Thank you for continuing with the story. Hope you like it.

The ringing in his ears grew louder, before he had even opened his eyes. He felt that there was a weight on his chest that was pressing down on him, keeping him from standing up, but the rational part of him knew that it was simply his armour, that felt so much heavier now that he was now lying down. Forcing his eyes open Arthur ignored the ringing in his ears that got worse and his head that was beginning to spin. On shacky feet, ignoring his friends that too moved to pull themselves to their feet he made his way as quickly as possible towards the damage.

It started with a load crash that seemed to get louder even after everything went dark. Gwen didn't have time for her eyes to adjust to the darkness before the roof above her and many others began to rain down on them. She and Mordred had been the first to reach the small door, that many in the city walked by daily and never gave it a second look. Now they homed in on it like a lifeline. She waited by the door as the stream of people passed her. Looking out the door, back at the city she couldn't see the end of the crowed.

They weren't all going to fit in the vaults.

That was the last thought she had before the world fell down around her.

She felt a hit before the walls began to fall.

Mordred looking out at the crowd from behind Gwen he by chance glanced up. He saw the large bolder soaring through the air towards them. He was only able to move a few seconds before the boulder hit. He reached out and gripped Gwen's arm and pulled her back from the doorway. This would do little to help them avoid the damage. An instinct reaction to get out of the line of fire, however much it wouldn't matter in the end came over him.

He didn't see the walls come down. He was facing the other way, but it hit him in the back knocking him to the ground.

Arthur franticly began to pick up the pieces of the castle that he could lift and threw them out of his way. His friends, now on their feet and the people of the city, who had been able to avoid being hurt, now by his side quickly helped their king. All knowing deep down that there was nothing that they could do. More people who had been in the crowd and had been unable to make it into the long corridor, but lucky enough to have not been close enough to the door to be caught in the walls falling down began to come forward to help too. All the while everyone tried to make sense of what was going on. What was going to happen night. How could you defeat, let alone protect yourself from this kind of attack.

Though impactful, the area of damage was thankfully small. Seeing they would only get in the way, with so many people now rushing forward, throwing rocks out of their way. Eylan and a few other knights left to enter the corridor form the other direction. He could only imagine how frightened the people in the dark there must be. Feeling trapped in a dark place, they didn't know and seeing no way out. The young knight also wanted to find his sister. Deep down he knew that if she was with the crowd, as he believed, then she would have been near the entrance. Guiding the crowd forward. Making sure everyone was safe. He still hoped he would find her unharmed at the head of the crowd, taking cover in the vaults, but he didn't let himself hope to hard, imagine it too much. In case he made the image disappear from reality.

Everyone was so busy dealing with the aftermath of the first attack they didn't notice the second attack getting closer.

They only noticed it as the screeching sound grew to loud to ignore any longer.

There was les time to react, take some cover this time.

The boulder hit the ground near the center of the courtyard. Very close the place Arthur and his knights had been lying only a few minutes ago.

This hit didn't do as much psychical damage as the first attack, but it greatly damaged their already wavering feeling of safety.

Merlin let out a groan as his body unconsciously twists causing a shot of pain down his back. The world around him began to come back into focus. First, he heard the faint sound of the wind blowing through the trees. Then he opened his eyes, forcing them to remain open. With another groan he forced himself next to pull up to a sitting position. It was only now that he looked around himself, trying to see what or who had hit them. Though he knew who it was.

It all seemed normal. Just as it had done before they were forced back through the air. Feeling a little reassured they were not in any immediate danger Merlin turned to Morgana. She still lay on her side, unmoving apart from breathing. Reaching out with another groan, he shock her shoulder. Calling her name. He felt her body seem to suddenly spring to life as she woke. She moved slowly to pull herself up, but buckled as she tried to put to much weight on her left arm that had hit the ground the hardest. Feeling a little stronger Merlin placed his other hand on her other shoulder and helped puller her up to a sitting position.

Her eyes met his, asking him the same questions he was asking himself. There was nothing more he could tell her, so he moved to help her to her feet. In the end he needed as much help standing as she did. Standing still for a second, holding onto each other's arms to help keep them standing, the world spun around them as they waited for it to stop.

Voices could be heard through the rubble. People on the other side trying to get through. This offered a moment of relief for those on the outside. It was quickly taken away as Leon uncovered the first casualty. It was a woman, not many years older than he was. With fair hair and grey eyes that were still open. As he moved to get a hold of the body, to pull her free from the rubble, Leon felt blood on his hands. Glancing at the back of her head he saw her fair hair matted with red blood. At least it had been a quick death.

