Arthur and Thalia left the council chambers wearing tired expressions.

They cancelled their training, their archery and their rounds. Everywhere they went the guards eyed them, frightened. Arthur did his best not to show his emotions on his face. Thalia tried not to rush.

'Any word from Merlin?' Arthur murmured.

'Not a thing.'

They spent the evening watching the knights ride out to the few villages between the army and the citadel.

When darkness set in Thalia found Arthur staring out of a window facing the border.

He turned when he heard footsteps, nodded to her and faced the glass again. 'How did word of my father's illness spread so quickly to Cenred?'

She stood at the window. 'I think it was all a part of a plan. Uther's illness isn't natural. Ygraine rising from the well, and that…' she swallowed, 'that boy, killed for being born with magic… he's never shown regret like this before.'

'Is that why you don't seem sympathetic toward him?' Arthur asked lowly, turning his head to face her.

Thalia's eyes moved from the window slowly as she looked at him. She held his gaze for an extended period with a hard, exhausted and apathetic expression, during which Arthur's blue eyes flickered as he read her face and then she walked away.

With a bitter glance out the window, Arthur headed for his chambers.

Merlin woke in a dark cave unlike the forest he had lost consciousness in. He turned to see Kilgharrah once again, peering at him as he stirred. 'You shouldn't have let me sleep!'

'I had no choice, young warlock,' said the dragon. 'The venom was too strong, even for your great powers.'

He heaved himself up. 'I don't have time. I need to get back to Camelot. The kingdom is in danger and...it's my fault. I should've listened to you. I should never have trusted Morgana.'

'You did what you felt was right,' consoled the dragon, 'and that shows great courage. But trust is a double edged sword.'

'I thought...because she has magic, I thought we were the same. Like Thalia.'

'In some ways you are,' mused Kilgharrah.

Merlin shook his head. 'No. I will never be like her.'

'You have learnt an important lesson, Merlin. Your determination to see goodness in people will be your undoing.'

Merlin looked uneasy as Kilgharrah paused.

'But I fear that your futures are now joined forever. She is the darkness to your light, the hatred to your love.'

Merlin nodded. 'And Thalia?'

The dragon said nothing for a moment. 'The Priestess is your light, Merlin,' he said in a slightly warning tone, 'she is the small light that will guide your own. But it falls to both of you to keep each other on the right path.'

Dazed, Merlin decided not to think further about the dragon's words. 'I need to get back to Camelot.'

'You're not yet fully recovered, Merlin,' Kilgharrah scolded, 'and it's more than three days' walk.'

Merlin grinned. 'I've no intention of walking.'

The ancient dragon blinked at him for a moment, and then huffed.

Just before dawn Merlin snuck back into the palace, tiptoeing around the quiet citadel. He crept past Arthur's chambers and rapped on Thalia's door.

'Thalia. Thalia!' he hissed, to no response.

Tutting, he rolled his eyes and found her with his mind.

Thalia!

He heard her bedsheets stir and opened the door a crack.

You're alive then.

Merlin took this as acknowledgement and darted into the room, hurrying to her bed as she sat up, rubbing her eyes and scoffing when she checked the window to see it was still dark.

'You certainly picked the right hour for it, where have you been?!'

'Morgana left the castle. She's in league with Morgause, she's causing Uther's visions.'

The only question to come was 'How?'

'Something called mandrake root.'

'Mandrakes,' she nodded. 'Of course. No wonder I haven't been sleeping properly.'

'What are they exactly?'

She stretched and threw her covers off. Merlin fetched a cloak as he listened.

'Only those with magic can hear the root's screams,' she began, yawning. 'The only real ability it has is mental torture, but there are many different ways of using it. One of the oldest, and most horrible, rituals is to lock someone in a room with mandrake roots dripping over them. It's designed to break their soul. A single root can search the mind of its chosen victim and bring to life haunting visions, initially designed to scare.'

'There's one hanging under his bed, how do we stop it?' Merlin held a red cloak out.

Thalia turned into it and Merlin dropped it onto her shoulders.

'Just destroy it, or even remove it. A single root has to be replaced regularly. Where's Gaius?'

'On his way; he had to change.'

Thalia nodded and blinked against the light. 'Have you slept? What happened?'

'Morgause bound me, and I got poisoned by these… giant scorpions. I had to call Kilgharrah to save me.'

'It's a good thing you're smart,' she nodded, clapping a hand on his shoulder. 'It's good to see you back, Merlin.'

They lightened their footsteps and lowered their voices as they left the chambers and moved through the castle.

'Cenred's army is moving towards us, Arthur and I have assumed regent positions. He was supposed to do it alone, but he just doesn't have the courage right now.'

Merlin nodded. 'I'm sure his room is a mess.'

'Completely.'

'Great.'

'He's upset that I don't feel for Uther's suffering.'

'Can he really blame you?'

'He knows he can't, and he doesn't. I think it hurts him to know that I don't hold his father in regards as high as he does.'

'Well Uther only has himself to blame for that,' Merlin reasoned.

'And us to thank, seeing as we're about to save him.'

'It's bad news about Morgana. But I can't find it in me to feel surprised.'

'I know how you feel.'

Gaius was waiting outside Uther's chambers. He nodded his greetings to Thalia, who sleepily nodded back. Gaius studied her eyes trying not to laugh as they approached before they entered the king's chambers.

They stopped, Thalia blinking against the moonlight from the window as they witnessed the dark room, the chairs upended, tables on their side and decorations scattered across the floor. His bed was empty.

Gaius and Merlin glanced at each other and moved into the room.

They found a light source further in, the fireplace, and Uther sitting in his thin cotton sleepwear on the floor on the opposite wall.

Cautiously, Gaius approached as Thalia silently began to right the furniture.

'Uther? Uther!'

The king grabbed desperately at Gaius, staring over his shoulder toward Thalia. She paused, unsure, and followed his gaze to her right, turning to look behind her.

As he realised Uther was hallucinating again, Merlin ran to the bed, ducked down and heaved the mandrake root from underneath. He skidded to a halt and threw it into the fire.

He and Thalia winced as the root screeched as it blackened and shrank in the heat.

Gaius tried to calm Uther. 'It was an enchantment, Sire. You need to rest.'

Thalia and Merlin pulled him up while Gaius tipped a sleeping draught into a goblet of water.

As the sorcerers sat him on the bed, Gaius passed the cup to Uther. 'Please drink this, sir. It will help you to sleep.'

Uther returned to sleep and Gaius waved them out after Thalia and Merlin has fixed the chambers. They then hurried back through the castle to the physician's chambers.

'We must tell Uther what Morgana has done,' Merlin insisted.

'Are you mad?' asked Gaius. 'He'd have both our heads if we made such accusations. He'd look on it as treason. Thalia could tell him and he still wouldn't listen.'

'Morgana can do no wrong,' Thalia said with folded arms as Merlin made to respond. 'If we want to be around to prevent her from doing anything we should avoid losing our heads.'

Merlin sighed and tried his best to relieve his tension. 'I heard Morgana and Morgause. There's more to their plan, I'm sure of it.'

'They're working with Cenred,' said Thalia knowingly.

Merlin huffed.

