Chapter 14 Battles
A/N: Edited and revised May 2021
Arthur did his best in the days that followed to have the city and the citadel prepared for attack without causing a panic all while trying to arrange a more subdued Samhain Feast. Gwen oversaw the efforts to organize the banquet while also instructing the kitchen staff to stockpile grain and storable fruits and vegetables. The queen also ordered the newly hunted venison dried and prepared for the winter stores, rather than indulging in her craving.
"If I have to listen to another bootlicking noble call me Sire today, I will not be responsible for my actions," Arthur muttered as he and Merlin left a council meeting.
"I might have a solution for you then," Merlin offered, gesturing for Arthur to follow him as he led the king to the library.
"You brought me to the library, why?" Arthur asked, confused.
"Well, not specifically the library," Merlin mused, chuckling at the frustrated look on Arthur's face. "Come on, back here."
Merlin wound his way through the shelves until he came to a stop in front of the entrance to the secret room.
"A shelf of books. This is the solution to my problems?" Arthur asked sardonically.
"Ye of little faith," Merlin chuckled, taking position on the bookshelf and gesturing for the king to do the same.
"What are you doing?" Arthur asked, bewildered.
"You'll see. Now get over here, cabbage head!"
Arthur shook his head in disbelief but came to stand beside Merlin on the shelf. "I feel ridiculous."
"Just hold on," Merlin chidded. Once Arthur was secure, Merlin triggered the shelf and smirked at the look on Arthur's face when the shelf rotated to reveal the secret room.
"What is this place?" Arthur asked, stunned as he took in the shelves of books and trinkets.
"This is where Morgana and I come to study. She hadn't known about this room, so I thought maybe you didn't either. When I found it a few years ago, it didn't seem like anyone had been in here in decades."
"So this is where you go when I can't find you?" Arthur asked in frustration.
"Er, well, yes. Most likely."
"Why are you showing it to me now then?" Arthur questioned.
"Do you remember the protective enchantments that I put around the camp when we went hunting?"
"Yessssss," Arthur drawled, unsure of what Merlin was getting at.
"I was thinking that I could put those enchantments on this room. And seeing as no one knows that this room is here, we could use it as a sort of safe retreat for Gwen and Morgana when Mordred and Alvarr attack. Morgana could shield the room with magic and they would be secure."
"That would be perfect," Arthur mused, already mentally planning what they could put in the room for emergency provisions.
"There's just one problem," Merlin said, grimacing.
"What's that? Arthur asked.
"We still have to get our wives to agree to use this room as a safe retreat."
"I see your point," the king allowed. "We'll just have to use the babes to convince them."
"I suppose so," Merlin agreed.
"Now," Arthur grinned. "Let's go find some lunch."
"I was thinking, Merlin," Arthur mused as he crunched a bite from his apple and looked over the wooden structures of the lower town from where he and Merlin stood on the highest parapet of the castle. Arthur had fallen into a melancholy mood after they had come up after lunch to observe the potential weaknesses of the city from an attack from the skies.
Arthur was vividly recalling the way Kilgharrah had attacked Camelot and left so many houses in the town utterly destroyed, and people injured or killed. Arthur never again wanted to see burns like the ones he had seen in Gaius' infirmary in the days that Kilgharrah was attacking them.
"What's that?" Merlin asked, grinning at the king. "Did you say that you were thinking? Should I be concerned?"
"Shut up, Merlin," Arthur drawled, half-heartedly making a move to punch the thin man in the shoulder.
"What were you thinking?" Merlin asked, chuckling.
"Can you use magic to make the lower town fireproof?" the king asked, not taking his eyes off of the very flammable wooden structures in question. Merlin froze, dumbfounded.
"That. Is a really good idea," Merlin admitted, already mentally constructing the enchantments that he would need to apply and where they would be most effectively applied. "I can't believe I've never thought of it before."
"Don't be so surprised, I've been known to have good ideas," Arthur groused, offended.
"Yes, you have been known to have very good ideas, and you're well known as a very good king," Merlin replied soothingly, smiling encouragingly at his friend.
"Don't be a girl's petticoat about it," Arthur said, grimacing at the genuine emotion Merlin exuded so easily.
"You know what my mother always said," Merlin asked.
"What?" Arthur asked, eying the mischievous expression on the warlock's face.
"A grumpy grump can always be turned into a merry man with a good hug."
"Don't even think about it, Merlin," Arthur said, backing away.
"Don't make me freeze you in place!" Merlin called, holding out his arms and moving towards his brother-in-law invitingly.
"You wouldn't dare! If I want a hug I will get one from Gwen," Arthur said, throwing his apple core at the warlock and hurrying away from Merlin to go find Gwen. The warlock chased half-heartedly after the retreating king, glad that his ploy had been so successful. Gwen was sure to finish pulling Arthur out of his somber mood far more effectively than Merlin could himself.
Merlin grinned, deciding that he ought to go find his own wife. They had some enchantments to construct, after all.
Within the week, Merlin and Morgana had devised a very effective fire-repelling enchantment and enlisted Alator's and Niall's help in placing the wards. Merlin and Morgana concentrated first on the densely packed wooden structures of the lower town. Alator and Niall made the wood-shingle roofs of the upper quarter's stone-walled homes their priority. The townsfolk looked on curiously, for the most part, though there were some who refused to allow the magical wards to be placed on their homes.
"We'll just have to ensure that the wards on the homes beside hers overlap," Merlin murmured soothingly. Morgana's frustration was high; an old crone had vehemently spat in the high priestess' direction and made a vulgar gesture towards the witch.
"Of course," Morgana said, reigning in her infamous temper and composing herself before they moved on to the next street.
