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Merlin shock Morgana as he called her name. His heart racing and his breath hard to catch, as panic overtook him. He couldn't get the memory of the time they had been in almost this exact position. Only this time he knew that no protective older sister was going to sweep in, taking Morgana from his arms to save her. He would have to do that himself, if he could. After a few deep breaths he placed a hand over the wound. As he began to heal it, he felt an unexpected resistance. In confusion He pulled back, focusing properly on his surroundings.

Now he finally noticed Nimueh. she lay a few feet way. Her legs pulled into her chest. Her arms pinned under her upper body. It was hard to see at first, but she too seemed to have the exact same wound as Morgana. Looking back, it wasn't hard to work back his thought process. How he had managed to come to the right conclusion about what had happened. He just knew. Knew that they were linked. What injured one would injure the other. What healed one would also heal the other.

He didn't let himself think about it much, but Morgana, unconsciously was resisting the healing of her wound because it would heal Nimueh. Another thought he was sure off came to him. While it was still a dangerous wound, a wound like this should not be enough to kill a high priestess. Glancing up again he caught sight of Morgana's dagger lying on the ground not far away. It could be no normal dagger. Looking beyond the dagger he saw the sword in the stone. It all became clear.

What was he going to do. What could he do. If he saved Morgana, he would save Nimueh as well. He couldn't let that happen. Morgana would never forgive him if he allowed Nimueh to live. Maybe in time he could possibly come to appreciate the irony that Morgana had come as near to forgiving him as he thought possible, for killing her, but what she would not forgive was if he saved her life now and by extension Nimueh's. Now though he held a shacking hand just over Morgana's lower face. He could feel the faintish warmth on his palm letting him know Morgana was still breathing. When he couldn't feel it anymore then he would have to act.

The longer Morgana remained breathing however faintly the harder it got to remain calm. Merlin's heart raced further as he struggled to take in a deep breath. Tears began to pool as he fought them back.

He had been here before, many times. Holding, watching someone he cared for dying when there was nothing he can do. All those times came flooding back to him in painful clarity. Fraya, his father even Morgana once before. This was different though, he could do something, believed he had a chance of doing something. That was what he had to hold onto. What gave him the strength to carry on.

After what felt like an excruciating long time, he could no longer feel the faintest hint of warmth on his palm. His heart stopped. She wasn't breathing anymore. Morgana was dead.

He knew this would happen, it was what he had been waiting for, but it was different to actually experience it. In his arms he now held the dead body of someone that he had once considered a close friend. Someone that was the strongest ally he had. Someone that was family to the people he cared deeply for. She was dead, no longer breathing, her heart no longer beating. So, he had to act fast.

Steading his hand and his nerve, he held it just over the witch's heart and emptied his mind from all but what he had to concentrate on.

There was a very real chance that this may not work, but he couldn't let himself think about that. Failure was not an option. Merlin may at times have been proud of his power with magic, but he had never truly been arrogant. A healthy degree of confidence in his abilities was necessary to do what he had to protect the future that was promised. He was the last dragon lord. He had learned from the great dragon. If anyone could undo the damage done by a weapon forged with dragon fire it was him.

His magic worked quickly, doing what he guided it to. Then there was nothing else he could do now. For a second, he held his breath as he waited for Morgana to take one in.

After what again felt like an eternity she finally did. Morgana took in one deep breath then continued to breath slowly and evenly on her own.

A chocked laugh escaped the warlock as relief washed over him. In a kneejerk reaction he shifted Morgana in his arms, puller her closer as he moved to get an arm under her legs to lift her up. Her forehead crashed into his lower face, causing him to jerk back a little and regain a strong hold as not to drop her. As grateful as he was sure she would be to be alive he doubted she would be grateful enough to not be irritated by being woken due to being dropped onto the ground.

With Morgana secure in his arms Merlin survey the clearing they stood in. It looked like some mildly catastrophic natural diester had accrued. In the center unharmed still standing shining in a shaft of sunlight stood Excalibur. Still waiting to be pulled from the stone it rested in by the once and future king.