There were two more bodies. A middle aged man and a younger woman. They were laid on the ground by the main steps, covered in the red cloaks of the knights of Camelot.

After a few minutes Arthur heard some commotion behind him, but as it didn't seem to be another attack he ignored it.

Giaus hearing the loud crashing sounds and people yelling ran from the main hall to see what was going on, worrying about what he was about to see.

It didn't seem nearly as horrific as he had feared, but a glanced to the three bodies, the three lives lost, and he realized that while there was not much blood, there was still great loss. He didn't have time to dwell on that now. There would be time for that later. Right now, there was people that needed him. Turing to the growing crowd of injured on the far side of the courtyard he yelled as loud as he could to be heard over the rumbling of the excavation. He told those that could make their way to the main hall. He needed to focus his attention now on those that couldn't move.

A few knights beginning to feel too that they were getting in the way with so many people, doing the same task. Moved to help guide the crowd towards the main hall. They did fear that they were just moving people into a new location that they couldn't get out from if, when the next attack came. The main hall was towards the back of the castle, they had to hope that was far enough away that the catapult wouldn't reach them.

Morgana searched Merlin's eyes again for any idea of what had just hit them. He didn't have time to think of an answer, as the faint sound of someone walking towards them grew louder. Drawing their attention, they turned to look.

It didn't surprise them to see Nimueh walking towards them slowly through the trees, an evil smirk of her face.

"And where might you two be going, as Camelot is falling." She stopped as she came to stand in the middle of the road in-front of them.

Merlin gripped Morgana's arms tighter, pulled her back a few paces. Not that any of that would make any difference. Nimueh had already made that very clear. He wasn't going to give her the chance to attack again. Pulling Morgana closer, in a low voice he spoke a few words and the wind picked up. The leaves from the ground spun around them. Hiding them from Nimueh's gaze. When the wind died down, they were gone.

Gwen didn't know how long she had been in darkness, how long it had been since the wall crumbled behind her. As Mordred had pulled her away, she has tripped and fallen. Frozen, she didn't try and move, scared she would be knocked down again. Everyone moved forward to get away from where the door had been, but they were nervous to carry on further down the corridor. Most not knowing where it led. Scared to become further trapped.

When the noise of people on the outside starting to pull the rubble out of the way, Gwen pulled herself to her feet and began to help those that were trying to meet the outside halfway. As she began to pull the rocks away, her foot touched something soft, somebody.

To her credit she only hesitated a second before bending down to see what state the somebody was in.

As she bent down, she took hold of their arm. It was a strong arm, an arm that might have pulled her to safety. She wasn't sure, but she thought so. Straining her eyes, she tried to make anything out about them, except for the outline of their body. Just as she was about to give up and focus on how much they were trapped under the pile of rocks. Most of him seemed to be fine, it was just his right leg that was trapped.

A blinding shaft of light appeared suddenly above her. In the light she could see that the man tarped was the same young man that helped her before. She was pleased to see that he really didn't have any other injuries. He had been knocked out, but his head was not bleeding, that had to be a good thing. Standing up she helped widen the opening.

Pulling a rock free she let out a sound between a laugh and a cry.

The first thing she saw through the rapidly expanding opening was Arthurs bright blue eyes.

He did a better job of controlling his emotions than his fiancé. He did speed up his removing of the rubble though.

Managing to control her excitement, Gwen bent down and was ready to pull Mordred free once enough of the rubble had been moved.

When they were standing on solid ground again, both Merlin and Morgana sank to their knees. Taking a few minutes to get their breath back. Morgana looked around to see where Merlin and taken them.

They were in a small clear with a gradual hill on one side. The early afternoon light poured in through the trees. In the center of the clear a few feet in front of them was a large stone. Plunged into that stone was a proud, gleaming sword.

Excalibur. Shinning in a pool of light.

Her eyes still on the sword, Morgana was helped to her feet by Merlin. Though like before she helped him as much as he helped her. She turned to face Merlin.

"So underwhelming." A cold voice cut though the quiet before either Morgana or Merlin could say anything.

Despite how tired they both were from all the running, walking they had undertaken already that day, Gwaine and Lancelot didn't slow down as the made their way back to the city. If either man had been on his own, he might have allowed himself a brief moment to rest. To get his breath back. Maybe take that brief moment by a river or stream. Take an extra moment then to have a drink. Not much, he wouldn't want to waste time, no. Just enough to quench his thirst and then he would carry on.

As they were not alone, they didn't take a moment to rest.

