Chapter 21:
"Is she truly?" Sir Leon asked, breaking the silence that had spread amongst them.
Arthur nodded remorsefully. "The Druids are bringing her body to the Isle of the Blessed where she will be put to rest."
Another round of silence emitted from them all as they realize that they can no longer suffer from her hands. She was no longer a threat to their peace and safety. Their once greatest foe could no longer terrorize their kingdom.
"You all look exhausted," Rodor observed. "come now. We must regain our strength for the days to come."
Once everyone was settled, many of them met inside King Rodor's tent to discuss their plan now that Morgana was no longer an obstacle. There were still many knights who were able to evade capture, fleeing to the forest with the other survivors. They were still a bit outnumbered, but Camelot's support evened it out.
"So we continue as planned," Arthur concluded. "Merlin will lead a group to free those who were imprisoned. You and I will head straight for the Citadel where this Brennis would be."
"I'll meet you after we've freed them," Merlin told him.
"Do you reckon you'd have time to do so?"
"Shouldn't take too long to get from the dungeons to the throne room," Merlin deduced. "especially if we get a head start."
"If the knights surrender, allow them," Rodor informed them all. "they are still my subjects, and I must show them mercy. I will still hold them accountable for their actions, but only use lethal force if necessary."
"Understood," Arthur nodded. "you heard the man. These people may be misguided, but they're still people. Only attack when provoked."
"Where would I be?" Mithian asked, and Elizabeth nodded in agreement. The two Kings picked their heads up in surprise, blinking at the question.
"Uh, here," Rodor answered. "it's far too dangerous for you to join us, girls."
Arthur thought about it for a moment, considering he did let Mithian join his fight against the Southrons two months prior, but that was mainly due to a lack of people and without her father's knowledge and permission.
"I'm going to have to agree with your father, Mithian," Arthur supported. "these men started this war because they wanted to end Nemeth's current line of succession. As his daughter, the two of you would become high value targets." If Brennis were to succeed in his plots, he'd first want to remove the remaining royal family who would have claims to his throne.
"No, that's not fair," Elizabeth argued. "this is our kingdom too, and we wish to fight for it the same as you."
"My father is also, as you say a high value target. Yet he is fighting this war so why can't we? Did you forget I fought alongside you when Morgana and Helios invaded Camelot," Mithian asked pointedly.
"You let her do what?" Rodor accused, and Arthur gulped slightly.
The King of Camelot, however, didn't respond and only stood his ground against Mithian and Elizabeth's arguments. "It's different this time," Arthur tried to say.
"How so?" Mithian challenged. "Why are you so against us fighting for our kingdom the same way you and my father would without hesitation?"
Arthur and Rodor remained quiet, stunned at the question and trying their best to come up with an answer. The blond king cleared his throat. "Uh-"
"Is it because we're woman?" Mithian raised an eyebrow. "Do you believe were not as capable as a man?" The two men looked down, holding their breath at their questions.
Merlin and Gwaine couldn't help but snicker, trying their best to hide their poker face at the two kings arguing with the princesses.
"Sire," Merlin called out to both of them. "I believe Mithian would be of great help to me freeing our knights. I haven't been in Nemeth in many years unlike Mithian. They'll trust her a lot more if we're together."
"But-" Rodor tried to protest.
"Mithian's saved my life in my battle against Morgana," Merlin informed him. "I understand your apprehension, but she's stronger than you think. Always has been." Merlin smiled at the princess, giving her a little wink.
It was dangerous, sure, but she's endured much these past two months and still has the strength to fight. Proud was an understatement as Merlin thought of how much he admired the woman who never backed down without a fight.
Rodor sighed, and after much thought gave in. "Alright," he breathed. "but you watch out for her," he pointed to Merlin before turning to his daughters. "I understand your grit and resilience, girls, but I'm still your father. I still worry about you both."
Mithian and Elizabeth gave their old dad a hug which he wholeheartedly reciprocated. "We understand, but our choice to fight for our kingdom should be ours to make," Mithian told him. "I wouldn't worry. I'm in safe hands."