Once again, he glanced towards Nimueh. As much as he hated her for everything she had done, he couldn't help but feel sorry for her. He was glad Morgana had been the one that brought about the end of her fellow priestess. All that she had been trough she should get to have some vengeance for it. Not thinking about it for very long as he most likely would change his mind, his eye flashed gold and the earth under the fallen witch began to fall in on itself taking her with it. For a second, he thought about cremating her but felt that would be to cruel. Practitioners of the old religion were to be buried in the earth or water returning to the elements they honored. Fire had been taken and twisted by those that feared them and now had painful connotations.

When the earth was even once again a flurry of smoke built up around the warlock with the witch not long ago dead in his arms they disappeared from sight.

All of the stress and strain of the previous day that felt more like a month Merlin was not able to appear were he had wanted. They appeared back in the castle of Camelot in a small corridor mostly used by the servants and the knights. As he moved to take a single step forward his legs began to buckle under him. Eventuly giving out as he slumped against the wall, just catching himself from falling straight to the ground. Sliding down the wall at a steady pace he did his best to hold Morgana's head up, so it didn't hit the stone floor.

Merlin let himself rest for a moment before he tried to move forward again. Form what he could see the castle was still standing. He had time. Just a minute to get his breath back. He closed his eyes for a minute, after he adjusted Morgana in his arms. Resting her head on his shoulder, so he could rest his arm. He had only closed his eyes for a second When he heard a clattering sound drawing closer. His heart sank. He had little energy left to deal with anything else right now. Just a second to rest. Was that too much to ask.

Opening his eyes, he looked down the corridor, towards the stairs. He saw a shadow getting closer. His body tensed as he began to move to stand. Before he had even made it to his knees he was joined on the short corridor by a very welcome sight. For as relived as Merlin looked, Percival look just as surprised.

"Merlin-"

The warlock didn't give the knight the chance to say anymore. Using the wall to help him he pulled himself up with Morgana still in his arms. "Nimueh's dead. Morgana is injured, where's Giaus."

"In the great hall." Percival answered quickly.

"Arthur." Merlin continued to question as Percival walked towards him.

The knight hesitated for a second before he told what he knew.

As tired as he was there was still the sarrum and his men to deal with. He had to make sure Arthur was alright or all of it would have been for nothing. Both men were anxious to be moving again, to find and aid their king and friend. They were both also painfully aware of the injured witch in the slightly shorter man's arms. It was a case now of who would blink first.

Percival may be the physically stronger of the two, but Merlin was faster. As gently as he could he all but pushed Morgana towards Percival. "Ger her to Giaus."

Having little choice Percival took Morgana into his arms and watched as Merlin ran past him to make his way down to the vaults to aid Arthur and hopefully put an end to this.

He knew that he would not be able to run very far having traveled so much already that day. Despite that Gwaine was pleased by how far he was able to go. Objectively it was not far, but any distance he put between these men and his home was a good thing. When he felt sure that he could run no longer and still have the energy to stop and face the men on his trail and have any chance of being able to defend himself. He didn't let himself think too much about that. Like most things in his life, he would face them when he had to and not a second before. He would also face what came his way head on.

Stopping abruptly, he drew his sword and waited the few seconds before they reached him.

The stretch of woods he found himself in was as good as any to make a possible last stand.

Gwen was dressing a cut on a young girl's arm while her mother held her in her arms and her older brother sat next to them. Doing his best to distract his little sister from the pain with an endless stream of chatter that the adults around them tuned out but kept the little one enthralled. The future queen heard Giaus calling her name. His voice while even and not overly raised had an undercurrent of panic to it. Pausing to tell the little girl how brave she had been, Gwen stood up and calmly but quickly made her way to where Giaus was calling her from.

The old Physician was standing over a bed near back of the hall. Gwen knew already who's bed it was, but hoped she was mistaken. As she drew closer, she was proven correct.

"There has been no improvement." He said as Gwen reached his side. They both looked down on the young man lying on the bed, Mordred.

"None at all." Gwen asked, trying not to sound as worried as she felt.

The old man turned to look at her. "He is young and strong. There is every chance he will wake."