'Both of you should get some rest,' Gaius said, moving around. 'Merlin, you've been gone for a day and Thalia, you look like you're about to pass out.'

Gratefully, she nodded and skulked back to her chambers.

The next morning Thalia joined Merlin as he entered Arthur's chambers.

Merlin stopped dead in his tracks at the sight of the mess. 'I thought it couldn't be this bad,' he blinked.

'It's Arthur, what did you expect?' Thalia asked as they stood at the end of his bed.

Glaring at the dishevelled prince, Merlin crossed to the window and threw the curtains open.

Arthur let out a sleepy groan at the light.

'What happened?!' Merlin shrieked in pure disbelief.

'What happened?' came the grumbled reply, 'I've had to make do without a servant, that's what's happened! So you're alive, then.'

'I wasn't gone for that long,' Merlin moaned, looking around in the new light.

'Without my permission,' Arthur said, glaring at his servant through the haze in his eyes.

'What if I was dying?' Merlin quipped.

'I wouldn't be complaining!' Arthur yelled, throwing his sheets around. 'But you're not. So where've you been?'

'-I was dying-.'

'-He was dying-.'

Arthur glanced between them for a long moment. 'I don't have time for this.' He heaved himself out of bed in an angry flurry of sheets. 'The future of the kingdom rests upon my shoulders. Do you have any idea what that feels like?'

'Well...'

'Well…'

Again, Arthur glanced between the two of them and held up a finger. 'Merlin, unless you have a genuine reason like Gaius and Thalia seem to think you do, I should have you thrown in the dungeons. So, what've you got to say for yourself?'

'You've not had your breakfast this morning, have you?' Merlin asked in a knowing tone.

'While we've been up for hours running the kingdom.'

For the final time, Arthur glared between them. 'I'll have you for breakfast!' He seized a goblet from his night stand and hurled it in their direction.

The pair ducked for cover.

'Oh, no wonder this place is such a mess!' Merlin yelled as the two of them stood up and looked around.

Arthur threw something else.

'Oh, yes, I can see you've got all the makings of a great king,' Merlin nodded, bowing as it broke on the floor.

Arthur's face continued to contort in anger as they backed toward the door. He grabbed another goblet and aimed for them. Laughing, much to Arthur's annoyance, Thalia and Merlin escaped the projectile and ran out of the room.

'THALIA!' he yelled after them.

'You go get his breakfast. Merlin, be careful. Morgana will know you're back soon.'

The warlock nodded and headed briskly for the kitchens.

Thalia picked up one of the goblets Arthur had thrown as she returned to his chambers.

'Where was he?' Arthur sighed, kicking his possessions across the floor as he searched for a pair of boots.

'He found Morgause and the method of Uther's illness. He's better now, he'll recover soon enough.'

Arthur nodded. 'Good. With any luck the news of this will reach Cenred and he'll take his troops home.'

'We can hope,' Thalia said.

'You don't think so?' he stopped kicking things to look at her urgently, frowning.

Morbidly, she sat on the edge of his bed, feet spread, elbows resting on her knees, a highly un-maiden-like way of sitting Arthur recognised as her uneasy, preparing for the worst mindset. 'It depends on the size of this rumoured army.'

Arthur said nothing for a moment, opting to kick a plate across the floor. 'We should keep an eye on Merlin, in case Morgause comes for him.'

Thalia nodded. 'I am.'

Arthur sighed. 'Well that's good news at least.'

Thalia moved her legs as she relaxed her position a little, leaning back. 'Let's get you fed and changed, and then we'll see about Uther.'

As Merlin moved through the castle on errands, he felt a vice-like grip pull him out of the corridor and into an alcove.

Morgana glared at him viciously, keeping her grip on his arm. 'I don't know how you managed to escape, but I do know one thing: if you breathe a word of what you saw, I will make your life a very short and painful one.'

While Merlin recovered from the shock and tried to control his breathing, Morgana continued in a gloat that made him feel just a little anger.

'Just think how Uther would react if he learned that a serving boy had tried to poison his beloved ward.'

Taking a breath in, Merlin gritted his resolve. 'And Thalia?'

He felt safer as Morgana's eyes flickered, her body language giving her away as she moved back ever so slightly.

'You may think that you can fool Uther, and that you have control over me,' Merlin said. 'Now while we both know that Uther will never hear a word against you, we also know that Thalia will never believe a word from you. I've seen you, Morgana,' he said, slightly sadly, 'you have long since feared Thalia. And I'm not sure you yet fully understand why.'

Morgana, in a panic, shoved Merlin back into the corridor, leaning against the wall. Merlin didn't bother to watch her recover enough to glare in spite after him, and hurried to find Arthur or Thalia.

He followed the sudden team of knights, led by Sir Leon, that were running and shouting for the Prince Arthur and Crowned Warrior.

'Sire! My Lady!'

They were walking down the corridor and turned at the call. 'Leon?'

'There's… there's…'

'War room,' Arthur nodded, and put an arm under Leon's shoulders to help him regain his breath as they moved. Merlin ran next to Thalia and murmured very quietly as they walked.

'Morgana just threatened me.'

Thalia said nothing; she didn't need to as Merlin watched her jaw tighten unhappily.

'Arthur's not going to believe us if we tell him, is he?'

'No,' she said.

The doors to the war room opened and they moved in.

Arthur stood on one side of the table at the centre, stepping to the side to make room for Thalia when she approached. Morgana was leaning on a pillar away from the table. She didn't look at Merlin, but the warlock studied her.

'There is an army, Sire, My Lady. I estimate they will reach the city within two days.'

'Under whose banner do they march?' Arthur asked, in a tone that said he already knew the answer.

'Cenred's, Sire. We knew he was amassing an army...' Leon trailed off.

Thalia moved her foot along the floor and looked down for a moment in thought.

'How many men?' Arthur asked flatly, walking away from the table.

'20,000 - maybe more.'

Thalia looked up at Leon sharply, eyes widening, pupils shrinking.

Gaius spoke. 'It is as we expected. News of the king's illness has spread beyond our borders. Cenred sees an opportunity.'

'Then we must find a way to appease him,' Sir Leon replied.

'Not what my father would do, he wouldn't bow to our enemies,' Arthur said, looking certain of his answer.

'More than that,' Thalia began pointedly, making sure not to adjust her position to further show her impatience with Arthur, 'he won't want anything but the castle walls to be his. This is Cenred. He wants to do what no one ever has. Breach the citadel.'

Gaius spoke with a stern expression. 'Forgive me, Sire, My Lady, we are outnumbered two to one.'

Arthur almost shook his head. 'What concessions will Cenred insist on? What territories will he demand?'

'We do not have to give him anything, but it could buy us valuable time.'

'Gaius,' Thalia said, 'we've already evacuated all the villages.'

Gaius blinked in surprise.

'Anyone we send to appease or delay Cenred will lose blood at the least, he listens to no reason. The citadel has been preparing for a day already.'

Arthur sat on the throne. 'The castle is our strongest weapon. No army has ever taken Camelot.'

Sir Leon spoke once again. 'Those people, what of their houses, their livelihoods? Cenred will destroy everything in his path.'

'But they will have their lives. Go. Ready the army.'