Luckly they could now make out the tallest spires of the castle of Camelot, just a little further.

With that sight of their destination before them and their brother by their side the found the resolve to push on a little further.

As the last of the rocks and rubble was moved out of the way, Arthur was the first to move into the corridor. Gwen stood up as she watched him walk towards her. Words, so many words, about all that had happened to her. Questions about what was going on. Were about to tumble form her mouth, but nothing but a chocked sob came out.

Arthur was Infront of her in seconds, wrapping her in his arms. Her words now muffled, as she tried still to say all that she wanted to. Kissing her on the forehead, Arthur pulled back.

"If anything had happened-" Gwen nodded knowing what he was going to say. She felt the same way. "Giaus will need your help."

Again, she nodded, before throwing her arms around his neck and kissing him. Glad he was alive and here in her arms. Not letting herself think that this may only be a temporary reprieve.

The crowd around them, parted a little as Eylan and some of his fellow knights arrived from the other end of the corridor. Noticing this Gwen turned, seeing her brother she quickly moved toward him. At first, she wasn't sure if he would return her hug or not, but as she drew closer and lifted her arms, he did the same. Lifting his arms to hug his sister. There was then some discussion between the three of them about what to do next. Arthur they all knew had to go down and face those attacking them. He wanted Gwen to join Giaus in helping the injured in the main hall, where he hoped she would be safe. Those that were unharmed it was thought however unfortunately, should continue with the previous plan and shelter in the vaults. Gwen felt she should stay with those in the vaults. It had been her idea to shelter there, she should stay with them.

"Giaus needs your help, Merlin's not here." Arthur said as evenly as he could.

Still reluctantly, but with new understanding Gwen agreed she would be more help aiding Giaus.

Things moved quickly then. The injured were helped by the knights to the main hall to be treated. Those unharmed were led to the Vaults. With two knights stationed near the now much wider opening to the corridor.

Eylan remained quiet as the next moves were decided on. He for the first time that day didn't know what he should do next. He had always had a goal to achieve. Something he could focus on, instead of allowing himself to be overcome with fear about what was happening. He could offer to stay in the vaults or act as a guard and protector for the injured in the main hall. Deep down, while these were important tasks, he knew he would feel ashamed if he did not offer to be in the party that went with Arthur to meet their enemy.

It turned out he didn't have to offer to take on any task. As Gwen left to lead the way now to the main hall. Making sure that Mordred was the first to follow her being helped by two knights. Arthur turned to the young knight, his future brother-in-law. He gave a brief, subtle nod before he turned to leave. Eylan followed knowing that he was being asked to stand by his king and brothers' side, to face what came next.

Other knights of course moved to follow their king and leader, but he only let two came with him and Eylan. Their fellow knights of the round table.

Before a single word more could be uttered, Merlin gently, but firmly pushed Morgana to the side. Lifting his arm out Infront of himself he sent a ball of burning hot fire. Inflamed further by his hate towards the smug looking witch before him.

Nimueh only faltered for a second raising an arm she took control of the smoldering ball of fire and sent it back towards Merlin and Morgana.

Having to decide quickly, they choose to move out of the of the attack than try and directly stop it. They couldn't risk wasting any energy. they had to remain focused on the task at hand now. Either they or Nimueh would leave this clearing alive.

The main hall was quickly filled with people. There was just enough room for Giaus, Gwen and the younger knights that had been ordered to assist them, to move around in. Still, they had to take care not to step on or trip over someone's legs. Many of those injured fortunately had only minor injuries. Cuts and bruises that didn't require much further treatment beyond a clean rag and a bandage. It was clear that the majority here had chosen to seek aid when it wasn't really necessary, so they didn't have to shelter in the vaults. They knew of course, they all did that they were not any safer here than in the vaults. Whatever was to come, when the next attack came, they wanted to at least be able to see it coming.

Mordred was only of the most seriously injured. Giaus had looked at him first. Gwen had insisted. He didn't recognize him, but he did feel that the young man before him was someone he had seen before. He put this down to mostly likely having seen him around the city at some point and thought no more of it. Focusing instead on treating his injuries. His breathing was even and steady, as was his heart rate. His eyes when opened reacted to light. The blow to his head hopefully had done no more harm than knocking him out. He should wake soon, if there was no unseen damage. Turning his attention now to Mordred's leg, the bone seemed unbroken and had only superficial wounds. A minor cut and some bruise. The young man would be fine Giaus believed and hoped.

Taking a second to take a breath as he scanned the room to see where he was needed next the court physician caught sight of Gwen. She too was taking a second to regather her energy. She was looking away from him and out the window.

