers down my spine and makes my skin crawl."
Arthur accepted her kiss as she leaned up to her husband and nodded to him after they parted, "When will he be here?"
"Soon, I think. Before nightfall at least. The ritual begins close to midnight."
"Alright, I'll go and get the girls ready."
"It's still a few hours yet and I have some things I need to get done. You could sit on my lap and help me with them." Arthur suggested to his wife.
"And what would those be?"
"Taxes, proclamations, inventory, applications for knighthood that I have to look over."
"Sounds very boring to me." Gwen mused at him.
"That's why I want you on my lap. It will be much less boring with the two of us. And I need my queen's input."
"Fine." She sighed, "But I have to go and check on the girl's first."
"Do that. You worry far too much about whose watching them."
"You can't trust anyone anymore." She sighed sadly before turning from her husband and walking out of the room.
Arthur watched her leave and tugged his vest on tighter. There weren't truer words spoken of now.
$#$#$#
Merlin continued to read Morgana's book even though he had read it half a dozen times front to back he had to check again to make sure that he had everything he needed for the ritual. He spoke the words in his mind so many times he had dreamed of them last night. And still he had to look again. They had a window of less than a minute to bring her back. Less than a minute. Anything could go wrong. He could speak to slowly, their hands might not be connected like they should, the incense could be burning at the wrong speed, the chant might be misspoken, the crystals misplaced, or any manner of things that could go wrong. He rubbed his tired eyes and fought back a yawn. It may not help his situation that he was lying down on his bed with less than 12 hours of sleep the past five nights. He practiced the ritual in the dark of the night in the main chamber, placing the stones as if her body were there to practice with. Practice makes perfect. His mother sent him to bed though, when she found him practicing the past few nights. She would shoo him off as if he were still five years old, as if nothing had ever changed between them. Merlin smiled a little. He was grateful for that, for their relationship still being as strong as it was when other parents and children drew rifts around them and canyons, he and his mother had rarely not seen eye to eye. He had to be close to her to survive in Ealdor when everyone else feared him.
Merlin stifled another yawn and looked out the window at the sky. There was still many more hours of daylight left. He continued to watch the book until the words and images blurred on the page and his eyes closed to the world.
$#$#$#
Hunith shook her son awake and he jerked his head up in alarm, eye immediately going to the window outside. After a few moments he relaxed and put his head into the covers. "What time is it?" He asked her drowsily.
"It's four, Merlin. You've been asleep for a few hours. I came to check on you when no one had seen you since this morning. You've been working yourself ragged the past few days, son. What is so important that you are driving yourself like a slave? It's not healthy." Hunith's tone made him look up at her face, into eyes that he looked at each day in the mirror. What Merlin found in her eyes was worry and fear for him and he gave her a smile to try to reassure her.
"I'm fine. And it's a surprise for tonight." It was the truth, just not the entire truth.
"Samhain? The rest of the castle is doing things for tonight as well. I've been helping the girls with their duties. There are so many young women that are expecting babies around the same time. I've never seen anything like it."
Merlin smiled again and a slight blush stained his cheeks, "Yeah…It's really odd. There was another ceremony a while back that had something to do with that."
Hunith gave him raised brow as he got up from the bed and started to pull on his clothes. He would need to get Arthur soon to talk him through his part in the ceremony. His task was fairly easy, merely to locate her while they used his blood as an anchor. He had been talking Mordred through his part since he had agreed to the ceremony. He would get Morgana just before the ritual was to begin. His magic and her residual power would sustain her for about an hour in the mortal realm.
%$%$%$
Morgana looked down at her body in increasing frustration. Not one time could she even touch it despite her continuing to try to do so. Her children were very active today though; both awake at the same time, moving and kicking and have a regular party within her belly. She was instantly jealous of her empty shell, to be able to feel her children really move and it broke her heart all over again. It was as if they sensed what was about to happen, or what was about to be attempted. It could always not work. Something could always go wrong and she stays like this until she faded into nothing. She was confident though, confident in him, her Emrys to save her. Despite what The Cailleach had told her. Her fate was her own and she had to have faith that everything would work because if she did not then she would spiral into a black pit of despair that would help no one. She had never depended on someone like this before, never to be so helpless in her own fate. She hated having to need him like this. She loved him as well, merely for being himself, for being stubborn and insufferably good at times. She would tell him that too, over and over again if she had to if he brought her back.
She stared at her children, so full of life and caressed their auras with her own. Their auras leaned into her touch and she smiled. She could feel the void between the worlds now more than she ever could. The veil was thinning slowly and when it was at its thinnest was when the spell had to be invoked, when she could step back through.
She continued to wait above her body, wait for Merlin to show himself. She had learned patience. Patience and she were very old friends by now.