"It will just take time, Morgana. The people will see that you are a good person."
"Am I?" Morgana scoffed. "I wanted to retaliate when she spat at me."
"So did I," Merlin answered honestly. "But neither of us reacted, which shows our hearts when it counts."
"Ever the optimist, Merlin," Morgana murmured fondly.
"One of us has to be," the warlock replied cheekily, delighting in the smile his wife rewarded him with.
Unfortunately, such obvious and specific preparations could not be undertaken without consequence. Rumors that Camelot was to suffer an imminent attack started to run rampant. Tensions amongst the townspeople ramped up, and many of them began to look distrustfully at Morgana once more.
"Be careful when you're out on rounds this afternoon," Merlin entreated Morgana.
"I'll be fine," Morgana insisted. "No one will try anything while I'm with Gaius."
"I hope not," Merlin replied, his mind drifting back on the old crone in the lower town.
"Are you sure you don't want to come with us?" Morgana asked, raising an eyebrow at her husband.
"I would, but Arthur wants me to put more protective wards around the great hall and to our secret study."
"I would rather fight with you than be tucked away safely," Morgana said. Merlin wasn't surprised, it was an oft repeated argument.
"I know," Merlin replied, unwilling to get into another disagreement. Morgana nodded, understanding his reluctance. The tension was high enough in the town and citadel without adding to it.
Morgana simply smiled and pressed a kiss to Merlin's lips in farewell before making her way to Gaius' chambers.
"Hello, Morgana," Hunith greeted kindly as she entered. Morgana returned the greeting, looking around for Gaius.
"He'll be right back," the older woman promised, not pausing in the grinding she was doing with the large mortar and pestle.
"Oh," Morgana said, moving over to the table and helping Hunith with her prep work.
"How are you feeling?" Hunith asked softly.
"I'm fine, not any sickness at all," Morgana instantly replied, not looking up from her task.
"I'm glad to hear that, though that wasn't exactly what I meant, dearheart," Hunith chuckled. Morgana froze at the endearment. She only faintly remembered her mother, Gorlois was becoming an ever-fainter memory and Uther wasn't any sort of father at all, in her opinion.
"I- well, ah," Morgana stumbled over her answer, flitting her gaze towards Merlin's mother. The compassion in the older woman's eyes nearly undid her.
"It is perfectly alright to not feel alright," Hunith said sagely. "You have had quite the upheaval in the last few weeks, and now there's so much anxiety over an attack we know is coming, but can't completely know when. I would be surprised if you weren't feeling out of sorts."
Morgana was horrified to feel tears welling up in her eyes and spilling down her cheeks. Hunith smiled gently and moved to wrap Morgana in her arms. The high priestess froze. Almost no one touched her, other than Merlin. Gwen gave her hugs, but they were usually quick and somewhat timid as they relearned their way towards friendship. Arthur could really only show affection to Guinevere, and everyone else kept a respectful distance. Morgana didn't realize just how much she needed a mother's love and affection until she was sobbing in Hunith's arms.
"I don't know what's wrong with me," Morgana admitted, rubbing her eyes a few minutes later.
"You're with child, it happens," Hunith said with a gentle smile.
"Even to an evil, heartless Pendragon?" Morgana asked sardonically.
"You are not evil, nor heartless, Morgana," Hunith scolded. "The fact that you love my son as much as you do proves otherwise."
"But I've done so many terrible things," Morgana whispered.
"That is true. There is no denying that fact. But the fact also remains that someone else took away your choice in the matter."
"Thank you," Morgana whispered. "I think I needed to hear that."
"Any time, dearheart," Hunith replied, returning to her mortar and pestle as Gaius came through the door.
"Are you ready to go on rounds, then?" the physician asked as Morgana discretely wiped her eyes dry.
"Yes, let's go," Morgana answered with an only slightly-forced smile. Gaius smiled knowingly and collected his physician's bag without comment.
"I'm right in the middle of this batch of herbs, why don't the two of you go on ahead? I think we'll need plenty of this in store for whatever comes," Hunith said, waving them out with a smile.
Morgana and Gaius made their way through the physician's rounds within the castle, passing out tonics and remedies to the various lords and ladies of the court. When the two of them reached the lower town, however, they were pulled quickly to Tom's old forge by a young boy. He explained that his father, Aaron, was the new blacksmith and that he had been badly burned. Aaron, however, was very distrustful.
"I'll not have her touching me," he growled.
"Surely you would like to have use of your arm," Gaius reasoned. "These burns are deep. The best I can do is clean them and hope that they do not become infected. There is every possibility that you will lose your arm or even die from infection."
"I'll not have her touching me," Aaron repeated. Morgana narrowed her eyes.
"You'd rather lose your arm or even your life than accept my help?" she asked incredulously.
"You don't fool me. You killed my wife when you ordered your soldiers to fire into the crowd. You are a wolf in sheep's clothes; marrying a daft serving boy with magic doesn't change that," the blacksmith gritted out.
"And your son? You'd leave him orphaned for your pride?!" Gaius asked incredulously. The blacksmith glared mulishly at the physician, refusing to answer.
"I do this for your son. Swefnu!" Morgana said, startling Gaius. Aaron immediately flopped back, unconscious.
"Morgana?!" Gaius exclaimed.
"He can hate me later, when his son still has a father. I took their wife and mother from them. I cannot allow the boy's father to die as well."
Gaius fell silent but stepped back to prepare a strengthening draft, allowing Morgana to incant her spells. Tears welled up in her eyes as she endeavored to heal a man who hated her, though she tried to wipe them away discreetly. As soon as she was finished, she stood and walked out of the blacksmith's home without looking back. Gaius allowed her to leave without comment knowing that there was only one person who could comfort her.