Upon hearing that Gwaine winked at Merlin, who simply elbowed him in the gut. "I'll make sure she stays safe," Merlin vowed. "I promise I won't let anything happen to her."
Rodor nodded. "Elizabeth will be with me," he turned to his eldest. "should anything happen to me, you should be able to reclaim the crown." The two sisters looked up in surprise at the last statement. "It is your choice though."
"Father, you should talk like that," Mithian chided. "we're all going to make it out alright."
"Perhaps, but it doesn't change the fact that I am getting too old for this," he maintained. "I do wish to retire soon and Elizabeth mentioned to me earlier about her thoughts of reclaiming her rights to the throne." Mithian turned to her sister, surprised.
"Do you really wish to be queen?" Mithian asked her sister tentatively.
"Honestly, I do," she admitted after a moment. "I understand my duties and I truly miss the work I used to do when I was Queen of Mora. I truly believed I found my purpose as a leader, and I also wish to take part in the Once and Future King's plans for Albion. So long as you're alright with it, of course," she assured Mithian. "I won't stand in the way if you wish to assume the crown."
Mithian blinked, peering towards Merlin with hopeful eyes, then back to her sister. Being queen was only pushed down to her since Elizabeth was chosen as the one to be married to the future king of Mora and she was forced to go along with it. However, she never really thought much of it. It wasn't something she wished she could do. She believed she could find happiness and purpose in other ways.
"It's alright," Mithian told her. "I don't think I ever really wished to be queen." She looked to Merlin with a small smile and he matched her.
"Then I guess it's settled," Arthur announced. "tomorrow, we take back Nemeth and restore your family back to the throne. Then we will begin the restoration of magic throughout the kingdoms."
Merlin and Gwaine met up for a bit the night before, sitting by the fire as they discussed how they would sneak into the palace. The rogue knight was correct in saying earlier that Merlin had great knowledge of the castle. There was a direct tunnel that led to the dungeons that he used to explore which they could easily sneak into. Simple magic would get them in without a hitch.
"Morgana's been defeated," Merlin stated. "yet Arthur is still helping Nemeth bring their king back to the throne. The knights helping in the fight are even doing so voluntarily. It's amazing," he thought out loud.
Gwaine raised an eyebrow. "Arthur is a good man, and a great king," he responded. "he wouldn't just take back his promise just because its stopped benefitting him."
Merlin nodded at that, knowing it to be very true. "You're joining the cause," he pointed out. "Why?"
"Same reason as Arthur and the rest of the knights," he answered easily. "for our friend. For you." Merlin furrowed his eyebrows at that in confusion, and Gwaine just chuckled. "This was your home, mate. We're going to help you take it back. I don't wear the crest of a Camelot knight for Arthur, but for my best friend."
"Why me?" He asked, genuinely curious and surprised. For years he's believed to be a simple servant in their eyes and hearing this shocked him to say the least.
"Like I said, Merlin, you're my best friend," he stood up as he saw Mithian approaching the two of them. "you believe in Arthur, and I believe in you." He patted his shoulder with a smile before walking away. "Princess," he greeted before he left.
Mithian took a seat next to Merlin. "Hi," she wrapped an arm around his and placed her chin on his shoulder, waiting for him to turn his head to look at her. "are you alright?"
Merlin slowly moved to his head to face her, nodding. "Yeah, just surprised is all," he answered. "I was wondering why Arthur and the rest of the knights are still helping even after Morgana's demise."
The princess smiled, shaking her head. "That's an easy question," she laughed. "for you."
"That's what Gwaine said," he told her.
"Well, he's right," she smiled. "believe it or not Merlin, but you are the type of person to have a huge impact on the people around you."
"I guess the years I spent in Camelot have also had an impact on me. I am still a servant after all."
"Not for long," Mithian picked her head up, and pulled his arm gently to make him look her in the eyes. "Servant, or knight, or magical advisor, you're Merlin. No matter your title, you always do what's right and stand for what you believe in. Your friends see that, and follow after you because that's how much you mean to them."