%$%$%$
Merlin appeared in the courtyard to the castle in Camelot with little pomp. He heard a guard startle and the ring of steel as a sword was partially pulled from a scabbard then the click as it was released. He heard his name and before he could turn around to see who it was he was tackled by large arms and a well-known laugh.
"Merlin! Glad to see you join the land of the living!" Gwaine held him tighter for a moment before releasing him. "You don't write, don't call on me, you've given me all these mixed signals. How are we ever supposed to run away together now?" He pouted.
"Oh shut it, Gwaine." Percival joined them. "No one would want to run away with you anyway."
"You wound me, Percy."
Percival winced, "Don't call me that."
"Why not? You let the girls call you that."
"Girl and she's two, and even though you act like it sometimes you are not."
"A girl, Precival, or two years old?" Merlin asked and Gwaine punched him in the arm in retaliation. "Ow. That hurt."
"Stop being such a woman, Merlin." Arthur's voice came from behind him now. Merlin turned and grasped his outstretched arm in his hand while they gave a soldier's hug to one another. Behind the King he spied Gwen carrying Meighan, who had grown quite a bit since he had seen her and Ellie was racing on toddler's legs toward them. The child had thinned out from her activity, losing the baby fat around her neck and cheeks which made them leaner and made her look more like her father. "LIN!" She yelled as she crashed into his legs and gripped her arms around his knees in the toddler equivalent of a death hold.
"Ha, she called you Lin. She even thinks you are a girl." Arthur teased.
"Gana, Lin? Gana?" She asked him seriously and sadly.
"Gana's not here right now, but maybe soon. Okay?" Ellie nodded with her blue-grey eyes brightening before she released his legs and ran back over to her mother. He looked back up at Arthur, "Are you ready?"
"Yeah. I have a favor to ask though."
"What is it?"
"I want them to go as well. Gwen and the girls haven't been out of this castle in so long and I haven't been to the Isle and…I just wanted them to come as well."
"Of course." Merlin answered without hesitation. "Are they ready?"
Arthur nodded and turned to gesture them over. Gwen was looking a little apprehensive as she held Meighan on her knee and the little girl was looking at everything with her big brown eyes. Merlin waved to the smaller child and smiled and Meighan smiled back. "Take my hand." Merlin stretched both palms out to Gwen and Arthur. He turned to wave goodbye to the knights as Arthur had bent down to pick up Ellie so that she was secure in his arms and took Merlin's palm in his hand. Gwen did the same and Merlin closed his eyes, visualizing the Isle in his mind before releasing his power and teleporting them to their destination.
Merlin opened his eyes to find his surroundings had changed again and they were back at the Isle near the small dock that people used to get to the Isle. Arthur released his hand quickly and brushed his clothes off as if they bothered him. Merlin had gotten used to the feeling of his skin crawling during his teleportation and hardly paid it any mind. Gwen on the other hand had a death grip on his palm and was clutching her youngest daughter to her chest while looking around in alarm and confusion, "What? Where? How?" Her confused gaze landed on Merlin's and he gently released her hand while watching her to make sure that she wasn't going to get sick or faint. Those were rarer reactions to the teleportation but not unheard of as a girl recently had gotten sick all over his feet after her teleportation. "I brought you here with my magic. It's a little disorienting at first. Are you okay?" Merlin supported her arm with his hand, curving his body nearer to hers. He looked at the baby in her arms and Meighan was looking around with curious eyes and didn't seem sick at all and neither did her sister.
"Yes, fine. My skin is crawling though. How is this possible?" Gwen looked around at the Isle, the lake, mountains and finally her gaze landed on the castle and she had a look of wonderment on her face. Merlin's gaze went to Arthur and he noticed the same look on his face at looking at Merlin's castle.
"Magic." Merlin told her simply. "Here, Gwen, you should go in. The druids are getting everything ready for their own celebration. You can attend as well if you want. They would enjoy your company I think." He told her. "And my mother is around here somewhere. You can catch up with here and take the girls to her. She doesn't know anything about tonight. Please don't mention it if you see her."
"Wait, you talk as if you aren't going to come with us."
"I have to gather a few more things for the ritual tonight. I will be back soon." Merlin promised them as he closed his eyes again and vanished.
Gwen shook her head and accepted her husband's arm as he offered it to her. "He's so serious about this."
"Wouldn't you be?" Arthur asked her, "I would do anything if I had to in order to bring you back. He'll be back to his old self after all this is over."
"I miss our Merlin."
