Aithusa tries to stall Merlin, the Sidhe Queen explains herself & Morgana has a dream
Pretty tired today but hopefully it didn't translate to this chapter ❤️
10 minutes before Arthur and Mordred left the Lake
Merlin stood with his arms crossed as he saw his daughter land in front of him.
It wasn't that he wasn't happy to see his daughter…but why now of all times? She usually announces her arrival far ahead of time wherever he's at…today's she's unusually silent.
Curious…
"My dear, how nice to see you again."
Aithusa bowed her head "To you as well father, I trust your trip around the world was worthwhile?"
Merlin tried not to look at her too much scrutiny…but given recent events he'd be a fool to just accept yet another coincidence. He'll have to get her talking, so he'll play along…
"It was certainly eventful, one for the historians to write…"
Aithusa hummed…she would need to tread carefully; she can't let it slip that Arthur and Mordred are at the Lake right now being informed of their Destiny…she just needed to buy them some time until they leave.
"I have heard of the events of Pompeii; I still find it hard to believe that a Sidhe has managed to summon the likes of Ymir."
"Hmm…I see you've spoken with Cynfab than?" It's not like Aithusa watches mortal television…
"I have, it's good to see my son once again. He's grown a great deal these centuries, it fills me with pride that he will one day take my place once I'm gone." Inwardly Aithusa is relieved that Merlin gave her an easy topic to talk about, she really loved all her children so to discuss made it easy to distract Merlin just long enough.
Merlin wasn't fooled for a second, from one liar to another after all…
His daughter wasn't exactly lying, but she was omitting something…
"What are you hiding?" It's not like her to keep secrets like this, sure he and Morgana never extended their promise to their children…maybe they should have.
Rebellious aren't they?
Aithusa should have long grown past that stage in her life, this is concerning. It can only mean she's doing something he wouldn't like…
"Indeed. He really came through for us, even I felt like the might of Ymir was something that would cost me dearly…your mother for instance."
Aithusa grimaced, yes when she learned of that tidbit she wished that she had indeed gone with them. Perhaps the entire battle could have been resolved more quickly…?
"He truly honors you every moment he grows my girl. I have every confidence that his father would have thought the same."
"I agree." It does pain her from time to time remembering her mate, but at least his soul can rest easy in the great beyond knowing that his children are capable of leading all Dragonkind into the future.
"...So are you going to tell me why you're here yourself or would you have me guess?"
Aithusa snapped back to attention as she cursed herself for being distracted with her memories.
"I'm only here to enquire if you and mother were well, how is she anyway…?
"...She's doing alright. If a bit winded but she won't recover from…"
She's definitely stalling, he's running out of patience.
"Aithusa, what are you hoping to do here?"
"What do you mean father?"
"Enough! Why are you keeping me from Avalon?!"
Aithusa grew silent…this is what she feared, she didn't know what Merlin would do if he learned what Arthur and Mordred were doing.
Even if he and Morgana weren't directly involved, Aithusa feared they wouldn't see it that way and would try to stop them from progressing in their quest. She knew that Destiny was never one to be trifled with…
"Father, please believe me. It's nothing that would ever hurt you or mother."
Merlin narrowed his eyes, she kept refusing to just say it…!
His reflection stood next to Aithusa looking at her with sadness at what it perceives as a betrayal.
It's hard not to agree with him…
"Aithusa…please tell me what you're doing."
"She won't…her heart may be in the right place…but her mind has diluted with age it appears."
"Cut her some slack…I'm sure she has a good reason…"
"Then she should easily be able to say it."
"I'm sure she–"
"This is painful, our daughter falling prey to the whims of Destiny…yet another reminder of our lack of action."
"..."
"Father?" He's gone quiet, the Dragon wonders if this is the same as the last time they spoke together?
"Aithusa…I'm going to ask you nicely one last time. What do you think you're doing?"
"Stop shackling us."
"No Emrys! I'll handle this!"
"Father, I will say that I have respected your wishes; and I am honoring it to the best of my ability."
"And there we have it, she's with them."
"It can't be that simple."
"Isn't it? She just confessed she's helping the Fates…the wretched Sisters."
"You're twisting her words…"
"Truly? We heard her loud and clear. Only question that remains is…what are we going to do about it?"
"I am not killing our daughter!"
"Of course not! Why would we?! How could we?! Have we not hurt her enough Merlin?!"
"Than what are you-?!"
