Chapter 14 - Costs of Aversion
Hello everybody, how's life? Thank you to all who continued to read through my story, especially those who leave an awesome review. Sorry again for killing Gwaine, but I hope you enjoy!
Proclaimer: Merlin is owned by the BBC
Despite the belief that such an act was impossible, destiny has been successfully averted, as Morgana's fate of dying at Merlin's hands is no more. For it seems love truly is the greatest force known to mankind.
The change is felt at the most sacred of the sacred, the mouthpiece of the Old Religion at the Grove of Brineved. The Disir court is left confused that the Triple Goddess would allow her will to be reformed. Only the Gods can alter a man's fate, and even then, only when they repents and appeases them. Could the High Priestess really have escaped both her judgement and fate?
Having both learnt forgiveness, Merlin and Morgana just stay comforting one another. Too tired to say anything, they cling to one another, both shedding tears of happiness. Their knees give way, as they crumple to the earth. Merlin raises his gaze heavenward, akin to the time he poisoned her. But instead of staring off in guilt, he's overwhelmed with relief that she's saved.
But, unbeknownst to them in that moment, the great battle of Camlann continues. Knights charge onwards, colliding with Saxons, who despite losing their many advantages, refuse to give up.
The Saxon's second-in-command, having changed his target to find his leader, spots her on top of a cliff. He's enraged as he sees that she's with the traitorous servant. "Morgana, what are you doing?" This was not meant to happen. "How could you forgive him!"
While his words go unnoticed, Merlin senses his rage from a distance. This places him back in reality. as he remembers he has two Pendragons to save from destiny.
"Ok, I'll be right back." Merlin assures, letting go in the process.
"Wait what. Where are you going?" she worriedly voices.
"I just need to help Arthur. I promise I'll come back to you afterwards." the Warlock explicates in a rush. He's running out of time as he knows Mordred is hunting down Arthur whilst they speak.
"I thought you chose me." Morgana glumly looks down, thinking after all this time, her wish came true, as someone chose her for who she is.
"I do, but…" He can't give up on his master now, he's come too far for that. Destiny or not, he's his friend.
While they argue amongst themselves, in a rocky valley below, Arthur dispatches a Saxon and looks around his surroundings. He spots a fellow comrade lying on the battlefield, alive but mortally wounded. Arthur reaches him, yet he's too late, he passes away to join the fallen.
Mordred steps out from behind a rock, as he locates his target at last. Like a carnivorous beast on a hunt, he stalks his prey, gnawing his claws and readies himself for the kill. A single strike is all he needs.
With his senses heightened, Arthur hears footsteps approaching, and thus he increases his grip on his blade. In unison with the slashing swing, Arthur turns to block the attack, creating a small shockwave resulting from the two enchanted weapons. The King goes in to strike a counterattack but stops as he gazes upon his attacker.
Mordred. A former knight of the Round Table, whom Arthur talked with such high esteem. A true friend until suddenly he wasn't. Arthur heard that he had joined Morgana's army and dreaded the moment they'd meet as enemies. That time has now come.
Arthur opens his mouth, hoping his upcoming words would bring Mordred back to his senses, but is cut short by Mordred ramming his magical sword to impale his chest. He then withdraws his blade, fatally wounding the King. The pain overwhelms Arthur, as he loses the ability to stand, though he tries to hold on by leaning on one knee.
The King falls in defeat, as the Druid warrior stands over him, victorious. He then speaks with spite, "You gave me no choice."
A sinister smile forms at the picture of the mighty King of Camelot bowing at a sorcerer. Uther would be livid, rolling over in his grave. However, a piercing scream of anger ensures it doesn't last. "NOOOO!"
Simultaneously, Mordred is launched across the battlefield through powerful magic. He smashes his head on the rocky cliff face, instantly rendering him unconscious.
Arthur hears his name being called by a familiar voice, but the pain is too much to bear, as, like Mordred, he falls unconscious.
The distressed call belonged to Merlin, who drops everything to rush to his master's side. He feels for a pulse and finds a shallow beat.
Morgana trails behind, she gasps and runs off to help someone very dear to her. Though, unexpected from Merlin, her aid is aimed at Mordred.
"Mordred, stay with me." She cries out, whilst embracing him.
"No, no, NO!" her agony increases more and more. Like the time when her sister, Morgause, was seriously injured, her grief is manifested through her powerful magic. This is the epicentre of a miniature earthquake that erupts, sending tremors across Camlann.