"I do too." Arthur agreed and they started making their way to the front of the castle. Several druids waved at them as they passed and it served to ease them a great deal to be somewhere they were not familiar to see friendly faces. Arthur looked down at his daughter who was strangely quiet, but she seemed enthralled with something near the water. Arthur turned his head to follow her gaze when his eyes landed on a largish white form near the water. Aithusa was bathing herself in the lake lazily and it made Arthur chuckle to see his daughter taken with the small beast. They continued on to the entrance to the castle. They took in the dark banners with the druid symbol on them and there were two druids posted at the entrance who opened the door for them into the old stone castle. His hair stood on end as he entered the castle, more so now than it had nearer the water. It was as if the entire island was covered in some sort of lightning and it was stronger the closer to the center of the isle they walked.
Hunith looked up from her task next to several women and smiled at Arthur and Gwen and then lifted her hand to urge them over to her for a proper greeting. As they came forward her smile grew larger at seeing the girls in their arms. "Hello! How are you?" She asked them and the other girls, most of them heavily pregnant waved and smiled as well.
#$#$#$#
Merlin picked up the wrapped artifact carefully from the box it had been placed in. It had taken him a few days to pinpoint its location, but he finally had it now. He unwrapped the package slowly and watched as the golden cup was revealed. The Cup of Life had vanished after Cenred's army had been vanquished. Someone had brought it to this place and hidden it. This artifact was far too powerful for anyone to have for long, which is why Merlin was going to hide it after this so only he knew the location. The Cup gave life and he had to fill it with Morgana's blood, Arthur's blood, fae dust, and water from Avalon. Each item had a specific task and property that would allow him to breach the other side and bring her back and he had the rest of the items locked away in the castle. At first he was leery of coming here, leery of making an enemy of the protector of the cup, but there had been no trap, no spell, or even a bodyguard in this place. It was as if the cup had been buried and those who had done it had hoped for the best. But even then it didn't make any sense. Merlin wrapped the Cup up carefully and placed it back in the box before picking the entire thing up and carrying it out of the cave. His next stop would be to get Mordred from his cell and they would start to practice the ritual in the main chamber and set it up.
Merlin clutched the box tightly and closed his eyes, visualizing his room in the castle and quickly moving himself there. After a burst of power he opened his eyes and found his messy room and bed just the way they had been before. He placed the box on the floor and slid it beneath the bed and stood up. His next action was to grab the book that detailed the ritual so that it could be set up. He traveled down the stairs, waving at the druids he encountered. They all knew what he was doing tonight and gave him a wide berth to do so. They loved Morgana as well and wanted her back along with his son. They would have helped him as well if he had asked, but they would only get in his way. He spied Arthur and Gwen in one of the hallways around the main chamber that connected to the outside gardens with the girls. The girls were around the fountains in the small garden and Gwen was keeping an eye on them while crushing and mixing herbs for the incense of the druidic ritual that tonight was going to bring. Arthur was nowhere to be seen, but that did not worry Merlin. The man was probably touring the castle and he would no doubt come to Merlin with things that he could do to improve the defenses later tonight.
Merlin turned and opened the door to the underground while closing it behind him. His booted footsteps echoed softly down the stone steps and his body cast odd shadows in the torchlight. When he reached the bottom of the steps he called some light into his palm and looked into the cell that housed Mordred.
Dark blue eyes stared at him from the cave bars and the shadows around him made him look sinister with the shadowed expression on his face, "Is it time?"
"Almost. We still have hours yet. Have you been practicing?" Merlin asked him while coming closer.
"I've committed it all to memory that first night you spoke with me. I would not risk her safety if I were unsure of what the outcome would be."
Merlin nodded, "I need your aid in the main chamber. Things must be placed around the altar in the proper way."
"I understand." Mordred stepped away from the bars of the gate and Merlin opened them with his magic. The bars were tuned only to his command and none other would have been able to open them. He knew that Nicoletta had tried to do so herself and was thwarted. He was surprised she was not here as well. "Nicoletta's not here. She had to help prepare the feast for tonight and the grounds outside." He answered Merlin's thoughts and stepped out of the cell slowly. "Show me the way."
"In front, Mordred." Merlin gestured the young man forward and he stepped up in front of Merlin.
"Yes, my King." Sarcasm licked at the bottom of his words as he started to climb up the stairs. Merlin ignored his tone and climbed up after him with the light in his palm guiding them. "I appreciate it you know."
"What?"
"Not killing me when I deserved it."
"Your actions weren't entirely your own."
"I know. I felt it when you killed that mother creature. You wasted no time at all."
"Fire. Fire destroys everything." Merlin murmured.
"I understand why you did it too. Why you kept me down there. I needed to be punished. I was lucky not to be tortured." Mordred's monotone voice gave Merlin a second of worry. It made him doubt his actions. Was he too harsh on the boy?
"I don't torture people." Merlin answered him. "And I was far too angry back then."