Morgana strode through the streets and to the citadel with her head held high. Her vision blurred as her tears welled up, but she refused to cry in front of everyone. Before she fully realized where she was, Morgana was pulling back on a certain book in the east wing of the library and found herself in the quiet confines of her and Merlin's study.
"Morgana?" Merlin asked, startled at his wife's sudden appearance with red, tear-filled eyes. At the sound of his voice, Morgana's face crumpled and she threw herself into Merlin's arms, finally allowing herself to release the tension in her mind and body.
"What is it? What happened?" Merlin asked, stroking her hair and rubbing her back comfortingly.
"Aaron, the new blacksmith..." Morgana trailed off, sobbing uncharacteristically.
"What about him? Did something happen to him?" Merlin asked, aware that Morgana had been more emotional lately in regards to those that they treated, especially the children.
"A vat of molten iron spilled down Aaron's hand and arm. He was burned badly; he wasn't wearing a glove."
"What happened? Did he die?" Merlin asked, unable to think of anything else that would incite such a reaction in Morgana.
"No. But he said that he'd rather lose his arm or die than let me treat him. He said that I killed his wife when I ordered the soldiers to fire into the crowd. He was ready to lose his arm, his livelihood, or even orphan his son before he accepted my healing skills. I couldn't let that happen, so I put a sleeping spell on him and healed him anyway. Merlin, he had such hatred in his eyes. He cannot be the only one who thinks that way. What am I doing here? I will never be able to gain true forgiveness," Morgana explained in a strangled whisper.
"That's not true. You will and you have. There may be those who are slow to forgive, but you have shown what is truly in your heart. Be it on their own heads if they cannot give up on their hatred," Merlin said firmly, reaching out and caressing Morgana's mind with his magic. She immediately returned the gesture and Merlin held her to his chest and swayed with her for a few minutes before Morgana pulled back, wiping her eyes, and giving Merlin a tremulous smile.
"Thank you," she whispered.
"You know it's just the baby that's making you feel this way," Merlin said mischievously, rubbing Morgana's still-flat, though firmer abdomen with the back of his fingers.
"Then it's all your fault!" Morgana laughed. Merlin began to protest, but Morgana cut him off by pulling him into a passionate kiss, her hands gripping his hair and holding him to her.
Unbeknownst to them, Arthur had come to check on Merlin's progress on warding the proposed safe room. Just as Merlin's hands unconsciously began to work Morgana's hair loose from its intricate style, the king cleared his throat.
"Do you two ever stop? Or is this some symptom of being married by a dragon?" Arthur said disgustedly. Merlin broke his kiss with Morgana but leaned his forehead on hers as he caught his breath.
"I'm starting to regret ever telling you about this room," Merlin said, finally meeting the king's eye. "It was a lot nicer when there was no one barging in."
Arthur's face wrinkled in a grimace as he looked around the room in a new light.
"I don't even want to know," Arthur vowed. "What I do want to know is if this room will be ready to protect Guinevere and Morgana."
"Yes. Morgana will need only to seal the door with a spell and then they will be safe in here."
"You're still intent on hiding me away?" Morgana groused.
"It's for the best, Morgana; think of the child who is dependent on you right now," Merlin said reasonably.
"I am. What would I tell the child if I let their father hide me away and fight without me only to die because of it?"
"You don't know that will happen," Merlin soothed.
"Regardless, you will not be locked away doing nothing. You'll also be protecting Guinevere and the heir of Camelot," Arthur said, halting any argument Morgana had prepared.
Morgana nodded, but in truth, had no intention of staying locked away in a safe room when she had the power to help.
As planned, Samhain was a much more subdued celebration. Arthur decreed that in lieu of the traditional bonfire at sunset, they would instead hold a candlelight vigil for those who had passed on. The king was not eager to start a large conflagration within the courtyard when Morgana had seen such fiery destruction in her vision. The feast was also far less sumptuous, much to the consternation of the attending nobles, owing to the need to preserve food and supplies for the pending attack.
Merlin was on edge the whole evening; a feeling of imminent danger causing his senses to flare and his magic to boil over in small bursts. He hadn't felt so out of control in years.
"Would you settle down Merlin?" Arthur chided after the third time Merlin had caused the flames of the candles in the room to brighten and flare a few inches higher.
"Sorry," Merlin apologized. "I think I'm just on edge because of what happened last year. Not to mention that I'll probably never get used to sitting here, no matter how many feasts we have. Do you know how many times I have nearly offered to refill your wine?"
Arthur grunted in acknowledgement, chuckling at Merlin's nervous chatter.
"I should have had you write my speech for tonight, Merlin. I'm afraid George is a rather dry speechwriter. I'm sure if the wine has put half of the nobles to sleep by midnight, then my speech will send the other half straight into a stupor. Perhaps you can collapse to the floor a little earlier this time and I won't have to give the speech at all."
As it was, Merlin decided that Arthur should really learn to shut his big mouth, because fate had ears and a horrible sense of humor. Morgana suddenly inhaled sharply, startled by a heavy, wet-blanket sensation, but Merlin nearly doubled over, clutching his chest.
"I was not being serious, Merlin! Merlin!"
Merlin couldn't respond; he felt as though he had been kicked in the chest by Arthur's cantankerous old mare again. He could hear the others around him, but they sounded muffled like he was wearing a helmet. His vision swam with dark spots and his lungs seemed to seize as he tried to draw breath.
"What's going on?! What's happened to him?"
