Angus rushed on horseback as fast as his palfrey could. He was considered a good messenger in his kingdom. He knew the surrounding areas well, so he hoped he could reach Camelot and deliver a message to king Arthur before Vortigern's men got there. The army moved forward at a steady pace, taking its time. At the head was king of Kent, but not as confident as he always used to be. Most of his army was made up of Horsa's men, who proudly led his horse alongside Vortigern. Horsa, a large man with a beard, looked more like a leader than Vortigern who was much shorter than him, and who had long since lost position in his kingdom despite still being king.

Thanks to good sense of direction and a fast mare, Angus reached Camelot in time so that king Arthur had enough time to prepare for a possible attack. He passed the guards on the drawbridge, and despite their shouts to stop, he rode into the courtyard, nearly running his horse over Vortimer and Merlin, who were heading for the city.

"Oi! Watch out where you're going!" Vortimer exclaimed, turning around.

Two guards ran past them towards Angus who swiftly jumped off his horse and rushed to the palace through the main staircase. Before the boy disappeared within the walls, Merlin got a glimpse of him and realised who he was.

"It's a messenger from Airgialla," he said looking at Vortimer.

"Why he's here?"

"I've no idea, but I fear that something's wrong," the warlock replied and walked quickly back to the castle.

Vortimer followed him as he also felt the need to help no matter what. On their way to the council chamber, because that's the place where the messenger would go in search of the king, they ran into Percival who headed the opposite direction.

"Percival, have you seen the boy bearing Airgialla's crest on his tunic?" Merlin asked.

"Yeah, he says that he has a message from king Torin," he replied. "Do you know where Arthur is? I have to fetch him."

"He was saying something about Leon, I think he's with him."

Percival nodded and looked at Vortimer. His eyes widened immediately. "What is he doing here?"

"Oh!" the warlock glanced at the blonde man and then again at the knight. "It's a long story," he said and pulled Vortimer with him who only managed to smile shyly and motion to Percival. "Find Arthur!" Merlin exclaimed, continuing with Vortimer down the corridor.

At the door to the council chamber the messenger was waiting in the company of guards for the king. Merlin and Vortimer stood a little further and soon Arthur and Guinevere appeared with Leon, Percival and Gaius. The guards opened the door for them and before entering the king turned to the blonde man.

"You stay here," Arthur said. "Merlin," he nodded and walked into the chamber.

The warlock leaned towards Vortimer. "I'll tell you later what's going on," he whispered, and was the last to enter the room. Vortimer looked after him before the guards closed the door.

In the council chamber, Arthur and Guinevere sat down while everyone's eyes turned to the messenger, waiting for what he had to tell them. The king motioned at him.

"Your Majesty," he started. "King Torin would like to warn you. On our way back home we encountered Vortigern's army heading towards Camelot."

Arthur rose from his seat clearly concerned. What Vortimer had told him a few hours earlier was happening now.

"Where and when?" the king asked.

"Near the White Mountains, about an hour and a half ago," he replied.

"How many men?"

"It's hard to tell, but there were thousands of them."

The king looked at the queen and then at Leon whose expression was filled with fear of another war. The knight looked around at the gathered who waited for a statement whether from him or from Arthur, but such a difficult decision as to what to do could not be made without any thought, and yet time was short. Undoubtedly, no matter what action they take, there will be huge losses on both sides.

"Is there any possibility to go ahead against them?" Arthur asked.

"I'm afraid not, sire. We don't stand a chance against them in the open field. We're outnumbered," Leon stated.

The king looked ahead and something obvious occurred to him. "But we have Merlin," he said and everyone stared at the warlock who couldn't believe what Arthur just said because he knew exactly what his friend had in mind.

"No," Merlin objected immediately. "It's wrong, Arthur. Even though they attack us without any warning," he said.

"He's right," said Gwen. "We can't play it like this. Merlin is our friend, not a weapon."

"I know, you're right," the king agreed after a moment. "I'm sorry."

"There's only one way for us to come out victorious and with the least losses, Arthur," spoke Leon. "We have to prepare for the siege."