Sir Leon made to say something further, but Thalia stopped him.

'Leon, it's Cenred. This has got nothing to do with showing weakness.'

Arthur's eyes guiltily crossed to Thalia then away from the room.

'Even if we delayed his attack, we can't move the villages themselves. You think we could bargain with him to spare them? We had enough time to evacuate them so they have not and will not lose everything. If we could ride out and stop him where he stands now, we would, but they outnumber us two to one. We can't fight on the ground if we want to be able to walk away on the other side of this.'

Her words put the chambers into a stunned, uneasy and miserable silence. Merlin was the only one who reacted, smiling at the Prince and the Warrior and the suddenly nervous Morgana. She was watching Thalia with a close eye.

Gaius was surprised that she had chosen to take the same routine as Arthur, even if it was for different reasons, but he studied her in that moment and realised a further reason she was hiding from the council.

She knew it was a drastic measure, but with Morgana inside the castle, Merlin already having been put in danger by Morgause and Uther still remaining in danger himself, they had to fight before the two witches could do anything else. Delaying after they'd already made enough preparations was a risk, a step into the unknown.

Thalia turned, nodded at Arthur on the throne and walked out.

Arthur stayed a minute longer to ease his nerves and study the map. Merlin followed him out.

'You did well in there. I mean it. I was impressed. We're talking siege engines, and battering rams, and catapults. You made a tough decision whe...you're risking hundreds of...'

'Do you know what?' Arthur snapped, rounding on him.

'What?'

'I'd really prefer it if you just kept quiet in these situations.' Arthur smiled unpleasantly.

'I am just trying to help,' Merlin said calmly.

'Well, you're not.' The smile remained.

'I know you don't mean that; you're just worried,' Merlin said. 'But you don't need to be. Look what we've got.'

'What?' Arthur asked, looking at Merlin like he was about to grow a second head.

'You and Thalia and… … ...me,' Merlin shrugged.

'Merlin, what exactly are you going to do?'

'I'm going to be at your side, like I always am, protecting you.'

Arthur sighed and looked away. 'God help me.'

Merlin couldn't hold a small laugh. 'Well, I'm sure we'll have Thalia to protect both of us.'

'Well that's true,' Arthur said, still not losing his tone, 'if she doesn't get herself killed in the process.'

Merlin tilted his head, seeing his point. 'I think the council was really impressed by you two back there.'

'By Thalia, maybe,' Arthur said, finally dropping his tone to acknowledge his emotions. 'I focused on what my father would do.'

'Isn't that what you're supposed to do?' Merlin asked.

Arthur didn't reply, glanced at Merlin and continued to lead them through the castle.

'Where did she go, anyway?'

Arthur kept looking straight ahead. 'I've no idea.'

Merlin realised Arthur was heading for Uther's chambers and peeled off to leave him to it. Then he doubled back and followed the prince, concerned. Arthur ignored him.

Thalia's words and actions swirled in Arthur's head as he pushed the doors open and sat by his father.

Uther looked sick and frail. The torture was evident in his pale, clammy face.

The thought that he'd seen his mother, and children he'd had drowned couldn't sit anywhere in Arthur's mind. He was reminded of Thalia's response. He couldn't blame her. One of the most important things about her was her magic, so it made sense that she would never sympathise with Uther completely.

Despite her position and closeness with Uther, Arthur had no real difficulty imagining that if the king was confronted by all the spell casters in Camelot she would not defend him from all that came his way. Now that Uther's life was threatened, that fact unsettled him unlike it had before.

In the chambers, he'd focused on what his father would do, while Thalia didn't seem to bother considering it.

The sound of the door opening threw him from his thoughts, blinking at Guinevere who was stood in the frame.

'I'm sorry, I didn't mean to...,' she said awkwardly, glancing between Merlin, who had perched on a table further into the king's chambers and the prince, who was sat beside Uther.

'No,' Arthur said, trying to chase his fatigue away. 'Come in. Did Morgana send you to check on my father?'

Gwen nodded. 'How is he?'

'I could do with him here,' Arthur admitted in a light-hearted tone.

Gwen blinked, surprised at Arthur's sudden honesty. Unsure, she offered a little assurance. 'You should have more faith in yourself.'

Arthur ignored her words. 'What are the people saying?' he asked, sitting back in his chair.

Gwen cautiously moved into the room, speaking when Merlin sent her a nod. 'They are glad that you have taken charge.'

'That I have?' Arthur said, turning to look at her.

Gwen's frown deepened. 'Sire?'

'I'm not sure you could say that it was me in there,' he said, looking back at Uther.

Gwen glanced between Arthur and his father, and understood. 'You have to get your inspiration from somewhere,' she said with a smile.

Arthur was silent for a long time, making Gwen's worry increase before finally he changed his tone to quieten further, withdrawing from the conversation slightly. 'Where does Thalia get hers from?'

Gwen, after understanding that Arthur was both asking her and not, struggled on the answer. 'I'm not sure, sire. You'd have to ask her yourself.'

Losing awareness that he was talking to someone other than Merlin, Arthur let his thought leave his mouth. 'I'm not sure I'd like the answer.'

Across the room, Merlin's head snapped up to stare at Arthur urgently.

Gwen glanced around, confused. 'Sire?'

Arthur realised what he'd said and stiffened a little. Second nature to him, he refused to offer further information. He smiled a little, making Gwen frown. If there was one thing he would never lose his resolve on, it would be to take the truth of Thalia's nature to the grave. It was not his truth to tell.

'Between you and Thalia, sire, I have no doubt that you will pull us through this yourselves. You are an incredible team, you are our hopes.'

Lazily, with an expression that made Gwen doubt her words, Arthur regarded her.

She twitched a nervous smile. '…?'

'In combat, one's true nature is revealed.' Throwing caution to the wind, Arthur continued. 'The city is under siege, battle is bearing down on us, and Thalia is … different.'

'I'm sure she's just nervous,' Gwen smiled.

'She's not nervous. In combat, she is fearless.'

'You make her sound like a monster.'

'She's not,' Arthur said gently, shaking his head. 'I don't know, Gwen. If this is… she's gained a hard edge that I can't ignore, that I can't match-,'

'She was ready to lead when you weren't,' Merlin said from across the room, making Arthur jump and Gwen nod in realisation. 'You feel like you're being left behind. And now watching Thalia from a distance makes her seem scary.'

Arthur watched Merlin intently.

Merlin shrugged and smiled. 'Gwen's right, you need more faith in yourself. It's you two that will lead the army, not Uther.' Merlin went to say more, but stopped, looking at Gwen.

Realising there was more, that Merlin didn't want her to hear, Gwen hurried out, smiling her warmest smile at Arthur in an attempt to give him courage.

'You have to look at this through her eyes.'

'Her eyes?' Arthur nodded.

Merlin started forward. 'If the knights or… or Morgana or Uther looked closely, they'd see that she is loyal to the kingdom, not the king.'

Arthur's eyes widened. 'She is not against magic, only evil,' he agreed.

Merlin nodded. 'Exactly. She doesn't trust Uther like you do.'

'You know, I hate this,' Arthur sighed, leaning back. He spoke like he was finally lifting a weight from his chest. 'Thalia living here, under my father's rule… almost every day I apologise to her for something he's done. And Ryujin… that broke my heart, Merlin.'