Dimly, Merlin realized that it was Gwen's panicked voice, but his mother's and Gaius' gentle hands that lowered him to the floor. He still couldn't breathe properly; every breath seemed to hitch in this throat and it was starting to make him feel light-headed and scatter-brained. Merlin reached out with his magic, trying to find his wife. She could help, he knew she could, but in his pain and agitation, he couldn't think why.
Then Morgana was suddenly there, reaching out to him with her own magic. Merlin realized that she was incanting a spell and touching her hand to his forehead as she held her other hand to her own chest. A moment later, the pain eased and Merlin took in a great shuddering breath even as he fought the urge to empty his stomach of all that he had just eaten. Arthur stood to the side, holding a frantic Guinevere.
"You had to open your big mouth, didn't you Arthur? I am not coming to next year's feast. I'm staying in bed," Merlin forced out, much to Arthur's relieved amusement. Gwaine, Percival, Leon and Elyan chuckled and moved to block the curious noble's stares. They stood imposingly between Merlin's prone form and the rest of those gathered in the hall, glaring at anyone who dared to get too close to their friend.
"What's wrong with him?" Arthur asked Gaius, watching as his best friend fought to stay conscious.
"He is no ordinary warlock," Morgana explained when Gaius shook his head in bewilderment.
"You're just about as clear as that blasted dragon. Do all your magic books have a special section on speaking in cryptic riddles?!" Arthur said exasperatedly. Morgana glared at her brother as Merlin chuckled weakly.
"Merlin said before, he does not merely have magic, he is magic. Something dark has happened and I shudder to think what. I felt it too, but not to the extent that Merlin did."
"Merlin!" Aithusa and Kilgharrah called to the dragonlord in unison. Merlin clutched at his head and moaned, rolling onto his side. Their dragon voices had sounded louder than usual due to the pounding in his skull.
"The Niðhöggr! It has been released!"
Merlin groaned, gripping his hair as he clenched his eyes shut and uttered in a strangled whisper, "I know, I know, I know. I felt it."
"What do you know? What did you feel, my boy?" Gaius asked as he felt Merlin's brow for a fever, causing Merlin to focus on his mentor's worried eyes. Gwen gasped and Hunith's face crumpled at Merlin's next words.
"The Niðhöggr. Mordred has released it."
As the sun stretched across the sky the next morning, so too did the gossip. The panic that had begun in the days previous turned into pandemonium. The knights did the best they could to calm the citizens and allay their fears, but word had spread quickly that a fearsome creature was headed towards Camelot.
Arthur made an announcement that those wishing to stay could take refuge in the castle. Otherwise, he would not force them to remain in the city. The king was heartened by how few actually left; it gave him strength to know that his people had faith in his ability to protect them.
"I believe we are ready," Merlin said, coming to stand beside Arthur where he stood at the western battlements. The sun was setting on another dark night. Arthur had declared a restriction on open outdoor fires and torches in order to make it easier for the watchmen to spot airborne threats. The moon was only a waxing sliver in the sky; it was little use to them.
"As ready as we can be, I suppose," Arthur agreed.
"We survived Kilgharrah's attack. We will survive this, and be stronger for it," Merlin said confidently.
"I hope you're right, Merlin."
"So do I," the warlock admitted. Arthur chuckled at Merlin's attempt to lighten the mood.
"Get some rest, you idiot."
"As long as you do, too."
"Did Guinevere send you out here to say that?"
"Would it matter if she had?" Merlin asked cheekily. Arthur chuckled.
"Maybe," Arthur admitted.
"We'd both better be getting some rest then. We wouldn't want our wives angry at us."
"Please, you two would only use it as an excuse to kiss and make up. You're utterly disgusting." Arthur grimaced. Merlin shrugged unrepentantly.
"Be sure that you actually do get some rest tonight, Merlin," Arthur chided over his shoulder as he turned and headed into the castle.
"Tell that to Morgana," Merlin chuckled to himself, though he too returned to his chambers to claim a few restless hours of sleep.
The warning bells rang at dawn.
Merlin jolted up out of bed hastily, Morgana right behind. They changed clothes hurriedly; Merlin raised an eyebrow as Morgana belted a sword around her waist.
"It never hurts to be prepared," she reasoned, and Merlin couldn't argue. He armed himself with his sidhe staff and the two of them scrambled out the door, their hearts pounding and their magic tingling. They met Arthur and Guinevere as they emerged from their own chambers. Gwen was nervously cradling her newly rounded belly and Arthur was just sheathing his sword that he had only recently named Excalibur.
"Morgana, you must get yourself and Guinevere into the safe room. The watchmen have spotted the beast in the distance flying over a group of perhaps forty men. There is little doubt that they are all sorcerers of some sort."
Morgana nodded, taking Gwen by the arm and leading the way to the library. Merlin walked away with a sense of worry in his heart. He had little hope that Morgana would actually stay there in the safe room with Gwen.
"Let's get to the battlements. We can assess things better from there," Arthur commanded, and Merlin unquestioningly followed.
"Sire, there are closer to fifty men and women. Alvarr is leading those on foot. We believe that Mordred is riding the Niðhöggr and that they will reach the city in less than an hour," Leon reported when Arthur and Merlin reached the battlements.
"Are all the citizens in the castle safely?" Arthur asked.
"There are a few who refuse to leave their homes, but they are the minority," Percival answered.
"There are others who have asked to help defend the city," Elyan said.
"Have them join the guards in protecting the castle entrances," Arthur allowed, then he stepped up onto a stool to see everyone gathered.
