Thank you for reading, hope you like the next chapter. Thanks again for being understanding as I take a little more time with this group of chapters.

The future queen of Camelot continued to clench her eyes shut, protect her head with her arms and braced herself for more pain as the large crowd above her continued to trample by. She was hit, kicked a few more times, but the devastating blow she expected never seemed to come. The waiting for it was almost worse than actually experiencing it would be. Gwen all but wished it would come already. Then the fear, anxiousness that made her body tense up rigidly would be over at least.

The blow finally came.

The blow that knocked the wind out of her and caused her to let out a scream of pain. A hard kick to her lower back.

A few people heard her over the pushing and pulling of the crowd. They looked for a second for where the noise came from, but none looked down and saw Gwen curled up in pain on the ground. Except one person.

As the pain began to lessen and she could start to think again about what was immediately going on around her. Their voices became clearer, but she still couldn't understand what was going. Why they were moving forward so relentlessly. Or importantly what they were running away from. Logically there were only a few things that would make sense. Then of course this was a city that had been attacked in the past by a dragon and an army of the dead. Whatever was going on didn't have to be logical.

Experiencing the pain, she now realized hadn't made her anxiety any better. She still worried about being hurt again. Because now she knew how painful it was.

Before she could feel that pain again, she felt a strong pair of hands gripped her by her shoulder and pull her to her feet. Her head spun and she couldn't focus on anything. The hands still held her. They were the only things holding her up, she was sure. Gwen was about to turn around and face her saviour, but they began to pull her forward. Letting them be led by flow of the crowd. Faintly she could hear him speaking, saying something, but she couldn't make any sense of it.

Once Eylan had told Arthur everything he knew, the king pushed passed him. Moving quickly, he made his way quickly to the heights part of the castle.

Eylan took off after him. He wanted to ask where Gwen was. He wanted to know she was safe, but he didn't dare ask.

They made fast time as they ascended the stairs of the castle. Eylan had been sure he saw an army or at least a large group of people moving around the country. He had sped up, not bothering to try and see what was going on. He had to get back to the city, that was his task. He could not be sidetracked. If it was an advancing army, they would know soon enough. The young knight was hopeful that maybe they were the men that Leon and Percival had been able to gather to come and fight for Camelot, but he didn't allow himself to think too much on this hope.

Pushing opening the door to the room at the top of the highest tower of the castle. Running to the window he shoved it open and trust his upper body out. Fear at this violent and sudden motion shot through Eylan as entered the room behind the king. Arthur searched franticly for the group that Eylan had seen. He had to crane his neck to see the land behind the back of the castle. There it was, a clear collective of people moving towards the city, an army. He hadn't doubted Eylan, but a part of him hadn't expected to actually see it. At least not as close as they were to the city. There was still time, still time to warn the people of the city, get them to safety.

As he pulled himself back into the room, he became aware of Eylan's presence behind him. He hadn't realized that his future brother-in-law had followed him up here. He saw concern and fear in the young man's eyes. A nervous energy radiated off of him too. Giving him something to do to channel his energy into he told him to go to the lower portion of the castle quickly. Give orders to the men to arm themselves and be ready for the kings next orders.

Arthur himself made his way halfway with Eylan before turning down a different corridor that led to the court physician rooms. As he drew closer, he began to feel a little apprehensive. He trusted the old man, had done for as long as he knew him, which was his enterer life. He was worried though that he would be able to cope with what was to come on his own. As much as he wished it wouldn't be the case, but he knew there would be casualties. Knights and civilians alike, young and old. Giaus would have to take care of them all mostly on his own. Merlin was not here. From what Eylan had said He was off on possibly some foolish quest to search for some object he had never heard off, that could very well not actually exist.

He should be here helping Giaus, helping him. So should Morgana. Maybe she was better placed to help doing what she was from afar he didn't know. What he did know was he would feel better if she was here. Having a high priestess fighting with them on the front lines could only be an asset. He would feel much better if they were both here. He greatly regretted what he had said, how he had left things the last time he saw them. He would have the chance to make things better. He had to believe that. The more he thought about it the more foolish he felt he had been. There was no way Merlin had magic. He would have known. There was also no way that Morgana would have kept that information secret.