'Mine, too.'

'Maybe one day things can be better for her.'

Merlin grinned knowingly. 'I think they will be.'

'She's probably skulking around the castle,' Arthur said, lifting his head and looking more focused. 'We should go with her.'

Merlin nodded and opened the door for Arthur.

The next morning the castle was sealed shut and the knights were hurrying around to get themselves ready.

Arthur, dressed in armour, found Merlin at the top of the entrance staircase with Thalia, still in normal clothes. She had a sack over her shoulder and reached the top before Merlin.

'Merlin, where have you been? I've been calling for you.'

'Gathering provisions,' said the servant breathlessly as he stopped to talk to Arthur. 'Twenty-five salted cod, fifteen dried capers, and one smoked boar.' He pointed to a sack further down the stairs.

'And about one orchard's worth of apples,' said Thalia.

Arthur eyed the sack on her shoulder, noticing the round dents from the apples filling it to the rim. 'What on earth for?' he frowned.

'We're preparing for a siege,' Merlin said plainly.

'Yes, not a banquet...'

'You know what you're like without food,' Merlin began, 'we could be trapped in here for weeks, months, even.' He spoke completely seriously, making Arthur blink at him. 'Look what I've got for your breakfast.' He reached down for a jar. 'Your favourite…!' he grinned.

Arthur frowned.

'Pickled eggs!' the servant explained crossly.

Arthur looked at his servant as Thalia laughed and kept moving. He shook his head and walked after her.

'The evacuations have finished, we're just waiting on the army. We've bought ourselves time by preparing for this earlier.'

'That's good,' she said, grunting.

'Gaius has set up a wing in the castle for the injured, and we've got our best archers heading for the battlements before sundown.'

'Also good. No sign of Morgause, I take it?'

'Nothing, but there's no reason to believe she'll fight on the front lines.'

'The problem is if she does. How am I supposed to fight her with two armies around?'

'We'll think of something. It's not like people spectate in battles, anyway.'

'I hope for my sake that's true,' she quipped, making Arthur laugh.

As the sun moved through the sky the tension in the castle continued to mount.

Arthur strode through the castle with Sir Leon and Merlin, inspecting the medical bays, supplies and armoury. Every so often they'd cross paths with Thalia and Gwen and another knight as they checked defences and the townsfolk.

Arthur felt confident seeing the castle move so efficiently. He'd nod to Thalia when they passed, letting her know everything he'd seen was ready. He'd feel better every time they got a nod in return.

'Merlin, I need you to take a message to the stables, and then find Thalia and tell her I've gone to check on my father.'

'You expect me to find her in all this?' Merlin panted, gesturing around at the flurry.

'If you can,' Arthur said.

Merlin sighed and set off. He reached the stables and looked around, trying to spot her or Gwen.

His heart sank when he glanced back at the castle and saw her high on the roof. With a groan he tried to reach her with his mind.

Nothing.

He scuttled back to the castle and tried again.

Thalia, Arthur's checking on Uther, is there anything else we have to do?

To his immense relief he heard her reply.

The army will line up in less than an hour, you need to get the courtyard cleared and then eat and rest.

Merlin nodded as he listened and hurried back outside.

Thalia left Gwen to tend to Morgana and headed for Uther's chambers.

Arthur was in the chair, looking less bright than he had before.

'He'll wake soon,' she said.

Arthur turned at the sound of a voice. 'I hope so.' He leaned back in the chair and sighed, looking the most relaxed he had in several days as he forced himself to stop tensing. She had finally changed into her chain mail. He smiled at Thalia, feeling a sudden, unexpected rush of adrenaline creep over and around him. Somehow, in that moment he knew that they were going to survive.

Merlin entered the room, looking surprised at Arthur's mood. 'Sire. It's time.'

Arthur nodded and turned back to Uther. 'I promise, I will not let you down.'

He stood up, with a fiery look in his eye and grinned. 'Ready?'

Thalia nodded with a smile of her own and put an arm around Merlin, pulling the servant out of the room with them.

On the way to Arthur's chambers to put the remainder of his armor on they walked outside, looking at the massed army beyond the walls. Against the dusk, the thousands of torches looked foreboding, and Merlin's jaw set anxiously.

'Morgause and Cenred are somewhere out there…' Thalia said, looking blankly at them.

They led their knights past part of the army in the square and moved to Arthur's chambers.

Merlin set to work putting the pieces of Arthur's armour on. He had nearly finished when he pulled a strap a little too tight. Annoyed, he tutted, making Thalia look up from her own bracers.

'Sorry.'

Arthur nearly smiled and fixed the strap himself. 'It's not like you to get nervous, is it, Merlin?'

'I'm not nervous,' Merlin replied, shaking his head.

Thalia smiled softly and looked down again, tightening the straps. She eyed her bare hands before putting gloves over them to keep them warm and nimble in the cold.

'No?' asked Arthur, not believing Merlin for a moment.

'Because I trust in your destiny.'

Merlin's response made Arthur frown, and he twisted his head round in confusion as Merlin stood back to gather more from the table.

'Have you been on the cider?!'

Merlin said nothing until he had unsheathed Arthur's sword. 'It is your fate to be the greatest king Camelot has ever known.'

Arthur watched him, unsure of how to respond.

'Your victory today will be remembered...by every age...'til the end of time.' He passed the silent Arthur his sword. 'Just trust in yourself.' He moved again to the table with a nod.

After a long pause, Arthur spoke. 'There are times, Merlin, when you display a sort of...I don't know what it is. I don't want to say...it's not wisdom.'

Merlin laughed a little.

'But, yes. That's what it is.'

Merlin smiled, cheek creeping through his eyes.

Arthur frowned, annoyed. 'Don't look so pleased,' he groaned, walking away, 'the rest of the time you're a complete idiot.'

Thalia and Merlin raised their eyebrows at each other.

While Arthur marched out of his chambers, a hush fell between the spellcasters.

'Well…,' said Merlin looking around, 'this is a big one.'

'…Yep,' Thalia sighed in a high tone, agreeing.

'I'll keep an eye on Morgana.'

Thalia nodded. 'Be careful, Merlin. I know we were joking earlier, but you can jump behind me. It's easier if I get injured rather than you.'

Merlin nodded back. 'Thank you,' he said quietly.

'Let's go.'

Arthur had almost doubled back to drag them out when their conversation finished. He was waiting for them in the hall.

'I never thought we'd be doing this,' he said to Thalia.

'Looks fun. I'll see you in a while.'

After checking on the final preparations, Arthur was making his way back to his chambers for a better pair of gloves, watching as guards relocated to the battlements and gates. The castle was surprisingly empty, as everyone had moved to safer locations or to the front lines.

He approached Thalia's first as he moved through the castle, and frowned when he saw her chambers were open, the light pouring out and onto the stone walls.

Something didn't seem right to him and he quickened his pace.

'Thalia?' he called.

There was no response, and so he cautiously looked inside. The chambers looked normal at first inspection. The far window was closed, the larger candles lit for the night, bed made, everything tidy.

Still suspicious, Arthur moved in, eyes darting around, hand ready to reach for his sword.

