Thank you for reading. Hope you enjoy the new chapter.

"The brave king Arthur has come to talk." The sarrum sneered as he drew closer to Arthur.

"I find it hard to believe that one as conniving as yourself knows the meaning of that world." Arthur spat.

The sarrum showed no outwards sign that he had been offended or impacted in anyway by the young king's words.

"The victor rarely cares about the opinion of others."

Arthur too showed no sign of emotion at the condescending tone of the older man. "There will be a victor-"

"At least we are agreed on something-"

"You and your lackeys are going to leave and never entre my kingdom again."

"And why would we do that." The sarrum paused, looking the young king and his men a few feet behind him over. "It seems you are at the disadvantage. We have you trapped, and we haven't even used out real secret weapon."

"If you refer to the witch Nimueh, then it is no secret."

The older man scoffed. "And you have your own witch, correct."

Arthur continued to keep his face blank. His silence was his answer.

"She never screamed, not once." It took Arthur a few seconds to understand what he was saying. "At least not for herself. The lady Morgana is a resilient person, but she is not as powerful as Nimueh."

"I have given you fair warning." Arthur stated flatly.

"That is honorable of you, your highness. I'm afraid I'm not going to be doing as you advice."

Arthur expected this. Dishonorable the man before him maybe, but he was not a coward or smart it would seem.

"As you have given fair warning, I will do the same." The sarrum continued. "We will continue to bombard your precious city till it is nothing but ruble."

It had been hard for the three knights a few feet away to hold their tongue as the back and forth went on. Hearing their home being talked about in such away became too much.

"Camelot will not fall to a pathetic low life like you and a devious witch." Leon clearly said in a raised but measured voice.

"Such brave words form such brave knights." The sarrum mocked. "I will allow you the choice. You can stay and fight me." He drew his swords. "Then we will topple your city and take your kingdom, once we have burned it to the ground or I'll let your return to your people. So, you can die with them."

As Merlin and Morgana regained their balance, Nimueh walked towards Excalibur. Reaching out when she was near enough to gentle touch the tip of its heavy hilt.

"Built by the hands of the future queen of Camelot, forged with the breath of the last, till now Dragon." She locked eyes with Morgana as she spoke, twisting the knife further. "By the last dragon lord. Wielded by the great king Uther pendragon." She spat his name. "Destined to be wielded by the once and future king, Arthur."

"How do you know all of that." Merlin questioned.

Morgana clenched her hands shut as she gathered her strength. Opening then she sent a powerful wave of energy forward. It was so powerful the earth itself rippled out in a growing wave. When it hit the other witch, she tried to grabbed hold of the sword in the stone to keep her standing but missed and fell to the ground.

Merlin looked in shook between the two high priestesses. He had never seen Morgana use that king of power in a direct attack before. He wasn't sure that she had it in her. When he had faced her, she had been smart and calculated in her attacks, he was the one that used more direct, powerful moves. He was glad he wasn't the one on the receiving end of her aggression anymore.

They watched in silence as Nimueh pulled herself to her feet. Trying to do so while keeping as much dignity as she could and failing miserably.

"You little-"

She was quickly cut off as Morgana sent a stunning spell at her, knocking her to the ground again a few feet from the sword. Before she had a chance to try and pull herself to her feet again, Morgana shot out her hand and Nimueh raised in her feet, hovering a few inched from the ground. Her hands once again grasping at her throat.

"You will regret making an enemy of me." Morgana warned.

Merlin moved to stand by her side. "We need her alive-"

"The plan is to kill her."

"We need to know what she is planning. "

Realizing that this was doing to descend into a conversation that they should have had before, Morgana lessened her grip on Nimueh's throat.

"We can do that after she's dead." Morgana said threateningly as she turned back to look at Nimueh.

"Not like this."

Morgana scoffed. "It's no better then she deserves."

"But we are better than that."

"Maybe you are."

Arthur didn't have to think very hard about the choice that had been laid before him.

What he was thinking about was what the Sarrum had just reviled. He didn't want to take his kingdom to bolster his own. To allow him to take his place among the kings of the five kingdoms of Albion. The younger man had simply assumed that the sarrum had aligned himself with Nimueh to gain land. It seemed that was the case. The answered was every bit as simple, yet even more so. He just wanted to tear apart the kingdom simply because he could.

Arthur didn't know how to react to that. He had faced enemies that had a reason, that ever he could understand for wanting the destruction of Camelot. He could deal with that but someone that just wanted to case pain and suffering for the pleasure of it, he couldn't comprehend that.

Without a word the king turned to his men and started to walk back to the city.

As the pair argued Nimueh stopped struggling and focused her energy. This time there would be no illusion.

The sound of Merlin and Morgana's bickering faded out as she felt her magic, her energy build up in her core. A burning feeling. When she could hold it make no longer, a wave of fire burst to life. Blazing a path out from where she hung in the air.