"Knights!" Arthur called. "We are going to meet these attackers outside the city walls and stop them before they can threaten our homes and loved ones. You will form up around me and we will take Alvarr and his force to task. Our archers are going to be the most disadvantaged. We've seen what Merlin, Morgana and Alator can do to a long range attack, but hopefully our archers can give us cover and distraction from atop the outer city walls.
"Niall will shield us as best he is able, but we must use close-range attacks and surprise to defeat them if they have any real skill in magic. The average sorcerer requires spells and at least a moment to concentrate. Quick strikes and light feet are the key. Keep moving and take them down before they can get their words out.
"However, Mordred and the Niðhöggr are the real threat; Merlin and Alator will take them to task. We must give them time and cover from the others. FOR THE LOVE OF CAMELOT!"
"FOR THE LOVE OF CAMELOT!" every knight, squire, soldier and warlock returned.
Not another word was spoken as they moved as one to the courtyard to form up in their ranks. Arthur led the column out of the city, each man prepared to do their duty or die trying.
"Morgana, what are you planning?" Gwen asked. Morgana had dutifully ushered the queen into the secret safe room, but she paced restlessly across the space. Merlin and Arthur would have already taken their position outside the gate and Morgana was growing increasingly restless.
"What makes you think I'm planning anything?"
"You can't possibly have use for a sword in here, are you honestly considering joining the battle?"
"I'm sorry Gwen, but I have to. I cannot let Mordred kill Merlin. It's my fault that Mordred is the way he is."
"That's not true, Morgana! Mordred has made himself who and what he is!"
"Still, they need me, I know it," Morgana said tearfully. Gwen's eyes widened in realization.
"You had a dream, didn't you?" Gwen asked shrewdly. Morgana nodded.
"In the prophecies that stated that I would join Mordred in evil, I was prophesied to seduce Merlin and be his end, eliminating the Once and Future King's protector and opening the way for Mordred to kill Arthur. When Merlin and I were dragonfasted, we made that particular future obsolete. I dreamed of a new possible future in which Arthur was wounded and Merlin was the one killed. I cannot let it happen!"
"Then you must go! But do not make me stay in this room all alone. I can at least help to keep the people in the great hall calm," Gwen pleaded. Morgana hesitated, considering her promise to Arthur that she would keep Gwen safe. However, she couldn't force her friend, her sister, to stay locked up when Gwen felt she could be more useful elsewhere. Not when she herself was going to join the battle.
"I will not lock you in, but you must promise me to come back here if any of Mordred's followers breach the city gates."
Gwen nodded, and Morgana hugged her briefly.
"Don't do anything stupid," Gwen admonished her friend.
"Me? Do something stupid? Never!" Morgana said innocently, then turned and rushed out the doors of the library.
Arthur and his forces stopped and formed up in the large clearing just outside the northern gates. Merlin stood tall beside Arthur, his staff at the ready as Arthur kept his hand on the pommel of Excalibur. Alator and Niall flanked Merlin and Arthur respectively and the knights and soldiers formed a line fifty strong. Kilgharrah and Aithusa waited in a clearing just on the other side of the city, trying to preserve the element of surprise.
Alvarr and his followers came to a stop on a small rise across from Camelot's forces. A small, shallow valley lay between them. Mordred and the Niðhöggr were nowhere in sight, presumably high in the clouds above them.
"Alvarr! I will ask you now to give up your fight. You must know by now that you already have the freedom you claim to be fighting for. This battle is pointless!" Arthur entreated.
"Those are pretty words from a liar," Alvarr replied. "Where is your proof that you have accepted magic? Where are the families with magical children? There are no more sorcerers or magic users in Camelot than there were a year ago. The only proof you have are the traitors who stand beside you. They are nothing more than pets."
Merlin gritted his teeth at Alvarr's words. He was no one's pet.
A moment later the winged serpent landed heavily in the shallow valley between the two forces with Mordred sitting between the two wings. Merlin tensed, angling his staff to better defend against any attack.
"I told you Emrys, I would never forgive and I would never forget," Mordred said coldly as he leaped down from the Niðhöggr. He was no longer the young boy they had once smuggled out of Camelot. He was at least seventeen or eighteen, but his eyes were hard. This was a boy with no conscience or love in his heart.
"Why are you doing this?" Merlin asked. "The prophecies say that Arthur is the Once and Future King, destined to bring magic back to the land and unite all of Albion in peace. Why are you fighting it?"
"BECAUSE THAT IS NOT MY DESTINY!" Mordred screamed, his eyes flashing bitterly. "I have had everything taken from me. My parents, my home, my friends and even my destiny. YOU STOLE MY LIFE! Even Morgana was supposed to be my friend. A part of my destiny."
"Wrong thing to say, friend," Gwaine muttered. Merlin's eyes narrowed.
"Morgana is not an object or a trophy to be won. She's made her choice, and it does not include joining you in darkness," Merlin said, his voice strong and laced with power.
Mordred's eyes turned stormy and he screamed as he ran forward, intent on attacking the warlock. Merlin blasted Mordred back with his staff and a hundred angry cries rose up in answer.
All hell had broken loose. Alvarr and his followers rushed forward, meeting Arthur and his forces in the center. Camelot's archers made use of the distraction of the charging soldiers and killed four enemy sorcerers before the risk of hitting their comrades on the ground became too great. Alvarr's forces were ill-trained with the sword, and most had never seen battle. However, they had been trained in magical attacks. Alator and Niall were both being put to task in protecting the soldiers from magical attacks.
Arthur and Leon fought side-by-side; Alvarr and three others were taking it in turn to attack the two of them as they fought back to back. Alvarr fought mainly with the sword; his magic attacks were small and easily avoided. Though Arthur soon pressed Alvarr and the woman fighting beside him enough that Alvarr had to give up on using magic and rely on his skill with a sword.