As the angles he viewed the room from changed, he saw the chairs by the fireplace and the curve toward her screen and the small corner at the back which held a chaise behind another screen.

The chairs were lit up from the fireplace, and Arthur stopped moving, staring at them.

He then came face to face with a newly lit, blazing fire with flames that climbed toward the top of the fireplace, not the type he was used to seeing. He went to turn around and scan the room again, but the base of the flames caught his eye as he saw leather, and the familiar patterns of burnt paper.

Realising they were the books of magic, Arthur darted for the poker and began to fish one out, noticing it was eerily still intact, and not entirely on fire.

'Guards!' he yelled.

Moments later two men trooped through the double doors.

'Find Thalia, bring her here.'

They ran out without a word and Arthur looked at the table.

He ran for the water jug and tossed the contents over the fire.

The flames drooped and Arthur stood pack, catching his breath when he heard the hiss of steam. The wet wood and books began to dry as the fire built itself up again.

Arthur eyed the books, unsure if it was their doing. As he looked around for what to do, he noticed a small stone that he was sure hadn't been in the flames before. Then he realised it was beginning to change colour as it heated, growing whiter. He was trying to fish it out when he heard Thalia's footsteps moving into the room.

'What is it?' she said, searching for him.

'Round here!' Arthur called, wincing against the heat.

Thalia appeared and stopped in her tracks. 'What the-?! No, no, no…! Drysnan!' The flames didn't budge.

'I don't know; your chambers were open.' Arthur moved back as she took the poker from him, the pair looking overwhelmed. 'I tried to throw water on it, but it just… steamed and kept burning.' He anxiously glanced at the fire and Thalia, unsure of what was happening.

'It what?' she asked, rounding on him in a panic.

Arthur nodded, looking perplexed.

Thalia groaned from the middle of her throat, making it growl. 'Blinnan!' she ordered.

Arthur eyed the fire more uneasily as Thalia's increasingly forceful spells didn't alter the flames.

'Is it the books doing that?'

'No,' she said distractedly, resorting to fishing through them as fast as she could. Arthur took another tool from the side and began to help. 'They'd be working to put it out, if anything. This is an incredibly powerful magic.'

'And that?!' Arthur said, pointing at the stone as he hooked one of the books by the spine.

Thalia stopped moving for a moment as she studied it, then her eyes flew even wider, watching as it began to glow, suddenly and forcefully increasing the light. 'Move!' she shoved him away.

Arthur helped her balance to follow him and they pulled one of the chairs with them a little as it became hard to see from the light, moving around the wall.

Arthur wasn't sure what to expect until a moment later, when he heard the flames roar and the light in the room returned to normal. He felt the stone touching his back thud and vivid red and orange blasted out of the fireplace.

When it stopped they ran back around. The fire had caught the other chair and Thalia set to work extinguishing it while Arthur examined the fireplace. The fire and stone was gone, leaving only blackened wood and ash in piles where the books were.

He moved over as Thalia joined him, watching as she removed a glove and sifted her fingers through the ash.

Arthur didn't know what to say. 'What just happened?'

Thalia rubbed her forehead with her other hand, dropping the ashes. 'I think Morgause did,' she said, thinking and wincing. She let out a noise between a hiss and a sigh. 'That's it. They're gone.'

'They knew now was the time, when everyone is too busy to notice.'

Ignoring the noises outside of the knights finishing their marches they stared at the fire, feeling like a bad omen had crept up on them.

'Who knew?'

'Well it wouldn't surprise me if Morgause did,' said Thalia, sounding surprisingly fine, 'it's not hard to figure out whose hands they'd be in if you know they exist.'

Arthur frowned, glancing between Thalia and the ashes. 'You were already taught because of Ryujin, right? You didn't need them, do you?' He asked to confirm, extinguishing his paranoid panic.

'They were certainly useful, going beyond my knowledge,' she said bitterly, shaking the dust from her hand and rising, 'but no, I didn't.'

'Then what was the point of burning them?' Arthur said, trying to ignore his unease, thoughts and situation.

'Because I owned them. There'd be no point stealing them, but she wanted to get those secrets away from me somehow. Aaaargh~,' she moaned, spinning around, scratching her head, 'for gods' sake!'

Arthur glanced at the window, at the dark night outside and the faint lights from the awaiting siege.

'It's my fault for not thinking of it.' She'd stopped spinning. 'Oh whatever, they're ash now, we've got an army to run.'

With a half laugh, half scoff Arthur responded, before gesturing vaguely.

'Come on,' Thalia said, turning around and whacking him in the arm.

Arthur whacked her back and they stretched their necks, refocusing.

Leaving the ashes and burnt chair, they headed for the knights and guards.

They entered the lower chambers, after a brief stop to tell Merlin what had happened. Thalia gave Arthur a small nod and stood to the side. Moderately, but within understandable deviances, unnerved, Arthur moved forward. He clapped knights on the shoulder as he moved to the front. When he reached it, he made eye contact with as many as he could. Again, Thalia stood to the side, looking like what she would be normally if not regent; a personal guard.

Arthur drew his sword. 'For the love of Camelot!' he yelled.

'For the love of Camelot!' echoed the knights and Thalia.

The prince led them out of the room.

They took their positions in the lower town as the knight finished the barricades in the street. Arthur and Thalia eyed the gate, waiting for the doors to be breached. The tension had faded to an itch as they waited, extreme calm muffling their twitchiness.

Outside they could hear the chanting of Cenred's army.

The sound was unlike any other, and Thalia and Arthur moved to stand side by side.

The first catapults hit the gates and the barricades. Arthur's jaw set tight as he watched them. Then the heavy doors burst open and a sea of men ran for them.

Arthur and Thalia were the first in line and stood onto the structures as they began to cut down soldiers.

Further back in the castle, Merlin looked up as the noise changed. Unable to stop himself, he reached out his mind.

… How is it?

It was some time before Thalia replied.

Would you believe it if I said "slow?"

Satisfied with her answer, Merlin chuckled kept moving.

'LADDERS!' Thalia yelled. Cenred's men had begun to lean ladders against the castle walls.

Arthur spared a moment to glance high above them at the citadel walls. He did so every break in his combat. Eventually when they swapped back a few rows and they leant on the nearby houses he studied the walls more closely.

'They can't get that ladder down!' he shouted over the clanging of the swords and yelling of men.

'Which one?!'

'On the far right, on the corner, it's too well placed!'

Thalia glanced to Arthur's indication before hanging her head again. 'I think they've wedged it in the battlements.'

Arthur didn't say anything for a minute. Speaking as quietly as he could to still be heard over the din he asked; 'can you bring it down?'

Her head jolted up a little, surprised. She turned to look at him for only a split second before eyeing the ladder, studying it. 'Yeah,' she said, nodding, readying herself.

Arthur nodded and patted her shoulder, moving in front of her to block her face from view.

In a low, powerful voice that made Arthur's skin tickle from the unusualness, she glared at the ladder.

'Ābrece anbróce, anforlætan sé campweorud hryre!'

Her eyes flashed and Arthur turned in time to see the wood of the ladder snap, seemingly under its own weight, and the soldiers plummet to the ground. He turned to send her a smile and ran back to the front.