The king stared at him thoughtfully. Running through all the alternatives this one seemed the best and wisest. He dismissed the meeting and ordered Angus to return to king Torin and tell him that the message had been received. The next step was to gather as many people as possible in the citadel and this task was assigned to Gwaine, Percival and Gaius, and Merlin was to help them. Guinevere and her maid were obliged to prepare a chamber for the injured. They all walked out from the council chamber and Vortimer immediately accosted the warlock.

"It's happening," said Merlin as an answer to Vortimer's questioning look. "We're preparing for the siege."

Vortimer rubbed his face with his hands. "Where did Arthur and his knights go?" he asked.

"To armoury, why?" Merlin frowned, but the blonde man was already on his way after the king. "Vortimer! Wait! What are you going to do?!" he shouted and his voice echoed through an empty corridor. Vortimer was gone. The warlock sighed and hurried in the opposite direction where Gwaine, Percival and Gaius went.

They didn't have much time and panic broke out in the city. Citizens ran around the streets, they were taking only the most necessary things from their homes. In horror and a rush, everyone wanted to get to the castle. The two knights and the physician found it difficult to control all this chaos, because people did not listen, despite their assurances that there would be enough space for everyone in the citadel. Merlin stood among the running people and closed his eyes thinking of a certain spell that could help to gather everyone safe within defensive walls. He took a deep breath trying to focus on the words so as not to confuse them.

"Aswebban ēow ferhþum," he began and suddenly everything around him slowed down. The sounds and screams of people from outside seemed to bounce off as if Merlin was surrounded by a transparent shield. "Lǣtaþ mē lædan ēower gehealdfæst," he spoke slowly and clearly. The syllables vibrated through him, forming words that seemed to flow by themselves. Merlin didn't even have to wonder as if he had always known this spell. "Hīere mec, gē gehwa folgiaþ wið burhfæsten sculon," he opened his eyes that glistened with gold.

All the people stopped their actions. They looked at Merlin with blank eyes and without a word they headed slowly towards the castle bringing their things with them. Gwaine, Percival and Gaius watched everything with amazement having no idea that Merlin could do such thing. With a staggering step, the warlock joined them and leaned on the shoulder of the one who stood closer.

"Are you all right?" asked Percival, holding him down.

"I'll come around," murmured Merlin.

"Don't say you can do the same with us," said Gwaine with mock horror.

"Don't tell Arthur," the warlock chuckled.

"Merlin," said Gaius with concern remembering how long it took Arthur to become himself again after Merlin made him lose his will; "when they regain their consciousness?"

"Don't worry, as soon as they are in the main square," the warlock replied and glanced at the citizens passing by, acting as if they were in a trance. "This enchantment is demanding. No one can keep it for too long on too many people. It could be fatal," he explained and the physician looked at him disapprovingly.

"I know I risked," Merlin said quickly as he saw Gaius' stare. "But I wouldn't, if I didn't feel I was capable of doing it," he moved away from Percival.

"Do you feel better now?" Gwaine asked and the warlock nodded. "Right, Arthur needs us."

Vortimer burst into the armoury which made everyone's eyes turn to him. Some of the knights had questioning expressions on their faces, some just looked away not caring about a servant who could have lost his way. But some of them, especially those who met him during the visit in Essetir, knew exactly who he was.

"Who let the enemy in?" Leon asked, walking to him with a sword and grabbing him by the shoulder. "And why is he wearing such clothes?"

"Leon, it's all right. Let him go," said Arthur.

"What?"

"He's been here for some time, he helped Merlin. He's on our side," the king replied.

"Why didn't you tell us?" asked Galahad.

"I found out just before everything happened," Arthur walked over to Vortimer. "I'll take care of him," he said and motioned at Leon who let go of the blonde man in the end.

"What do you want here? It's better you stay away and hide somewhere safe," the king pulled Vortimer aside.

"I want to fight."

"Fight?" Arthur frowned. "But I thought that you…"

"I know," Vortimer cut him off. "But I feel like I belong here and I feel the need, that it will be right, to fight by your side for our lives and the place we hold so dear," he explained.

Arthur looked at him. "At Camlann, I didn't see you fight," he said after a moment.