Almost shoving the door open he entered the large room without announcing himself. Giaus still sat in the chair he had used to reach the highest shelf. Not taking the time to notice the disarray of the room the broken glass, Arthur told Giaus what was happening and that he had to gather what he needed with help from Gwen and the men he would send to him and move to the main hall where he could see to the injured. Neither man waited to say anything else. Arthur moved to meet his men and Giaus quickly began filling a leather pouch with as much useful things as he could.

Somehow her saviour was able to force his way through the crowd and got them into a small street between two houses. It was only now that Gwen felt she could get her breath back. Learning against the house behind her she looked to her right seeing the still surging forward crowd.

Mordred looked from the crowd they had escaped from and then back to the women next to him. Making sure she had no visible injuries before they made their next move. She seemed fine, shaken but fine. The young man was also sure he knew her. Though she was shaking and looked confused and a little distressed, he was sure she had been Morgana's maid. The future queen of Camelot. Who had helped him escape from the castle all those years ago.

The reality that he was back here, that for some reason he had found himself back here, now in the middle of all of this, hit him fully. He was sure that the odds that he would cross paths with someone he knew were very low. Yet here he was hiding in a narrow street with the future queen form a large orderless crowd. Maybe it was a sign that he shouldn't have come here, yet he let himself be guided here. He should have looked for Kara, gone after her. Should have just enjoyed the moment and not talked about the future. Just enjoyed the present with her. It was too late now. If she didn't want to be found, she wouldn't be.

It was also far too late to get out of here, the fight that was to come. Morgana would not be pleased. She had done her very best to keep him and the druids out of this fight.

Gwen calmer now turned to the younger man, asking without words what was going on. He could have told her everything he knew. That they had met before, but he only told her what she needed to know. That a village had been in the path of a hostile force and left before it hit them to seek shelter here. Gwen took this in. It all seeming to fit into place for her. With a nod as she took in a deep breath, she moved towards the still surging forward crowd. A knocked over barrel lay to her right. She tried to turn it right way up. When he saw her struggle a little and understood what she must be thinking, Mordred moved to help her. Offering his hand once the barrel was turned the right way up, he helped her stand upon it.

In a loud clear voice that rose a little above the still flowing crowd, Gwen yelled for them to stop and listen to her. No one did. Filling her lungs with more air and taking more control of her voice she tried again.

Still no one seemed to notice her or if they did they didn't give her more than a brief glance.

Growing frustrated with the crowd continuing to act like a panicked animal, Mordred too now yelled for the people to stop for a second and listen to the lady now standing on a barrel trying to get their attention, to help them.

Seeing the young man get a few people's attention Gwen quickly began to tell them to follow her. That she knew where they would be safest and where she hoped there would be enough space for all of them. Not waiting another second, she jumped down for the barrel and pushed her way into the crowd that know not only paid her some attention but followed her now mostly without any hesitation.

Mordred fell into the crowd and allowed himself to be guided forward, like he had allowed himself to somehow be guided here. Into the castle of Camelot. A place that was once, and still was really a place of fear for him. That was now meant to be a place of safety. He hoped the irony of the situation would be enough to keep things for turning further against him.

As much as he did trust the men gathered before him, the king couldn't help but wish his most trusted knights, friends were with him. He hoped they would succeed in their tasks and return soon. Right now, he had to focus on his own task. Making sure that everyone was prepared as best as they could be for what was to come. leading the men forward he prepared to lead them out of the castle and through the city. Hoping that seeing the brave knights that would fight to keep them safe would give the people of the city some comfort.

Arthur also hoped he would see the rest of his most trusted knights returning to the city before the fighting began. He knew that was not likely. Especially not Lancelot and Gwaine. They would not be back anytime soon. If they returned at all. He pushed this thought form his head. They were brave strong men. If anyone could infiltrate and sabotage their enemy, it was them. Lancelot was smart enough to pull it off and Gwaine was daring enough to.

The thought that he pushed away the hardest, the worry he couldn't let himself think about became too hard to hold back. He had no idea where Gwen was. He hadn't seen her since she brought him his breakfast. He had wanted to go straight to her once Eylan returned and told him what was going on. Eylan he knew wanted to do they something. They passed by her chambers. Through the half open door they could she wasn't there. He hoped she might be with Giaus. That would mean she would find out about his argument with Merlin. As much as he didn't want that, he wanted to see her. Know where she was, that she was safe. When he didn't find her there either, he pushed his worry back further as he spoke to his men. Offering confident words about their courage and strength. He hoped they believed. It was now, as he made his way towards the main door of the castle that he was no longer able to stop his mind from panicking with fear that he didn't know where she was or what really was coming for them. But he was king. The people looked to him for a show of strength and he couldn't let them down. Let her down. He had to believe that she was safe. That she could take care of herself and that he had all the time in the world to find her after all this was done. He needed to hold on to this to keep him marching forward.

