Chapter 19:

Arthur gave Guinevere one last kiss, and embraced her tightly as they stood in the courtyard. Before her husband could mount his horse, Gwen looked into Arthur's eyes. As much as she wanted to come, she was forced to stay behind due to her role as Queen.

"Bring our friend back home," she said, worry and distress written clearly over all her features. "please be safe. I love you."

"Don't worry," he assured. "if I don't make sure we all get back in one piece, I'm sure Merlin would." He gave one last nod to his wife. "I love you."

Arthur quickly mounted his horse, and signaled for everyone to leave. Their plans to help Rodor take back his kingdom advancing faster than expected as they ride out to the previously disputed land of Gedref. They took the fastest route with as many shortcuts in order to get to the place on time, with William guiding them to the location.

"How could he be so stupid?" Arthur asked out loud, clearly worried about his friend. He feared, even taking the shortest route, he still wouldn't make it to Merlin in time. From what he is told, his power is great, but it did not mean he was invincible.

"Don't worry, princess," Gwaine reassured. "we aren't too far behind, and I'm sure he could hold his own until we get there."

Not everyone was riding to help rescue Merlin, however. Only Arthur, Mithian, William, and a few other round table knights accompanied the King to save the warlock. King Rodor and Elizabeth led the rest of the knights to a sanctioned part of the woods in hopes to find the rest of their people who escaped the attack. They would meet up with them once they found Merlin.

Mithian gripped the strap to her crossbow, determined to get to Merlin before anything could happen to him. She knew he was fully capable of taking care of himself, but he was alone. He didn't have backup, and she well aware of Morgana's growing powers.

"I was wondering when you'd come," Morgana pronounced when she finally came face to face with Merlin. She could barely stand the sight of him as her anger coursed through all parts of her body. She saw the person who stood a few feet away from her as a traitor to his own kind.

"You don't have to do this, Morgana," he said. "Arthur already plans to bring magic back to Camelot, and eventually all of the lands."

"No," she shook her head frantically in disbelief and Merlin watched on in concern. He took a second to really inspect the woman in front of him. Her hair was a mess, her face pale as if she'd barely eaten the past few days, her eyes baggy and dark as if she hadn't slept in years. It was as if she's completely lost her self. A stark contrast to the lighthearted woman he had brought drafts to years before, and his heart mourned the sight feeling he had a huge part in her downfall.

"Morgana," Merlin told her softly. "are you alright?"

She ignored him. "You will not stand in the way of my birthright. I will no longer be afraid of you, Emrys," she said loud and clear, angered that he continued to pretend he cared for her. "you're a traitor to our kind."

Merlin stood tall, his jaw clenching slightly at the accusation. "I've never betrayed our kind," he defended himself. "what happened to you, Morgana?"

She ignored his question. "As if you don't know," she scoffed. "you say you never betrayed our kind, yet you serve a king who would have you killed without a second thought. Yet you tried to have me poisoned."

Merlin faltered at her last accusation, taking responsibility for his actions. "You were going to kill Uther, your own father," he responded weakly.

"It's what he deserved," she took a sharp intake of breath. "he's the reason so many of our people are dead, hiding, or are living in fear. And you would serve him."

"I never served Uther-"

"No, just his son," she quipped bitterly.

"Arthur is nothing like this father," he returned heatedly. "he doesn't harbor that same hatred. Morgana, stop this obsession. Arthur's already planning to end the ban on magic, isn't that what you wanted?"

"I haven't heard any plans to end anything," she raised a challenging eyebrow. "you've been hiding your true identity from Arthur all these years and you still serve him."

"Do you ever think why that may be?" He asked challengingly. "Why would I willingly serve someone if I didn't believe in the good they will help bring, and Arthur already knows. I already told him."

Morgana thought about what he said for a second, her face turning into one of mock seriousness. "You told Arthur? Is that why you came here all alone? How exactly did he react to your secret? Your deceit."