Thalia stood stretching her arm when a familiar figure in chain mail darted past her.

'ARTHUR!' she yelled, realising it was Uther.

Arthur turned around at her shout and saw her pointing at him. 'Father!' he roared, and pushed him back.

He waved frantically at Thalia to help him and between them they carried him away from the front lines.

'What are you doing?!' Uther yelled.

'You're not well,' Arthur replied, doubting he'd get his father to see sense.

'This is my… kingdom!' A stray arrow whistled through the air and hit him in the leg. He let out a grunt as Arthur and Thalia instinctively ducked a little, then hurried to support more of Uther's weight.

Arthur looked down at the king's leg and to the barricade. 'Pull back!' he yelled. 'Retreat!'

He pulled Uther away from Thalia and looked her square in the eyes. 'Thalia.'

'Yep-!' she said, twirling her sword around and facing the barricade again.

Not having time to waste, Arthur kept pulling Uther back to the next gate as knights began to follow them. Sir Leon helped him carry the weight and Arthur slipped out from Uther's back, moving a few steps back toward the barricade to watch as the knights retreated slowly.

He could see, and hear, the distinct attributes of Thalia's sword at the very front line, covering the knight's retreat. Satisfied she didn't need his help he ran back to his father and together with Sir Leon got him behind the gate.

Merlin appeared. 'Where's Thalia?'

'Holding the front line while we pull back, if you're up to it,' Arthur said, panting and doubling over, 'go make sure we've left no injured behind.'

Merlin nodded, rallied his courage with a tilt of his head and darted back through the gates. Knights tumbled past him until the invaders were merely steps from the gate.

He helped two injured slip to safety before it was only Thalia, and him squashed behind her on the other side of the door.

Ready when you are, he said, ducking from an arrow.

Now's good, came the wild, distracted reply.

'Forbærnen,' Merlin whispered and a wall of fire divided them.

They ducked and scooted back, leaning against the gates, panting.

'Ow.'

'What's wrong?' asked Merlin, startled.

She held up her right hand. The glove was cut and blood was seeping through the dark fabric.

'Oooooo….' Merlin winced, sucking in breath, 'ouch.'

They pulled themselves up and looked around.

Arthur was still preoccupied with Uther, making Thalia groan.

'Merlin,' she said, pointing with a weary outstretched left arm, 'Arthur doesn't have time to babysit the king, get Uther back inside.'

Merlin nodded and hurried to the prince and king.

Arthur helped him take Uther back to the courtyard, much to Merlin's exasperation. They got Uther to the well and the king addressed his son. 'You must get back to the battle, we're losing the lower town.'

'It's already lost, Father,' Arthur said, shaking his head.

'And the citadel?'

'Safe for now.'

'It must stay that way,' Uther hissed.

Arthur looked at his father for a long moment, frowning suspiciously as he began to see Thalia's point. 'You have to trust me, Father. I know what I'm doing.' He pulled the arrow out of Uther's leg, ignoring the grunt as best he could. 'You must rest. When you're well again, you will still have a kingdom, I promise you that.' He left his father with Merlin and ran to find Thalia.

I'm worried.

Merlin?

Morgause knows you have magic, why haven't they done anything to try and stop you?

I know. Maybe she doesn't know the extent of it. I'll be careful.

'Thalia, I'm heading for the battlements!' Arthur called, standing and waiting for her.

She nodded, letting out a little breath and ran for him. 'Uther?'

'He's alright. What's that?'

'What's what?'

'Did you get cut?'

She twisted her right hand around. Arthur caught it, squinting through the fire and dark at the pooling blood. He frowned unhappily at it and let it fall as they kept walking.

The battlements were as busy as the lower town was. Arthur blinked, assessing the chaos as they left the staircase and stepped into the night.

A soldier appeared and Arthur set to work, cutting through the armor.

Nearby, a knight yelled as he was injured in the battlements. Arthur helped him back as another knight took his place.

Thalia jabbed her sword under the arms of the knights, catching many soldiers off-guard.

Arthur kept an eye on where she was in case he needed her help, pushing close. Two knights fell either side of them and they swore, scrambling to get back to back as they became surrounded.

Back to back the two were near-invulnerable. Their armour made hideous noises when their backs clanged and scraped. They had established a strong rhythm when Thalia suddenly yelled in shock, fright and pain.

Arthur tried to glance behind him, threw the soldier he was fighting back onto the knight behind him and turned around within a second.

Thalia had doubled over, clutching her head. Arthur defended her, pulling her backward a little to reach the oncoming soldiers. With Thalia next to him on the thin battlements his mobility was limited but he didn't have time to search for a solution.

In a risk that made his blood freeze in fear, Thalia hissed and growled and swiped her right hand furiously through the air, blood dripping onto the stone floor. The soldiers were all blown back in a sudden, what Arthur could only describe as blood rush, dead on the floor from cuts that no sword had made.

Panicking, Arthur darted forward to make it look like he'd cut them down before the knights could notice. When they were clear he dragged her back away from the fights, steadying her as she clung on to her head, awkwardly holding her sword in the same hand.

'Thalia?!'

She looked up at him, looking dazed and shook her head.

Arthur scanned her for signs of injury.

Merlin.

Thalia! What was that?

Powerful magic.

Are you alright?

She nodded lazily, though Merlin could see her and Arthur frowned as she glanced up at him for a moment. I had Arthur next to me. Keep your guard up.

'What is it?'

'Something…' she glanced around to make sure they couldn't be heard as she spoke, 'just sent a surge of magical energy. Stay alert.'

Arthur nodded, wiping sweat from his forehead. 'Are you alright?'

'I'm fine, it's just like getting whacked in the back of the head.'

Arthur swung his sword over his wrist, making to move his legs. 'Stay here.'

She offered no opposition as Arthur moved back to the soldiers.

He reappeared a minute or so later supporting a knight with a wound to his abdomen. 'Thalia, can you help me?'

She nodded, now completely recovered, and crouched to take the man's other arm over her shoulders.

They made their way down to the square where Arthur passed the knight to two guards. 'Take him to the hospital.'

Merlin ran down the steps.

Arthur shouted at him the second he realised who it was. 'Merlin! Where the hell have you been?!'

'Nowhere!' He looked at Arthur and Thalia, who were both facing him with raised eyebrows, one a little more incredulous than the other.

'You're starting to make a habit of this. What's your excuse this time?'

Merlin opened his mouth to reply, but no sound came.

The two blinked at him.

'Come on, Merlin. You can do better than that.'

Now beginning to gape, Merlin pointed behind them.

In sync they lazily glanced behind them, and performed spectacular double takes.

Animated skeletons carrying swords stalked through the dark, nearly empty courtyard.

Immediately, Arthur threw Merlin behind him as a skeleton rushed them.

He won the fight and plunged his sword through the skeleton's ribcage.

The skeleton doubled down, then rose up again. Arthur nearly rolled his eyes. He swiped again.

'THALIA…?' he called.

'Ru-un!' she yelled. 'Merlin, seal the hospital.'

Merlin saw no point in arguing and ran. I'll stop Morgana.

'Merlin, no-!' she yelled.

Arthur frantically looked for his servant. 'What is it?'