"But he may not." Her voice rose with each word.

Before Giaus could offer any more words of comfort or hope he was interrupted as Percival pushed his way through the great hall towards them, Morgana still unresponsive in his arms. Once they saw him, Gwen guided him to an empty bed on the other side of Mordred. To his credit the knight placed the witch gentle on the bed, when it was clear that he would have dropped her unceremoniously if he could have. Keen to be rid of her as fast as possible. As quickly as he could he told Gwen and Giaus all that he knew. That Nimueh was dead, Morgana hurt, and Merlin had returned with her and quickly left to aid Arthur. Which the imposing knight did too once he had said all that he had to.

Gwen's eyes widen as she met Giaus. Arthur had snuck off when she wasn't looking to put himself in danger. Quickly she controlled her emotions as best as she could and focused on the things that she could control. The older man gave the young women a look of sympathy before he too focused again on the issue before him. Morgana was breathing steadily. Merlin had not told Percival anything of importance about how she had been hurt. He hoped that meant that Merlin had already done more than he was able to heal her. That all she would need was some rest. With nothing he could do for her or Mordred he left Gwen to watch over them. Giving her a moment to rest herself.

The young king knew the castle by heart all of its lesser used pathways and those that were secret, known only by a few. Even in the dark he knew his way. However, in his hurry to reach his destination Arthur unfortunately had lost his way on this occasion. Taking a wrong turn and them going further in the wrong direction, as he didn't stop to correct himself. He didn't let himself stop to regain his bearings which put him in the vicinity of those that had joined him in the dark passageways of the castle.

It was distinct at first, but it quickly grew louder. The young king was now aware that he was not alone. Having to stop now, he was able to learn where he was, how far off course he was. The noises could not be coming from people that had sheltered in the vaults and now wished to leave its relative safety. They were too far from the vaults for that to be the cause. There was of course that chance that they could be a citizen of Camelot that had like Arthur got lost in the dark corridors, but he didn't think so.

Luckly he still knew this place better than whoever was with him down here. Doubling back on himself he heard the sound getting louder. It only now became clear that it was not a single person he was heading towards but a small group. Of course, in the back of his mind he knew that it wouldn't just be one person, but he had hoped he may be fortunate enough to not have to face them all at once in such an enclosed place.

Suddenly the clattering seemed to change direction. They were now nearing the vaults. Not having any choice now, Arthur made his way along the corridor before him as swiftly as he could. Making as much noise as he could. Drawing their attention to him and way from those he had to protect.

Halfway down the corridor he stopped and slipped into a much shorter and narrower corridor. At the end of it was a blocked off staircase. Making it essentially a dead-end. He waited in the darkness for them to pass.

Her foot topped the floor as she scanned the sea of beds and injured before her. An eerie calm had come over the hall. There had been no further attacks. No one let themselves hope that their attackers may have given up and left. They were planning something they had to be, or they just wanted to torment them with the anticipation. Looking down at her charges she found them still unresponsive. She tried not to worry. No change could be a good thing. She would still feel better if Morgana would wake up. Then she could use her magic to heal the young man that had twice saved her life or at least saved her from serious injury.

As if she could hear her old friends wish Morgana began to slowly open her eyes. Gwen watched Mordred continue to breath in and out, worried it could stop at any minute. Noticing Morgana waking only when the witch let out a faint groan as she tried to sit up. Swiftly Gwen turned to face her and help her to sit up. Knowing she would not be able to get her to lie back down and also knowing she needed her back on her feet as quicky as possible.

Before anything else could be said or done, once Morgana was sitting up Gwen pulled her into a tight hug.

"I'm so glad your here." Her body relaxing ever so slightly as she spoke.

Morgana readily returned the hug "I'm glad you're alright."

Gwen Pulled back a little. Leaving her hands on Morgana's shoulders. "How are you."

There was a lot she could say to this, but the anxiousness in Gwen's face told her that while she was concerned for her wellbeing, there was something more pressing on her mind. "What can I do."