Percival, Gwaine and Elyan were making short work of the less experienced fighters, as were the other knights. Unfortunately, the same was true for Alvarr's more skilled magicians. The knights learned very quickly not to underestimate the women. More than one soldier of Camelot fell because their opponent was a woman.
Merlin was unfortunately on his own. The Niðhöggr was sniffing his unconscious master; Merlin tensed as the Niðhöggr caught sight of him and took to the sky, intent on attacking the warlock.
"Kilgharrah? Aithusa? Now!" Merlin thought. He could sense the dragons circling in the clouds overhead. Merlin breathed deeply, concentrating on his dragonlord gift. As the Niðhöggr dove towards him, Merlin shouted in the dragon tongue.
"S'enthend' apakhorein nun epello!"
The winged serpent hissed at Merlin and though it hesitated briefly, the dragonlord did not have true control over the beast. The Niðhöggr landed heavily in front of Merlin and stalked forward, opening its maw to attack the warlock with its fire when two angry dragons dropped on top of it, roaring threateningly. The Niðhöggr writhed and hissed beneath them, scratching at them with its claws and trying to bite at them with its teeth. The dragons' claws made no mark upon the beast, nor did their teeth. Fortunately, Kilgharrah and Aithusa seemed to share the same immunity to the Niðhöggr's teeth and claws.
Suddenly, the Niðhöggr blew a burst of flame in Kilgharrah's face. The great dragon had to close his eyes to protect them and the Niðhöggr managed to wriggle away from the dragons and leaped into the sky. Kilgharrah and Aithusa roared angrily and took off after it, disappearing into the clouds. Distantly, Merlin could hear Kilgharrah's and Aithusa's roars and the Niðhöggr's snarling hiss. The dragonlord hoped that his dragons would be able to keep the beast from attacking the city.
In the Great Hall, Gaius, Hunith and Gwen made the rounds of the citizens taking refuge there. Hunith and Gwen passed out food and water while Gaius treated a few minor scrapes and twisted ankles from the rush into the castle.
Two deafening roars resounded, rattling the large northern windows and causing a panic to spread among those gathered. Several women screamed and children began to cry as a great winged snake rose up and flew over the city, letting loose with its green fire. Luckily, the magical protection seemed to hold, and the rooftops did not burst into flames. Two huge dragons were right behind the beast, chasing it and breathing their own fire in its direction.
"We're going to be burned alive!"
"They're going to eat us!"
"We are being punished for allowing magic to return!"
"SILENCE!" Guinevere commanded, climbing to the top of the dias at the head of the room. The people all looked between her and the windows, where the intermittent orange and green flames were visible as the giant beasts attacked one another in the sky over the city.
"The dragons are our allies," Gwen said firmly. "Merlin is a dragonlord and they fight for him and for us. They will not eat us, nor will they burn us alive. We are safe here. Furthermore, we are not being punished for allowing those with magic the right to life.
"You must see that though the fires rage through the sky, none of your homes are burning. Merlin, Morgana and Alator of the Catha have given much time and effort to protect you and your homes. Even now they risk their lives for each of you! You should do them the courtesy of not marring their good deeds with your hatred and prejudice."
The people looked to their queen with shame, bowing their heads. Gwen stood tall, trembling in her nerves as she looked over her subjects and then out the windows at the beasts fighting overhead.
"Long live the queen!" Gaius cried out, breaking the silence.
Gwen's heart pounded as the citizens of Camelot unanimously took up the call, nearly shaking the rafters with their raised voices.
Merlin scanned the area hurriedly, looking for Mordred. The young man was not where he had fallen moments ago, which made Merlin nervous. The warlock entered the battle in earnest, eager to help where he could and protect Arthur with Mordred unaccounted-for.
As Merlin was dealing with the Niðhöggr, Arthur and Leon dispatched all their opponents but Alvarr who used a magical push to disengage from them and assist four other sorcerers in attacking Niall; Alator had been pulled away and was now dueling with Mordred. Arthur moved to follow Alvarr, but was forced to dodge a ball of fire as a pair of magicians pinned the king and Leon behind their shields by rapidly flinging fire at them.
With a nod to Leon, Arthur and the knight rushed forward and used their shields to slam bodily into the fire-throwers, knocking them to the ground unconscious. Arthur took a look around, taking stock of how his forces were faring. For the most part, Camelot's knights had proved superior, as only a handful of Alvarr and Mordred's followers had any real skill. The king did not see more than one red-cloaked knight on the ground, though a number of the less experienced soldiers lay dead, as did Niall.
Merlin rushed to help his friends any way he could, blasting three enemies away from Gwaine and Elyan and shielding a group of Camelot's soldiers that were being attacked by a woman wielding a short staff. Merlin froze six sorcerers that were attacking three younger soldiers, then put the sorcerers to sleep until he himself woke them. Five more sorcerers lost to the knights they were fighting when Merlin made their weapons unbearably hot.
Finally, Merlin found Alator on the edge of the battle fighting Mordred. Merlin rushed forward, intent on helping the Catha priest, when he heard Leon shout, "SIRE!"
Merlin turned to see Arthur clutching his left shoulder. He and Leon had been separated and Alvarr had snuck up behind the king, cutting his shoulder with a hastily cast and crude spell. Merlin quickly turned Alvarr's sword into a bouquet of lavender just as the fanatic rushed forward in an attempt to run the blade through the king's back. Arthur let out a loud battle cry, reversed his grip and thrust behind him, putting Excalibur through Alvarr's chest. The sorcerer looked down in shock at his sword-turned-flowers and at the wound in his chest. Then Alvarr fell backwards, the last of his men, save Mordred. Arthur met Merlin's eye and nodded his thanks, then Arthur's eyes widened.