Morgana dropped Nimueh to the ground as she lifted her arms to try and protect herself. Merlin took hold of her arm and pulled her to the ground. Without him having to think about it, he brought up a shield of magic around them. They watched as the wave of fire washed over them.

Lancelot and Gwaine watched, hidden by the trees and some shrubs as Arthur talked with the enemy. They couldn't hear what was said. Making out only every few words. This added to the confusion they felt as they saw their king and friend turn and walk away. They had seen the sarrum draw his sword, why would Arthur turn away from a fight he was sure to win. There had to be more to what was going on. Thier minds worked first to find a reason for that they had just seen, then to what their next more would be.

Once Arthur and their fellow knight where out of sight, back into the city, they continued to watch as the sarrum returned to his men, a small group gathered around him. After a few minutes this small ground and a few others rejoined the crowed. Slowly this group made their way through the crowd, a few others joining them. When they reached the edge of the crowd on the left, they slipped into the tree line. It did not take long for the two knights to understand what they were seeing. A small stealth group was going to circle the city and sneak into the castle form the back.

Before anything could be properly discussed, Gwaine slapped a hand on Lancelot's shoulder. "I'll create a distraction."

Drawing his sword, he started to run along the edge of the tree line. Making as much noise as he could. A few men in the crowd turned to see what was causing the noise. After a few has caught sight of his red cloak flashing through the trees. Slowly those that saw him began to take off after the stray knight.

These men were not organized. They were not here to fight for a cause or something they believed in. So they took off at the chance to engage in a real fight. Leaving a small group to man the catapults.

With a resigned sigh, Lancelot drew his sword and made his way out of the trees heading for the nearest catapult. Some of the men that had stayed behind drew theirs too and began to move towards the rouge knight that wore what they believed to be overly confident smile that they would quickly remove. The others began to refill the catapults for another attack.

The king and his knight silently made their way back to the castle. The knights were having a little trouble understanding the choice that Arthur had made. They trusted him; they were sure that there was something to this that they weren't seeing.

Pericaval as they walked through the deserted city could stay silent no longer. "You could have ended things -"

"You think he would have fought fairly." Arthur questioned in a calm, even tone. He took Percival's silence as his answer. "He has no back up plan. He is just going to keep attacking us with the catapult." He paused as he felt Leon was about to say something, when he didn't, he carried on. "He doesn't plan to face us head on; he knows he can't win. He is waiting for Nimueh to make her move. He is stalling for her. We just need to hold our ground until we hear from Merlin and Morgana that they have delt with her. Then we face them."

The knights had a number of questions. How would they know when Merlin and Morgana had delt with Nimueh. How could they be sure that they would succeed. Most importantly right now, how could they continue to hold off against an assault that they couldn't defend against. None of these questions were asked aloud as they made their way back to the castle. Arthur was so confident, so sure that this was all going to work out that it gave them confidence too.

"Are you really going to keep dragging this out." Nimueh calmly stated as she watched Merlin and Morgana pull themselves to their full heights.

"What are you trying to achieve here." Merlin asked as he held his arm out stopping Morgana from moving forward.

Nimueh took in a deep breath gathering more of her composure and strength. "Did you really think your plan to run me threw with a sword would work."

"We know it will." Morgana answered pushing past Merlin. "But that will be after I have ripped your limbs from your body."

Nimueh sighed and rolled her eyes. "So aggressive. That is no way for a lady to speak."

"It's how one speaks to a vile, devious creature like you."

Sensing this back and forth was going to carry on unless he spoke up Merlin asked that question that had been on his mind since they got here. "If you're not scared of our plan, they why did you follow us here."

"It never hurts to be careful."

He wasn't sure, but Merlin thought he understood. A quick glance to Morgana and he felt sure she was thinking the same thing.

"You're stalling us."

"Why would I do that."

"To give the sarrum time to attack Camelot. But that still doesn't explain why you are here with us instead of with him and his army."

Nimueh didn't deny or agree with Merlin's theory. Which he and Morgana took to be her confirming it.

"Sorry to dent your pride, Emrys."

Not letting them ask another question she lifted her arms towards the sky.

A sky that rapidly covered with dark, threatening clouds, as darkness crept over them. Merlin knew what was coming.

A bright light lit up the clearing as a bolt of lightning burst to life and speed towards Merlin and Morgana. Reacting first, Merlin again grabbed hold of Morgana and pulled her with him out of the line of fire. They only had a few seconds to get out of the way of the next hit. Morgana almost tackling Merlin out of the way. As they straightened themselves up, they could hear Nimueh laughing over the growing wind.

The light flashed again as Merlin met Morgana's eyes. She saw a flash of gold before she was sent backwards crashing to the ground Infront of Excalibur.