"The Fury of Emrys…" Mordred whispered as he opened the door to the outside. He stood there for a moment. He was relishing the slight breeze that passed through the banisters to the outdoors and the sunlight and the smells of greenery and life and Merlin allowed him to do this.
Mordred stepped up into the light of the day and walked forward so that Merlin could also get out. Merlin noticed that the castle was eerily quiet and he looked around to find that everyone had stopped what they were doing and stared at Mordred. Mordred gave them a smile and a wave and Merlin couldn't stop him from going over to his people and embracing nearly each one of them. He heard laughter and crying and his conscience spoke so loudly in his head that he had been too harsh on him. He made his people suffer as well. Mordred was well loved by his people. "Mordred." He called to the man and Mordred disengaged himself from his people to walk back over to Merlin with a wave. Merlin noticed instantly that his eyes were a little brighter, his step a little quicker and his back a little straighter. "This way."
"Thank you." Mordred responded as he walked toward the main hall. Everything he needed should be there as he requested. It would just be the matter of setting it up. Mordred opened the doors to rich smells and an assortment of items that were gathered around the altar in the large room. He looked back at Merlin. "Let's do this."
Merlin nodded and followed the young man into the room before shutting and locking the door. They walked to the altar and he placed the book gently onto the stone slab before turning it to the pages they needed. Nearly identical pairs of blue eyes looked over the pages revealed in silence detailing the specificity of the ritual before each of them started to work on different parts of it in silence. Merlin was too tired to be angry and Mordred had no wise to start any more animosity between them. Both men wished for only one thing now. For their Morgana to come back whole and well. It was that thought that drove them for the next couple of hours while the rest of the castle began their own ritual using the power in the Isle.
%$%$%$
Arthur sat at the water's edge as he watched the sun go down. The castle was beautiful in his opinion. It was well built and fortified, the stone was strong and its position in the center of the Isle was both very defensible and very open to attack. The lake around them was a good deterrent for invaders unless they used long range weapons and hid in the trees. He had gone to check on Gwen who was busy talking to Hunith. When he had banished her a few years ago it had surprised him to find her in Ealdor, but it had made sense. She was out of his kingdom and had found someone who she knew to stay with. The two women had formed a close bond in that time and had been a sort of replacement for Morgana. He walked and walked and still couldn't believe where he was, and what he was about to do. His father would be turning in his grave now, screaming at him from the other side about what a mess up he was. Arthur didn't think he was though. Magic was a powerful tool and in the right hands was a tool to be used for good. Anyone could be good or evil and use magic in whatever way they wished. The people on this Isle were bloodthirsty killers and in fact aside from the tattoo that each of them sported in an open fashion he wouldn't be able to tell them from any other person in his kingdom.
His father was wrong. It was something he had decided years ago despite wanting to follow after his footsteps and be a good king. His father had been a good king most of the time but when magic was involved he turned into someone else entirely. He plucked a bit of grass from the ground and turned it around in his fingers. Above the lake, the dragon Aithusa flew and banked and sped gracefully through the sky. She was really a beautiful creature, much like the Unicorn that Arthur had slaughtered. She enjoyed being out in the open and able to stretch her wings. From what he had gathered when the Sarrum had come to visit before his death she had been locked in darkness, unable to even move after a while. He would have enjoyed the sun as much as she did if it had happened to him.
When he had gotten back to Camelot there were so many papers and missives that had been awaiting him. Most of it was news from Annis and Lot and Odin and even the new Sarrum about their kingdoms and the growing threat from the northern lands. He had written them back and had not yet received a reply. There were rumors about a joint kingdom ruled by the leaders of all the lands but united under a high king. Rumors only, but ones that Arthur found both hopeful and troubling. As the sun continued to set he let out a sigh and stood up. It would be time soon, time for whatever Merlin was planning and although he was a little leery to be around Mordred, he was assured that Mordred was not intending on harming anyone. That he had been under the control of some other creature when he had attacked Morgana. It was so ridiculous that it was believable and alarming. Magic had creatures that could take over one's mind. That was the kind of magic that he needed to destroy.
Arthur turned from the sunset and walked back up to the castle itself. The doors were open and people had been coming in and out for some time. Fires had been lit in circles and candles and bones and other things had been brought out to the fires. Arthur had real idea what they had planned but he would have no part in it. He continued into the castle to find Gwen and the girls and find them a place to rest until they were done. From the way that Merlin had talked to him they would be up until at least midnight to do the spell, in fact I think he told Arthur that it would be exactly midnight. Sixty seconds to bring Morgana back from wherever she had gone to.
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Merlin made his way through the portal after leaving Mordred in the main hall of the castle to wait for him. He had sent a young boy to find Arthur and bring him to the main hall. His blood would be needed to release Mordred from the collar so that he could use his magic to aid them.