"We command her to stop."
Merlin froze…such a simple solution. He's her father yes…but also her Dragonlord. She had to obey no matter what…
But did he dare abuse his authority?
"She abused our trust first."
"She meant no harm…"
"The path to hell is always paved with good intentions."
"She would never lead us to hell."
"Not by choice perhaps. But her actions will drag us there."
"I have to believe that she wouldn't…what father would I be otherwise?
"We'd be a smart one."
"But a cold one."
"Father?!"
"Aithusa…just go. Please don't make me order you…"
Aithusa widened her gaze, she was afraid this would happen. At the very least it looks like those two are done with the Lady of the Lake. She may as well not anger her father any more than she has.
"For what it's worth father, I'm sorry. I really will do all I can to keep Destiny from hurting you again." With that she flew off into the horizon leaving a silent Merlin with clenched fists, angry at her. Angry at himself. Just plain angry.
"We'll regret letting her off so easy."
"Perhaps she has a point…maybe Destiny will settle for just Arthur and Mordred being involved in its little game…and finally leave Morgana and I alone…"
"Except we know better than that…"
Merlin had no response, what could he say? Given his experience in all the times Destiny held sway in his life…could he truly claim otherwise?
Present
The second Merlin arrived at the Lake of Avalon immediately he was able to see that something was off. No magic required for this…just look at the messy pairs of footprints leading to the east…
Dare he guess where they came from?
"Oh gee…I wonder who those could belong to?"
"Ha ha."
Merlin figured he knew exactly who helped out Arthur and Mordred…time for a quick talk before facing the Sidhe.
"How long has it been again Freya?"
The Lady in question arose her head from the lake, and gazed upon her old friend in a sad gaze.
"I believe it was when you tried to kill yourself with his majesty's sword. You really had me worried back then." "As you do now…" But she kept that thought to herself...
Merlin blinked as he stared at the sky, vividly recalling that moment in his life. Prior to the war, his use of Excalibur was perhaps his lowest point ever. Once that method failed well…what was the point in trying for more? He was here to stay, and that was that.
He averted his gaze back towards Freya, she appeared the same as ever, being an immortal entity herself.
"I know you and Aithusa were colluding. I want to know what you're both planning."
"What do you mean?"
Merlin sighed. Why do these people think they can out-lie a liar?
"Because we've grown weak"
"Freya, don't take me for a fool. Aithusa literally stopped me in my tracks on the way here and now I see two pairs of footprints that - correct me if I'm wrong - suspiciously look like the sizes of Arthur and Mordred's feet. Need I go on?"
Freya bit her lip, perhaps she should come clean. She knew Aithusa feared Merlin's reaction but to continue to lie is pointless if Merlin is already so close to uncovering the truth.
"Merlin, we were trying to help Arthur and Mordred uncover their true purpose here."
"See? I told you we should have punished her."
"Oh? Do tell. Really I'm listening." Merlin made a show of extending his ear with his fingers.
"..."
"Tick tock Freya. I'm on the clock today."
"...We honestly don't know Merlin, what was Arthur's Destiny now appears to have been altered. This has never happened before, the future that was once so clear has sudden–"
"-Yes yes okay, fate of the future is unknown blah blah blah. I could care less, it's about time the old crones of Fate got their work cut out for them. I only wish I could have seen the looks on their faces." Merlin smirked at the thought.
"Merlin?! Don't you understand? Destiny has been altered! For all we know it's become something entirely worse!" She couldn't believe Merlin's lack of serious attitude, this was no laughing matter!
"So? Music to my ears. The fates deserve to feel helpless for once."
"There's is no telling what the consequences of this will be!"
"And? To me Destiny was always something suffocating, it hardly matters to me if I take no part in it." Merlin glanced at her coldly.
"Merlin…" Freya sighed, looking at him in pity…how dare she? "You know it's not that simple…"
"Watch me."
"But–"
"-So where did they go off to? Hmm?"
"Merlin, you know I'm not going to tell you if you're just going to interfere."
"Freya."
"I'm afraid you'll find that my mind isn't so simple to read either, I'm sure you have other things to do…" Freya ensured that her knowledge of their whereabouts would be locked away into the depths of her being. Even the mighty Emrys would take a long time to retrieve it.
"Look Freya, if I wanted to stop them…trust me I don't need to waste time asking you questions to do it."
Freya looked a bit concerned, but also with a flare of hope.