Merlin smiled at that. "You're pretty amazing, you know that," he reminded. "you've been through the world these past few weeks and you still know exactly what to say to make me feel better. And you still have the will to fight tomorrow."
"Well I can't just give up, especially not when my people need me the most," she responded. "it's what you would have done."
His smile never ceased as he took her hand in his own. "So Elizabeth will be queen after your father," he changed the subject.
"Yes, she will be," she confirmed.
"And what about you?"
"What about me?" Mithian asked innocently. "Is there something you wanted to ask me, Merlin?"
Merlin cleared his throat awkwardly. "No," he scratched his head with his free hand. "I mean, yes. Uh," he blinked as she simply continued to stare at him expectantly. "perhaps dinner?"
Mithian scrunched her eyebrows in confusion. "Dinner?"
"Yes, dinner," he repeated. "when this is all over, maybe we should get dinner. A nice dinner. Just the two of us," he finished slowly.
"Are you trying to court me right now?" Mithian asked with a smile.
He felt his cheeks heat up slightly. "Yes, I mean, well not right now. I mean like, when the war- after this is over," he took a deep breath. "if we survive, tomorrow, and if I survive this moment right now. Perhaps I can prepare you a nice dinner."
Mithian couldn't help but burst out into a short fit of laughter. "I would be honored," she answered finally. She kissed his cheek, thinking he was adorable. "everything you've worked so hard for will finally come to light," she smiled. "magic will come back and the peace initiative can begin."
"I was afraid I'd never see the day," he told her honestly. "it all feels so surreal. Everyone knowing of my magic and being accepting of it," he felt his throat start to close up. After years of having to hide who he was, the weight of it all was finally lifted from his shoulders. "I feel lighter, like I'm not so alone anymore."
"It may have felt that way, Merlin, but I assure you," she squeezed his hand. "you were never alone."
"I love you, Mithian," he professed softly. "I don't think I would have made it these past few weeks without you."
"It's not over yet," she reminded. "but I love you, too Merlin. Thank you for convincing my father to let me join you."
"I know I always try to keep you safe and away from any harm, but I know how much this means to you," he said honestly. "I'd be honored to fight alongside the Princess Mithian. You've probably heard this a lot, but I know your mother would be so proud to see the woman you are today. Your bravery, courage, and your kindness."
She smiled at that, vowing mentally to continue making her mother proud. "I'm sure your father is watching over you, and is proud of all that you have accomplished," she told him slowly.
"I wish he could have seen it," he looked down. "to see that his people will soon be free."
"He may not be around to see it physically, but his spirit and magic lives on through you," she said after a moment. "he can proudly see that his son was able to bring back peace and magic in Albion. He can proudly see the honorable man his son turned out to be."
Merlin gave her a soft smile, and she reciprocated it. Their foreheads leaned on to one another, closing their eyes as they both took solace in each other's presence.
"Thank you," he whispered. "for being you."
Merlin led the group with Mithian as partners to the secret entrance of the tunnels that led to the dungeons. He wordlessly blew open the caged door into the tunnels and took the first step inside. He checked to see if it was clear before running back, and taking Mithian's hand to help her inside.
"Oh, it smells," Mithian covered her nose as they walked through the tunnel.
"I'm pretty sure it's just Gwaine's socks," Merlin joked, turning around to see the knight.
"Very funny, Merlin," Gwaine mock laughed. "why am I always the butt of the joke?"
"Probably because the rest of us know how to wash," Leon answered as they continued down the tunnel.
Merlin and Mithian knocked out the two guards that blocked the entrance to the cells, one with magic and the other using the hilt of her crossbow. They smiled at each other, impressed at their accomplishment before Merlin stole the keys from one of the guards.
Mithian took the other set of keys and began unlocking the cells of their known allies and friends.
"Princess Mithian," a knight greeted. "and Sir Merlin?"
"Sir James," Merlin smiled, clapping arms with his old friend. "nice seeing you."