Merlin's lip twitched once, remembering how Arthur reacted just last night to the truth. "I already told you he plans on bring magic back, and atoning for Uther's wrongdoings," he informed her. "isn't that what this is all for? Why you fight? For our people? Arthur's realized that magic isn't evil like his father says it is. He even said he wants you to come home, Morgana."

"You're lying," she screamed in anger. All those years of mistrust and being kept in the dark tore at her darkened heart. Even as she hears what he's saying, she couldn't bring herself to truly listen. Anger scorched throughout her body, not willing to trust a single word he says. He lies, the same way her father lied to her, the same way Gaius lied to her about having powers. The same he kept her in the dark about his magic despite being the same. Despite trusting in him the way she had.

"Morgana, please," Merlin took one step, carefully showing that he willing to make a truce. "there's no need for us to fight. If you truly believe in bringing back magic, then end this madness."

Merlin watched carefully as Morgana remained quiet as she fought the darkness inside her. For a second, he could almost see her green eyes softening the same way it had when he first met her. For a second, he saw a glimpse of light sparkle in her eyes just before it turned dark. In a split second, he stopped feeling the ground beneath him as he was thrown wordlessly through the air. His back hit a tree with a loud thump, and he fell face first into the ground.

"I turned my back against Camelot and it's injustices years ago," she said as she saw his head slowly lifting up from the dirt. "all everyone ever did was lie and betray me."

"And you haven't betrayed us?" Merlin asked, groaning as he tried to stand up from the ground. "I know you must have felt alone, but Arthur was your brother and he never would have let anything happen to you. Even now, he still wishes you to come home."

"Stop lying to me!" Morgana screamed painfully, her outburst causing her magic to surge. Merlin was, once again, thrown a few feet back as her magic raged through the forest. "I will come home, and I will take what is rightfully mine."

Merlin got up once again and raised his hand to counter an attack spell against her, seeing her stomp her way towards him with a vengeful look in her eye. He raised his hands in defense, reflecting the attack meant for him against her so she flew back against the air.

"I'm sorry that I wasn't there for you," he told her sadly. "you were hurt and scared and alone, and I am truly sorry for not doing more for you, but what you're doing is wrong." Morgana screamed once more, a ball of fire emitting from the palms of her hands. Merlin jumped out of the way before he could get scorned. "I blame myself for what you became, but you act out of vengeance and hatred. You don't care for our people. You care only for yourself. I see now there's nothing left of the Morgana I once knew."

"You never knew me."

Morgana's hands once again ignited a large flame of fire and directed it towards Merlin's figure, a fury in her eyes he's never witnessed before. Once again, he jumped out of the way but not without feeling a slight singe on his arm from the heat. While he suffered little from the small burn, Morgana attacked once again with a large gust of air to throw him back against the tree once more. After a third time, Merlin was starting to feel almost unconscious.

While he struggled to get up once more, another ball of fire summoned from her hand and she aimed at his lying form. However, her spell was stopped short when an arrow sliced through the skin on her palm. She winced in slight pain as blood seeped out of the wound in her hand.

"Merlin!" Mithian immediately jumped off of her horse and ran to his seemingly unconscious body. As she neared him, she saw him propping himself up on his elbow and she kneeled down by his side and cradled his head in her arms. "How could you do this to him? He's on your side!" She shouted angrily at Morgana as Merlin tried to regain consciousness.

"He was never on my side," she seethed, holding her hand in pain. "he's a traitor."

"Morgana, stop!" Arthur shouted, unsheathing his sword as he ran towards the scene.

"How sweet of you to come to his rescue, brother," she mocked. "even after he's been lying to you all these years."

"Perhaps," Arthur said. "but I realize now that all Merlin has ever done was try to protect me and Camelot."

Morgana lifted her head up in pride, her jaw tightening at his words. She didn't want to hear Merlin earlier, and she won't listen to Arthur now. She raised her hand once more to attack, but Merlin got up from Mithian's arms and blocked her spell from reaching both Arthur and Mithian.