As she answered and asked her own question Morgana finally shifted her gaze to scan the great hall. A few met her brief gaze, but quickly turned from it. Most people seemed mostly to have superficial injures. Which came as a great relief. She wasn't sure that she had the energy for very much healing. Taking a moment to focus of how she really did feel, how she felt about still being alive. She had not thought that would have, that she would open her eyes again. Of course, she wasn't really that surprised. Merlin would of course feel the need to try and do something.

To her surprise however she found that she didn't feel as tired and weak as she expected she might. Again of course she wasn't really surprised when she thought about it for a while. Merlin of course would not be able to measure out his magic in healing her. The idiot, she couldn't help but chastise him inwardly. He waisted more of his magic and energy than was necessary when there was clearly more to be done.

Her eyes finally landed on the occupant of the bed to her right. Her heart raced as she struggled to take in shallow breaths.

Gwen watched Morgana as she scanned the room. Hoping to get an idea of her option of the scale of the damage. It shocked her deeply to see her pained reaction. Realizing that it was directed to the young man that saved her she feared the worst.

"He saved me twice. Stopped me being trampled or crushed-"

As she spoke Morgana swiftly slid of the bed with surprising steadiness and moved over to the other bed. She quickly placed a hand over his forehead in a comforting gesture. That Gwen quickly realized was her healing him. It was very faint but as she moved to stand next to the witch, she could feel a spark of energy, like the first sparks when you were trying to light a fire. After a while it grew stronger, now like spray that hit it you as you took shelter from the rain.

To Morgana's great relief Mordred was able to be healed. There was swelling on his brain, but no bleeding. She didn't let herself think about what may have happened if Merlin hadn't brought her back here. Would he had healed Mordred. Her gut said no, he had left the boy to die before. The more she thought about it more she was sure that he would have saved him. He had saved her after all. Once she had healed the swelling she eased the young man into a deep sleep, rather than an unconscious purgatory. Stopping the flow of her magic she kept her hand on his forehead. Gently stroking her thump back and forth.

The gentleness surprised Gwen who looked from Mordred to Morgana. When she removed her hand, she turned to face Gwen and spoke in a low voice. "He's just sleeping now." Gwen let out a sigh as Morgana quickly took her hand, pulling her in closer as she lowered her voice further. Taking her into her confidence. "Do you remember the druid boy that we helped escape the city." Gwen nodded. "This is him, Mordred."

Gwen couldn't help but feel many mixed emotions. Relief that he was healed now, Surprise and happiness that he had grown into a brave young man that was worth the risk that they took in sheltering and adding his escape. Also worry, before she could think too much more about this Morgana let her hand go and took hold of her shoulders, making Gwen look her in the eye. "Arthur can't know-"

"But-"

"It's too much of risk Gwen. I can't...I won't risk his life again. Arthur can't know that he is a druid, that he's the same boy he once saved."

Gwen wanted to argue back. That it would make no difference if Arthur knew or not. He had saved him once before, that was before he saved the life of his future wife. He would not condemn the boy for being a druid. Morgana seemed so sure, so scared though. She remembered how attached to the boy Morgana had become and understood her protectiveness now. She didn't like it. Keeping something even as simple as this from Arthur, but she nodded in agreement, believing Morgana may have a better feeling about the situation.

Morgana smiled faintly as she let out a held breath. "Thank you." She squeezed Gwen's shoulders before she let the other women guided her to the next person in need of her healing abilities. They both needed something to occupy their minds while they waited for what would come next.

Lancelot plowed through the men as he reached them. Not wasting any time or energy he ended each brief fight with one move. These men were not trained or very skilled. He did not have to try very hard to make his way through them towards the catapult. He was also very sure that the men that he hit and fell to the ground remained there by their own choice and not as a result of the wound they resaved. They like him wished to see the next day.

During a brief pause he glanced up and saw that the men that had been working the catapult furthest from him were starting to reload the catapult again. It would be hard, but he had to get to them before they were able to launce another attack at the city. Blocking an attack from one of the three men still surrounding him, he took the moment to deliver a powerful kick to the man's abdomen. With a wide swipe of his sword, he disarmed a man and managed to cut the main rope on the catapult, tight with tension waiting to be released. The catapult sprung to life, but with far less power than before and with nothing to fire it was now useless.