"Are you saying you'll help Arthur?" Perhaps this feeling of dread will finally disappear.
"Oh please…"
"No."
Freya looked sullen at his blunt response, hoping that maybe Merlin would have persevered through his feud with Destiny to see the bigger picture.
"I'm only curious because I wanted to speak with them anyway."
"Why would we?
"Because I refuse to be so cowardly in Destiny's games again."
"You did? But if not about Destiny then of what?"
"Morgana told me how much Arthur craved to know the fate of his wife, the former Queen Guinevere. I figured I may as well tell him, I know if anything happened to Morgana I'd sure as hell would want to know what happened." He shuddered at the thought…for his fear nearly became real only yesterday.
"..."
"..."
"...Do you promise you'll let them fulfill their quest Merlin?"
"..."
"Don't, we need to stop them from making things worse!"
"...As long as Morgana and I are out of it I could care less what they do with their own lives."
"It won't just concern themselves! And we know it!"
"Thank you Merlin, I knew you were still a kind soul." Freya gave him a smile as she sent the location of Mordred's flat to his mind.
"If only I felt that way Freya."
"I'm not done here, I need to speak with the Sidhe Queen, tell her to come here."
Freya looked puzzled, "Queen Uonaidh? What could require her immediate presence?"
"One of her subjects tried to kill Morgana, and brought about an early winter to the Mediterranean…" Merlin replied flatly.
Freya was shocked, she wondered who it was. Many Sidhe come and go from the Lake as they please, she sent an alert to the Sidhe Queen informing her that she had an important guest…
"Okay, she's on her way now…are you sure about this Merlin?"
"Yep." Merlin crossed his arms as he readied himself for the confrontation
Freya wondered if she should stick around, if only because the look in Merlin's eye wasn't exactly promising a peaceful resolution.
Is this technically a dereliction of her duty as Lady of the Lake?
Finally the lake sparkled as the Eternal City of Avalon appeared, out came its Queen along with four of her personal guards.
The Queen's a bit bigger than your typical Sidhe, just as blue with a silver sparkly crown finished off with her larger than average wings.
"Emrys. Just because your domain is of the earth, does NOT give you the right to throw your power around toward us. If you wanted a meeting you could very well have come to me yourself." Queen Uonaidh was outraged that Merlin dared to try to order her around.
"Hmm, it's good that you said the earth is my domain. I had feared that your kind had forgotten…" Merlin looked at her like she was a speck of dust as he shoved his hands in his pockets.
"Your impudent tongue does you nothing Emrys. State your business now or I'll be taking my leave."
Merlin stared at Uonaidh with a sly smirk, savoring this moment before reality crashed around her.
"Well Emrys?! Did you really just come here to waste my time?!"
The Queen stiffened a gasp as her guards gripped their staves tightly…
In Merlin's fingertips were Cathair's wings, mockingly shaking them in front of her.
Freya was shocked. Merlin murdered a Sidhe? When did this happen?
"…Emrys…I hope you have a good explanation for this. Because if not, than this is a declaration of war." The Queen's ice blue eyes began to turn a violent red. Her guards readying themselves for her order.
"War was already declared. I won."
"Speak sense or not at all!" The Queen's rage was obvious on her tiny face.
"Your little friend Cathair made a costly mistake at going against me. And as you can see it was his last." Merlin then blew the wings over to the Queen who caught them as if they were something precious.
"His miscalculation? Colluding with Cornelius Sigan whom you brand as the Dark One. So tell me your majesty , what is your stance on this?"
However the Queen seemed shocked at the news that one of her trusted elders worked with a mortal. Let alone one like the Dark One. No wonder Emrys appears to be ready for blood, goodness what a mess she must clean up.
"Emrys wait! We had no knowledge of this, in fact Cathair has been banished since you halted our plans of expansion two centuries ago!"
Merlin recalled that, the Sidhe were planning yet again an attempt to conquer the mortal world during the Industrial Revolution. Fearing that their technological advancements would lead to the death of magic and the world at large. For without an earth, there isn't an Avalon…
"They were right…still are."
"You expect me to believe that you, the Queen of the blue faeries, had zero knowledge of one of your former council members' actions? Forgive me for my skepticism."
The Queen however was insistent "Emrys I am not responsible nor expected to keep track of those I banish. That's the entire point of banishing them!"
