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Arthur looked up at Mordred as the boy hurried around the block to help him up, he had not been expecting this. Neither apparently had Odin's men as they stood there in shock for a moment before moving to reach for their swords.

Mordred handed Arthur the sword that had been given to him to behead the prince with.

Gwaine pulled himself away from the two guards that were holding him taking one of their swords as he did. He was so focused on the person he thought had just killed his friend that he didn't notice the other guards drawing their swords on him.

"Gwaine watch out" Lancelot called out trying to pull himself free from the guards that held him.

Suddenly Gwaine stopped when an arrow landed right in front of him. Then more arrows flew out of the sky hitting the guards that were around Gwaine, Lancelot, Percival and Elyan. Two more hit the guards that had started to advance on Arthur and Mordred.

Lancelot was the first to see Arthur when the hooded figure who was no longer hooded helped him up.

"Arthur your alright" Lancelot said taking a sword from one of the guards that had been holding him.

"Yes thanks to Mordred" Arthur said coming around the block.

The prince looked around wondering where those arrows had come from. A smile crossed his face when he was Sir Belivare and Sir Galahad fighting their way toward him.

Gwaine was shocked when Mordred turned and he could see his face. He had dark hair and couldn't have been more that fourteen years old. Gwaine couldn't believe he had almost killed an innocent kid, he was just a boy. What kind of person allowed someone so young to act as executioner?

"uh Sire since my covers been found out might I suggest we leave" Mordred said taking a sword from one of the fallen guards.

Everyone thought this was a good idea but it would be easier said than done. The peasants that had come to see the man that had killed their prince face execution thought it would be a good time to panic and run. Odin and Cenred's men found them selves pushed and turned about in the mad rush for safety.

Leon looked down from the battlement, He decided he would need to add archery to the list of skills he hadn't been aware Merlin possessed, let alone Morgana. Merlin and Morgana each held a bow while Leon had a cross bow. Their aim had been perfect, Merlins first shot had landed right in front of Gwaine. The next sets of arrows had hit the guards holding their friends and the two that had been on either side of Arthur.

Morgana watched anxiously as one of Odin's men move to attack Mordred. She was about to use her magic to trip the man when Arthur grabbed Mordred and pulled him out of the way bringing his sword up to block the attack. Morgana let out the breath she hadn't been aware she was holding, she had almost forgotten how good Arthur was.

Melin looked down at the fight below them, they were out numbered by at least ten to one.

"how about we even the odds" Merlin suggested, his eyes flashed gold and several of Cenred's men found them selves tripping over their own pants.

Leon couldn't help the chuckle that escaped his mouth, yep Merlin had definitely been responsible for the weird things that used to happen on patrol.

Morgana aim her bow and arrow focusing she pulled the string back and her eyes flashed gold as she let go. She said a spell under her breath and the arrow split into several hitting their targets right on.

The group of men that were circling the tall man Leon had identified as Percival and the man Morgana recognized as Gwen's brother Elyan.

Percival and Elyan were surprised when the men that were surrounding them cried out pain as a volley of arrows struck them in their hands, arms and shoulders causing them to drop their weapons. The two men quickly kicked their weapons away from the men that had been circling them.

Odin's men looked around apprehensively trying to figure out were the arrows had come from, they decided to retreat.

Odin's stood with his men his face red with anger, damn it he would not be denied his revenge on his son's killer. Odin drew his sword and lunged at Arthur determined to kill Camelot's prince.

Arthur blocked every strike moving to stay out of Odin's reach, He tried again to talk the man down.

"Odin please this needs to stop" Arthur half begged

"you know if you kill me my father will start a war"

Odin struck at him again which he blocked again stepping back.

"you killed my son" Odin said

"and as for you father, Cenred will soon sit on the throne of Camelot and your father head will be on a spike"

There was a time when this would have made Arthur lose his temper but he had learned a lot from Merlin, and the friends he had made since the servant had gone missing. He took a deep breath and took control of the anger that he felt at Odin's words.

"I already explained what happen" Arthur said blocking another strike.

"your son challenged me, after I had one he came after me when my back was turned and I reacted. What was I suppose to do?"