"Good to see you're back, Merlin," he responded. "but no time for catching up. Brennis has gone mad with power."
"What has he done?" Mithian asked urgently.
"He's been holed up inside the Citadel this entire time," James informed them. "he's locked up many of his own officers for refusing to capture the survivors who escaped his invasion, calling them traitors and cowards. He's absolutely paranoid, thinking everyone's out to get him. He'd arrest his own men if they ever so breathed incorrectly."
"There's more," another knight who shared the cell with James added. "he's well prepared in case anyone ever tries to assassinate him. He's always holed up with a small army to protect him."
"We need to get to the citadel," Merlin nodded at Mithian's words, and as soon as everyone was accounted for, they headed for the armory not too far from where they stood. He unlocked the doors using magic and allowed those who weren't in need of medical attention to take what they needed to fight back.
Seeing as the knights were well equipped, Merlin and Mithian took off to regroup with the others to confront Brennis. They made sure to take shortcuts and back hallways to avoid any opposition.
King Rodor, Arthur, and Elizabeth barged into the throne room and was met with a hefty group of knights behind Brennis. The man in the throne looked like he's absolutely lost it. There was a glint in his eyes that suggested he hadn't slept in weeks.
"King Rodor," he greeted. "I was wondering if you were man enough to try and take back your kingdom."
"Why have you done this?" Rodor asked, gripping his sword in his hand at how smug the man looked.
"You were never meant to be this kingdom's leader," he spat. "Nemeth has had to endure war with Camelot for years because you just didn't know when to stop. Countless lives had been lost because of you."
The old man bowed his head, guilty. "I must admit I do regret continuing the war, but I would have regret it more if I gave up so easily. I told everyone to leave if they no longer wished to fight-"
"Yet many still died because of you," he shot back.
"You cannot blame King Rodor for fighting a war he didn't even start," Arthur argued. "he was fighting for what was right. To stop the persecution of innocent lives."
"Innocent?" Brennis laughed mirthlessly. "You think magical beings are innocent? The King of Camelot thinks magic is innocent? Oh, how the tables turn."
"Enough, Brennis," Rodor stood his ground. "I'm warning you now to relinquish the throne."
"So you could take it back? No," he stood up. "I don't think so. I wouldn't allow the people to follow under your rule again."
"The people of Nemeth are not even in the kingdom," he shouted. "you've terrorized their homes and they've been hiding in the forests. That is indication you are not fit to rule this kingdom."
"Of course you'd protect them," he scoffed. "the people who fled are cowards, traitors, or peasants. They have no place in Nemeth."
"Those people are the very heart of Nemeth," Rodor asserted proudly. "those are the people you have sworn to protect. If you're not fighting for them, who are you fighting for?"
"It's because of that peasant, isn't it," he ignored his questions. "the physician's boy. I know he has magic. You would wage a war with Camelot for years just to protect that insolent boy."
"I never waged a war with Camelot. They declared war with me," Rodor argued. "I didn't back down because innocent people didn't deserve to die for something that is out of their control."
"So you'd let your men die instead."
"Those men swore to protect all of our peoples, magic and non-magic alike," he countered. "they swore to protect both nobility and the common people. Which is exactly what they did in that war."
Brennis unsheathed his sword, and Arthur stood in front of Rodor with a protective stance. Rodor put his hand to Arthur's shoulder, and shook his head.
"Father-" Elizabeth tried to object as her dad stepped closer to Brennis.
"This is my fight," he told them. He looked to the knights that stood behind the usurper. "I'm sorry if you felt I have failed you as a king, but I only did what I believed was right. I couldn't just stand down while Uther Pendragon destroyed the very balance of nature. Please, stand down. No more blood should be shed."
Brennis turned around angrily, seeing who was willing to stand down. They all saw how many of them faltered, learning very early that Brennis was on the path to becoming a paranoid tyrant. As soon as he had usurped the throne, he's been exhibiting signs of a mad king.