The lush magical forest surrounded him as he walked through it to the small cabin. He opened the door with a wave of his hand and found the cabin exactly how he had left it. He walked slowly over to the bed and pulled the curtain back from the bed to reveal his sleeping mate. No matter how long he looked at her or even how many times in a day, her beauty always took his breath away and made his heart beat just a little bit faster. And the fact that she was his? That she had chosen him was an honor. "It's almost time, avaleora." He looked around the room, "Mordred is out of his cell and in the main hall. We thought to attempt it there because the veil had already been breached in that place by you and Morgause. I've studied the book day in and day out to make sure I knew every detail of it. You would be proud of me, the way I've been handling things. Soon though it will be you as well." He sat down on the bed and took her warm hand in his and stroked over the knuckles of her hand with a thumb. "I just want to have our people live in peace. I love them. I didn't want to be their King, but you know that already. You though…you will make a fine queen for them. You've always been suited to rule. It's in your blood and in your bones." He looked at her belly, "In our son's as well." He added. "I can't wait for you to come back. You with your mouth, your stubbornness, you overwhelming efficiency at making me absolutely crazy, and that darkness that is in your soul. I've accepted every bit of you and I know that you did with me as well." He brushed her hair with his hand, relishing how the soft waves felt against his palm. "I came here to spend a little time with you. I know I haven't been here in a few days, but you weren't going anywhere and I had to make sure I was prepared. I just wanted to talk to you for a while." Merlin continued on speaking but the words meant little to him. He told her about Arthur and the girls and Gwen and his mother and the nursery and how the Isle was doing. It wasn't until the clock struck 11 that he stopped speaking.
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Arthur looked warily at Mordred. The young man's face had changed drastically from the last time that Arthur had seen him. Three diagonal scars marred his face from the top of his hairline on the left half of his face to just past his nose on his right. They crossed directly over his eye but the orbit looked fine to his gaze. The scars were not wide but they were noticeable from afar. The druid was standing over the altar with his palms rest on the stone. His eyes were forward and he seemed to be in deep thought. "Hello Arthur." Mordred's gaze turned to him. Arthur had been in the room for a few minutes now, having gathered up his reserve to enter the room, not sure what he would find.
"Mordred." He acknowledged.
"How have you been?"
"I've gotten enough sleep to last me a great long while."
Mordred chuckled, "And I've seen enough darkness to last me a great long while as well."
"I know. Merlin was more merciful than I would have been."
"I don't know if it was a mercy to lock me up rather than kill me. I felt like dying. It only got a little better when I realized that I hadn't killed Nikki. I couldn't stop myself from doing it. It was like I was a spectator in my own body. He wanted me to drive the blade into her belly. I had enough control not to do that at least."
"Why did you do it?"
"It was back when those creatures attack Camelot…back when you found out about Emrys. One of them had scored me and poisoned me. But it was a slow poison and one that didn't activate until it was needed to, until he needed me to hurt someone. Merlin killed the creature after he locked me up. I'm not sure how long it was. It's hard to measure days down there. One moment the feeling and urges were there and the next moment they were gone as if they had never existed but I still had to live with what my body had done."
"You are better now?"
"In a physical sense, yes. Better. It will never be alright though."
"Because of Morgana."
"Yes. Emrys is leaving me to her judgment and I do not think she will be merciful to me. She rarely is to those who betray her."
"You never know."
"No….You do not."
"How long until we begin?"
"What time is it?" Mordred turned from the altar to look out one of the windows.
"Nearly eleven now." Arthur responded and surveyed the room again. Candles were in a circle around the altar and symbols had been drawn on the stone with dye and chalk. There were also several different crystals around the circle as well. Arthur knew nothing about what the symbols meant but they called to him on some level. There was also a small fire pit but no fire at the foot of the altar. Several different incenses were burning and made the room smell of warm food, vanilla and the scent of the forest. There was a dagger on the altar as well as a pristine white cloth that had the druidic symbol sewed into it.
"The candles are to illuminate the tear and be a signal fire of sorts. There are nine of them. They will not be lit until just before the words are spoken. The symbols you see are of the otherworld, the place of spirits. That fire pit is for the Samhain ritual itself. It will be dark until Emrys lights his fire and the rest of the druids come to light the fires on the Isle from his. It's part of Samhain itself to celebrate the passage of summer and mark the beginning of the winter months." He paused, "You can't really hear them out there right now but the celebration and games have begun. Your wife and girls will be well and truly exhausted by the end of it."
"There aren't many druids here." Arthur responded and he was now trying to hear what was going on outside.
"No. There aren't. Our celebrations used to span miles. There were horse races and footraces and gatherings held every mile or so. We had space and it wasn't only druids that participated."