His moment of triumph ended abruptly when he heard the sound of the other catapult being successful launched. Everyone still left standing paused and watched as the rock flew through the air towards the city. As it began to fall to the ground, Lancelot felt his heart sink with it. He didn't turn to look at them, but he could hear the man he would have to face next laugh. Then he stopped suddenly. Only then did the knight turn to face him. He looked shocked and confused. Following his gaze Lancelot couldn't help but let out a laugh of his own.

Making their way towards the city a little way from them was a large group of about fifty or more. The reinforcements that Leon and Percival had left to gather.

Lancelot let out a loud sigh as he turned to face the last man standing near him, drawing the man's attention. The man looked back and forth a few times before he choice to run in the opposite direction.

"Wise choice." Lancelot called out after him. "Wise choice indeed." He added in a lower voice, before turning to the other catapult and the men that worked it.

They held their ground for a while as the crowd drew closer and seemed to grow in size. A few brave men stayed but many turned and left.

Merlin raced through the empty corridors he had no idea where he was going. He knew generally where the vaults where but had no idea of the route that Arthur would have taken to get there. As he tried to work out the best route in his head something on the floors above him must have crumbled, fallen down as the walls shock and he had to hold onto the wall to stay standing himself. Then he heard a loud crash behind him. The roof fell in quickly blocking his way. At least he knew what way to go now, being left with only the one choice. Which fortuitously happened to be the right one that he may have run right past otherwise.

Arthur felt the walls around him shack with the last hit from the catapult. It seemed all the worse in the enclosed place he found himself. Feeling little choice, he left the dead-end corridor, unfortunately at the wrong moment.

As the young king stepped out, he was looking in the wrong direction. He didn't see the sarrum creeping up behind him and drawing his sword.

Arthur only felt the presence of the other man as he began to swing at him. Turning quickly, he was just able to block the attack. Taking most of the blow to his protected shoulder. The older man gave him no time to recover or mount any king of attack of his own. He unleashed a constant stream of blows forcing Arthur back till he was pressed against the wall.

"Not so impressive are you." He sneered.

Gritting his teeth, he tensed his arms and then used all his strength to push the sarrum back. Who was not able to meet Arthur's strength head on and was forced back till he lost his footing. Tripping over his own feet. He hit the ground with a crash. As he moved to pull himself up, he was pinned back in place as Arthur placed his sword over an opening in his chest plat near his heart.

"Nor are you."

Before more could be said the world around them began to shack and tremble again. They must have been hit again or this was an aftershock from the damage already sustained. Arthur surveyed the area trying to think what to do now. His eyes landed on the end of the corridor not far ahead, it was the only way. Before he could restrain and move the sarrum forward Merlin suddenly came barreling into view.

"Merlin." Arthur said in shook as his servant speed towards them.

"Nimueh is dead-" The castle groaned around them again drowning out his words.

"What."

"Never mind."

As he got closer Merlin kicked the defeated man's sword out of the way. Once he reached them, he pulled him to his feet as Arthur kept his sword directed towards. It would be pointless to try and get away, but he had not proven himself to have much common sense. They wouldn't put it past him to try a futile attempt to get away. Arthur forced him against the wall and half turned to speak to Merlin.

Before he could get a word out the sound of crumbling rock flooded them as the roof above them gave in. Merlin had just enough time to lunge at Arthur and push him out of the way. At least he hoped he was pushing him out of the way.

When the dust began to clear Arthur slowly began to pull himself up. He was bruised and covered in dust, but unhurt. His leg pinned by rocks that he fortunately was able to free himself from. Infront of him was darkness and ruble, that was all he could see,

"Merlin!"

Again, thank you for reading. Hope that you liked it. The last two chapters of this part of the story should be up a little earlier than they last few chapters have been, as there is not as much action and as many different parts to them. I'm not that happy with the last few chapters. It feels a little underwhelming. I wanted to have multiple things going on, giving all the characters their moment, but I don't think I had enough interesting ideas to make all of their parts work.