"No! No! No! You lie" Odin yelled striking at Arthur furiously

"He would never, I taught him better than that, I raised him to be honourable"

Arthur defended him self as best he could without returning the attack. He had no desire to kill Odin, even after all the man had done. Odin cried out and lunged at Arthur once again, this time putting his full force into it. Instinct from years of training took over as Arthur stepped to the side and brought up his blade.

Odin's gasped for breath and looked down in shock at the blade that had struck him just below the ribs. Arthur grabbed his arms and helped the Cornwall king to lay down, Odin was surprised to see distress on the prince's face.

"Odin I am so sorry" Arthur said

"I did not want this"

Odin looked as if he was going to say something but he turned his head and gazed off, he seemed to see something no one else could. Arthur watched as the man's eyes went blank, he sighed sadly and use two fingers to close his eye lids.

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Gwen stood at the window and looked out over the city past the outer walls. Cenred's army was surrounding the city. Hunith had been right they had arrived sooner than anyone in Camelot had thought they would. Thanks to Uther's paranoia about Kilgharrah attacking the city was prepared for at least a month long siege.

The gates to the city had been closed as soon as the first of Cenred and Odin's men had been spotted. The guards under Gwen's instruction had ushered as many of the peasants into the gates as they could before it was closed.

Gwen looked over at the battlements were Uther stood a look of silent determination on his face as he watched Odin's army surrounding the city. Gwen knew she and the king did not see eye to eye on most things but one thing they did agree on was the desire to protect Camelot.

Gwen turned from the window and continued to the great hall were Uther was allowing Gaius to set up a temporary area to treat the injury's that were bound to be sustained in the up coming battle.

"Cenred's army is surrounding us" Gwen said setting down the basket of linens to be made into bandages that she was carrying "I don't imagine it will be long before they attack"

"Balinor and Kilgharrah are looking for the knights patrols that haven't returned yet" Hunith said

"and I am sure Merlin and Morgana will find Arthur and the other in time"

"yes" Gaius said

"that boy always had a way of showing up just at the right time"

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Merlin and Morgana followed Leon through the woods toward were Arthur and the others waited after finally getting way from Odin and Cenred's men. Merlin and Morgana once again pulled up their hoods to hide their faces before Arthur could see them, Morgana gave Sir Leon a wink as she pulled hers up.

"Leon" Arthur greeted him clasping his arm. "you and your men arrived just in time"

"Sire are you" Leon was stopped by Arthur putting up his hand.

"Please" He said clearly annoyed

"If one more person asks if I'm alright"

Arthur notice the two people standing behind Leon, their faces obscured by the hoods they wore. He also noticed that Sir Belivare and Sir Galahad were having trouble keeping a straight face. Mordred seemed interested in the taller one.

""Emry's"" Mordred telepathed

""yes Mordred, but please I prefer to be called Merlin"" Merlin telepathed back.

""you did a good job helping Arthur, thank you""

"Sire" Leon said stepping to the side and motioning them forward.

"we would not have found you had it not been for these two"

Arthur turned to them, there was something familiar about them but the prince could quite place it.

"I owe you a thanks" Arthur said

"what are your name?"

"I believe you already know our names" the shorter one said as she drew back her hood.

"unless your level of pratness has gone back up again in what year and a half since we last saw you" the taller one said as he lowered his hood.

Arthur's jaw dropped and he stared in shock for a second at the sight of his surrogate sister and his manservant ok his friend.

"Morgana, Merlin" Arthur cried cheerfully as got over the shock and pulled them into a hug.

"Merlin" Gwaine and Lancelot ran over to greet their friend.

"Morgana, I am so glad your safe" Mordred said as she pulled him into a quick hug.

"I have been worried since I heard that you and Merlin had been kidnapped"

"my Lady it is good to see you again" Lancelot greeted Morgana

"I am sorry we worried you Mordred" Morgana said then turned to Lancelot.

"it's good to see you as well Lancelot"

Merlin noticed that Galahad and Belivare stood back with two men he had not met before. Gwaine noticed where he was looking and motioned the two men to come over.

"Merlin, Morgana" Gwaine said

"this is Percival and "

"Elyan" Morgana cut him off.