"Hmm, than why was he able to retain his abilities? Sophia and Aulfric were both reduced to mortal shells whereas Cathair merely possessed some pitiful human to hide himself." Merlin vaguely recalled the old father daughter Sidhe duo, if only he knew of his true nature at the time…how he would have loved to make Aulfric in particular suffer dearly.
"Say what you will of Cathair, but he never stained himself with the blood of his own kind. Nor was his banishment meant to be permanent, only for a millennia."
Wow, generous…
"Than I guess you also don't know how he managed to summon Ymir? The Norse father of the Frost Giants?" Merlin really began to scrutinize her, looking out for any abnormalities in her behavior akin to a liar.
"Is it really so surprising? The mortals of the Frostlands left many of their rituals behind when they turned to the religion of the cross and their Christ. That goes for all the magical artifacts of the world. It seemed only fitting that magical trinkets be protected from mortals who would destroy it." The Queen seemed to believe in her words very much, and it isn't like she didn't have a point…
"She absolutely has a point Merlin."
"This really isn't the time." Merlin saw his reflection standing next to the Queen, gazing at him in an assessing manner.
"The mortals always destroy that which does not conform to their view of the world. That or they perverse it…"
Merlin kept his gaze on the Queen going over everything but now to the crux of the matter.
"What contact have you had with Cornelius Sigan…?"
"None Emrys, we do not hold any allegiance to the Dark One. No matter what the Fates brand him as, he is still an upstart and we Sidhe have our pride!"
Merlin's brow rose, this was new information. "The fates branded Sigan?" Should he really be surprised…no…but he still is.
"Of course, ever since the Dark One was freed from his prison the fates have decreed their will and his role in it."
Merlin gritted his teeth, the Sisters of Fate were proving to be more crafty than he anticipated. He was a fool to underestimate them when they literally manipulate the destinies of others.
"And just what is their will? What do they hope to accomplish?!"
The Queen glared "How are we to know this Emrys? All we know is that the Dark One's return was preordained to occur. Powerful we Sidhe may be, we are not seers, not anymore at least. Our seers have not had a vision of the future in centuries."
"Just like Morgana? The Fates clearly don't want their plans being leaked out…"
"She's telling the truth, Merlin. Our pact remains intact, and now we hold the upper hand. The Sidhe Queen will now owe us a favor…"
"Yeah…I suppose so."
"Well Uonaidh…just remember I chose not to rightfully destroy you and raze Avalon to ash and rubble. I do expect your debt to be repaid to me in an…undisclosed period of time.
The Queen of the Sidhe didn't look very happy at the thought…but she knew her hands were tied, nodding her head and watched as Merlin turned and began to leave…until he stopped.
"Oh I nearly forgot."
The Sidhe and Freya who was still observing the exchange were curious as to what more was on his mind…
"Cathair mentioned that the Goddess had faded…was he lying?" Merlin kept his back turned waiting for an answer.
Freya gasped, the Goddess was gone?! How?! Suddenly she felt an empty chill fill her heart…how would they go on without her?
"It appears so yes."
Merlin's heart dropped, the Goddess...so it's true than. She's really dead. She can't be...he felt like he was going to cry.
"Mother..." Emrys' voice sounded so...feint. Akin to a child experiencing tragedy for the first time.
"Our connection to the Goddess has always been strong…the mortals dismissal of the Old Religion constantly for centuries has weakened her just like it did for all the other deities of every religion. The Goddess' final act is what did her in however." The Queen solemnly stated.
Merlin tilted his head toward her, morbid curiosity temporarily overriding the grief he was experiencing. "Oh? And what's that?"
"The resurrection of the Once and Future King."
"…"
Freya looked heartbroken, Arthur's return to this world essentially killed the Triple Goddess…
Merlin regained his composure, not wanting to look weak in front of the calculative Sidhe.
"Hmm and thus emboldened my enemies…fascinating. Thanks for the information, it will serve me well." Merlin gave a lazy wave as he made his way back to his home.
The Queen didn't like that look on Emrys' face…but she didn't like the prospect of battling him either. She than ordered her guards to return with her to Avalon, whatever Emrys wants to do with the mortals is no concern of the Sidhe.
Merlin felt like he wasn't even conscious as he aimlessly walked, feeling Emrys' sadness in addition to his own as the confirmation that their Divine Mother is no more...
"I hate him..."
"It's not fair to blame Arthur for that."
"Should I blame her than?!"
"I don't know how to feel...I just want lay here for the next hundred years..."