"Merlin!" the king shouted in alarm. Merlin spun around just as Mordred blasted him off his feet. Merlin hit the ground hard and clutched at his ribs with his left hand as he scrambled to get up. Mordred smirked at the warlock and sauntered forward like a cat toying with its prey. Merlin held a hand up in warning, though his ribs felt as though they were on fire and it hurt to breathe. He probed the area gently without taking his eyes off of Mordred and found a slight crack.
"Lácne þurhhæle," he muttered, leaving his hand over the cracked rib and feeling entirely grateful for Morgana's tutelage as the bone healed with an audible pop. Merlin was sure it would leave a significant bruise, but at least he could breathe properly again.
Mordred grinned coldly, picking up Merlin's sidhe staff that the warlock had lost when he was blasted backwards. Merlin looked around; Alator lay on the ground, either dead or unconscious. Merlin's back was to the city wall, not far from the gates. Mordred now stood between him and Camelot's remaining forces. The knights and soldiers moved towards Arthur, flanking him as they watched the two warlocks facing off. Merlin caught sight of Gwaine eyeing Mordred with anger and knew that the hot-headed knight was tempted to charge.
Merlin's instinct proved true when Gwaine rushed towards Mordred. The cold-hearted warlock swung the sidhe staff around and sent a blast towards Gwaine. Merlin threw his hand up and the magical energy dissipated into Merlin's hastily raised shield. Gwaine stopped behind the shield, breathing heavily.
"Stay back," Merlin ordered, dropping the shield to conserve his energy.
"No, just try it, I dare you," Mordred taunted the knights without taking his eyes off of Merlin. Mordred started to slowly saunter towards Merlin when a volley of arrows streaked toward him. With a flash of his eyes, Mordred took control of the arrows and sent them all towards Arthur.
"NO!" Merlin screamed and suddenly every arrow froze in place and burst into flame, disintegrating into ash.
"Move towards the gate!" Arthur commanded, though Mordred blasted the first two soldiers to move.
"You will stay right there!" he screamed, then took control of the two fireballs that Merlin had thrown at him, sending them towards the soldiers who were still trying to obey their king. Arthur signaled for the soldiers to halt; they would have to wait it out.
Mordred smiled cruelly and used the staff to send a blast at Merlin, who hastily blocked it with his right hand. Merlin's eyes flashed, sending a powerful stunning spell that Mordred batted away with the staff. Mordred chuckled maliciously and sent another blast that Merlin absorbed into his outstretched hand and sent back threefold at the younger warlock, though Mordred dodged to the side as he shielded himself.
Merlin's eyes flashed; the ground beneath Mordred softened and he began to sink. Merlin sent three powerful bursts of magic towards the mired warlock, who screamed in fury and batted them away with the staff once again.
"Is this the best the mighty Emrys can do?!" Mordred spat, trying to pull himself out of the clinging mud. Finally, Mordred shrieked and released a stream of blue, crackling magic from the staff towards Arthur and the knights. Merlin did exactly what Mordred expected. With a flash of Merlin's eyes, a shield sprung up to absorb the attack on the king, distracting Merlin sufficiently that Mordred was able to heave himself free of the mud as he continued to pound against the shield with the staff. Mordred then flung his free hand up and sent a burst of energy at Merlin, who had left himself unprotected as he shielded his friends.
Everyone watched in horror as Merlin noticed Mordred's second attack too late to conjure a shield. Instead, Merlin froze time for just a second and dove to the ground to try and avoid the worst of it, jarring his injured ribs. However, Mordred's triumph was cut short. He screamed in frustration when a powerful shield halted the blast just inches away from Merlin.
"You would be wise not to do that again," Morgana said as she stepped beyond the shadows of the city gate. Her voice was hard and her expression steely as she stared Mordred down. In the sudden quiet, the fearsome roar of two dragons echoed over the land.
"Morgana!" Merlin exclaimed fearfully, rolling painfully onto his back and sitting up as he supported his ribs.
"Why do you protect him?! He has spent years betraying everyone with magic who has ever felt the hatred of the Pendragons," Mordred screamed furiously, pointing at Merlin with an angry jab.
"I protect him for many reasons. He is Emrys; it is his destiny to protect Arthur, as well you know. He is my husband and he is the father of our child. And because I love him," Morgana said, moving slowly towards Merlin as she spoke. Silence fell over the battlefield again as Mordred looked between Morgana and Merlin and finally to Morgana's as-yet unchanged body.
"He has stolen your destiny as much as he has mine!" Mordred argued. "The great Emrys is a liar and a thief. If you will not join with me as fate designed, then you will die alongside him," Mordred said, lifting the sidhe staff and aiming it towards Morgana.
The clouds overhead darkened and the wind swirled as Merlin's normally well-controlled temper roared to life. Mordred, not realizing the danger he was suddenly in, released a blast in Morgana's direction. She quickly shielded herself from the attack, but Merlin's expression went entirely flat.
"You should not have done that," Merlin said with cold ferocity, drawing Mordred's attention as the older warlock slowly stood, strong and unhindered. Merlin's eyes shone with power; Mordred dropped the sidhe staff as his face showed pure terror for the first time. Then Emrys reached towards the tumultuous heavens and fisted his hand before yanking it downwards. To everyone's astonishment, not one or even two, but three bolts of lightning obediently rushed down from the clouds, striking Mordred and holding him within their fiery grip.