"You are younger than I am and I don't remember those things. How do you?"
"The memory of the druids is long. I was training to be a historian before all this."
"Historian?"
"The technical name is bard I suppose. The name was something that other people took for themselves as well. I remember things I wasn't even born for. The Great Purge included. Now I see my people and I weep for them. They've lost so much…."
"They can thrive again."
"I hope so." Mordred answered softly. Both men's heads turned as the doors to the hall were opened and Merlin stepped through them. His face was neutral as he crossed the room with Morgana cradled in his arms. Her head was tucked into his neck and he had managed to lay her arms over her swollen belly. Merlin had to keep her relatively stretched out because of her pregnancy.
Arthur and Mordred both came forward to help him carry her up the two steps to the altar and move her out of his arms to place her on the stone slab. "Wait." Merlin told them, "Don't lay her flat. My son doesn't like it. I'll be right back. Keep her sitting up for now." Merlin released her form to Arthur and Mordred as they kept her trunk straight. She was leaning on Arthur with her upper body and Mordred had a firm hold on her back and hip. Both men stared at her silently, their heads filled with all sorts of questions without answer for the moment. Mordred's eyes strayed to Morgana's belly and he lifted the hand from her hip to place it on the rounded flesh there as if he couldn't believe it. He felt movement under his hand and it made him jerk back in surprise.
"Did he move?" Arthur asked and Mordred nodded. "They do that. Quite a lot actually. Both of my girls did. Gwen was constantly talking to me about it and had me feel her belly at night. It's a powerful feeling." The door opened again and Merlin appeared with a box in his hands as well as a couple of pillows. He looked up out the windows as he crossed the room.
"Here's one for her head and put this one under her hip on your side, Mordred." Arthur let Merlin put the pillow beneath her as he supported her weight until the pillows were in place. Morgana's upper body was lowered to the pillow and after she was situated on the pillows with one hip propped up the three men stepped back.
The moonlight that spilled through the room illuminated the ivory skin of their charge brilliantly and made her seem unearthly. "Let's begin." Merlin told the men and turned to retrieve the box he had laid next to the altar. He opened it with care in front of them and pulled out the wrapped chalice before putting the box down. He held the parcel in his hands before unwrapping it. He heard the sharp intake of breath from both men and Arthur's hand on his forearm.
"What are you doing with that? It's dangerous."
"It's a tool for healing. The only danger comes from those who seek to abuse its power like Cenred and Morgause did." Merlin argued and Arthur took his hand grudgingly from Merlin's forearm. Mordred said nothing but his eyebrow was furrowed as he stared at the chalice. Merlin placed the cup onto the altar. "Can you sense anything?" He asked Arthur while turning to him.
"Yeah. She's right there." He pointed to the side of Morgana's body, across the way from them.
"Good." Merlin answered. He looked back up at the moon, feeling the first stirrings of the magic that Samhain brought about. He could feel the chill of the grave in this place and he knew that Mordred could too despite the collar on his neck. "Arthur. When we get your blood I need you to put some of it on the collar so that Mordred can use his power."
"Sure….Hey…how did you get that? It was in my treasury."
"I've broken in and out of the castle more times than I can count in the past few years. I'll return it when this is over."
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Merlin cut Arthur's palm with the knife and let his blood mix with the water from Avalon he had brought with him. "You sure I'm not going to explode or something when this cup is emptied?"
"Yes. This is nothing like what Morgause did." After the cup had filled somewhat he gave Arthur a rag to hold under it as Mordred came over. Merlin placed the cup on the altar and heard the click of the latch and a clank as the collar fell to the ground.
"Thanks." He heard Mordred tell Arthur. "Let me get that." He felt a rush of magic and knew that Mordred was sealing up the cut on Arthur's hand.
"Thank you."
Merlin picked up the cup and looked down at Morgana. "Sorry, avaleora." He picked up her palm and made a clean slice in it. The blood welled up from the cut and he held her hand over the cup to mix her blood with Arthur's and the water and fae dust. When she had bled enough he sealed the minor injury with his magic and placed the cup beside her head. "Mordred, Arthur. Take up your points." Both men nodded in affirmation and Mordred took his place to the right of Morgana and Arthur on her left. Merlin was at her head, the lead in the ritual. They were all standing in the circle made by the candles and runes. "After this starts I'm going to need you to tell me where she is. Don't stop touching her flesh no matter what happens. You are her bridge. This entire ritual rests on you."
"No pressure then, great." Arthur replied wryly but took Morgana's hand in his own.