The fort was empty. The knights were sure that they had heard noises. People had been here not long ago. The burnt ground from their fire and footprints in the dirt were evidence of that. The still faintly burning embers of the fire let them know that this group had only just left. Drawing their swords, the knights scanned the area. They couldn't see or hear any sign of anyone staying behind.

Relaxing a little Gwaine lowered his sword and turned to face Lancelot. Some seemingly clever and witty quip was on the tip of his tongue when he was interrupted by someone jumping out from behind the half-fallen wall he was about to lean back on.

Luckily the attacker, a broad and tall man, only held a rock in his hand and not a sword that would have sliced the knights head from his shoulder before he knew what was happening.

Feeling the rock graze the back of his head Gwaine sprung forward, swiping his sword behind him. Cutting a fine line across the man's chest. He dropped the rock and covered his wound as he feel to the ground.

Lancelot moved to stand by his friend's side. Pointing the tip of his sword at the man's throat. In a calm measured voice, he commanded they be told all that the man knew about what was going on. For such a large man he crumbled quickly and told them all he knew. It was not much they didn't already know, but there was something they learned that sent a chili down their spines at what it would mean.

He didn't seem overly scared of them or the consequences of informing them all he knew. He just seemed tired. His wound was not fatal, but they did not worry he would join up with his men and tell them that they were still alive. They believed he would just sit here, rest and when he was strong enough, he would move on to whatever was next for him.

His commander had chosen him to be left behind to deal with the knights form Camelot. They were meant to be under the influence of the Lamias magic, easy prey. this had felt like an insult. So he had no heart for a fight once it was clear he would not win. He wanted to live to see the next day. As they all did. He just may have more of a chance for it to happen as he now choose to be drawn in any further into this fight.

Lancelot and Gwaine too had that chance, but they wouldn't take it. Silently they returned their swords to there sheathes and began their journey back to Camelot. Hoping they would not be to late to stop what they knew was coming.

In the distance they could see the city. It seemed to rapidly get closer. once they cleared this hill, they could see the main gate and the path that led to the castle. One final push and they would be there. Their heavy breathing, the weight of their armor seemed to lessen rather than increase.

Once at the top of the hill they looked down to the city before them. They could make out the crowd that Gwen was directing towards a place of safety, she hoped. They could also see to their left the army that had passed through the village they just had and was now getting very close to the city. From this distance it didn't seem to be that large of a force, but they felt sure this was only part of what they were facing. Accelerated by this sight and the hill they speed the last feet to the castle.

As they got closer to the city, hoping to make it there before the attacking army, they saw something in the distance, being pulled behind the army. Leon stopped to see what it was. His heart raced further as it became clear what he was seeing.

It was a catapult. As he stood there, frozen he was horrified to see that it was not just one. No just seconds later another catapult came into view be pulled forward behind the first one.

They were not going to fight them on a fair battlefield. They were going to trap them in the city as they tore it down around them.

Everyone that they had seen streaming into the city has run right into the trap.

Their hope that Eylan would make it back to the city know turned to a curse. If he had made it back before now, then he was in more danger than any of the other knights of the round table. They had wanted to keep him safe and had ended up putting him in more danger.

Percival was the first to regain some control of his body. Griping hold of Leon by his arm he dragged him forward with him.

It didn't matter that it was a trap, that they were running most likely towards their death. They had taken an oath and they were not going to break that now.

As the king followed by his men made his way through the main doors of the castle and down the main stairs, he saw to his right a stream of people quickly making their way through a small side door that led to a long corridor that either took you to the back of the castle or if you took a small side door, down into the vaults of the castle. Where the people of Camelot he hoped would be safe from the fighting.

It was difficult to understand why, but Arthur felt sure that Gwen was with this throng of people. That she was very likely the one that had led them here to a place of safety. Turning to Eylan on his left he caught his eye and knew that he felt the same certainty that he did. That Gwen was nearby, and she was safe.