Arthur had told her about the catapults. Rationally she understood what had caused the damage she had experienced firsthand. It was another thing all together to see it. To see the far off, yet imposing object that had already caused three deaths. Lowering her gaze she saw Arthur, Eylan, Leon and Percival nearing the edge of the city. Not able to look anymore she turned way. Catching Giaus's eyes as she did. He offered a look of sympathy. Which she returned before they both returned to their work.

The king and his most trusted knights approached the outskirts of the city. The houses around them grew smaller in size as they went on but had move space around them. None of them knew what the reaction to their appearance would be. The honorable thing to do would be for their leader, the Sarrum to come forward and meet Arthur. That was of course expecting that he would behave honorably. He had shown no sign that he would. After all he had attacked them without warning. Specifically attacking the innocent citizens of the city and the kingdom. He was not a man of honor.

As he stepped out onto the large open space between the city and the army that had just attacked them. He made gesture for his friends to stay back as he moved forward. He them drew his sword and placed it on the ground. Opening his arms out in a gesture of peace he continued forward.

There didn't seem to be any sign of movement from the army before him. He scanned them for left to right and back again. Trying to see the Sarrum. While he had never met the man before he felt confident it shouldn't be hard to pick him out form the crowd. The fourth time he scanned the crowed, when he was about a third of the way towards them, the crowd parted a little to Arthur's right.

The Sarrum did not make his entrance as Arthur would have expected on a horse, instead he simply walked out to meet the king of Camelot.

He was an old man, bold and as he drew closer Arthur would see how worn his face had become. By age and he was sure many battles.

Arthur stopped and waited for his enemy to meet him halfway.

Through the trees they could see the city getting closer before them. Between them and there however was the Sarrum's army and their trump card. The catapults. slowing down they moved forward as quietly as possible. They didn't want the enemy to notice them. While not as imposing or foreboding as the catapults they knew they were a trump cared for Camelot to play. They would be believed dead, the enemy believed that all the living knights of Camelot were trapped in the city. If they were carful, organized and lucky, Lancelot and Gwaine hoped they would be able to make a difference in this fight.

As they reached the tree line, they could clearly see the army before them. They also now saw Arthur standing in the middle of the wide-open fields that lay to the north of the city. The Sarrum making his way towards him. They looked so small form where they stood. They knew though the significance these men and the words they were about to exchange would be for so many people.

Clenching their hands, they strained their ears and eyes to hear and see all they could of what was playing out before them.

Morgana corrected her balance, turning back to face Nimueh. She didn't move her arm, jut locked eyes with the other witch. Her eyes turned the brilliant gold of magic, but rather than fade they continued to glow as she stared down her opponent.

Merlin watched unsure what was going on. What Morgana was doing. There was much he didn't know about magic, especially the magic of the high priestesses.

After a few seconds, Nimueh began to struggle for breath. Her hands lifted to her throat. Trying to find the invisible force that continued tightening its grip.

"I could break you neck with a jerk of my head." Sightly, but noticeably she tilted her head to the right.

"Morgana-" Merlin moved to stand by her side.

"Why make it so hard." Morgana said.

She didn't turn to face Merlin, instead walked towards Nimueh. Who continued struggle to free her throat for what was chocking her but knowing she couldn't.

"Why not end this now." She asked further.

Before Morgana could answer her hold on Nimueh broke.

The earth under their feet began to shake and tremble. Morgana quickly lost her balance, reaching out for Merlin as she fell to her knees, taking him with her.

Nimueh let out a laugh held back by a clenched mouth.

They couldn't hear her laugh over the sounds of the round around them breaking and crumbling. All they could do was scramble around on these hands and knees trying to avoid falling between the cracks. A Particularly large one grew larger still as it seemed to be on a path towards Morgana. Noticing Merlin gripped her by the shoulder and pulled her back as fast as he could. The crack grew wider as it continued to speed towards them. Just as it was about to finally reach them it all stopped.

The earth stopped shacking and the cracks repaired themselves.

It had all been an illusion.

"Because it's just too much fun to toy with you." Nimueh answered Morgana question.

Hope you liked it. Thank you again for being patient with me, as I take longer to update these chapters. I still don't feel that great about writing a lot of action in a way that is exciting. I can picture in my head what I want it to look write, but when it comes to describing it in words, I seem to get caught up in too much detail that stops they flow. Then I get rid of it and I worry it doesn't make sense.

As always, all feedback, comments or ideas, input of any kind is very welcome.