"If you won't listen to me, Morgana," he tried again. "listen to Arthur. You've known him your whole life."

"No," she denied. "the time for talking is over." Her eyes flashed gold, and at least a hundred knights donning the Nemethian crest appeared behind her.

"Then you leave me no choice," Merlin said as the William, Gwaine, Elyan, and Percival drew their swords at the upcoming battle.

Morgana smirked at his words, raising her hand up once more to swiftly throw Arthur off his feet. The king whipped through the air suddenly before he could charge after her. He grunted as he hit a nearby tree, but stood up immediately and helped fight off the knights running towards them.

Mithian reached around to grab her crossbow to help the others from where she stood, taking down a few of their enemies while Merlin dueled in front of her. However, there were severely outnumbered and Merlin realized he couldn't only focus on Morgana. He closed his eyes, and hit the ground with his hand to cause another seismic earthquake as he had done just a few days before. It was enough to knock Morgana off her feet long enough for him to help even out the numbers.

His eyes flashed a bright gold, and thunder boomed across the forest as he used his powers to throw back the many knights who were charging after them. Percival, Arthur, Gwaine, and Mithian looked to the sky and then Merlin in awe. He continued to strike lightning at the massive group coming out from the trees. Arthur raised his sword to his knights, roaring a battle cry as their enemies group severely diminished.

The flash of gold in his eyes disappeared as Morgana got up to stop him his concentration. Merlin fell to the ground with a loud thump, the thunder and lightning he was controlling previously gradually disappearing. He stood up rather quickly, ready to face the witch once again. Seeing what had happened, Mithian shifted her attention away from the very few knights that were left and tightened her grip on the crossbow. She made sure to focus her aim on the raven haired sorceress that threatened Merlin.

Merlin fully stood his ground as he faced Morgana once more. "There's no escape," he warned her.

Morgana laughed evilly, showing she was not threatened by the group surrounding her. Even Arthur and Mithian could see just how much she has lost touch with reality. They could see how she had spiraled from years of darkness. After years of resentment, and a deep fear and mistrust of people she once cared for, she had completely gave in to the evil that had always tried to consume her.

They could only feel sorry for her for losing her way, but they could not condone her actions any longer. She must be stopped. She never intended to show mercy or remorse, and they hadn't the luxury of doing the same for her.

Merlin ignited a fire in his palm and sent it straight towards her, but it was quickly redirected towards Arthur, Gwaine, Elyan, William, and Percival. The gust of wind and fire throwing them back across their area of the woods. Excalibur flew out of Arthur's hand as this happened, the sword landing in the middle of the duel. Mithian pressed on her trigger, an arrow flying through the air only to be redirected by Morgana with her one free hand.

"You should know that no mortal weapon could kill me." Morgana pushed the arrow back towards Mithian, but Merlin quickly stepped in front of her, his eyes flashing to incinerate the wood before it could reach them. Merlin's jaw and fists clenched in anger, his eyes flashing gold once more and looking to the sky to finish wiping out the rest of the knights. Lightning struck once more and even Morgana was swept off her feet as his power coursed through him, directing it at his enemies.

Morgana got up quickly, looking desperately behind her as she realized her army was no more. She supposed she could run, but she only stood her ground. She will not cower and hide. As she stood up, Merlin reached for Excalibur as it lay in the middle of them. He picked it up swiftly as Morgana charged another spell at him. He was easily able to deflect it above them before stepping up and running her through.

Morgana gasped, looking up into Merlin's eyes as she felt the magic embedded into the sword. "I'm sorry it had to be this way," he whispered. Merlin's hand reached around to her back as he let her down to the ground gently, pulling the sword out of her. "but you gave me no choice."

Like earlier, he saw a glimpse of light in her sea green eyes as she looked up at him. Her lips quivered slightly, knowing she was near her death. "I'm sorry too," she breathed, her voice cracking as she drew her last breath. He closed her eyes for her, laying her head carefully on the ground. The others ran towards them and watched as he put Morgana to rest on the ground. The warlock looked up to his king, remorse clearly expressed on his face.