"Mordred, you can begin." Mordred started the low chant and as soon as his magic touched the air it started to buzz with energy. Merlin started to light the candles one by one as they cast eerie shadows on the walls and people that surrounded them. The Old Language flowed effortlessly from his tongue but Merlin couldn't concentrate on the exact words less he miss his queue to join. It was one minute until midnight. They would have sixty seconds to finish the ritual once midnight struck. Mordred's chanting grew louder and he felt it then, the chill of the underworld as it started to open into the room. Wind howled around them in a great circle of despair and power. "Now Arthur, I need you to concentrate. Call her with you mind and heart. Show her to me." Merlin put his hands on her temple and closed his eyes. "Morrigan! Ic ácíegan úre sáwol fram ofergeatu. Ágíeman sé slite onginnan fram angsumnes ond áfléogan æt eard. Sweostor be sweostor ond baan be baan ðu béon stefnian. Laguflód sylfum ælíf éarisc ofer ðu. Ofergeatu áworpennes ðu út." He chanted out while holding onto Morgana. He felt the buildup of power and knew from Arthur's wide gaze that the portal had opened again. His own eyes were hazy and filled with golden magic as he poured all of his power into the spell, into the tear. He felt Arthur's hand touch his own and felt another presence with them. He latched onto it and concentrated with all his might. He could feel his head start to pound and felt liquid trickle out of his nose but he kept the power going. Mordred's hand touched Merlin's and then touched Morgana's hand as they completed the circuit and the brazier at the base of the altar lit up. There was a howling cry and the earth started to tremble as the tear started to waver. He chanted the spell once more, only stopping moments before his time was up. His hand gripped the chalice and he tipped it into the back of her throat, letting some of the concoction travel into her belly. He set the chalice back down just as his time ended. The tear closed quickly a few moments after his last words were spoken and the wind died down, the earth stopped shaking and all was still and quiet. The void of noise made Merlin's head spin and he nearly fell forward. Did it work?
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Gwen felt the ground shake beneath her in the dark night of the Isle. The noise of celebration had ceased for a few short seconds before an eerie shriek pierced the night. And before a starburst of power that even she could feel washed over them. Had it worked? Her arms tightened around Meighan as she wondered and it was as if the child in her arms could make it happen.
The rest of the druids were looking to the castle as well. The elders began to walk to the castle with unlit torches in hand. They would find out soon enough.
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Merlin's heart sank as he watched Morgana. Instantly he realized that there was no change. Not one….He let go of her and turned away, ready to collapse into a heap beside the altar. He wasn't strong enough. Something went wrong. As his thoughts descended into a spiral of depression once more Mordred and Arthur were still watching her.
Breath in, breath out, breath in….breath out. Morgana's chest rose and fell evenly until a skip appeared. Then a deep breath…then a skip and another, then another and they started to get faster and pick up pace. Arthur reached out to Merlin and pulled him around firmly to watch her. "Watch. It's different." Arthur murmured to him.
Merlin watched as her breathing became deeper and irregular, breaking from the pattern that had been established for two months now. He reached for her wrist and felt the pulse. Faster. It was faster.
It was then that Merlin watched her eyes as the lids raised to reveal the sea green that he knew her eyes to be. She blinked once, twice, three times and moved her head. "It took you long enough." Her voice was slightly rough from disuse but the wit was still there. It took Merlin maybe a second to move Arthur to the side and wrap his arms around her torso tightly. He buried his face in her neck and Morgana coughed. "Tight." She ground out and Merlin released her from his embrace and stared at her adoringly before lowering his lips to hers. Alarm crossed her features before Morgana responded eagerly, if a little weakly to his advance. Her hand came up slowly and she buried her fingers into his hair and clung to him tightly. Their lips moved against one another's as if they were starving for each other. Merlin could taste salt as he continued his assault on her and realized that he was crying. He opened his eyes and met hers and realized that her green eyes were also shiny with tears that leaked from the sides of her eyes as she stared at him adoringly. A throat cleared from behind them and Merlin blushed a little as he gently broke off from Morgana and brought his hand up to stroke her cheekbone with his thumb, "Hello, avaleora." He whispered to her.
Morgana's voice was thick with emotion and still harsh from disuse when she answered, "Hello cópenere."
"I missed you."
"I know. I was watching, waiting, and afraid that I would never come back."
"But you did."
"Only because my brother is smarter than you." She looked past him to Arthur.
"He's an idiot. We've always know that Morgana." Arthur walked up and Merlin stepped back from her grudgingly as Arthur bent down to embrace her in a hug. "I guess it's a good thing that we share a father now, isn't it?"
"I've never before been grateful about that. Thank you, little brother." She leaned up to kiss his cheek and he stepped back. Her gaze then traveled to Mordred, who was looking even more pale, but happy and afraid. "Mordred. Come here." Morgana struggled to sit up on the altar and when Arthur and Merlin tried to aid her she shooed them away. Mordred stepped up to her with his eyes downcast.