It only took one knight to kneel down to their king before the rest of them joined. Brennis turned around, seething.
"What are you lot doing?" None of the knights answered him, swearing their allegiance to the rightful king of Nemeth. "Get back up," he berated, but none adhered to him. "forget it. I don't need any of you anyways!" He gripped his sword and charged after King Rodor, a loud clanging ringing throughout the room as their swords clashed.
The rightful King of Nemeth and the usurper engaged in a short battle. Rodor had to muster up all of his strength and adrenaline in order to hold his own against his most skilled knight. Arthur remained vigilant, ready to attack if necessary as the battle ensued.
"Stand down, Brennis," Rodor pleaded as he struggled in this duel. "you have no men. This fight accomplishes nothing."
Brennis said nothing as he was able to disarm the king. Arthur and Elizabeth made a move to step forward, but the man grabbed Rodor in a chokehold. He held the blade of his sword against his neck. "Any of you try anything foolish, and I will kill him," he warned. "drop your weapons, and slide them over to me."
"Now!" Brennis screamed, and the two of them did so hesitantly. They kicked their swords over to the man, hands raised in the air as they did so. "I will show all of you that I was meant to be Nemeth's rightful king."
"My father is the true king of Nemeth," Elizabeth protested vehemently. "in your few days as ruler, you have done nothing but terrorize our good people. My father was kind enough to show mercy, and you declined. You have no allies here, Brennis. The people won't support you."
"Quiet," he shouted back, the sword never moving from where it was placed on Rodor's neck. "not another word or I'll kill him."
Before anyone in the room had a chance to say anything else, the doors were slammed open to reveal Merlin and Mithian. Brennis jumped at the loud sound, causing him to loosen his grip, but not enough for Rodor to escape his hold. Mithian acted quickly as she aimed and shot an arrow towards his shoulder, and Merlin's eyes flashed gold at the same time.
Brennis screamed in pain as the arrow hit his shoulder directly causing him to drop the sword. Not even a second passed before he flew back towards the group of knights that was once loyal to him. Without any word, the men reached out to grab Brennis and cuff him.
"Lock him in the dungeons," Rodor instructed as he got up. "I'll make sure you spend the rest of your life in there for your crimes."
"Took you both long enough," Elizabeth teased the two latecomers.
"Actually it looks like we made it right on time," Merlin pointed out. "has anyone been hurt?"
Arthur shook his head, sheathing his sword. "Not that we've seen, no."
Mithian and Elizabeth hugged their father, glad to see that he made it out unscathed. "We should still get you checked out by Hunith," Elizabeth told him and he nodded. He allowed her to help guide him to the physician's chambers where Hunith would soon be again.
Mithian walked back over to Merlin and he held his arms out for her to collapse in. He wrapped his arms around her tightly, kissing the top of her head as they relaxed into each other. Rodor has officially been restored his rightful throne, and Brennis would soon pay for his crimes.
"It's all over," he murmured into her hair.
"Actually, Merlin," Mithian mumbled back. "this is just the beginning."
Merlin smiled at that, closing his eyes as he held her tightly in his arms. Mithian snuggled into his chest, relieved that it was all finally over. There were no major casualties, and Nemeth was finally able to receive some semblance of peace. The take back of the kingdom may have been over, but they had many years to go to establish peace within all of the kingdoms. However, it would begin here. With an official alliance between Camelot and Nemeth.
"So I'm guessing this is where I ask what you would want for dinner," Merlin said as he looked down to see the beautiful girl in his arms.
Mithian let out a breath as a laugh escaped her, burying her face further into his chest. "Anything, but cheese or apple pie."
AN: ahhh Brennis has been defeated! Merlin and Mithian will get their happily ever after yay! Hope you guys liked the ending to this fic, it is technically the last or second to last chapter. I will post the Epilogue tomorrow! I just wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone who has given this fic a read, it's my first on this website and I really truly appreciate all of kind support I received these past two and a half weeks! This was so much fun to write and your kind reviews encouraged me to continue writing :) Thank you so much for reading!