Mordred screamed as he struggled against the lightning for a moment, but his efforts were in vain. Just as Nimueh before him, the former druid exploded in a shower of sparks and magical energy, leaving nothing but a blackened circle where he once stood.
Arthur, the knights and the remaining soldiers stood speechless for a few seconds before the younger soldiers startled them from their shock as they cheered in victory. Morgana rushed to Merlin as the warlock released the skies from his command and sagged, holding his ribs. Their celebrations were cut short, however, when an enraged Niðhöggr landed over the charred circle and hissed in its fury.
Kilgharrah and Aithusa landed in front of the defenseless soldiers and knights and Arthur ordered them to retreat back into the city. As the other knights and soldiers retreated, Leon, Percival, Gwaine and Elyan loyally formed up around Arthur as Kilgharrah and Aithusa kept the Niðhöggr at bay with their imposing forms.
"Merlin! It is immune to our attacks! We need Arthur's sword!" Kilgharrah called. The Niðhöggr protested the dragon's presence with ominous hisses and snarls.
"Arthur! We need your sword!" Merlin shouted. He grabbed Morgana's hand and ran as the Niðhöggr turned at the sound of Merlin's voice and released a torrent of green flames at the two of them. Aithusa took advantage of the distraction and pounced on the winged serpent, grabbing ahold of its neck with her teeth. The two struggled together, black and green against pearlescent white. Kilgharrah lunged for the Niðhöggr's body, holding the writhing, wriggling, angry serpent within his claws. Morgana stepped forward holding her hands out.
"Niðhöggr! Naðr! Minn kalla gaumr! Létta knyja, hljóta minn!" she entreated the beast in a language that was foreign to Merlin.
The Niðhöggr ceased its struggles, but did not stop hissing angrily or baring its long fangs menacingly. Merlin smiled at Morgana in amazement, taking her hand and lending her strength as Morgana struggled against the will of the Niðhöggr.
"I haven't got perfect control over it," Morgana explained, looking at Arthur. "You need to strike while it's subdued."
"Ready your sword, Arthur," Merlin explained further. The king held Excalibur out in front of him, raising an eyebrow at Merlin who raised his hand towards it.
"Bregdan anweald gafeluec!"
Excalibur burst into blue and gold-tinged flames, and Arthur's eyes widened momentarily. Then the king's face hardened in determination as he stepped forward and shifted Excalibur into a reverse grip, throwing the flaming sword like a spear. Aithusa and Kilgharrah held on until the blade struck the Niðhöggr; then they leaped into the air and backed off as the serpent writhed in agony before exploding in a ball of blue and green flames that reached as high as the top of the city wall.
Arthur stepped back, shielding his face from the heat while Merlin and Morgana pushed forwards to extinguish the flames. Within minutes, the conflagration was contained and the battle-weary group finally relaxed, clapping one another on the shoulder and shaking hands in their relief as the bells rang triumphantly over the city.
"What happened to my sword?" Arthur asked, eyeing the charred, smoky, circle. He'd grown quite fond of that blade; he was not eager to lose such a perfect weapon.
"We've just managed to kill the ferocious beast, saving the city and all the people and you're worried about your sword?!" Morgana asked incredulously, rolling her eyes. Arthur glared at her.
"Excalibur was burnished in a dragon's breath, you think a little Niðhöggr is going to destroy it?" Merlin chuckled, easing the tension between the half-siblings.
"It didn't seem so little a few minutes ago," Arthur replied, moving forward beside the witch and warlock and squinting through the haze. A second later, he was able to make out Excalibur, standing point down in an anvil that had most definitely not been there before.
"Not this again," Arthur groaned.
"Just go get your sword," Merlin chided, smirking at his king's frustration. Arthur glared at Merlin momentarily then strode forward purposefully. Without hesitation this time, Arthur grasped the pommel of his sword and pulled it from the anvil. As soon as he did, the piece of iron disappeared, suddenly as insubstantial as the smoke it sat within.
"See? Was that so hard?" Merlin teased.
"Oh, go make yourself useful," Arthur groused, nearly successful in hiding his grin as he joined his men in searching for survivors amongst their fallen comrades.
Merlin and Morgana went to work with them, separating the dead from those who were only unconscious and treating the more minor wounds. Gaius and Hunith were soon there to help, instructing soldiers on who to transport into the infirmary and who to take to the dungeons. Merlin was relieved to find that Alator had not suffered the same fate as his fellow priest, though he had sustained a concussion.
Once they had gathered in the infirmary, Gaius tutted over the rough gash on Arthur's shoulder, only to be interrupted when Gwen burst in and wrapped her arms around her husband. Hunith scolded Morgana for going out to the battle while with child, before following the queen's lead and enveloping Morgana in a tight hug and profusely thanking her for saving Merlin.
The son in question smiled at the sight until he, too, found himself wrapped in Hunith's arms. She hastily pulled back when Merlin grimaced, clutching his injured ribs. Before he could even protest, Merlin found himself shirtless on a patient bed while Gaius, Hunith and Morgana all poked and prodded and treated his bruised ribs. When he was finally let up, his ribs bound tightly in bandages, Morgana kissed him fiercely.
"Don't ever try and leave me behind again," she said, pointing a finger in his face. Merlin nodded his agreement and Morgana kissed him once more, as though staking her claim. Merlin pulled away, grinning at his wife, finally noticing Arthur, Gwen and the round table knights smirking at him.
"I know I've said it before, Merlin. But I'll say it again," Gwaine said, shaking his head in wonder.
"What's that?" Merlin asked warily.
"Remind me to never make you angry, mate."
A/N: Reviews are appreciated!