'He's gone after the source.'

Arthur shoved his opponent away. 'Can't you do anything about them?!'

'Oh sure, I'll just offer them some marrow shall I?' she swiped the head off of one. 'Hey wait, I can get stabbed multiple times and keep walking, too, why don't I just play pincushions with them?!'

'Thalia…!' Arthur called again.

'Huargh! Fealletan, edhwierft æt cwealmbealu!'

The skeletons, the three surrounding them fell to the ground, returned to bones. Arthur breathed a sigh of relief, looking around.

Thalia slumped with a cough, swaying slightly as she caught her breath.

Arthur ran over, putting an arm around her back to support her weight as she leant on him, waiting for her to catch her breath and explain.

'It must be… an old… something from the Isle… it takes an immense amount of power to summon the death like that, Arthur, I can't undo them all.' She sounded tensed and strained.

'No,' Arthur found himself saying, 'no, you did fine. Take care.'

'I have to go after Merlin, stop the source.'

Arthur nodded and stood back, ready to run for the gates.

He turned and ran into the castle, ready to defend the hospital.

Merlin, where are you?

The burial vaults.

I'm coming.

Merlin peeked into the vaults. A staff was stood in the centre of the tombs, sending light glittering around the room.

Morgana's voice cut through the moment as she turned around and saw him. 'You should leave now while you still can.'

Merlin sighed. 'Morgana, please. I beg you.' Overhead a crunch sounded as the castle took damage. Merlin circled around. 'Women and children are dying. The city will fall.'

'Good,' Morgana said haughtily.

'No, you don't mean that,' Merlin said, eyes filling.

'I have magic, Merlin.' Morgana raised her voice. 'Uther hates me and everyone like me. Why should I feel any differently about him?'

'You of all people could change Uther's mind!' Merlin pleaded. 'But doing this? Using magic like this will only harden his heart.'

'You don't have magic, Merlin. How could you hope to understand?!'

'I do understand, believe me.' Merlin started forward, but Morgana mirrored him, making him stop in his tracks. '… If I had your gifts, I would harness them for good. That's what magic should be for. That's why you were born with these powers.'

'You don't know what it's like to be an outsider. To be ashamed of how you were born, to have to hide who you are. Do you think I deserve to be executed because of who I am?'

Trying not to let Morgana's words sink too far, Merlin rallied his mind. 'And Thalia?'

'Don't talk to me about her. She betrayed me, Merlin, she betrayed my kind!'

'She is your kind! She is what magic should be!'

'She will never be that, Merlin.'

'No. It doesn't have to be like this. We can find another way.'

'There is no other way.'

Thalia, please hurry.

I'm outside. Uh… hide, then I'll surprise her. Then you run for the staff. … … Please don't break it.

Merlin nodded sadly at Morgana and walked away, behind a pillar toward the door. As Morgana crept forward, Thalia stepped into the room, sword raised.

Morgana panicked and Merlin ran for the staff, but he was blown back to the side, behind Morgana, from it as it emitted a powerful surge of magic that made the room shake, spreading dust around.

Morgana and Thalia winced as it coursed through their heads, but Merlin was blown to the far wall accompanied by a sickening crunch, unconscious and bleeding from his head.

Far off in the woods, Morgause grinned.

'What pleases you, Morgause?' Cenred asked, surveying the city.

'The Crowned Warrior has fallen.'

Thalia realised the trap of magic had been intended for her as she stared, and screeched. 'MERLIN!'

Morgana flinched at the noise and stepped back from Thalia as she realised the trap had failed. Trapped in the dungeon with Thalia, she trembled as she stood her ground.

'Move, Morgana.' She said preoccupied, glancing at the woman in front of her as she looked at Merlin.

'Never.'

Thalia's eyes changed from the bleeding warlock to the witch, facing her squarely. 'Move, Morgana.'

Still she stood, sword at the ready.

Thalia lifted her own, pointing straight at her with her dominant hand. At her side, her right hand fingers flexed as she channelled magic through her hand, electricity crackling as they moved, her eyes half normal and half cloudy. Rage etched through her features, her face unmoving, her eyes nothing but threatening. '… … Move.'

Morgana had never seen anything so intimidating in her life. Her eyes flickered as she felt herself begin to freeze. Seeing it directed at her made Thalia's reputation make all the more sense. In a last attempt she pointed her sword toward Merlin, eyes not leaving Thalia for a moment.

'I'll kill him.'

Almost purely on instinct, Thalia growled and her magic surged as her eyes flashed with the storm, her right arm slashing out to the side. Above the castle lightning crashed in the air above them, the thunder drowning the siege engines, fighting and screaming to be the only thing anyone could hear, and those on the wrong angle were blinded by the sudden bright light.

From the front lines Arthur looked up, somehow recognising the pattern. He had no idea what was going on, and felt uncertainty creep around him. The skeletons ignored it, making the knights think it was something to do with them. It quelled the noise of the soldiers still outside of Camelot and the air was filled with a strange atmosphere.

From the forest Morgause frowned, hearing the faint rumble.

In the hospital Gaius moved to a window as Uther panicked and stood up, drawing his sword. As the knights moved him back to his bed, Gwen ran to Gaius.

'What was that? That was too loud for a storm, was that magic?'

The physician remain silent for a moment, eyeing the sky before replying with 'I don't know…'

'GAIUS!' The King roared.

He walked over. 'Sire.'

'That was magic, someone… Morgause. We're under attack from sorcery.'

'I recognised the lightning, sire,' Gaius said calmly and quietly, 'that strike was not from someone beyond Camelot.'

Uther's eyebrows raised as he saw what Gaius was saying. Hastily, he looked around at the ceiling and nodded. 'Good.'

Morgana screamed and ducked, cowering. She could feel the stone shake beneath her feet as the strike rumbled through the sky. The dungeon continued to shake even after the strike. Everything around her seemed to shake, except for Thalia, who stood in her field of vision.

Thalia sheathed her sword and crossed to the staff, tracing the carved wooden top with her fingers lightly, and then grasped it just beneath the top. Concentrating, she spoke. 'Néadhæs mec nú.' Her eyes flashed and the light at the top glinted.

'No,' Morgana whimpered, crawling across the trembling ground and reaching for the staff.

'Awefecung, edcierr æt luma.'

As Thalia outmatched Morgana's magic to take over the staff and commanded it to sleep, the skeletons through Camelot crumpled to the floor, returned to bones.

She then slid her hand further down the staff, pulled it from the ground and twirled it elegantly around, pointing it to Merlin, as the room finally shuddered to still.

'Unc weder ne anforlætan. Unc weder ne!'

The staff glowed once again as she cast the spell, using both her magic and the magic from the staff to cure the devastating wound.

'Forbærning.'

Morgana twisted to watch Merlin's wound heal from the shining light.

The spell ended and Merlin's complexion warmed. Thalia crossed the vault in long strides, kneeling with one knee beside him.

'Merlin? Merlin…?'

The warlock didn't respond and Thalia's eyes narrowed with worry. She rested the staff on the wall beside Merlin and carefully picked him up, leaving the area.

Morgana stared after her in shock, unable to move.