"you're Gwen's brother"

Elyan was surprised that Morgana knew who he was.

"Percival, Gwaine and Lancelot have been helping us in the search for the two of you" Arthur told them.

"yes my mother mentioned you had been using Ealdor as a meeting place" Merlin said then he lowered his voice so that only Arthur could here"

"she also mentioned that you may found out something about me"

Arthur was silent for a moment before speaking up.

"Cenred and his army are marching toward Camelot as we speak, we need to get back as quickly as possible" He said as he mounted on of the horses the sir Belivare and Gwaine had thought to uh borrow from Odin's men. He lowered his voice for only Merlin to here. "we'll talk about it later, Elyan, Sir Belivare and Sir Galahad are not in on that bit of information"

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Uther scowled at the piece of paper that had been handed to him as he read it. It was a message from Cenred that had been tight to an arrow and shot over the outer wall. Cenred was demanding his surrender claiming his army was undefeatable, the king of Escetir had the nerve to give him till midmorning to surrender.

Uther crumbled up the message and threw it to the side, If Cenred thought he would just surrender.

"I want everyone prepared to fight" Uther said loudly

Uther decided that this would be the last time Cenred tried to take Camelot if he had anything to do with it.

"Steven" Arthur said addressing his manservant.

"make sure my armour is prepared and ready by dawn".

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Merlin, Morgana, Arthur and the others finally made it back to Camelot's lands. A few hours away from the city the group took shelter in an old run down castle. The over growth from years of neglect was so bad that it was easily mistaken for a set of caves from the out side. However one you got in there was clear signs of the building that had once been occupied by the old kings of Camelot and their knights.

The group gathered in what looked like a room that may have been the castles main hall. In the middle of the room stood a round table with high back seat set up all around it.

Merlin and Morgana found some candles in their bags and set about putting them out on the table to give the room some more light.

"do you two always carry candles with you" Elyan asked

"we've learned to be prepared" Merlin told him as he set out the last candle, what he didn't mention was that the candles had only been in the bags for a minute before they had gotten them out.

As Merlin and Morgana lit the candle they noticed that there were designs engraved in front of each seat. To the untrained eye they would have looked like simple decorations but Merlin and Morgana recognized them as symbols of the old religion.

Arthur called everyone to sit at the table.

Merlin sat to his right and Morgana felt drawn to sit in the seat on Merlins right.

"this table was once where the kings of Camelot and their knights held council" Arthur said still standing. "The round table was meant to symbolize that each person at the table was equal to the other. No one person held precedence over any other when they were sitting at this table.

I would like to renew that ideal and speak to all of you not as a Prince but as a man who's home and family and friends are being threatened."

Merlin read the inscription that was in front of Arthur. Courage.

Merlin looked up at Arthur proudly, The inscription fit his prince and friend perfectly.

"tomorrow I am riding for Camelot and I will face Cenred's army, but I can not do it alone. I am humbly asking you to help me defend my home and my people."

Morgana smiled at the man she thought of as a brother, she had never heard him sound more like someone worthy of being a king before.

"I am with you Arthur" Morgana said standing up "I have had the chance to acquire some medical skills so I can help in that area, plus I'm not bad with a sword"

Merlin read the inscription in front of Morgana . Healer.

"you know I am with you my Lord" Sir Leon said standing up and placing his sword on the table. Loyalty.

"even if the time line for my banishment hadn't ended a few days ago" Gwaine said standing up. Strength.

"as am I" Sir Galahad stood up. Perseverance.

Percival stood up giving Arthur a nod. Innocence.

"and I" Sir Belivare said placing his sword on the table as he stood up. Humility.

"you are one of the most honourable men I have met, I would be honoured to fight by your side" Lancelot said placing his sword on the table. Honour.

"I'll fight with you as well" Elyan said. Journeyman.

"I know I am not as skilled in the ways of battle as the rest of you but I will do what I can" Mordred said standing up. Trust.

Without even looking Arthur could sense that Merlin was the only one still sitting down.

"Merlin"

"of course I'm going to help" Merlin said "I don't see why standing up is necessary, I'm comfortable"

"Mer-lin"

"fine" Merlin said with fake exasterbation and stood up, he gave the prince a grin, Arthur rolled his eyes at his friend.