"I led the army with Morgana. Hard to believe, isn't it?" he chuckled. "I've never been a warrior. To be honest, I was scared of that battle. I was somewhere behind the whole time so I wouldn't get hit, and Morgana took full command."

"But you want to fight," Arthur stated.

"Like I said."

"All right," the king agreed after a beat. "I hope you know how to wield a sword."

"Yeah," Vortimer chuckled. "It was the first thing I was taught before I could speak."

"Good," Arthur smiled. "We have yet to find you some armour."

When they all were prepared and fully armed, the king made an uplifting speech and then gave orders to the soldiers to take up their positions. Soon the castle was guarded on all sides. The knights left the armoury and Arthur and Vortimer were the last to leave. The latter was about to follow the steps of the others when Arthur stopped him.

"Are you sure you want to go out there and fight?" the king asked.

"Yeah, for the first time I'm not scared at all," said Vortimer.

"When it's over, you are welcomed in Camelot," Arthur smiled slightly.

"Thank you, Arthur. I want nothing more," he smiled back.

"Ready?"

"Ready," Vortimer nodded.

They walked out and joined the others on the battlements where watchers were looking out for any movement in the distance. It was not long before one of them shouted.

"Army on the horizon!"

The other side was heading towards Camelot, and when the Saxons saw the castle in the distance they began to accelerate their pace. The steady beat of the horses' hooves was like pounding the drums, like the music that drove the dark knights into a bloody battle. Vortigern, who rode in front, looked back anxiously, which didn't escape Horsa's attention.

"You don't have any doubts, do you?!" Horsa exclaimed, trying to make his voice clear in the noise.

"Camelot is not a village, we don't have any plan!" Vortigern shouted.

"You dare to doubt me?! Your army is my army now!"

At sunset, with a scream on their lips, they charged at the castle walls. Suddenly a storm of arrows started zipping and hissing through the sky and then fell upon them like thunderbolts. Vortigern and Horsa turned their horses and jumped aside, miraculously avoiding the flashing arrowheads. There were cries of pain from both men and animals. Many of Kent's knights fell to the ground with their horses making the others stumble across them and fall to the ground as well. But those who perished on the first front were quickly replaced by another wave of knights, and there were thousands of them. Some have already reached the gate of Camelot.

Merlin ran as fast as he could towards the main gate, where the knights tried to keep it closed as long as possible, but the enemy pressure was too strong. He stopped a little behind focusing his stare on the fasteners and hinges of the gate and then his eyes turned gold. He hoped this would buy them some time.

While the knights on battlements sent another batch of arrows into the night, Merlin climbed the highest of Camelot's towers. He stood at the window with his face turned towards the hill from where the enemy army was pouring out. Dark silhouettes of Vortigern's men blended with the starless sky which suddenly flashed with flaming arrows that whizzed and fizzed through the air. More Saxons fell under the deadly rain. The warlock had an idea in mind. He couldn't let Camelot fall. He decided to make the use of clouds that covered the whole sky.

"Cume þoden. Tídrénas!" he screamed and a storm had broken out over the Vortigern's army.

Grass under dark knights' feet became slippery with mud, water and blood of the fallen. They couldn't get any further as the slipping and stumbling of the horses prevented them from doing so. At the same time, those who were banging at the Camelot's gate broke out into the city and attacked Arthur's soldiers. Some of them scattered, ravaging houses.

"Enemy within the walls!" someone shouted and the swords of the soldiers of Camelot and Kent clashed with each other.

The king and the best of his knights rushed down to help and soon their swords slashed against the Saxons with swishes and hisses.

But one of Camelot's knights, who was considered by Arthur as one of his best and trusted, didn't go to fight. He was sent to Guinevere in case the enemy could get into the castle. The queen was also protected by guards, but the king, out of concern for her, decided to provide her with additional protection. Vortimer accompanied him as Arthur wanted to spare him the horrors of the battle. However, what they did not know yet was that the enemy was already in the palace to get rid of the king.

Merlin was running down the stairs to join the rest in the battle. He knew that the Saxons would not surrender so quickly, even though the downpour wiped out part of their army.