Merlin shields himself and his King, though the tremors are short lived. As a state of emergency and a proclamation of defense, she instinctively teleports away, carrying Mordred with her.
"Morgana!" Merlin calls out but has no time to worry about her now. He just hopes she's safe And doesn't blame me for hurting Mordred. He puts Arthur's arm over his shoulder and pulls him up, carrying him away from the war.
With both their commanders incapacitated, the Saxons have lost every advantage they once had. Their numbers, dragon, and High Priestess have all been subjugated, and thus they accept defeat and retreat.
The battle of Camlann is over, resulting in a victory for Camelot. Both sides have experienced great loss, but the war still wages on.
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At the hospital tent, the Queen keeps up at helping the wounded, when Camelot's first knight enters with a smile on his face.
"My lady. The battle is won. The Saxons are in full retreat. They're making for the hills. I've dispatched 200 men to drive our advantage home." Leon informs in triumph.
Pleased, but her main concern presents itself, "And Arthur?"
"We'll keep looking."
"Thank you." Gwen expresses her gratitude, but turns away, displaying her discomfort, putting a hand to head and the other hand on the table.
Leon looks on but doesn't know what to do. She quickly gets a hold of herself, "Oh, I'll need some fresh water."
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Sometime later, the knights of Camelot return to the city. In the courtyard, the recent deceased are commemorated for their bravery. Their bodies are covered with sheets, with a pyre set up in the center.
Guinevere assumes her royal dress and holds a burning torch. She tosses it into the pyre, as the flames enlarge. "I want to pay tribute to the fallen. We will never forget their noble sacrifice, for they fought a battle so many were skeptical of winning. Especially from a loyal friend, Sir Gwaine. They all believed in our King to fight for the future, and there is no greater honour. I know wherever he is right now, he is beyond proud of everyone."
Whilst searching for the missing King, Gwaine's body was recovered amongst the wreckage. Though he lacked any stab wounds, he was confirmed dead, with magic being the heavy suspect.
Devastated by the loss, everyone sheds tears, while they give a moment of silence to show respect.
Afterwards, Leon moves to address his Queen on the bad news, "Three more patrols have returned from the White Mountains, my lady. There is no sign of him."
She brings her hand to her face in sadness. "He must be somewhere."
"We've spoken to every villager, every man, woman and child. There has been no word." Leon informs with regret; he knows how hard this must be for her.
Her eyes start to water yet again, There's no way he's gone. "He is out there."
"We will keep searching." the first knight nods in affirmation. Arthur isn't just his King, he's his most loyal of friends. He refuses to give up on him.
Gwen sniffles in denial. "He is alive. I know it, I can feel it."
Unsure how to respond, Leon starts to walk away, but is halted as his Queen turns to address him again. "Who else is unaccounted for?"
He turns his head to gently breath, "Gaius."
"He's not been seen?" she worries, though praying that there must be a link between his and her husband's disappearance.
"Not since the battle." Leon slowly resumes his leave.
Gwen bites her lips with her mind filled with hope, when another knight closes in, as if he's been waiting for them to finish.
Sir Percival, having survived the battle, greets his Queen with a serious tone. "My lady, there is an urgent matter that I need to discuss."
"Regarding?"
While it took time for his memory to return, he now remembers full well what occurred during the battle. "Merlin. With regret, I'm afraid he has turned traitor."
"What evidence do you have to support such an accusation." Leon steps in, having overheard the allegation.
"During the battle, after Morgana killed Gwaine." He pauses to exhibit his pain at the recollection. "Merlin appeared and defended her."
"Why was he there?" Leon asks, hoping that his friend's memory is still a bit hazy, thus could easily be mistaken.
"I don't know, but there's more. He attacked me with magic. Merlin is a sorcerer."
Gwen freezes at the revelation. She and Arthur planned to talk to Merlin before telling anybody else, but things aren't going to plan in the slightest. Oh no.
So this makes I think the fourth time in the series that Merlin has been accused of sorcery, and then if you count all the times he's been accused of some sort of treason, then I believe, correct me if I'm wrong, it's nine.
You know every time Morgana teleports away; I keep thinking she's shouting 'emergency temporal shift' like the Daleks.
Anyways, sorry that I had to split Merlin and Morgana up, but they will find each other again. I think it's funny that because of Merlin, Mordred is actually still alive, as if he didn't intervene Arthur would've killed him. Also, I find it funny that whilst Merlin and Morgana were talking and hugging, Percival was just lying there.
Next time: With the great battle of Camlann reaching its end, the two sorcerers each help recover their own individual loved one. But both sides have shocking elements.