Morgana noticed that no one had thought to sit in the seat to Arthurs left, she read the inscription. Kindness.

Her thoughts went to her maidservant/best friend Gwen, it was the perfect word to describe her.

Morgana's eyes caught the inscription in front of Merlin as well. Magic.

The witch thought it was rather ironic, she wondered if there was a significance to it.

Early the next morning Merlin and Morgana sat around a small fire while the rest of the group slept. Merlin held the vial of water that the Fisher king had given him, he could feel a magic pulsing in the water. It felt familiar but he couldn't quite place it.

"any luck figuring it out?" Morgana asked

"no" Merlin sighed reaching his hand over to pass her the vial.

Morgana just about had a grip on it when Gwaine, who was laying just behind were she was sitting sat up and bumped her causing the vial to fall and break.

"sorry" Gwaine muttered standing up still half asleep.

"I gotta take a leak"

Merlin and Morgana paid the man no mind as they were distracted by the appearance of a young woman in the spilled water. Merlin couldn't believe who he was seeing, he hadn't realized till that moment that he hadn't really thought about her in almost a year.

"Freya?" Merlin asked

"how is this possible?"

"Freya, the girl you told me about?" Morgana asked looking from the water to Merlin and back to the water.

"the one you almost left m Camelot for?"

Merlin was to focused on the girl in the water to answer Morgana's question, but Morgana figures she was right.

"The water is from the lake of Avalon, all water from Avalon is magically connected to the lake and since I am the lady of the lake I can use it to communicate with you, but only for a short time." Freya explained.

"is their something you need to tell us" Merlin asked

"I fear you are not fully prepared to fight Cenred's army" Freya said

"before Morgause died she forged a sword with dark magic, to be delivered to Cenred on in the event of her death"

"I don't understand" Morgana said

"what does Cenred have to do with Morgause, why would she think to give him anything"

"I do not know for sure" Freya said shaking her head.

"but so long as Cenred wields that sword he is practically invincible. Thus far there exist only one sword that has any chance against it, a sword forged in the dragons breath"

Morgana and Merlin watched as an image of a sword appeared in the water.

"Excalibur" Merlin realized.

"but I threw it into the lake, there is no way we have time to retrieve it"

Morgana thought for a moment, there was something Freya had said.

"Freya, you said the water was connected to Avalon right?" Morgana questioned thoughtfully.

"yes my Lady" Freya said

"so" Morgana said

"perhaps we don't need to go to the lake"

"you mean use the water?" Merlin asked

"is that possible Freya?"

"it is" Freya told them.

"but only someone who is kin to the swords true owner can pull the sword from the water"

Merlin and Morgana's faces fell, Uther was Arthur's only kin.

"even if we could get Uther here there is no way he would"

"Uther is not Arthur's only kin" Freya told them a slight laugh in her voice

"Arthur thinks of you my lady as a sister in his heart, and I believe you feel the same about him"

Morgana smiled and nodded, Freya was right they may not be blood kin but they were family.

"If I may, I would ask your permission to retrieve my brothers sword, so that we can defend our people"

" You must swear to give the sword to the once and future king" Freya said " it was forged for him and he alone is meant to wield the sword"

"I have my own sword" Morgana told her resting her hand on the hilt of the sword that had once been her mothers.

"I so swear that Arthur will be the only one to wield Excalibur"

Morgana watched as the image of Excalibur became clearer and Freya started to fade. She found her self reaching out and touching the water over top of the hilt of the sword. Merlin breathed sharply as her hand went into the water further than the puddle should have allowed.

Morgana gripped the sword and slowly pulled it out. When the sword was fully out of the water the blade shone in the fire light and Arthur stood in it's reflection. Merlin and Morgana turned their head towards the door way were Arthur stood with the sunrise at his back.

"Morgana?" Arthur asked

"did you just pull a sword from a puddle?"

don't you just love cliff hangers

for those of you who might wonder I choose .Journeyman. for Elyan because he is a highly skilled black smith and when I looked up antonyms for skill labourer journeyman was the one that most sounded like it would be used by the old religion.