"I will accept any punishment you give to me, Morgana."
Morgana reached out and put a finger under his chin to lift his gaze to hers. They met eye to eye and Moragan's expression was soft when she looked at him, her finger stroking his chin, "My precious Mordred...I understand what happened. I understand that what happened was not of your doing. I'm not going to hurt you for that. I was angry for a while, but I've forgiven you."
Mordred's dark blue eyes filled with tears and his bottom lip trembled, "I….I couldn't stop myself. I didn't want to hurt you. The voice wanted me to put it through your belly and kill your child. I fought it as best I could. I saw you fall. I saw you die and it was my fault. I wanted to die."
"Shhhh. Come here." Morgana pulled Mordred to her and smoothed his hair as his shoulders shook with his quiet sobs. "Let it out. I'm okay. You are okay. Shhhhh." She rocked slowly with the young man. She couldn't be angry with him. She tried but she loved him too much like a child of her own to not forgive him.
Merlin watched the exchanged with confusion and a little bit of jealousy. He had killed her…really and truly stuck a sword in her chest and she was forgiving him? No resentment, no holding it over his head… Merlin ground his teeth but said nothing. This wouldn't dim her coming back to him. Nothing would.
There was a knock at the door and Merlin opened it to the elders who walked in with unlit torches. They all took in the scene and each one of them smiled as they came up to the altar. Morgana nodded at the five of them as they lit their torches and left again, leaving the door to shut behind them. Arthur and Merlin stood together and both of them. "You did it." Arthur told him.
"We did it."
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah, why?"
"Your nose started to bleed. Here, take this." He pulled out a kerchief and Merlin took it. He wiped under his nose and looked at the red stain there. That couldn't be good.
"Thanks." He told Arthur and the blonde man nodded back at him.
"She's back. She's going to give us all hell you know."
"I'm counting on it." Merlin smiled at Arthur. "And I have a few tricks up my sleeve too."
"Congratulations." He paused and gave Merlin a mock glare, "Now when are you going to marry my sister?"
Merlin laughed and Morgana looked over at him, eyes shining in his direction. He tried to use their connection but the link was still broken despite her soul now being back where it belonged. A sudden look of confusion and alarm spread across her features and she brought her free hand up to her belly, her look turned introspective before a wide smile spread across her features as well as a look of adoration at her belly. She released Mordred, who gave her a kiss on her cheek before stepping back. Merlin had to admit that despite his reddened and puffy eyes the druid looked better than he had in a long while. Forgiveness will do that to you, Merlin mused. He moved quickly back to her side and Morgana lifted his hand to place it on her belly. "I have a surprise for you."
"I don't know if I can handle any more surprises." Merlin laughed as his son moved beneath his hand. "He's excited that you are awake too, aren't you?" He spoke to her belly and Morgana laughed and leaned in close to whisper to him.
"Daughter."
Merlin's gaze snapped to hers. "But it's a boy." He argued.
"And a girl. There are two of them in there you idiotic man. They are good at hiding themselves from you."
"Two?" His eyes widened and he felt his heart drop then climb again and beat faster as a warm feeling spread through his body. "A son and a daughter? How do you know?"
"I spent two months watching. They aren't usually both awake at the same time and whoever is more dominant is who you see."
"Two?" He repeated, slightly dumbfounded as he caressed her belly and Morgana kissed him again.
"Two." She reaffirmed.
"Two what?" Arthur asked from behind them.
"Twins, dear brother. You are going to have a niece and a nephew."
"Joy. Just what the world needs."
"Shut up." They both told him and he pulled her close to him again. He couldn't believe she was here, that she was safe. He continued to hold her and stroke her hair as Arthur and Mordred looked on and the candles continued to make the shadows dance on the walls.
XxOxX
Alright! About 9k words this chapter. I know I didn't get much done but I had a bit of a week. Anyway! I hope this has made your Monday a little bit brighter and I want to wish you all a Happy Halloween! Read and tell me what you think my dears! :)
Terrible news: Next update won't be until two weeks from now. I won't have the last chapter up until 12/4/2013 either. I want it to be exactly a year from publish date. (Stupid I know but I'm so close anyway)
But don't despair. I plan to finish my other story Dreams of Fate (finally) during the times I am not writing this story. So if you haven't followed that then give it a shot. It will give you a little dose of BBF until I get a full chapter. Sorry!
Just in case you wanted to know I got the spell he used from real Old English. The literal translation is here:
I call your soul from Oblivion! Heal the tear began by pain and fly back to the earth. Blood by blood and bone by bone you are summoned. Waters of life rush over you. Oblivion cast you out.