They neared the ward at the same time as Arthur, who ran from nowhere yelling; 'Open the hospital!'

'Arthur!'

'Thalia!' he turned round in relief at the sound of her voice. 'Merlin…?!'

'He took a deadly blow. I healed him but he hasn't woken up.'

Arthur nodded, gulping. He pointed to the staff in her hand. 'And that?'

'What they used to animate the skeletons.'

She reached him and he took half of Merlin's weight, continuing toward the ward.

'I saw the lightning, what happened?'

'I… hm.' Thalia frowned quizzically, thinking of an explanation. 'It happened when Merlin was injured.'

Arthur nodded, looking at Merlin. 'The battle's all but won, we're pushing them back even now.'

Merlin was lying in his bed when he woke.

Glancing at the gentle morning light from the window above him he frowned, putting a hand to the back of his head. It came away clean and he felt fine. As his mind began to work he realised Thalia or Gaius must have healed him.

He frowned at his surroundings until he realised he was in his room and not the stone floor of the vaults. With a start he remembered the battle and jolted upright before listening to his surroundings. Everything was quiet, and he had been taken care of and put in his bed so they had to be safe at least for now. Shaking sleep from his thoughts he stood up and leaned out of the small window.

There was movement in the lower town as guards and workmen repaired damaged houses and people set about cleaning their streets. He saw a mounted patrol cantering out of the city led by a front rider in deep red and scanned his eyes over the forest. The plant life had been quite disturbed, but there was no further sign of the army.

He ruffled his hair and left the chambers. Knowing that Gaius would most likely be in the ward, he moved through the castle and returned to the still-busy hospital. Many knights lay whimpering in pain from their wounds and Merlin set to work helping those running around.

He was fetching a bandage when Gaius saw him.

'Merlin! You're up!' He headed for the warlock with a pleased expression.

'I am,' Merlin called back over his shoulder, sifting through the different supplies, 'what happened?'

'Thalia and Arthur brought you in here not long before the battle was won. You seemed to have had a head injury.' Gaius reached Merlin. 'Thalia said you were crushed against a wall.'

'Mm,' Merlin nodded, 'I hit my head, and felt it crack open,' he said, making a show of being casual, 'I can't remember anything else.'

Gaius leant in. 'Arthur said Thalia healed you in the vaults.'

Merlin nodded. 'Well that certainly explains why I don't have a headache.'

Gaius chuckled. 'Arthur could use a hand, I can manage here.'

'Uhh… okay, I'll just bandage this one knight and then go find him.'

Gaius nodded and took a vial from the shelf, leaving Merlin to it.

The bandaging didn't take long and Merlin headed for the council chambers. He peered around the doors to see only Morgana speaking with Uther happily. He ducked out of sight as surreptitiously as he could and leaned on the wall, trying not to look suspicious to the guards.

'-well, Morgana, I'm very proud of you. And what of the instrument itself?'

'Uh-, it was destroyed.'

Merlin frowned, not believing Morgana's words. He could remember Thalia asking him not to break the staff. Then it made sense to him why Morgana would not want Uther to know it was in Camelot; it would be put further out of her reach, if she didn't have it already.

Tutting, he continued looking for Arthur. He found him in the square, ordering knights around and help villagers prepare to return home.

'Arthur!'

The prince turned around. 'Ah, Merlin, you're up, good. I need you to come here and help fix the well, and then get a blacksmith to mend the hinges on the gates.'

Merlin nodded and hurried over. 'What happened to it?'

Arthur looked over to their right. Merlin followed his gaze and saw a rock from a catapult lying on the stone.

'Ah.'

'And then one of those damn skeletons fell in it.'

Merlin crinkled his nose, looking down into the hole.

'But I think the best way of dealing with that is to wait for Thalia.' Arthur helped a guard lift the wheel and Merlin adjusted its position.

'Where is she?'

'She left on a patrol about half an hour ago.'

'I think I saw her.'

'Well when she returns my father will hold a celebration. Until then…,' he heaved the wheel further up, 'we'll be helping with repairs.'

The first thing Merlin had done when Thalia returned was to smile, immensely glad to see her, and walk with her to the grand hall.

'What happened to the staff?'

'It's safe,' Thalia promised. 'No one will find it.'

Merlin blinked. Where…?

'In an abandoned home,' she replied, glancing at the floor.

Merlin understood; the cave Kilgharrah had been kept in.

'I heard Uther speaking with Morgana, he thinks she stopped the skeletons,' he whispered.

'I know,' she replied, 'but I was too busy finishing the fight to speak to Uther first.'

'That's not fair!' Merlin groaned, 'you're the one doing all the work!'

'Uther's blind, Merlin, that's not news to us.'

Merlin tutted as they scooted past guards. 'I wish it wasn't,' he said grumpily.

'Don't we all.'

Knowing that they were about to have to applaud Morgana, the two decided to find Arthur and ignore Uther for as long as they could.

Arthur seemed happy to have the two of them in one piece again.

'I'm sorry about the books,' he said quietly over the chatter.

Thalia shrugged, shaking her head.

'That lightning,' Arthur said, nodding slowly.

Merlin frowned.

'It looked like your eyes for a moment.'

Thalia frowned. 'What?'

Arthur nodded. 'When it happened, I saw the clouds. It was almost identical.'

'Are you sure?'

'Here, come here?' Arthur adjusted her position and bent down slightly, squinting straight at her eyes. 'I'm sure of it. We can check the next time you use magic.'

'Ryujin's magic was based off lightning,' Merlin said suddenly.

Thalia and Arthur realised what he meant. Thalia studied her hand.

'It makes sense,' Arthur said as quietly as he could. 'If he gifted you his magic, then… And you bend nature like a dragon…'

'I can use his magic as if it were my own,' she nodded slowly.

'It probably is,' Merlin realised.

Arthur glanced around, 'time to end this conversation before it looks like we're whispering treason.'

'Probably a good idea,' Merlin muttered.

Thalia glanced at the window to the sky outside.

They talked about the battle in general and had begun teasing each other about their expressions when the skeletons appeared when Uther appeared and they had to get into their positions. Merlin stood at the front with Gaius. Begrudgingly, Thalia followed Arthur up the steps to their chairs.

'In my time,' Uther began, 'we've won many battles, but none so important as this. Every man, every woman and child has performed their heroic best, and I thank you, and I salute you all. Even before the battle, we knew there was a traitor in our midst, one who was almost the undoing of us. However, we have to thank the one person who outwitted them, and who - almost singlehandedly - turned the battle.'

Thalia had the job of keeping her face unreadable to those below, while Merlin had to face her as she entered.

'The Lady Morgana.'

The hall erupted in applause and Merlin clapped along, glaring at Morgana as she sent him one herself.

'For it was she who bravely entered the vault, found the magical vessel, and destroyed it. We must be vigilant! We must stand firm against the dark forces of magic, and ensure that they never penetrate our walls again.'

Thalia, after waiting a moment, rubbed her temple. This is ridiculous, she snapped.

You're telling me, she's glaring at me while being smiled at by Uther.

Aaaargh. Thalia's tone became more serious. For now, and for quite some time, it looks like we're in this on our own, Merlin.

Merlin had no verbal response to that, but the look he sent Thalia said enough.