As he reached the last few steps, pushing their way throw the crowd Leon and Percival appeared.

Relief washed over Arthur and Eylan at the sight of their brothers in arms. The same could not be said for the two knights that made their way quickly towards them. They looked troubled and distressed and it made Arthur's heart sink to his stomach.

As they reach the king the words they were about to say were silenced by a loud unfamiliar sound of something pulsing through the air above them. Looking up they could see a large dark object speeding towards them.

Everyone scattered running for cover.

The rock hit the castle next to the main stairs. Turning a third of the old steps to dust and bringing down a large chuck of the castle walls onto the crowd below. Blocking the door that the crowd had been entering.

They didn't have a chance to take in the damage before them, as the same sound of incoming destruction could be heard above them again.

This time the boulder hit right in the center of the main courtyard. Throwing the king and many others into the air and everyone else running for cover.

Merlin glanced over at Morgana from the corner of his eye every few minutes. They had been walking in silence for a while now. His mouth opened a little to speak a few times, but he didn't know what to say. So, he closed it again.

Morgana didn't notice any of this, her eyes were set ahead of them. To Merlin's surprise she was the one to speak next.

"Do you really think it will work."

It took the warlock a few seconds to fully understand what she was talking about. What specifically she was asking. Would Excalibur kill Nimueh. He had no reason to doubt that it would. He learned however never to take anything for granted. The smallest, insignificant thing could change everything in a second.

"It has to." He finally settled on an answer.

She didn't seem overly convinced. She didn't argue the point either.

"I suppose you are due a win." Morgana said turning to look away.

Merlin stopped not understand what she meant. He felt fairly sure that he had won on many occasions. Noticing he was no longer walking by her side anymore Morgan stopped to turn back to look at him.

"I've won before."

"Not in killing a high priestess."

All the tension and hardness that had marked her face seemed to fall away as she teased him. The briefest smile crossing her face for a second. Merlin couldn't help but smile back. What they were facing never left their minds, but a moment of levity let them handle it a little easier.

"I killed you." He challenged with mock offense. Which he hoped Morgana reacted too with humor. Mock pride would be pushing it to much.

"Not well enough." Her smile return, staying for a little longer this time.

"Still killed you." He felt emboldened by her smile.

"Are we seriously arguing about the degree to which you killed me."

For a moment the reality that they had in fact been arguing in fun about what was one of the, if not the most traumatic events in their lives, hit them. Morgana let out a faint laugh that she fought back. Then turned and carried on walking. Merlin moved to follow her, a smile still on his face. When they were walking side by side again the weight of it all hit them again and they felt foolish for acting the way they had. Glad as well though in an odd way. Neither knew what the events of today would hold for them and those they caried about, but they were glad that whatever it was they were facing it with someone by their side that they could be completely themselves with. Someone that knew them better than anyone else. Someone they didn't have to hide from.

The fact that he was glad that that person was Morgana hit him hard. He hadn't realized how much deep down he had always wanted to tell her the truth about himself. Someone that could truly understand. He had always felt guilty about what his fear and distrust had cost her, he now felt a deep sadness for what he had cost himself. It was hard to pinpoint how he knew, but he just knew that Morgana felt the same way. That she too was grateful that whatever happened today, wherever it led she was glad to face it with someone that really knew her.

His hand almost brushed against hers. For a reason he didn't know, couldn't fathom he moved his hand back to reach out and take hers. Their fingers touched for the briefest second before an unforeseen forced crashed violently into them. Knocking the air from their lungs and pushing them visually back through the air. Morgana had been turning to look at Merlin. Feeling his hand reach for hers. Her body twisted as she flew through the air. Slamming into the ground, on her left side, feet from where she had just been standing. Merlin remained facing forward as he shot through the air next to her. His back smashing into the earth, knocking the air from his lungs again before he had even a second to replenish it.

He lay on the ground looking up at the sky beginning to blur above him. With a groan he turned his head to look for Morgana. Her hair covered her face as she lay on her side, half of her face on the ground. He tried to focus, see that she was breathing. She was. Letting out a deep breath he allowed himself to succumb to the darkness that invaded his vision. He couldn't fight it anymore. All concern, fear for what had hit them was to far in the back of his mind to keep him fitting back the darkness.

Hope you enjoyed it, and the action was okay. I'm still not very happy with writing it. As always any comments, ideas, input and constructive criticism are very welcome.