The castle was in sight when they heard the now all too familiar sound. Looking up they saw another large rock flying through the air above them. It sailed through the air so smoothly it was hard to connect it with the damage they knew it was going to do. They watched it as their necks staining to follow its path, as they realized that it was going to hit the main steps to the castle.

Splintering off in different directions they took cover as quickly rumble and debris rained down on them.

Knowing now that another attack would quickly follow the first, they remained were they sheltered as silence again feel over the city again.

Hearing the hissing sound again they looked up and watched as the next hit flew towards its final resting place. In the main courtyard not far from one of the other hits. Much to everyone's relief. It seemed the attacks weren't going to keep getting closer to the castle and the civilians of the city.

When she could pull herself to a sitting position the world around her seemed brighter. The skies had cleared. Morgana could see clearly the devastation that the last bold of lightning had caused. Along with the wave of fire from before, the ground around them was burnt and charred. Mostly around where Merlin had been standing. In the center of what was now a small crater lay the young warlock.

"Merlin." Morgana let out as she crawled, then stumbled towards him.

"Oh, you can drop the act now." Nimueh cooed.

Morgana who had had been stumbling on her feet paused and turn to face Nimueh.

"Or many it's not an act." Nimueh continued. "Tell me, have you truly forgiven him." She watched as the younger witches' eyes widened. "Could you ever forgive someone that betrayed your trust. Used it to kill you."

"What I will never forgive is what you did to Aithusa."

For a second shame crossed Nimueh's face. Morgana had not expected that. It shouldn't surprise her though. Nimueh cared for power, and that was what Aithusa was, Power. She was hope and light and nothing was more powerful than that.

"What you did to Gilli." Morgana now securely on her feet began to move towards Nimueh. "What you tried to do to Mordred."

"So, the boy survived."

It was hard to tell what emotion was seeping into Nimueh's voice. She seemed surprised, maybe a little relieved.

"Yes, he did. but you won't."

A freezing smile crossed Morgana's face as she raised her hand to strike.

It took them all longer to make it back onto the castle then it should have as they had to negotiate the large hole that has been punctured into the main stairs. While they all understood why the choice that had been made was the best to take, they couldn't help but feel guilty that they were returning with no real news that would be of any comfort to those frightened and anxious for better news. Arthur didn't know how he was going to explain his thinking to hundreds of terrified people.

As they entered the main hall Arthur felt his right arm being pulled. turning he saw the top of Gwen's head as she pulled him back out into the corridor.

Once they were in a quiet place, she locked eyes with him. Asking him what had happened without a word. After taking him a deep sigh, he told her everything. Gwen nodded along as he spoke.

"Alright. Are you going to the tell everyone."

This was a question she already knew they answer too. She just wanted to hear it from him. He shook his head in answer.

"Good, it would only cause panic."

He was glad she agreed understood, but he knew that she felt for the people sheltering underground, not knowing what was going on. He did too. They also know that telling them would do anything to help. It would just lead to more panic and fear, best to leave them figuratively and literary in the dark tell they would be safely brought into the light.

Genty but firmly she placed a hand on Arthur's shoulder. Taking a minute before they returned to the main hall to busy themselves with things that they could do, He placed his hand over hers, before lowering his head to steal a quick kiss.

Nimueh lifted her arm a fraction of a second after Morgana.

In the fallout it was hard to tell which spell the other had used.

There was a large crashing sound the echoed for a great distance and a powerful force the reverberated back, knocking the last two Hight priestesses back.

Merlin had started to come around; the crashing sound was the first thing he could focus on. It was also the last. The warlock was hit by the same force that ricocheted off the two dueling witches. It drew his mind back into darkness and moved his body a few feet. Then the clearing feel into eerie silence again.

Arthur tried to keep busy, adding the injured, moving the heavier er men and the dead. He could eventually keep going through the motions. An idea had been formulating in his mind as he kept moving. With a few words to Leon, he slipped out of the great hall. Doing his best to avoid Gwen seeing him and seceding. He continued to make his way towards the vaults. He thought he could wait it out he couldn't. He still knew that he couldn't tell everyone sheltering in the vaults what was going on. A few of them, some young men that could act as guards at certain points in the castle. That would do no really harm.

As the king made his way through the dark corridors of the castle, he called home. Not knowing that he was not alone.

The groan that Morgana made as she began to wake was the first sound to break the silence. Slowly she used her arms to pull her upper body up to a sitting position. Her body was wearing down from all of the being tossed around. she didn't trust herself to try and stand up right away. Taking a few seconds to get her breath back she surveyed the destruction around her.

The ground was burnt and charred to varying degrees. Many trees had been knocked over or were barely stand upright anymore. In the center of it all still stood untouched the sword in the stone, Excalibur.