"...It was always hard to understand her...to know if she even loved us..."
"..." Merlin took a deep breath and continued his journey home.
Morgana woke to some laughter…but the voices didn't sound like anyone she knew.
"Mum! Come on, you promised we'd go ride 'Thusa today!" A squeaky boyish voice opened her eyes.
In front of her? A small boy version of herself, hair up to his ears which were her, her eyes and mouth, but with Merlin's ears and his cute nose. Wearing a dinosaur shirt with sweats and red/white laced shoes on.
Is this…?
"Gally! Come on daddy said we had to get ready now!" A girlish voice shifted. Morgana rose from the chair and saw a little girl around the same age as the boy, two pigtails tying her wavy black hair, blue eyes, Merlin's ears, his cheek bones, her nose, his mouth…
Goodness these two are…!
"I know El! I'm waking mum up now!"
"Mum? Daddy?"
"Children? Is your mother up yet?" Merlin stepped out into the Garden and looked at them with a smile.
"Merlin?! What's…when did we…when did I?!" What the fuck was going on?!
"You alright darling? I told you that you oughta sleep in our bed." He felt her forehead to see if she was running a fever, she shook him off rising to her feet in alarm.
"Morgana? Really what's wrong?" Now he was looking at her in worry, as if she had a bad dream.
If this was a dream then…does she want to wake up?
"Merlin, what is all this? I'm pretty sure I'd remember being pregame and giving birth! Twice!" Was she in a coma?! Did she miss out on the precious years of her children's lives?!
Now Merlin looked at her like she lost her mind. "Morgana…you were the one who told me when you were pregnant. Don't you remember? Galahad and Elaine are twins…" He was really worried now.
"Galahad…and Elaine…" Her boy and girls names…the ones she would have picked had she had either of them…
Morgana felt a pull at her leg and looked down to see a saddened Gally.
"You don't love us anymore mum?" Her poor boy was starting to cry.
She felt another pull at her other leg this time her little girl who was also tearing up was clutching her leg.
"Please mum don't leave us! Promise you won't!
Morgana quickly crouched and embraced her children with all the strength in the world. Leave them?! How?! She just met them and she already loves them to death!
"Never! Do you hear me?! I will always be with you, you two are my precious people and I will always be there when you need me." Giving them both a kiss on their foreheads.
She felt another pair of arms embrace all three of them, it was Merlin. He was smiling at them, truly this…this is what she's been waiting for. A family. A family that's truly hers. She'll kill anyone who takes this away from her.
"Are you sure mummy?" Gally's lip wobbled.
"Of course my hatchling. More sure than anything I've been in my entire life." She doesn't think she's been this happy before…it was almost unreal.
Than…she felt the chills, saw the ravens flying everywhere. Her home turning into a den of vipers. Something out of a horror film.
"What's going on?! Merlin?!" She turned to her husband only to find that his gaze at her was stoic. But his eyes…as if staring into black holes.
"You have ruined everything Morgana Pendragon."
That's not Merlin's voice…
Suddenly her children appeared at each side of this imposter, their entire eyes the same coal black…
"Your efforts to prevent our will —" "—Have forced us to take drastic measures." Both of theirs also not being the voices of her children.
"There are dire consequences to those who tamper with fate…" All three spoke in unison then vanished as the wind around her grew stronger…flames appearing everywhere.
"No! Come back! Merlin! Gally! El!" She tried to move but it was as if she were frozen solid, her magic had no effect!
"DON'T GO PLEASE!" The fire was too hot! She was burning!
"MORGANA?!"
She opened her eyes and jerked forward, taking deep breaths. She quickly felt her skin everywhere…still soft, not charred at all…
A hand was rubbing her back she turned to her right and there was Merlin…wait what…?
She looked around and saw their garden still in place…
That was a dream…?
No…no! It was far too vivid!
Her children?!
Quickly she grasped her stomach…!
They weren't real? She didn't know if she should be relieved or depressed at the thought…
"Morgana? You haven't had a nightmare this severe in ages, was it a vision? Have they returned?" Merlin didn't know what was happening, he never expected to return to this.
Morgana was shaking, barely listening to him at all. She was simply…mourning the loss of her children even if they were never real at all.
Merlin held her as she let out a sob, determined to help her get through this to the best of his ability.
What could have brought her such terror like this...?
Hope you guys are good, love to hear your opinions :D