"I'm sorry Arthur," Merlin apologized quietly. "I know she was your sister, but she wasn't going to stop."

"I understand," Arthur breathed, taking back the sword Merlin held out for him as he stared down at his fallen sister somberly. "she would have killed you if you hadn't, and me."

Mithian took Merlin's hand, knowing it can never be easy to take the life of someone he once cared for. Merlin closed his eyes, leaning his head against Mithian's, a bittersweet feeling of relief escaping his body as Morgana no longer threatens their lives and what they've been working for. She squeezed his hand and closed her eyes as her free hand moved to hold his cheek. She waited for his breathing to relax at the great ordeal he had just faced.

"You tried to save her," she reminded in a quiet whisper. "but she didn't want redemption." Mithian pressed a soft kiss to his cheek, hoping it would bring him at least an ounce of comfort.

Merlin nodded, lifting his head up to plant a kiss on top of her head. "Thank you for saving me."

Mithian smiled back, shaking her head slightly. "I think I should be the one thanking you for saving me," she pointed. "from my own arrow."

"Either way, I don't think I'd still be alive if you hadn't come to my rescue."

Arthur cleared his throat loudly. "What about my thank you?"

"Yeah, we came to rescue you too," Gwaine added, joking lightly.

"Sorry, right," he said awkwardly. "thank you for rescuing me. I never would have been able to defeat that army if you hadn't come to my aid," he added slightly sarcastically. It was half true since Morgana did have him almost cornered, but he also just saved their lives.

"I must admit," Gwaine started proudly. "that battle was a true sight to see. You really held your own against her."

Arthur rolled his eyes at Merlin's comeback, but otherwise nodded in agreement with Gwaine, witnessing the mighty battle that took place right in front of them. "You took down a whole army," he stated seriously. "I had you mucking my stables and washing my clothes, for years. Yet you had the power to do all of this."

"I only did this because it was necessary," he asserted. "I would never misuse my powers to cause destruction for my own gain. We were clearly outnumbered and I had to protect us. That is the only time I would use that kind of power."

The knights all nodded, proud to see their friend in a completely new light. "Seems the universe gave this gift to the right person," Arthur told him. "I'd be afraid of any other man who would be able to wield such magic, but destiny gave it to the best person I know."

Merlin blinked at Arthur's declaration. "Was that just a compliment?"

"Don't be stupid, Merlin," Arthur changed the subject. "why did you even come here by yourself anyway?" Arthur asked exasperatedly. "How stupid can one person be?" Merlin and the knights bit back a laugh, and Mithian as well.

"I didn't want to anyone to die because of me," he answered. "she was planning on killing innocent men if I didn't face her."

"Still," Gwaine countered. "you didn't have to go alone."

"I'm sorry, but I felt it was something I had to take care of on my own," he said honestly. "I thought I could try to get through to her, but she wouldn't listen to me."

Arthur sighed, knowing he probably would have done the same if he were in his shoes. "It's alright, Merlin," he assured his friend. "Morgana was too far gone. There was nothing else you could do."

Arthur looked to Merlin with respect. "I'm sorry for how I reacted before," he started to say. "but I realize now why you needed to keep your secret. Thank you for all that you've done for me." Merlin nodded and Arthur looked around. "We should start heading for the forest to meet with the others. The war is not over yet."

"You don't have to hide anymore," Mithian looked up to Merlin again with a smile. "magic will return." Merlin nodded with a small smile, walking with her to where the horses stood until he felt a sudden weakness spike through his body.

"Merlin!" Mithian cried, catching him before he could collapse to the ground. The others turned around and ran swiftly to see what was going on. "I don't know what happened! He just passed out."

AN: yayayay they got to Merlin on time! and defeated Morgana woo! Thank you for reading, following, favorite-ing, and reviewing :) I hope you liked this chapter and my take on Morgana's defeat. Mithian's pretty badass with a crossbow B)