Vortimer and Galahad walked through the hall. Muffled screams and shouts, accompanied by the crackling of swords, were heard from outside the castle. Galahad stopped suddenly at the crossing of corridors.

"What is it?" Vortimer asked, turning around to him.

"Someone's here," he whispered.

As he said that, a big man emerged from the dark corridor. Vortimer immediately recognised him as the Saxon leader. Galahad's hand automatically gripped the hilt of a sword, but Horsa sheathed his blade, not giving them any reason to attack.

"Well, well," Horsa said with a low voice staring at the blonde man in Camelot's armour. "Who do we have here? A traitor. Imagine that," he took a step towards him so that now he was standing between Galahad and Vortimer.

The blonde man looked up at him with hatred. His heart pounded against his rib cage, but he didn't step back. Of all the dark scenarios of this battle, he most feared a confrontation like this.

"Where's the king?" asked Horsa.

"You really think he's here?" Vortimer replied sarcastically with a question. "He's not a coward to hide in the castle. You and my father are cowards and fools to attack Camelot like that. You've already lost," he said confidently.

These words struck Saxon's pride. He moved closer to Vortimer so that he could feel his breath on him. Galahad watched the whole scene carefully and narrowed his eyes when something flashed in Horsa's hand.

"And you know what we do with traitors? We get rid of them," with a brisk movement, Horsa thrust a dagger into Vortimer's gut.

The blonde man gasped. He had not expected this. Saxon managed to deal him one more blow when Galahad, faced with such a shameful act, stabbed him through. The knight yanked out a sword. Horsa fell. He pulled Vortimer down with him, as he was still grasping the hilt of the dagger stuck in the boy's body. At the same moment, Merlin ran into the corridor. It took him a while to register what just happened.

"No!" he cried out and rushed to Vortimer's lifeless form. Galahad dropped his sword and stood aside watching it with sadness.

"No," Merlin whispered in a trembling voice. He kneeled down by the blonde man and pressed his hands to the wound around the dagger.

"Merlin," said Vortimer with a weak and small voice.

"Hush, don't say anything. You'll be fine."

"I'm bleeding, Merlin. It's just a matter of time," he replied.

The warlock shook his head in denial. "But you just began your life. You cannot give up."

"I'm almost there," Vortimer said, looking at him. "I am grateful that you gave me a chance. Thank you," he smiled slightly before closing his eyes. He let out last breath.

A small tear escaped Merlin's eye. He was helpless. He wiped his cheek and took a deep, shaky breath. Out there, his other friend needed him. And the warlock hoped that it wasn't too late.

Together with Galahad, they grabbed Horsa's body and headed to the courtyard. Few Saxon tried yet to fight, but the outcome of this battle had already been sealed. When they saw their leader dead, they gave up fighting.

"Retreat! Retreat!" a scream broke out. "We were attacked from the back!" Vortigern rode into the main square. He looked at the dead Saxons' leader and then at the enormity of the loss in his people.

"You won, Arthur Pendragon," he said looking at the king of Camelot standing near him with other knights.

"I think you should know what it led to!" Merlin spoke. "Your son is dead!" his voice filled with pain echoed through the square.

Arthur turned his head towards him and looked with regret. Vortigern's eyes widened. He wasn't shocked at the death of Vortimer, because he had come to terms with it long ago when his horse returned to Kent alone and there was no trace of him. He was shocked that he betrayed him and was in Camelot for all this time.

"Horsa killed him," said Merlin, knowing that this detail was important for the king of Kent to understand.

Vortigern was there for a moment longer, then without a word he turned his horse and rode away. The rest of the Saxons followed him, taking their leader with them.

Author's note

Spell that Merlin used to control the crowd is not in Merlin universe. I made it up myself. It's written in Old English and it may be incorrect, but I tried my best. The meaning is below.

Aswebban ēow ferhþum. Lǣtaþ mē lædan ēower gehealdfæst. Hīere mec, gē gehwa folgiaþ wið burhfæsten sculon. ~ Put your mind at rest. Let me lead you safe. Listen to me, you all must follow towards the citadel.