Nimueh too, a little later began to puller herself up. Whatever dark force she had used to stich herself back together after Merlin killed her years ago must be beginning to crack.

"You are stronger than I thought, but you can't keep this up much longer." Nimueh said through numerous deep breaths. Once on her feet she watched as Morgana finally pulled herself to her feet as well.

"Possibly, but I'm sure I'll last longer than you."

Nimueh scoffed. "So Tenacious, maybe I was wrong about you."

"I Imagine you are wrong about a lot of things."

As they spoke the two witches began to circle each other. Excalibur in the center.

"And such a quick mouth." A cold smile crossed her face. "Just like your sister."

Morgana froze "What do you know of my sister." She challenged

"Such potential. She had a natural talent from the beginning." She stopped circling now too. "Such a waste." Morgana flinched as if she had been delt another blow. "Oh, you thought she till lived."

The air rushed form her lungs as Morgana felt the harshest blow she had felt yet.

"How did you think you survived the stake."

Morgana remained frozen, taking in what she had been told and trying to remember that painful day.

"You knew she saved your life after the poisoning by binding her life with yours." Morgana gave the tiniest nod. "She broke that bound and used the last of her strength to bring about the rain that saved you." While Morgana understood, followed what was being said, she still seemed confused. "Did you believe it was him." Nimueh tilted her head towards the still unmoving Merlin. Morgana gave no answer.

"Why would she do that." Morgana asked the world at large.

And was answered. "Because she loved you. I asked her to work with me to burn Camelot to the ground. When she learned of your predicament, she choice to save your life instead."

Morgana felt her rage build up again. Twice her sister had saved her life at the cost of her revenge. Nimueh could feel the rage radiating off of Morgana. To her surprise Morgana did not lash out, yell or scream. No, her anger was deeper now. Like a constantly surging forward river that seemed tranquil of the surface. The smallest hint of a smile crossed her face as she lifted her jacker and pulled her dagger from her belt.

"And what do hope to achieve with that." Nimueh mocked.

Taking a deep breath morgana swiftly blunged the dagger deep into her stomach. Letting out only a faint yell of pain that she could not hold back.

Nimue however could not hold back her scream of pain as she was taken by surprise. Her hands franticly trying to hold back the blood that continued to pour from her seemingly impossible wound. Lifting her head her wide eyes looked on Morgana.

"I wasn't just binding your magic. I was binding it with mine." As she spoke the color drained from her face as the blood drained from her stomach and through her hand.

"It will take more than a flesh wound like this to kill me or you." She tried to keep her voice even, but it was reveling her pain.

Morgana let out a pained laugh. "You think this is an ordinary dagger." Sensing the question on Nimueh's lips She carried on. "That I would have protected and carried for the last dragon and not taken measures to protect her and myself after what you did."

The blade of the dagger had been forged with the breath of a dragon. The white dragon Aithusa.

"You would condemn yourself just to see me die as well." Nimueh asked, having trouble understanding the question she was being forced to ask.

Once again Morgana let out a pained laugh. "It. seems so."

Both women fought the weight that dragged them down. Neither wanting to be the one to stumble first.

After what felt like minutes but was most likely only second Nimueh fell to her knees. Morgana took this as an added victory. Which pushed her forward. Slowly and carefully as not to fall, she made her was over to Merlin. Collapsing on to her knees at his side. He had no visible wounds, most like it was simply too many blows to the head that kept him unresponsive. Taking her hand stained with blood she placed it on the side of his head nearest her. Using the last of her strength and some of Nimueh's she began healing him. He had to get back to Camelot and Arthur soon.

"You think he'll save you again." Nimueh spat before her upper body collapsed to the ground.

From her vertical vantage point, she watched Morgana take her hand away as Merlin began to wake. She Fought to keep her eyes open but could do so no longer.

Merlin opened his eyes and quickly closed them again, the light was too bright. When he opened them again, he could keep them open, but they were blinded the sight of a wide smile on Morgana's face as she looked down at him and let out a deep breath. While he was pushing himself up, he noticed how pale she was. Before he could ask her anything about what had happened, her eyes fluttered shut and her body slumped forward.

Moving quickly, he caught her before she hit the ground. He called her name, but quickly was silenced as he felt the cold blood on his hands.

Again, thank you for reading, hope you liked it. know that it is taking me longer to update, that there has never been a huge audience for the story, but there has been no reviews or comments for the last few chapters, and I would really love to hear any feedback that you may have. As I'm not really sure how the action is coming across. I don't feel very confident about it and would love to know how it can improve. I am finding it really hard to write a magical fight that is interesting and exciting. I hope them getting knocked over or knocked out isn't boring or repetitive. They are psychically normally people, and a body would begin to wear down and take time to recover from all that knocking about.

Hope to hear from you.